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			     C O P | N E T
				    

                            Spiritual Depth
 

A) What are the goals of people? What ought they be?
  - Goal of a spiritual person is God. His goal is to seek God, to know Him, 
    to love Him, to have fellowship with Him, to dwell in Him and have a 
    relationship with Him. God abides in his heart and he abides in God's.
  - "There is none upon the earth that I desire beside Thee." Psalms 73:25
  - False goals are money, lusts of the flesh, power, etc.

B) What is Spiritual Striving?
  - Striving against the ego (a most difficult thing for any person) is 
    crucifying the self and denying it, according to the commandment.
  - Striving is not deprivation, suppression or suffering but joy, freedom 
    and carrying the Cross behind the risen and victorious Christ.
  - God sees that the striving souls, in spite of their weaknesses, are 
    supported by Him and He declares Himself to them.
  - Every soul who struggled against sin and loved Christ deserves that He 
    shows it His glory and holds it to His bosom like He did the prodigal son.
  - Those who serve diligently with hearts full of joy and hope, never despair
    and have strong faith, the Lord will appear to them in the end.

C) Keys to a spiritual life
  - Parable of the Sower: Luke 8:5-18
  - Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was. "You should love the 
    Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your 
    mind." Matthew 22:36-7
  - Prayer, fasting, reading and meditation are the only means to lead you 
    through the singular goal which is God.
  - Reflect on your prayers, reading style and your mindset when in church.
  - Those who have God as their goal do not put even the spiritual matters 
    as their goal. Some people put prayer as a goal so they pray not because 
    they love God but to become people of prayer. Many have started to reform 
    prayer but ended with their selves.
  - Build a house on concrete and not sand so it can withstand the times.
    Same with our souls; build strong spiritual convictions.
  - Do you let God in your life for guidance?  "Rejoice in the Lord always. 
    I will say it again Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The 
    Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by 
    prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And 
    the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart
    and your mind in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7
  - Whoever has God as his goal never becomes sad whenever he/she loses any 
    worldly matter.

D) Questions to ponder on:
  - Is God one of your goals or is He the first and only goal?
  - Has God become a means to achieve your goals?
  - Do you give all your heart to God?
  - Do you think of your eternity?              

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