Cristy Li

I shall Thank You for in an awesome, wondrous way I was fashioned;
Your works are wondrous and my soul knows it very well! –Tehillim – Psalm 139:14
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The Inescapable God

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

You discern my thoughts from far away.

You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue,

O Lord You know it completely.

You hem me in, behind and before

and lay Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is so high that I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to Heaven (the heavens) You are there:

If I make my bed in in Sheol (the grave) You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning

and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,

even there Your hand shall lead me

and Your right hand shall hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me

and the light around me becomes night,”

even the darkness is not dark to You;

The night is as bright as the day,

for darkness is as light to You.

For it was You who formed my inward parts;

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are Your works;

that I know very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my unformed substance (body)

In Your book were written

all the days that were formed for me,

when none of them as yet existed.

How weighty to me are Your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

I try to count them — they are more than the sand;

I come to the end, I am still with You.

O that You would kill the wicked, O God

and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me

those who speak of You maliciously

and lift themselves up against You for evil!

Do I not hate those (Your enemies) who hate You, O Lord?

Do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

I hate them with perfect hatred;

I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God and know my heart;

Test me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any wicked way in me

and lead me in the way of everlasting. –Psalm 139:1-24

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by His Blood,
will we be saved through Him from the wrath of God. –Romans 5:8-9

Result of Being Justified by Faith is Peace With God

Since we are justified by faith we have peace with God through Our Lord Jesus Christ, through who we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand and we boast in our hope of sharing the Glory of God! Not only that but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed rarely will anyone die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die but God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by His Blood, will we be saved through Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life but more than that, we even boast in God through Our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Adam and Christ

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man and death came through sin and so death spread to all because all have sinned — (See: Romans 3:23; 6:23) sin was indeed in the world before the Law (of Moses) but sin is not reckoned when there is no Law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come but the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the One Man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many and the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation  but the free gift following many trespasses (sins) brings justification. If because of the one man’s trespass (sin) death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the One Man, Jesus Christ!

Therefore just as one man’s trespass (sin) led to condemnation for all, so One Man’s (Jesus Christ) act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by one man’s (Adam) disobedience the many were sinners so by the One Man’s (Jesus Christ) obedience the many will be made righteous but Law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification, leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord! –Romans 5:1-21

Jesus The True Vine

Jesus proclaimed, “I am the True Vine and My Father is the vine-grower, He removes every branch in Me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleaned by the Word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in Me and I in them bear much fruit because apart from Me you can do nothing.

Whoever does not abide in Me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you, abide in My love. If you keep My Commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s Commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

This is My Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I Command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing but I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. You did not choose me but I chose you and I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name. I am giving you these Commands so that you may love one another.”

The World’s Hatred

“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own — Because you do not belong to the world but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the Word that I said to you, ‘Servant’s are not greater than their master.’ (See: Matthew 10:24; Luke 6:40; John 13:16) If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; If they kept the Word, they will keep yours also but they will do all these things to you on account of My Name because they do not know Him who sent Me.

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin
but now they have no excuse for their sin.

Whoever hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. It was to fulfill the Word that is written in the Law, ‘They hated Me without cause.’
(See: Psalm 35:19; 69:4; 109:3)

When the Advocate (Holy Spirit) comes whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, He will testify on My behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with Me from the beginning.” –John 15:1-26

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the Word of Life!  CF. Philippians 2:15D, 16A
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Prayer to God — Triumphant Song of Confidence

Your face Lord do I seek! (Psalm 27:8B)

The Lord is my light and my Salvation!

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life

of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me

to devour my flesh — my adversaries and foes

they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

Though war rise up against me,

yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after;

To live in the House of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in His Temple.

For He will hide me in His shelter

in the day of trouble;

He will conceal me under the cover of His tent;

He will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up

above my enemies all around me

and I will offer in His Tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy!

I will sing and make melody to the Lord!

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud

be gracious to me and answer me!

“Come,” my heart says, “seek His face!”

Your face, Lord, do I seek.

Do not hide Your face from me.

Do not turn Your servant away in anger,

you who have been my help.

Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,

O God of my salvation!

If my father and mother forsake me,

the Lord will take me up — (gathers me in. –Tehillim 27:10)

Teach me Your way, O Lord

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,

for false witnesses have risen against me

and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage

(He will give your heart courage; —Tehillim 27:14)

Wait for the Lord! –Psalm 27:1-14

Imitating Jesus Christ’s Humility

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the

Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete; Be of the same mind, having the

same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit

but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own

interests but to the interests of others. (See: Luke631) Let the same mind be in you that was in

Christ Jesus, who though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as

something to be exploited but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in

human likeness and being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became obedient to

the point of death — even death on a Cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend in Heaven and on earth and under the earth

and every tongue should confess that Christ Jesus is Lord!

