“New Text-Tament”

            You don’t have to send me a text message alerting me about the next drag boat race I’ll be attending. And you won’t have to text message me when a Top Fuel Hydro is fired-up in the pits or cackling on the holding rope ready to blast down the liquid quarter-mile … I recognize that message loud and clear.

Now that text messaging is so popular, all you have to do is read a message from your BFF. Reading—something we all learned in the first grade is a gift that none of us should take lightly. “That special gift … you were given … keep that dusted off and in use” (1 Timothy 4:14 MSG). Along these lines, reading becomes a foundation for wisdom and intelligence.

            I’ve always loved nitro powered vehicles be it Top Fuel Hydro’s, Top Fuel Dragsters, and Funny Cars during all my years at the racetrack. One of my good friends and brother in the Lord, Jim McMonagle (Outlaw Racing Fuel) and I were talking about the Lord in Chowchilla during the IHBA race.

We continued talking about God and that led to cell phones and we both agreed that God’s line is never busy and He also has voice mail … for those who are in a hurry and can’t wait for an answer. Does God really have voice mail? Does God actually leave voice messages? Does God truly leave text messages?

Well, yes. He does have voice mail. He does leave us voice messages. And He did leave us many text messages. If you have a Bible, then you have the authoritative and infallible text message that was sent to everyone thousands of years ago … long before mankind ever texted a message on a telephone.

Being in a ministry with racers, I have the privilege of sharing the “text” message of Christ every time I’m at the track. Just recently I began receiving text messages from RFC chaplain Mike Glassey; Bible verses from the books of Psalms and Isaiah. It’s pretty cool to read a verse written thousands of years ago that is still relevant for today’s world.

Racers are ambassadors for the sport they love. As ambassadors, your message can open doors for others to hopefully walk through. These doors can be physical (racing), emotional (deep inner feelings), and spiritual (good news of Jesus Christ).

I’ve talked with drag boat racing veterans that were severely injured or paralyzed and said that the Bible emphatically states that you will have a new body in heaven … that message is good news. It also reassures them in their faith.

I’ve spoken with drag boat racing rookies that need to know “God is our refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1 NIV) as their racing career blossoms … that message is good news. God won’t leave you nor forsake you.

I’ve chatted with retired drag boat racers who have almost stopped believing in God because they say they haven’t heard from Him in years … the message of good news is that God still speaks today … if you’ll just “Be still and know that [He] is God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

I’ve conversed with drag boat world champions who’ve trusted in themselves instead of God because they believed their accomplishments were the only reason for being on top of the heap … the message of good news is that God is a God of second chances, and third, and fourth etc.

While I wholeheartedly desire to share the “text message” of reconciliation with Jesus Christ, I’m surprised to find out that many people I speak with at the races are people who already know God … but because of circumstances in their lives, they’ve chosen to walk away from the phone (if you know what I mean).

I propose that our habits change from solely texting personal messages on our cell phones to verbally sharing the text of God’s message—and then when texting, send a Bible verse along with your message. “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20 NIV).

When spiritually texting, more than phone savvy is required. Faithful disciples must demonstrate how to text through examples of their godly lifestyle—the best way of teaching the text. Opportunities for text instruction will undoubtedly occur, but apprenticeship requires the skill of daily association with the “Master” texter who knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that His message is sent to one and all.

The text or verbal message of God cannot be imprisoned. “I want to report to you friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the (text) message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here and everyone else too, found out that I’m in jail because of the Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the Christians here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah” (Philippians 1:12-14 MSG).

BTW, “I am so pleased that you have continued on in this way with us, believing and proclaiming God’s (text) message” (Philippians 1:5 MSG). Letters of appreciation (like this one from the apostle Paul) are particularly important and appropriate from someone has given so much for a cause. Paul was writing (texting) to the entire church (including us).

God’s text message is grounded in the reality of His unconditional love, “Grace and peace to you from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:2 NIV). Because of this text message, Paul had an eternal perspective about those he loved. He could trust the indispensable work of God even though he was facing grave challenges, which wouldn’t shake his confidence in the eternal goodness and faithfulness of God.

            A person must want to hear, and learn to hear, as there are many everyday sounds that many people do not hear. Have you heard a mourning dove or a mockingbird lately? No. Then think of what you’ve been missing all these years because you haven’t wanted or learned to hear the voice of God speaking to you.

            God often speaks to us through other people. But depending on others to hear His message can weaken your desire to hear from Him. The Israelites said to Moses, “We want you to hear from God for us” (Exodus 20:19). There can be problems when you hear God from a secondary source. You may lose something in the translation. It’s easier not to make a real commitment. It’s more difficult to obey what you’ve heard (from someone else).  

When you know that God is speaking to you personally, you then have to make a decision. Jesus said, “His sheep follow [him] because they know his voice” (John 10:4 NIV).

            So what gives the giants in the faith the strength to accomplish all the great things God has had them do? They knew His voice. Therefore, nothing in your life is more important than learning to know God’s voice when He speaks to you … or when you read it in His Text.

            No matter if you have the best boat, the best ear to tune an engine, or the best eyes to read something a quarter mile away … if you aren’t currently hearing from the Lord and aren’t reading His Word … please prepare to receive the text message.

God’s personal calls to the unredeemed may seem rare … and at times unexpected … but mankind must be eager to hear from Him anywhere at anytime. “Meanwhile live in such a way that you are a credit to the message of Christ” (Philippians 1:27 MSG).

Make it your goal that your text Provider is pleased with your personalized unlimited text plan, because “The Lord is near to all who call him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18 NIV).  If you don’t think that God texts … read His (text) message for yourself, then you’ll see how much He cares about you.

“For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21 NIV). This was (is) God’s way of reaching others through the text of His Word, the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, heaven’s phone company has already paid your bill, with the only stipulation that you must use it everyday!  Believer’s can use their fingers and voice on behalf of God’s message: It always points to Jesus and never contradicts the Holy Text. Let’s take hold of His message … and let His message take hold of us. GBY.

Jim Jack