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TODAY’S WORD…

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Those who live as their human nature tells them to,

have their minds controlled by what human nature wants.

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Those who live as the Spirit tells them to,

have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.

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To be controlled by human nature results in death;

to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.

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And so people become enemies of God

when they are controlled by their human nature;

for they do not obey God’s law,

and in fact they cannot obey it.

Those who obey their human nature

cannot please God.

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– Romans 8:5-8 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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Am I living as my human nature tells me to,

or am I living as the Spirit tells me to?

In fact, have I allowed God’s Spirit to live in me?

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If we do not have the Spirit of Christ,

then we do not belong to Him.

It is only if we willingly allow Christ to live in us,

that we shall truly be alive – in both body and in spirit.

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We also need to remember that there is no in-between way.

This is what Christ tells us in Revelations Chapter 3, vs 15 to 16:

“I know that you are neither cold nor hot.

How I wish you were either one or the other!

But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold,

I am going to spit you out of my mouth!”

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Spiritual lukewarmness

is definitely not the route Christian life should take.

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One last question, therefore:

am I trying to reach some form of compromise with God?

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QUOTE…

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“There are only two possible ways of living on this earth:

either we live a supernatural life,

or we live an animal life.”

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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PRAYER…

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O Lord, my God,

You are welcome in my heart.

Come, take it over

and set it on fire with love for You.

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O Lord, my God,

I am nothing without You – I am dead.

But with You in my heart, I live!

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Thank You for coming into my life, O God.

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit

who consoles and counsels me so lovingly,

who strengthens my resolve,

and who directs me along the way

that ultimately leads to You, my Creator.

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Stay with me, Lord.

Take over, Lord.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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O Lord, my God, come and take over my heart.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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The necessity of faith

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Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent Him for our salvation

is necessary for obtaining that salvation.

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…without faith it is impossible to please [God]

…without faith no one has ever attained justification,

nor will anyone obtain eternal life but he who endures to the end.

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[CCC 161]

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