Our Lady of Angels Association

by Michael January 9, 2013

Listen, God, to my prayer; do not hide from my pleading;
hear me and give answer.
I rock with grief; I groan at the uproar of the enemy,
the clamor of the wicked.
They heap trouble upon me, savagely accuse me.

But I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.
At dusk, dawn, and noon I will grieve and complain,
and my prayer will be heard.
God will give me freedom and peace from those who war against me,
though there are many who oppose me.

My safety and glory are with God, my strong rock and refuge. Trust God at all times, my people! Pour out your hearts to God our refuge. Mortals are a mere breath, and the powerful but an illusions; On a balance they rise; together they are lighter than air. Do not trust in extortion; in plunder put no empty hope. Though wealth increase, do not set your heart upon it. One thing God has said; two things I have heard: power belongs to God; so too, Lord, does kindness, and you render to each of us according to our deeds.

Psalm 62 continued – verses 8-13

Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself and enemy of God. Or do you suppose that the scripture speaks without meaning when it says, “The spirit that he has made to dwell in us tends toward jealousy?” But he bestows a greater grace; therefore it says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:4-6

Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. Rather, we have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God, but by the open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-6

So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

II Corinthians 5:6-10

O God, you are my God – for you I long! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, like a land parched, lifeless, and without water. So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. For your love is better that life; my lips offer you worship! I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my mouth shall honor you. When I think of you upon my bed, through the night watches I will recall that you indeed are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:2-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I 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 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 and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

I hate every hypocrite; your teaching I love. You are my refuge and shield; in your word I hope. Depart from me, you wicked, that I may observe the commands of my God. Sustain me by your promise that I may live; do not disappoint me in my hope. Strengthen me that I may be safe, ever to contemplate your laws. You reject all who stray from your laws, for vain is their deceit. Like dross you regard all the wicked on earth; therefore I love your decrees. My flesh shudders with dread of you; I hold your edicts in awe.

Psalm 119 continued – verses 113-120

Wait eagerly for the Lord, and keep to the way; God will raise you to possess the land; you will gloat when the wicked are cut off. I have seen ruthless scoundrels, strong as flourishing cedars. When I passed by again, they were gone; though I searched, they could not be found. Observe the honest, mark the upright; those at peace with God have a future. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off. The salvation of the just is from the Lord, their refuge in time of distress. The Lord helps and rescues them, rescues and saves them from the wicked, because in God they take refuge.

Psalm 37 continued – verses 34-40

This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.

I John 4:13-16

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off (the Gentiles) have become near by the blood of Christ. He came and preached peace to you who were far off (Gentiles) and peace to those who were near (Jews), for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:13, 17-22