I was sitting in a small church service when suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The air grew thick, almost electric. People began weeping spontaneously. Some fell to their knees, others raised their hands in reverence.
What I witnessed that day wasn’t hysteria or emotional manipulation. It was an encounter with the raw, supernatural power of God. This experience made my faith feel real and personal. I discovered what the apostle Paul meant when he declared in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (KJV):
“4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
For too many believers today, faith exists only on paper. We’ve reduced the Almighty Creator to theological concepts and academic discussions.
But the God described in the Bible is powerful. His presence fills temples with smoke, his voice shakes mountains, and his glory is strong enough to knock people down. This isn’t ancient mythology—it’s the reality of who our Father truly is.
Key Takeaways
- God’s glory is tangible, not abstract—it has substance you can experience.
- The same supernatural power described in Scripture is available today.
- Faith based on intellectual understanding alone denies God’s power.
- Reverence and honor are keys to experiencing divine manifestations.
- Every believer is a temple where God’s glory can dwell.
- Natural phenomena like lightning and thunder reflect spiritual realities.
- Bold prayers expecting supernatural intervention align with biblical faith.
Faith in Power, Not Just Words: Understanding The Power and The Glory
When I read 1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV), something clicked into place:
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
Notice Paul doesn’t say “the wisdom of God” or “the teaching of God.” He specifically calls it the power of God.
This distinction matters more than you might realize. We live in the information age, where knowledge and intellect are central to everything.
Unfortunately, this mentality has crept into our churches. Many churches today focus only on teaching and sermons, ignoring the supernatural power that should come with real faith.
Paul was no intellectual lightweight. He was highly educated, trained under the most respected teachers of his day, and spoke many languages. Yet he deliberately chose not to rely on “excellency of speech” or human wisdom.
Why? Because he understood that the power and the glory of God transcends human intellect.
I’ve encountered some “churches” that don’t teach that Jesus was born of a virgin, raised from the dead, or is the Son of God. They view Him merely as a good moral teacher.
What kind of church is that? It’s exactly what Paul warned about in 2 Timothy 3:5—people “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”
When your faith rests solely on human reasoning, you’re building on sand. Anchor your faith in the supernatural power of the living God, and you’ll be building on the unshakable Rock.
The Tangible Reality of God’s Glory
Here’s something that might surprise you. God’s glory isn’t just a spiritual concept—it has physical substance. Throughout Scripture, when God’s presence manifests, people see, feel, and experience it in tangible ways.
Glory as Fire, Smoke, and Light
In Revelation 15:8 (KJV), John describes a powerful scene:
“And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”
This isn’t symbolic language. The glory produces actual smoke. Not the kind that makes you cough, but pure, healing smoke that emanates from God’s very being. This happened many times in the Bible, like when Moses saw the burning bush or when they dedicated Solomon’s temple.
When Moses encountered God in that burning bush, what caught his attention? A bush burning but not burning up. This defied natural law. God does fires that don’t consume. He does earthquakes that cause no structural damage.
He operates beyond the limitations of our physical world while still manifesting within it.
The Mountain Experience
Consider Moses’ 40-day encounter with God on Mount Sinai. Exodus 24:15-17 (KJV) tells us:
“15And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. 16And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.”
Hundreds of thousands of people saw this supernatural display for days. They saw the mountain wrapped in God’s glory-cloud, with consuming fire burning on its peak.
This wasn’t a private vision or spiritual metaphor. It was a public demonstration of divine power that an entire nation couldn’t ignore.
When Moses finally descended, his face shone so brightly that people couldn’t look at him directly. He had been saturated with the power and the glory of God’s presence. The experience physically transformed him.
Old Testament Encounters: When Heaven Touched Earth
The Old Testament shows many examples of God’s supernatural presence entering the world. These regular occurrences shaped how an entire generation understood God.
The Wilderness Generation
For forty years, the Israelites saw daily manifestations of God’s glory. A pillar of cloud by day and fire by night guided them through the wilderness.
When the cloud moved, they moved. When it stopped, they stopped. Can you imagine living with such constant, visible proof of God’s presence?
These people weren’t easily impressed or gullible. They were known for their skepticism and complaining. Yet they consistently recognized and responded to these supernatural displays. Why? Because the power and the glory of God were undeniably real.
Temple Manifestations
Some of the most dramatic encounters occurred during temple dedications. In 1 Kings 8:10-11 (KJV), we read about Solomon’s temple:
“10And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.”
Notice the priests didn’t choose to leave—they physically couldn’t stand up. The glory literally knocked them off their feet. This same phenomenon occurred repeatedly throughout Israel’s history.
In 2 Chronicles 7:1 (KJV), during the temple’s dedication,
“Fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.”
Everyone who was there saw the supernatural fire completely burn the offerings away.
The Voice That Shakes Hell Itself
Psalm 29Â (KJV) beautifully describes the connection between God’s voice and His power:
“The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars… The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.”
When God speaks, creation responds. Thunder isn’t just a natural phenomenon. It’s an echo of the voice that spoke galaxies into existence. Lightning isn’t merely electrical discharge. It’s a tiny glimpse of the power that sustains every atom in the universe.
I’m reminded of Bro Kenneth’s testimony about his near-death experience as a teenager. He described descending into hell, feeling a demonic creature pushing him toward eternal flames. In desperation, he cried out to God.
