by Larry A. Hamblen

Philippians has been called The Epistle of Joy, but when Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi, they were going through difficult times. Opposition to the Gospel confronted these first-century Christians daily. His letter is one of encouragement and gentle proddings. Again and again Paul implores them to rejoice. The Christian life is a journey of faith. Paul reminds God's people that we have something to rejoice about, in spite of adverse and worrisome circumstances. Joy for the Journey presents an absolutely wonderful possibility for the Christian who worries. It presents a prescription for worry that works! It is possible for you to exchange your doubts, fears, and worries for joy in the Lord! Because our journey home is filled with trials and tribulations, our faith in God must be an active, dynamic reality for us. Our profession of faith must equate to active trust in our heavenly Father. In prayer we give Him our worries. He gives us His peace. It turn, this peace beyond description gives us Joy for the Journey! Larry Hamblen serves as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Coronado, California. He holds a degree in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from California Christian College. He has served as a full-time pastor for over thirty-six years. In his leisure time, he writes Christian praise music and researches his family's history. He is the author of Our Hamblen Heritage (1990). He and his wife, Leigh, have six children.