Gentlemen, Start Your Engines Based on “Under HIS Influence – Empowered” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 8/22-23/09,
Message #MB386;
Daily Devotional #1 - “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction):
A few years back I went to my first NASCAR race in Daytona. It was July—hot, rainy, and crowded. Although not one of my favorite pastimes, I was interested to see the action in person.
Having never been to see a major sporting event, it was exciting to watch the events unfold. Certain sights and sounds made this first-time experience come alive and became part of my memory bank. And while all the excitement was going on in the stands, the drivers and crew were preparing to display their skills, having practiced time and time again.
With suits and helmets on, proper air in the tires, and keys in the ignition, they anxiously awaited the announcement to get their cars ready to rumble
—“Gentlemen, start your engines.”
And with these four words, each of them had the power for victory.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth):
The Apostle Paul knew much about racing. Oh, not the race for the checkered flag, but the race for eternity.
From a radical persecutor of Christians, Paul was transformed into a worldwide ambassador of Christ by a blinding light and a mighty voice from Heaven.
Paul saw Jesus up close and personal—an experience that changed him from a mere spectator to the leader of the pack.
With his resolve to obey the Lord, the power of the Holy Spirit filled him to bring the message of salvation to the world.
From the very moment of his conversion (Acts 9:20), Paul began his race for faith with nothing but victory in mind; not his victory did he preach, but Christ’s victory on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3).
As we prepare to begin our race of faith, we must be aware of the inevitable danger that can bump us off the narrow path (Galatians 5:7-8).
Naturally, we will want to watch the activity surrounding us, but we must keep our thoughts and vision fixed on the end of the race (2 Corinthians 4:18).
We must suit up properly in order to be protected from harm as we move toward victory lane (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Paul describes how he struggled between the flesh and the Spirit (Romans 7:19), and how the two are constantly at war with each other (Galatians 5:17).
Paul could have chosen not to follow the road into Damascus and live on the high of his conversion experience.
Eventually, living by his own wisdom would have caused him to hit the wall and his power would be no more. But Paul chose to follow the way of the Master, that he would begin and finish the race for which he was called (2 Timothy 4:7).
Everyone God calls, He equips for His service.
All of our gifts and talents work just fine as we present them to the world.
Yet what is ordinary can becomeextra-ordinary, and what is natural becomes super-natural, as we operate by the power of the Holy Spirit; and this very same power is accessible to you and to me.
How do I get that power, you ask?
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Your first-time experience will be a lifetime experience.
A desire to go and meet Jesus in person will cause your heart to come alive and set you on the track for eternal victory.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response):
Have you had a Damascus road experience? While you are heading toward your planned destination, God can radically change your agenda.
Paul set out to arrest as many Christians as he could gather up, but God set out to use Paul as an evangelist to the nations.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul cast aside his own agenda to fulfill God’s plan:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24)
He passed along this task to believers everywhere. God has an announcement for you:
“Gentlemen, start your engines.”
Are you ready to rumble? Your race awaits. How will you finish?
- Are you in the race of the flesh or of the faith?
- Are you operating by your power and wisdom or by the power of the Holy Spirit?
- What will you do to change gears and get on the track toward eternity?
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
KYR
