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In their discussion of the struggle with the passions and in particular those associated with the bodily appetites and what we experienced through the senses, the fathers do not neglect to show us the effect that our thoughts and our lack of watchfulness can have upon the unconscious. Certain images and ideas will emerge from our dreams and often take on a form that can be agitating or of a subject matter that is disturbing spiritually. The fathers want us to understand that we are not morally culpable for what arises during the night in our dreams nor can the Evil One directly influence what happens because of our dreams such as nocturnal emissions. Yet, are not to ruminate upon the meaning or the content of these dreams during the day. To do so is to open ourselves “daydreaming”, where we openly allow ourselves to think about images thoughts and ideas that came to mind during the night. Such rumination then can be a source of temptation for us. It is best to set such thoughts aside and focus on fostering temperance and love. As long as we are focused upon God then what arises out of the unconscious will eventually be healed as well. However, if we are slothful or worse prideful we become more subject to the effects of such a dreams or their frequency will become more prominent in our life because of our lack of spiritual discipline. In Hypothesis XXXII, our attention is drawn toward the work of contrition. Saint Gregory tells us that contrition manifest itself in many forms of spiritual beauty. This is striking if only because of the negative connotation that the word contrition sometimes holds. Saint Gregory tells us that ultimately it is a path to beauty, goodness and love. When a soul first seeks after God at the outset it feels contrition out of fear. It is humbled by the depths of its poverty and how contrary this is to that which is good and to our essential dignity. Tears begin to flow and as they do the soul begins to develop a certain courage in the spiritual life and is warmed by a desire for heavenly joy. The soul which shortly before wept from the fear that it might be condemned, eventually weeps bitterly simply because of how far it perceives itself from the kingdom of heaven. As the soul is cleansed, however, it clearly beholds before it what the choirs of angels are and the splendor that belongs to these blessed spirits. Ultimately, the soul begins to behold the vision of God himself. One then weeps for joy as it waits to experience this vision in its fullness. When perfect contrition emerges then the soul's thirst for God is satiated; tears now turning in to the living waters of the kingdom. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:11:02 Lorraine Green: Fr., can you take a Mass request? Where would we send that is so? And the stipend? 00:11:33 Suzanne Romano: Reacted to I've got a (pet) rab... with "
Back in the late 1800s, doctors and scientists believed in something called spontaneous generation. The idea was that living organisms could suddenly pop up anywhere from non-living organisms, and this theory was used to explain the spread of things like sickness and disease. The assumption was that it was random, and there was nothing you could do about it. Then a man named Louis Pasteur came along and said, “No! There are unseen organisms that you cannot see that actually transmit these diseases, and they can be carried by the wind, spread by touch, or carried in your food. These diseases aren't being spread randomly or just popping up spontaneously but are being carried by something that would eventually come to be called germs. Nowadays, it's not a theory, right? I mean, it's an assumption. We all believe in germs, even though most of us have never even seen one. That's why some of us are addicted to hand sanitizers! The writers of Scripture say there is another unseen world, and that this spiritual world greatly impacts the world we see and know. Time and time again, this unseen spiritual world is described as a war for the hearts of men and women all over the world. We are also told by them that this unseen world isn't simply random. It has a leader that operates in opposition to God and in opposition to God's children. And unlike germs, you don't need a microscope to see it. All you need is a rear-view mirror, because all you have to do is look back on your life, like I've looked back at mine, and thought “How could I have said that? How could I have done that?” “What in the world was I thinking?” Join us this weekend as we discuss our enemy, his primary strategies, and how to overcome through our banner Jesus. Missing church this Sunday could be the worst mistake of your life.
