Have you ever discovered the age of someone and found it hard to believe
they were so young when you were certain they were at least 10 years older??
It forces you to wonder what causes them to look so "weathered", figuratively
speaking. Naturally we want to prevent such a thing from happening to
us, amen? Women like to preserve themselves and postpone the affects of
old age as long as possible. We enjoy it when folks are pleasantly surprised
at how young we might appear. Yet the Bible tells us that if we live right,
our faces will wear a glow that no cosmetic item could bring about...
Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?
a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face
shall be changed.
Here we discover one of God's secrets to a youthful appearance is wisdom;
it is the very foundation of a healthy countenance and life. Wisdom is
found in the Word of God, and reading and heeding it keeps us young at
heart! It affords us the skill to rightfully interpret circumstances in
our life and respond properly to them, thereby resulting in an evident
joy.
Matthew 17: 1-2
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before
them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as
the light.
Another secret to a youthful appearance the Lord would let us in on is
sanctification and separation. I know those two words might sound scary
to some Christians, but they are our friends! Sanctification and separation
keep us from doing that which would mar our testimony. All throughout
the Bible, we learn how emphatically the Lord desires that His children
come apart from the world and cleave unto Him. As Jesus himself exemplified
in the verse above, when we do, there will be a glow in our countenance
that will be hard to ignore! You see, ladies, our faces are mirrors of
our personality. A hardened face suggests a hardened heart... What ages
us is sin and sinful living, for it brings a dullness and premature aging
to our countenance. If you're participating in evil, it's going to show
up on your face!
2 Cor. 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you...
Col. 2:21
Touch not; taste not; handle not...
Make no mistake about it; your relationship with the Lord is key to transforming
your appearance from dull to glowing! That which is going on within you,
will naturally manifest itself in your countenance. How are your personal
devotions going these days? Are you pulling away from the world and your
responsibilities to spend quality time with the Lord? Faith cometh by
hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Yes, faith also boosts our appearance
as was the case with Stephen...
Acts 6:15
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face
as it had been the face of an angel.
Stephen was a Spirit-filled man who had been preaching the gospel in the
synagogue. The Bible says in an earlier scripture that people were not
able to resist the wisdom and power by which he spoke... Not surprisingly,
Stephen met up with quite a bit of opposition. There were those who stirred
up the people against him and interrupted his ministry to drag him before
the council. However, in the midst of slanderous charges and heavy persecution,
his enemies described his face as that of an angel! Circumstances did
not change Stephen's countenance, his personal relationship with the Lord
preserved it! From within radiated the glow of grace and glory.... The
love of the Lord Jesus for his persecutors shone on his face.
Now, think about your face the last time you were in an intense setting...
Did you look like an angel or a devil?? What type of expression would
those around you say you were sporting at the time of your trial? Ladies,
when you and I are full of faith as Stephen was, we won't appear to be
in a battle, we will radiate the same courage and peace he owned. Even
in the midst of persecution, your persecutors will search your countenance
for the faith you claim to hold in your heart. Has faith been visible
in your life?? Has the smile of holiness illuminated your features even
when you've been treated badly? Gone are the deep crevices of worry and
stress upon our demeanor when the deep well of faith in Christ exists
within our souls! It's the best facial we could ever receive...
2 Cor. 3:6-9
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth
life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones,
was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold
the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to
be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration
of righteousness exceed in glory.
Another key ingredient to a glowing appearance is ministry. Moses had
the job of getting with God and then bringing the law of the Old Testament
to the people. Even though there was a message of condemnation upon his
lips, Moses still glowed! As a matter of fact, the people could not look
at his countenance for any length of time it was so glorious! He had been
with God... Because the law of Christ was written upon his heart, the
love of Christ was shed abroad through Moses life. Soft hearts are able
to receive the impression of the Lord and then share the message of salvation
with others. God's message should always be upon our lips! Ministering
to people keeps you healthy spiritually and brings vivacity to your person
that cannot be denied. Sharing the gospel quickens and rejuvenates, creating
in you an energy that no vitamin can ever manufacture! Ladies, don't place
yourself in a spiritual nursing home and retire from serving the Lord.
Stay young and healthy and keep your soul alive by ministering to others!
Proverbs 16:15
In the light of the King's countenance is life....
In closing, we can save ourselves lots of money when it comes to buying
cosmetics and lotions to keep ourselves looking young and healthy simply
by doing right according to the Lord. You will naturally acquire a youthful
glow that will cause others to marvel at your ability to preserve your
appearance. When someone approaches you for the secret to looking so good
and asks what products you are using, why not tell them it's the Word
of God? Yes, your face is an advertisement for the Lord - endorse the
benefits of a pure life!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
