Cristy Li

Do you not know that You are God’s Temple
and that God’s Spirit dwells in You?
If anyone destroys God’s Temple, God will destroy that person.
For God’s Temple is Holy and You are that Temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17

For we are God’s servants, working together; You are God’s field, God’s building. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Do you not know that You are God’s Temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in You?

If anyone destroys God’s Temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s Temple is Holy and You are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,

“He catches the wise in their craftiness,” (Job 5:13) again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, they are futile.” (Psalm 94:11)

So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours…you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God.
–1 Corinthians 3:9;11;16-22

Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled
and the Kingdom of God has come near;
Repent and Believe in the Good News!”
Mark 1:15

• You may know the Joy of Salvation,
  Forgiveness of your sins and Eternal Life
  in Heaven Today, through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

God said to him (the Rich man) “You fool!
This very night your life is being demanded of you
and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”  –Luke 12:20-21

From Death To Life

You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of the world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else but God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; It is the gift of God, not the result of works so that no one may boast. For we are what He has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.  –Ephesians 2:1-10

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Someone in the crowd said to Him (Jesus), ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ Jesus said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?”

Jesus then ministered to the crowd, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then Jesus told them a parable:

“The land of a rich man produced abundantly and he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this. I will pull down my barns and build larger ones and there I will store all my grain and my goods and I will say to my soul, soul you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink and be merry.’ God (then) said to him, “You fool! This very night you life is being demanded of you and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”  –Luke 12:13-21

Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come near; Repent and Believe in the Good News!”  –Mark 1:15

If you were to die this day, where will you spend your eternity? You may know the Joy of Salvation Today, Forgiveness of Sins and the Assurance of Eternal Life through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

For God so loved the world (mankind) that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who Believes in Him may not 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 may be Saved through Him!

Those who Believe in Him are not condemned (to Hell) but those who do not Believe are condemned already because they have not Believed in the Name (Jesus) the only Son of God.  –John 3:16-18

Image Courtesy: I Love Jesus & Mary

Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that this Man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is:

‘The Stone that was rejected by you (See: Isaiah 53:3-12) the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’

There is Salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under Heaven given among mortals (See: Philippians 2:10) by which we must be saved.  –Acts 4:10-12

• You May Know the Joy of Salvation, Forgiveness of Sins and the Assurance of Eternal Life in Heaven Today
  Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

For by Grace you have been saved through Faith and this is not of your own doing; It is the Gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what He made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life!

So then you are no longer stranger and aliens but you are citizens with the Saint’s and also members of the Household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a Holy Temple in the Lord! In whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place of God.
–Ephesians 2:8-10; 19-22

The New Commandment

Jesus: “I give you a new Commandment,
that you love one another.

Just as I have loved you, (See: John 3:16; 1 John 4:9)
you also should love one another.

By this everyone will know
that you are My Disciples,
if you have love for one another.” –John 13:34-35
Image Courtesy: –Invisible People

• You May Know the Joy of Salvation, the Assurance of Forgiveness of Sins and Eternal Life in Heaven Today
  Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

Brothers and Sisters:

“Rejoice in the Lord always,

I shall say it again, rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all!

The Lord is near.

Have no anxiety at all but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving

make your requests known to God.

Then by the peace of God

that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally — 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.

Keep on doing what you have learned, received,

heard and seen in me. (St. Paul)

Then the God of peace will be with you.” 

–Philippians 4:4-9

Originally Published at ChurchPOP

Jesus speaking to Thomas said,
“I am the way, the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.” –John 14:6
Image Courtesy: Ascension Press

Jesus Teaches in Parables — The Parable of the Weeds

Jesus ministered, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field but while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ An enemy did this, the owner replied. The servant’s asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.

At that time I will tell the harvester’s: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’

The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

Jesus continued teaching, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Jesus continued, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables, He did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the Prophet:

• “I will open my mouth in parables,
  I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” (See: Psalm 78:2)
  

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. Jesus’ Disciples came to Him and said, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.’ Jesus answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world and the good seed stands for the people of His Kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one (demons) and the enemy who sows them is the devil (Satan). The harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels and they will weed out of His Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them them into the blazing furnace, (Hell) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

Jesus taught, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

The Parable of the Net

Jesus continued, “Once again. the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in the baskets but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw (the wicked) them into the blazing furnace, (Hell) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Have you understood all these things?

‘Yes,’ they replied.

Jesus said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the Law who has become a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasure as well as old.” –Matthew 13:24-52

• You May Know the Joy of Salvation, Forgiveness of Sins
  and Eternal Life Today Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

Related: For the Most Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Rose of Lima, Visit: -USCCB

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,
for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.  –Hebrews 13:16
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez

• Jesus taught, “Give to everyone who begs from you
  and do not refuse anyone
  who wants to borrow from you.”  –Matthew 5:42

• Jesus taught us, “Do to others
  as you would have them do to you.” –Luke 6:31

What good is it my brothers and sisters,
if you say you have faith but do not have works?
Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and
lacks daily food and one of you says to them,
“Go in peace; Keep warm and eat your fill,”
yet you do not supply their bodily needs,
what is the good of that?
So faith by itself, if it has no works is dead.  –James 2:14-17

• You May Know the Joy of Salvation,
  Forgiveness of Sins and Eternal Life Today
  Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have Eternal Life. –John 3:15-16
Image Courtesy: Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal World

God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Those who believe in Him (Jesus) are not condemned but those who do not believe are condemned already because they have not believed in the Name of the only Son of God and this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.

For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed but those who do what is true come to the light so that it may be clearly seenthat their deeds have been done in God.  John 3:17-21

Prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favor

Lord, You were favorable to Your land;

You restored the fortunes of Jacob.

You forgave the iniquity of Your people;

You pardoned all their sin.

You withdrew all Your wrath;

You turned from Your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation

and put away Your indignation toward us.

Will You be angry with us forever?

Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?

Will You not revive us again,

so that Your people may rejoice in You?

Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord

and grant us Your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

for He will speak peace to His people,

to His faithful, to those who turn to Him in their hearts.

Surely His salvation is at hand for those who fear Him,

that His glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;

Righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground

and Righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good

and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before Him

and will make a path for His steps.  Amen!  –Psalm 85:1-13

• GOOD NEWS! You May Have the Joy of Salvation
  and Assurance of Eternal Life Today in Christ Jesus!