2/19/2009
WHAT ARE YOU
THINKING
by Rev. Don Rivers |
As we move along in our study we find a familiar theme, it is what is in
your heart that matters. Our outward actions can say one thing, our words
can say another, but it is our heart that reveals the truth. What is in your
heart? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have all been in the situation that we couldn’t say what we
really thought. Whether it is an interview at the track or an encounter with
fans, most times we need to measure what we say and take into account who is
listening. I say this to illustrate that we don’t always reveal what is in
our heart.
Jesus continued his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount with these
words;
Mathew 5:27-30, "You have heard
that it was said, `Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who
looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his
heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body
to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off
and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than
for your whole body to go into hell.
Adultery is wrong, even thinking about it is wrong. This
illustrates God’s high view of the marriage relationship. Jesus helps us to
understand that when we enter into a marriage relationship it should be the
only intimate relationship we have. It is not up for debate, don’t even
think about it.
Jesus expands the teaching that it is what is in our heart that
matters. He expands this to lustful desires. Lust is a word that we have
equated with sex but listen to what it indicates. Lust, a desire, yearning,
a longing, a hunger, an ache, envy, thirst, an itch for something. Most of
these terms describe something that overtakes us. It is very hard to have
the willpower to resist. When we allow the wrong thoughts to rule our mind
we end up sinning in our heart. Jesus lets us know that is the same as
following through with our thoughts.
He has some advice for us though; remove it from your life. He
explains that we are to go to great lengths to remove whatever it is in our
life that causes us to sin. He said it is better to lose one part of our
body that to lose our entire life. Have no doubt about it, this is serious
stuff.
Jesus doesn’t limit this just to adultery, his example covers
anything we do that causes us to sin. We need to cut it out of our life.
Have you ever heard of garbage in, garbage out? That’s exactly what
Jesus is saying, if you allow these things in your life then your life will
be worthless. If the things we put in our minds and hearts are not good then
what comes out will be bad. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled into thinking
you can control your mind, you can’t.
Take a look at some of the video games that are being released
today. Some of the worst ones create a mindset that doesn’t value what God
values, life itself. Do you think there is a connection between what people
subject their minds to with these games and what they do in their lives? I
do and I think we see it in the way people treat each other. We have
developed a disregard for others and their lives.
How do we respond to things in our life that cause us to sin?
Probably not the way Jesus instructs us to here. For some reason we think we
can handle it. We think we are strong enough to resist the temptation. We
think others are weak but not us. We are wrong.
What are we thinking? Soon enough it will show in the way we live
our life. Are we ready to live a life that shows the love of Christ? I would
encourage you to take note of what you allow into your mind. Take note of
what you allow yourself to think. The wrong influences and thoughts will
lead to actions that will destroy our lives.
I recently watched a movie that helps us to understand this
teaching; Fireproof. It helps us to understand how important the
relationship of marriage is and helps us to see how we can make it better.
There is a teaching in that movie that we all need to remember; “Don’t just
follow your heart, because your heart can be deceived, lead your heart to
where it needs to be.” Jesus teaches us the same thing, how we condition our
heart matters. What we put into our heart matters, because what is in our
heart will show itself in our lives.
Don’t allow things into your mind that will destroy your life. Cut
them out, remove their influence. It is better to lose a part of your life
than condemn yourself to hell. Do not take these words lightly. Watch
yourself and the things that influence your thoughts.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
SPEEDWAY EXPO - Coming to West Springfield, MA, February
27-March 1. This is the beginning of the spring and the start of the racing
season. It allows us to get together and make the final arrangements before
we hit the track. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and learning
what you have been up to this past winter. I will be hanging out with Race
Depot and Design 500. Stop by and say hi. Check out the fire suit that
Design 500 made for the ministry, it is awesome. We hope to have the pace
car on display but have yet to hear.
43RD ANNUAL WORLD SERIES IN THE BOOKS
- New Smyrna finished up their winter meeting for asphalt racers.
Congratulations to the winners, TC won 4 of the 8 Tour Mod races to secure
the Championship, Jimmy Blewett left no doubt in the SK Mod Division winning
all 8 races. Look for some additional Modified action courtesy of C&C Racing
Promotions in early March in NC.
