January 28, 2012

It was an awesome day today hanging out with Sam Acho and Ricky Lumpkin at the Bicycle Haus Criterium. Sam Acho was inspiring and a blessing to everyone that came to Chapel, we got to know more about Sam and how his faith in Jesus has made him the man he is today. Sam’s testimony was powerful, inspiring and reflected God’s glory! I know each one of us walked away wanting to be a living sacrifice for Jesus! We are looking forward to seeing Sam and Ricky at the races again, this was their first bicycle race (criterium) they had attended, it appeared they had a pretty good time. Well, we sure hope they had a good time because we hope to invite them back again!

Posted in Christian Ministry, Press Release, Sports, Track News, cycling | Leave a Comment »

January 24, 2012

Sam Acho, Arizona Cardinals Linebacker and “I am Second” featured athlete, will be our guest Chaplain on Saturday at 1:15pm at the Bicycle Haus Criterium. Look for us at our trailer (Red Helmetek tent and blue pop up tent), we are hoping to see you there!

Bicycle Haus Criterium information Click Here

Posted in Christian Ministry, Press Release, Sports, Track News, cycling | Leave a Comment »

September 24, 2011

God’s Messengers
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, September 24 2011

“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7

“You are called to free workplace believers from the Esau life.” Those were the words spoken to me years ago by someone God sent into my life. I had been in the midst of trying to understand some catastrophic events that shook my world. Years later, I was able to see that God gave this person supernatural insight that revealed God’s calling on my life.

God still uses His prophets today to reveal His plans in the lives of His people. I have seen this Scripture proved over and over in the lives of people. It is as though God sends out His “scouts” to inform His servants what is ahead for them. Sometimes He does this because He knows the event will require such changes in that person’s life and so He wants to assure them of His love. I have experienced the Lord using me in this way in the life of other individuals. God did this in the life of Moses. He came to Moses at the burning bush to reveal His purposes for the people of Israel and His call on Moses to free them.

Has God placed individuals in your life to speak His plans for you? Are your eyes and ears spiritually sensitive so that you will know who are messengers of God? Elisha had a servant who could not see or hear with spiritual eyes and ears until Elisha prayed they would be opened. Then the servant could see the great army of God protecting them (see 2 Kings 6:17). Pray that you might see and hear with the Spirit. He may desire to reveal His purposes and plans through another individual.
TODAY’S ENCOURAGING WORD – 9/24/2011

Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
–1 Timothy 1:14, NLT
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
— Proverbs 14:30 NLT

Posted in Track News | Leave a Comment »

September 22, 2011

Is Perception Reality?
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, September 22 2011

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18).

One the great acts of the prophet Elijah took place at Mount Carmel where he called down fire upon the altar of Baal and slaughtered 400 prophets of Baal. I have been to Mount Carmel in Israel and stood upon this mountain where this took place. Once the miracle took place Elijah was forced to flee because Jezebel swore to take his life for what he did.

Elijah went into depression after this event. He fled to the desert and sat under a broom tree and asked God to let him die. He was so discouraged because he felt he was the only godly prophet left in the land of Israel. This is often what happens after God does a significant work through us. Satan comes along and wants to steal what God has done and bring the servant of God down. Satan makes us believe a lie about our situation. This was the case for Elijah.

Elijah’s perception was not reality. He thought he was the last of the prophets. He could not see what God was doing. God informed Elijah that there were actually seven thousand of His representatives in the land who had not bowed down to Baal. Now give some thought to that statement. Elijah thought he was the only one left. God says there are 7,000 left! What a discrepancy in perception and reality.

This is often the case for you and I. We look at our situations and conclude based on the circumstances that reality must be this way. But God says, “No, you do not see what I see or what I know or what I am doing. The situation is very different than what you are perceiving.”

Be careful not to draw conclusions about your situation that may not be based on truth. God always has a plan for His servants that we may not know about. Ask God to give you His perception of the situation, not yours.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGING WORD – 9/22/2011

Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

–2 Peter 3:18, NLT

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

–Psalm 23:6 NLT

I am Second Film

Posted in Track News | Leave a Comment »

June 30, 2011

Seekers of God

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

Thursday, June 30 2011

“God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” Psalm 53:2

Are you a man or woman who is a seeker of God? The Lord delights in seeing those children of His who truly understand the meaning of life and why there is only one thing worth seeking God Himself.

I can always tell when I have not been seeking God. The cares of this life, the urgent over the important, and the petty irritations-these are the symptoms of a life that has not been in the presence of God. Do we understand, really understand? That is the question God raises to each of us today. If we understand, then why do we spend day after day toiling and fretting over what doesn’t matter? Can we set proper boundaries in our lives that don’t allow our time with Him to be continually stolen away? It is a challenge in a world that screams “activity, activity!”

Do you have a consistent time of seeking Him in your life? Are you committed to developing that intimacy with your Lord that He so desires? If not, ask Him today to help you. This is the longing of His heart. Ask Him to make it the longing of your heart. Then you will demonstrate to Him that you understand, and you will be a seeker of God.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGING WORD – 6/30/2011

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

–Psalm 118:24, NLT

Posted in Track News | Leave a Comment »

June 25, 2011

My God Shall Provide

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

Saturday, June 25 2011

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Have you ever gone through a time of complete dependence on God for your material needs? Perhaps you lost a job and could not generate income on your own. Perhaps you got sick and could not work. There are circumstances in our lives that can put us in this place.

When God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt through the desolate desert, they had no ability to provide for themselves. God met their needs supernaturally each day by providing manna from Heaven. Each day they would awake to one day’s portion of what they needed. This was a season in their lives to learn dependence and the faithfulness of God as provider. By and by, they entered the Promised Land. When they did, God’s “supernatural provision” was no longer required. “The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan” (Josh. 5:12). In both cases God was the provider of the need.