What is the limit of our desire for God? What conditions do we set on our pursuit of virtue, constancy of prayer and the avoidance of sin? What emerges from the writings of the fathers is their willingness to sacrifice themselves and comfort in ways that are unimaginable to the modern mind. Beyond that their actions seem to be absurd and extreme to the point of falling to the criticism of masochism or self hatred. It is very difficult for many to grasp the nature of such thirst and desire for God and to please Him. Equally, it is hard to imagine going to the lengths that these ascetic did in avoiding sin or overcoming temptation in the heat of the battle. They often treated the body harshly to prevent themselves from pursuing natural or disordered desires. Rarely do we consider the pretext that the Evil One is willing to use to draw us into sin. Therefore, we often will put ourselves to the test or engage in futile warfare that bears witness to pride within our hearts. Thus, even in our critical reading of the fathers we have to be wary of allowing our modern sensibilities to convince us that we see things with greater clarity psychologically and spiritually. If we are wrapped in the illusion of faith and comfortable with mediocrity, our sensibilities are going to be dulled and the Cross will remain for us as it has often been in every generation – a stumbling block rather than the revelation of selfless love. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:01:26 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 231 number 9 01:01:12 Suzanne Romano: This is the reason why people should dress modestly. 01:02:40 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "This is the reason ..." with
We see clearly within the struggles of the desert fathers how difficult it can be to avoid extremes in thought and action. We see in them those filled with desire for God and striving for purity of heart; maintaining watchfulness and fostering a hatred of sin. Yet, how is one form and develop a sensitive conscience and awareness of the power of our own appetites and desires as human beings, concern with demonic provocation, and yet to hold on to a true view of the beauty of creation and the dignity of the human person? As fully invested as the desert fathers were, and as psychologically and spiritually astute as they could be, this was no small task. We find in their language at times a tendency to project their fear of sin or temptation onto others. This can be uniquely the struggle of religious people; rather than humbly acknowledging the truth within our own hearts and the power of our own desires we will blame temptation upon others – on the things they say or do. Saint Philip Neri once said: “Man is often the carpenter of his own crosses”. We do not like to acknowledge the truth of that fact; that we are the source of our own temptation or that it arises out of our own imagination and memory. Despite this, however, they did see very clearly that the Evil One can use every pretext to provoke a person into sin. The devil can appear as an angel of light, and the desert fathers would have us never forget this. Even that which is good - those bonds of love and familial affection, nostalgia for those relationships that have been so powerful - all of these things, the evil one will work on to distract us or pull us in a particular direction. One might argue, somewhat convincingly, that such a concern is extreme or neurotic. In this we do not want to defend the indefensible. However, we want to understand the changeableness of the human heart and mind, its fickleness and treachery. Demonic provocation can turn the mind and the heart toward things that we never imagined we would ever consider or do. May God have mercy on us and guide us. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:19:49 Wayne: page again 00:20:09 Myles Davidson: Pg 230 L 4 00:20:30 Wayne: thnx 00:28:58 Anthony: This actually makes a lot of sense if we consider pagan myth. Monks strove to be like the descriptions of angels. But that desire to be "heavenly" can be perverted if we let the pagan myths distort our minds of the heavenly since sex was so often part of myth: like the relationship of Uranos and Gaiea, or the Olympians. We need a right view of God and creation and created things if we will truly strive to the true God. 00:52:05 Anthony: I saw it. Very good. Also has scenes of temptation to love a woman who was attracted to him when they were young. 00:57:34 Catherine Opie: Being a new convert and coming from a non Catholic, mostly atheist family, and having a friend base who are not Christian I can relate in a small way how that might feel. I have had both friends and family become vitriolic over my change in belief. It can be challenging because I am no longer their ally in viewpoint. 01:03:01 Ashton L: I'd say a lot of people get fanatic and someone with genuine zeal confused 01:04:11 Anthony: Honest, not being a fanatic is a serious concern because some kinds of fundamentalism and truly nuts and malformed. I don't want to be that guy. I don't want to blow out of proportion stories of demons or private visions. Then you're almost a solupsist, and insufferable. 01:07:29 Kate : There are a number of Western saints, men and women, who were great friends. For example, Sts. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, Sts. Francis and Clare, Sts. Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal, among others. I wonder if you could comment on how to understand these great spiritual friendships in light of these writings. 01:08:02 Forrest Cavalier: Reacted to "There are a number o..." with
Friends of the Rosary,Today, Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, we celebrate that Christ, who remained two days in the tomb, is risen from the dead, unleashing on the third day God's forgiving and hopeful love in all its power."Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." The words heard by the women at the tomb — Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James — are addressed to us today, too.It means that death, sin, fear, and solitude are not the last words. The Resurrection transcends our sinful human nature. Jesus is truly risen.And our hope has the name of the Risen Lord. He restores us to life.Today, too, He walks in our midst, changes us, and sets us free from sin. The Evil One has no power over us.Christ shines and His eternal light overcomes the darkness of the world.Happy Easter!Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google PlayAve Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• April 20, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Read OnlineThe guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” John 7:46–49Hopefully the Pharisees mentioned above went through a deep interior conversion before they died. If they did not, then their day of particular judgment would have been shocking and frightening to them. The greatest act of love ever known was God becoming one of us, being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, growing up in the household of Saint Joseph, and eventually beginning His public ministry by which the saving truth of the Gospel was proclaimed so that all may come to know God and be saved. And it was of this act of perfect love given to us by God that the Pharisees attacked and called those who believed in it “deceived” and “accursed.”Though the Pharisees do not offer us much by way of inspiration, they do provide us with many lessons. In the passage above, the Pharisees model for us one of the most common tactics of the evil one. In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola explains that when a person is moving from a life of sin to a life of holiness, the evil one will attack in various ways. He will try to unsettle you and cause an undue anxiety about serving God, he will try to sadden you with an unexplained sorrow, put obstacles in your way of virtue causing you to feel overwhelmed and think you are too weak to live a good Christian life of virtue, and he will tempt you to lose your peace of heart by doubting God's love or His action in your life. It seems clear that this attack by the Pharisees also has these goals.Again, though this may not appear “inspiring,” it is very useful to understand. The Pharisees were vicious in their attacks, not only to Jesus but also upon anyone who began to believe in Jesus. They said to the guards who were impressed by Jesus, “Have you also been deceived?” This was clearly the evil one at work through them trying to intimidate the guards and anyone who dared believe in Jesus.But understanding the tactics of the evil one and his messengers is of great value, because it helps us reject the lies and deceptions spewed out at us. Sometimes these lies come from individuals and are directed directly at us, and sometimes the lies are more universal, coming through the media, the culture and even the government, at times. Reflect, today, upon the distasteful and bitter words of these Pharisees. But do so to help yourself understand the tactics the evil one often takes as you seek greater holiness in life. Be assured that the closer you get to God, the more you will be attacked. But do not be afraid. Identify any personal, social, cultural or even governmental attack for what it is. Have confidence and do not be deterred as you seek to follow Christ more completely every day. My divine Judge of all, at the end of time, You will establish Your permanent Kingdom of truth and justice. You will reign over all and will bestow Your mercy and justice on all. May I live fully in Your truth and never be deterred by the attacks and lies of the evil one. Give me courage and strength, dear Lord, as I always trust in You. Jesus, I do trust in You. Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Welcome to the School of Ministry podcast where we delve into 1 John 2:12-14, exploring the profound truths of overcoming the evil one through the strength of God's Word. Addressing real-life challenges from Satan's temptations and accusations, this message emphasizes the necessity of having the Word of God abide in us, joined with prayer in combating the temptations and trials of life. Whether facing struggles of sin or striving for spiritual strength, this message offers practical guidance and encouragement for every believer seeking to be more like Christ. Join us as we learn how to effectively apply Scripture to triumph over the devil's tactics and live a victorious Christian life.
