ay 8 encourages us to share with others what God has done in our lives.

Day 8 - I Declare

One reason the Bible helps so many people is that it tells real stories about real people who have been touched by a very real God. When we read how God worked in the lives of Moses, David, Paul, Esther, Ruth, and countless others, we see how God can work in our lives, too.

In the same way, people can learn from our lives as well. The Bible says, "Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:3).

I wrote this song after my own struggle about whether or not to share with others my own testimony of what God has done in my life. Although I am still self-conscious at times, I have seen God use my testimony for His glory far too often to ever want to hold back if God prompts me to share.

I’d like to encourage you to share your testimony with others, too. Although sharing it may be uncomfortable, you can know that if God is prompting you, He has a purpose for it. There are many hurting people going through the very same things that you’ve already been through. They need a glimmer of hope that God can work in their lives, too.

The woman at the well didn’t have a particularly flattering background, but after she met Jesus, she went back to her town to tell them what He had done for her. The Bible says, "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony…" (John 4:39). The apostle John recorded what Christ had done in his life and the lives of others, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).

Peter and John were so excited to tell about Christ, they couldn’t keep quiet even when threatened with imprisonment. "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20).

The words of our testimony are like gold to God. When we share them, they can be like gold to others, too.

Let Me Pray for You

Lord, I pray for those whom You have touched, that they would be willing to share with others what You have done for them. Lord, I pray that You would show them, even this week, how their testimony could affect someone else’s life. I pray that when they’re ready, Your Holy Spirit would lead them in exactly what to say and when to say it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Take Time in His Word

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:3).

• Read Acts 26:1-29. Why was Paul so willing to be honest about what God had done for him?
• Read Revelation 12:10-11. What kind of power does the word of our testimony have?
• Read Mark 5:18-20. What response did the people have when the man who had been demon-possessed told them what Christ had done for him?

Take Time in Prayer

Listen to the song I Declare (please note that the song numbers for this week are not the same as the "Day" numbers of the devotional). Thank God for what He’s done in your life. Ask God to put people in your life who might need to hear about what He’s done for you.

After You Pray

Every week I receive letters from people on the Internet who have read my testimony and the testimonies of others on our web site called The Ranch (www.theranch.org). They often simply need someone to talk to who has struggled with their same struggles. They are looking for hope. When they find a Christian who can point them to God’s solution to their problems, they are thrilled, healed and thankful beyond words. If God has helped you through a struggle in your life, would you be willing to share it on the Internet so others could find hope, too? If so, send me your testimony and watch God work through your words.