BREATHE SLOWLY, SOAK IT IN

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
November 4, 2011

One of the keys for great athletes is slowing down, pausing, breathing, gathering their thoughts. We see it in a lot of sports. In racing the adrenaline rushes through the body. However, it is not just sports, it is in many different things in life. We can feed off of the drug. Those that can slow the adrenaline down and gather in their thoughts, their breathing, and reflexes, can have success. It takes focus. I remind the kids of this often in their sports and it is a small part of their success (credit really goes to God). Think about the racer that does not control it. They go out and just mash the gas and fly into the corner and wad up the car. Even worse is they pile up others with them. If they just slowed down, breathe, think and then find the hole they could have passed a bunch of cars. Think about guys that make the move from the back to the front. They are patient. They know when to move forward and pass and when to wait in line.

The Bible has tons of great verses and chapters. I have many, many favorites. Here is one that jumps out right now.

Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

Slow down and soak it in. Think about being in the presence of the Lord God Almighty. This can only happen if you have salvation. Salvation only comes to those that slow down and see life as God sees it and by obeying His Word.
Lead by the Spirit of God, we see our sin as it is, ugly, distasteful rebellion against God 1.
The Lord then opens our eyes and heart that Jesus is the one and only way 2.
Next, God leads us to see our need for His mercy, grace, love and forgiven 3.
And finally we cry out in repentance and seeking Him and salvation 4.

1 Romans 3:23-24 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. And Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

3 Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. And Titus 3:4-5 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

4 Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. And Romans 10:13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." And Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

See you at LaCrosse and have a great day in the SONshine,

Todd

Feel free to contact me at:
torch_for_jesus@yahoo.com, 608-630-7301 or 512 Chippewa Court, DeForest, WI 53532