The Bible consistently presents life as a matter of paths. Not just moments, but patterns. Not just mistakes, but habits. When we choose to ignore God’s guidance, especially for an extended time, the consequences become unavoidable. Still, Scripture also teaches that there is always an opportunity to turn around. That turning is what the Bible calls repentance.

Proverbs 14:12 delivers one of Scripture’s most sobering warnings.

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12CSB

This verse exposes a dangerous reality. Sincerity does not equal correctness. A path can feel justified, logical, or even necessary, yet still lead to destruction. Often, the wrong road does not look wrong at first. It looks efficient and familiar. It looks like what everyone else is doing.

In racing terms, it is the line that feels fast but slowly overheats the tires. The aggressive move that gains one position but costs five spots just a few laps later. The decision that works for the moment but damages trust, reputation, or self control over time.

Ignoring God’s commands doesn’t always bring instant disaster. More often, it brings gradual erosion of discipline, character, and clarity. The danger is not that we take the wrong road once, but that we stay on it after we realize where it leads.

Psalm 1:1-6 draws a sharp contrast between two lives moving in opposite directions. One delights in God’s instruction. The other slowly drifts from walking, to standing, to sitting in opposition to God’s way. That progression matters. Disobedience rarely starts loud. It starts casual.

The psalm describes the righteous as a tree planted by water, stable, nourished, and productive. In contrast, those who reject God’s way are compared to chaff, light, rootless, and ultimately swept away. The warning is not emotional. It is structural. A life built apart from God simply cannot endure.

Yet the presence of two paths implies a choice. The psalm is not written to condemn but to warn. God reveals the outcome ahead of time so that we can change direction before the loss becomes permanent.

Mark 3:2 gives a quiet but sobering picture of what happens when repentance is resisted.

The religious leaders watched Jesus closely, not to learn from Him, but to accuse Him. Even as restoration stood in front of them, their hearts were fixed on defending their position rather than turning toward truth. Their problem was not ignorance, but rather refusal.

This moment reveals an important aspect of repentance. Repentance is not only about obvious wrongdoing. It is about responding correctly when God confronts us. A hardened heart stays on the wrong road even when the warning signs are clear.

In racing terms, this is the driver who knows the setup is wrong, feels the car fading, sees the lap times fall, yet refuses to pit or adjust. The damage does not come from lack of information. It comes from unwillingness to change direction.

Throughout Scripture, repentance is not merely feeling regret. It is a decision to turn around. When Jesus preached repentance, the call was not to feel bad, but to change direction. To leave the road that leads away from life and return to the one God designed.

In racing, missing a turn does not end the race unless the driver refuses to correct it. Pride keeps the wheel pointed the wrong way. Humility admits the mistake and turns back. Spiritually, repentance works the same way. It is acknowledging that the road we are on is wrong and choosing, deliberately, to return to God’s way.

God’s commands are not given to trap us, but to redirect us. Repentance is mercy in motion. It is God allowing us to change lanes before the damage becomes irreversible.

Racing culture understands consequences well. Ignoring rules does not just risk penalties. It risks injury, disqualification, and loss of credibility. The same is true spiritually. When drivers consistently ignore God’s standards, choosing anger over restraint, pride over humility, or retaliation over wisdom, the cost eventually shows up.

It shows up in broken relationships, lost opportunities or in reputations that never quite recover.

What begins as a single poor reaction can become a pattern. And patterns become identity unless they are interrupted. Repentance is that interruption.

One of the greatest misconceptions about God’s commands is that they limit freedom. Scripture teaches the opposite. God’s plan is not designed to slow us down, but to keep us from destroying ourselves.

The narrow path is not narrow because God wants fewer people to walk it. It is narrow because truth requires alignment. Just like a racing groove that demands precision, God’s way demands discipline. Deviate too far, and traction is lost. Repentance is the act of bringing the car back into the groove.

Psalm 1 ends with a quiet but powerful statement. “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.”

Psalms 1:6 CSB

To be known by God is not merely to be seen. It is to be sustained. The other path, however popular, ultimately leads away from life.

The greatest danger is not outright rebellion. It is delayed repentance. The belief that consequences can be outrun. But Scripture, like racing, teaches otherwise. Every path leads somewhere. Every decision compounds.

God walks with us, yes. But He also calls us to turn around when the road we are on leads away from life. Repentance is not weakness, it is wisdom.

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

In Luke 24, two discouraged disciples walk a quiet road away from Jerusalem toward Emmaus. They believe the race is over. Hope feels wrecked. What they don’t realize is that God is walking right beside them, listening to their frustration, even though they don’t recognize Him at first.

 “And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing him.” Luke 24:15-16 CSB.

As they walked Jesus spoke with them, encouraged them and explained the scriptures. It wasn’t until Jesus went to break bread that they recognized him.

“Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?””Luke 24:31-32 CSB

The road to Emmaus wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t crowded. It was a road filled with disappointment, questions, and reflection. Racing has roads like that too. There are nights when the setup is off, tempers are hot, or an on‑track incident ruins weeks of work.

Those moments tempt us to take the easy way out. Retaliation. Blame. Disrespect. The low road is wide and familiar in racing culture, especially after contact on track. It’s easy to fire back on track or in the pits. Harder to pause, breathe, and choose restraint.

One of the most powerful truths in Luke 24 is that God’s presence does not depend on our awareness. The disciples didn’t recognize Jesus, but He was still there. He was listening, teaching, and guiding them through their disappointment. Their hearts were burning. As we grow in our walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit teaches us to recognize His presence and respond with obedience, even when our emotions are running hot.

The road to Emmaus reminds us that Jesus walks with us even when times are tough. Our choices during tough times matter and Jesus has a higher standard. In Matthew 7 he calls us to “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 CSB

The wide road in racing is easy. It’s retaliation after contact, trash‑talk after a bad night, or racing angry instead of racing smart. The narrow path requires discipline, humility, and respect especially when emotions run high.

Racing doesn’t just test skill, it tests character. How we carry ourselves in the garage, in the pits, and after the race matters. Over time, those choices define who we are.

Just as the disciples discovered they were never alone on that untraveled road, racers who choose the higher road often realize they were being shaped all along.

The path we take matters, on the track, in the pits, and in life.

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

The first race I attended was the 1986 Summer 500 at Pocono.  Perseverance was abundant in the race.  The day was a challenge from the start, as fog plagued the area, delaying the start and then shortening the race.  There was a lot of perseverance just to get the race in.  Tim Richmond spun coming off turn three, and his transmission was stuck in reverse.  He managed to spin the car out entirely and put it into high gear.  After losing a lap, he came back to beat Ricky Rudd by a mere few feet to win the race.  If this sounds familiar, it was famously dramatized in the movie “Days of Thunder.” How did he win the race? With teamwork and perseverance.

Paul talks about the spiritual benefits of persevering in his letter to the Galatians.  “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT.  Have we allowed God to work and move in our own lives so that we are working for good? Unseen forces are trying to stop us from doing good.  The challenge is not small or insignificant; rather, it is a spiritual battle we must arm ourselves for.  

That armor involves a process of us knowing and seeking God on a deeper level each day.  Are we praying? Are we reading His Word?  Are we trusting Him and turning over every part of our lives to Him?  As we do these things, God will reveal more of himself to us.  As trials come our way, we will be better equipped to handle them as we carry the wisdom and presence of God with us.  Paul took a great view of this in his letter to the Romans. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 NLT.  Note that Paul doesn’t say “if” we run into problems and trials, but “when”.  The Christian life isn’t guaranteed to be problem-free; we just have an advocate and a helper on our side to guide us through those times.

Perseverance in racing may bring us a checkered flag at the end of the race, or for the select few, a championship trophy at the end of the season.   These things may etch our names into a record book, but it’s God’s book that matters.  After doing all he could to secure the Whelen Modified Tour Championship at Martinsville, race winner and championship runner-up Justin Bonsignore had a broader perspective, stating that having his wife and kids present with him was what really mattered.  While this battle didn’t end the way he hoped, he realized he already had a huge prize.

Trials come in a wide variety of levels, but each one offers us an opportunity to seek God, praise Him, and then walk things out in a manner that brings Him glory.  Perseverance through trials that aren’t quick can be difficult, but the refinement and blessing we can gain from them will have eternal benefits.  James, Jesus’s half-brother, was critical of Jesus while Jesus was alive.  That shifted once James encountered the resurrected Jesus.  James saw the complete picture of the Kingdom of God.  He understood that persevering in our faith was critical to our growth.  He writes: “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NLT  James persevered right until the end of his life.  He died for his belief, being one of the early martyrs for the faith.

