I had a realization this morning as I study God’s Word. He tells us everything, multiple times and gives us every opportunity to “get it”. As I have been studying the word “glory” again, I have been studying the same events from multiple books. Now it is known that the gospels contain the same events as told from the perspective of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but until you dig in, the realization of that is not there.

The passage this morning is titled in my ESV Bible, “The Coming of the Son of Man”, and the past few days the passages have been titled something similar. This morning, I “got” the seeing of the great power and glory of Jesus.

“²⁶And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” – Mark 13:26 (ESV)

This morning as I woke up to go and get some exercise by taking a walk, I looked out the window only to “see” the wind blowing a bit harder than I expected. I made the decision not to go and low and behold the weather changed from a simple blowing wind to a flash storm. There was more blowing wind, then the thunder and lightning and then rain. It was quite the event for about an hour this. I cannot help but think if that was impressive to see, IMAGINE SEEING JESUS COME BACK!

And who will see? We all will see. We will all witness the great event of Jesus’ return. I think of the “Left Behind” movies that show the rapture and everyone experiencing it in some form or fashion. Those Christians are taken home to be with Christ and all others are left to witness the devastation of the return of Christ, but all will witness and see.

“²⁷And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” – Mark 13:27 (ESV)

Those of us that are followers of Christ will be swept up and witness it all from the side of Jesus and those that are not will see it all from the other side. Regardless of side, you will see the great power and glory of Jesus and His return.

Now it is time to ask yourself, what side will you be seeing the great power and glory of Christ’s return. It is a simple question and one that is left up to you as to which side you will be witness from.

I have chosen to see things from the side of Jesus and for that I am comforted each day. You can to and the way is simple. Read and study God’s word and repent of your sin and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. I do not hold all of the answers for you, but God does. You can start with what is known as the Roman Road to salvation. This is a set of verses from God’s Word, written by Paul and it outlines what it takes to be a child of God. I would love to see you standing next to me when Christ comes again and “see” it all from the side of Christ.

What side will you see the return of Christ from? Are you aware that everyone will see the great power and glory of Jesus? What if you were to “see” it all from the side of Christ?

“³⁸For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:38 (ESV)

Jesus is very clear here. We have a choice to accept Him or not. As noted in this verse, if we choose not, then He chooses us not in His return. This is very plain language from Jesus and words that we should take seriously.

I continue to study and learn and one of those things learned is that of choice. We have the opportunity to choose at every turn. God has given us that and we should be using it. But when we do not choose, we have made a choice, and that choice is not in the interest of moving forward with God.

When we choose not God, we are turning our backs on him and therefor express nothing for Him. At His return, Jesus will express nothing for us and will turn His back on us. It is up to me to make the choice to be with Him or against Him and if not with Him then we are against Him.

What choice are you making? Are you simply not choosing? What if you were to choose to follow Jesus, what impact would that have on you?

This morning I am reading and studying in Matthew Chapter 25. Jesus is teaching of His return and the final judgment at that time. He is going through the process of separating the righteous from the unrighteous. He is explaining that He knows who did what to whom and when.

“⁴⁰And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ⁴⁵Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to the least of these, you did not do it to me.’” – Matthew 25:40 & 45 (ESV)

Jesus has told them that they are divided into two groups, those that do for Him and those that do not. It is so black and white with Jesus. There is no opportunity to do things part of the way. Our actions are either for Him in all that we do, or they are not. We are held to our actions to demonstrate His love.

Now as we demonstrate His love, He demonstrates His love and glory right back with us. We give of ourselves 100% to Him and Jesus gives 100% of Himself. Or really, that should be reversed as Jesus gave 100% of Himself to us through His death for our sins. It is only right that we give 100% of ourselves to Him in return. Can I repay the debt I owe? NO, but I am not exempt from continuing to pay back through my actions.

My actions are for the Glory of God and not myself. Everyone can and will give when it is easy to do so. When everyone is watching and it makes a big splash bringing visibility for their actions. It is the ones that give to those that are lowly that make the biggest impression on Jesus. It is not that we should not make the grand gesture, it is that generally the reasons for those grand gestures is to show the world and not just to show God. When we are dedicated to the Glory of God, we are willing to give the gestures to all, even those no one sees or knows that make the biggest impression with Him.

Actions speak louder than words. This where Jesus sees our demonstration of Glory to Him. And in return, He turns that Glory on us. As we reap, so shall we sow.

“³¹When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.” – Matthew 25:31 (ESV)

Jesus returns in Glory and will give out His glory to those of us that are demonstrating glory for Him through our actions.

What are you sowing out there in the world? Are you demonstrating for the world to see? What if you were to demonstrate the Glory of God to all, even the lowly?

