HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS Part II

…but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

 (Some of the information is adapted from Halftime by Bob Buford)

What needs to happen at halftime to be a winner in life?

We Must Recognize Our Position -  forgetting what lies behind
Leaders and losers of the first half need to make adjustments to win the game. The dangers for Halftime Leaders is to not regard themselves as having laid hold of the prize yet.

Pride that leads to complacency
How can you be so far ahead by so many points and still lose the game? The loss of focus will lead to distraction from our purpose and ultimate defeat. God is not so concerned with where you have been or what you have done as He is where you ARE and what you are DOING.

Overestimation that leads to underachievement
Anyone who strives for excellence must have a willingness to confess their shortcomings and admit that there is room for improvement. It is hard to move forward when you feel like you have already arrived.

The Discouragement that leads to Defeat is that Satan has a way of bringing up our past mistakes and sins. He tries to condemn us with the mistakes of the past until we see ourselves as failures. Paul would not allow his past to prevent him from fulfilling his purpose nor should we allow our past to keep us from our future. Your trophies are a part of your history, not a guarantee.

Don’t project past defeat into future failure
The poisonous, negative emotions of defeat must be dealt with before future victory can be achieved.  Paul’s attitude seemed to be to acknowledge that the past was real. It happened. Mistakes were made, and I am sorry. I have repented and forsaken my sin. It is over. I am covered by the blood of Jesus. I am forgiven and new.

• Don’t live in the past, but learn from it.
• All of us have setbacks. We fail. There comes a time when we must move on with your life.
• A part of your strategy in going forward must include pulling the curtains on your past. 

We Must Acknowledge our Weaknesses
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand. Proverbs 19:20-21.

Today could be the day that you move beyond blame and excuses and realize that you are responsible for your happiness and the way you live your life.  It was not the calls of the referees that cost you the first half.  Accepting responsibility places the power to make things different in your hands.  As a result, you may be challenged to change ... to do certain things differently than you’ve always done them.

Acknowledging our weakness positions us to receive instruction

Scripture to Claim:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 
2 Timothy 4:7-8