Weekly Devotionals
Blog Site Link: http://penticuffmotorsports.blogspot.com
10/17/09 - Tristate Speedway - "The Spooker"
Living Sheet Metal
By Mark Penticuff
Have you heard about the newly invented sheet metal product specifically designed for racing? The metal re-forms to its original condition (no matter the damage) with the application of heat from something as simple as a heat gun. No more removing body panels and trying to straighten out bent metal! Mistakes on the track no longer require hours of work getting the car to look "presentable". With this product your car looks as good as new. It's ingenious ................ and completely made up.
There is no product out there (that I know of) that will do all that. But there is something better. It's the "real-life" straightener - Jesus. Each race I have given a pack of bottled water to some lucky driver. The reason is because of what water represents in the Bible. Jesus referred to belief and trust in Him as having "living water": water that once drunk, never will you be thirsty again. Jesus was referring to complete forgiveness and removal of punishment for our sins (past, present, & future). It's a life that is refreshing - like water that would never leave a person thirsty.
Many earthly things do satisfy us; for instance, success on the job, fishing on the lake, or perhaps winning a race. But these things, like plain old water, will leave you thirsty. In order to be satisfied with temporary things you must go back for more. This is not the case with Jesus. His forgiveness is complete. Although life is unpredictable and full of ups and downs, Jesus is always there to sustain and satisfy through it all. Like "living water" He is always what we need whether in times of joy or pain.
Living Water: Is it in you? John 4:7-38
9/05/09 - West Plains Motor Speedway
Losing Control, Gaining Grace
By Mark Penticuff
It was bound to happen one of these days - I caused a wreck after spinning out in front of some other cars. It is the last thing you want for yourself and the others in the race. It means more time and money spent fixing the car, but also it means that other guys are doing the same and it wasn't their fault.
This is not uncommon in racing or in life; except in life we simply call it making mistakes. If these mistakes violate God's commands we also call it sin. Most people don't wake up one morning thinking, "Wow, today I'm going to really make some bad decisions and maybe even mess up some other people's lives!". On the track we don't intentionally spin out, but the faster you are on the track - the closer you are to losing control. And we want to be right on that edge which sometimes results in wrecks.
In life, we slowly "lose control" by remaining around tempting things and justifying what we think is best. The more we are tempted - the easier it is to make those bad decisions. We make mistakes every day and often times must seek forgiveness from those we've hurt as well as forgiveness from God.
People may not always forgive us (and will rarely forget), but God will always forgive (and always forget) the sins of the one who truly repents. There is the one thing you can count on from God that you usually don't get from people: GRACE. Grace is unmerited favor. With God there is no amount of sin that His grace cannot cover. But grace is a gift that must be received. Have you gained your grace today?
8/14/09 - Outlaw Motor Speedway
Too Tough To Tame
By Mark Penticuff
Nope, not Darlington - it's the tongue. The saying: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." - is not one that's applied by too many people. Controlling what we say, especially when emotions run high, must be a pre-planned event - something we prepare for, otherwise we can end up hurting others and regretting it even more.
In the Bible, James poses a question: "How can both blessing and cursing come from the same mouth?". His answer is that you really can't truly be a blessing if evil comes from your mouth. He even questions those who claim to be with Christ, yet speak as one who lives with the Devil. Out of the mouth comes the true content of the heart.
Think of it this way: If you had to make a list of "good" things and "bad" things you said this week, which would be longer? Realize that it takes just one "bad" comment to wipe out a week's worth of good ones. So can the tongue be tamed?
James 1:19 - So then, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath...
Slow down; only with prayer and self-control can truly hope to tame the tongue.
(plus a lot of patience with those that tend to bring out the worst in us)
8/8/09 - Nevada Speedway
Going 'round in Circles
by Mark Penticuff
For the casual observer of dirt track racing it certainly looks futile. With 30 laps of racing using up gallons of expensive fuel, wearing out expensive tires, damaging a once immaculate car, and taking a race engine one step closer to a rebuild - one might think we're crazy. Many make jokes about how we go miles and miles, and yet never go anywhere.
