A day at the racetrack is full of action. At times is seems there is more to
do than time to do it. We see activity all around us competing for our
attention. With so much going on and so much good stuff to choose from, what
do you do? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
What do you watch, where do you go, who do you focus on? We have so
many things going on in our lives that we are torn about which way to turn.
What is the best thing to do? What we choose to do determines who we have
put our trust and faith in.
I remember something I was taught when I was in second grade
“Actions speak louder than words.” You know the type, they shoot their mouth
off, talk the big talk, they try to win the race before they get out on the
track. But you know as well as I do, it is what you do on the track that
matters. It is not where you start, but where you finish that counts. How
have we been finishing lately?
Before we get started there are a couple of things we need to learn
about how we live; first, it doesn’t matter where we come from we can act in
a way that honors God. Second, all the talk in the world doesn’t mean
anything until you get up and do something. People don’t care how much you
know until they know how much you care. We show people we care by what we
do. What are you doing?
Every one of us knows both types of people, some are all talk and
some don’t talk they help. Who do you call when you need help? Do you call
the talker or do you call the doer? You call the doer because they will help
not lecture you. Listen to what James says.
James 2:14-26,
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no
deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you
says to him, "Go, I wish you well;
keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what
good is it? In the same way,
faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith
without deeds, and I will show you my faith
by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons
believe that--and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Was not our ancestor Abraham
considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the
altar? You see that his faith and
his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what
he did. And the scripture was
fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for
what she did when she gave lodging
to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without
the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
It is not enough to claim to have
faith we have to live it. We need to act in such a way that shows others
that we depend on God. When we are faced with a situation that challenges us
beyond our abilities, who do we turn to? We should turn to God. James speaks
of Abraham and his willingness to trust God. He did what God commanded him
to do; even when it didn’t make sense.
How about us? When we need to make decisions or choices whose
advice do we follow? Do we try to figure it out for ourselves? Do we trust
someone else? Who do we seek out for guidance and direction?
We should turn to God and ask for His direction? God has the right
direction for us, but it will require two things. Following God requires
that we rely on His power and not ours. It also requires that we do
something that only God can enable us to do.
James talks about what others see in us by the way we live our
life. The things we do indicate who we place our faith in. He reminds us
that just saying we have faith is not enough, we have to do something. What
are we doing?
There are many who have the right words to say, but it is those who
show up to help at 2:00 in the morning that are real friends. Jesus taught
us that we need to lay down our life for our friends. Are we willing to step
up to the plate and demonstrate how much we care for others?
On a race team we need everyone to pitch in and help. We count on
team members being willing to sacrifice their time for the good of the team.
The success of the team is dependent on the number of team members willing
to give their time and talents for the good of the team.
Now what about life? Are we willing to reach out and help others?
Are we willing to set our wants and desires aside and put others first? The
next characteristic of faith is action. When we believe that God will
provide what we need we are free to give what we have to others. We show the
faith we have by living without the fear of losing what we really do not
possess. We have confidence that whatever we give God will replace. We act
with a trust and faith that God is able to provide for us no matter what we
give away.
The next step in our walk of faith is learning how to give beyond
what we think we can. We demonstrate our faith by our actions. Only then do
we begin to see God provide for us. We cannot out give God. Try to practice
a faith that acts like God can and will provide for your needs.
Faith proves itself by action.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
ON THE BOARDWALK -
After a brief lull in the action we get back at it this weekend in Atlantic
City . Lynda and I will be headed down to take in some of the racing action.
It will be exciting to be back at this historic venue, it has been a few
years since I have been there and many have requested I make the trip.
FROM ONE BEACH TO ANOTHER - After some indoor action we’ll
head to the beach, Daytona Beach. I have a full schedule for Speedweeks and
am looking forward to reconnecting with many from the racing community as we
get our mid winter racing fix in.
The green flag fell on the new racing season with the twenty four
hours of Daytona. I find it amazing that you can race for 24 hours and the
winner is determined by a pit stop in the last few minutes for a splash of
gas. Imagine running nonstop for 2,500+ miles and have the margin of victory
be less than a minute, wow!
One of these days I’ll have a chance to be there in the pits and
watch it close up. I am not sure I can stay awake the full twenty four but
I’ll give it a try.
When things get going in Florida the Dirt Late models will be on
their third event of the season. I am thankful and pleased to announce the
Steve Fowler, a dirt late model driver from Montana will be leading our
effort to the World of Outlaws Dirt Late Model Tour. Steve is a pastor,
church planter, tech official, and racer, all the qualifications needed to
be a chaplain to the racing community. Steve will be with the tour in
Georgia and Florida .
Florida will also see new activity on the schedule, The UNOH Battle
at the Beach for the NASCAR K&N and Modified tours. They will also be joined
by the Whelen All American Series Late Models. This should be a great
gathering of the best short track asphalt races in the country. Hope to see
you there.
Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals
and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter
what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. Remember that
God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
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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
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