"I FIRMLY RESOLVE" - One Bread, One Body, 2/20/2016

For Lent share OBOB with a friend. "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15).

Send your friend the link below
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Deuteronomy 26:16-19, Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8, Matthew 5:43-48
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022016.cfm

"I FIRMLY RESOLVE"

"Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping Your statutes!" -Psalm 119:5

Is your Ash Wednesday Lenten resolve still firm or are temptations wearing down your self-denial? Our weak flesh is vulnerable to the relentless pressures of temptation. We desire to do what is right, but we don't have the power (see Rm 7:18). Our old, sinful nature rebels against our new, redeemed nature. There's a civil war raging inside us (see Jas 4:1). What wretches we are! (Rm 7:24) "Who can free" us? (Rm 7:24)

Jesus has set us free (Jn 8:36). He freed us for lifelong liberty (Gal 5:1). He shattered the bonds of sin that held us bound and gave us new life and risen power (Col 2:13-14). Praise Jesus!

Yet we still live in human bodies and are weak flesh. We live a risen life (Col 3:1), yet are subject to temptation, just as Jesus was (Mt 4:1ff; Heb 4:15). With the psalmist, we pray to be firm in resisting temptation (Ps 119:5). We must ask Jesus to "increase our faith" (Lk 17:5), for unless our faith is firm, we will not be firm (Is 7:9).

Jesus "is able to help those who are tempted" (Heb 2:18). Ask Him to immerse you in the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37-39), Who fights against the temptations of the flesh (Gal 5:17). "My point is that you should live in accord with the Spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh" (Gal 5:16). "So stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time!" (Gal 5:1)


Prayer: Father, "I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and avoid the near occasion of sin."

Promise: "You will be a people sacred to the Lord, your God, as He promised." -Dt 26:19

Praise: By learning to practice regular and spontaneous prayer, Roger grew closer to Jesus each week.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from February 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 28, 2016

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2016 Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r