I can't go a week without committing a mortal sin!:(

[josh987654321]

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Hi Johnnyt3000, I hope you don’t mind if I share with you some things that I believe may help you.
Extract from the book 'Imitation of Christ' by Thomas A Kempis:

Resisting Temptation

So long as we live in this world we cannot escape suffering and temptation whence it is written in Job: “The life of man upon earth is a warfare.” Everyone, therefore, must guard against temptation and must watch in prayer lest the Devil, who never sleeps but goes about seeking whom he may devour, find occasion to deceive him. No one is so perfect or so holy but he is sometimes tempted; man cannot be altogether free from temptation.

Yet temptations, though troublesome and severe, are often useful to a man, for in them he is humbled, purified, and instructed. The saints all passed through many temptations and trials to profit by them, while those who could not resist became reprobate and fell away. There is no state so holy, no place so secret that temptations and trials will not come. Man is never safe from them as long as he lives, for they come from within us - in sin we were born. When one temptation or trial passes, another comes; we shall always have something to suffer because we have lost the state of original blessedness.

Many people try to escape temptations, only to fall more deeply. We cannot conquer simply by fleeing, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies. The man who only shuns temptations outwardly and does not uproot them will make little progress; indeed they will quickly return, more violent than before.

Little by little, in patience and long-suffering you will overcome them, by the help of God rather than by severity and your own rash ways. Often take counsel when tempted; and do not be harsh with others who are tempted, but console them as you yourself would wish to be consoled.

The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in many ways.

Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just.

Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are.

Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for every enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks.

Someone has said very aptly “Resist the beginnings; remedies come too late, when by long delay the evil has gained strength.” First, a mere thought comes to mind, then strong imagination, followed by pleasure, evil delight and consent. Thus because he is not resisted in the beginning, Satan gains full entry. And the longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he becomes each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.

Some suffer great temptations in the beginning of their conversion, others toward the end, while some are troubled almost constantly throughout their life. Others, again, are tempted but lightly according to the wisdom and justice of Divine Providence Who weighs the status and merit of each and prepares all for the salvation of His elect.

We should not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but pray to God the more fervently that He may see fit to help us, for according to the word of Paul, He will make issue with temptation that we may be able to bear it. Let us humble our souls under the hand of God in every trial and temptation for He will save and exalt the humble in spirit.

In temptations and trials the progress of a man is measured; in them opportunity for merit and virtue is made more manifest.

When a man is not troubled it is not hard for him to be fervent and devout, but if he bears up patiently in time of adversity, there is hope for great progress.

Some, guarded against great temptations, are fervently overcome by small ones in order that, humbled by their weakness in small trials, they may not presume on their own strength in great ones.

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[josh987654321]

Extract from the book 'Imitation of Christ' by Thomas A Kempis:

The Voice of Christ -

My Child, you are not yet a brave and wise lover.

**The Disciple - **

Why, Lord?

The Voice of Christ -

**Because, on account of a slight difficulty you give up what you have undertaken and are too eager to seek consolation.

The brave lover stands firm in temptations and pays no heed to the crafty persuasions of the enemy. As I please him in prosperity, so in adversity I am not displeasing to him. The wise lover regards not so much the gift of Him who loves as the love of Him who gives. He regards the affection of the Giver rather than the value of the gift, and sets his beloved above all gifts. The noble lover does not rest in the gift but in Me who am above every gift.

All is not lost, then, if you sometimes feel less devout than you wish toward Me or My saints. That good and sweet feeling which you sometimes have is the effect of present grace and a certain foretaste of your heavenly home. You must not lean upon it too much, because it comes and goes. But to fight against evil thoughts which attack you is a sign of virtue and great merit. Do not, therefore, let strange fantasies disturb you, no matter what they concern. Hold strongly to your resolution and keep a right intention toward God.

It is not an illusion that you are sometimes rapt in ecstasy and then quickly returned to the usual follies of your heart. For these are evils which you suffer rather than commit; and so long as they displease you and you struggle against them, it is a matter of merit and not a loss.

You must know that the old enemy tries by all means in his power to hinder your desire for good and to turn you from every devotional practice, especially from the veneration of the saints, from devout meditation on My passion, and from your firm purpose of advancing in virtue. He suggests many evil thoughts that he may cause you weariness and horror, and thus draw you away from prayer and holy reading. A humble confession displeases him and, if he could, he would make you omit Holy Communion.

