The glory of God

Have you ever seen a sunset over the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean when the sunlight streams through the clouds to bring out shades of red, yellow and violet?
Have you ever been to a movie that kept you captivated for two hours?
Have you ever been a the top of a 10,000 foot mountain and seen a pan aroma of the city below?
Have you ever been to the Indianapolis 500 or the Coca Cola 600 and heard the sound and seen the speed of those race cars?
Have you ever seen the Grand Canyon?
Have you ever seen Michael Jordan play basketball or Tiger Wood play golf?
Have you ever heard Pavarotti sing Nessun Dorma?
Have you ever seen a great white shark attack a sea lion?
Have you ever been inside St. Peter's cathedral?
Have you ever watched the "Blue Angels" do an air show?

Folks, we are hard wired or you might even say "spring loaded" from birth to be amazed and awed by splendor, greatness, power, and majesty! Just think of the times in your own life when, like an example that I have listed above, something or someone has caused you to be mesmerized in the moment so to speak. Do you know what happens when you are in that moment? You totally forget or have any awareness of self and you are totally captivated by the richness, fullness, power and the glory of that on which you are focused.

Now just take that thought process and move it over onto God Himself. This is the very reason you and I were made and why we were ultimately created and that is to enjoy and display the glory of God. Hey guys this is the reason that we are having our Bible study! Here are a few verses for you to think about in this regard.

As one reads Ephesians 1:1-14 it reveals in verse 6- "to the praise and glory of His grace", in verse 12 - "to the praise of His glory" and in verse 14 - "to the praise of His glory."

Also read Isaiah 43:7 - "Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made."

And in Genesis 1:27 - "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him..." Since we are created in the image of God doesn't this mean when other people hear us talk and watch our lives that they should be able to observe the glory of God at work?

Here a few more Scriptures for your meditation:

JESUS LIFE AND MINISTRY
Jesus prayed at the end of His life:
John 17:4 - I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.

JESUS' DEATH
John 12:27-28 - Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
John 12:28 "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

1 Corinthians 10:31 - Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:6 - For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

1 Peter 4:11 - Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.