What Are You Thinking
As we move along in our study we find a familiar theme, it is what is in your heart that matters. Our outward actions can say one thing, our words can say another, but it is our heart that reveals the truth. What is in your heart? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have all been in the situation that we couldn’t say what we really thought. Whether it is an interview at the track or an encounter with fans, most times we need to measure what we say and take into account who is listening. I say this to illustrate that we don’t always reveal what is in our heart.
Jesus continued his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount with these words;
Mathew 5:27-30, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Adultery is wrong, even thinking about it is wrong. This illustrates God’s high view of the marriage relationship. Jesus helps us to understand that when we enter into a marriage relationship it should be the only intimate relationship we have. It is not up for debate, don’t even think about it.
Jesus expands the teaching that it is what is in our heart that matters. He expands this to lustful desires. Lust is a word that we have equated with sex but listen to what it indicates. Lust, a desire, yearning, a longing, a hunger, an ache, envy, thirst, an itch for something. Most of these terms describe something that overtakes us. It is very hard to have the willpower to resist. When we allow the wrong thoughts to rule our mind we end up sinning in our heart. Jesus lets us know that is the same as following through with our thoughts.
He has some advice for us though; remove it from your life. He explains that we are to go to great lengths to remove whatever it is in our life that causes us to sin. He said it is better to lose one part of our body that to lose our entire life. Have no doubt about it, this is serious stuff.
Jesus doesn’t limit this just to adultery, his example covers anything we do that causes us to sin. We need to cut it out of our life.
Have you ever heard of garbage in, garbage out? That’s exactly what Jesus is saying, if you allow these things in your life then your life will be worthless. If the things we put in our minds and hearts are not good then what comes out will be bad. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled into thinking you can control your mind, you can’t.
Take a look at some of the video games that are being released today. Some of the worst ones create a mindset that doesn’t value what God values, life itself. Do you think there is a connection between what people subject their minds to with these games and what they do in their lives? I do and I think we see it in the way people treat each other. We have developed a disregard for others and their lives.
How do we respond to things in our life that cause us to sin? Probably not the way Jesus instructs us to here. For some reason we think we can handle it. We think we are strong enough to resist the temptation. We think others are weak but not us. We are wrong.
What are we thinking? Soon enough it will show in the way we live our life. Are we ready to live a life that shows the love of Christ? I would encourage you to take note of what you allow into your mind. Take note of what you allow yourself to think. The wrong influences and thoughts will lead to actions that will destroy our lives.
I recently watched a movie that helps us to understand this teaching; Fireproof. It helps us to understand how important the relationship of marriage is and helps us to see how we can make it better. There is a teaching in that movie that we all need to remember; “Don’t just follow your heart, because your heart can be deceived, lead your heart to where it needs to be.” Jesus teaches us the same thing, how we condition our heart matters. What we put into our heart matters, because what is in our heart will show itself in our lives.
Don’t allow things into your mind that will destroy your life. Cut them out, remove their influence. It is better to lose a part of your life than condemn yourself to hell. Do not take these words lightly. Watch yourself and the things that influence your thoughts.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
SPEEDWAY EXPO- Coming to West Springfield, MA, February 27-March 1. This is the beginning of the spring and the start of the racing season. It allows us to get together and make the final arrangements before we hit the track. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and learning what you have been up to this past winter. I will be hanging out with Race Depot and Design 500. Stop by and say hi. Check out the fire suit that Design 500 made for the ministry, it is awesome. We hope to have the pace car on display but have yet to hear.
43RD ANNUAL WORLD SERIES IN THE BOOKS- New Smyrna finished up their winter meeting for asphalt racers. Congratulations to the winners, TC won 4 of the 8 Tour Mod races to secure the Championship, Jimmy Blewett left no doubt in the SKMod Division winning all 8 races. Look for some additional Modified action courtesy of C&C Racing Promotions in early March in NC.