For most of us, we derive our necessities of life through our work. Like the birds of the fields we are commanded to go out and gather what God has already provided. It is a process of participation in what God has already provided. Sometimes it appears it is all up to us; sometimes it appears it is all up to God. In either case we must realize that the Lord is our provider; the job is only an instrument of His provision. He requires our involvement in either case.

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

Acknowledge the Lord as the provider of every need you have today. He is a faithful provider.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGING WORD – 6/25/2011

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.

–Proverbs 19:20, NLT

Posted in Track News | Leave a Comment »

June 24, 2011

Living an Obedience-Based Life

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

Friday, June 24 2011

“They trusted in Him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” – Daniel 3:28b

Have you ever known someone who lived an outcome-based Christian experience? This means that their decisions are made based on the positive or negative outcome, not on absolute obedience.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three men who lived an obedience-based life. When King Nebuchadnezzar passed a law that said all were to worship his idol, these young men determined they would not worship anything other than God. You can be sure these men did not make this decision at the time of the decree. Their decision actually had been made years earlier. Their convictions were already in their hearts.

Each of us must come to a place of knowing what our boundaries are in given situations. What will you tolerate from your employer? What situation crosses the line for you? Where are the boundaries for questionable practices in your life? If these are not worked out ahead, you will live a life of situational ethics, determining what decision to make based on the merits of the situation.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to die for what they believed. In this case, they were delivered from the fiery furnace. God used their faithfulness to impact a king, and they were promoted to higher positions.

Are you an obedienced-based Christian? Or are there situations that can move you based on the outcome? God wants to know that we will stand firm on the issues that are important to Him, no matter what the outcome may be. God is looking for those who are radical in their obedience. Does this describe your commitment to Christ? If not, pray for this kind of conviction. The Lord will honor you for this.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGING WORD – 6/24/2011

Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

–Proverbs 15:22, NLT

Posted in Track News | Leave a Comment »

June 23, 2011

Divine Appointments

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

Thursday, June 23 2011

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” – Matthew 10:16

“Os is now taking over this division. He will be managing all of these activities from now on. You should know that he has a different management philosophy than what you may have experienced before. He has a biblical management philosophy. Os, would you like to explain what they could expect from you in this regard?”

These were the words spoken to me by a non-Christian CEO recently when he decided to increase my responsibilities in the company. We had never spoken of spiritual issues before.

Each business day, you and I will have the opportunity to stand before presidents, marketing directors, secretaries or other coworkers to create a defining moment. When that happens, there is a good chance you will be thought of as someone to avoid. You might be considered “religious” or “fanatical.” If so, consider this a great compliment because it says you are standing apart from the crowd.

“Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:17-20).
You may never be flogged for your faith. However, you may very well be brought before others to give account for what you believe. It may be at a water cooler, or it could be during lunch with a coworker. In whatever situation you find yourself, the Holy Spirit awaits the opportunity to speak through your life to that person who needs to hear. Ask the Lord whom He wants to speak to today through your life.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGING WORD – 6/23/2011

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

–Proverbs 12:15, NLT

Posted in Track News | Leave a Comment »

June 21, 2011

God’s Authority

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

Tuesday, June 21 2011

“I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on Me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me….” – John 14:30-31

There is a constant war going on between our flesh and the Spirit. As Christians, the Spirit seeks to move us under the authority of His domain in order for us to fulfill all that we were created for. Every person was designed to be under some form of authority. Jesus modeled this in His own life. He lived under the authority of His heavenly Father. He made no independent decisions. He, unlike us, was sinless and always remained under His Father’s authority. He acknowledged that the prince of this world has a hold on many, but did not have a hold on Jesus.

The prince of this world does have his hold on many in our world, even among our brothers and sisters. The one thing most of us want the greatest is the freedom to make our own decisions. It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when the decision was made to exercise a personal right: freedom to decide, freedom of choice, freedom from hindrances, freedom from pain. However, Jesus chose to live under the authority of the Father’s desire for His life. He was the ultimate model of a man under authority.

Each day we must determine if we’ll willingly choose to be under the authority of the Father and the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is a choice each of us must make. It is a choice that actually leads to freedom, not bondage. Choosing to live under the authority of our heavenly Father frees us to gain the greatest fulfillment in life-His mission and the purposes He has for us. It is the little decisions of daily life that reveal whether we truly live under His authority.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGING WORD – 6/21/2011

Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser.

Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

–Proverbs 9:9, NLT

Posted in Track News | Leave a Comment »

June 20, 2011

The Strength of Brokenness

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

Sunday, June 19 2011

“The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.” – 1 Samuel 2:4

There is an oxymoron throughout the Bible. It says that brokenness is strength. How can this be? How can brokenness be strength? In order to use men and women to their fullest extent, the Lord has to break His servants so that they might have a new kind of strength that is not human in origin. It is strength in spirit that is born only through brokenness.

Paul was broken on the Damascus road. Peter was broken after Jesus was taken prisoner. Jacob was broken at Peniel. David was broken after his sin with Bathsheba. The list could go on of those the Lord had to break in different ways before they could be used in the Kingdom.

When we are broken, we see the frailty of human strength and come to grips with the reality that we can do nothing in our own strength. Then, new strength emerges that God uses mightily. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Do not fear brokenness, for it may be the missing ingredient to a life that emerges with a new kind of strength and experience not known before. Pray for a broken and contrite heart that God can bless.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGING WORD – 6/19/2011

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.

–1 John 4:9, NLT

Posted in Track News | Leave a Comment »