The same could be said of our jobs, hobbies, and other sports. In the end, the reward for our time is typically short-lived and leaves us needing to go back for more in order to be satisfied.
Solomon wrote about this very issue in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon had it all: fame, riches, property, livestock, power, lots of friends, and incomparable wisdom (which came as a special blessing from God). Historians tell us that he was the richest king in Israel's history and few, if any other in history, came close to his power and influence. Yet he found himself in the same boat as you and I: "What in this world is truly worth doing?" After a long life spent seeking wisdom on this very subject; here is his answer:
Ec 12:13-14 When all is said and done, the conclusion to the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Soloman alos said that there is a time for everything under the sun - including racing - just do it as if for the Lord.
Ask yourself this question:
Would God want to sign on as your sponsor?
7/26/09 - Monett Speedway
Today
This morning you may have chosen to get up and go to church. Maybe you intended to go, but figured that next week would be a better weekend. We often think that we will have time later, to accomplish the things we should probably be doing today.
The Lord's prayer contains a simple request: "give us this day our daily bread." In many other places in the Old and New Testament it tells us we should live in the "now." Too many people spend all their lives planning for ‘tomorrow,' dreaming about ‘what I will do when ...' and thinking that they have all the time in the world to deal with their relationship with God.
However, we are told to look at every plan and consider the words given in James 4:13-15 - Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
This gives us the proper ‘focus,' i.e. TODAY. The Lord has simplified life by promising to provide for our needs daily, while we focus on Him, and allow His Spirit to work through us. That way we don't miss out on a great "today".
7/18/09 - Tristate Speedway
May I Take Your Order
It is a question we've all heard; whether in line at a fast food drive-thru or an expensive restaurant. Many times we'd prefer to have a few more minutes to make our decision, but if the line of cars stretches around the corner, we feel the pressure. We may even order items we don't even want - just to get it over with... But imagine looking over a menu and never actually ordering anything! How frustrated would that waitress be? How often would she be back asking if you "need more time"? Would she ever just give up? Sure, there's a few items you like, but it is so hard to choose. Truth is, you can't expect to get served any food until you place the order - reading a menu isn't enough.
That's the way it is though, when it comes to our trust and faith in God. God is "on the menu", and He's got some great "items", but until you order up and act out in faith, you can't expect to receive the blessings and salvation that comes through faith in Jesus. Most of us know God's menu, but that doesn't mean we've ordered the special. It is like going to church and agreeing in principal with the preacher, yet not applying any of it to your own life. Many have never received God's grace because they have never chosen it.
If you haven't truly placed your faith and trust in God, what's holding you back? Perhaps a few "items" that are hard to swallow? God can change your taste, if you let Him. Remember that God requires more than church attendance and good intentions, He asks for your commitment, trust, and faith in Him. Drop by and see me if you'd like to "place your order".
James 1:22-24 - Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if anyone hears the word but does not do it, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in the mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone way has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
6/27/09 - Lucas Oil Speedway
Lost Your Focus?
By Mark Penticuff
If you thought this was going to be about some of our drivers' inability to read my printed devotions without the help of glasses or some pretty big print on my part, you would be wrong. Although I think there's a future message in there somewhere... This is about our life's focus. What dominates your thoughts? Obviously tonight it would be racing and all of the details that go into it. But what about tomorrow or a plain-ole Tuesday? Is it work and your responsibilities there? Hopefully you are doing your job and honoring God in the process. What about when you get home? For me it is often the all important question of "What's for dinner?".
It seems that by the end of the day, whether its a Tuesday or Friday, our focus is usually on one thing: ourselves. It's all about our plans, our needs, our fun, our racing, our kids... and the list could go on. Now these things are not necessarily bad - but God knew us well when he made us and knew that we NEEDED a day a week to rest from ourselves and remember that it is really all about HIM. The bible calls it the Sabboth; in our culture we designate that day as Sunday. God designed it as a day of worship and reflection. The church provides us that opportunity (and so much more). In fact, studies have shown that people that don't take that needed day of rest have more psychological and physical problems than those who do take that day off.
