Tony Evans

Philippians is often called “the book of joy.” In this letter, Paul stresses that he wants God’s people to live in the joy of the Lord and His kingdom rather than just reacting to their outward circumstances. For joy consists of internal stability in spite of external struggles. Whatever you might be going through, you can find joy right in the middle of it. And if anyone was qualified to teach on this subject, it was Paul, for this letter was written after he had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel (1:7, 13).

When I’m driving, the last thing I want is to have to take an out-of-the-way detour. When I see the orange signs and arrows, I often get frustrated. I just wanted to get to my destination as quickly as possible, and now I am being inconvenienced.

As you read 1 Chronicles, you may respond by saying, “Wait. Haven’t I already read these stories before?” And the answer is, yes you have. The two books of Chronicles cover much of the same territory as the two books of Kings. There is a great deal of overlap when it comes to the stories they each record.

Most of us grew up in school having to say the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a daily reminder of our commitment to our country and what an awesome privilege it is to enjoy the freedoms we share. It was a verbal statement of loyalty to the land we love.

During His time on earth, Jesus spent more time with His disciples than anyone else. They got to know His voice, thoughts, mannerisms, pet peeves and perhaps even His unique facial expressions. When He was crucified, they were devastated in ways to which few of us can relate.