As the “off-season” begins to kick off, what are we doing?  How are we preparing for the trials that lie ahead of us?  What can you do now that will put you in a better spiritual situation for tomorrow? How about picking up the Bible or listening to it?  A new daily devotional can go a long way in preparing our hearts and minds for both the hills and valleys of the race season and the seasons of life.  As we do, there will be a change in us that even others will begin to recognize.  The author of Hebrews sums it up in this “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT.  

Where do we get the focus and energy to persevere? Through Jesus.  By keeping our eyes on Him and imitating Him, we will overcome obstacles and have peace in Him that truly surpasses all understanding.  

Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders, and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

Todd shares; have you ever had something promised to you and it never came to be?  Maybe you’ve promised something to someone else and weren’t able to live up to your word.  It’s pretty safe to say that we’ve been on either one or both ends of a failed promise.  How do promises in the Bible compare to our lives now and what does it reflect on who God is? 

Before we look at a promise from God’s perspective; what do our promises to others say about us? What happens to a race team when someone on the crew isn’t able to keep their commitment and doesn’t show up? Or remember when you were in line at the track concessions and promised to pay back your friend for the chicken fingers and fries?  Some of our promises don’t have huge ramifications in our minds but they leave a lasting impression on others about who we are.

From the beginning God made a commitment to care for His creation. We can read about it in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve received the garden and everything they needed was there, but they wanted more. Through their disobedience sin entered the world. Although God expelled them from paradise He made a promise, not as a punishment, but as a plan to restore them, us, back into relationship with Him. Adam and Eve had messed up and God promised a savior.  

God is compassionate and merciful. Even in their disobedience God provided. After the fall Adam and Eve realized their nakedness and God made them real clothes. 

Genesis 3:21; NLT; “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.”

What is our reaction when someone breaks a promise? Do we respond in love and compassion? 

When we look at promises through our human perspective; we can see failure.  Circumstances beyond our control may change the outcome of what we thought was a sure-fire, easy promise to keep.  When we’re at the track, can a driver confidently promise his crew a victory? Well, they can but we all know the amount of chaos that can happen at a track.  A $5.00 bolt can be the difference between victory lane and crashing into the fence.  

Knowing the difference between our ability to fail and God’s inability to fail allows us to put our trust and hope in God’s unfailing promises. The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to Titus

Titus 1:2; NLT; “This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.”

God cannot lie.  He cannot break a promise. That is one of the attributes of God, If he broke a promise, he wouldn’t be God.  There would be no reason to worship him or follow him.  We see that in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. God followed through with the promise He made in Genesis of a way to restore our relationship with Him, a savior. Jesus is the fulfilment of that promise, the promise of a savior.  

People had been following God for hundreds of years, eagerly anticipating the Messiah. Some had given up hope, but many had not. Ever have someone tell you the checks in the mail? How long do we wait before giving up hope? God’s timing is perfect and His promises never get broken.  Paul writes about the confirmation of promises in 2 Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 1:19-20;  NLT; “For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” 

As we study God’s word it reveals his character, we see the grace, compassion and mercy he has for his people. Look at the promises God has made in his Word. We should learn from that and seek to copy that in our own lives. We then need to act in such a way that reflects His character in our own lives. When we make a promise let our actions and motives reflect the love of God in our hearts.  

How blessed are we that all that God promises come to fulfillment.  That is different from the promises we make, no wondering if we’re getting paid back, no being left disappointed, hurt or abandoned. God has the power and authority to keep His promises.

This doesn’t mean life will be simple or easy.  God doesn’t promise a trouble-free life.  He promises that a life lived in obedience to him will bring us joy, peace, satisfaction and fulfilment.  I have been on both sides; having lived life apart from God and lived life with God, I can personally say that facing trials with God by our side is a blessing and promise I wouldn’t want to live without.  I encourage you to trust and rest in God’s promises and see how good he truly is.

Thank you, Todd, for sharing your heart with us this week. God makes a difference, His presence in our lives provides so much more than we can provide for ourselves. God made that commitment to us and He will follow through.

