Conversation Conversations

Conversation:

Abba: What are you doing, wallowing in the world? Don't go back to the old nature and the old life-style. Come over here. Let Me clean the mud off you. Don't you know you're precious and holy?
Child: Abba, I'm sorry. I keep believing lies, and then I feel bad. The world makes me sick but not sick enough. The world almost has a spell over me. I need deliverance.

Response:

Decide to read selections from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis.

Conversation:

Jesus: You don't protect your eyes. That's one of the most important things to remember in a fight. Don't get hit in the eye. TV is your biggest problem. You're tempting yourself. You're giving the devil ammunition and loading his guns. Hold faith up as your shield (Eph 6:16). Guard your eyes.
Child: I admit I've made some mistakes, and I want to do better. But I need to keep up on the news, and there are some good programs on TV.
Jesus: You're deceiving yourself.

Response:

Decide to watch TV less than two hours a week or throw it out.

Conversation:

Abba: You are an enemy of the cross if you are set on the things of this world (Phil 3:18). You don't take this seriously, but it brought tears to the eyes of My Son. How can you tolerate a system which has murdered your older Brother?
Child: I didn't think it was that bad. Although the world doesn't believe in Jesus as Lord, it still does a lot of good.
Abba: My ways are not your ways (Is 55:8).

Response:

Decide about the influence of the world in your life.

Conversation:

Jesus: Love the sinner, hate the sin. You don't have strong enough desires. You're too apathetic. You don't love or hate strongly enough.
Child: The world has taken the edge off of my life. I compromised with the world to have more fun, but it deadened my life. I've already reaped some of the wages of my sin (Rm 6:23).

Response:

Decide to fast and pray.

Conversation:

Jesus: I told Pontius Pilate and I've told you: "My kingdom is not of this world." You still try to use worldly means to attain other-worldly ends. You contradict the end with the means. You're confused. You're trying to live in two worlds which are directly opposed. You must decide.
Child: I admit You're right and I'm wrong. It's either You or the world. There's no neutrality at the foot of the cross. I choose You, Jesus.

Response:

Decide to tell someone today about your decision for Christ.

Conversation:

Abba: Don't you see that Jesus would have never been killed if not for the world? What does it take to turn you against the world? The cross should crucify you to the world.
Child: Abba, I have decided to put "the cross before me, the world behind me."

Response:

Decide to start living a new life-style by taking one practical step.

Conversation:

Jesus: I have overcome the world and so will you by faith in Me (1 Jn 5:5). Of course, you will suffer as I did but you will also rise as I did. Don't join the losers but persevere and be a victor with Me.
Child: Jesus, I want to be with You in heaven. I set my heart on higher realms where You are seated at the right hand of the Father (Col 3:1).

Response:

Decide to wear the scapular. God is protecting you from the devil and the world. Mary is ministering to you and helping you mature as Jesus' disciple.