We must strive to reach the things that are of God.

Jesus was short to be arrested and He was distressed, so He went to pray and seek God's comfort (as should our attitude be in this same situation) and Jesus took some of his disciples with him and guided them: Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Much is said about the need of prayer, but little is said about the NEED FOR VIGILANCE.

In Matthew 26:41 (above verse), Jesus makes it clear that both attitudes (WATCH AND PRAY) are necessary so that we do not fall into temptation and consequently we do not sin against God.

Our struggle to reach the holy things of God must be daily, and those who do not pray stop feeling God and stop being strengthened by Him, because in sincere prayer, we feel God and He reveals Himself to us and often makes us remember parts of his Word that comfort us and give us the necessary encouragement to continue.

The watchful attitude is critical, because the flesh desires the things that are SUPPOSEDLY good for the body and mind.

The flesh does not desire the things that are of God, and fights against them, because the things that are of the Holy Spirit are spiritual and are understood by us in the "spiritual world", where the flesh always comes in the background.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

When you allow the desires of the flesh to override the desires of the Holy Spirit, you become spiritually cold and come to believe in a distant God, who accepts the practice of any attitude.

There is an incessant struggle between the desires of the flesh (your desires) and the desires of the Spirit of God and you must realize this and bypass the feelings of the flesh and make room for the things that are of God.

In your opinion ARE YOUR DESIRES OR GOD'S DESIRES MORE IMPORTANT?

I believe your answer must have been: It's obvious it's God's desires.

So act on this answer and you will no longer fall into Satan's traps and with the passage of time you will control more of your being and your attitudes that are not pleasing to God.

You will get closer to God, feel the Holy Spirit and live much better, with the peace of the Prince of peace, who is Jesus.

YOU WILL SEE IT, BELIEVE IT!

The Lord bless you and keep you.

Pastor Val Martins