With his eyes fixed on Jesus, Paul has seen that it is not about him, but about what will bring the most glory to God and transformation in others. Remember Jesus?

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39)

Paul rejoiced and could rejoice because he was not consumed with himself. He determined his life would be about the glory of God and the transformation of others. (See Acts 20:18–24)

When life does not go according to plan and when the storms rage around you, what will your choice be? Will you pick up the umbrella called grace or try to make due by your own means? And if you decide to pick up the umbrella, will you share it with others? If you want to command joy in your life if you're going to have joy in the rain, learn to share your umbrella. Be focused on others.

Instead of going to Rome as just a preacher; Paul ended up in Rome as a prisoner, and his journey to Rome was no walk in the park. (See Acts 21-28) Paul could have written a best-selling autobiography of his epic journey from Jerusalem to Rome, but instead summarises the whole story in Philippians 1:12 with just the words, "...the things which happened unto me..."

Most of us would look at this and conclude the whole ordeal a complete and utter failure. This was not necessarily how Paul planned his arrival in Rome, but Paul's joy was not rooted in his circumstances. It was rooted in a person, the person Jesus Christ.

Jesus was Paul's whole reason for living. (See 2 Corinthians 5:14–15) To Paul, Jesus was the source and the end of it all, and in the midst of the worst possible circumstances, Paul set His eyes squarely upon the one who is both our means and our end.

Roy Hession makes this observation in We Would See Jesus:

We have been availing ourselves of Jesus and His blood as the way, but to ends other than Himself.[i]

To have joy in the rain, we must see Jesus as the umbrella in the rain, and the warm and dry destination through the rain. When life does not go your way pick up the umbrella and set your eyes squarely on your destination. Look to Jesus.

[i] Hession, Roy. (1958). We Would See Jesus. pg. 122. Fort Washington, PA USA: CLC Publications.

The main question Jonah deals with is what we will do with God's Word when we receive it? Running from it is a natural human reaction, but God's love and mercy for all people are so great that He provides salvation to those who don't deserve it!

The question, “How to do church?” is one of philosophy and practice. Where church life truly becomes practical. Books abound on the subject of how to do church. Hundreds of conferences are held every year around the world on this subject. Thousands of blogs are dedicated to this subject, with each one thinking they have the inside scoop on how to do church.

In some ways, with so much material available seeking to answer this question, we have lost the needle. For centuries people have been addressing this subject, each adding more and more hay to the haystack of church philosophy and practice. Have a listen as we find the needle in this haystack.

Perhaps you have struggled with what is the point of this church stuff. You come to church each week and ask “Why?” “Why do we do this?” “What is the point of all this?” “What is the purpose of church?” The question of “Why Church?” continues to build upon the merging of the Gospel’s indicatives and imperatives. As the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ, the Building of God, and the Children of God, we have a purpose. We have been made a new creation in Christ for a great and noble purpose.

The church was no afterthought. She has been part of God’s fantastic sovereign plan all along. And just as God had a purpose in the Garden, in calling Abraham, and in establishing Israel, He has a purpose for Christ’s called out assembly in this age.

Where is the church? In simple terms: The church is here, there, and everywhere. If you have believed from the heart upon the finished work of Christ you are part of the glorious universal church, but do not neglect to connect with the local church for through it, church life is made practical.

We must avoid the danger of overemphasising one church locality over the other. We must learn to look at the church’s locality both universally and locally. The universal church cannot impact this world without the local church, and the local church would not exist without the universal church.

In the universal church, we see the Gospel’s indicatives. We see who we are. In the local church, we see the Gospel’s imperatives. Church life is made practical as we are challenged to live out who we are.

Life has a way of leaving us beat up. We get smacked around all week by the drudgery of life. We have to get up every morning and deal with jobs, other drivers on the road, co-workers, bosses, bills, appointments, family, etc. As we battle through the week, it can seem that our souls are sucked dry from life itself. So, the times we choose to worship together should be times that refresh the weary soul, but the way to the refreshment of a thirsty soul through worship can only be found as it is reminded of the Gospel.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthehw11:28-29)

We seem to have accepted the fact that true church won’t happen until we arrive in glory, but our Saviour tells another story. In Matthew 18 Jesus lays out some simple truths for how we can experience church now.