ORANGE COUNTY SPEEDWAY OPENS THE
MODIFIED SEASON - Getting an early start on things Officials from
C & C Racing Promotions and the Southern Modified Race Tour are planning an
open show at this Rougemont, NC 3/8 mile track. The race will be run March
5& 6 and we should be able to make the trip. They opened the place up on
Monday following the races down south for those who wanted to test things
out. Look for many of the teams that compete in the North-South Shootout to
support this show.
PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT -
Stafford Late Model driver Scott Foster Jr. was involved in a snowmobile
accident in Vermont and is recovering in New Hampshire . He could use our
prayers and encouragement, Shane Courchesne had this report on his blog;
Foster sustained numerous internal injuries in the crash and went through
six hours of surgery late Saturday and early Saturday in New Hampshire .
"It was a pretty scary deal," Foster's brother Sean said. "Just a
nasty wreck. Anything to pick up his spirits would be great." Well wishes
can be sent in care of Scott Foster Jr. to:
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
1 Medical Center Drive
Lebanon , N.H. 03756
Be a witness for our
Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel
Store at www.RWJM.org.
Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer
needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing
Family Prayer Request Page
www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail.
Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News", the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper" See our on-line Apparel
Store for subscription information. Check our home page
www.rwjm.org for past
articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book.
Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
financial support.
Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
February 18
NED & MARTHA JARRETT - The former NNC champion and wife; proud
parents of TV's Glen and WNNC Dale, share their 52nd anniversary.
February 20
MARK & DALE THOMAS - The Publisher of Maine based "The Racin'
Paper" and wife share their 9th anniversary.
JOE & ARLEEN SUKUP - This Schodack Landing, NY retired Midget owner
and wife make it 42 years.
February 21
RYAN & LORA MARKHAM - This Wayne County Speedway based, Ashland,
Ohio Late Model driver and wife celebrate their 10th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 18
JIMMY KITE - Effingham, IL born, now Stockbridge, GA IRL driver.
PHILLIP DOWNS - Retired Riverhead Modified team owner.
February 19
JEFF PURVIS - Clarksville, TN NNS/ARCA driver.
JOHN PAUL, JR. - Muncie, IN born, now West Palm Beach, CA IRL driver.
PAT DAVISON - Dover, ME LM/NASCAR CWES driver.
JOAN MICHEL - Mom of Wall Township Speedway top Modified driver Dave
and wife of former Wall Mod champion Tom.
February 20
SCOTT LAGASSE - St. Augustine, FL NASCAR Truck Series driver.
MIKE MATTHEWS - NJ asphalt Mod driver.
ARLEEN MILLER - Camp Hill, PA Susky fan; Ron's wife.
February 21
WAYNE JACKS - Las Vegas, NV NASCAR West driver.
VINCE SUDDARD - Wilmington, DE NASCAR CWES/LM driver.
RICHARD JORDAN - Of long-time Kelly Moore NASCAR CWES sponsor, Jordan
Lumber.
REBECCA RESNER - Daughter of Long Island LM team owner, Richie and
wife Melissa.
February 22
CHUCK BOWN - Oregon semi-retired NNS/NASCAR Truck driver.
PHIL COOK - Hickory, NC Speedway driver.
PEGGY KARBONIC - Wife of Newington, CT Modified driver Bob, forever
young.
JONATHAN JORDAN - Of Kelly Moore NASCAR CWES sponsor Jordan Lumber.
FRANK CANNEY - Meriden, CT photographer.
AJ PAPALE - Son of CT based Mod/ProStock driver/crew chief Tony and
wife Jodi is 13.
February 23
JASON KELLER - Greensville, SC NNS driver.
STEVE SEABURG - New Britain, CT retired Mod driver.
JIMMY STRUPP - Former Long Islander, now based in Charlotte, NC.
TRACY YOUNG - Canterbury, CT wife of former LM driver Ronnie.
TIMOTHY ZYLA - Son of Shamokin, PA Editor Greg is 19.
February 24
MICHAEL RITCH - High Point, NC NNS/LMSC driver.
RICK DYKE - Danbury, CT retired ProStock driver.
LOUIS LaFLEUR - Thompson Speedway track crew member.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
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Source: Rev
Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: February
19, 2009 |
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