43 starters :: Monday E-Devotion

43 drivers started the race, but only one of them was the winner. Does that mean that 42 of them lost? You have to answer that for yourself. Yet I have some thoughts for you as the race traffic is still clearing here in beautiful and rainy Martinsville, Virginia.

Hebrews 12:1 (nlt) --- 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.

90,000 people are said to show up in Martinsville on race weekend. Not sure about the numbers, but I am sure that each one wants their driver to win. It is sweet competition. Fans wear their driver's number with pride, put it on their car or tent, on their clothes or even spelled out in tattoos and the like. This can be a strange world. The fans are committed and watching on. Kind of like that great cloud of witnesses. What do you think?

They love a good race, and so do I. Close finishes. Amazing happenings and wrecks. Doesn't help much when you see the enemy (or the driver you don't like leading) out in front for too many laps (as I watched the 88 car driven by Dale Jr).

Are the 42 drivers who didn't win losers? I don't think so. Some people say they are. Not because of who they are but because of how they finished, behind the 11 car piloted by Denny Hamlin (good win, dude). Yet I think all of them are winners. It takes drive to keep on and to even get in the race.

If in life we have an attitude or think that only one person could win or only a few people could win, I would be so depressed (and many people are every day). God tells us what winners do. Think about it:

Winners get in the race - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (nlt) --- Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

Winners stay in the race - 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (nlt) --- So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

Winners know that God is the only real official in the race --- Hebrews 11:6 (nlt) --- And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Winners enjoy each and every part of the race - John 10:10 (nlt) --- The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Last, winners finish the race well - 2 Timothy 4:7 (nlt) --- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

Whether you win or come in dead last in whatever race you enter, remember that life is all about God. He has called us to enjoy life, to live it to the fullest and to know and crave His purpose each day. That means we have to get in the race (know and love God), stay in the race (even when it is tough), glorify God (even when that is not the most popular thing to do), enjoy life and finish well.

1 John 4:4 (nlt) --- But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you

why is it Good Friday?

Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation. We come to Friday. The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good? Jesus was treated as a criminal. He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him. His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure. That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the Passion of the Christ . Yet it is a good day. It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart. What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me: He is Redemption and Redeemer He too our Pain and Punishment He is our Righteousness and Reality He is the Savior and Life All of those happened from the cross. It was meant for the worst lawbreakers. It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law. It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus. Look

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba. Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve. Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba. There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met. No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more. These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana. On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours. We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours. We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good. We visited two partner churches. In the morning we were with one church that

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog