Covenant of Hope is an online ministry developed as a mission for Christians and Others who are disabled, disadvantaged, displaced or disenchanted in this world. Our motto is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear, together as the rainbow in the darkness.
Patience is a virtue. Many
say phooey. People say waiting is for the birds. What does God say? Yesterday I proved that patience, even in the ministers of God, would sometimes be hard to come by. Why
is that? We’re human, and sure we can be optimistic, but we also have to be
realistic.
Isaiah 40:31
KJV -But
they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up
with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint.
Five verses, yes I said
five, tell us to wait on the Lord. There is one that say the Lord waits. Here
is that one.
Isaiah 30:18
KJV -And
therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore
will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of
judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Why is it we can't be
patient and manage the first but God can always manage the second? Yesterday I
said I was cranky. Today I laid there in my bed in the darkest of darkness for
an hour before my husband's alarm went off. I laid there, staring at the
ceiling and wondering, LORD, what happened to the patience? Why can't I seem to
hang on to that patience? The answer is right up there above and in the rest of
the verses.
It takes five times as
many reminders for us to wait on Him, than it takes to prove He does that
already. Like is often said, in one ear and out the other, we might listen, but
sometimes, in fact many times, we may not hear.
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and
Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all
that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.
Covenant of Hope
Ministries Sunday Sermon_8_25_2013
Good afternoon,
and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev.
Laura A. Neff, and the ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. You can find
us posted on Sundays. These are our locations online only:
We have
email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook available every day, and
these are now extremely variable. We’re still working this out between the two
of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will be informing
you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made due to
health reasons. There will be live sermons, and the sermon length will be
shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that might be. Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain
anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer
list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.
- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair as she is in hospice.
She has her good days and her bad days. Her tumor has come back, and they don’t
know what will happen right now. She is at home with the hospice care, but it
is very hard on the family.
- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe
haven.
- Let us keep another friend, Jeff, and his family in prayer
after a disappointment that has them searching for answers.
- Please keep Jeff’s niece Jennifer and her baby in your
prayers. Jennifer was beaten within an inch of her life. Praise God she and the
baby have survived, bruised, but alive. Pray that she heals well. Her attacker
has been caught.
- Please pray for my mother’s neighbor whose house exploded
earlier this month. Pray for his health as he was diagnosed with cancer at the
same time.
- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering,
and chaos we are going through.
- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the
world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many
ways, even if we start with just one step.
- Remember those who have been lost either violently or
peacefully this week.
- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter
their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry,
should support one another.
- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in
regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray
that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and
for all.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we
thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We bring
those who are ill, in sorrow, in fear, in pain, in disbelief and all the rest
up into Your arms knowing You are the Healer. We bring to you those who are
sick, and those who are lost. We bring those who are friends, family, and yes,
our enemies all that are in our hearts, up to Your arms. We pray for health,
faith, strength, and hope, in all things, everywhere, always. We do so in Your
Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit,
Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Casting Crowns - All
Because of Jesus
Sermon: This week I read something very
interesting. It provides so much when you put it in the context of this
particular psalm, and in fact this particular segment. In this article it
shared how those with a lot would not just give it to their posterity. Like
them, they would earn it. The title of this sermon says earn it while you learn
it or lose it if you choose it. You can choose to earn and learn, or to lose.
It doesn’t mean you’ll win every time. It does mean you can have the hope to
first earn, then learn, and win, if nothing else, knowledge. They would give
away eighty or more percent of their net worth. The rest would go to their
families. What does this share? Well, it shows how good it can be when we
listen, hear, and understand. You’ll see part of that realization in our first
few verses in Psalm 49:10-13 KJV – For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and
the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for
ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after
their own names.
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the
beast that perish.
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their
sayings. Selah.
To all
generations it says, generation and generation, on and on, yet, just to give to
one part of the family, or simply the family is not what is wanted in God’s
eyes. At the end of these verses you see posterity approving the sayings, think
about it this way, they are gaining delight in their mouths. In other words,
they are only thinking of themselves and their families immediate, not all the
rest. You see it further when you look here in the next verse.
Psalm 49:14 KJV – Like sheep they are laid in the grave;
death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the
morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
You see
this death feeding on them, their beauty shall consume them, their strength,
look at it this way, their strength in what they want actually would consume
them body, mind, spirit, and soul. We often think about judgment in one way or
another. What we don’t look at would in fact be that we aren’t to judge one
another, in place of judging one another, use your own good judgment. Let’s see
how that is shared in these verses.
Daniel 7:22 KJV – Until the Ancient of days came, and
judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the
saints possessed the kingdom.
The
kingdom, who will possess it? The
saints. Who will see this? The Jews and
the Gentiles will. While on that path there are those God and Jesus will follow
up with what has been shared here in Malachi 4:3
KJV – And ye shall tread down the wicked;
for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do
this, saith the LORD of hosts.
We don’t
want to think about the possibility of being walked over, crushed under another
person’s feet. Yet, this is what very well could be in the view of truth and
fallacy versus liars, fools, and the rest of the wicked.
Luke 22:30 KJV –That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on
thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
I Corinthians 6:2 KJV – Do ye not know that the saints shall judge
the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge
the smallest matters?
II Timothy 2:12 KJV – If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us:
These
three verses share quite a lot in regard to how we use judgement and how God
and Jesus would. There is a difference. It isn’t a pretty difference either. We
see it again here in Revelation 2:20 KJV –Notwithstanding I have a
few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which
calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit
fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
How many
times have we looked at something and decided I need it, when you truly just
want it. There is a difference. The
reference to Jezebel shares just how bad it could be should we do more than
stray, destroy that which has been built through the hands of God. When we
listen and hear good things can happen.
This is shared here in Hosea 13:14 KJV – I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will
redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy
destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
There are
so many things we could look at in regard to this particular verse. It is
taunting death. What is it also doing? It is proving that Jesus is coming. It
is validating faith, hope, and unconditional love, even in the midst of the
worst situations. We can only look at it with logic to determine the best route
to pursue. Listen up and hear what He’s saying. This is something that
translates through every generation. It is the same with inheritance, family
member to family member. When I was describing the article, the ones who have
chosen only to make sure their family can get by and given away the rest, they
did so on purpose. They gave back thanks
to us giving them the opportunity to see the best in a terrible situation. Now,
that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us
saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father
which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and
Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all
that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.
Covenant of Hope
Ministries Sunday Sermon_8_18_2013
Good
afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I
am Rev. Laura A. Neff, and the ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. You
can find us posted on Sundays. These are our locations online only:
We have
email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook available every day, and
these are now extremely variable. We’re still working this out between the two
of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will be
informing you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made
due to health reasons. There will be live sermons, and the sermon length will
be shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that might be. Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain
anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer
list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.
- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair as she is in hospice.
She has her good days and her bad days. Her tumor has come back, and they don’t
know what will happen right now. She is at home with the hospice care, but it
is very hard on the family.
- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe
haven.
- Please pray for my mother’s neighbor whose house exploded
earlier this week. Pray for his health as he was diagnosed with cancer at the
same time.
- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering,
and chaos we are going through.
- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the
world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many
ways, even if we start with just one step.
- Remember those who have been lost either violently or
peacefully this week.
- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter
their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry,
should support one another.
- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in
regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray
that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and
for all.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we
thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We bring
our friends, our families, and those who have requested prayers up to You as
You and Your grace in unconditional love can bring hope to those in need. Heal
those who have been wounded or have fallen ill. Bring solace to those who are
in pain and sorrow. Bring the gift of Your Unconditional Love toward those who
see it, and those who do not, so that learning and wisdom would bring so much
to the hearts of many. We know You can do anything. We know You can hear our prayers,
our wishes, and more. We praise Your Holy Name in the grace of Jesus Christ
through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen and so it shall be.
Sermon: Sometimes we forget that there are
things more worthwhile or more precious than, say your computer, your
television, things like that. There are those who would say they can’t live
without them. Then there are others who would say the opposite. The thing is,
there would be one thing you can’t live without. That gift is life itself. Life
is born of love. These are far more precious gifts than anything else. They are
far more important than anything you’ll find outside of that. See what this
leads to when you read the next verses shared here. Then see where it changes
but doesn’t change when you see it written in the NIV.
Psalm 49:5-9 KJV – Wherefore should I fear in the days of
evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the
multitude of their riches;
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to
God a ransom for him:
(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth
for ever: )
That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
Psalm 49:5-9 NIV – Why should I fear when evil days come, when
wicked deceivers surround me –
those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches.
No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom
for him –
the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough –
that he should live on forever and not see decay.
