BECAUSE HE LIVES
by Rev. Don Rivers
 

Luke 24:1-8, On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee : `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his words.

  Why do we look for the living among the dead? A good question; why do we continue to search for the meaning of life among things of the world that will lead us to death? We all want to live life to the fullest. We all want everything life has to offer. We all want. Listen to what David wrote in Psalm 23:1

  The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.

  Is Jesus Enough? Is He everything you need? Can He provide everything we need? YES!

  Let me ask the question, are you living or surviving? Most people I know are just trying to get by. They are just trying to make ends meet. They work from one paycheck to the next hoping that nothing happens that will upset the delicate balance of their lives.

  We know that is false hope. We know that life is full of circumstances that can put us into a tailspin at a moments notice. What we fail to realize is that we have made the choices that put us in those circumstances. We are the ones that guide and direct the things we do. We are responsible.

  It doesn’t have to be that way. God provided guidance for us. God promised to care for us and provide for us. God gave us a free will to choose. We decide and God honors our decision. Which way should we choose? Which way leads to the best life? Which way leads to life everlasting?

  Let’s explore that a little. Who should know best how to live the best life possible? God; who is the creator of life. When our car is broke, we don’t bring it to our lawyer. When our taxes need to be done, we don’t bring them to our mechanic. When we want to live an abundant life, we need to go to the source, God. He alone can provide what we need. He alone will guide us in the right direction. He alone cares enough to give His life for us.

  Ask yourself, what am I willing to die for? Remember Christ was willing to die for you. However, he not only died for you but he rose again, victorious over death. He offers us forgiveness and life everlasting and He demonstrated to us that He has control over those things.

  What one thing do we fear the most? Death. We fear not being here anymore. We fear our loved ones not being here with us. Christ offers victory over death. He is ALIVE!

  As you celebrate Easter this week, think about God’s love for you. He loved you so much that He sent His son who gave His life for you, not to condemn you but to save you. You will find that promise in John’s Gospel, chapter three, verse 16-17. Check it out.

  Truly celebrate this Easter with a new life, one provided for you by Jesus and His death and resurrection. I leave you with these words from the Hymn “Because He lives” God Bless.

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

~ William and Gloria Gaither ~
 

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

  ROCCO SCORES A TRIFECTA AT WATERFORD - As the sun shone brightly over the Waterford Speedbowl this past weekend it also shone brightly for one local driver. Keith Rocco won every race he entered on Blast-off weekend. He took home the victory in the Late Model, SK Mods and The Valenti Modified Racing Series. What a weekend!

  NEMA SEES A CHANGING OF THE GUARD - Racing is a family sport and NEMA showed that this weekend. Three longtime familiar faces were absent from the driver’s seat, Joey Payne, Greg Stoher and Russ Stoher. They were replaced by the next generation, Anthony Payne, Bethany Stoher and Avery Stoher.

  Avery faired the best of the three coming home with the victory in the NEMA Midget portion of Blast-Off weekend.

  LEE USE OPENS WITH ACT GOVERNOR’S CUP - Under sun drenched skies and mild temperatures Lee USA got their season underway. Contesting the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 on the 3/8 mile circuit know for side by side racing was a great way to get the season off to a rousing start.

  Eddie MacDonald discovered the ninth time is the charm as he came home with the victory, his first ever in nine tries. Eddie’s family runs Lee USA Speedway and I am sure the Victory Lane celebration was a family affair! Congrats to Eddie, Rollie, Rob Grimm and the entire crew for a hard fought victory.

  Eddie seems to have victory in his veins this year, winning at Bristol in the K&N Pro Series and now a victory in the ACT, watch out this could be one of those career seasons.

  LIFTING EACH OTHER UP - Former NEMA Driver, Greg Stoher, needs our prayers. I say former but it hasn’t been that long since Greg drove his last race. He found out last week that his neck is weak and any accident or blunt force could paralyze him. He is scheduled for surgery this week, but his driving days are over.

  To his credit he stepped out of the family car and put the next generation in the driver’s seat, Bethany Stoher. I am not sure what he needs more prayer for, watching his daughter, lamenting the end of his driving days, or his upcoming surgery.

  With that said, please keep the entire Stoher family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through some major adjustments.

  EASTER WEEKEND - We take this weekend off from racing, well most of us. I am disappointed to see some tracks not respecting the holiday and choosing to race. It is not just another day. I feel that is why we have slipped so far in society, nothing is sacred anymore. That is not how it should be. We should stop and acknowledge what God has done for us and how much he cares for us.

  If you find yourself without a place to Worship this Easter please feel free to join us at Mount Carmel Christian Church, 5100 Ridge Road , North Haven , CT. We will have a Sunrise Service at 8:00 in the pavilion at Sleeping Giant State Park followed by breakfast at 9:00 at Mt. Carmel and Worship at 10:00. We will follow worship with an Egg Hunt and games for the children and those who are young among us. Feel free to come and celebrate with us.

  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 and

Jesus 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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Source: Rev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: April 18, 2014