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This is our devotional page. Hopefully it will be inspiring and useful to you. Eventhough the messages will be "GEARED" towards BMX riders it is meant for everybody and can be applied to all areas of our lives.
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Hanging at the track......
Sunday Morning's Chapel Service at the NBL Grands was a special day for us. We heard Billy preach a wonderful sermon, met some nice people, and watched a glorious sunrise. Oh yeah, Warrick Stevenson was there too. We were really blessed to meet him and enjoyed his company. But the best thing of all was our other guest! Can you guess who? Well, I'll give you a hint, he's always with us, especially when we are hanging together. Yep, you guessed right!! God's Son was with us at the Grands, Jesus was there and what a blessing it was! Jesus said in Matthew 18:20"For where there are two or three that gather in my name, there I am with them."
When we get together at the track for fellowship and devotion as Christians, Jesus told us he'll be there. He will be there to guide us and watch over us. So the next time you are at the track remember that you are there with God's Son, JESUS!! Take the the opprotunity to introduce him to others, even the Pro's.
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Plans.....
This was our first year to go to the NBL Grands. We had big plans, we were going to do this, do that, go here, go there, and so on. Eventhough it was a great weekend not much went as planned. We didn't win any trophies, gas prices went skyhigh, Chris got sick, didn't get to the VANS store, missed out on the Slugger Museum, or get to ride the Louisville sk8park everyday. But it was still a great weekend with many Blessings!!
In the middle of all the chaos of the grands, my wife helped me realize how very blessed we were to even be there eventhough things weren't going exactly like I had planned. I had gotten so wrapped up in the grands that I had forgotten about the Hurricane Katrina victims. Then I started thinking about what the victims and their families had planned for that same weekend. Now all their plans were literally washed away, along with their houses, cars, pets, and families. Not only had their weekend plans changed, their lifelong plans and dreams had changed.
When our plans go wrong we need to stop and realize that "it's not always about us" and that God has plans for us too. His plans are for his Glory and our benefit even when we dont understand them.
Jeremiah 29:11-12..11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
So when your plans dont go the way you want, remember God has a plan for you and your life. When you seek his will and not yours he will show you his plan for you!!!
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God's Word
Psalms 119:9 how can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. 10 I have tried my best to find you, don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
The author here in the verse 9 is asking and answering at the same time a very good question. How do we stay pure? Simple, “By obeying your word and following its rules”, but not easy. Its one thing to claim to follow God but it’s a whole different story to actually do it! We need to follow God’s word! Of course to follow God’s word we need to know God’s word. I know that sometimes the Bible is a little intimidating and we may not understand it, but that’s okay. God is Great! All the Time! He will reveal His truth to us if we seek! Just as in verse 10, he’s seeking God and he’s praying that God will help follow. So far pretty simple. Now comes the part that most of us struggle with, hiding God’s word in our heart. I know people that it seems they have the entire Bible memorized. It’s amazing! They can quote scripture word for word from chapter and verse. They have truly hidden God’s word in there hearts.
Have you ever heard it said, “show me what a man does and I’ll tell you his heart”? Simply put, we do what is important to us, therefore what’s not important to us we do not do! How important is hiding God’s word in our hearts to us? Is it important enough to work on it every day? Every other day? Once a week on Sunday? If it’s truly important to us we will work on it daily! How else can we know God’s word and follow God’s word?
As much as I hate it, my generation grew up watching “The Brady Bunch”. It had a very annoying song! Many of you may remember it. “Well here a story…of a lovely lady…who was bringing up three very lovely girls…all of them had hair of gold…like there mother…the youngest one in curls”. Now sing with me, just kidding! The point is we remember that song. Now you may not remember “The Brady Bunch” let alone the song, but what about your favorite show, do you know the tune? There was never a time where I walked in and said, “I’m going to memorized this song today!” trust me! Actually what happened was the fact that everyday at about 4:30 the show came on and I watched it. After enough times of watching the show and being inundated with the song, I remembered it. I guess it’s like God’s word, if we actually read it enough, we’ll memorize it. Of course I know were all busy and don’t have time to study God’s word. “Show me what a man does and I’ll tell you his heart”! We need to make time!!!!!
We need to make time to study God’s word daily!
We need to apply His word to our lives!
We need to remember God’s word!
Prayer; Please Father Forgive me for my busyness! Help to slow down and focus on you! Give me the discipline to study your word so I may know it! Help me to understand and apply your word to my life daily that I may exemplify Christ! Amen
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Endurance
January 13, 2005 --
Hebrews 12:1 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 hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. 3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up.
Thank God that we have forgiveness! I love these verses so much because in such a short section they tell us how to live. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times and not grow weary! We are reminded how he died for us, his reward, and one day we will be in heaven with Him. Although life is not a sprint but more like a marathon. We could very well become weary and give up. Have you ever felt like it? I know at times I have and still do. But we can’t give up! People watch us everyday, and our lifestyle. The enemy would love nothing more than for us to give up and quit! Then he’s won. In Galatians 6:9 and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. It says, “If we faint not”, in other words if we don’t quit!
