There are times in our lives when we have to do what we
have to do. This past week I was moved by God to pursue something that had
been on my todo list for many years. Are there things that God is moving us
to do, but we refuse listen? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
We all have things that we want to accomplish in racing or in life.
We set goals for ourselves. As we get older and the time shortens we call it
a bucket list. Things I want to do before I kick the bucket.
I have heard many a racer talk about running this track or that
one, racing in this division or maybe having a chance to show their stuff
against the big boys. We all have dreams, things that we look forward to. If
we don’t we should, life needs to be about a journey. We all need a
destination for that journey.
I am often reminded though, don’t let the destination be the focus,
life is best lived along the road on that journey. We have to enjoy the
milestones that we accomplish along that road.
For some of us we let God determine the destination. We also let
God determine the steps we take along the road.
Ephesians 2:10;
For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This is an ongoing process. It takes a
lifetime to learn and tune our ear to hear the Spirit’s call. The more we
follow, our faith grows deeper and the voice is clearer.
There is a process in learning how to trust God with our lives.
Many times when the resistance gets too strong we stop pursuing what God has
for us. I want to encourage you the reward is worth the journey. When you
look back and see the hand of God on your life and how He carried you
through you start to realize how much He loves us.
As I walked one if those journeys recently I encountered some
decision points I wanted to share with you.
Priorities - Before every step we take we need to know where our
priorities lie. What is most important and what is least. We get this mixed
up a little but let me give you a tip; JOY, Jesus, others, you.
Pain and Suffering - No pain, no gain, when we walk with God it
will require us to reach beyond our capabilities, we will need to push
through the boundaries of pride, fear and regret. We will need to trust God
and His strength. His grace is sufficient and perfected in our weakness.
Discouragement- When we move beyond our capabilities it will take
some time to develop newer, better ones. We need to protect ourselves from
discouragement. If we allow discouragement to win it will rob us the
blessings God has for us.
Perseverance - One of the most useful skills God will impart on us
is perseverance. We receive this when we overcome all the challenges we face
on the journey. We develop this when we rely on faith in God, not sight and
our understanding. Perseverance will lead us to the place of blessing. If we
persevere we will see the hand of God.
Romans 5:1-5; Therefore,
since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have
gained access
by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope
of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint
us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom
he has given us.
Look at the blessings of walking down the
road God lays out for us; Peace, Faith, Joy, Hope and Love! Wow, think about
how that will change our life. God is good, He has a plan, and that plan
will give us hope and a future!
Jeremiah 29:11; For I
know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
JAVIII MAKES AN ENTRANCE - It has
been an eventful weekend. What started with some challenging crashes in the
Whelen Modified Tour race at Thompson that had everyone coming out okay,
continued in the NEMA event at Riverside Speedway and then moved closer to
home. Writing about Faith is easy; living by faith is more of a challenge.
At a family picnic Saturday night my daughter started the process
that would soon bring our grandson into the world. We waited with
anticipation for that call. It came around 9:30pm; they were on there way to
the hospital for the doctor to check things out. The next message a few
hours later announced the time was here. But it was the next message that
challenged my faith.
At 3:09pm the word from my wife was short, Pray Hard! Things
weren’t going as planned, there were complications. For a moment time stood
still. I lifted my requests up to the Lord, I prayed for my daughter, my
son-in-law and this new life that hung in the balance. It seemed like an
eternity.
At 3:18 my prayers were answered, they were both fine. After an
emergency C-section and some trying times Joseph Anthony III entered the
world at 3:14 am. Our Grandson made a spectacular entrance.
I had three daughters and love them all, but it was special holding
him for the first time, I have a grandson, someone I can teach, mold and
train up into a God honoring, family leading young man. I pray that God
would give me the days to see him grow into a young man.
NEMA NEEDS - Visiting Riverside Speedway in Groveton , NH
won’t soon be forgotten. NEMA has three racers recovering from various
injuries. First, Scott Bigelow suffered a back injury and was airlifted to
Dartmouth Hospital . Avery Stoehr suffered a wrist injury and Anthony “Bug”
Marvuglio suffered some serious bruises in his crash.
Please lift these families and drivers up in your prayers.
ON THE ROAD - This week we head to Bristol for the Mod race
and then hang out in Virginia for a few days for the K&N race Saturday at
VIR. Should be an interesting trip, please keep our travels in your prayers.
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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RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
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