Recipe for Joy
“I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance” (Philippians 1:18-19 NLT).
I love to cook. As any chef will tell you, the key to a good dish is the proper ingredients. Sometimes if I cook something good, I wonder what can I add to make it great? God is known by many names but is seldom referred to as the “master chef.” However, He provides all the ingredients we need to regain our joy.
Sometimes in life things are simply falling apart and as men we try and try to put the pieces back together and get more and more tired and frustrated. We cry out and ask, “Where is God?” when the fact is the He is right next to you waiting for you to trust in Him and let Him take the pieces of your old life and transform them into a new life that is centered in Him.
We all reach a defining crossroad at times of great adversity. Our options are to worry (depend on yourself) or worship (trust in God). Paul modelled for us the value of choosing worship. His ministry in Philippi was grueling. When Paul went to this city to start a church, he was whipped, falsely arrested, thrown into prison, and survived an earthquake. Despite these obstacles, Paul gave thanks. “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (Philippians 1:3). Paul had learned the “secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:12).
Paul reveals several “ingredients” for strength for being joyful in tough times. Paul says in Philippians 1:18-19, “I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.” Paul keep his perspective on God and not his problems. I like how Paul writes “For I know.” In times of trouble we fall back on what we know to be true. Paul was falling back on the promises of God that he knew to be true.
Paul knew that he had people praying for him. He also knew that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16). Paul also acknowledges “The Helper” (John 14:16) and received support from the Holy Spirit. The passage ends with “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul had faith that God would work out his problem for good (Romans 8:28).
Paul had God’s perspective, the prayer of righteous men, the Holy Spirit, and faith. Paul had all the necessary ingredients to “continue to rejoice.” We also have the same ingredients. So, do we choose to worship or worry during hard times?
Prayer: “Praise the Lord, my soul;all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sinsand heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pitand crowns you with love and compassion,who satisfies your desires with good thingsso that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousnessand justice for all the oppressed” (Psalm 103: 1-6).
Where is God? https://www.todd-shupe.com/done-baton-rouges-todd-shupe-asks-the-great-question-where-is-god/
Pray https://www.toddshupeblog.net/the-power-of-prayer/
Knew https://www.toddshupebatonrouge.com/the-power-of-the-mind/
Holy Spirit https://www.toddshupelsublog.com/do-we-realize-who-is-with-us/
Continue to rejoice https://www.toddshupeblog.net/a-prayerful-life/
Todd Shupe is a Vice President with Arnold Forest Products Corp. He is active in several ministries including his Christian blog ToddShupe.com. Todd is the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men, Database Coordinator for Gulf South Men, and Board Member of the Kingdom Group. Todd is currently preparing to be a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men.