John describes three levels of maturity in the body of Christ. We need the fathers and mothers who are ahead of us to help pull us along. We also need those young people who are thick in the battle with the Evil One. We also need the children, those new to the faith, that we can walk with and encourage in their relationship with Jesus. Notice the wonderful picture. The fathers and mothers reach back to the young people and pull them along. The young people reach up to gain strength and knowledge from the fathers and mothers. They also reach back to pull the children along toward maturity. I love this picture because no matter if you are one of the children, one of the young people, or one of the fathers and mothers, you have purpose in the body of Christ. To learn more about the ministry of Restoring the Foundations International, please visit www.restoringthefoundations.org.
How Jesus exposes the strategies of the evil one - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do you find in your thoughts, feelings, or reactions, any agreement with the lies and accusations of the Evil One? How could someone fall for those lies? What brings home to you the evidence of God's goodness? In what ways is Jesus asking you to side with him more clearly?
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.“ As we read through the stories of the desert fathers and the trials and temptations they experienced in relation to their passions, we began to see with greater clarity how we must cling to God and rely on His grace. No matter how disciplined or virtuous an individual may be the wiles of the devil are always going to be relentless and fierce. If the Evil One can appear as an “angel of light”, then he most assuredly can present a thought to the mind that leads one to assent to sin or present himself as the very object of temptation. In the stories of the fathers tonight, the object of temptation was women or thoughts about them that arise through direct contact, conversation or imagination. It would be very easy for us and it is often a danger when the Fathers are read out of context to have our thoughts devolve into a negative anthropology - a negative image of what it is to be a human being as well as a sexual being. In hearing some of the stories, one might think that the monks simply sought to destroy this part of themselves or to bury it whether consciously or unconsciously. Perhaps it was simply a manifestation of masochistic repression. Thus, we must read these stories in a discerning fashion. Yet, even more so, we must read them in context; not only in the context of the larger corpus of the writings we are considering, but in the context of our spiritual lives. For it is only within our own hearts that we begin to understand the nature of human desire as part of our identity and experience of the world. It is also only within our hearts that we understand that desire gives us the capacity to love and give ourselves in love. The ascetic life must reveal that we understand that we are created in the image and likeness of God and that with which He has endowed us is good. It only becomes destructive when it is distorted by sin and selfishness. We must also understand that these desires are very powerful – capable of leading us to great good or, outside of the grace of God, to become something that brings us unending grief. We must read the Fathers writings, then, within the context of interiorizing the worldview rooted in faith that they put forward. Do we desire what they desired? Are longing for God and the desire to please him the reality that drives us forward in our day-to-day lives? Do we understand that it is only by living in the grace of God, living in Christ, that we become fully human? --- Text of chat during the group: 00:19:21 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 221 # D 00:28:08 Rebecca Thérèse: Do you think that lack of asceticism is a cause of clergy or monks perpetrating abuse or could it an indicator that perhaps abusers have entered these vocations/occupations with nefarious motives hence they would not be committed to the more challenging aspects of these ways of life? 01:01:49 Forrest Cavalier: Father, I expected to see the mention that desire for sexual relations outside of matrimony is irrational selfishness (especially victimizing women and offspring), and use the contemplation of that realization to dissuade the passions. But I haven't noticed that in any of these stories so far, which combat the temptation with physical activity (fasting, fleeing, burning) only. Am I missing it? It seems the intellect is ignored. 01:06:47 Mary Clare Wax: The tender love of a perfect Mother, the Mother of God, and consecrating ourselves to her Immaculate Heart is very powerful in this day and age. When we do this, it is like riding the waves of grace rather than being tumbled underneath them. 01:07:11 Sr. Charista Maria: Reacted to "The tender love of a..." with
The Evil One wants us to feel overwhelmed by the immense suffering and need around us, tempting us to believe that our efforts are too small to make a difference. But Jesus assures us that he will transform, even the smallest offering—our “loaves and fish”—in miraculous ways. Every act of charity, no matter how small, has the power to uplift a heart, restore faith, and bring healing. A kind word, a simple prayer, or a helping hand can change someone's day—or even their life. When we entrust our prayers, sacrifices, and generosity to the Lord, He multiplies them beyond what we could imagine. Instead of despairing at the great need in the world, let us place our trust in Jesus, who takes what we offer and makes it enough. Through His grace, our kindness becomes an instrument of hope, spreading love and healing in our communities and beyond.
