The other day I read that only about 5% of Christians have ever led anyone to Jesus Christ. If people knew the thrill of witnessing a life changed by Christ, I believe they would begin sharing their story as often as possible. It truly is the greatest and deepest joy for me to see someone come to know Jesus.

Sometimes I have had Christians tell me they feel uneasy or unsure when to share their testimony. One simple bit of advice I’ve found very helpful is this- write your story down first. Take the time to do it.  It will be a great joy for you to remember the details of what God has done in your life. And then the next time you have an opportunity to share your story, you’ll know what to say. All because you took the time to write it down. If you’re listening to me on the road right now, when you get home, I want you to take out a pen and paper, or pull out your laptop, and write down what God has done in your life, and how it all started. As the Psalmist wrote, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord.”

Remember His deeds, think them through, write them down, and then share them as you reach your world.

This is Luis Palau.

I’ve seen it over and over that people identify more with others who have had similar experiences. My wife Pat is a cancer survivor. Those suffering from cancer listen to her because they know she’s suffered before. Our son Andrew was rebellious as a young man. Other rebellious young men listen to him because they see that he gets it. His wife, our beautiful daughter-in-law Wendy, has had the pain of several miscarriages. Other families who have suffered that devastating loss are comforted in talking with Wendy because she understands. It opens doors for the Good News Gospel.

As you are preparing to share your story, try to find a common ground. Nobody wants to talk to a stuffy person who acts like they’re perfect. Try your best to relate to the person you’re talking to so they know they aren’t alone. St. Paul writes that God has comforted us in our difficulties so we can comfort others. Listening to someone with empathy and understanding may be the one thing that will open up their heart and mind to the Good News.  And that way you are reaching your world.

This is Luis Palau.

Sharing your story can feel awkward at first. Especially if you haven’t before. Trust me, I’ve been there. We all have.

On a flight from Hungary to England with a team colleague, two women were sitting in front of us that we’d never met before.  We didn’t even know that they knew us.  She was telling the neighbor, fabulously explaining the way of salvation.  We were listening because they were talking quite loudly.  Then suddenly she gets to the point of leading this woman to Christ and she turns and says, “You’re Luis Palau aren’t you?  Will you help this woman to give her life to Christ?”  I said, “No. You’ve done a terrific job.  Use Revelation 3:20.”  And she did.  And the woman surrendered to Christ.

I’ve learned through the years a few things NOT to do when sharing your story. First, try to avoid Christian clichés. You know the ones I’m talking about - those big words we say in church that someone new to church would have a hard time understanding. Second, avoid going into too much detail about your past life. It’s important to share the transforming work of Jesus in your life, but sharing too many details makes that the focus.

Use these simple reminders to guide you in sharing your story. Ultimately, the work of evangelism is about the Spirit of God at work. Jesus said, “the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you ought to say.” Rely on the Spirit as you share your story and you’ll reach your world,

This is Luis Palau.

Did you know that you are never alone when you are sharing your faith with someone? There are three people involved: you, the person you’re sharing with, and the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit will guide you as you step out in faith to share the Good News. You are never alone. I can see why someone would be scared to share their faith if they felt they had to do it alone. But you never have to.

I met a high government official of the People’s Republic of China in the capital city of Beijing. I was nervous even though I have experience.  But I was put at ease instantly.  He was far more open to the Gospel than I ever imagined. He opened up the conversation by saying, “Mr. Palau, I’m a Communist, I’m a Marxist, and I’m an atheist.  Welcome to China!”  Oh!  I began to tremble, but he’d read the Bible three times.  He was open to Jesus, and in fact, three years later he gave his life to Jesus Christ.

God wants to use you to reach the world for Him. The Bible says in Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” You don’t have to be afraid to share your faith. God will show you how. You can reach your world. You do it by faith. You’ll never regret it because you are depending on the Holy Spirit who dwells in you.

This is Luis Palau.

Paul reminds us in Second Corinthians, “Since we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. . . For Christ’s love compels us, because we are CONVINCED that one died for ALL, and those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again.”

As followers of Jesus, we’re convinced. We’re convinced of God’s goodness in our lives. We’re convinced because of His goodness, He’s the only One worth living for. Because we are convinced, as Second Corinthians says, “we try to persuade others, because Christ’s love compels us . . . “

If you are truly confident in the reality of God and eternal peace and life for those who believe, be bold in telling others. We must share the Good News! Romans 10 says, “How can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One they have not heard of? And how can they hear without somebody telling them?”

It’s simple. We believe life with God is better than life without Him and as followers of Jesus, we must share that with others. It’s our greatest responsibility and privilege.

Be bold. Be brave. You can truly make an impact on lives for eternity.

