Do you have hope that tomorrow will be better than today?
Yes, we all do, to some degree, we look forward to tomorrow. We are able to
do that because of hope. Some of us have more hope than others. What about
those in despair? How do they look forward? Greetings in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have been looking at the word hope for the last few weeks. It is
a simple word to understand but sometimes difficult to grasp. Think about
what we look forward to. Think about what carries us through the
difficulties we all face.
I was struck by some of the posts I read from the Atlantic City
Indoor Races this past weekend. There are a couple of teams that had engine
problems. Those problems knocked them out of the race. Their response; see
you in Trenton . They were already looking forward to the next opportunity
to race.
Racers for the most part are eternal optimists. As a group they
tend to see past the disappointment and focus on the next opportunity to get
back on the track. I can’t put my finger on why that is but they don’t spend
a lot of time focusing on things they cannot change.
I am reminded of the serenity prayer. The purpose of the prayer is
to give us peace within the situation we are currently in. Peace is the
first step on the road to hope. This prayer also reminds us there are things
we cannot change. How much of our despair is caused by trying to change
things that we cannot?
O God and Heavenly Father, Grant to us the serenity of
mind to accept that which cannot be changed;
courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from
the other,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Hope comes from peace in our innermost
being. We cannot have hope without peace. We receive this peace from God.
Knowing that no matter what we are facing God has the power, authority and
desire to help us through. We don’t always understand it, but it is a
blessing God offers us to help us through this life.
Philippians
4:6-7,nlt; Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about
everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can
understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Peace comes from within, but
hope comes from those around us. When we see that those around us want what
is best for us, we are hopeful. Conversely, when those around us are in
despair and downtrodden hope is difficult to find. Hope is a product of our
environment. The things we surround ourselves with are the things that
influence our outlook. That includes God.
Think about how much one hopeful person can change how others view
things. Think about how much influence one hopeful person has in a crowd. We
need to ask ourselves, “Are we the voice of hope?”
It is easy to get caught up in the negativity that surrounds us. It
seems that everyone is complaining about something. So much so when someone
actually says something positive, something encouraging, and something
compassionate or kind we look at them funny.
That is a sad commentary on how far we have slipped in this
country. There was a time when hope was the order of the day. Now, it seems,
negativity, distrust, and contempt rule the day. That can change.
We can change it if we are willing to make the effort. Yes, giving
hope to others requires work. We have to sacrifice something. We have to
intentionally decide to put the needs of others above our needs. We need to
act like Jesus.
Paul figured that out. He realized that he needed to change in
order to give other’s hope.
1Corinthians
9:19-23; Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave
to everyone,
to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the
Jews.
To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am
not under the law),
so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like
one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under
Christ's law),
so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the
weak.
I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might
save some.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
What choice have we made? What have we
decided to do? Our choice will affect the lives of others. We hold the
future of others in our hands. The decision is ours. Do we go, in the name
of God and give others hope?
Next week we will take a look at a passage from Isaiah which is
also found in all four Gospels. It talks about the activities we need to be
about if we are in the hope business. Please come back and join us as we
continue to look at Giving Hope!
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
GAMBLER’S
CLASSIC GOES TO SESLY, AGAIN - Talk about a dominating performance,
Anthony Sesly put to rest any talk that 2013 was a fluke. He dominated the
2014 Gambler’s Classic winning everything he competed for except his match
race with TC. Trenton should provide a great opportunity for someone to
challenge him for the Indoor title.
I wasn’t able to make the trip, still fighting some chest
congestion, thank you for your prayers. I am glad we had a backup plan and
Bob Menschner was there to step in and cover the invocation duties; be there
for the racers and represent RWJM. Thanks Bob, great job.
Bob did call and fill me in on some of the action; we need to keep
Mike Tidaback, former ATQRM Champion, in our prayers as he heals from the
thumb injury he suffered. Bob is looking forward to being with everyone
again in Trenton .
BOBBY VARIN IN NEED OF ENCOURAGEMENT - As many may know
Bobby, Big Block Modified Driver was in a skiing accident last week and
broke his neck. He is dealing with some intense pain but the prognosis is
good. He has 4-6 weeks of recovery to look forward to and if all goes well
he should be fine. If you would like to send a card of encouragement and
hope it can be sent to, Supply Wagon Rentals c/o Bobby Varin 2348 State
Highway 30A Johnstown, N.Y. 12095
THE RACER’S EXPO - February 7 & 8 The Race Depot will hold
it’s annual gathering of racers, products and seminars at the Royal Plaza
Hotel. The only hardcore racing trade show in the Northeast. All forms of
Motorsports will be represented from circle track, drag, and road racing to
karting and more. World class exhibitors will be displaying the latest
equipment and innovative technology that this industry has to offer.
Sanctioning bodies and tracks will be available to inform competitors about
the coming season. Don't miss this opportunity to get a fast start on 2014!
Your competition won't!
Please Register by Email for the Expo: FREE IF YOU PRE-REGISTER
VIA EMAIL ($5 donation at the door if not registered)
EXPO registration:
reg.theracersexpo@gmail.com
PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR: NAME, HOME TOWN , & HOME TRACK or RACING
SERIES
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 andJesus 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.
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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
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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
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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