Luke 11:14-28 English Standard Version Jesus and Beelzebul 14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Return of an Unclean Spirit 24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.' 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” True Blessedness 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
We know about Satan's confrontation with Jesus in the wilderness, but he also attacked the Disciples later. The Lord won His personal battle with the devil, but the record of His followers' encounters with the Evil One was more "mixed," shall we say. Satan didn't go easy on them on account of the fact that they were "just learning." We'll go from the desert, to the Upper Room today as we study the spiritual warfare that was going on with Christ, and all around Him. Here's Jim with Part 2 of the sermon, It is Written - Read It! Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS03202025_0.mp3Scripture References: Luke 2; Matthew 3-5
Topics: The Lord's Prayer, God's Has Kingdom Come In Jesus, God's Will Has Already Been Done In Jesus, We've Already Received Our Daily Bread in Jesus, Forgiveness Not conditional on Forgiving Others, Lead us Not into Temptation of breaking the Law of Moses, Christians Have Been Delivered From the Evil One, God Forgives Even if We Don't Forgive, Repeating Prayers Does Not Make Them More Effective, Taking the Lord's Prayer Literally Leads to Legalistic Condemnation, The Sermon on the Mount Was Teaching True Standards of the Law, Jesus Did Not Give Sermons, Constantine Introduced Sermons into Christian gatherings, Lord's Prayer for Christians, Romans 10:4, John 17 contains the true Lord's Prayer for Christians, Jesus' Prayer in Matthew 6 Emphasized Human Effort Rather Than Grace, Jesus Exposed Hypocrisy of those Trusting the Law for Righteousness, Luke 11, John the Baptist Prayer, Jesus gave law-based answers to Law-based Questions, “Don't pray like the Gentiles” Excluded Non-Jews from the Lord's Prayer, Ephesians 2:12 states Gentiles Excluded from that Old Covenant, The Kingdom of God Refers to Jesus Himself, Mark 1:15 declares the Kingdom's fulfillment in Christ's Coming, Galatians 4:4-5, Jesus Born Under the Law to Redeem Those under the Law, Jesus' coming to Earth fulfilled God's will, Communion, Eucharist John 6:35, Hunger and Thirst No More, Believers Already Spiritually Satisfied in ChristSend Matt a text about this episode!Support the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter
Souls are being caught “like birds” (Ezek. 13:17-23) with the drugs, Pharmakia, charms, and the Enchantments of the Evil One. We are living in the Devil's Snake Pit, being seduced by the spirit of divination and bewitched by the sorcery of those who have been bewitched by the Enemy themselves. How did we get here? Or has this always been the case? What makes us vulnerable to being caught and bound by the lies of the Evil One who has made the truth look like the lie and the lie look like the truth? How do we get free from the power of witchcraft that is operating at so many different levels in our lives? Jesus told us to repent. Repent from believing all the things we have surrendered ourselves to and sold ourselves for. Freedom begins with knowing the truth. We must first recognize the snares of the enchantments and replace the fear of man with the fear of God! We must forgive those who have practiced witchcraft against us and realize we are no exception to the devil's desire to destroy us. Whom the Son sets Free is Free, indeed, if they choose to walk in the truth. Jesus is the truth Check out God On Trial and start listening today! Get your copy of "Spiritual Warfare and How Deliverance Can Change Your Life" on Amazon, and explore Marjorie's other books. "Because There Is A War For Your Soul" liferecovery.com
Welcome to the Saltbox Church Podcast. We desire to lead people to become fully surrendered disciples of Jesus. On our channel, you'll learn how to read and understand the truths of the Bible from Pastor Michael Mattis and other members of our teaching team. You can expect to walk away with a deeper understanding of the things of God, but challenged to live a surrendered life. We cover topics such as the will of God, mental health, women in leadership, Christianity vs. other faith traditions and many other in-depth studies of scripture. -------------------------------- Scripture & Literature References: Matthew 6:13 & Luke 4:1-13 & Daniel 3:16-30 -------------------------------- CONNECT: Small Group Questions ► https://bit.ly/3XC2nww LinkTree ► https://linktr.ee/saltboxchurch Website ► http://www.SaltboxChurch.com Podcast ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/saltboxchurch/ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/saltboxchurch/ Yellow Truck Coffee Co. ► https://www.yellowtruckcoffeeco.com/ --------------------------------
Friends of the Rosary,Today, the first Sunday of Lent, we see Christ Jesus led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-13).Hungry, after fasting for forty days and nights, Jesus responded to the first temptation:“It is written, One does not live on bread alone.”To the second temptation of acquiring power and glory by worshipping the Evil One, Our Lord said:“It is written, You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”In this episode, we notice that seeking power is to serve Satan.To the third temptation, when Satan quoted the Scripture and the words of the Father in a manipulative manner, encouraging Christ to jump from the temple and let angels save him, Jesus answered:“It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”Like Jesus, we also confront great temptations in our daily lives. This Lent, we have another opportunity to learn from him and grow closer to Him in our spiritual journey.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• March 9, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
You have an enemy--a spiritual enemy. Only Jesus can help you defeat him.