It reminds me of racing. Have you ever been to a long track, not trained the way you should have been and by the main you’re just whipped? I know I have! I thought I was literally going to have a heart attack the first time I raced in Dothan Al. I made my first main and was excited until the last straight. Man was I glad it was over, and I finished! God expects us to finish and finish strong. I was at a race one time and a little boy decided he wanted to race after apparently he told his mother he didn’t. I watched as she rushed home to get his stuff and come back to the track. I remember when she got back she told him that since she did this that he would have to pedal all around the track. Now, granted he really wanted to race. The first moto was great. The second moto I heard her telling him that he had to at least pedal around the track the next time or he would be in trouble. She also told her son that she loved him and did not care how he finished as long as he did his best! The third moto came and he sat down half way around the track. The mom was upset and for good reason. The little boy exclaimed, “The other boy passed me”. The mom reminded him that didn’t matter, he was supposed to give his best even if he was passed and he didn’t. I watched this mother love and discipline her child at the same time. I know how hard it must have been but all she asked was for him to do his best!
How many times do we quit when it gets tough or we get tired?
What would have happened if Jesus had had that same attitude?
Focus on God, get the sin out of our lives and don’t give up!
Prayer; Father God I know there is sin in my life and it is hindering me, so please reveal it to me and help me to overcome it. Please forgive me for my sins! Lord give me strength to endure and not grow weary so I may continually be a witness for you! Amen.
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The Prize
January 26, 2005 --
1 Corinthians 9:24 Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. 25 All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
It’s true that when we race we try to win. Unfortunately in an eight-man gate there’s only one winner. So when we need to ride our best and get around the track as fast and as safely as possible. Imagine when the gate dropped we only pedaled occasionally or just coasted when every one else went al out. First of all we wouldn’t be riding in such a way as to win would we. If were not giving 100% and riding to win, then why should we? We wouldn’t deserve it!
Of course before race season starts we start to train. We may watch some of the things we eat, do sprints, some road riding, and weight training. Training is very important if we want to win! If we don’t train the motos can very tiering, and if we make our main if feels like were about to die! If you don’t think training is important than just look at the people who are serious about BMX and are winning. Many times they have a practice gate and trails in their back yard. I never knew this until I went to a friend’s house and he had a mini track and trails all around his back yard. He told me he trained everyday. He just turned pro this past grand’s.
Isn’t it great when we train hard, ride hard, and then win? I still remember my first first place win. It was great I actually had a real first place trophy! I trained hard, rode hard, and won! I thought it was so cool when I realized the training paid off! Just as in racing our Christian walk is much the same way. We are running a race called life. It’s not a sprint though it’s a marathon! It’s complete with hills and valleys we must go through, therefore we need to train. Our training is not riding, lifting weights, or practicing our jumps; our training is studying the word of God and spending time with God in prayer. Our prize is not a trophy, plaque, or money, all of which will someday perish, but yet our prize is an eternal one, one that will never fade or perish, eternity in heaven with God! Worshiping Him! What better prize could you win?
We need to run the race of life like we want to win our eternal prize.
We need to study the word of God and spend time in prayer.
Prayer – Father God give me the desire and discipline to study your word and spend time with you daily. Give me the strength to press on through the valleys in life. Father allow me to remember what it is I am striving for, and to serve you better!
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Body Armor
January 5, 2005 --
Ephesians 6:10 -18
A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power.
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. 13 Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am severely accident-prone! Of course my wife Donna found out the hard way! The day after we were engaged to be married I was supposed to race in Louisiana. It was a great day! My Mom and Dad were there to watch for the first time, my two daughters, as well as my new fiancé. Donna had only heard stories of how accident-prone I am from my Mom. Boy was she in for a shock! Out of the gate, to the first jump, and then an INDO! SNAP! I heard it twice! I fractured something in my shoulder and broke my collarbone. Since I am so use to getting hurt I tried to play it off like it was nothing. Of Course Donna saw right through it! She is quiet a trooper though! She never discouraged me from racing, not even while getting my collarbone worked on in the hospital. On the way home I was not so lucky. Donna put her foot down and told me if I want to race after we got married that I would have to wear “Body Armor”! I argued until I was blue in the face but she would not even consider letting me race with out it! It’s a good thing too! But that’s a whole other accident! Now that I am use to it, it’s not that bad. It takes a little bit longer to get ready for a race now but it is so much safer. It reminds me of the “Body Armor” the Bible tells us to put on! Every time I get ready for a race I put on my helmet, elbow pads, shoulder and chest pads, kidney belt, and padded race pants, as Christians we need to put on our “Body Armor”! It’s a little different though. Its not actually physical padding but spiritual padding so we don’t get hurt! It says we will come under attack and we need to be prepared! We do this by studying the word of God and through Prayer! It says we need faith, the Bible says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. It says we need to pray at all times! This means praying ALL THE TIME! We should pray about everything! Nothing is too small or insignificant to God! We don’t put on our race gear after the race, but before the race begins. When putting on our “Body Armor” for God we should do it before our day begins. How silly it would be to race and then put on our “Body Armor”. In the same way wouldn’t it be a little silly to go through the day after we are faced with challenges and then put on our Armor? We should get up in the morning and study the word of God (the Bible) and pray then we will be ready for our day! It may take a little longer in the morning, but just like when we race, we put on our gear and ride safer!
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