Temple Tuesday

Ever met someone who just brightens your day, who makes you feel good, who asks you about yourself and what matters to you, who reminds you of God's presence and encourages you? Not in that cheesy hypocritical way, but someone who reminds you of sunshine - who you just can't get enough of.

Why are they like that? What (or who) gives them the power to just keep going even when life gets them down?

Well, I think I'm answering my own question.

Last week I talked about enjoying God as a way to rejoice in him. But I also mentioned displaying God and his glory. Displaying God is best seen when we imitate Christ. The goal through displaying God is that others will see that something is up with us - we're just different. It will get people talking. A great way to do this is found in Philippians chapter 2.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:4-11)

In the end, this all goes back to the same thing: losing ourselves for God. Becoming less so he becomes more in my life through my actions, words, and everyday choices.

Temple Tuesday

Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!" What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord?
John Piper tells us in his book, Don't Waste Your Life, that God created us for his glory. God created us to enjoy and to display him and his glory.
Enjoy, you ask? Yep, to enjoy him. I think, especially with regard to rejoicing in the Lord, that we forget the actual part about enjoying. Look, God made the world, God made the beautiful landscapes, the lovely things in life, the sun and moon and stars, the giggles of little children, the love between a husband and wife. Go see and feel something greater than you, something beautiful - and enjoy God. Rejoice in him, thank him, and praise him. Christianity is not about being sad and boring. Go rejoice!