Do not believe him or heed him, even though he often sets traps to deceive you. When he suggests evil, unclean things, accuse him. Say to him: “Away, unclean spirit! Shame, miserable creature! You are but filth to bring such things to my ears. Be gone, most wretched seducer! You shall have no part in me, for Jesus will be my strength, and you shall be confounded. I would rather die and suffer all torments than consent to you. Be still! Be silent! Though you bring many troubles upon me I will have none of you. The Lord is my light, my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Though armies unite against me, my heart will not fear, for the Lord is my Helper, my Redeemer.”

Fight like a good soldier and if you sometimes fall through weakness, rise again with greater strength than before, trusting in My most abundant grace. But beware of vain complacency and pride. For many are led into error through these faults and sometimes fall into almost perpetual blindness. Let the fall of these, who proudly presume on self, be a warning to you and a constant incentive to humility.**

Extract from the book 'Imitation of Christ' by Thomas A Kempis:

The Voice of Christ -

**Do you think that men of the world have no suffering, or perhaps but little? Ask even those who enjoy the most delights and you will learn otherwise. “But,” you will say, “they enjoy many pleasures and follow their own wishes; therefore they do not feel their troubles very much.”

Granted that they do have whatever they wish, how long do you think it will last? Behold, they who prosper in the world shall perish as smoke, and their shall be no memory of their past joys. Even in this life they do not find rest in these pleasures without bitterness, weariness, and fear. For they often receive the penalty of sorrow from the very thing whence they believed their happiness comes. And it is just. Since they seek and follow after pleasures without reason, they should not enjoy them without shame and bitterness.

How brief, how false, how unreasonable and shameful all these pleasures are! Yet in their drunken blindness men do not understand this, but like brute beasts incur death of soul for the miserly enjoyment of a corruptible life.

Therefore, My child, do not pursue your lusts, but turn away from your own will. “Seek thy pleasure in the Lord and He will give thee thy heart’s desires.” If you wish to be truly delighted and more abundantly comforted by Me, behold, in contempt of all worldly things and in the cutting off of all base pleasures shall your blessing be, and great consolation shall be given you. Further, the more you withdraw yourself from any solace of creatures, the sweeter and stronger comfort will you find in Me.

At first you will not gain these blessings without sadness and toil and conflict. Habit already formed will resist you, but it shall be overcome by a better habit. The flesh will murmur against you, but it will be bridled by fervor of spirit. The old serpent will sting and trouble you, but prayer will put him to flight and by steadfast, useful toil the way will be closed to him.**

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[josh987654321]

I would also like to share a bit from a post by littlestsouls2 on another thread.

littlestsouls2:

“Do you believe that I can do this? If you believe, you shall see the power of My Heart in the splendour of My love.” (Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary)

Dear friend, “do not be afraid.” Grace will not be wanting to you if you persevere in prayer (which is a grace in itself). Grace is all–powerful; it is a participation in the divine nature. All of us – even the Saints – are weakness itself; we could not overcome a single temptation without God’s assistance. “You are she who is not,” said Almighty God to St. Catherine of Siena, “and I am He who is.” “Without Me you can do nothing,” said Jesus. But with Him we can do all things.

He loves us – He loves you – intensely; He grants us the grace of repentance – even after so many sins – because He desires our love, our union and our salvation. Remember to acknowledge and thank God for the many graces He grants you: good–will, repentance, contrition etc. In a word, every good you possess.

“The desire to love is love”; do not measure your contrition by feelings; true contrition is in the will. Have confidence in Him, focus on His love for you, and speak to Him with tender familiarity. Our Lord said to one of His servants: “My child, as long as you look at Me, you will love Me; as long as you look at Me, you will serve Me; when you do not look at Me, you will not follow Me.” When temptation comes, turn your attention with great calmness to the goodness of God which sustains you. Also, consider the purity of Our Lady and Our Lord. Pray the Three Hail Marys every morning and evening on your knees. Devotion to Our Lady and Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is the sure way to overcome impurity.

There is no reason why you cannot overcome these temptations, as did St. Augustine, St. Margaret of Cortona and others. I cannot say whether or not you also require further assistance of some sort (e.g. medication), but the reality, either way, is that God provides for our needs.

