Count It All Joy

How am I supposed to "count it all joy" when the people in the world around me seem to be sliding down a slippery slope and those I love are going through difficult times? How can I possibly count it all joy when I lost my mom and my husband lost his job within months? How do I count it all joy when I have to put off making home repairs and can't afford to buy the things my family needs?

For years, I have struggled with the idea of being joyful in all circumstances. It seems like one of those impractical, idealistic thoughts that I will never be able to live out. This book was what I needed at this time in my life. As difficult as the situations in my life have been, the apostle Paul was forced to go through things that were much more trying than anything I ever faced.

The author, David Jeremiah, examined Philippians verse by verse, and in the end I got a glimpse of a bigger life that I've been living. One that showed me I can be joyful in spite of circumstances. I recommend that you buy this book for yourself and those you love because sooner or later, I think most of us face times where it is really, really difficult to count it all joy.

I really enjoyed this extensively researched book by David Jeremiah. "Count it all Joy" is a study and commentary of Paul's letter to the Philippians, arguably his most personal and intimate letter. When I see or hear Dr. Jeremiah's name I expect a high quality book, and this one does not disappoint. It is mentioned that this book is the first book in the new Turning Point Series. One interesting thing to me is that "count it all joy" is actually a verse from the book of James, but it fits in perfectly with the concept of Philippians. This shows us that the Bible is not merely a book, but a living, dynamic document whose individual chapters cohesively shape the overall message.

The intro to "Count it all Joy" delves into the background of how Paul, SIlas, Luke, and Timothy journeyed to Philipi, their ministry, the conversions that took place, and the opposition they met. Ten years after founding the church in Philipi, while Paul was a prisoner, he wrote to his Macedonian friends, whom he had abounding love and joy for. His letter expresses gratitude and encouragement, urges them to be united, and reminds them several times that the coming of the Lord is at hand. Dr. Jeremiah states that the theme of the letter is joy, citing that Paul repeatedly uses the words joy and rejoice even as he is writing from prison. Paul saw himself as a slave for Christ, and he wrote of the joys of living in Christ as well as the joy to come from being with Christ when you die. This book examines the letter to the Philippians and the testing of Paul's joy in Christ as he is imprisoned.

Dr. Jeremiah urges the reader to read through the Reader's Guide at the end of the book before starting your personal or group study. I found this guide with the discovery and application questions to be very helpful in enriching the overall study of Paul's letter. The study guide will help an individual or group to see that the principles in Paul's letter are as relevant to today's society as they were back then. Dr. Jeremiah draws from many different sources and scholars to illustrate the points he makes as he breaks down Paul's letter verse by verse. He includes insights from other authors and pastors, which actually serve to make this book a great reference tool to the entire Bible, not just Philippians.

I would recommend this book wholeheartedly to all Christians so that they might be reminded that there is true joy in Christ. I really liked Matt Chandler's "To Live is Christ" (on the same subject), but Dr. Jeremiah goes deeper. If you want a full understanding about the life and times of Paul and his letter to the Philippians, then this is your book. I would also recommend this book to pastors as it would provide a great blueprint for expository preaching through Philippians. I received this as a free ARC from David C. Cook Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.