They say beauty is only skin deep. What you see on the outside is not always
what you get. I have seen some good-looking racecars that don’t have what it
takes to be competitive on the track. The only way to find out is to run the
race. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Many times looks can be deceiving. Sometimes it is intentional, we don’t
want to spill the beans and let everyone know what we have. To say there is
some gamesmanship at the racetrack is an understatement. No one goes out for
practice and runs full tilt; they always keep something in reserve for when
it matters. I remember a recent practice session where a driver turned a
quick lap. After talking with one of the team members I learned that there
was more where that came from.
“Wait until we tweak it and put stickers on, we’ll post a number they all
can shoot at.”
They did; fast lap of the day in the last practice session with no time
for the others to do much but scratch their heads and wonder. They are the
real deal.
If you have seen our display at Motorsports you know we bring
championship cars from the WMT and KNPSE for display. It shouldn’t surprise
anyone that the setup and equipment on those cars is not what they use at
the track. Most racers are very careful about what they let others see.
In the dirt late model ranks you see it all the time, a drape covers the
back end of the chassis or they back the car in to block the view. Maybe
there is something, maybe not. The question remains, what are they trying to
hide? Did they find something?
At the race track a little mystery and intrigue isn’t a bad thing but in
life people shouldn’t have to wonder who we are. They shouldn’t have to
wonder if we are the real deal. Our commitment to Christ and service to him
has to more than skin deep. We need to be willing to lay down our very lives
for the sake of others.
We tend to act differently depending on the situation and location. On
certain days of the week we are fine upstanding members of the church
community; on others you would never know we graced the doors of a church.
We put questions in people’s mind about who we really are. That is not a
good thing.
Mark 2:1-12; A few days later, when Jesus again
entered Capernaum , the people heard that he had come home.
So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and
he preached the word to them.
Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them.
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an
opening in the roof above Jesus and,
after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.
When Jesus saw their faith,
he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,
"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins
but God alone?"
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking
in their hearts, and he said to them,
"Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the
paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say,
`Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ."
He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."
He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view
of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have
never seen anything like this!"
We find in this passage a few things that will help us understand. First,
Jesus didn’t boast about who he was and what he could do. He simply started
teaching those who came to hear Him. During that time He witnessed the great
faith of some friends who brought their injured friend to Jesus.
Think about that, if we are the real deal we will spend our time bringing
our injured, hurting, crippled, burdened, suffering and broken friends to
Jesus for healing, no matter what how much effort and money it takes. Why,
because Jesus can and will forgive them and heal them. If we don’t believe
that we lack the faith we need to be a true follower of Christ.
Thirdly, Jesus knew who was in the crowd and he chose an interesting way
to help them understand who he was. He chose to do something no one could
see. Think about it, it is pretty easy to make claims about our abilities or
the abilities of our race car, but the fact remains at some point we have to
put up or shut up. Jesus knew this.
Some in the crowd started stirring up trouble and challenging Jesus about
His ability to forgive sins. Jesus settled the issue with one statement;
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive
sins, He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go
home."
Now the proof was there for all to see, the paralytic got up, took his
mat and walked out through the crowd. Does Christ have the authority to
forgive sins? Yes he does. Is He willing to forgive us and others? Yes he
is. Is He willing to heal all the brokenness, burdens and hurt we all face?
Yes he is.
The key remains with us, do we have the faith to bring it to Jesus? Will
we put forth the effort to help others find the forgiveness and healing that
comes through Jesus Christ? The question remains, are we the real deal?
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
ALL
EYES ON NHMS - The best race of the weekend at New Hampshire Motor
Speedway has been said to be the Whelen Modified Tour Race. This has been
true for many years as is witnessed by the number of Cup team members that
become spectators for the event. This one was no different. Woody Pitkat did
what many have tried to do in the past, he was able to hold off the field
from the front and take the checkered flag. Congratulations are in order for
the entire Buzz Chew Racing Team, hard work finally paid off.
It was also great to see Joey Logano make the trip to Victory Lane to
congratulate Woody and the team. He also went on to win on Sunday, great to
have two drivers from New England at the top of the racing world.
On another note, we need to keep Ron Yuhas Jr. and his family in our
thoughts and prayers as he recovers from injuries suffered in a serious
crash coming out of turn two. All indications are that he will be able to
fully recover from the injuries. He was resting comfortably after surgery
and in good spirits. Card of encouragement can be sent to; Ron Yuhas Jr. 91
South Road , Groton , CT 06340 .
DOUBLE HEADER WEEKEND AHEAD - Heading out this week to Dover to
close out the K&N Pro Series East season with the last race on their
schedule. Ben Rhodes has secured the Championship but a victory at the
Monster Mile is something many drivers want on their resume.
From Dover we double back to Stafford Motor Speedway for the Fall Final.
With the Whelen Modified Tour running a race that could settle the
Championship and the SKMOD champion to be crowned it is sure to be another
great race weekend. Hope to see you there.
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.
 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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