HOW DID PAUL MANAGE – AGAINST ALL ODDS – TO RETAIN UNQUENCHABLE JOY IN THE MIDST OF THE MOST UNTOWARD CONDITIONS IMAGINABLE ?
Let’s check the Scriptures….

YOU’VE GOT TO DO IT !!
Philippians 4:9 KJV
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

JAMES WROTE TO COUNTER THE GNOSTICS’ (LEARNED, INTELLECTUAL, KNOWLEDGABLE) SHALLOW APPREHENSION OF GRACE.
James 2:14 KJV
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
DON’T LET UNBELIEF SNEAK IN !!

FAITH COMES FIRST, PROOF NATURALLY FOLLOWS
James 2:15-18 KJV
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, [16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? [17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

PAUL ••LEARNED•• TO BE HAPPY !! . HE APPLIED HIMSELF TO ACCOMPLISH CONTENTMENT.
Philippians 4:10-11 KJV
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

TOTAL DEPENDENCY ON GOD ==> YOU CAN DO ANYTHING !!
Philippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

MINISTRATION OF CONDEMNATION
. . . . . Vs. . . . . .
MINISTRATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
2 Corinthians 3:6-9 KJV
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. [7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: [8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? [9] For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.