Extreme Sports Missions

The Trail to Heaven

by Ronnie Willkens - Team X4J member

Then He [Jesus] called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)

What an awesome thing to have made the choice to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus. I can’t imagine living in this world without Jesus in my heart, leading the way along the trail of life.
The reason so many today are on the wrong trail, addicted to things such as drugs, alcohol, money, fame, fortune, work and the like, is because they have not embraced Jesus.
Jesus died for every person on this earth and wants everyone to come to Him. When you open your heart to Jesus, a miracle takes place and Jesus comes into your heart like a flood. When you decide to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, He gives you the will and the ability to take up your cross and follow Him. He sets you on the trail to Heaven.
First, ask Jesus into your heart. Then begin telling people the difference He has made in your life. No one ever regrets making this choice, the choice of a lifetime, the only choice that really matters; it is the trail to Heaven.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

On His Wheel - August 2004

Training

While reflecting on whether or not to run the Rim Rock Run over the Colorado National Monument, a 22.6 mile race on November 13, I came to the realization that my training schedule needed to be kicked up a notch. We recently moved from Houston, Texas to Fruita, Colorado and neither my legs nor lungs are acclimated to altitude. I have a lot of training to do before I can run 22.6 miles! It’s through training that we achieve the endurance we need to complete our goals. It’s similar to our Christian walk with Jesus Christ…

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

Anyone involved in a sport is aware that physical training requires sacrifice, discipline and following a schedule. We set our sights on a goal and determine to do whatever necessary to achieve the goal – eating right, sleeping regularly, and increasing endurance and mileage and time. The reward is finishing the race and of course, we all want to finish well. Once you have accepted Jesus’ death on the cross as the payment for your sins, you become Jesus’ disciple. Discipleship (becoming like Christ) also requires training.

Jesus said,

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:23-25)

Elisabeth Elliot put it well.

“The disciple, however, lives by a different rule, a rule not natural to anyone who is a sinner [a person who has not accepted Jesus Christ as the payment for their sins]. He will let himself be “lost.” It is the great principle of the cross that he takes up-out of his own loss comes another’s gain, out of his discomfort another’s comfort. How easily we profess a willingness to follow, imagining some notable work for God, some great martyrdom-but forget the first condition the minute there is a little cold air on the back of the neck.”

Discipleship requires a minute by minute surrender of my life for the good of another’s. It is the sacrifice of what I want to pursue God’s will for my life.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Ask yourself this question: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Do you need Christ in your life? If so, email us at teamx4j@extremesportsmissions.com