All Categories - JAMES JANZEN MINISTRIES

Joy of Suffering

1/12/2026

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:17-18

It is difficult for me to write this insight. I do not want to diminish any pain and suffering you may be experiencing.

However, it would be a failure on my part if I did not share the source of Paul’s joy, which was the desire to willingly share in Christ’s sufferings. This was his only desire in life. He expresses it in Philippians 3:10: ”To know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Nothing else mattered to Paul. He was willing to lose every earthly possession for the sake of intimately knowing Christ, even if that meant death. He considered “everything else worthless,” labelling it “garbage.” (Philippians 3:7-8)

This one desire was the source of Paul’s joy. Is it yours?

True Worship in the Christmas Story

12/21/2025

The Christmas story is filled with examples of true worship. Two things are always present: God’s revelation and a person’s response of submission.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Luke 1:30-32

Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

Mary’s amazing response shows complete submission. Mary committed her whole to meeting the needs of Jesus. After all, she was his mother!

God considers service to be the same as worship. All acts of service to God are also acts of worship to God. Whom we worship we serve and whom we serve we worship. Mary’s life shows us what a life of worship looks like.

Is your life a life of service to God? Christmas is a wonderful time to give God a special gift—a commitment to serve Him with your life. That is what true worship looks like.

A Choice to make every day

12/2/2025

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 1 Corinthians 12:21

The kind of unity that Paul observed in the Philippian church resulted from each person considering the needs of the group more important than their own.

Unity is diversity working together to achieve a common goal.
Every day, we need to make a choice as to whether we see other people as a threat or as a gift.

Look for people’s strengths, not their weaknesses. Affirm them for their strengths.

This action will be a source of joy for you and others as it was for Paul.

Joy of being of the same mind

11/27/2025

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2

The unity of the Philippian church was another source of joy for Paul. Like people everywhere, the church in Philippi would have contained different personalities, various educational backgrounds and upbringings, diverse opinions and perspectives, and different ethnic backgrounds.

We know only a few details about the church, but the little we know shows significant differences:
— Lydia, a rich, successful business woman and her household
— A former slave girl
— A jailer, his family and household
— Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, each with differing opinions
— Other brothers (Acts 16:40)

Trauma, loss, grief, and chaos magnify differences. This results in a destructive view in which differences are seen as a problem, as the enemy. The persecution the Philippians experienced would have magnified their differences as well. However, Paul rejoiced that they were "of the same mind.”

Why? They understood and applied Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 12:18-20. Everyone is needed for a group to thrive and be healthy.
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

Withdrawing robs us of joy

11/25/2025

It is common to withdraw from others during times of chaos, crisis, and trauma.

Why?

We feel shame and guilt and have endless questions about what we could have done differently. We find it difficult to trust others and feel like failures.

Although Paul experienced difficulties, he focused on friendships. They brought him joy in a dark time.

Paul's focus on relationships reminds us not to neglect relationships in difficult times. Being vulnerable and exposing your feelings carries a risk. However, just as we are encouraged by Paul's transparency in his letter, so will others be encouraged by your openness and honesty.