 This
past weekend I spent some time with two churches as part of their annual
retreat. They invited me to share about how they could become more effective
at running the race we call life. I thought it would be good to share with
you some of the things that God put on my heart. Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Competition is at the core of our being. We are motivated to do the very
best we can no matter what we are doing. We compete against ourselves, we
try to improve, we strive to do better each time. The goal isn’t perfection,
it is continued improvement. Perfection isn’t something we can attain this
side of heaven.
I say that but we all have seen those who have given up. We see people
who have stopped trying. We see people who have become discouraged and
beaten down. How do we respond to those people? How do we lift them up and
change their future?
When we head to the track the reality is that there are a handful of cars
that can win the race. For the others the motivation is to learn more,
improve, find the missing ingredient that will put them in that group of
potential winners. The fact remains, if you are not in the race, you have no
chance of winning.
Are we in the race? Is it a race we can win? Well that depends on how we
look at things. Paul explains his view;
1Corinthians 9:22b, I
have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save
some.
How flexible are we? How willing are we to
adapt and adjust to win the race? When we are at the track, competing to win
the race we will do anything it takes to find the winning formula. How
willing are we to do the same for someone who needs our help in life?
God asks us to have the same value in our heart that he does. His desire
is that none of us would perish and spend eternity separated from him. We
are His most valuable creation and the crowning achievement of all He
created. We are His most valuable. We are so valuable to Him that he sent
His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to give his life as atonement for our
sin.
John 3:16-17 (NLT);
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the
world through him.
The fact remains we will listen to anything and
everything if we think it will give us the chance to improve our performance
at the track. I have seen many strange partnerships come together in search
of that magic combination that gives us the chance to win. Let me tell you
how we can win the race.
It isn’t much of a secret; it is more of a choice. The winning formula is
available for anyone who wants to truly run in such a way as to win. The
choice comes down to one of two things, we will serve God or we will serve
ourselve. It may seem too simple but in fact it is that simple. We need to
choose whom we will serve.
2 Chronicles
7:14, (NLT); Then if my people who are called by my name will humble
themselves
and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
To serve God requires that we realize He is
greater than we are. He has the ability to change things we cannot. He is
over all. We need to come to him, seek him out. We need to stop doing things
that dishonor him. We need to realize that he has the power over life and
death; he holds our very being in the palm of his hand.
We have a tendency to make things more complicated than they are. We
think that somehow if we turn to God all the fun will be taken out of our
lives. We think that we will not be able to do the things that make us happy
and fill our lives with joy. Nothing could be further from the truth.
You see God created us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He
knows what is good for us and what will lead us down the path to
destruction. We cannot see the future, but God holds the future in His hand.
Have you ever thought you had something figured out? You knew the 411;
you knew everything you needed to know. Then a piece of information came to
light that changed your whole perspective on the situation.
It is like an incident on the track, we think we know what happened, but
our view of things is always skewed toward the way we want things to go.
Only when we take a look at what really happened, instant replay do we see
things for what they are.
I remember a certain team that was always at fault. Anytime something
happened on the track and their car was in the neighborhood they caused it.
Only when the replay was reviewed, after the race in the race director’s
office was the truth revealed. But it was too late, opinions had been
formed, people had gone home and they were not about to change their view of
things, they knew what they saw.
Nothing could be further from the truth. We do not know it all. What we
see isn’t always what really happened. The way we have always done things is
not necessarily the best way. Too many times we fail to have a full
understanding of things before we make a decision.
Don’t cut God off short, take the time to allow Him to show you how to
live life. He is the creator of life and knows what is best for each one of
us; whether we acknowledge it or not.
John 10:10, (NLT);
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
This is a race we can win; do not let the thief
steal it! Turn your life over to Jesus and he will provide you with
something that is rich and satisfying.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
FULL
THROTTLE FOR GOD - I want to thank the The Lakeland Charge which
consists of two Methodist Churches , Kingswood United, and Rehoboth, both
located in Mecklenburg County , VA , for having me this past weekend. We
were able to spend some time in God’s Word and my hope is that this
community would be different and more committed to run in such a way as to
win.
It was disappointing for me to miss Race-A-Rama, but Virginia is where
God indicated I needed to be. Ask me how it came about and I’ll share the
story with you. It may help you as you seek to hear and follow God.
THE LAST COLISEUM - Next up on the schedule is Bristol for the K&N
guys. They have changed the schedule a little this year and we will be
running on Saturday night. It is always good to head to Bristol , there is
no place quite like it. It will also be good to check in with some of the
drivers that have moved up and see how they are doing. Look forward to
seeing some of you there.
BLASTOFF WEEKEND - Racing will blast off on the last weekend
of March at Waterford Speedbowl’s Blastoff Weekend. The Valenti Modified
Racing Series and NEMA will join the regulars in bring racing back to the
Northeast after a long cold winter. We are looking forward to seeing you
there.
THE ICEBREAKER - Only a few short weeks before things get going
for NASCAR in the Northeast. The Whelen Modified Tour headlines Icebreaker
Weekend at the newly renovated and expanded Thompson Speedway Motorsports
Park . I hope the weather heats up and the snow melts or we really will have
to break the ice. Hope to see you and all the changes 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 andJesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
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Tolland, CT 06084.
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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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