Chaplain's Corner - July 8, 2004

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Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matt. 26:41 (KJV)

Since Adam and Eve, sin and weakness came upon us. Greetings in the name of our Savior Jesus.

First of all I want to apologize for not being there on Sunday. Providing for my family had to come first. But trust and know that I was with you in spirit and that I lifted you up for protection at race time. Now onto this week’s message.

As we walk day to day, we sin. We can’t help it, Once Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit, sin came in as did human weakness. That weakness causes us to do things that we, in spirit, don’t want to do. For example, look at the apostles who went with Jesus in the garden. Jesus asked them to watch and pray as he went into the garden alone. The apostles tried, but they fell asleep. Did they want to fall asleep? No, therein is the weakness of the flesh.

Take a look at Sampson. In human weakness, he told Delilah where his strength came from, and lost his strength….for a time. Sampson’s strength didn’t come from his hair, it came from God. Sampson realized his weakness and then went to God for his strength and claimed victory when the pillars fell.

I thank God daily that he judges the heart. If he were to judge by works and appearances I would be eternally doomed. (Yes, even preachers sin) We all fall short every day.

The apostle Paul called himself the “chief of the sinners”. There are days where I would have to ask about a recount. There has to be atonement for sin. In the Old Testament there were sacrifices of the firstlings of the flock. We don’t have to make that sacrifice today. It has already been made for us. Jesus came to earth, born of a virgin. He led a sinless life and was crucified as a sacrifice for our sin.

On the third day he arose from the grave giving us victory over the grave and over sin and weakness. This also gave us the ability to have eternal life. Through that sacrifice God forgives us of all our sins, all we have to do is ask for it and believe. Romans 6:23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 (KJV).

No one forces us to do anything, what we do we do by choice. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 (KJV) “Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” That means that the choice is yours. If you ask him to he will come into your heart and live with you. He offers us peace and love everlasting.

Only Jesus can give you that perfect peace of knowing that at our weakest moment he gives us strength. Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) Jesus said” Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30: For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Does this mean that the Christian road is easy? No, we are tested and tried every day. It is in weakness that we learn and gain strength and wisdom.

 Without Jesus in your life you are lost. I would like to meet all of you in heaven. My prayer is that all of us can be together there. But that choice is yours. Jesus offers you life eternal. He died for you. I have always said that John 3:16 could be read as For God so loved ME, that he sent his only begotten son, that if I believe in him I will not perish but have everlasting life.

What will you do with him today? 1John1:9(KJV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Rom. 10:9 (KJV) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” If you want Jesus he wants you. Just pray this simple prayer. “Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner. I believe that you died for me and rose again to save me. Come into my heart, and save me a sinner. Thank you for saving me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer and meant it, let me know. I want to help you as you grow in Jesus. I can help you to find a church home where you can grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Congratulations to you who came to Jesus. For those who haven’t, I pray you’ll find him before it’s too late.

That’s it for this week. I can be reached by e-mail at chaplain@andersonspeedway.com. If you need a friendly ear, want me to pray with you, have a prayer request, or just visit, drop me a line. If you have a topic you would like me to write on or want to let me know what you think about the Chaplain’s corner, PLEASE let me know. Also, our ministry, RWJM is funded completely by your generous donations. If you feel led go by www.rwjm.org. and make that tax-deductible donation. Go with God for he will always go with you! Remember God always answers his knee mail! I’ll see you Friday night!

May God bless each of you!

Rev. Carlos