Do not be discouraged. Listen to what Our Lord said to St. Margaret of Cortona, who had been a slave to sins of impurity for some time:

“I have set you to serve as an example to sinners so that they may learn clearly from you that if they respond to My inspirations, if they prepare themselves by the help of My grace to obtain justification, I am ready to show them the same mercy that I have shown to you.”

Our Lord also spoke many other helpful words to her, such as these:

“I do not wish you to examine your troubles or to count them, but I wish you to rest with them in the arms of My love.”

Take care, dear friend, and God bless.

Motivational Tips to Help You -

Keep the following 3 Ds in mind when you have a craving

Delay: remember that the worst cravings last for only a few minutes and will become even less frequent the longer you have quit.

Deep breath: this should help you relax and focus your mind on Jesus or Mary.

Do something else: Pray, flee into the Virgin Mary’s arms by reciting ‘Hail Mary’s.’

1) A slip up doesn’t mean you’ve failed. What’s important is to work out how you can stop a slip up from happening next time.

2) Don’t say “this is my last time” say “I’m not going to give in today” and take one day at a time.

3) Each craving only lasts a few minutes. Say to yourself “Don’t let this be the day that I blow it.”

4) Once you have quit for a while, the desires to give in will be much less intense and frequent.

5) It’s important that it’s your decision to quit. That you want to quit and that you feel confident you can succeed.

6) Be clear about your reason to quit. It will motivate you to keep going.

7) The most dangerous thought you can have is. I will just give in this one time.

8) Remember the sooner you quit. The sooner you will reap the benefits.

9) The more times you try to quit. The better you will get at it until you quit for good.

**10) **Get rid of any provocative images etc (Otherwise I believe It’s like those who say “I’m going on a diet” yet fill their cupboard with junk food). I believe the best thing to do is to set your environment up so that it pulls for your success. www1.k9webprotection.com/#self (for the internet)

11) Avoid challenging occasions.

12) If you are feeling tense doing some exercise will help.

13) The most common quitting method for most people is to stop suddenly Go cold turkey.

14) When you quit you might feel some different withdrawal symptoms This is because your body is re-adjusting to being without, don’t worry, it will pass.

15) And most importantly, Never give up giving up.

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[josh987654321]

Matthew 18:21-22:

Forgiveness

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him,** “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.**

Jesus to St. Faustina -

"…when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls." (Diary, 1603).

http://s28.postimg.org/6bvy5pai5/Prodigal_Son.jpg
Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

I want to teach sinners that because they have sinned, they should not distance themselves from Me thinking that they no longer have recourse and that they will never be loved as before they sinned. Poor souls! These are not the feelings of a God who has shed all His Blood for you. Come to Me all of you and fear not, because I love you. I will cleanse you with My Blood and you will be as white as snow. I will drown your sins in the water of My Mercy and nothing will be able to snatch from My Heart the Love that I have for you.

Jesus to St. Faustina -

"Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul’s distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness." (Diary, 300).

"Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me; speak to them of My great mercy" (Diary, 1396).

The Divine Mercy Image - St. Faustina

http://s8.postimg.org/422f1cyxh/Christ_9.jpg
The Message
How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell in the tabernacle as King of Mercy. I desire to bestow My graces upon souls, but they do not want to accept them. You, at least, come to Me as often as possible and take these graces they do not want to accept. In this way you will console My Heart. (Diary, 367).

"My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of my goodness? For you I descended from heaven to earth; for you I allowed myself to be nailed to the cross; for you I let my Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come, then, with trust to draw graces from this fountain. I never reject a contrite heart." (Diary, 1485).

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[josh987654321]

I believe a good way to overcoming impurity (Including any sins), is meditation on the Passion of Christ and to remember, whenever in despair over sin, that the great tragedy of Judas, is that he could have been St. Judas if only he had trusted in the mercy of God.