Deuteronomy 31:6; So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

            God is King.  Ever since He spoke the universe into existence, He has been on the throne.  He commanded the stars, seas, heavens, and waters.   God’s creation was perfect.  He created man and gave us the task of ruling over his earthly kingdom.  Not long after that, Adam and Eve decided they wanted more control and wanted to be King.  God already had a plan to deal with sin.  He knew he would send His son.  Sent in a humble way, but sent as a King. 

            Even before Jesus’ humble beginnings, others saw God as King.  David, a king himself, often made references to God as King in his Psalms.

Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. Psalm 93:2 NKJV

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.  Psalm 45:6 NKVJ

God’s reign is forever.  Our elected officials will all pass on.  Some will leave a small mark in history, but none can compare to the true King.  He was at the beginning, and he will be for as long as we’re here on earth and then beyond into eternity. 

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NKJV)

            So how are we preparing to celebrate the birth of the King?  Hours and days flash by us without thought, and turning our hearts to God can become secondary.  That was true thousands of years ago and still is true now.  Prepare for Him!

The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make straight in the desert

A highway for our God.

Isaiah 40:3 (NKJV)

          Are we right with God?  Not just for Christmas, but for eternity.  The last two years have shown us with fervor that our time here on earth is short.  This season, we have an opportunity to allow a new King to have control in our lives.  When the wise men heard of Jesus’ birth, they immediately recognized the new King. 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1–2 (NKJV)

What was their first response? Worship! When they understood who had come and his purpose, their response was appropriate.

So why?  Why was the King sent to earth?  While the cross shows us salvation, Jesus’ message to us during his short time here on earth was clear: The Kingdom of Heaven is here. 

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying,  “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14–15 (NKJV)

            This gospel or poorly translated into English as “good news.” Is that God’s Kingdom is here on earth, and we’re invited to be a part of it.   This isn’t good news; this is GREAT NEWS.  The new King is in charge.  We have victory.  We have freedom.  Freedom from being a slave to sin.  Freedom from addiction.  Freedom in Christ. 

Think about the gift that God has given you this Christmas. Celebrating the holidays without the ones we have lost can be difficult, but God has given us a gift so wonderful and so amazing. He is comforter, counselor, mighty King. With all of our shortcomings, all of our flaws, he still gives us the most amazing gift. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

“Hurry up and wait.” It’s an expression I often hear at the track.  Hurry to get to the track and register, then wait in line. Hurry to get unloaded and prep the car, then wait to get out on track.  Hurry up to prep for qualifying or heats, then wait through 5 caution flags in the heat before yours. It’s an endless cycle, so it seems, one that can test even the most patient person.

When we look at scriptures, God often doesn’t move quickly. One of the first examples is in Genesis. God told Noah to build the Ark. Noah spent somewhere around 60 to 100 years making it, but when it was done, God sent the rain. God knew the timing of everything, and it was all perfectly orchestrated to preserve His creation.

When God’s timing doesn’t align with ours, we sometimes try and force the issue.  Even Abraham did it.  First, there was a promise from God

“And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:5-6 ESV

God promised Abraham he’d have so many descendants that you couldn’t even count them.  Sounds excellent, except Abraham and his wife were around 99 years old.  Well, ten years went by and no children, so Abraham took his wife’s servant and had a child with her.  The problem is that wasn’t what God said.  About another 14 years passed before his wife bore Isaac. So when we have trouble waiting 25 minutes for the heat races to finish, Abraham waited 25 years for God to fulfill his promise. 

Timing at the track dictates the flow of the day.  In some cases, practice times dictate what heat you’re in or when you qualify.  It shows where you stand with the rest of the field.  Teams rely on this to determine what they need to do to be faster.   God doesn’t wonder what everyone else is going to do.  First, he knows.  Second, he already has the best plan.  God has information we don’t.  He knows what is best, and it’s why we should trust Him.

When we decide to trust God in situations in our lives, it may mean we have to wait.  Waiting isn’t a “no” from God; it’s a “not yet.” The people of Israel knew all about waiting.  God had promised them a land of their own. “The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:40-41 ESV

430 years!! Oh wait, then the people got cranky, and God had them wander around the desert for another 40. The timing was perfect.  God led them into the promised land, and they quickly defeated 31 opposing kings. 