Suddenly, a voice from above spoke with such authority and power that it shook that entire realm. The creature immediately released him, and an invisible force pulled him back to life.
That voice—the power and the glory of God’s word—shook hell itself. It still carries the same authority today.
Modern Encounters: The Same God, The Same Power
Despite what some might think, God hasn’t retired His supernatural power. He hasn’t “dialed back” His glory for modern times. The same God who filled ancient temples with His presence can manifest His power today.
Contemporary Testimonies
I know a minister who was running from God many years ago. Before salvation, he was an outlaw, involved in terrible crimes, facing life in prison. One day, while in his truck, the glory of God suddenly filled his vehicle’s cab. He couldn’t see to drive and had to pull over.
In that moment of divine encounter, God spoke to him clearly: “This is your last opportunity.” He knew he had to surrender—either to God or to a life of crime that would end in destruction. This hardened criminal was so overcome by the presence that he couldn’t stop crying.
He drove straight to the police station and turned himself in. He started holding services while in prison, and through them, he saw people get saved, healed, and delivered. Eventually, God opened the doors for his release, and he’s been in ministry ever since.
What transformed this man’s life? Not eloquent preaching or theological arguments. It was an undeniable encounter with the power and the glory of the living God.
The Spirit of Glory Lives in You
Here’s the most amazing truth: if you’re a believer, you are now God’s temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (KJV) declares:
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?”
The same Spirit who filled ancient temples with glory now lives inside you. He doesn’t go anywhere without His glory.
God’s supernatural power can show up anywhere—even if it’s not always visible—whether you’re in your car, at home, or at church.
Reverence: The Key to Experiencing Divine Power
If you want to experience more of God’s supernatural presence, reverence is crucial. Reverence doesn’t mean being afraid to move or speak. It means recognizing who God truly is and responding with appropriate awe and respect.
Honor Opens Heaven’s Door
When we realize we’re praying to the Creator of the universe, our whole approach to prayer and worship changes. We stop treating God casually and begin honoring Him as the Almighty.
This honor manifests in how we speak about His things, how we prioritize our time with Him, and how we allocate our resources toward His kingdom.
When we begin glorifying God through reverence, it opens the realm of glory more fully to us.
Bold Prayers for Breakthrough
Understanding that we’re addressing the all-powerful Creator changes how we pray and worship. Instead of just hoping things work out, we should pray specifically for divine intervention:
“Lord, whatever it takes—visions, angelic visitations, supernatural encounters—do whatever is necessary.”
Facing persecution for your beliefs or stuck in a hopeless situation? You can pray with confidence. The same God who stopped the sun, split the seas, and brought people back to life is the God you serve. These are real historical events, not myths, and that same powerful God is still here for you today.
3 Practical Steps to Experience God’s Glory
1. Create Space for God’s Presence
Set aside time regularly to focus on God without distractions. As you learn to yield to the Holy Spirit and believe for His manifestation, you’ll begin sensing His presence more .
You don’t need special spiritual gifts to know when God’s glory is there—you can feel it, sense it, and experience it.
2. Worship with Understanding
When you raise your hands in worship, don’t just think about theological concepts. Picture the God of glory on His throne, surrounded by the power of the universe.
Meditate on His greatness, His majesty, and His love for you personally.
3. Expect the Supernatural
Stop limiting God to what you can understand or control. He’s not bound by our natural laws or human reasoning.
Open yourself to experiences that might seem strange or overwhelming. God often works in ways that transcend our comfort zones.
The Eternal Perspective: You Are His Forever
Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, you can call the Almighty Creator “Father.” You are eternally secure in His love, joined to Him as one spirit. The price He paid to purchase you demonstrates your incredible value to Him.
Unlike billions who reject Christ, you recognized His voice and responded to His call. You’re not just saved. You’re chosen, valued, and destined for an eternity filled with the power and the glory that we can barely imagine now.
As Psalm 29:11 (KJV) promises:
“The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”
That strength isn’t just emotional or spiritual. It’s the same incredible power that created everything you see.
Conclusion
Remember: The power and the glory you read about in Scripture isn’t just historical. It’s your inheritance as a child of the Most High God.
Open your heart to experience the reality of who your Father truly is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is experiencing God’s glory only for certain “super spiritual” people?
A. Absolutely not. Every believer has access to God’s presence because the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of glory—lives within us. The key is having reverence and expectancy, not achieving some special spiritual status.
Q. How do I know if what I’m experiencing is really God’s presence or just emotions?
A. God’s true presence produces peace, transformation, and alignment with His character. Genuine encounters with God’s glory create permanent changes in how you act and relate to Him.
Q. Can God’s power manifest in everyday situations, not just during church services?
A. Yes! God’s presence isn’t confined to church buildings. Many believers experience His power while driving, at home, or in their workplace. He wants to be part of every aspect of your life.
Q. What should I do if my church doesn’t believe in supernatural manifestations?
A: You can still pursue God and seek His presence in your private time. Consider also finding a community of believers who welcome and expect God’s supernatural power.
Q. Is it wrong to desire experiences with God’s power?
A. Not at all. Jesus promised His followers would experience signs, wonders, and miracles. Desiring to know God more, including His supernatural attributes, is natural and biblical.
Q. How does understanding God’s power help during difficult times?
A. Knowing that you serve the God who created galaxies and parts seas puts every problem in perspective. No situation is too difficult for Him. His power is available to strengthen and sustain you through any challenge.