I believe this booklet is very helpful - The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

"The Passion of Christ is sufficient to serve as a guide and model for our entire life… On the Cross, we find the example of every virtue.” - St. Thomas Aquinas

he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities… by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Jesus to Catalina:

I Have Given My Life for You - loveandmercy.org/Eng-IHG-Reg.pdf

**4) I wish to speak to you again about My Passion because when I do so, I want to spread in your hearts feelings of union with Me, of compassion… to show you My Love…

1. How I wish that mankind would cultivate greater devotion to My Passion!..
2. My Passion is a compendium of Holy Love and supernatural Wisdom itself. Everything can be found during My hours of the Passion: every evil in the world transformed into good for eternity, and all the supernatural goodness of present mankind, united to the promise of the good that they may attain if they die protected by My Passion.
3. Those who do not meditate on My sufferings, who do not compare them with their own, do not extract from the treasure chest of My Passion, the treasures that I have stored up for each one of you.
4. I assure you that those who meditate on My sorrowful Passion will derive many Graces, because it is a treasure chest of infinitely enormous benefits. By the same token, those who have paid no attention or have forgotten My sufferings will always find emptiness and spiritual poverty.**

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[josh987654321]

Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

**Nobody really believes that I sweat blood that night at Gethsemane, and few believe that I suffered much more in those hours than in the Crucifixion. It was more sorrowful because it was clearly revealed to Me that the sins of everyone were made Mine and that I should answer for each one. Thus I, being innocent, answered to the Father as if I were really guilty of dishonesty and I, being pure, answered to the Father as if I were stained of all the impurities committed by you, My brothers and sisters. You dishonor God who created you to be instruments of the greatness of Creation and not to stray from the nature given you with the purpose of having it gradually behold the sight of the purity of Me, your Creator.

1. Therefore, I was made a thief, a murderer, an adulterer, a liar, a sacrilegious person, a blasphemer, slanderer and a rebel to the Father whom I have always loved.
2. It was precisely this contrast between My Love for the Father and His Will that caused My sweating blood. But I obeyed until the end and for love of everyone, I covered Myself with the stain so that I could do My Father’s Will and save you from eternal damnation.
3. Consider how many agonies more than human I had that night and, believe Me, nobody could alleviate such anguish because, on the contrary, I was seeing how each one of you devoted yourself to making cruel at every moment the death given to Me because of the offenses whose ransom I have paid in full. I want it to be known once again how I loved all mankind at that hour of abandonment and indescribable sadness…**

http://s2.postimg.org/z9tnzdewp/jesus_prayer_09.jpg
Jesus to Catalina:

Praying the Rosary - loveandmercy.org/Eng-PR-Reg.pdf

**“My child, I have prayed for you and for all at Gethsemane; I have not forgotten anyone because all were united to Me in a mysterious but real embrace. I have desired and needed to pray, since I had firmly in mind the fact that, notwithstanding My invitation repeated several times, you would not have prayed as much as I wish. Therefore, I lovingly humbled Myself and I prayed for you as much as the Son of God made man could possibly do.

“It is example that counts. It is hard for you to follow Me because you do not love Me enough or because [you think] I am indifferent to you, as if I were not your Redeemer, as if your salvation depended not on Me, but on others.

“If I have said ‘Pray’, I have also specified to Peter and the other Apostles that they should pray with Me. I knew, and I know what it meant to ask them to pray, and I have offered Myself to keep them company so that praying would be less difficult, more accepted and more attractive.

“Remember and think about the fact that it was at Gethsemane that I have asked them to pray with Me. I did not ask them to do so at Tabor but at Gethsemane, and you should understand why. But if you are not awake, attentive and watching, how can you possibly pray with Me? You are overcome by sleep, and you also will sleep and be assailed by temptation, because you have not accepted My invitation to pray with Me.

“Ah, Peter, Peter! What an example of human frailty you have left to the world that does not yet understand the great misery you suffered then at that time! You were ready to die for Me and [yet] you put yourself before all, demonstrating the pride you were filled with then. “The others, yes,” you said, “but I will not betray you.” And instead, the others did not fall as low as you fell. They were fainthearted but they did not deny Me as openly, as you have done, My Peter. And why was that?

“Because you did not remain with Me praying, so My enemy made you fall by making use of some poor people, but above all because of your failure to be united with Me.

“Peter! Peter of My Heart! Oh, My little and most beloved Peter! Throughout the entire world until the end of time your weakness and My Mercy will be alluded to. But all those who wish to follow Me: reflect on the fact that the triple fall of Peter arose from the vanity that separated him from Me, and which prevented him from praying, because those who believe they need help, do pray, and not those who are vain enough to think themselves strong.

