This
past weekend we had a special service at Mount Carmel Christian Church. We
gathered together with the Rocco and Ceravolo families for the dedication of
KJ Rocco. It was a time for each of us to remember the influence we have on
the lives around us. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
Have you ever given any thought about what we are dedicated to? What is
it that above all else we will pursue? That is what it means to be dedicated
to something. Many times our dedication to something gets in the way of what
is truly important. We should stop and take a look around, is our dedication
getting in the way of serving God?
Many of us have a passion in our heart for racing. Above all else we will
pursue the chance to race, the opportunity to be at the track. We can be
consumed by that passion so much so that we leave all else behind. Then one
day we realize how much that pursuit has kept us from what is truly
important in life.
As I walked through the pits at New Smyrna I saw that contrast very
clear. A certain Cup driver who had competed at the sports top level for
many years now was just a dad. I didn’t want to bother him as he enjoyed the
racing through his son’s eyes. But I couldn’t help but wonder why he made
the switch from driver to dad.
It was evident as he stood next to the fence watching his son compete
that he was just a dad. No fans clamoring for his autograph, no sponsor
laden clothes on his back. He was there to help his son pursue his dream. He
blended in like most dads and to their credit everyone respected that and
let him.
We all have multiple roles in life and many times we get confused as to
which one has priority. We struggle to balance the responsibilities that
come with being a spouse and parent. What are we dedicated to?
This past Sunday we dedicated ourselves to raising this new life, a
blessing from God, in the way of the Lord. Scripture reminds us of the
importance of training up our children in the way they should go.
Proverbs 22:6 (NLT);
Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
But what if we do not know what the right path
is? What if we are confused as to what we should be dedicated to?
Matthew
6:31-33 (NLT); 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What
will we eat?
What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the
thoughts of unbelievers,
but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom
of God above all else,
and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
One of the challenges of living is the pursuit
of things we want, not necessarily what we need. That is where we get
derailed, go off the right path. We get distracted by the desire for what we
want and forget what we truly need.
If we dedicate our lives to what we want we will not be satisfied or
fulfilled. We only receive that when we pursue the things of God. He is the
only thing that can fill the void in our lives that longs to be filled. We
can have everything and still feel empty. That is because we were dedicated
to the wrong pursuit.
Scripture teaches us to seek first the Kingdom of God and live right. How
are we doing there? I must confess I do not always seek what is right. I
sometimes fall into the trap of seeking what makes me feel good. I seek the
things I want. It is only when I attain them that I realize I am still
empty. I have taken the wrong path.
There is a reason for the priority that God sets. It is for our benefit.
He created us and knows what is best for us. Are we ready to be dedicated to
the pursuit of things that honor God? Only then can we have the hope of
being fulfilled and satisfied.
As I watch the world around us fall into destruction I can only think
that if we change the direction of our pursuits we just might have the
opportunity to reverse the direction of things. I would like to encourage
each of us to be dedicated to the pursuit of pleasing God first and watch as
He adds all the things we need to our life.
Prayer of
Dedication
Lord God, our Father in Heaven, we make a commitment today to dedicate our
lives to you,
to pursue your knowledge and love, to abide by that commitment even if it
means personal sacrifice.
Lord we ask that you bless those who stand before you today and make that
commitment.
Lord through your power and grace enable us to honor the words we have said
here today; in Jesus name, AMEN.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
RUDE
AWAKENING - What a fine welcome we received as we traveled back
from Daytona, ICE. We decided to press on and make the trip in one shot and
things were going well until we hit the ice. I don’t think anything is quite
as deflating as having to slow down as you get closer to home. As we
delicately tiptoed home we saw many who learned the hard way that no matter
how many wheel drive you have, ice is still slippery.
I am thankful for the necessary level of concentration needed after being
on the road for 17 hours to deliver Lynda and I home safe. God truly was
with us. Thank you.
RACING INTO 2014 - The season has started and the K&N teams
already have two races in the books and one winner, Daniel Suarez. After out
dueling Cameron Hayley by less than a car length at New Smyrna on Sunday
night he finished off a perfect start to the season by winning the Battle at
the Beach on Tuesday. After finishing third last year Suarez is doing his
best to secure the 2014 crown.
BATTLE AT THE BEACH MOD SQUAD STYLE - After a Tuesday night under
the lights at Daytona that saw Doug Coby take home the victory some of the
teams headed south to New Smyrna Speedway. With the addition of some quality
teams the racing heated up at the famed half-mile. Ken Barry and Justin
Bonsignore took the time to get to know the Spafco chassis that Justin will
use on both the Whelen Modified Tour and the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
They are quick learners, after a fifth place finish in the John Blewett
Memorial on Wednesday night they won both Thursday and the Richie Evans
Memorial on Friday. This has the makings of a potent combination to look out
for this year. It would be great to see the Barry family back in victory
lane on The Tour.
NEW CHAPLAINS AT THE TRACK - One of the blessings of Speedweeks
was the addition of TB Smith of Fruitland Park , Florida as the Chaplain for
Bubba Speedway Park . Also Volusia Speedway Park requested us to help them
find a chaplain as they are going to be running a weekly program this year.
Pray for TB and another worker in the field for Volusia. God is at work,
let’s join Him.
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 andJesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
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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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