Reach: How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God

Social media can be the means God uses to bring about the greatest revival this world has ever seen. ~page 34

Whether you are a missionary in another country, a stay at home mom, a teacher at an inner city school, or a pastor of a little country church, you have a ministry. You have a calling from God to share the Gospel. Social media is an ever growing part of our reality. And because of that it has become a means through which we can share the Gospel!

But is that what we’re doing? Is that what you’re doing? Do you realize that Facebook is a gift? Do you realize that Twitter is an immeasurable tool for promoting an agenda, God’s agenda? Did you know that this blog, Intentional By Grace, has the opportunity to bring glory to God or to tear down His kingdom? Do you realize the crux of the effectiveness of social media in whatever form you use it is you and me?

Last year, I did an incredibly difficult thing. I deleted a lot of people from my Facebook stream. Every day I would log in and read one sad, moping story after another. I would read one hate message to a husband after another. I was inundated with statuses using Facebook to say things they would never say to anyone in person. It was disheartening and depressing to read. I struggled tremendously in my heart and often found myself logging off Facebook defeated.

Now, I’m not saying you need to delete everyone who complains from your Facebook account. I’m not even talking about those who are going through incredibly difficult times. Please don’t read too far into what I’m saying. I’m simply sharing my experience, and in the season I was in with my walk with the Lord, these particular statuses were not edifying. Instead, they were feeding into a deep inner struggle that God was dealing with me about. So I deleted these “friends.”

It was in that moment that I realized what a ministry Facebook, and other forms of social media, can be. I’ve often wondered what Paul could have accomplished with the Internet on his side! Could you imagine all the letters he could have written with a keyboard?! Or maybe we don’t want to imagine – the Bible is big enough.

Imagine if each believer was living yielded to the Lord, dependent upon Him, His strength, and His ability, as they were initiating making God known online. Imagine if the way other believers responded to online comments was full of patience and gentleness and love rather than judgment and impatience. ~page 35

Friends, we have an opportunity to steward the gift of social media and reach farther than we have ever reached before with the message of the Gospel. But we have to be intentional with our time and intentional with our words.

A few months ago, we ran across Laura’s blog, Beholding Glory. We immediately asked her to begin contributing at Christian Mommy Blogger because her heart reflected ours for using social media for God’s glory. Then we found out she was collaborating with Angie Pratt to release an eBook called, Reach: How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God. Today it releases, and I could not be more excited.

I had the privilege of reading this eBook from cover to cover, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it. Reach gives you practical tips partnered with everyday inspirational stories to help you learn how to effectively use social media for the glory of God! I gleaned a lot of great ideas that I will begin implementing immediately, and I am inspired to continue stepping out in faith to share the Gospel with those God brings my way.

God has specifically chosen your sphere of influence for you to steward. Stewardship is just a fancy word for taking care of something that does not belong to you. Your blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr do not belong to you. ~page 43

Everything we do, including our social media presence, can be used to build into the kingdom of God or tear down the kingdom of God. Which camp do you fall under? Which came do you want to fall under?

If you want to learn how to use your social media influence for God’s glory, then this eBook is for you. For today only you can get Reach for an introductory price of $2.99. After today the price will go up to $4.99.

If you’re on twitter, and like twitter parties, then join us tonight on the hashtag #reachebook at 7pm EST!

I hope you will check out Reach: How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God because using social media for Jesus is an opportunity I would hate to see you pass up!