“Remain with Me. Let us pray together, that is, I will pray in you and for you, since that is really the meaning of My request. I assure you that you will be heard and at the same time, you will be protected.”**

Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

**13) When the soldiers approached, I said to them: “I Am!” These same words I repeat now to the soul who is about to fall into temptation: “I Am,” there is still time and if you want, I will forgive you. And instead of your binding Me with the ropes of sin, I am He who will bind you with the bonds of Love.

1. Come, I am He who loves you; the One who has so much compassion for your weaknesses; the One who is anxiously waiting to receive you in His arms.**

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[josh987654321]

Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

1) …Look at Me, My beloved ones. Letting Myself be led with the meekness of a lamb to the terrible torture of the scourging. On My Body, already covered with blows and overwhelmed with fatigue, the executioners cruelly discharge terrible lashes with braided rope, with rods. They punish Me so violently that there was no part of Me which was not prey to the most terrible pain… The blows and the kicks caused Me countless wounds… The rods tore away pieces of My skin and flesh. Blood flowed from all My limbs. Time after time I fell because of the pain caused by the blows to My manliness. My Body was in such a state that I resembled a monster more than a man. The features of My face had lost their shape; it was all swollen.

Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

**2) When the arms of those cruel men were exhausted by the violence of discharging blows against My Body, they placed upon My head a crown woven with branches of thorns, and parading before Me they said: “So you are a King? We salute you!”

1. Some spat at Me; others insulted Me; still others dealt further blows to My head, each one adding a new pain to My Body, so battered and destroyed.
2. I am tired; I have nowhere to rest. Lend Me your heart and your arms to cover Myself in your love. I am cold and feverish; embrace Me for an instant before they continue destroying this temple of Love.**

Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

**5) The fatigue that I feel is so great and the Cross so heavy that halfway along the path, I fall from weakness. See how those inhuman men lift Me up in the most brutal manner. One grabs My arm, another pulls My clothes that are stuck to My wounds, tearing them open again… This one grabs Me by the neck, another by the hair; others discharge dreadful blows to My whole Body, with their fists, and even with their feet. The Cross falls upon Me and with its weight causes new wounds. My face is scraped by the stones in the road and the blood which runs down My face sticks to My eyes that are almost closed because of the blows they have received. The dust and the mud mingle with the blood and I am turned into the most repugnant of objects.

1. My Father sends Angels to help support Me so that My Body does not lose consciousness when it falls, so that the battle may not be won before its time and all My souls are lost.
2. I walk over the stones that destroy My feet. I stumble and fall time and time again. I look at both sides of the road, searching for the slightest look of love, of surrender, of union with My pain, but… I do not see anyone.
3. My children, you who follow in My footsteps, do not let go of your cross no matter how heavy it seems to you. Do it for Me because by carrying your cross, you will help Me carry Mine, and on the difficult path, you will find My Mother and the holy souls who will give you encouragement and comfort.**

Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

Three times I have fallen along the way: once to give sinners used to sinning the strength to convert; another to give encouragement to souls who fall because of being frail and to souls who are blinded by sadness and restlessness, encouraging them to rise and embark with courage upon the path of virtue; and the third time, to help souls depart from sin at the hour of their death.

http://s15.postimg.org/s9fu5lkbv/Crucifixion.jpg
Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

**Contemplate My wounds and see if there is anyone who has suffered as much as I, to show their love…

Contemplate for a moment these bloodstained hands and feet… This naked body, covered with wounds, with urine, and blood. Dirty… This head punctured by sharp thorns, soaked in sweat, full of dust, and covered in Blood…

Contemplate your Jesus, hanging on the Cross, without being able to make the slightest movement… naked, without fame, without honor, without liberty…

Contemplate Me in the image of the Christ that weeps and bleeds. There and in this way the world has Me.**

Jesus to Catalina:

The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf

13) My children, poor sinners! Do not distance yourselves from Me. I wait for you night and day at the Tabernacle. I will not reproach you for your crimes; I will not throw your sins in your face. What I will do is to wash you with the Blood of My wounds. Do not be afraid; come to Me. You do not know how much I love you.

In the Old Testament, the people used to offer sacrifices to God in order to atone for their sins.

Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others. Matthew 9:13
Jesus to Catalina:

The Great Crusade of Mercy - loveandmercy.org/Eng-CM-Reg.pdf

11) Mercy is love, My child. It is union with God and union with God is the certitude of victory and an everlasting abundance of virtues. Mercy is the unquestionable proof of love for Me.

I hope all of this has helped you, and I apologise for the length.

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh