.
Looking to visit to the attic and search for the mystery bins that contain
the Christmas decorations. I am sure many of you have begun to “Deck the
Halls” yourself. But fancy window dressing doesn’t cover everything. Have we
prepared our heart to receive Jesus Christ? Greetings in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We all know what it takes to prepare for a race, the effort that goes
into just getting the car to the track. We know how much work goes into
practice and making the necessary adjustments to prepare the car for the
race. That excitement, that anticipation is the fuel that motivates us to
race. There is no drug more powerful than excitement and anticipation.
Anticipation for what is coming gives way to an excitement; one of the
greatest feelings we can experience. Most times it is this; not the actual
event that we remember. It is that build up, that preparation, that
anticipation, that excitement that fulfills our desire.
Think about the days leading up to Christmas. The anticipation over what
you would receive. The joy of expectation! Do we look forward to the Birth
of Christ with the same anticipation, the same excitement as a race or a
special gift?
Isaiah 9:6; For to us
a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
We are now in the season of Advent, (from the
Latin word adventus, meaning "coming”); We live in expectation of the
fulfillment of Scripture, we focus on being prepared for the coming of our
Lord and Savior; the HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE the Savior brings.
Ask yourself, am I prepared to accept the gift that is given?
What happens when we don't give any thought to what God has in store for
us? If we don't take the time to read about the promise of a Savior in God's
Word? If we ignore the guidance and direction God provides in His Word? If
we fail to anticipate the blessings that God has for us? Then what?
We are not prepared for the birth of Jesus; the coming of a Savior. We
will miss the significance of one of the most blessed events in the history
of man. We will lose out on the anticipation and excitement that waiting for
a special gift brings. Let’s take time to prepare, time to reflect on the
significance of the birth of Christ.
Christmas isn't about Santa Claus and reindeer. Christmas is about
Christ, it is the celebration of the best gift of all, a Savior.
We still enjoy watching many of the Christmas shows. My wife and I enjoy
watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" the most though. We look for when it is
on and sit down to watch. Maybe you know the story; it is not about all the
trimmings, it is about Christ.
Linus read from the Gospel of Luke.
Luke 2:8-11; And there
were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their
flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of
great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the
Lord.
The angels proclaimed the birth of a Savior,
but how did the shepherds know? How come they didn't just ignore them and
reason it away as too much wine and fun, maybe one too many Holiday Parties?
They were expecting this night.
The prophets told them that this day was coming. They anticipated this
night for years, ever since they were told the words of the prophets. The
ones who foretold about a coming Savior. They excitedly awaited the gift of
a Savior and when the proclamation came they knew it was true.
The prophet Isaiah proclaimed;
Isaiah 7:14; Therefore
the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call
him Immanuel.
The entire Old Testament points to the coming
of Christ. Isaiah said we would call him Immanuel, which means God with us.
The promise from God was a Savior; not only a Savior, but His very presence
with us. Are we prepared to welcome Him?
The presence of Jesus in our lives is there for the asking, a gift
provided by God.
Matthew 7:7-11; "Ask
and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will
be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks,
the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he
asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask
him!
Prepare for His coming just as you would your
racecar. We learned everything we can about it. We knew all the ins and outs
of it. There wasn't anything we didn't know.
How much do we know about Jesus? Do we know Him completely? Do we know
everything about Him?
That's what the time of preparation is for. Prepare to know Jesus.
Prepare to receive God's gift. It is truly a gift you cannot live without.
Don't let this time of year pass you by without taking time to prepare with
anticipation and excitement for the blessed event of Christmas; The coming
of Christ.
LOOKING AHEAD - As we look ahead to the wonderful things God
has planned for us we are confident He intended you to have a part in that
blessing. We are confident that God has the resources in place to provide
for the mission. We seek Him with all our heart and ask that you join us and
seek him with all your heart, then His plan will be revealed.
We make every effort to go. Wherever and whenever the request comes in we
go. Those are the instructions the Lord Jesus Christ gave us. We strive to
release ourselves from the bonds of human reason, financial restrictions and
perceived obstacles. If God called us He will make a way!
As we close out 2016 and look forward to 2017 there are some things that
need attention. We are in need of sizable donations to clear our books.
Would you consider a yearend gift above and beyond your faithful monthly
support? We have debt that accumulated during the season and we need to
enter the New Year with a clean slate. Please consider a one-time gift to
help us continue on.
CHARLOTTE - On the road again! I will be headed to Charlotte for
the NASCAR Banquets. Looking forward to reconnecting with everyone before
Christmas. Dan and his wife Deb will be in Charlotte also. I am sure we all
will have a great time visiting with friends and the race teams. If you are
there, track us down and say hello. We are thankful to NASCAR for extending
the invitation and including us.
Take some time to sit back, relax and enjoy this special time of year.
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.
See our on-line Apparel
Store for subscription information.
Check our home page
http://www.rwjm.com for past
articles.
We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book.
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
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