2 Timothy 1:3 (NIV)
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a
clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
In April 2001, Tim Shutt was the crew chief for NASCAR
driver Mike McLaughlin. Tim was a new Christian who came to Christ at a
Christian retreat for participants in the racing industry. Preparing for the
major race in Talladega, Alabama, he was tempted to add an illegal part to the
car. "Joe [Gibbs, team owner] is adamant that we don't cheat," said
Shutt. Joe Gibbs is also a Christian and a former National Football League
coach. Tim said to McLaughlin that morning in practice: "If we're no good
in practice, I'll put this piece-the illegal piece-on. Probably 30 other teams are
doing it." Tim knew he was justifying it. Tim said: "I got up under
the car, I got halfway through putting it on, and that verse, 'Seek ye first
the kingdom of God,' came flashing in red in front of me, and whoa, that was
it. I said, 'I'm leaving this up to you, God.'" Shutt didn't put the piece
on the car. McLaughlin won the race at Talladega, and later reflected:
"When we won, the first thing that came to my mind was that verse. God
wanted to show himself to me."
You will be regularly tempted to cheat, but resist the
temptation and serve the Lord with a clear conscience.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your infinite love. Help us to seek
first Your Kingdom and do the things that are right and pure so that we can
have a clear conscience. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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