So far we have learned from the Lord's teachings on prayerin this passage in Luke 11, that prayer concerns our Father's presence, ourFather's purpose, our Father's provision, our Father's pardon, and our Father'sprotection. I couldn't help but notice that before we pray for His protection asbelievers, we should have the assurance that we have our own sins forgiven,which only comes because we have forgiven “everyone” who wronged, sinned, hurt,or offended us. This is crucial if we are going to be able to expect theFather to protect us from the attacks of the evil one. Unconfessed sin in ourlives become a “stronghold” of Satan in our minds and hearts. Those strongholdscan only be destroyed by the mighty weapons of the Word of God and prayer: 2Corinthians 10:3-6 reminds us: “For though we walk in the flesh, we are notwaging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not ofthe flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy argumentsand every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take everythought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, whenyour obedience is complete.” Did you also notice that in this basic model and pattern ofprayer we are not taught to pray for the Father to keep us from experiencing sickness,suffering, pain, or discomfort. We are not taught to pray that we won't die.For sure, no doubt, it is not wrong to pray for our physical, mental, andemotional needs, or even for these needs in our family and friends. But farmore important than our circumstantial needs, it is clear here that the emphasisis on our character needs! We are all goingto suffer afflictions and pain and one day face death. That is the reality of life! But we have been promised thatthe Lord will give us grace and strength to go through it all with His presenceand therefore we don't need to worry or fear (Psalm 23:4). What is important isour faith and trust in our heavenly Father to supply for every need we have(Philippians 4:19). We should also note that when we pray, “Do not lead usinto temptation”, that it means that the Lord is the One who might beleading us to do something wrong or evil. No, this statement is a way of sayingthat we need the Father's protection from the solicitation of the evil one to sinor do wrong. James make it very clear that God does not tempt us with evil: “Blessedis the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he willreceive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Letno one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannotbe tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 1 John 2:16 reminds us that all temptations we face in thisworld concern three areas: “For all that is in the world--the lust of theflesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but isof the world.”These are the same things that the Devil tempted Jesus with(Matthew 4:1-11). Peter warned us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because youradversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”(1 Peter 5:8). Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11-12; For we donot wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, againstpowers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hostsof wickedness in the heavenly places.” That is why we pray for our Father's protection against theevil one and his temptations. But we must also do our part by: “But put onthe Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill itslusts” (Romans 13:14). If we are “drinking of the water of Life” that Jesusgives us in His Word, we not be thirsting for the dirty water from the well ofthe world (John 4:13-14). And remember Psalm 119:11: “Your word I havehidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” Today, are you experiencing “deliverance from the evilone”! God bless!
The soother and the accuser.Join this channel to get access to perks like LIVE coaching and MORE VIDEOS helping you with your Soul, Mind and Body:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UComOLNKo70zgeWxOJEJChlQ/joinI would love to come speak at your conference, association, men/women/youth event or parish! I also lead retreats and parish missions - check out my website at https://kendravonesh.com/speaking/Where are my upcoming events and media appearances?https://kendravonesh.com/events-media/Check out my 10 minute daily inspirational podcast!https://realityreflections.comShare if you appreciated this podcast.
