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Volume 33   Number 43 Oct 25, 2009

        1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see through a darkened glass, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also as known.
        For all of us, there are times when we do not see clearly. It seems we are looking through a cloudy glass, seeing only a dim reflection and not able to see completely. This is what is being described here, but there is a time when we will see all things clearly.
        2 Corinthians 3:18: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Now our face is unveiled, enabling us to see clearly. What we are seeing (as one looks into a mirror and sees his reflection) is the glory of the Lord and the face of Jesus.
        Remember the story of Jacob. He came to a place in his life when he no longer wanted to be like he had always been. He wanted to change. As a result, he wrestled with the Lord all night long and had a face to face encounter with God, and his name was changed. Genesis 32:27-30: So He said to him, “What is your name?“ And he said, “Jacob.“ And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel (Prince with God); for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.“ And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel (Face of God): “For I have seen God FACE TO FACE, and my life is preserved.“
        Moses was a man who knew God face to face. Exodus 33:9-11: And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So the Lord spoke to Moses FACE TO FACE, as a man speaks to his friend.
        Deuteronomy 5:2-4: (Moses said) “The Lord God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. The Lord talked with you FACE TO FACE on the mountain from the midst of the fire.“
        1 Chronicles 16:10-11: Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; SEEK HIS FACE evermore (continually). Psalm 105:4: Seek the Lord and His strength; SEEK HIS FACE evermore.
        There are many scriptures describing seeking God‘s face and His presence. For every New Testament believer, we have a greater opportunity because of what Jesus has done for us and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
        2 Corinthians 4:6-9: For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the (dunamis) power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed (troubled) on every side, yet not crushed (distressed); we are perplexed (filled with uncertainty), but not in despair (utterly lose hope); persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (not neutralized, which is what the enemy wants to do)---
        Hebrews 10:32: But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (made to see, given light, enlightened, given vision or understanding), you endured a great struggle (fight) with sufferings (afflictions). When God‘s glorious light shines on us, we will never be the same. When more light comes, there will be more insight, truth, and revelation.
        After the light of the glory of God comes upon us, there is going to be conflict. Before Christ, we lived from crises to crises. Now we can go from conflict to conviction to victory. So the question is: How much do you want to come FACE TO FACE with God?
        Romans 8:18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. It is clear that the closer we come, the more painful it can be. However, the closer we come, the more glory there will be.
        What will it take to get the glory of God revealed in you? How close do you want to be? The Lord showed three things: (1) SEEING the glory, (2) FEELING the glory, and (3) BECOMING the glory. Remember Romans 8:18. So then something has to take place in us as it did in Jacob who cried out: “Lord, I want more. Lord, I am not turning You loose until You bless me. Lord change my life, change my character.“
        Romans 14:5b: ...Let each one be fully persuaded (convinced, fully settled with conviction) in his own mind. 2 Timothy 1:12: For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
        Are you persuaded? This has to be settled in your heart before you can go beyond the conflict. There will always be conflict and crisis until we come to a place of pressing through in full assurance and conviction and being fully persuaded.
        Romans 8:37-39: Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded (fixed, anchored, moored, secured, riveted, settled with conviction) that neither death nor life, nor angels or principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
        Can you say: I am persuaded, I am fixed, anchored, moored, secured, riveted, and settle with conviction. We cannot get beyond the conflict if this is not settled in our hearts.
        In John Maxwell‘s book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, he wrote about the Law of Sacrifice. We have to sacrifice to go up, and we have to sacrifice to stay up. People in business know that. However, so many people in the church today think that everything is going to come so easy and with no cost. Yes, Jesus paid for our sins to be forgiven and made a way to heaven, but God is just as interested in getting heaven in us and getting His glory in us. How much is His glory worth to you? What are you willing to sacrifice?
        Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.“
        1 John 5:4: For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.
        What will it take to get the glory of God revealed in you? How close do you want to be? SEE the glory - FEEL the glory - BECOME the glory. Isaiah 60:1: Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Lord, WE SEEK YOUR FACE!