I Am Not Where I Should Be?

I am not where I should be?

By Wade martin Hughes, Sr.

Kyfingers@aol.com

TEXT:

Philipians 3: 13 (KJV) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I DO, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward unto those things which are before.

Philippians 3 :13 (LB) No, dear brothers, I am not where I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing. Forgetting the past, and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Luke 9:23 And Jesus said to them all:

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

(NOTICE THE WORD DAILY?)

Psa.27:4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in His Temple.

In Mark 10: 21 Jesus meets a man with much potential, yet ONE THING HE LACKED?

I ponder, the past with all her problems is long gone, today is before us. Just because yesterday we failed, we have a new day to get up and try again.

There are many regrets from yesterday, but today should be full of new hopes and new dreams. How many times does a baby fall while learning to walk? It takes time to build people.

Luke 9:23 And Jesus said to them all:

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

(NOTICE THE WORD DAILY?)

In God’s great wisdom, He choose not to make time in 100 year days, but rather 24 hours days.

By doing this God knew we would mess up sometimes,

so He create 24 hour days. If you mess a day up,

you will have a new day --- so TRY AGAIN!

If you mess up a week try again!

You will have a new week.

God loves us so much that He knew we would mess up.

So He ask us to TRY AGAIN.

Messes make messages.

Test testimonies.

Get up and TRY AGAIN if you have a mess!

With this in mind, we need to evaluate our past.

Where did I not reach my potential?

What, on the course adjustments, need I to make?

If there is no honest evaluation there will be

little to no correction.

Let us ponder the writings of an old man, Paul, nearing the end of his journey. Perhaps, near the end of a day, Paul watches the sunset. Paul reflects on the past and looks ahead to the future?

Philipians 3: 13 (KJV) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I DO, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward unto those things which are before.

Philippians 3 :13 (LB) No, dear brothers, I am not where I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing. Forgetting the past, and looking forward to what lies ahead.

#1. I AM NOT WHERE I SHOULD BE...

A. No sadder words of pen or tongue:

than the words WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN? ???

B. Potential vs. Kinetic ...

Potential means there exist possibilities, capable

of development, the battery in a car has a 1000

mile potential?

Kinetic means there is action, motion, change.

Faith has potential but if faith is not in action

it is dead.

C. Could you read the Bible more?

Pray more?

Battle bad attitudes better?

Could you give a little more?

How faithful have you been to the church?

Can the pastor count on you?

D. Recognize I have growing room, dig, fertilize,

plow, plant, invest.

#2 ONE THING -- FOCUS...

A. Too many cooks ruin the meal?

Trying to do to many things at once will cause

things to not be done properly.

Psa.27:4 One thing have I desired of the Lord,

that will I seek after: That I may dwell in the

house of the Lord all the days of my life, to

behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in His

Temple.

B. FOCUS, center, hub, to see clearly, pay close

attention, come together.

What you love you will find time to do?

What is important to you, are you focused?

C. OFTEN WE MISFOCUS.

In Mark 10: 21 Jesus meets a man with much

potential, yet ONE THING HE LACKED?

His focus was on things, sell and buy treasures

for heaven? Take the cross?

No, the man was focused on material things, he

would walk away sad?

D. MISPLACED PRIORITIES.

Martha thought a clean house was more important

than a close relationship with Jesus.

Luke 10:42, After Martha tattletaled on Mary:

Jesus warned Martha: