How can we not be joyful when this is our position in Christ every single day! The sad truth is that too often we trust what the world says instead of what our God said. Happiness is but a fleeting concept wholly dependent upon an outside event that we usually have no real control over. Joy however is a permanent state based upon what God has already done for us. One of the damaging effects of the "bless me" theology is that it robs people of the joy they should have in Christ because instead of appreciating everything He has done, they are constantly looking for the next payout of blessing.
Five regrets culled from the lips of those who knew their time was short. Five common areas we all can relate to in our flesh. Five areas Jesus Christ ahs already given us victory over. There need not be any regrets beloved. The Apostle Paul certainly could have regretted his initial arrogance and opposition to the Christian way. He could have regretted presiding over the stoning of Stephen; the first martyr. While I believe he held onto these times as a way to remain humble in the Lord it is evident that he did not regret anything as his life drew to a close. We can know this based upon our key verses today.
The Book of Second Timothy is essentially the last words of Paul. He would be martyred himself shortly. Paul knew these would be his last words as he says here that the time of his death was near. Within these verses are some wisdom God wants to impart to us today regarding the inevitability of death and how to truly live a life that will not look back regretfully in the end. We will examine these verses more closely in part two of this devotional tomorrow.
Reverend Anthony Wade -- February 20, 2013