". . . for you were bought at a price;
therefore glorify God in your body."
I Corinthians 6:20

I'll admit it. . . I love to watch NASCAR races. I am fascinated by the speed of these amazing cars and the drivers who work all week to prepare for a big race every Sunday. But, what would happen if they just came to track on Sunday without doing anything to their cars all week to keep them in top running shape? Better yet, what if they let some other carmaker try to use their parts on their team's car? You guessed it. They would do poorly and probably wouldn't finish the race. These cars all are high-maintenance, bought and conditioned as finely tuned machines to perform at peak abilities when it is time to go.

In the Bible, Paul teaches us about staying away from things that will hinder our usefulness to God. We are created to keep our bodies pure and available for God's service and glory. If we misuse your bodies through sexual sin, drugs, excess drinking, overeating, etc., we will contradict God's plan for our highly tuned spiritual structures--instruments He created.

In many ways we are like NASCAR vehicles. We are high-maintenance machines that are to be filled with only the finest things to honor Christ. The FCA Competitor's Creed makes this statement: "My body is the temple of Jesus Christ." Are you doing all you can to protect it from outside forces that want to tear you down and take you out of the race of life? Remember, your life was bought with a price (Christ's death and resurrection), and so we must honor Him in how we keep it tuned up for Him daily. Today, may God's Word fuel your life.

Do you understand that you are to honor God with your body? What are you putting into your body today? How can you start to keep your highly tuned spiritual machine (your body) properly maintained to better serve Him?

"Lord, as I race for You today, help me to maintain my body so that it may run efficiently and effectively for You. Teach me to only put things in my system that will give You honor and glory. Father, make me Your lean, mean, fighting machine!

In Jesus' name, Amen.