Four hundred seventy years is kind of short when you consider the writing of Isaiah and the foretelling of the birth of our savior. 

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Isaiah 7:14 ESV This was almost 800 years before Jesus was born! 

There are some things in life that we may not understand God’s timing. One of those for me was 16 years ago and the passing of my father. My father had been diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer at almost the same time my wife and I found out we were expecting our first child. Just seven days before my wife was due, my father went to be with Jesus. Eight days after his passing, my son was born. They were a dark eight days wondering why God didn’t give my father an extra couple of weeks to meet his grandson. However, God did do something extraordinary. Through my son and my father’s death, He revealed how deep and amazing his love is. I instantly loved my newborn son so much. It gave me an appreciation of how much my dad loved me. Even more so, it gave me just a tiny glimpse of how big God’s love for us is. It was at that moment I realized the timing didn’t matter. It was the message God had for me that was important.

Trust in God’s perfect plan and timing. Remember: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. How long did God wait for you to come to him? We certainly didn’t deserve that patience, but He waited anyway.

When we look and trust that God has control over all things, the timing of when he moves becomes secondary. Trust in the Word and trust that the timing you want may not be the timing you need. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

On an asphalt modified, the right rear is usually the critical tire. It’ll wear out the fastest, but it gives the car the bite off the corner to power down the straights. The grip on that tire is vital. When well-managed, a driver can overpower the field at the end of the race. How are we addressing the struggles in our lives? Do we have a grip on things, or are we spinning out of control? When we are struggling, it is essential to know that we aren’t alone. Let’s look at some of those in the Bible that faced difficult times and how they got a grip on their situations.

            First, let’s look at David.  David was called “a man after God’s own heart.” While not without some significant flaws, David knew where to go in his many times of trouble.  

“Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught.”

Psalms 55:1-2 NIV

            David was wrestling with people chasing after him, trying to kill him, and add on top of that, trying to honor God while knowing all the while he would become king of Israel. Here is one of the most extraordinary men in the Bible struggling.  Imagine going to a track, and the best team there suddenly is running at the back of the pack and can’t find speed.  We all have struggles.  We all have times when we feel like life is out of control, and we have no grip. It’s not something to be ashamed of, and it’s an opportunity to turn to God.

If we keep reading Psalm 55, we see how David’s tone changes in a few short lines.  He goes from “Hey God, don’t ignore me!” to “You got this God.”

“As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalms 55:16-19, 22 NIV

I love how he says in verse 22, “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” God loves us so much he wants to help us through our struggles, and he’s given us all we need to do that.

            We’re not always going to struggle.  Sometimes we may go out on track, and things just click, and the grip is there.  Our lives again will be the same.  Does that mean God loves you less when things are tough? Is he ignoring you?  Did he forget about you? No.  God is unchanging.  He loves you and wants a relationship with you.  David recognized that God was with him always, in both the good times and the bad.

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Psalms 139:8-10 NIV

            The Apostle Paul is another person to look at when we think of having a handle on things.  He also was someone who didn’t have a lot of freedom to control his own life, spending a good portion of his last few years in prison. Yet, he managed to see that despite all his circumstances, that God was in control. When our lives feel out of control, we need to remember who controls everything.  Do we trust that during the chaos that God is still in control? Are we trying to grab onto anything we can, or are we trusting in God’s plan? We need to look ahead to the plan that God is setting before us.  Are we trying to run our lives in our way, or are we trying to honor Him? Ultimately our focus should be on becoming more and more like Jesus.  Paul writes about this in his letter to the Philippians. 

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:10-14 NIV

Maybe you’ve felt out of control lately. God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s already won the battle. Take the time to seek after Him in the same way David did. Take time to trust His plan the way Paul did. Hold on to God with a firm grip and press on to the prize that He has for you. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! Remember that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

Understanding what God does and doesn’t do is something that is beyond our comprehension. We are not all-knowing. What we can do, though, is search His Word and trust that what he says is true. God doesn’t promise us that we won’t have hard times. He does tell us what we can do during those times. Look carefully at the words in Isaiah 43:2

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Isaiah 43:2 ESV

The Word doesn’t say when you walk on water. Likewise, the Word doesn’t say when you walk around the water. The Word says, “when you pass through the waters.” The Word says, “when you walk through the fire.” We are going to face difficult times in our lives. I’ve heard it put this way: you’re in one of three places: coming out of a tough time, in a tough time, you’re about to go through a tough time.  

