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What does it take to be at the top of your game? What does it take to stay
there? Have you noticed life is full of ups and downs? It is difficult to
stay on top. It is not that we don't try, but it is difficult. Greetings in
the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Repeat champions are few and far between. In the world of sports it is
difficult to win one, but repeating that is a challenge. We label the repeat
champions some of the greatest teams of all times. We all know how difficult
that accomplishment is.
I remember a few years back a team was on their run to the championship.
Wanting so badly to win they were afraid to change anything thinking a
change might keep them from winning. They won but do you know what it cost
them? The rest of the race teams passed them by. The new season started and
their car and setups that won them the championship were not good enough to
compete up front. They forgot to do the one thing that put them in the
position to win in the first place, continue to move forward.
Unless we continue to move forward we fall behind. Standing pat assures
us of moving backwards. Staying on top of things requires that we don't sit
still. Vacations last for a time but we have to get back at it. I know it is
tempting to want to live the rest of our lives on vacation but eventually
you will need to find something to keep you busy. I have seen too many
perish without a purpose.
We can find ourselves in a rut, we do the same things over and over. They
worked once. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that we are fine where
we are. Life requires growth and change. Life requires that we learn, mature
and make an effort to grow.
Have you ever been to the mountaintop? Looked out over all the Earth in
awe and had that feeling that you were on the top of the World? When we win
that is what it feels like. When our life is in order and things fit
together, that it what it feels like. The trouble is staying on the top
requires effort, it requires that we grow.
I know it sounds like a never ending battle with little time to relax,
but it is far from that, it is a life style. See we are willing to risk
everything for the temporary high we get from winning a trophy but what
about the eternal prize we receive in glory? The road to glory isn't a
difficult one, but it is one that requires constant attention. Will Rodgers
said; “Even if we are on the right road we'll get run over if we just sit
there.”
We need to continue to grow in our walk with the Lord, but we also need
to remember that God is the one doing all the work. Many times in His Word
we find that promise of rest, restoration and comfort. We find God ready to
guide us, we don't have to find the way ourselves, we only need to find God.
We need to stay close to Him and not wander away. We need to have others
alongside us to encourage us. Others to help us remain on that mountain top.
Look around and ask yourself, who have I surrounded myself with? If you
are running a race team you would want those around you who knew how to
setup a race car to go fast. You would want people experienced in completing
the tasks required on the race car. You would look for those whose track
record showed that they can be trusted to make the right adjustments.
If your goal is to live a life that pleases God then those around you
should know how to do that. We should have someone who has walked that road
a little. They should be able to help and encourage you toward that. The
writer of Hebrews gives us some words of encouragement;
Hebrews 10:19-25,
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place
by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the
curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house
of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience
and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to
the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider
how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give
up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage
one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Like a race team, each one of us has a
responsibility. Each job is necessary for the team to function in a way that
qualifies it for the prize. In life we need to do the same. It is not
something that can be done on our own. It is not something that requires
knowledge that we do not have. It is something that requires us to turn to
God and ask for his forgiveness and guidance. We need to surround ourselves
with others that will encourage us and provide an example for us. Listen to
Paul's encouragement;.
Philippians 3:17-21,
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those
who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you
before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross
of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and
their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our
citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord
Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under
his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his
glorious body.
Stay on top of your life! Live in such a
way as to show others the right way to go. Help one another, encourage one
another. Show the love that Christ had for us that while we were yet sinners
he died on the cross so that we may have life and live it to the fullest.
Have a great week.
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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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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