Encountering God’s Glory: Discovering Jesus Through Prayer and Presence

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we’re passionate about our mission to “Be the change as Jesus has changed us.” Today, we’re exploring a transformative spiritual moment that challenges us to look beyond the surface and truly see Jesus – not from a distance, but from within the very depths of our hearts.

The Beauty of Inner Transformation

Imagine walking into a seemingly ordinary building. From the outside, it might appear unremarkable – dull, dim, and insignificant. But step inside, and suddenly everything changes. Light streams through, revealing intricate details, vibrant colors, and a beauty that was invisible from the exterior. This is precisely how our spiritual journey works.

Study (Loving and Knowing God)

The Transfiguration is a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation. Just as light can completely change the perception of a space, God’s presence transforms our inner landscape. Jesus’ moment of divine glory on the mountain demonstrates that true beauty isn’t about external appearances, but about the radiant light of God shining through us.

Scripture Reflection: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3, NIV)

This profound verse captures the essence of Jesus’ divine nature. He isn’t just a teacher or a prophet, but the living embodiment of God’s glory. When we commit to seeking Him through genuine, heartfelt prayer, we open ourselves to experiencing His magnificent presence in ways we never thought possible.

The Power of Intentional Prayer

Many believers struggle with feeling disconnected from Jesus. They wonder why their spiritual life feels flat or uninspiring. The answer is simpler than we might think: true connection comes through intentional, quiet moments of prayer.

But this isn’t about lengthy shopping lists of requests. It’s about creating sacred space – moments of complete stillness where we stop talking and start listening. It’s in these quiet moments that God speaks most clearly, revealing His heart and transforming our understanding.

Share (Knowing and Loving Others)

Our spiritual journey isn’t meant to be solitary. As we encounter God’s glory, we’re called to share that transformative experience with others. Each moment of divine revelation isn’t just for our personal benefit, but a gift to be shared with our community, our family, our friends.

Serve (Love in Action): Practical Steps to Deeper Spiritual Connection:

1. Create a dedicated prayer space in your home
2. Start with 15 minutes of silent prayer daily
3. Remove all distractions – silence your phone, find a quiet spot
4. Practice listening more than speaking
5. Keep a spiritual journal to track your insights
6. Be open to God’s unexpected ways of speaking

A Personal Challenge: This week, approach prayer differently. Don’t rush. Don’t demand. Simply sit in God’s presence. Allow His light to penetrate the darkest corners of your heart. Let Him transform you from the inside out.

Conclusion and Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts and humble spirits. We thank You for the incredible invitation to encounter Your glory. Help us move beyond surface-level faith and dive deep into Your transformative presence.

Teach us to be still, to listen, and to allow Your light to shine through every aspect of our lives. Change us from the inside out, so we can be the change our community desperately needs.

Amen.