Spirit is Willing 

Will you stand before accusers and declare that Jesus is your Lord and Savior?  I think we must realize our weaknesses and our impulses to reward the flesh.  Do you know where your heart is?  God says the heart is deceitful above all else.  Remember Peter?  He thought he would never forsake Christ.  Jesus said in

Mark 14:27
          "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "`I will strike the                shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."

Mark 14:30

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today--yes, tonight--before the rooster crows twice  you yourself will disown me three times."

31

But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

But we know how that part of the story ended for Peter.  Continuing in Mark 14,

verse 66

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.

67

When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.

68

But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.

69

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them."

70

Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."

71

He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about."

72

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.

We must be humble about ourselves and know that without God we can do nothing.   There is no good thing in man.  It is only throught the power of Christ Jesus that we can accomplish the things we do.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Still think you would answer your accusers that you serve the Living God?   Suppose a member of your family were going to be thrown into a lions' den....God forbid.  Not a lot of lions' dens around today so let us bring this into our century.  What if one of your children were being threatened?  I don't want to give an example, I'm sure we can all think of one.  Would you still stand with Christ?  My answer when asked that question is a prayer.  "God please help me to become stronger in the faith.   Help me to be prepared to answer that question with a yes!"

Again in Mark...

14:32

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."

33

He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.

34

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

35

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.

36

"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

37

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?

38

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

39

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.

40

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41

Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Jesus came to his disciples and asked are you all sleeping?  Three times....they had failed Him.  Perhaps you would say that you would have stayed awake.  Have you ever fallen asleep while praying?  I have, and I have also opted to sleep rather than answer God in prayer.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  If we become aware of our weaknesses and have a contrite and humble heart, asking for the help we need, always abiding in Jesus...He will empower us to do His will.   The point is in our own power, we can do nothing.  Oh and remember, 2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.