.
In our lives many of the things we appreciate most are the things that we
had to work the hardest to attain. The things that are handed to us
sometimes are taken for granted and their true value is never truly
appreciated until they are gone. Taking a look back through our lives
identifies some challenging times that we have overcome. Who delivered us
through those times? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
I remember a young guy who stopped by the booth at a Motorsports show. He
was admiring the Tour Modified we had parked there. He asked a simple
question, “How much are the tires on these cars?” I gave him a ballpark
figure and he seemed surprised at the cost. He explained that he was
thinking about running on the tour and wondered how much it would cost. He
soon realized that the tires were the least of his concerns.
That illustrates the point that from the outside looking in we see things
differently. We only realize how difficult things are when we get involved.
We go through life wanting to accomplish things and experience life to its
fullest but we don’t really know what it takes to get there. There is no
easy path to get to the most important things life has to offer, we have to
work at it.
I think this story of the cocoon helps us understand that.
THE BUTTERFLY'S STRUGGLE
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He
sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its
body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress.
It appeared as if it had got as far as it could, and it could go no further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and
snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged
easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man
continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment,
the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which
would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the
rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It
never was able to fly.
What the man, in his kindness and haste, did
not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for
the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing
fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be
ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
At times struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed
us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We
would not be as strong as we could have been. We could never fly! Think
about the difference between a child raised with everything they wanted and
a child who learned to work for things.
David writes in Psalm 23 about how God supplies our every need. If we let
Him lead our life we will not miss out, we will have everything we need.
Look at this list and we begin to understand what it takes to live life to
the fullest.
I asked for Strength.........And God gave me
Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom.........And God gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity.........And God gave me brain and brawn to work.
I asked for Courage.........And God gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love.........And God gave me Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favors.........And God gave me Opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted........I received everything I needed!
Psalm 23:1, The Lord is my Shepard, I have
everything I need.
God provides the situations in life that will
mold us into the people we need to be. They will mold us into a person who
values and appreciates what is truly important. They will conform us to
God’s image.
To lead the most abundant life we need to let God lead. We need to depend
on Him to guide us and direct us through. God promises to show us what is
worth living for. Let Him Lead!
MOTORSPORTS A SUCCESS - We had a wonderful time reconnecting with
old friends, meeting new ones and bench racing. Lynda and I were blessed to
hear the testimonies and see how God has been a part of your lives. Chapel
on Sunday was another opportunity to acknowledge God and the relationship he
desires to have with each one of us.
Thank you to Ricky Collins, Joey Ferrigno and others for making our booth
the center of attention. We are thankful to have such an important part in
the racing community and their lives.
IN THE SHOP - There are a few folks we need to lift up this week,
please join with us as we bring them before the throne.
Howie and Mary Hodge - As Howie goes into the hospital this week for a
couple of procedures, please keep them both in your thoughts and prayers.
Katie and James Standley, D500/Lady Eagle; As many know Katie’s dad has
been battling various medical issues. He is now home with the Lord. Katie
stayed behind in Seattle to tend to family while James came solo to the
show. Please keep them both in your thoughts and prayers as they transition
through this loss.
As always, please share your needs and requests with us. We will lift you
up before our Lord. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is
Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support
helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and
apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
www.rwjm.com. 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.
Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News",
the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
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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
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
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