When a driver straps in a race car, there has been much preparation ahead of time. The car was set up, practice laps were run, and countless hours were spent in the shop. But, unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go right. Were the proper safety devices put in the car and put in correctly? Does your fire suit fit properly? These things can make the difference between a tragic outcome and a seemingly miraculous one.    

What about our trials in life? What do we lean on? Let’s look back at Isaiah 43:2. The word says, “I will be with you” and “you will not be burned.” God promises that as believers when we face trials, He will be right there with us.  

The prophet Daniel wrote about three servants that faced a trial with a life and death consequence. Obey God or obey man. They chose God and faced certain death.  

“Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.”

Daniel 3:19-28 ESV

God was with them in the fire. When they were in the fire, they were not consumed. The crucial part of what happened here was trust. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego put their complete trust in God. It was then that God delivered them. But they trusted that even if he didn’t, their outcome with God was better than one without Him.  

How deeply do we trust God? Do we trust that he is all good? Trusting God doesn’t happen in the middle of a bad situation. It happens when we grow deeper with Him and build a relationship with him. We start that by acknowledging Him and reading his Word. Just like the driver and crew that put effort into safety before they even left for the track, we need to spend time with God, building our relationship with Him, before the hard times come, so that we will trust Him. 

God sends the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us. The Holy Spirit prompts and directs us to things that will lead us closer to God. A short time ago, I was with a driver that had just been in a pretty bad wreck. The driver told me that they felt a nudging to tighten the belts in the caution just before the wreck. They complied, and the result was they walked away sore and shaken but uninjured. It’s a reminder that God is with us and cares for us. I can tell you that this driver’s trust in God was strengthened that day.  

Sometimes with trust, we expect God to speak in a booming voice and things to be clear and completely fit our “plan.” As believers, too often we want to give up when we think we aren’t hearing from God when things of the world aren’t going our way. I’ve heard people say, “God if I was just with you now things would be wonderful.” We’re not alone in feeling that this world is too much to handle. The prophet Elijah was pretty discouraged and ran away and was hiding in a cave.  

There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9-13 God wasn’t in the loud things; he was in the whisper. So, take a moment and pause and reflect on God’s Word instead of trying to insert Him on your own.

Your trial will NOT last forever. Either God will take it away, or God will call you home. You’re not alone in what you are facing. God is with you. Others have walked the road before you, and I encourage you to talk with them. If you’re struggling, reach out to one of our chaplains as well. We aren’t meant to fight the fires by ourselves. On the flip side, if you’re not facing difficulties right now, enjoy the things you’re blessed with and come alongside someone and let them know you care for them. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! Remember that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

Race teams don’t show up to the track with just a car and a driver. So, we need tools to get the job done. Some tools we hope we won’t have to use. Others are staples and we can’t get onto the track without them. Some of our tools are worn down but still get the job done.

Without the right tools, things can come to a halt quickly. Hand tightening lugs won’t last long. Lifting a car without a jack is nearly impossible. How about trying to determine stagger without a tape measure? Each of these tools plays an essential role in the success of a car on the track.

What about our day-to-day lives? What tools do we need to get through both the good and bad times in our lives? God’s a great crew chief, and he’s given us all the tools we need to win. 

God equips us with His word. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 ESV

The Apostle Paul writes: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

We change when we seek God out through his Word, study it, and allow it to penetrate our hearts. We become new creations. Things that bothered us before may seem unimportant now. Things we once valued may seem worthless. Our hearts soften as the Holy Spirit works in us to make us more Christ-like. 

While waiting for a qualifying session, a driver was recently frustrated that his crew didn’t bring out stagger boards, tape measure, or even an air compressor. Fortunately for him, the teams around him pitched in and helped. However, knowing we need tools ahead of time isn’t enough; there needs to be action. 

God’s word can prepare us for unexpected times of difficultly. God doesn’t promise us that life will be easy. God says that things will be hard at times. When we understand that God is with us and loves us and that the troubles of this life are temporary, our ability to handle adversity shifts. We might even avoid some trials if we’re prepared, and others may only be minor setbacks. 

