12/03/2019
Do you love those around you? Do you exude a spirit of love that others can feel, and see when they approach you? If you are a hard person and bitter towards others it is time to let Jesus transform you, and become more like God the Father because love is the essence of God. Do you know the nature of God, and is it obvious on your face, and in your spiritual eyes?
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:8 ESV
When we look at older men and women something interesting becomes readily apparent... the lines on their faces tell us about who they have been during their life. If the wrinkles at the corner of their eyes are turned up then we know they have spent a lifetime smiling. If the creases are greatest in the area between their eyes then we know they have lived a life of sadness, and worry, and if a permanent scowl is cast on their face then we know they have been unhappy, and uncaring. Our faces tell the world a great deal about who we have been, and who we are on the inside, all this by looking at the effects our behavior has had on our countenance, and bodies.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
Do you know someone who is good with animals? I am certain you have run across people like this... these are folks who can extend their hand to a stray dog, and have him come to them. These are those who can approach and comfort an injured animal that would growl and snap at others. It is as if the animal can see right into their soul and find the kindness and comfort there. Well, our pets and other animals have senses that are greater attuned to these hidden attributes than we do, but that isn’t to say that we don’t have them to some degree as well. We sense goodness, kindness, caring, and love too. Peter, John, and James recognized this in Jesus when He was transfigured...
“And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.”
Luke 9:29 ESV
So as we become more like God, and Jesus, we begin to take on their countenance. Our gladness changes us, our love makes our face softer, our joy turns up our eyes...
“A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”
Proverbs 15:13 ESV
Others use their instinctive vision to see this in us, so before the creases permanently etch the story of our life on our face, and the state of our faith is outwardly revealed there, we should seek God, and be transformed in Christ, so that all which is good in them will be cast there for all to see in us.
“Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,”
Psalms 89:15 ESV
However, if you have spent a lifetime in anger, hate, bitterness, or such, do not despair because there is hope, and your face can yet be changed in spite of those telltale signs. Let God’s brilliance shine upon you, and receive His wisdom. In this way others will witness a wonderful change in you... His love will flow from your eyes, and take root in your countenance.
“Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.”
Ecclesiastes 8:1 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the glow of your countenance, and the love we see in your face before you have spoken, or touched us. Thank you for our ability to see a person’s heart written upon their face, and witness the state of their faith in you, and Jesus Christ, shining forth from them. Help us Father to be recast in your image after we have spent a lifetime in the world and received its stamp upon our faces. Thank you for allowing us to know one another even though we have never met, and for making it possible for our souls to instantly recognize each other as family. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who reveals himself to us, and through us by his countenance. Great are you who shines so intensely that we can’t look directly upon you, and who imparts a semblance of that radiance upon us. Praised be your Name for allowing our souls to feel and recognize one another as being your children. Merciful, and full of grace are you because we have done nothing of our own to deserve such blessing. We worship you Loving Father, and sing joyously that you have made us in your image, and that we will be like you when Jesus comes again.
“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
1 John 3:2 ESV
Rich Forbes