Philippians 1:3–11 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

What is Joy? Timothy Keller “Joy is delight in God and his salvation for the sheer beauty and worth of who He is. Its opposite is hopelessness or despair, its counterfeit is elation that comes with blessings not the Blesser! “   Phil Ryken (current President of Wheaton College) says that, “Joy. . .is not so much happiness as contentment. Joy is the ability to take good cheer from the gospel. . . It is not, therefore, a spontaneous response to some temporary pleasure. It does not depend on circumstance at all. It is based rather on rejoicing in one’s eternal identity in Jesus Christ.” John Piper, Christian Joy is “A good feeling, in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Jesus Christ, in the Word and in the world.” http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-do-you-define-joy

What is Joy? Happiness happens to you (cause and effect, comes and goes), joy is produced in you (filled with fruit of the Spirit).   Happiness is insecure (the list of what is takes to make me happy is always changing), joy is confident; the standard for joy never changes, the standard is what will honor God? Following an unchanging God results in unchanging joy. Happiness is defined by the facts (by the circumstances, when they are good). Joy is defined by the truth (What has God said). Joy is Confident, sure, assured, because it is secure in the person Who lives forever, Who has finished the good work. We can rejoice in Him who has completed the work, even the work begun in us and will bring it to completion, fullness, perfection.

Why do I need it? What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. We need it because we are made to need it. Joy is a necessary design requirement.

How do I get it? How did Paul have joy? Joy and Rejoicing are mentioned many times in the letter (up to 16 times). The heart of the letter reveals how Paul had joy in imprisonment, disputes, sickness, suffering and yet could tell others to Rejoice always and repeat it.

How do I get it? Philippians 2:6–11 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

How do I get it? Philippians 1:4, 6 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy … 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

How do I get it?   Whenever 'work' is done energy is transferred from one place to another. The amount of work done is expressed in the equation: work done = force x distance. Everyday examples of work include walking up stairs, or lifting heavy objects. The amount of work done depends on: the size of the force on the object the distance the object moves Equation work done (joule, J) = force (newton, N) x distance (meter, m)

How do I get it? Philippians 2:12–16 12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold on to the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

How do I get it? What I can do: Re-mind; The big story of Creation, fall, redemption, restoration and consummation. Re-mind that the work begun by Jesus Christ, He will bring it to completion and fulfillment.   Reconsider; Think over and look at from all angles, the person of Jesus Christ, the cross of Jesus Christ and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Personalize this. Read Philippians through over and over again. Meditate, think over and over parts of it. Repent; Let go of things, attitudes, behaviors, sins or good things that take the place of Jesus Christ. Things you know are not in line with Who He is and what He has said. Phil 3:8 I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord Re-Pray using Phil 1:9-11 as an outline or guide for yourself and those on your heart.

Philippians 1:3–11 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.