That's all right, but you can follow along as I read, beginning in verse one, where the apostle Paul,

by the Holy Spirit, is writing and says, Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and

deacons, grace and peace to you from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, verse three, every time I remember you,

in all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel

from the first day until now, being confident of this,

that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Let's pray if you would join with me.

Loving Heavenly Father, we cannot thank you enough for your word and for this portion

that we have before us today here in your word.

But Lord, we're also keenly aware that unless you, the Holy Spirit get our attention and keep our attention,

we're going to miss what it is that you desire to minister to us today.

Lord, that's why we're here.

We want to hear you speak into our lives, in and through your word.

Lord, there are many who are here today who are desperate for a word from you.

Those who are going through such difficult times and when we talk

about joy as we will in this amazing book, it just seems so unreachable, unattainable, unrealistic.

And so Lord, I pray that today, as only you can, you would minister to us in and through your word.

We pray in Jesus' name.

Amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

So, I want to talk to you today very candidly, very openly, about something that I've personally

wrestled with in my Christian life over the years having to do with

wanting to be happy.

...