WE HAVE NOT YET ARRIVED? THE BEST FOR LAST!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT:
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
THE GARDEN
I had a dear friend and co-helper pass away this week. We sowed seeds together in music and witnessing. He probably passed out more of my cards than I did. I picked up his wide and drove her to the funeral home today. I was an hour away going to see my 90 year old dad. I turned around and drove to the next county got her and drove an hour the other way to the funeral home. Did you know ministry and life can get very heavy? We made the arrangements and talked with the staff. Then I drove her an hour home.
It is mid-October… My friend was in very poor health. He has been in the hospital 3 times recently. He grew weaker and weaker and been sedated and on a ventilator 3 weeks. We were allowed to visit 15 minutes a day. While I want to tell you what a great musician he was. There was something greater about him. He grew the largest garden in this area. People would stop and talk to him. He was bent over, his breathing was terrible but he got up at day break and worked. He canned several hundreds of food for the winter.
When I got to his house his wife gave me a quart of his pickles and a quart of tomato juice. Never did anyone dream he would not enjoy one quart of the food. I asked his widow for permission to stand in his garden. Mid-October there are still many tomatoes, all kinds of peppers and some late green beans. As I stood and prayed I thought GOD WHAT KIND OF FRUIT AM I LEAVING BEHIND? I remembered baptizing him 3 years ago, I am now looking at those pictures. I love the heart and hands that planted this garden.
DO WE NEED TO MAKE LIFE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS? WHAT WORDS ARE YOU SPEAKING? WHAT DEEDS ARE YOU SOWING? WHAT FRUITS ARE YOU SOWING? I STILL BELIEVE LOVE ALWAYS WINS! I STILL BELIEVE PRAYER WORKS. I STILL BELIEVE GOD IS ABLE…
JESUS PLEASE REMEMBER ME? TODAY! WHEN I CAN’T REMEMBER?
Should the day ever come when I can’t remember anything? Should the day come when I can’t remember my family?
Should the day ever come when I don’t remember who my friends are? Should the day ever come when I can’t remember who I am? I have great faith and confidence that MY SAVIOR JESUS WILL REMEMBER ME!
When I have played the guitar the last time? When I have sang my last song? When I have preached my last sermon? When I have said I have said my last I LOVE YOU! When I have shed my last tears? When I will never have another regret? I WILL REST UNDER THE DRIPPINGS OF THE CROSS. THEN I SHALL FIND THE GREATEST PEACE AND JOY I HAVE EVER KNOWN… UNTIL THEN I WILL KEEP TRYING… WHEN I FAIL I WILL GET UP AND TRY AGAIN.
LORD PLEASE REMEMBER ME EVEN IF THE DAYS COME WHEN I CAN’T REMEMBER…
THE THIEVE ON THE CROSS HAD A TWO WORD REQUEST: REMEMBER ME. I HAVE BEEN A BAD BOY. I HAVE SINNED AND I AM NOT WORTHY, BUT JESUS REMEMBER ME…
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
I heard an old preacher say his opinion. He said, You know Jesus died first and he suggested that Jesus had to hang around for the thief to die and then they traveled to paradise together. Cool thought!
I HAVE NOT ARRIVED YET. THERE IS MORE… I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE, WHILE I LOVE JESUS WITH ALL MY HEART… I HAVE NOT KNOWN JESUS IN THE FULNESS THAT I DESIRE. THERE IS MORE…
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I am searching for a greater passion and zeal to KNOW HIM IN HIS FULNESS. God help me not only find my purpose, I MUST KNOW THE GOD PURPOSE FOR MY REMAINING LIFE. I am nearing the end in several ways. I have more time behind me and less time before me. Plus I am expecting Jesus to come soon.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
There is one driving compelling force before me. I run to the mark of the high calling. We cannot say that we have achieved what is expected of us. We must reach higher with greater effort for Christ. Get up and run as far as you can. Never entertain the idea of turning back. Heaven will surely be worth it all.
WHAT IS MY MOTIVE? THIS ONE THING I DO… ALL MY DETERMINATION, TOTAL CONCENTRATION SO I CAN FINISH AND RECEIVE THE PRIZE.
We must stay focused. If we allow fear, worry and distractions to CHOKE OUT OUR HOPE. If we take our eyes of the goal facts will be distorted. God will never give more than what we are using. Your feeling are like a roller coaster, up and down. We need to make spiritual progress and grow more in the MIND OF CHRIST.
I MUST FORGET THE THINGS THAT ARE BEHIND US… THIS SPEAKS OF FORGIVENESS…
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
*** I HAVE COME TOO FAR. By Nancy Harmon:
I’VE COME TOO FAR TO LOOK BACK AGAIN, THERE IS NOTHING BEHIND ME.
ALL THE TREASURES I USED TO LOVE, HAVE ALL FADED FROM MY VIEW.
THERE IS A NEW DAY AHEAD FOR ME, ALL MY HEART ACHES ARE OVER
FOR I LEFT IT AT CALVARY WHERE MY NEW LIFE BEGAN.
CHORUS: I HAVE COME TOO TO LOOK BACK, MY FEET HAVE WALKED THROUGH VALLEYS, I’VE CLIMBED MOUNTAINS AND I HAVE CROSSED RIVERS, DESSERT PLACES I HAVE KNOWN. BUT I AM NEARING THE HOME SHORE, THE REDEEMED ARE REJOICING, HEAVENS ANGELS ARE SINGING, I'VE GONE TO FAR TO LOOK BACK…
LOOK AROUND, THERE’S NO HAPPINESS, THERE IS NO REASON FOR LIVING. LIFE WILL GIVE YOU A BROKEN DREAM FULL OF SORROW AND FEAR. TURN AROUND DON’T LOOK BACK AGAIN. FACE THE NEW DAY BEFORE YOU. PLACE YOUR FEARS IN JESUS’ HANDS, HE CAN MEND BROKEN DREAMS.
BUT I ‘M NEARING THE HOME SHORE, THE REDEEMED ARE REJOICING.
HEAVENS ANGELS ARE SINGING… I HAVE COME TOO FAR TO LOOK BACK.
REACH FORWARD! DO WE ACCEPT I HAVE NOT ARRIVED YET… JUST DO IT… BUT THE BEST IS YET TO COME… REACH FORWARD MY FRIEND… RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS FAIL, JESUS IS ABOUT PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
Mary the mother of Jesus had no fear. She had no worries. Mary knew in her heart JESUS HAD MIRACLES TO PERFORM. Mary completely trusted Jesus.
John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
JESUS’ MIRACLE TURNS THE WATER OF GOD’S WORD INTO THE NEW WINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, UNLIMITED JOY.
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
THE GOVERNOR MAKES A BOLD STATEMENT… OTHERS SAVE THE CHEAPEST STUFF THEY HAVE FOR LAST. JESUS YOU HAVE SAVED THE BEST FOR THE LAST…
John 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
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