Advancing Encouragement By:
Bishop James Jr. Hairston

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

Let us look at what I believe is the key intricate part of this passage of scripture, the willing spirit and the weak flesh! First of all Jesus knew about battling between the sprit and the flesh because He was about to inter into the most trying times in His entire life, Calvary was approaching! On Calvary is a place of pain and suffering physically, mentally and spiritually where it will take the spirit man to be strengthened by the Holy Ghost so that the Physical, and mental man can endure such a task. While, the flesh will say no but the spirit will say yes to the Lord! By the way, flesh means; human nature of the mind and body and the Spirit inhabits them both, 1Corinthians: 6:19, Ephesians 4: 23. In Luke 22: 43, an angel came from heaven to strengthen Jesus and in 44 He was in agony with sweat as it were great drops of blood which mean blood is thicker than sweat signifying great pain and agony! Who Jesus, yes He needed His willing and ready spirit to be strengthen so He could go on to conquer the pain, darkness, shame, loneliness, separation from the Father and the imputed sins of the world upon himself on the cross! Have you ever been in a situation where you were not ready to do something that you knew was right or important and maybe the key to accomplishing something very significant in your life that would not only affect your life but others? In addition, one of the reasons why you were not ready because you knew it could be mentally and spiritually draining and hard possibly even physically hard. In some cases this scenario can cause frustration, pain, hurt, shame, anguish and suffering if you decided to take it on. There is a decision that you must make that will not only affect your life directly but others will also be affected indirectly and some directly as well. First of all you have to watch and pray, meaning to be aware of your circumstances and situation of what is going on while giving it to the Lord in prayer you are vigilant and observant of what you are up against. While you are praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit you are watching and being patience, pouring your heart out to God, not only for yourself but for all who will be affected by your decision and actions you take, Ephesians 6:18. This includes your love ones, family, friends, Church members and all those who are close to you and maybe even strangers. That is why praying in the Spirit will empower your spirit to trust and depend on God to strengthen your spirit, mind, body and soul to carry out what the Lord has for you to do in Jesus Name why, your spirit is now ready and willing where your mind and body was weak. Today my friends get ready to make the decision to change your life and others in Jesus Name…

James Jr. Hairston