Toward the Good or Evil Spirit

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Continuing with Habits of Freedom by Christopher S. Collins, SJ

Chapter 3, Reject the Lie

Jesus’ identity was rooted in God the Father. He knew He was God’s beloved Son. We see that right after His baptism, Jesus is tempted in the desert by the evil one.

Let’s not quickly dismiss Jesus’ ability to withstand temptation, as it says on page 42, Jesus is very good at not falling for the tricks and manipulations of the enemy. I think sometimes we say, well, of course, He is Jesus, He can stand up to the evil one.

So can we!

Our identity is rooted in the same place, the love of God the Father; we are His Beloved child.

Life is full of desolation and consolation. And most of us prefer consolation. Yet we can easily fall into desolation, especially when we do this one that Fr. Collins admits he does, and I know I do it. We question God! We don’t accept the good the Father has for us; we “talk back.”

We hear, “You are my beloved, I delight in you. You give so much of yourself to others; thank you.” And instead of saying thanks, God. We say, “but the other day I screwed up and I’m annoyed with my co-worker and snapped, and, well it can be an endless explanation to the Father as to why He ought not to think well of you!

When we stay in the present, not the past or the future, we are less likely to fall into desolation.

 

This week, when you pray, listen to what God has to say to you. How you are good and a delight and the apple of His eye. Whatever the words or sense or image you receive, write it down. And when you find yourself going toward a downward spiral of I’m not good enough, read what God gave you in prayer. And accept it with gratitude and love.

I’m also going to tell you this, I have created a course around this topic of getting rid of the past lies we believe and negative thinking that prevents us from living in the truth of how much we are loved and cherished by God. Take a look here to get a free download or sign up for a free webinar.

The Origin of All: God the Father

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Origin of AllGod the Father is the first person of the Most Holy Trinity. God the Son, Jesus and God the Holy Spirit are the second and third persons of the Trinity. He is the origin of all life. Life begins with the Father. He created us out of and because of love.

God loves us so much that he reveals himself to us in all of creation, in scripture, and of course, in his Son, Jesus. St. Augustine says, “You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” We all long for God and a way to express our love to him for all that he has given us.

God the Father is almighty, all-powerful, all-loving and merciful. He desires us to be in relationship with him. He has given us faith and if we think we are lacking or desire more, we can ask him. God wants our good because we are his adopted sons and daughters. He wants us to participate in his life and will never leave us

However, we have free will. This means that what we return to God, to be authentic, must be freely given. We can choose to turn to him or away from him. Sometimes, we do what we are told out of a sense of obligation or fear, that is not what God wants from us. He wants us to love him as freely as he loves us.

I think of God the Father as my father. He is always ready to listen to me, he is patient, forgiving and present. I picture myself crawling up into his lap, head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

Some scripture verses to ponder:

Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth. God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27

Thus says the LORD who made the earth, giving it shape and stability, LORD is his name: Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you great things beyond the reach of your knowledge. Jeremiah 33:2-3

Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” John 17:25-26

the not lukewarm challenge

 End each day thanking God for all that he has done for you today.