WHERE HAVE WE BEEN
by Rev. Don Rivers
 

James 1:22, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

   We need to remember that following God’s Word demonstrates our faith. Think of it this way; you need advice and you ask someone you trust. You receive instructions. You now have a choice. Do we follow the advice or do we decide to do it our way?

   The choice we make will indicate who you put your faith in. We show people we have faith in God when we follow His directions. We show a lack of faith when we decide to follow something else.

   The next step in our study taught us about playing favorites. An interesting note about the relationships we build is that sometimes we form relationships for what we can gain from them. We are not there to add something but to subtract.

   In racing many of the relationships are formed based on what each party brings to the table. When we form relationships based on what we feel we can gain we show a lack of faith in God’s provision. We think we know what we need and we think we know how to get it. We need to put our faith in God and let Him provide for our needs.

James 2:8-9, If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"
you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

   James tells us it is a sin to show favoritism. Specifically he told us when we base that decision on what someone has versus what someone doesn’t have we are making a wrong decision. That is to say, I choose to be friends with Johnny because he has more stuff than Steve. Faith in God means not playing favorites.

   As we learned the first steps in our walk of faith we realized that we have some challenges facing us. Showing others that we have faith in God requires us to rethink the way we do things.

   The next step on our journey leads us to look at what we do. James tells us that faith is not a passive activity. He tells us that if we claim to have faith we will act like we do. The converse is true, if we don’t demonstrate our faith by our actions than we don’t have true faith.

James 2:14, 18, What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
Can such faith save him?
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.

   Faith in action would be the theme that guided James life. He wasn’t about to be like the religious leaders he saw, he knew God was more hands on. God wanted to be a part of our daily lives. God wanted us to touch the lives of others through us.

   When we reach out to others without any other motive than to help we demonstrate our faith in God. When we are tempted to take the easy way out instead of doing what honors God our actions will indicate who our faith is in.

   The past few months have given us many opportunities to step out on faith and get into action, Storm Sandy, Sandy Hook , The Blizzard of 2013. Our friends and neighbors need to see the hand of God reaching out to help them. Have we extended that hand to them?

   Our next lesson asked us to pay attention to the words that come out of our mouths. We say a lot of things that don’t need to be said. We share our opinion without being asked and without thinking about the impact it will have. James warned us about the words we speak and the effect they will have on others.

James 3:9-10, With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men,
who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

   We need to watch what we say and think before we speak. Why is it that we put our mouth in motion many times before we put our mind in gear? Think before we speak is good advice. It also is good to remember that whoever we speak to is a child of God. God created them and each one has the same value to Him. We need to watch what we say and understand who you are saying it to.

   So that covers where we have been. Has it made a difference in your life? Have you chosen to walk is a different way? Please share that with us; let us know how these columns guide you.

   We have three lessons to cover to complete our winter study. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or need to get together and talk. Have a great week. Blessings, Rev. Don.
 

   THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

   SPEEDWEEKS IN FULL SWING - We have made to Florida and have been making the rounds. We have already had some blessings on the way. I look forward to sharing some of those with you.

   BUBBA RACEWAY PARK - A funny thing happened on the way to the track; God showed up and prepared the way. Steve Fowler headed to Florida from Montana not sure what was in store for him. He agreed to lead the effort to reach the WoO Dirt Late Models and putting things in place for the beginning of the season was proving to be more challenging than originally thought.

   One of the realities of this ministry is that we go even when we can’t see the road the journey will take us. Steve had no idea the welcome he would receive from the teams and track. He was welcomed with open arms. Not only were the teams asking for prayers, the track asked him do the invocation each night and conduct a chapel service on Sunday morning. Over 20 attended that service.

   But the most important blessing was yet to come. Bubba Speedway Park opened their doors to many homeless veterans, they provided them with pit passes and hoped that this might be the beginning of taking steps to honor them for their service and help them get their lives moving in a different direction.

   Steve and Hank, a Vietnam veteran himself, were able to minister to the vets and begin the process of connecting them with caring people in the community. The hope is to develop a support network that these vets can draw on. It is exciting to see God move in our lives and open doors to help us minister to those in need.

   TWO MORE TRACKS - After starting the week with a focus on Volusia and the WoO Sprint cars it is time to turn my attention to asphalt from dirt. This week I will be joined by Rev. Dan and we will focus on Daytona for the Battle at the Beach. From there I will head to the Modified races at New Smyrna.

   Steve Fowler will join Finish Line Chaplain Ed Harkins at Volusia to continue our efforts there to the WoO Dirt Late Models, Dirt Modifieds and the Big Block Modifieds. Thanks for all your prayer for us as we go our and minister.

   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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Source: Rev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: February 22, 2013