God desires for us to enjoy Him, not just this world He's created. He also knows that if He doesn't tell us what's best, we won't figure it out on our own. Isn't it time to focus on the One who blesses us each day of the week by giving him one? Don't lose focus of what is truly important in this life. The closer you get to God, the closer your plans and focus will be to His.
Proverbs 16:3-4 Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved. The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose.
6/20/09 - West Siloam Speedway
Getting What We Deserve
By Mark Penticuff
We often use the phrase: "He got what he deserved". It is usually associated with criminal behavior, cheating, lying, or paybacks. We want justice for those who have wronged us, and we weigh in on whether the penalty or judgment fit the crime. Sometimes we feel we deserve preferential treatment or special favors because of our good behavior (and then whine when we don't get those favors). So, what do we deserve? What does God deserve?
These two questions are very much related to each other. In judgment for our sins and our rejection of God's way of doing things, we deserve separation from God and death.
On the other hand, God's given us everything and more (life, freedom of choice, and salvation from what we deserve). Sadly, we tend to stray from giving God his "due" by not giving Him our time, talents, or worship. We see ourselves as deserving a "day off" on Sunday and skip out on the opportunity to give God His due: we call it church. Some call it "boring" and "not for them", but it is the least we can do. After all, He did come down from heaven to die for our sins and allow for an eternity of joy and relationship with Him.
Is church then all important? No, that would be legalistic and make going to church more important than God himself. But God made us in such a way as to desire to worship Him together with others - that's the "long-term plan" (we call it heaven). So get in on the plan while still here on earth and give God what he deserves: your true worship (by the way, that's going to take place at church)
Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
6/13/09 - West Plains Motor Speedway
The Pooling of Talent
6/06/09 - Tristate Speedway
Unintentional or Intentional
By Mark Penticuff
Some accidents in racing are unintentional - we call these just a part of racing. Perhaps it was a misjudgment in how the car would stick in the corner, maybe a tire went down, or possibly it was 2 cars that decided to go for the same spot at the same time. As drivers, we don't know what the other driver's intentions are: Will he go high or low? Did he really mean to bump me? -- We must simply race and take the dents and dings in stride.
BUT, there's also the intentional wreck - the punt, bump, slide-job, or take-out. These are the times when fines are levied, black flags are shown, and arguments and conflict ensues.
As people with the knowledge of God and his expectations, how are we living? Are we intentionally sinning as if God is looking the other way and won't notice our actions? God is even more particular than a tech man. He (God) won't look the other way, but gives you the opportunity to make changes.
Are we seeking to change and follow the perfect example - Jesus? God sent Jesus to give us freedom from sin - to live and have the confidence to do what God wants us to do. Jesus has already taken care of the "fines" and "penalties" for our mistakes; we just need to accept Him and live for Him. Have you intentionally chosen Jesus? You can't unintentionally receive salvation and heaven; you must choose.
What changes do you need to intentionally make today?
Romans 6:17-18: But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, ...You have been set free from sin (through Jesus Christ) and have become slaves to righteousness.
5/15/09 - Monett Speedway
Trouble Bound?
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
4/25/09 - Springfield Raceway
Iron Sharpens Iron
by Mark Penticuff
Rivalries have been a part of competative sports since their inception. Sometimes it can bring out the worst in competators and fans alike. Fights, arguments, and paint-swapping can be indicators of a rivalry in motorsports. Unfortunately that also indicates a rivarly that has probably brought out the worst in us.
But there is a type of relationship that, instead, brings out the best in people. It is one that is just as challenging, but raises the performance of everyone involved. We see this in racing where competators race each other hard and clean; when crew chiefs work hard to keep up with the setup of their rival. In the end both race teams improve and the bond between them grows as each has respect for the other.
That is the type of relationship that the Bible talks about in which believers challenge each other to live for God. It speaks of accountability for ones actions and support in times of need.
For real life changes, this relationship is best found where God is the focus: Church. It seems that sometimes the most obvious place to find God is where His people worship Him. That's also where you can find the support and accountability you need to become what God wants you to be. In the long run it will lead to God's blessings and a life that is truly lived for Him.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.
4/11/09 - Tristate Speedway
Why Easter? Why Celebrate?