1. Towards a Unity of Life; Spiritual Warfare and our Struggle for Holiness.

2. Wake up!
there is a battle for our souls happening right now! that battle is called spiritual warfare!

3. chronos time vs. kairos; stuck in chronos.
“Be sober and vigilant. your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. resist him, steadfast in faith…” i pet. 6:8-9
chronos time vs. kairos; stuck in chronos.
chronos-time that can be measured – seconds, minutes, hours, years.
kairos-qualitative. It measures moments, the right moment, the opportune moment.
The perfect moment, a breakthrough.
we have to live in kairos time as men of faith and wake up to the spiritual battle around us.

4. Possessions, deliverance ministry and exorcisms exploding in our country today.
increase in occult activity, drug use and pornography, all entry points for demonic activity and evil.
“The problem isn’t that the devil has upped his game, but more people are willing to play it,”

5. As men, we have to be aware that there are forces actively seeking to keep us from our goal; holiness in this life and salvation in the next!
we have to be aware of how those forces adversely effect us and our families.
we have to protect not only our own souls but those who the lord has entrusted us with.

6. both work together harmoniously.
There are forces within us and around us that keep us and our families from our goal; concupiscence and demonic activity.
both work together harmoniously.
The devil never forces himself into our lives; we have to open the door.
In order to wake up to this reality, we need to be aware without any doubt of two realities; our sin and the evil one.
“The devil, the “prince of this world”, even today continues his deceitful action. Every man, over and above his own concupiscence and the bad example of others, is also tempted by the devil, and the more so when he is least aware of it.” St. jp ii

7. step one; stay away from the sofa!!!
knowledge is power!
spiritual warfare exists; how do we fight the good fight for our souls and those of our families?
step one; stay away from the sofa!!!
“Jesus,” however, “is the Lord of risk, of the eternal 'more',” he said. “Following Jesus demands a good dose of courage, a readiness to trade in the sofa for a pair of walking shoes and to set out on new and uncharted paths.”  Pope Francis, WYD ‘17

8. Step two; unity of life!
are we the same men at home, with our friends, at Sunday mass, alone with our computer or device at 11pm at night?
do we serve one master or two (there really is only two). “No one can serve two masters.m He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Mt 6:24

9. The best offense is a good….defense!
If we are going to defend ourselves and our families, we have to have a game plan.
The best offense is a good….defense!
Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate. Eph 6:10-14

10. step 3; plan of life (game plan)
Unity of life and a plan of life is how we as men put on the armor of god.
“When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with the humble is wisdom. The honesty of the upright guides them; the faithless ruined by their duplicity.” Prov. 11:3-4
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8

11. What is a unity of life?
“Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons. And he is called by grace to a covenant with his Creator, to offer him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give in his stead.” CCC 357

12. a lack of preparation is a preparation for…ddisaster!!!
What is a plan of life?
A spiritual game plan that keeps our life and all of its activities accountable to prayer and the lord, rather than the other way around.
as with anything in life, if its not planned or ordered correctly, it cannot give proper glory to God.
a lack of preparation is a preparation for…ddisaster!!!

13. 2-live the heroic minute/morning offering. 3-mental prayer each day.
What is a plan of life?
1-live the virtues! failure to do so can give the evil one a wide open door to our hearts and families.
2-live the heroic minute/morning offering.
3-mental prayer each day.
4-weekly (daily!!!) mass.
5-daily spiritual reading.
6-daily devotion to Mary.
7-examination of conscience.
8-monthly confession

14. anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from the side of Christ, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus, hear me; within your wounds, hide me; let me never be separated from you; from the evil one, protect me; at the hour of my death, call me; and bid me to come to you; that with your saints, I may praise you forever and ever. Amen.