How is Your Countenance?

II Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

A young missionary family was living in a previoulsy unreached tribal area. They loved the Lord and it showed so much that the people they were working with were drawn to know their Lord too.

When the missionary wife had her first baby they decided to hire one of the natives to help with chores around the house so she could take time with her newborn.

A young lady begged them for the job. They hired her and found that her work was excellent. She took pride in doing her work and she seemed so happy.

One day the missionary wife happen by her own sleeping quarters and saw the young woman there. Startled that the missionary wife had discovered her she hid something she had in her hand behind her.

When the missionary wife asked her what was happening, the you lady beamed with joy...then brought forward the mirror she had held behind her. She exclaimed, "it's coming, it's coming".

"What's coming?" inquired the wife.

"The glow" said the young lady, "that same glow that you have...it's coming to my face too".

Once again, read :

II Corithians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Notice: by beholding we become changed!.... from glory to glory.

Are you marked?

Centuries ago, two young lads in a small village in Ireland were arrested for stealing sheep. This was a very grave offense and to serve as a warning for other would-be sheep thieves, the boys' foreheads were branded with the letters ST.

The first young man was furious at his treatment. He decided the world would always be against him. He was in constant fights with the townspeople, scrapes with the law, and soon left Ireland, a bitter angry man.

The second young man was very sorry for his actions. He could be found around the village, helping the sick and the elderly, playing with children, carrying firewood for widows.

And so the years passed and passed.

Decades later, a new family moved to the village. The father noticed an old man walking down the dirt path. His forehead had faint initials, ST. He asked a small boy by the roadside just what those letters meant.

"I have no idea, Sir," the little boy replied. "But I think it means 'Saint'."

Our countenance can relfect the joy we have in our hearts, that is, if we have joy in our hearts. Someone once said, " if you are happy and you know it...please notify your face"

What is said of the heavy hearted, and the effect of cheering words upon such?
"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad." Prov. 12:25.

What is the influence of cheerfulness upon the sad and despondent?
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Prov. 17:22.

What did Job exclaim in a time of sore trouble, when well meaning friends came to him with words of reproach?
"I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all." Job 16:2.

What did he say would have been the case had their circumstances been reversed?
"I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you: but I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief." Job 16:4, 5.

Are not those who have suffered and been comforted of God, best able to comfort others?
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them, which are in any trouble by the comfort where- with we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Cor. 1:3, 4.

What beautiful promise is written for the upright in heart?
"Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." Ps. 97:11.

What should be the language of the heart that has experienced help from God?
"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou has put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness." Ps. 30:11.

What should be the spirit of our service toward God?
"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing." Ps. 100:2.

Here is a special cause for good cheer.
"Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Matt. 9:2. "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Rom. 4:7

For what does Isaiah say he will greatly rejoice?
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isa. 61:10.

Should the Christian be joyful in God under adverse and trying circumstances?
"Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for behold, your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:22, 23.

What does the Saviour say to us?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

What special cause for encouragement is given us by virtue of Christ's victory over the world?
"To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Rev. 3:21.

How constant should the Christian's rejoicing be?
"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice." Phil. 4:4.