On His Shirtsleeve
All day, I searched for a man of the cloth in His House; but I found none. I was deeply troubled and searched high and low, every where, for another Christian, that I might be able to share my burden with, and hopefully find the peace I so desperately needed. I wanted to serve The Lord and found an opportunity to speak the words of life to a little elderly lady. I found myself politely begging her pardon as she quickly replied to my initial comments with the sharp answer:
" I keep my faith private - It's just between me and God; I am not like - you - who wear their religion on their shirtsleeve. " You might be presently asking what do these things have in common.
I remember the day that The Lord welcomed me into His family and I sought for another man of God that I might share with him, what had just happened; hopefully that I might gain some understanding as I had not yet learned how to go to The Lord himself for the answers. I continually see troubled souls that find no peace because it is so hard to find another practicing Christian. There are so many of God's children which have not matured spiritually, because of difficulty in finding other Christians that The Lord might use to enlighten those poor troubled souls. An easily recognized Christian is one who very obviously is a Christian, because Christians know that true faith can not be concealed. When you truly believe in something, it can not be hidden. Great faith will not allow you to be unnoticed. Great faith changes your walk, the appearance of your walk. Small faith is easily recognized by failure to boldly go forth and not be ashamed of what you believe.
The point being made is relatively simple. The other day I was in a major shopping complex when I heard a word. It was like the power of a thousand pound magnet attracting a small piece of metal. It was like the most heart wrenching experience had entered my ears. That one word was none other than: " JESUS ". What else was being said, I did not hear. That One Word I heard and was drawn to the scene of that conversation. What a special feeling I felt in my heart because I had the privilege to have the opportunity to meet another child of God that wore his religion on his sleeve, one that was not ashamed to speak of The One he loved so dearly, by speaking of Him to others.
The Lord made it so clear to me, why so many of us experience so many troubles without any one coming to our aid. There is a need for quiet and reserved Christians, just as there is a need for bold Christians. Not all have the same ministry, not all have the same purpose; but all need to work together for true harmony of the body. The main point is just as The Lord tells us: " If you deny me before men, I will deny you before my Father ".
To clarify the matter, there was a child of God going about his usual day while unknown to him, The Lord was providing him with an opportunity to help his neighbor in a critical time of need.
( this neighbor could have been a believer, maybe he was an unbeliever ) The Lord spoke to His child, The spirit tugged at his heart, The Word was even quickened in him for an instant; but even after all that, he quenched The Spirit and continued on his way. The poor soul who was in desperate need had no idea that The Lord had intended for this brother or sister to help him as he also went on his troubled way, because he had not yet spiritually grown to the point that all he had to do was
take it to The Lord in prayer.
How many times have you been in a battle, a spiritual battle, and hungered for another to share The Love of God with you, that you might again hear The Word of Life that you might receive the Peace that only Jesus could give you, that peace that you so desperately needed. How many times in such a case were you wanting to find someone who would share Jesus with you, one who, in a manner of speaking, wore his religion on his sleeve.{boldness brought on by his love and trust in his Savior, wanting all to know about his precious love}

THE WORD OF LIFE MINISTRY !