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic conversations on marriage and family
A husband and wife may disagree on many things, but they must absolutely agree on this: to never, ever give up. Summary When we did our listener survey, you asked for interviews of regular families who have raised children through to adulthood with grace and courage. Well, we have a treat for you! A few years ago we met Brian and Joanna Simpson of London ONT who have run the Family Foundations Institute for the past 25 years. They also have 9 children and over 35 grandchildren and they are a witness to the goodness of God despite difficulty and heartache. In this episode, they tell some of their story, but also give wisdom to young families on what should be the most important things in your home and how to create a home focused on God and loving each other. We really enjoyed our time with them and we know you will too! Key Takeaways Forgiveness in the family is key - modeling it for the children with them and with your spouse. The husband as the head of the household is the one who carries the responsibility in the family, not only authority. Wise spouses realize that the best decisions are done together in unity. When tragedy and suffering happens in the family, as it inevitably will, God can still be present and make something truly beautiful out of it when we trust Him. Personal prayer and trust in God's love for you is key to building a family of faith and prayer. When our conflict stays in the dark, the Evil One has more power. It is best to be honest and vulnerable, even if you don't do it perfectly, because then you can work to actively build unity. Couple Discussion Questions What things are important to us in our household and how are we communicating that? How do we support each other in our roles as husband and wife/mom and dad in the family? Resources: Family Foundations Institute https://famfi.ca/ Link to Cana90 https://messyfamilyproject.org/programs/cana90/ Link to Beloved Event https://arrayofhope.regfox.com/beloved
In John 17, Jesus's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, we find God's answer to redeem the Garden of Eden. John 17 - Starting vs. 13 - THE MESSAGE “I'm saying these things in the world's hearing So my people can experience My joy completed in them. I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn't join the world's ways, Just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I'm consecrating myself for their sakes So they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission. I'm praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So they'll be as unified and together as we are— I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, And give the godless world evidence That you've sent me and loved them In the same way you've loved me. (John 17:13-23) Jesus recognized the hate in the world that is opposite His heart for the world. But He also said while we do not belong here, He leaves us here. Why? To reflect His love in the same world that hates His ways. That simplifies and hones our mission on earth. We are here to be His love to others, even in the midst of hate. Jesus was praying specifically for his disciples initially here, who are physically with him, then he looks beyond the present to the future - to you and me. Listen again to what He prays specifically for you - I'm praying not only for them (his disciples) But also for those who will believe in me (that's you) Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So they'll be as unified and together as we are… And give the godless world evidence That you've sent me and loved them In the same way you've loved me. Can you ask Jesus right now to unify your heart for the world with His? To be evidence of His love for others - not your love - But becoming His love for others - the world. Who is one person that comes to mind that you need to extend God's love, beyond your love, to today? Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, You are love and You also know what it feels like to be hated, to the point of death. You were hated centuries ago and You are hated today. Help me to be an expression of Your love, not mine, and to be an answer for the hate in this world. Teach me to love like You. As above, so below.”
Here is Pastor Frank Vargo's sermon on 2-2-25 titled, "Keep Them From The Evil One" from John 17:13-19. Freedom Bible Church is a nondenominational church located at 5550 S. Sumter Blvd in North Port, Florida. The name “Freedom” comes from 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Our desire is to be a God-centered church, not man-centered. Freedom Bible Church is a Bible based church located at 5550 S. Sumter Blvd in North Port, Florida. The name “Freedom” comes from 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Our desire is to be a God-centered church, not man-centered. Website: https://freedombiblechurch.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedombiblepc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedombiblechurch Our church members come from North Port, Wellen Park, West Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Venice, and Englewood.
Using the news of the recent hostage releases as our platform, we will ask - Have we been duped to believe everything that we're told? Are we lacking patience and discernment when we are fed information? How do we respond when information crosses the desk of our consideration? The Word tells us that "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." What side are you on and how does one even know? Let's find out!
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (vs13) - Steve Vaughan by Christ City Church Dublin
The counsel and the guidance that St. John offers in this letter is unparalleled. His understanding of the role of the spiritual elder and the nature and manner of engaging those in his responsibility is deep and astute, both psychologically and spiritually. Yet what stands out the most in this letter is the dynamic that must exist between the spiritual elder and those in his care. The Abbot or the elder could never be described as an administrator or a master platoon leader in the military. Simply put, he is to be an embodiment of Christ to those in his care, being willing to lay down his life on their behalf. It is crucified love that saves and redeems us, and it is the same love that must guide the words and actions of one who has been given the responsibility for the care of others. What drives the heart of such an elder is the understanding of the care that he himself has been given, the consolation that God has offered to him. These realities move him to share what he himself has received an abundance. In fact to fail to do so is a reflection of a lack of charity as well as gratitude. By nature, a spiritual elder longs to help those in his care to avoid the pitfalls that the Evil One places before them in the spiritual life. He must be sensitive to the most subtle movements among the members of his community and the spirit that is manifesting itself among them. Likewise, driven by love he must foster a sense of generosity between the members of the community and those in his care. He cannot allow himself the luxury of treating everyone the same - any more than a parent addresses the needs of their children in a mechanical fashion. St. John tells us “the overseers must heed to the sowing of the seed: to the season, person, quality, and quantity.” The elder must nurture and nourish as need demands. And finally, the one who does this in the fullest measure acts in a hidden fashion so that all glory and gratitude is directed toward God. May God give us such faithful shepherds! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:10:09 Suzanne Romano: I just this minute received word that Bishop Richard Williamson passed away this evening. Please pray for his immortal soul. 00:10:54 Anna Lalonde: Are you moving there? 00:11:06 Anna Lalonde: In California 00:11:23 Anna Lalonde: Awesome 00:16:20 David: One thing I like about my Dad who keeps a saying from my Grandfather is when someone says thank you. He always says No thank God I am able. A small detail but I have come to appreciate it more with age and now do the same 00:23:04 Zachary Morgan: alhamdulilah! 00:39:34 Anthony: This relationship of shepherd to sheep reminds me of the "royal priesthood" described by St Ephrem in The Cave of Treasures. Adam and his successor priest-kings on the mount of paradise took the care of all the faithful in their hands....until the numbers of faithful dwelling on the mountain dwindled, going into the plain and mingling with Cain's people.....and then God sent the Flood. 00:40:09 David: When I taught at a catholic school in Spain one of my mentors used to say there two types of teachers: One that seeks control and power and the other is one who learns more than the students about himself and faith. 00:51:50 Joseph Muir: For those who don't have the book, the two quotes at the end of the last paragraph come from the prophets Jeremiah and Obadiah, respectively 00:54:57 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "For those who don't ..." with
Read OnlineIn their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” Mark 1:23–25There were numerous times when Jesus directly confronted demons in the Scriptures. Each time He rebuked them and exercised His authority over them. The passage above illustrates one such case.The fact that the devil shows himself over and over in the Gospels tells us that the evil one is real and needs to be dealt with appropriately. And the appropriate way to deal with the evil one and his fellow demons is to rebuke them with the authority of Christ Jesus Himself in a calm but definitive and authoritative way.It's very rare that the evil one makes himself fully manifest to us in the way that he did in the passage above to Jesus. The demon speaks directly through this man, which indicates that the man was fully possessed. And though we do not see this form of manifestation often, it doesn't mean that the evil one is any less active today. Instead, it shows that the authority of Christ is not being exercised by the Christian faithful to the extent that is necessary to combat the evil one. Instead, we often cower in the face of evil and fail to confidently and charitably stand our ground with Christ.Why did this demon manifest himself in such a visible way? Because this demon was directly confronted with the authority of Jesus. The devil usually prefers to remain hidden and deceptive, presenting himself as an angel of light so that his evil ways are not known clearly. Those whom he controls often do not even know how much they are influenced by the evil one. But when the evil one is confronted with the pure presence of Christ, with the Truth of the Gospel that sets us free, and with Jesus' authority, this confrontation often forces the evil one to react by manifesting his evil. Reflect, today, upon the fact that the evil one is constantly at work all around us. Consider the people and circumstances in your life where the pure and holy Truth of God is attacked and rejected. It is in those situations, more than any other, that Jesus wants to bestow upon you His divine authority to confront evil, rebuke it and take authority over it. This is primarily done through prayer and deep trust in the power of God. Don't be afraid to allow God to use you to confront the activity of the evil one in this world. Lord, give me courage and wisdom when I face the activity of the evil one in this world. Give me wisdom to discern his hand at work and give me courage to confront and rebuke him with Your love and authority. May Your authority be alive in my life, Lord Jesus, and may I daily become a better instrument of the coming of Your Kingdom as I confront the evil present in this world. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: The Possessed Man in the Synagogue By James Tissot via Wikimedia Commons
Friends of the Rosary, Happy New Year in Christ! Once again, we see in today's Gospel (John 3:22-30) the greatness of John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord. Prophetically, he said, “He must increase; I must decrease.” In parallel, in his first letter (1 John 5:14-21), we see John alerting us against idols and revealing that the Evil One cannot touch whoever is with Christ. “We know that we belong to God,and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One. We also know that the Son of God has comeand has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true,in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Children, be on your guard against idols.” Whenever we decrease by humbling ourselves, our identity in Christ increases. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You! Come, Holy Spirit, come! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • Enjoy this video and enhance your faith in our newly released Holy Rosary University iOS app. • January 11, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Have God show you the truth, walk in a sinless way so your eyes are ready for the veil to be lifted. Join this channel to get access to perks like LIVE coaching and MORE VIDEOS helping you with your Soul, Mind and Body: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UComOLNKo70zgeWxOJEJChlQ/join I would love to come speak at your conference, association, men/women/youth event or parish! I also lead retreats and parish missions - check out my website at https://kendravonesh.com/speaking/ Where are my upcoming events and media appearances? https://kendravonesh.com/events-media/ Check out my 10 minute daily inspirational podcast! https://realityreflections.com Share if you appreciated this podcast.
Speaker: Pastor Armstrong Passage: Matthew 11:1-6
Toward the end of the Lord's Prayer, we implore God to protect us from temptation and from the evil one. Fr. Mike clarifies what we mean when we ask God not to “lead us into temptation” and emphasizes the importance of discerning between trials and temptations. Lastly, we review the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, known as the final doxology. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 2846-2856. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
In this final episode of Necessary Church we get to see inside the church. What meets our eyes when we do so is a captivating vision of the church. The church is nothing less than God's people speaking the truth of Christ to one another in love in order to combat the lies of the Evil One. Satan is waging a propaganda war in each of our hearts. But there's a place where we can win the war—it's inside the church. Scriptures Referenced: Eph 4:11-16, 5:18-20, 6:10-20 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MandMsPodcast
Mt6:9-13 Save Us From Temptation and the Evil One
Trending with Timmerie - Catholic Principals applied to today's experiences.