This is Andrew Palau.

God wants to fill us with Himself fully and completely. He wants to be “the God of all comfort” [2 Corinthians 1:3] when we face the pressures of life. Then the Lord wants us to comfort others and pray for the salvation of relatives, neighbors, friends and acquaintances who don’t yet know Jesus Christ.

A friend took up my challenge to pray by name for the salvation of five businessmen he knows. Then we got together for lunch a few weeks later. The Lord already had given him the opportunity to witness to one of those five business friends, who surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Can you imagine how excited my friend was? And you better believe he wants to keep praying for the other four men.

A teenage girl we met in Scotland took up a similar challenge. She actually went the extra mile, praying by name for ten of her friends at school. Within a year all ten had trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. This girl was elated. Many others have told me similar stories.

After all God has done for you, multiply the blessings by praying by name for the salvation of five or ten people you know and care about. Ideally, pray for them by name daily. And then don’t be surprised when they come to faith. Just shout for joy!

This is Luis Palau.

It’s powerful when a Christian can tell someone, “Because of a similar situation that I’ve experienced, I think I may understand what you’re going through. May I share with you what God did for me?”

In the ministry of comfort [2 Corinthians 1:3-4], God’s Word comes alive, and His promises become active and real. Suddenly you understand why you went through your hardship. And, praise God, it was worth it!

The apostle Paul wrote that even the most severe pressures of daily life never separate us from the tenderness and compassion of our Heavenly Father. On the contrary, when we feel like our world is falling apart, God’s power and grace are magnified. As someone once said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace is the ability to cope.” The God of all comfort can provide that “cope-ability” in the midst of any crisis.

Paul is not saying that we won’t face disappointment, suffering, or conflict in life. But he is saying that no Christian need ever despair. Why? Because we worship the God of all comfort—the God who is sufficient for the pressures of life. When you have experienced God’s comfort, you are equipped to comfort others who are in distress.

This is Luis Palau.

When a crisis arises, the worst mistake you and I can make is to pretend that nothing is wrong. To find relief from our problems, we must first acknowledge them and the inner despair they cause. Only then can we embrace the “Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort,” as we read in 2 Corinthians 1:3.

Unfortunately, too often when we Christians face trials, we forget to look to God for comfort. “I’m such a nice person,” we say. “Why does God allow these things to happen to me?” One reason we experience trials is to enable us to comfort others who are hurting. Christians who are walking with the Lord have much to share regarding the comfort and peace God has given them in times of deep need or despair.

As a Christian, have you met the true Comforter? Do others turn to you for counsel because they sense God’s comforting presence in your life? Or are you a Christian who tends to complain about everything? Do you blame God for your own failures? It must grieve our Lord deeply to hear some of the ridiculous things we complain about when He has given us so much. He must ache when He sees His children facing adversity yet refusing to call upon Him for comfort. Why wait? Call on the God of all comfort”right now. Then share God’s comfort with others who are hurting.

This is Luis Palau.

Imagine how different your life would be if you were completely, totally filled with God Himself. No area of your life would be untouched. You would love God so much more deeply. You would care so much more about others. And you would have such compassion for those who don’t love God yet. Even with the weaknesses we all have, the power would be tremendous.

Our whole purpose is that God takes over more and more of our lives. That we become like His Son, Jesus Christ. What really counts is this: Does God run my life? Is He in control? Or am I trying to run the show?

I still remember the day I finally understood that it’s futile trying to please God in my own strength. But, praise the Lord, He is pleased to live in us! All the resources of Jesus Christ are entirely at our disposal. Because He indwells us, all that is Christ’s is ours.

God’s wish is that we live today enjoying the reality of what the apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20. “It’s not I, but Christ who lives in me.” Is that your experience and reality? If not, pray right now and ask God to completely, totally fill you with Himself. Then share this life-changing experience with people around you. Reach your world!

This is Luis Palau.

Where I live in the Pacific Northwest, every year hikers get lost while hiking on Mt. Hood. Some for several days. Yet without fail, dozens of people move out within hours to search for them. These rescue teams are aware of the risk to their own lives, but still they move right into the danger. And every year people are saved. Like a search and rescue team, God moves in our lives. He is constantly waiting without fail to rescue us from danger or from walking down the wrong path.

Not only does God rescue us, He also calls upon us to join in to rescue others, too. The book of Proverbs says, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?” Imagine, God says he will actually repay us for what we have done. So what is holding you back from sharing the Good News today? Be a rescuer! Find someone who is in need of rescue and tell them about the peace and hope that are found in Jesus Christ. There are opportunities all around us today to reach our world.

This is Andrew Palau.