Have you ever wanted to experience something only to be disappointed when you finally do? I had the opportunity to experience the “Cadillac Ranch”. I admit that seeing the depictions of it and hearing accounts of others experience generated some excitement when I had the chance to experience it for myself. I was underwhelmed to say the least. I guess I expected more and maybe I am just numb to the artistic genre, but what I saw was ten cars buried half in the ground, spray painted randomly by tourists. There was no awe for me, there was nothing that spoke to me, and frankly that is time that I will never get back in my life.

What about the opposite of the underwhelming event. We went to a college tour with my son and went to the university I went to. I did not know what to expect as I was not impressed 30 years ago when I attended. But when we arrived on campus there were students all over that were engaging and helpful. There was music playing, dancing, and energy that made me think about what I missed when I attended. What a great experience we had and I left thoroughly impressed.

“²⁹Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” – Matthew 24:29-31 (ESV)

Now this is what I call a spectacular event that is going to happen. Imagine looking up and seeing the heavens open and there is Christ riding on a cloud with trumpets sounding and a host of angels and those that went to heaven before us coming with Him as He returns to this world. I am getting chills just thinking about it.

Now, I think back to my expectations and then reality and realize that I may not have prepared properly for the two events I mentioned earlier. Had I done more research, I may have been better prepared for what I was going to see at the Cadillac Ranch and been a bit more receptive of the visit. Maybe if I had called around to some people I knew that more recently attended the university, I would have had a better picture of what campus was like today as opposed to 30 years ago.

With the return of Christ, I have done lots of research and homework. I have read and studied God’s word (although I have only really scratched the surface admittedly), and know what others have seen and the grandeur of those events. I can, with reason, expect that His return will be an even bigger event and much more awe inspiring than those.

God’s Glory is real and I am looking forward to the chance to experience it each day. Even more so, I am ready for His return and being a part of that glory. I KNOW I will not be disappointed or underwhelmed. I will be in awe of His “power and great glory”.

At what events have you been under or overwhelmed? Were you going into those with full accurate knowledge of what to expect? What if you were to dive into God’s Word and build your knowledge of the real glory of Christ?

In society today it is not uncommon for the elite to receive prior to everyone else. I know that I have grown to know this, even though it does not sit well with me at all.

“And the LORD will give salvation to the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not surpass that of Judah.” – Zechariah 12:7 (ESV)

And I read the above verse and see that with God, the elite are no better and in fact, God provides for everyone else first. See the way that God gives salvation to those living outside the city in tents before giving to those inside the city and the lineage of David specifically. And why, to be sure that those in the city do not hold themselves above the rest of the kingdom in the eyes of God.

Oh how it were in society. Wouldn’t it be great if we treated everyone equal to the tune that everyone received from one line and not those from the ivory towers first. God’s glory is for everyone and not in any specific order of importance or status. I am the same as the pastor of the church who is the same as the CEO of the local company who is the same as the President of the United States. We all have the same God and receive the same salvation through His glory.

Where do you see yourself on the spectrum of status in society? Are you any different than those around you or those you know? What if we were to treat all the same knowing that God’s glory is for all at all times?

Lori, Aarron, and I vacationed around the eastern part of the United States and one of our stops was Niagara Falls. I am not one to get excited about things in general, but this is certainly a site I enjoyed seeing. The beauty of the falls was immense and to know that God created that site is a true demonstration of His power and glory.

I want to talk about that power and glory for a bit. I am studying the word “glory” and was brought to the book of Ezekiel where his vision of God coming back to fill the temple is written. Here Ezekiel describes the coming of God into the temple and all of the power and glory that He brings.

“²And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.” – Ezekiel 43:2 (ESV)

“The sound of many waters”. The spectacular experience of Niagara Falls is what I picture here. If you have not been, it is extremely loud. There is this sense that a number of freight trains are bearing down on you. I can imagine if you had never heard or did not know of what the sound was, you would be extremely frightened and would tend to look for cover. And that is what Ezekiel did.

“³And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face.” – Ezekiel 43:3 (ESV)

“And I fell on my face.” He knew it was God coming, and was dropped to the ground in reverence and awe. He was aware of the power of God and was shielding his face from His holiness and majesty. Ezekiel knew that the sound he heard was something to be feared and took the position that would demonstrate the awe he had for the power and glory of God that was coming.

God’s glory is powerful like the rushing water. I know that I do not want to be in the way of it when He comes again. I heard the facts of the power of the water rushing over the falls at Niagara. I also know that the power of God is even more than that. I have to remember to admire the glory and power of God, but like Ezekiel, I also have to be reverent in the face of that power and glory. God is greater than all things because he created all things. And for that I respect and hold Him in the utmost regard and reverence.

What is out there that you see is extremely powerful? Are you one that thinks you can beat it? What if you would have reverence for the power and glory of God, how would you respond knowing that it is He who created all of those things?

Have you every been minimally punished for something that you did and everyone knew about? I know that I have, and I have taken that approach with my sons for their actions.