To the glory of God the Father! –Philippians 2:1-11

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all day long. –Psalm 25:4-5

Prayer For God’s Care
Song of Trust and Security in God

Protect me, O God, for in You I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are My Lord;

I have no good apart from You!”

As for the holy ones in the land, they are noble

in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;

Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup,

You hold my lot (You guide my destiny! –Tehillim 16:5)

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

I have a good heritage.

I bless the Lord who give me counsel;

In the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me

because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices;

My body also rests secure.

For You do not give me up to Sheol

or let Your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.

In Your presence there is fullness of joy!

In Your right hand are pleasures forevermore! –Psalm 16:1-11

The Law and the Prophets

Jesus ministered, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;

I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away,

not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these Commandments and teaches others to do

the same, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven but whoever does them and teaches

them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”  –Matthew 5:17-19

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. –Psalm 119:105
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• Jesus ministered, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven!” –Matthew 5:16
  

Prayer To God

Lord, let the light of Your face shine on us! (Psalm 4:6B)

Answer me when I call, O God of my right!

You gave me room when I was in distress.

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

How long you people, shall my honor suffer shame?

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? 

Lord, let the light of Your face shine in us! (Psalm 4:6B)

Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself;

The Lord hears when I call on Him.

When you are disturbed, do not sin;

Ponder it on your beds and be silent.

Lord, let the light of Your face shine on us! (Psalm 4:6B)

Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord!

There are many who say, “O that we might see some good!

Let the light of Your face shine on us, O Lord!”

You have put gladness in my heart

more than when their grain and wine abound.

Lord, let the light of Your face shine on us! (Psalm 4:6B)

I will both lie down and sleep in peace;

For You alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety. Amen!  –Psalm 4:1-8

Salt & Light

Jesus taught, “You are the salt of the earth but if salt has lost its taste. how can its saltiness be

restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are

the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it

under the bushel basket but on the lampstand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same

way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to

Your Father in Heaven.” –Matthew 5:13-16

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB

Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit;
To God Who is, Who was and Who is to come. –CF. Revelation 1:8
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Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our ancestors

and to be praised and highly exalted forever!

Blessed is Your glorious, Holy Name

and to be highly praised and highly exalted forever!

Blessed are You in the Temple of Your Holy Glory

and to be extolled and highly glorified forever!

Blessed are You who look into the depths from Your Throne on the cherubim

and to be praised and highly exalted forever!

Blessed are You on the Throne of Your Kingdom

and to be extolled and highly exalted forever!

Blessed are You in the firmament of Heaven

and to be sung and glorified forever!

Bless the Lord, all You Works of the Lord;

Sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever! –Daniel 3:52-57

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him may bot perish but may have eternal life.

Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world
but in order that the world might be saved through Him. –John 3:16-17

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Visit: -USCCB

Jesus: “Those who love Me will keep My Word and My Father will love them,
We will come to them and make Our home with them.” –John 14:23
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• I treasure Your Word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You. –Psalm 119:11
  

Great peace have those who love Your Law,

nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165)

Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

yet I do not swerve from Your Decrees.

Great peace have those who love Your Law,

nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165)

I look at the faithless with disgust

because they do not keep Your Commands.

Consider how I love Your Precepts;

Preserve my life according to Your steadfast love.

The sum of Your Word is truth

and every one of Your righteous Ordinances endures forever!

Great peace have those who love Your Law,

nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165)

Princes persecute me without cause

but my heart stands in awe of Your Words!

Great peace have those who love Your Law,

nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165)

I rejoice at Your Word

like one who finds great spoil.

I hate and abhor falsehood

but I love Your Law!

Seven times a day I praise You

for Your righteous Ordinances.

Great peace have those who love Your Law,

nothing can make them stumble.

I hope for Your Salvation, O Lord

and I fulfill Your Commandments.

My soul keeps Your Decrees,

I love them exceedingly!

Great peace have those who love Your Law,

nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165)

I keep Your Precepts and Decrees,

for all my ways are before You! –Psalm 119:157-168

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Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in Me, even though they die will live
and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” –John 11:25-26A

Supplication For Mercy — The Psalmist’s Trust in God

A Song of Ascents

To You I lift up my eyes,

O You who are enthroned in the heavens!

As the eyes of Your servants

look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of the maid

to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the Lord Our God,

until He has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,

for we have had more than enough of contempt.

Our soul has had more than its fill

of the scorn of those who are at ease,

of the contempt of the proud. –Psalm 123:1-4

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB