I see you are to talk about JOY..and am reminded that as a new believer, I saw the acronym's meaning spelled out as Jesus, Others, Yourself. Our aim for each day should be as noble...then all the "little" annoyances
wouldn't seem so personal...what would Jesus do? Our joy is in resting in HIM...regardless of our circumstances.
I look forward to your message..what an example we have in the life of Paul! What a change!

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There is so much for a believer new or old to grasp in this text. Because Paul was free to have visitors and share the gospel from his "prison" home, he did not weary or give up because the situation was bad. He encourages ME to not become complacent or disenchanted butcontinue to be the light to those around ME. Most importantly, to share that joy I have with others, particularly Christians, and to be eqally joyful when others are sharing their joy with ME. That is a responsibility that should really become a habit. Sort of a pass it on process.

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In my study bible it references "work out" as "to continually work to bring something to fulfillment or completion", so it's an ongoing process of God's working in us, I think - He is so loving, so merciful and so patient, so awesome is He!
I'm reminded so often of the scripture "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is my strength" Nehemiah 8:10b and the way that knowing that and such a certainty in that is what I know beyond question that God is my joy, He is my strength no matter what is going on around me and passing on that confidence to others. I think even if Paul didn't know that scripture it was still so real to him. Carol's right, it is resting in Him, being at peace and full of joy, a joy that to unbelievers doesn't make sense.
You'd mentioned the influence of our lives in a messed up world and I think the messes that I've been in and they have become my message. I see so many ways that the heartaches, that God has been there through them with me, how they are a huge part of my testimony to God's faithfulness, it's why I had them. So if my messed up life can speak to a messed up person, then that mess becomes a blessing, I believe. I would hate to think of it being wasted.
Have a great day!

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"for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to work after His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:12) I have always reflected on the fact that God is reaching so deep into us in the process of Sactification that He is in the business of transforming our will. When we are at the crossroad of choice/temptation, to go this way or that, we are dealing at the level of the "will." The "will" comes before the "work" or action. Therefore in order for us to realize good works, as we were created to walk in (Eph. 2:10), we must experience the sanctification of our "wills." Everyday, many times a day, we stand at the crossroad of decision. It is our santified "will" that gives us the strength to enter the right path instead of the wrong path. We must continue to pray that God continues to work the process of practical sanctifation in each us so that our "will" will resemble the heart of Christ instead of the heart of rebellion.

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