We will not always do that which is right. We are human and therefore are fallible. I know that I have made many mistakes and will continue to do so. I remember a time that each of my sons did something that was not in the best interest of those around him and instead of bringing down the rain of my authority and power, we took a teaching approach and displayed love for them that they were able to embrace and understand the err in their actions to the tune of learning and working to avoid that error again. You do know that God takes the same approach with us as His children?

“¹⁰Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. ¹¹For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” – Isaiah 48:10-11 (ESV)

God gives us the opportunities to do right by Him. He allows us to be in situations where we have the chance to do the right thing and make the decisions on our own. I know that I have been in many situations, and will continue to, where I have the choice to do God’s work or turn away from Him. Like being at the doctor’s office and seeing someone crying for what I can only presume is news they are not happy to receive. I took the opportunity to pray for them and for God’s hand in the situation. I did not say anything to the person, just prayed quietly for them. That was an opportunity for God’s Glory to shine. I had the chance to do His work and took it, although I cannot say that I do that every time.

I am a child of God and He loves me regardless of my faults and falters. I have similar opportunities each day and some I see and take and others I miss or ignore. You see, God knows my heart and only wants for His glory. If He were to destroy me for my misses, I would have been gone a long time ago. He loves me and knows that I will falter. And when I do, He loves me all the more. I am still responsible for the choices that I make, but God loves me all the same to bring glory to Himself through the love and compassion that He is.

I don’t deserve the love and compassion that God heaps on me daily, but He provides them for me in spite of me all for His glory to be shone through for all to see.

What do you have in your past that you cannot believe you were not punished to the full extent for? Are you even aware that you were given glory in spite of your indiscretion? What if you approached each day with the goal of bringing glory to God and allowing Him to love you in spite of yourself?

“²Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” – Isaiah 6:2-3 (ESV)

The seraphim, great beings of tremendous power. They are seen here in Isaiah’s vision and he sees them in positions of understanding the power and glory of God. They cover their face and feet to yield to the glory of God. As they fly they shout to one another of the glory of God.

I am a simple human in this world and I should believe in God on my own. I should bow to His glory and know that He is great and I am lowly. I should, take my cues from others and do as they do. If the powerful seraphim bow to God, shouldn’t I do the same?

In society, we are bombarded to lift others up into positions of power and authority. We are called on to recognize that authority and be in awe of it. God’s word tells us to respect the authority, not to lift them to a place of awe. That place is reserved for God as noted in the verses above.

As I follower of Christ, it is my duty to raise Him up and to demonstrate the glory for Him that He deserves. I should be recognizing the glory of God.

Who is it that you are recognizing? Are you placing man in the position of glory? What if you were to recognize God and the one deserving of glory and give it to Him?

“²It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” – Proverbs 25:2 (ESV)

God does not give us all of the answers or the turns we will make on our journey. He will provide for us when the time is right and our need is realized. I have been and continue to be disappointed that I do not have all of the answers and that God knows, but will not tell me. But it is verses like the above that keep me moving forward and searching for those answers.

There are a number of quotes that call out the journey as opposed to the destination. As I read and study this morning I realized again that to be true. I have to embrace the travel so as to continue looking for the answers. God “hides” things from us, to encourage our continued search. It is our duty to continue that search and not give up. It is in that journey and searching that I am able to grow and learn.

I titled this “There is glory in learning” to indicated that the journey is the learning. I must remain diligent with growth and learning and that is what brings the glory to not only God, but also to me. I will find knowledge and wisdom and God on my journey and that is where the destination lies.

Where are you focusing your attention, the journey or the destination? Are you looking to reach the destination so much that you are missing out on learning from the journey? What if you were to take the journey with God and allow Him to reveal to you, what glory would you realize then?

“¹¹Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” – Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)

This morning I am reminded that it is important to embrace the idea and act of emotional intelligence. The above verse gives the idea merit. Emotional intelligence is the control of ones emotions so as to impact the situation and understand the facts of things as opposed to simply leaping to conclusions based on how one feels.

I have worked hard on the topic of emotional intelligence over the past couple of years, and where I have made great strides, I still have a long way to go. Seeing and studying this verse helps me to stay on task with the learning and growing in this area.

As I continue to grow in the area of emotional intelligence, I have the opportunity to bring glory to myself. Not the kind of glory that makes me the “big man on campus” and a larger than life celebrity, but the kind of glory that sets me apart from others in the area of care and love for all. This care and love are of and from God and demonstrate His love and therefore place me in a position of glory with Him.

I must remember that it is not that those around me find me great or what they think about me in general. It is what God thinks of me that really matters. The idea and act of emotional intelligence fall right in line with making God smile and that smile is what I am after each day in my life, or at least should be.

What is it that you are out there in the world doing that you believe brings you glory? Are you seeking the glory from those around you? What if you were to seek the glory through patience and forgiveness and seeking that glory from God?