 Face to Face
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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.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:18
While listening to an on-line sermon this week, I was struck by these words by Stephen Olford, "The gods we worship write their names on our faces."
For example, you can read the faces of those who are taken up by fame and fortune. You can mark the visage of the man guilty of sin. You can see the pain of those who dwell on hopelessness.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (above) reveal that your face can be written with the glory of the Lord Jesus as you behold Him! Following is a description of beholding Christ.
A FACE IN THE WORDS
Listen to these insightful words by A.B. Simpson in 1885:
I
once saw a picture of the Constitution of the United States, very skillfully
engraved in copper plate, so that when you looked at it closely it was nothing
more than a piece of writing, but when you looked at it at a distance, it was
the face of George Washington. The face shone out in the shading of the letters
at a little distance, and I saw the person, not the words, nor the ideas...
...and
I thought, "'That is the way to look at the Scriptures and understand the
thoughts of God, to see in them the face of love, shining through and through;
not ideas, nor doctrines, but Jesus Himself as the Life and Source and sustaining
Presence of all our life!"
My heart is to teach people to read the Word of God for themselves and to realize that their reading is a face-to-face, heart-to-heart encounter with God through the Spirit of Christ!
Sometimes we get so busy trying to apply and obey God's Word that we miss the face of Jesus revealed in the words while we read them. Jesus claimed that all Scriptures are about Him and that He fulfills all Scriptures (Luke 24:45).
In summary, you behold Christ as you prayerfully depend on the Holy Spirit to reveal the living Lord Jesus in your heart as you read the living Word of God!
HIS WORDS ON YOUR FACE
They looked to Him (the Lord) and were radiant,
and their faces were not ashamed.
PSALM 34:5
As you read God's Word, trusting it is an encounter with the living Lord Jesus, the one and only true God writes His living words on your face. Your countenance will increasingly reflect His joy, His peace, His love, etc.
Listen to Pauline Prosser Thompson's inspiring poem:
How
lovely are the faces
of the men who talk with God,
Lit with an inner sureness
of the path their feet have trod.
How gentle is the manner
of a man who walks with Him!
No strength can overcome him,
and no cloud his courage dim.
Keen are the hands and feet - ah yes -
of those who wait His will.
And clear as crystal mirrors
are the hearts His love can fill.
Some lives are drear from doubt and fear
while others merely plod.
But lovely faces mark the men
who walk and talk with God.
CLOSING
I believe our walk with Christ hand-to-hand begins after and with our talk with Christ face-to-face! God bless you and keep you this week, and make His face shine upon you, and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26)!
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PS
Below is a link to a wonderful 2-minute acapella rendition
of the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:
Here are the lyrics:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace.
Words and music by Helen Lemmel (1922, Public Domain)
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About 
Discipleship through
Counseling
Teaching
Training
Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
Michael Chalmers
Training Director
Kellie Boggs
Fellowship Director
Joy Gibbons
Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator
Carole Blyth
Board member and women's ministry coordinator
Randy Garrick
Board member and Elder Holly Ridge Baptist Church
Paul Crews
Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church
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Partnership
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
 
YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!
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On September 19th, Lifetime Ministries (formerly Lifetime Guarantee Ministries) published one of my Rest Stop articles.
Following is the link to this article:
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Ministry News
Next 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training to start January 2013. Clink on the following link for our brochure:
Gregg teaches freedom from anger through Christ at The Haven of Rest rescue mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg anytime!
Gregg is mentoring men and couples in an office at Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC and at an industrial plant in Duncan SC.
Michael is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Pendleton Street Baptist Church,and Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville SC.
Carole and Joy, along with others trained through Journey in Christ, will be leading discipleship Bible studies Jan 23 through March 20, 2013 for 7 female employees at an industrial plant. This is a follow-up of their transformational ministry to the ladies in the Spring and Fall of 2012.
On Nov 8-10, Charles Payton of Grace Life International Charlotte will teach our 8 students in the 6th of 8 sessions for our 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training.
Michael is leading a weekly small group for Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville this Fall.
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Archives
Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
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Contact Info
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
655 Fairview Road
Suite H-188
Simpsonville SC 29680
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
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