Thank you for visiting. We trust that you have enjoyed reading our articles.
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 modeled 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 . 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 sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed” (Psalm 103: 1-6).
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
We welcome your comments below.
Liked this post?
Read more below or search for more topics...
-
Boundaries Benefit All
Boundaries Benefit All "Moses’ father-in-law replied, What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Exodus 18:17-18 NIV).I just finished reading a book called “Boundaries” by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. It is a New York Times Bestseller and has sold over two million copies since it was first published in 1992 and then revised in 2017. This is a Christian book that uses appropriate Scripture to help readers take control of their lives by learning when... -
In Search of Wisdom
In Search of Wisdom “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10 NIV). If you are reading this, you are older today than you were yesterday. However, just because we are older does not necessarily make us wiser. Not everyone grows wise with age, but everyone does grow old with age. It is important to note that we should all show respect to our elders, regardless of their level of wisdom.However, I think society tends to confuse wisdom with age. However, a person can be old and not necessarily be very wise. Education is fine... -
Anger Can Be Good
Anger Can Be Good "Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back" (Proverbs 29:11 NLT). Many people think that all anger is bad or sinful. We tend to associate anger with a loss of control, shouting, and aggressive behavior. However, anger can be good and only becomes sinful when it is expressed in an inappropriate way. There is nothing wrong with anger if it is properly directed. We are taught, “In your anger do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). We are less likely to model Godly behavior, and sin, if we are controlled by our anger rather than we control...