HOW TO SUCCEED IN LIFE
(Part 1)

I want to be a better person or at least feel better about myself.
I want to succeed as a faithful spouse.
I want to be a successful provider for my family.
I wish I could be a better parent. I want to be a better racer.
If I could only get my temper, lust and priorities in line.
If only my boss knew how hard I really work. If I could ever get over my past, I know I could get up in life.

I'm sure most of us could add to this list without much thought. At some point in life we all have or do wish life was different or that we had gotten a better deal. We might even say if I had more opportunity or more money I could succeed.

Often times we envy others, because of what they have or appear to have, when in reality you don't know or even have the slightest idea of what it cost them to get where they are in life. Often times we let our mouths get us into trouble my murmuring, complaining and by talking negatively.

As I thought about how people succeed in life, I came up with four ways to succeed and I'm sure some of you could probably come up with some I missed.

1. You can succeed by cheating, stealing, lying and oppressing the poor!
2. You can succeed by inheritance.
3. You can succeed by hard work, long hours, careful planning and saving as you go along in life - often times younger people look at those over
40 or 50 and wonder how did they get this or that.

Well, pay attention and learn from those who do have what you wish you had. Try to vision yourself at their age.

My dad always taught me: "Don't ever start a job you are not willing to finish. If you do it, do it right, and when everyone else stops working, you work and a try a little harder because anything worth having is worth working for. If it comes cheap and easy it won't last." Well, I've told you the formula for success the way the world does it. Oh I know I left out the fourth way.

4. God's Way! This is the easiest way to succeed in life yet most never try it. He even said it's so simple, even a fool can't mess up! Don't get the wrong idea, America was great because of a hard working population along with God's Way.

Joshua 1:7 & 8 "Only be thou strong and very courageous and obey the word of the Lord: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left hand then you will be successful in everything you do. (NLT) Study the Bible continually. Meditate on it day and night so that yo may be sure to obey all that is written in it. ONLY THEN WILL YOU SUCCEED."

Does God know what He is talking about? I Kings 2:3 "Observe the requirements of the Lord your God and follow all His ways. Keep each of His commands so that you will be successful in all you do and whatever you do. If you do this then the Lord will keep the promises He has made to you." (Paraphrased - NLT)

Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-33 "Don't seek after the things of life, food, clothes, etc; for all those things the world seeks. But rather seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (the world is seeking after) will be added to you." Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT) Don't store up treasure here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths, be rusty and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in Heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will shall be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." V24 "No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Stop stealing God's tithes, 10% of all your increase. Don't be afraid to tithe and give your money to a God called man of God. Does God need your money? NO! But you do. He says release 10% or more "from your heart and he will cause men to give to you, pressed down shaken together running over." He is offering you a partnership and He already owns it all!!

This means: pay raises, or better business deals, anything men have something to do with, God will cause it to go your way, as to receive increase in all you do. Like Investments - when to get it, when to get out. God said "He'll get the devil (destruction) off your stuff!" Less blown-up engines, trannys, less lost rounds, or more finals, etc." You will be blessed and not cursed." He promised "you'll be blessed to the extent that there will not be enough room to contain it. Each one of us are made in the image of God with the will to choose cursings or blessings and we must all learn to take responsibility for our choices.

What does He mean "seek the Kingdom of God?" Get busy about your Heavenly Father's business. What Business? That of saving souls and destroying the works of the devil. You see, God so loved the world, the world who didn't know him as Father, that He gave his only begotten Son to die for us. Thank God we don't have to give our children or only child to die! God gave His best! - (Jesus)

Jesus came to earth and freely gave His life. Why? 1. To please and fulfill the desire of His father God (That the world thru Him could be saved) and not perish.
2. This second reason Jesus came is missed by most. He came to destroy the works of Satan; sickness, disease, death and poverty. Yes, poverty! God detests it!

The Bible says all good and perfect gifts come down from the father above" and that it is His will for us all to prosper and be in health. III John 2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as they should prosperith." Your soul is your will, mind and emotions. So as you get understanding to what God wants from you and you determine in your will to give happily, and liberally. II Corinthians 9:7 "For God loves a cheerful giver." Once you reach this, you prosper and your health gets better!! It's much cheaper than doctors!

Also in Deu. 8:18
"But thou remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth the power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant..." God says He gives power to get wealth. Why?

Not so we can have more toys or walk around in pride, or build bigger things that are perishing right before our eyes. But the reason He wants you to be successful is so "He may establish His covenant (word) in the land." So you'll give more and more souls can be saved. God never told us to give to build buildings but rather to send laborers into His harvest. To preach and teach the word of God so men, women, little girls and boys could hear about Jesus and believe the gospel to the saving of their souls.

Angels don't preach the gospel message of salvation but men do, men that are called by God to do so. How do we know who is called and who is not? In Psalms 104:4 God said, "I want my mininsters a flaming fire." So if the preacher is boring and puts you to sleep the odds are God didn't call him. Find one God has called and support him.

Everyone can't or is not called to go into the world and preach but some of us are. But every one of us are called to give to the ones who are called to go so the vision of your heavenly father can be fulfilled, that the lost or unbelievers can be saved. How much is a soul worth - Jesus gave His life? How much is life worth?

So you wanted to know how to be successful.
You've read it:
1. Do not lie, cheat and steal.
2. Work hard, be honest, do a honest day's work
3. If you inherit don't get proud - share.
4. Put God 1st in everything.

Do it His way. Stop envying and complaining. Get busy about your heavenly father's vision. Learn to pur your money in a good ministry such as Racers-N-Christ, where it will grow and bring back a harvest to you.

Whatsoever a man sows (plants) he shall reap. If he sows little, he will reap little in return. I didn't say these things. God did! I'm just a messenger boy.

Many of you see us weekly. You know we are at the track for you and your family. Also friends have found Christ as their Savior. You know we don't sugar coat it, water it down or leave you confused about what we preached. We tell it like it is, so you won't miss heaven and while your on the earth you'll even learn how to succeed in God and the world.

I think you want to be successful in racing and in the world. I know you want to be successful in racing or you wouldn't keep coming back again and again just to get more of what you got the last time "Beat UP." Why not pursue God's way with the same determination? After all, He loves you more than any of you know! Even when we're bad! So cheer up, get up and be what God has destined you to be. "The head and not the tail, above and not beneath." Be successful in Him! He has opened the door - walk through it today. You'll never be sorry!

You might be saying "I don't agree with this!" Well, God said "His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts, and that if we believe His prophets then we would be blessed." Religion has taught us as a whole, that Christians should be poor and that preachers especially. But this is not what God said. But rather that "He had given us all things that pertain to godliness and life." Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." I wonder just how much truth do we really know?

If you have any questions or subjects you would like for me to address pleaes let us know. We will do so promptly. See you soon in our Racers-N-Chrsit Services.