As those of us who ride can attest to, the newfound power in motorcycles is
far better than anything we were driving before, which was usually our mother’s
grocery getter, or a slightly used and worn out used car, not of desire, but
based on the wallet contents or lack thereof. But with two wheels, we entered
into a new world of power, but we needed more. And to make our rides more
individual. So we bought lower bars, although hi-rise or apes were for the
cruiser set. but no matter what we rode, or how, we needed more sound. And so
we got rid of the factory exhaust, and soon names like Bassani, Alphabet,
Jardine, Action Fours, and Yoshimura were the benefactors of our hard earned
allowance. Some would just take off the pipes, or add TT pipes, but in an era
where less sound = more ground, where cops hid just waiting to bust us for too
much noise, or where the price of cool was within our grasp, we finally had the
sound, and loved it. And sometimes with the power we thought came with it.
Loud meant faster, still does to many today, but one day my friend Brett, a
service manager for Yamaha, explained it all to me. Kerker was doing a mobile
dyno testing, showing why their headers were best, and you could run what you
brung on it. And many were surprised with the new found power, only 2
horsepower, the add promised 10%? Add gas mileage went down, blamed on the
throttle hand, and the only think for sure was the wallet felt thinner when
riding.
But some were way off, as their bikes had actually lost power, the new
tuning made the power come on abruptly, it only felt like more power. And of
course it was the dyno’s fault, it must be true, I read it in Cycle World. And
having seen the truth on dyno’s myself, I can attest to its truth. Seat of the
pants, or twist of the wrist is no match for the dyno-liars and braggers go
home. And such is life. The perception of power stronger than the presence of
more power, even stickers on your ride couldn’t add the promised power. But it
felt better, and we never ratted ourselves out.
But getting that power to the ground is even more important, although
burnouts look cool, you are really losing traction, not gaining speed. But boy
are burnouts fun, unless you become one. Which is why many live an illusion,
rather than facing the truth. A perception that has become reality to many, but
when confronted with the truth, warrants a decision. Long ago I visited a
sister in law in the hospital. She was very sick,a dn as I was the Christian, a
frined in time of need, a joke any other time, I went to visit her. She
explained how she was afraid to die, and after listening to my sharing the
gospel, I was ready to pray with her. But God said no, and I ‘m thinking, what
is God thinking? Isn’t this what we are supposed to do, pray for and with the
unsaved, and here was a great example and opportunity? But again, it is why we
have two ears to hear, and only one mouth to speak, and God explained it all to
me. Hers was only an emotional repsonse, a quick fix to her problem, not a
spiritual date with Jesus. She would have thought she was saved, and wouldn’t
be. There was no change of heart, no conviction or conversion in her words.
They meant little, and soon she would come to realize that if I did. She would
have the perception of power, until one day on the dyno of life she would find
she had no power at all. So I didn’t, obeying God, but still not sure if I had
made the right decision. Later when she was truly saved, I knew God was right,
and I was glad I had listened. The truth had set her free, not the perception
of it. For salvation is only found in and through Jesus Christ, not forcing our
will upon others, or coaxing them into heaven. For there is true power out
there, and only being in tune with the Holy spirit unlocks it. And sets you
free.
Just ask some brothers, 7 of them, whose family was Skeva. They had heard
all about the miraculous healings of Jesus, of casting out of demons, and
decided to try it themselves. Maybe make a few dollars at it, start a radio or
TV show. And so they sought out a man who they knew was demon possessed, and
confronted them. “In the name of Jesus, come out,” and the demons did. But not
with what they expected, for the demon attacked them, and sent them away naked,
running, and crying. But not before confronting them with these words, “we know
of Jesus, and we have heard of the apostle Paul. But who are you?” Who are
you? Well, we heard we could, thought we could, but found we can’t. An example
today to many, but a lesson still falling on deaf ears. The promise of power
still intrigues men and women today, but without God, you are on your own.
Believing false claims, left only with a sticker telling the world about your
new found power, but when the first challenge comes, you are found powerless.
When asked if “are you in the word?” I challenge back with “is the word is
you?” Jesus being the word, are you just a reader, a studier, as too many are,
or have you truly surrendered to Jesus Christ? Is He Lord, or just a genie in
the lamp when you desire something? So I ask You, “is the word in you?” Is
Jesus in your life, has He given you new life? Or has your exhaust just gotten
louder when compared to those who aren’t saved? Is church all you got out of
religion, or have you settled for nothing less than a personal relationship? Do
you really trust in that name, or is it something said in vain, just not with
damn attached to it? Or have you discovered the real Jesus, and His meekness,
His power under control that guides you everyday, and doesn’t demand His own
way, but shows you how He is the way? And leads you to truth?
Many advertise good things, some even Godly things. Ask for proof. The
Skeva boys got proof without asking, and changed their lives. We are called to
Jesus, not to run from Him. He relieves fear, He doesn’t cause it. And yes we
are promised power, of a spiritual nature, that reveals all truth, and shows us
how easily we can be deceived. Are you saved, I mean really saved? Or have you
joined a church, a fellowship, read your Bible, hang with other Christians, or
have family who are saved, thinking that will get you in? The salvation dyno
will reveal the truth, better to seek it now than find out how wrong you were
later. Loud pipes may save lives, only Jesus Christ saves lives. If only the
Skevas had listened, are you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blog.com