Okay, so if you're feeling a little overwhelmed this Advent season: gifts to buy, Christmas lights half-strung, cookies burnt, and parenting stress: Timmerie and Fr. Robert Spitzer have some wisdom to save your sanity (and soul)! Here’s advice from Father: Christ’s Big Advent Gifts: -Redemption from evil (Bye, Satan). -Tools for battle: Sacraments (especially confession and the Eucharist), Scripture, and moral teachings. Father’s 5-Step "Get Ready for Jesus" Plan: Mass & Confession: Feeling “meh” about your spiritual life? Add a weekday Mass or go to confession more often. (Yes, confession can be hard but it's not worth leaving your soul unprotected!) Scripture & Prayer: Carve out time to meditate on Scripture. Even 2 days a week of reading God’s Word can make a big difference. Examine Your Soul: Use an examination of conscience (loads of free ones online) to spotlight what’s holding you back. Just pick three areas to focus on: don’t overdo it! Jesus’ Moral Playbook: Reflect on His teachings and how you’re living them. It’s like a spiritual New Year’s resolution. Keep It Realistic: Don’t aim for perfection by January 1. Small, sustainable steps are key. Pro-Tips Think of these habits like spiritual weight training: add a little at a time and watch your strength grow. Father reminds us that this isn’t about guilt-tripping; it’s about freedom from evil’s grip and making room for the peace and joy Jesus wants to bring you this Christmas. Advent is your time to prep your soul for the arrival of the King of Kings: not just the next chaotic Christmas party. So, turn down the seasonal noise and get serious about Christ’s gifts. The best present you can offer Him? A heart ready to say yes. Now, light those Advent candles and get to work!
In this powerful video, we delve into the concept of spiritual warfare and the ongoing battle for your soul. Discover the unseen forces that influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions every day. Join us as we discuss:- The nature of spiritual warfare and its impact on our lives- Techniques for recognizing and combating negative influences- Five tools to help win this battle against the Evil One.- Real-life testimonies of victory in the fight for the soulWhether you're feeling overwhelmed or simply seeking to deepen your understanding of this critical topic, this video is for you. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage in this spiritual battle and emerge victorious. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful content on spiritual growth and empowerment!
Tim is back and so the Spooktacular can continue! This week we are talking about Roky Erickson and his album The Evil One, released in 1980 and then again in 1981. Get ready for things to get spooky in the best possible way, not like last week when Garrett's solocast made us all sad. In this episode we discuss ongoing legal issues, Diddy, the devil, forced haircuts, toilet paper poems, aliens, blood clots, demons, true love, the Cold War, vampire purge, alligator people, Slender Men, goblins and so much more! Hatepod.com | TW: @AlbumHatePod | IG: @hatePod | hatePodMail@gmail.com Episode Outline: Top of the show "Do you hate it?" Personal History History of Artist General Thoughts Song by Song - What do they mean!?! How Did it Do Reviews Post Episode "Do you hate it?"
This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot celebrate the spooky season by revisiting their favorite songs about witches and ghosts.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:The Head and the Heart, "Ghosts," The Head and the Heart, Sub Pop, 2011The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967The Kinks, "Wicked Annabella ," The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, Pye, 1968Donovan, "Season of the Witch," Sunshine Superman, Epic, 1966Jethro Tull, "The Witch's Promise," The Witch's Promise (Single), Chrysalis, 1970Martha and the Vandellas, "Mobile Lil The Dancing Witch," Dance Party, Motown, 1965Monster Magnet, "19 Witches," Powertrip, A&M, 1998Radiohead, "Burn the Witch," A Moon Shaped Pool, XL, 2016Bettye LaVatte, "Witch Craft in the Air," Witch Craft in the Air (Single), LuPine, 1963Florence + the Machine, "Which Witch (Demo) [Bonus Track]," How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, Island, 2015Roky Erickson and the Aliens, "If You Have Ghosts," The Evil One, 415, 1981Joy Division, "Dead Souls," Still, Factory, 1981Psychedelic Furs, "The Ghost in You," Mirror Moves, Columbia, 1984Suicide, "Ghost Rider," Suicide, Red Star, 1977Johnny Cash, "(Ghost) Riders in The Sky," Silver, Columbia, 1979Caroline Herring, "Long Black Veil," Golden Apples of the Sun, Signature Sounds, 2009Daniel Johnston, "Casper the Friendly Ghost," Yip/Jump Music, (Self-Released), 1983Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, "My Wife and My Dead Wife," Gotta Let This Hen Out!, Midnight Music, 1985The Raveonettes, "Apparitions," Raven in the Grave, The Raveonettes, 2011Mekons, "Ghosts of American Astronauts," So Good It Hurts, Twin/Tone, 1988Ladytron, "Ghosts," Velocifero, Nettwerk Productions, 2008The Goldstars, "Stroll In Hell," Stroll In Hell (Single), The Goldstars, 2021Black Sabbath, "Black Sabbath," Black Sabbath, Vertigo, 1970Umphrey's McGee, "The Floor," Death By Stereo, ATO, 2011See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Some of the situations we face in life seem insurmountable – and for good reason: they are… without God. In this message, we'll take a look at how petitioning the Lord is the only way we can overcome the Evil One once he's set his sights on us.