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  The Chrome Horn - Racing With Jesus Ministries

   11/05/2014

A FRIEND ALONGSIDE
by Rev. Don Rivers
 

  Life is full of temptations, challenges, difficulties and decisions. Are we trying to get through it on our own? Do we have someone waking beside us? Who is spotting for you on the road of life? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

  I was standing behind the grandstands at the track talking with a friend, waiting for the Modifieds to take the track for practice. I wasn’t sure what the schedule was but when I started to see the stream of spotters walk by with the tools of their trade I knew the time was close.

  A spotter’s tools seem simple; a good set of eyes to be able to watch what is happening, good judgment about how to advise the driver, language the driver understands and a way to communicate to the driver. We can all watch the race but a spotter sees things differently, they see difficulty coming before it happens.

  Some things that happen need to be communicated to the driver, some don’t. A good spotter doesn’t overload the driver with information that they don’t need. A good spotter needs a way to communicate to the driver. Just having a radio and taking into the mike doesn’t qualify. The spotter and the driver need to speak the same language they need to not only to hear each other, but understand what the other means.

  Look at it this way, when the spotter says “inside” does that mean go inside or go outside? It could mean either, that is up to the spotter and driver. The driver and the spotter develop a language all their own and develop an understanding of each other so that they can communicate with each other. When that works, things go well. When it doesn’t it usually leads to a frustrating day at the track.

  Over the season I’ve heard it happen several times, a car runs into a wreck and the announcer says “his spotter didn’t warn him.” With our ability to listen to the driver/spotter communications, we know if it is true. It isn’t always that cut and dry though. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time. Sometimes the driver doesn’t listen.

  One of the rules in racing is that when you are on the track you need a spotter. Wouldn’t it be great to have a spotter for life also? God provided that in our parents but let’s face it we really don’t pay that much attention to them sometimes; do we? We need someone who is in our ear, living inside us and guiding us in the right path. In addition to our parents God has provided a spotter for us all; his name is The Holy Spirit. Listen to what Jesus says about the Spirit;

John 14:16-18, 25-27, (Jesus answered) And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth.
The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.
But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

  In addition, we read in Acts of the Apostles;

Acts 5:5, 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.

  The Holy Spirit is given to us to guide our heart in the paths that are right. I am reminded of the cartoon with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. This is a good illustration of what happens when the Spirit becomes our spotter. He guides us with the right advice, but there is that other voice. The voice inside us that is telling us something different, something not of God. Which voice do we follow? Which guidance do we take?

  The answer is to have another type of spotter in your life. Someone who will hold you accountable to the choices you make. Someone trust worthy, someone who loves you. Someone who would lay down their life for you, a true friend. We need this kind of spotter in our lives also.

  We can ignore the voice of the Spirit and make wrong choices, but with a friend alongside our walk through life is much easier. They look out ahead and spot the trouble that we can’t see or are blind too. They talk to us and provide information to guide us around the difficulty. Ultimately it is our choice, but that friend alongside wants us to finish the race of life in the best possible condition.

  Having The Holy Spirit as our guide helps us experience life to its fullest. We receive The Holy Spirit when we ask Jesus to come into our heart. When we seek forgiveness from God for our shortcomings and accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us. When we ask God for that He sends The Holy Spirit to live in our heart, to guide us in the paths that are right, to counsel us, to show us the truth.

  Do you have The Holy Spirit in your heart? You can. He will be a spotter that will never leave you. Ask God today to send Him and God will honor that request and send Him. The key component is asking with sincerity in your heart; you have to want to. Seek out the guidance of The Holy Spirit today. Accept the sacrifice Jesus made for you and ask God to forgive your sin. If your heart is sincere the transaction is done, your life has changed.

  I would ask that you share that with us so that we can rejoice with you. We will help and guide you along the road. We will come along side you and walk with you through life. We will help you through the difficulties and celebrate the victories. We will do our best to help you figure out life and learn how to live it to the fullest.
 

  THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

  STARTING THINGS OFF RIGHT - Ryan Preece and Ed Partridge hit the ground running. One week after announcing they would be joining forces they were victorious at Caraway in the North-South Shootout. All indications are this will be a formidable team to deal with wherever the Mods are racing.

  HEADED SOUTH - After what has transpired in the south with the recent weather I may need to dig out my snow gear as I head to the World Dirt Finals. It is always a difficult decision as to what to bring, that has only been complicated by the recent outbreak of white stuff in the south. I may have to break down and bring another suit case!

  FAMILY NEEDS - As I write this a member of the Mod family is in cancer surgery, John “Pipe Smoke” Kokolski. He is thankful for all the support he has received from his “family”. Please remember to lift him up in prayer as he battles.

  Mod family member Rick Raducha needs someone to help get his power chair to him in Florida. If you remember this is the chair that many in the Mod Family helped him purchase. His health is such that he needs it for greater mobility. If you are headed that way and can throw it in with your stuff that would be a great help. Or if you just can help offset the cost of shipping it I know that would be helpful. Either way, give Rick a call and I am sure he will find a way he can do something to benefit your team. If you don’t have Rick’s contact info, contact me and I’ll hook you up.

  REACHING OUR GOA L - As some of you know we come to the end of each year with a deficit at RWJM. We do not deny any request for our presence and never use the cost as a reason for not going. That does put a strain on our resources. We usually have more month at the end of the money.

  We have put a challenge out there for you to help. We would like to enter 2015 even; no debt. Every contribution will help us continue to serve the racing community. If you have benefited from our efforts please consider partnering with us. A one-time donation or a monthly commitment will make it possible for us to be there for each of you in your time of need. Thank you for considering this request.

 
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.
 

   Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084.

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   Check our home page http://www.rwjm.com for past articles.

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   Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.

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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SourceRev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: November 5, 2014

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