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  The Chrome Horn - Racing With Jesus Ministries

WHO WILL BE SUCCESSFUL (PART ONE)
by Rev. Don Rivers

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  The new season has started. Questions have started to be answered. Who will have success? Who will be successful? These are two similar questions but with very different answers. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

  Having success is different for each team. Some will judge the season a failure if they don't end up with the championship. Some are looking just to improve over last year's performance. Some are looking for seat time and finishing the race in one piece is judged a success. Whatever our standard, being a success is different for each one of us.

  Being judged successful however is a different thing altogether. You know there are two different ways of looking at things, our way and God's way. When we judge success in earthly terms we focus on accomplishments and status. We look at awards and recognition. We judge success based on performance.

  When we look at success from a Biblical viewpoint we focus on those who have submitted themselves to God. We don’t look at performance we look at willingness. Are we willing to serve God and follow His will? Following God’s will is the only way to be successful in this life.

  Will you be successful? Many thought Jesus a failure as he hung on the cross. They challenged Him to save Himself. They hurled insults at Him and questioned His claim to be the Son of God. In the end Jesus accomplished what He came to do, He gave His life so that we might have life. In a passage of Scripture from the Gospel of Luke we can find some help in our quest to be successful.

Luke5:1-11; One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

  In chapter five Luke tells us of the calling of the first disciples. We read about the calling of Simon Peter. He had just finished a night of fishing and was cleaning up his nets. Think of it like the end of a race. You had trouble and didn't finish, a DNF. You and your crew are cleaning up and along comes this guy who wants to use your hauler as a pulpit. After he is done speaking he starts to tell you how to set up your car and how to win the next race. You look at him as if to say, "What do you know about racing?" He says trust me and do what I tell you. Reluctantly you agree. You set the car up and sure enough you run the fastest you have ever run. Maybe there is something to this guy? Maybe I should follow him?

  Let's examine what has taken place. First we have to let Jesus in. Whether it's our boat, our hauler or our life, we cannot be successful without Jesus being a part of it. Once he is a part of our life we have to let him have control. He will guide and direct us to what is right and just. He will guide us to places we would not go on our own.

  The best time to fish was at night and in shallow water. Jesus instructed Simon Peter to put out to deep water in the middle of the day. Peter, like us, questioned if Jesus knew what he was talking about. Jesus did and proved it with a large catch of fish.

  One of the most important lessons we can learn is that God has control over things we do not. He has the ability to put things in place that are beneficial for us. Sometimes that is a provision and sometimes it is discipline. But in the words of the writer of Romans;

Romans 8:28, (NLT); And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

  Let's review what we have talked about;

  1) The first step to being successful is including Jesus. He must be a part of our life.
  2) We must allow Jesus to have control of the direction and decisions in our life.
  3) Jesus will guide us to people, places and things that we wouldn't have met, gone or done if we didn't follow Him.

  I would encourage you to spend some time this week reading and reflecting on this passage of scripture. Next week we will look at this passage again and see what further application we can find. Until next week keep the Son in your eyes. Amen!

  HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE - The month of April has been a whirlwind. The racing season kicked into high gear as winter gave way to spring. We rolled into Thompson a few short weeks ago and close out the month back in Virginia. One thing is for sure, I’ll need a vacation in May!

  One of the greatest pleasures we have is spending time with the racing community talking racing, life, hopes and dreams. I find it interesting how things evolve. A few short years ago there was an absence of children amongst the drivers, now we see families growing, babies being born, and new generations of racers being raised. It is a tremendous blessing to see the third and fourth generation of racing families come together, it spells hope for the future of our sport.

  I was taking with a soon to be Godmother at Stafford this past weekend, herself a NASCAR official, as we looked forward to the dedication of Keith and Cassie Rocco’s second child, Giuliana Marie, and she shared it may be hard to get her brother KJ away from the cars long enough. We will be doing the dedication at New London-Waterford Speedbowl and when KJ Rocco is at the track his focus is on the cars! KJ is only a toddler but when Uncle Jeff put him in his go-cart buggy his face lit up.

  KJ is just one of the new racing generation that are now filling the arms of their famous fathers. Bobby Santos and his wife are expecting soon. Then there is Mason Goodale who can’t wait to show dad Eric how it’s done. I am excited for the next generation coming up and hope to be around long enough to see the smiles on their Great Grandparents face as the take the Checkerd Flag in victory!

  Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow has in store. Let me assure you the future is bright and the steering wheel is in good hands. 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.


  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 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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Source: Rev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: April 29, 2016

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