ORANGE COUNTY SPEEDWAY OPEN THE MODIFIED SEASON- Getting an early start on things Officials from C & C Racing Promotions and the Southern Modified Race Tour are planning an open show at this Rougrmont, NC 3/8 mile track. The race will be run March 5& 6 and we should be able to make the trip. They opened the place up on Monday following the races down south for those who wanted to test things out. Look for many of the teams that compete in the North-South Shootout to support this show.
PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT- Stafford Late Model driver Scott Foster Jr. was involved in a snowmobile accident in Vermont and is recovering in New Hampshire. He could use our prayers and encouragement, Shane Courchesne had this report on his blog; Foster sustained numerous internal injuries in the crash and went through six hours of surgery late Saturday and early Saturday in New Hampshire.
“It was a pretty scary deal,” Foster’s brother Sean said. “Just a nasty wreck. Anything to pick up his spirits would be great.” Well wishes can be sent in care of Scott Foster Jr. to:
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
1 Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, N.H. 03756
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, 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. Check our weekly printed pages in “Area Auto Racing News”, the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper” See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page www.rwjm.org for past articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.
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
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
February 18
NED & MARTHA JARRETT- The former NNC champion and wife; proud parents of TV’s Glen and WNNC Dale, share their 52nd anniversary.
February 20
MARK & DALE THOMAS- The Publisher of Maine based “The Racin’ Paper” and wife share their 9th anniversary.
JOE & ARLEEN SUKUP- This Schodack Landing, NY retired Midget owner and wife make it 42 years.
February 21
RYAN & LORA MARKHAM- This Wayne County Speedway based, Ashalnd, Ohio Late Model driver and wife celebrate their 10th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
February 18
JIMMY KITE- Effingham, IL born, now Stockbridge, GA IRL driver.
PHILLIP DOWNS- Retired Riverhead Modified team owner.
February 19
JEFF PURVIS- Clarksville, TN NNS/ARCA driver.
JOHN PAUL, JR.- Muncie, IN born, now West Palm Beach, CA IRL driver.
PAT DAVISON- Dover, ME LM/NASCAR CWES driver.
JOAN MICHEL- Mom of Wall Township Speedway top Modified driver Dave and wife of former Wall Mod champion Tom.
February 20
SCOTT LAGASSE- St. Augustine, FL NASCAR Truck Series driver.
MIKE MATTHEWS- NJ asphalt Mod driver.
ARLEEN MILLER- Camp Hill, PA Susky fan; Ron’s wife.
February 21
WAYNE JACKS- Las Vegas, NV NASCAR West driver.
VINCE SUDDARD- Wilmington, DE NASCAR CWES/LM driver.
RICHARD JORDAN- Of long-time Kelly Moore NASCAR CWES sponsor, Jordan Lumber.
REBECCA RESNER- Daughter of Long Island LM team owner, Richie and wife Melissa.
February 22
CHUCK BOWN- Oregon semi-retired NNS/NASCAR Truck driver.
PHIL COOK- Hickory,NC Speedway driver.
PEGGY KARBONIC- Wife of Newington, CT Modified driver Bob, forever young.
JONATHAN JORDAN- Of Kelly Moore NASCAR CWES sponsor Jordan Lumber.
FRANK CANNEY- Meriden, CT photographer.
AJ PAPALE- Son of CT based Mod/ProStock driver/crew cheif Tony and wife Jodi is 13.
February 23
JASON KELLER- Greensville, SC NNS driver.
STEVE SEABURG- New Britain, CT retired Mod driver.
JIMMY STRUPP- Former Long Islander, now based in Charlotte, NC.
TRACY YOUNG- Canterbury, CT wife of former LM driver Ronnie.
TIMOTHY ZYLA- Son of Shamokin, PA Editor Greg is 19.
February 24
MICHAEL RITCH- High Point, NC NNS/LMSC driver.
RICK DYKE- Danbury, CT retired ProStock driver.
LOUIS LaFLEUR- Thompson Speedway track crew member.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.
Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM