Ears To Hear # 32

FACE TO FACE
WITH
CHRIST MY SAVIOR

AMAZING GRACE

         It continues to amaze me how the Holy Spirit can seemingly drop a new word into your vocabulary, showing you exactly what will be the next step in your life. You may come to Him with one issue, the two of you converse for a long time, then He answers you with something that wasn’t at all what you expected, but you know it is the answer.
         I was praying for a young couple who are Getting Out of their Boat and taking steps in their ministry for the Lord. Wasn’t quite sure where I “fit in” with it, when the Lord said, “Treat them like adults.”
         Ouch. That’s when I realized I really had been treating them like children. The other amazing thing He told me to do was to LOOK HIM STRAIGHT IN THE EYE, FACE TO FACE and to begin to talk to Him that way. It became a totally free experience.

FACE TO FACE
“I want my children to see me Face to Face…Each of Them.”

         So I began doing that. “Why do women talk so much, Lord? I’m really tired of hearing myself talk too much.”
         I felt Him smile. “Women take care of details. They must be sure that every “i” is dotted and every detail is collected to be sure they have a clear understanding of what they are hearing or expressing.”
         “Well, why do You talk so long to me; using so many illustrations?”
         “Because that is how you understand. You are a woman. So I speak your language.”
         “Oh,”, I said. “That’s really thoughtful of You. Thanks.”

FACE TO FACE? REALLY? 

         I began to review the different ways I had approached our Lord in the past. First I crawled in the dust like a leper…trying to reach the hem of His garment. I felt so unworthy.
         For a season, I ran ahead of Him, like a playful child with a new found friend, excited by the things I wanted to do for Him. He appreciated what I did. But there was more to learn.
         Then, through more training circumstances, I lagged behind Him in another attitude of disillusionment and unworthiness.
         The day came with understanding like sunshine to my weeping heart, that Jesus was walking beside me…and that was good.
         Then I recognized His presence actually abiding in me.
         But there is nothing more satisfying (so far) than what He has shown me today. How to STAND, holding hands, FACE TO FACE, looking Him straight in the EYE, and knowing Him.
          Standing tall with Him…and allowing others to grow up into His chosen type of relationship.

ALLOWING OTHERS TO GROW

         I see others making the same mistakes I made. In the past, I wanted to FIX them…and warn them…and tell them HOW to do things God’s way. But I felt helpless. I felt that they could not understand. They could not hear.
         No! They too, must grow up in the Lord, and come FACE TO FACE with Him for themselves.
         Knowing that all of God’s children are coming to this place of understanding (and further because with God there is always something more), I find Peace with my Savior and Best Friend. As we FACE each other, holding hands, looking each other in the eye…and agreeing that our Heavenly Father is daily working His Perfect Plan for all His children.

SONG

                            ♫ Face to Face with Christ my Savior,
                              Face to Face to see and know.
                              Face to Face I shall behold Him
                              Jesus Christ who loves me so. ♫

ADULTS

         “When Lord, do we stop treating our grown children, both physical and spiritual, like children? When do we begin to treat them as adults?”
         “Perhaps when you grow up, yourself; when You and I are able to see each other FACE to FACE.”
          This is not a matter of disrespect on our part, it’s a place of confident, satisfying union…a place of mutual respect. A place beyond fantasy…a place where we walk as true partners.
         God is still God! Jesus is our Brother. And more than a brother, He is our Friend. As we hold our head up and look Him straight in His FACE.

      

         We don’t cast our eyes down or turn our faces away from Him in unworthy shyness. We don’t grovel at His feet. We join hands, looking each other straight in the FACE.
         Shame is gone; guilt is gone; childhood is gone…as we grow up in Him unto the perfect man. We’re still growing, but the verse below shows that God does have a plan, and we are on the way.
         Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13).

WHEN OTHERS ARE
ADULTS

         The Holy Spirit revealed something to me that I would never have known without His revelation. It was Jesus looking me straight in the face with the Face of a Friend…who has confidence in my ability to understand that He sees something that I have not seen. And He knows I will receive it. He knows I seek to grow up, and move ever forward in God’s will.

WHEN WILL YOU BEGIN
TO TREAT
OTHERS as ADULTS?

         “First, you must see them as adults. Look them straight in the eye…face to face, standing on equal ground.
         “In the natural, you have to let go of the past. There was so much more you wanted to do for your children when they were young. You wanted to stay home and be their mother. But circumstances prevented it. I assure you, I filled in the gaps for you because of your heart’s desire. Look at your sons today. They are both mighty men of God.
         “And I want you to start treating them like men…speaking face to face with them. When you accept them as adults…then you can accept yourself as an adult.”

WHAT ABOUT OTHERS
IN MY LIFE, LORD?

 

                              “Have I treated them all like children?”

         “You treated them like children because you saw yourself like a child…tender heart and emotions, but I used all of that for My Purpose. I wanted you to know what it’s like to have a tender, loyal heart of compassion so you could relate to that side of Me.
         “The sad part was that, like a child, you felt inadequate to help those you loved. Your heart and desires were right, but you felt weak. You became depressed when you tried to carry all their loads and make their lives perfect and free from any pain or heart ach, both physical and spiritual. You were enabling them.
         “You not only prevented their growth in your own eyes, but in theirs. At the same time, you caused them guilt and confusion because you were still seeing them as children, rather than men and women. It will set you all free…as you learn to look each other in the face and see each other as adults.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO
TREAT OTHERS AS
ADULTS?

   

         “Stop emotionally trying to help them so much. Give them Spiritual Credit…that they are constantly learning from their own experiences.
         “Yes, you pray for them. But your prayers and faith will be so much stronger as you and I look each other in the face, see eye to eye, and discuss the things I reveal to you. You can TRUST Me!
         “Although I have much more knowledge than you…I don’t look down on you. I am a good friend who is willing to share what I know…as you seem to need it and ask for wisdom and knowledge. But I don’t worry about you making mistakes because our Father holds you in His Hand. He has a Plan, and that plan will be played out. You can TRUST Me!”

COME UP HIGHER

          “Don’t be afraid to come up higher and Look Me in the FACE. I am your Very Best Friend. As you and I come FACE to FACE consistently… we both accept the eternal authority of our Father, Who must surely smile as He sees you stepping up to take your place…FACE to FACE with Me.
         “No. Many will not understand what I am showing you here. But it’s time for you to understand the importance of our FACE to FACE relationship. It was My choice that the Holy Spirit reveal it to you today. Enjoy!”

LET GO AND LET THEM GROW

         “Stand up straight now. Hold your head up. Look Me straight in the eye. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You continue to grow at a steady pace…as all of God’s children do. He has seen to that.
         “Practice what I have just shown you. When you stop praying like a child, you’ll no longer be crying and begging Me for things. We will stand FACE to FACE, discuss your situation, and you will be able to tell Me more directly what it is you desire.
         “And those young people you are discipling? By treating them as adults, you are saying that they are responsible for their own decisions. They have the same right you do, to succeed, fail, succeed again. Fall, get up. Learn something from experience.
        “Treating them as adults is just what they need at this time to move forward in their ministry. Should you decide to be available as a “consultant”, because they value your advice and know how much you care, they will come to you. Then they can weigh what you say, and use it or not. But, when they seek your advice, that means they are ready to hear. It also means that you stand FACE to FACE with each other, treating each other as ADULTS.”

NOW LOOK ME STRAIGHT IN THE EYE AND HEAR ME SAY:
“I LOVE YOU!”