.
In racing only one car receives the checkered flag signifying the race
winner. Many run with the goal of winning, but there is only one who
receives the prize. Life is like a race and each one of us should run in
such a way as to win. What race are we running? Are we living our life with
winning as our goal? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
Do you remember your first win? Wasn’t it fantastic? It seems like the
world stops turning and for that moment you are the center of attention. It
doesn’t matter how many times you win after that there is nothing that can
replace the first time. Winning never gets old. Once we have won we have the
desire to repeat the experience over and over.
I have had the pleasure of sharing many first time wins with drivers and
teams over the years. I never get tired of going to Victory Lane and shaking
the hand of a first timer. When it happens there is jubilation in Victory
Lane, more hugs and high fives than normal. It is encouraging to share that
moment with them.
Have you read the quote on our Pace Cars? “Run the race in such a way as
to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus!” That is a
reminder that there is only one way to run the race, with the intent of
being victorious. Your goal may not be the checkered flag but that doesn’t
mean you cannot win. Winning is about progress and making steps forward.
What does it take to win? Many say it is luck. You have to have
everything right and then the cards have to fall your way. I think God’s
Word has some direction for us in that regard. Paul writes that first we
must prepare and run according to the rules. To prepare and run in a way
that is against the rules disqualifies us for the prize.
1Corinthians 9:24-27,
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the
prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games
goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown
that will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a
man beating the air.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to
others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Paul talks about the discipline we must
have to qualify for the prize. As we train for and run the race there will
be many choices we have to make. Those choices will ultimately determine if
we qualify for the prize. Let’s look at this way. In chapel service, at the
next race, if I asked how many people who, instead of using their racecars,
would use their feet and run the same number of laps around the track, how
many could? I suspect not many. Why? We haven’t prepared to run the race
that way.
You see, even the race you determine to run is a decision. Some of us
choose to run the rat race. We get caught up in all the things of this world
and run a race that doesn’t qualify us for a heavenly home. We need to
choose to run the right race. Jesus said;
Matthew 6:19-21, “Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures
in heaven,
where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and
steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus meant that we have a choice about
the things we pursue in our lives. We can pursue the temporary things that
fade and pass away or we can pursue the eternal things, the things that will
remain with us forever.
At the end of his life Paul talked about the race he had run;
2Timothy 4:7-8, I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,which the Lord, the
righteous Judge,
will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have
longed for his appearing.
Many people have come before us and
showed us how to run this race. Think of those who have taught you the right
way to go. Those who taught you God’s Word and remained true to that
regardless of what it cost them. They will receive their reward in heaven.
The writer of Hebrews leaves us with these instructions;
Hebrews 12:1-3,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily
entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will
not grow weary and lose heart.
“Run the race in such a way as to win,
throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus.”
Prepare for and run the race in such a way as to win! Do not run the
wrong race. Choose the right way, the way that leads to the Cross. Others
have given us an example of which race is worth running. They showed us how
to run that race. They showed us how to persevere. Run in such a way as to
qualify for the prize.
HERE, THERE AND BACK AGAIN - I sit in my own house this morning as
I write. It seems like forever since I last had this pleasure. It is good to
be home. The nomadic life we live in the racing community allows us to visit
some pretty neat places, but it is good to be home.
Two weeks ago I took in the races at Stafford and Thompson, both less
than an hour from home. I am blessed to live in an area with such a rich
racing tradition and opportunities. It was a pleasure to share Thompson with
some that were seeing it for the first time and those that had been there
for many years. Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park has a winner with the
“Throwback Race” as it honored those who paved the way for the next
generation of racers.
I enjoy looking back and remembering where you came from. Thompson was a
good place to do that. Racing with Jesus Ministries had their first chapel
service there in October of 1980. The bench given to Rev. Pat Evans sits
under the tree where it was held. I remember Dave Dion sharing that was the
first place he attended chapel. The Saturday before last Joey Kourafas
shared the impression this ministry made on him over twenty years ago.
The road home is a special road lined with milestones of our influence,
the lives we touch with the love of Christ. Remember victory is secured in
Christ, the journey is what matters. As you run the race of life, remember
to reach out and touch the lives of others. Looking back means so much more
when we hear the testimony of lives changed.
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.
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News",
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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
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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