Paul talks in Ephesians about this preparedness. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV

 One powerful thing God’s word can do for us is to help us help others. When a team hits a track for the first time, they may have no idea what to expect. I’ve seen teams with experience help those without it get rolling. Usually, you see the same thing reciprocated back somewhere down the road. Life often works the same way. When you have walked down a difficult road and see someone else about to do the same, it gives us a chance to share our experiences on what worked and didn’t work, what to expect, and what to watch out for. You can share with them the tools God gave you to get through that time. When we turn to the all-powerful and all-knowing God, we gain the ability to do for others just some of what God has done for us. 

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

God should be glorified in our actions. He’s already given us the tools to do great things for Him.

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV

The question that remains for us is will we use what He has given us? Will His Bible, His tool sit idle in the toolbox? Do we expect someone else to bring the tools and do the work, or are we willing to answer what God has called us to do and serve and honor Him? Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! Remember that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.

Things around the country continue to move forward after 2020, where everything seemed to come to a standstill. Paddocks have more racecars and grandstands are starting to fill up. The hustle and bustle of the racetrack is back.

Moving forward is a good thing. Moving up through a large field of cars when you start in the back and moving up in the points standings make you want to come back for the next race. Gathering race finishes that see a steady upward trend give a team and driver hope. What does it look like, though, to move forward in Christ?

Starting from the time you accept Christ into your life, your life will begin to change and shift in small incremental changes. Your faith will move forward as you grow in your love and desire for Him in much the same way as your desire to do better on the racetrack. 

The amazing and wonderful thing about God is that he doesn’t expect us to clean ourselves up before coming to him. He wants us now, just as we are. From there He will help us make those small incremental changes that will result in significant gains over time. He will shape and mold us as we allow Him into our lives.

Our journey can be compared with a 500 or 600-mile race as opposed to an 8-lap heat race. Preparation for the long haul is different from a short trip. There are things that will matter in the future that may seem insignificant now. God holds the future in His hands and He alone knows the adjustments we need to make to move forward.

Think of it like a driver that switches teams or maybe gets new equipment. From one season to another, the transformation may or may not be significant but moving forward the results should be different. Paul’s words remind us how we should look different:

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

We shouldn’t look the same as our old selves as we move forward in Christ.

Racecars don’t have giant mirrors and tiny windshields because what is happening behind you isn’t all that important. When we’re on our journey in life, it’s important to note what is behind, but it’s what’s ahead, our prize in Christ, that truly matters. We are reminded;

Proverbs 4:25 ESV; “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” 

In 1986 I attended my first NASCAR race, and it was a wild one. Typically, if your car ends up stuck in reverse, you don’t win the race. Going backward around the track isn’t the fastest way. Moving forward is the ideal way. However, in this race, Tim Richmond briefly got stuck in reverse but went on to win the race in a 3-way photo finish. This stuck in reverse was then dramatized in the movie Days of Thunder.  

Jesus knew the importance of looking forward. He also knew exactly the right examples to use when speaking. 

Luke 9:62 ESV; “Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.””

To the people of that time, plowing the field meant keeping a focus on the line they were making. They would focus on a point in the distance and put their hand to the plow. Looking behind would mean going off course and your field not producing as good of a crop. 

All the way back to Genesis, we see God telling us not to look back but look forward. In Genesis 19:26, Lot’s wife looked back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This was precisely what God had told them NOT to do. What happened? God turned her into a pillar of salt. Our past is exactly that, the past. While we can learn from it, we must remember that Christ has already paid for that, and we can now be free from it. The prophet Isaiah said it pretty simply:

 Isaiah 43:18 NIV; “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” 

So, what does it take to leave our past behind? How do we move forward in a way that honors God? First, we spend time with Him. The closer we draw to God, the further we are from the things of our past. That doesn’t mean we get it right all the time. None of us do. But like making gains at the track week after week, we can do the same in our lives. Small increments add up over time. The Apostle Paul wrote about this in Philippians.

Philippians 3:13-14 ESV; “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

God is calling us to move forward in him. Our eternal home and hope aren’t on this earth but with Him. We need to live our lives looking forward, put behind us the past things and drive forward towards our salvation in Christ.

Thanks, Todd, for sharing this week. Appreciate all your efforts and the efforts of our entire group of chaplains to help everyone move forward. Until next time, remember God loves you