It’s the truth, we should not fear the
chaos we see around us, because Jesus is there where we need Him. He is of God,
as we are of Him. So, think of it this way. Jesus and God are like the storm
shelter of life. Sure, it may make us feel helpless and alone when the
electricity goes out, the phone stops working, the internet decides to freeze
up, but those are far less important than life itself. Those are the days God
wants us to sit out in the shade and watch the wind blow, or listen to the rain
as it hits the roof.
We, all of us, have experienced that.
Some as early as this morning, or perhaps it was yesterday, even last week.
Life is more costly than things. There is nothing that can pay enough or buy
enough when it comes to life. I once heard someone say this, but can’t remember
this. You can’t equate money with life. There is nothing more precious than
life and not enough money in the world could make up for the tragic loss of
that life. It doesn’t matter how many lives, even just one when it comes to
murder, war, even a hurricane. There are many additional views found in these
follow up verses. They were put in both versions for many reasons. You can see
those just in the writing of the first set.
Jeremiah 3:19 KJV – But I said, How shall I put thee among the
children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of
nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away
from me.
Jeremiah 3:19 NIV – I myself said, “How gladly would I treat
you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of
any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from
following me.
Imagine, well sometimes we see it in our
lives, those we have worked so hard for and done so much for have literally
thrown that assistance away, all but in your face. This is how God feels in
regard to the Jews. If it weren’t for the grace of our Savior, what would he
think of us now? We fight to share what “we” believe is right when it should be
seeing where HE is coming from. There is a difference.
Lamentations 2:15 KJV – All that pass by clap their hands at thee;
they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the
city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
Lamentations 2:15 NIV – All who pass your way clap their hands at
you; they scoff and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “is this
the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?”
Why would they scorn, scoff, even shake
their heads at Jerusalem? Well, why do
we do the same when it comes to others? It’s because there are things we should
do, and things we shouldn’t. There are things we are willing to see, and then
there are things we don’t want to see. The same can be said with, hearing,
doing, believing, and so much more. If you were to quite literally “tell the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” as many would promise on the
stand when it comes to court and justice, here in this country at least, it
would be hard for you, for us. Why is that? The truth is never the same from
one person to the other. Like a story, the view of it changes every time it is
told, written, or read.
Ezekiel 20:6 KJV – In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto
them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied
for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
Ezekiel 20:6 NIV – On that day I swore to them, I swore to
them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and
honey, the most beautiful of all lands.
Milk and honey, they are healthy things,
they are nourishing, but this isn’t just in the food we see in the refrigerator
or on the shelf. Think about them as more than that. Yet, we exploit that gift.
We hoard it and don’t, won’t share it with others. Everyone says “stop world
hunger” but the offers barely touch the problem. It is because we forgot what
it means to help one another, to give to a brother, a sister who needs
something and you have more than enough. It doesn’t matter what it is, food,
clothing, shelter, a hug, a bath, or just the sound of someone else’s voice. We
don’t realize how much of a gift all of those would be, or even just one, and
it doesn’t matter how much or how little. The gift that Jerusalem was intended
to be was one that would be for all, shared by all, equally. It didn’t happen
the way.
Isaiah 14:13 KJV – For thou hast said in thine heart, I will
ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit
also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isaiah 14:13 NIV – You said in your heart, “I will ascend to
heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on
the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
How can we live above the heavens? God lives IN the sacred mountain which is IN
the heavens. We cannot, should not be above God, as He created us, it wasn’t
the other way around. Jerusalem and those living there wanted more than what
was deserved. The intention was shared yet again by our Savior here in these
verses.
Matthew 5:35 KJV –Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool:
neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Matthew 5:35 NIV –Or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by
Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
The city of the Great King, Jerusalem,
this is what it should be, how it should be. Yet, no one would let it be that
way. We tend to want to shape things in the way WE alone see would be right. It
should be, WE ALL see what is right, in the same view, His view. Free will
gives us the opportunity to see, hear, listen, and do as He would do the same.
You see, God hurts when we hurt. He cries when we cry. He laughs when we laugh.
He loves when we love, but He also loves us anyway, no matter what we do.
That’s the difference between us. We forget to love one another regardless of
what is done. We’re human, sure we’re not perfect, but we are at the same time
because we have the grace of Jesus, the gift of life through His sacrifice. If
we want to learn from the errors of our forefathers, first we must listen,
hear, understand, and then go and do something about it. Now, that’s something
to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)
Our
mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to
exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear
together as the rainbow in the darkness.
Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our sermon or
midweek study. You will normally see us posted on Sunday and Wednesday. I am
Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love. It
doesn’t conform to society’s wishes. This ministry shares the Word of God, the
Spirit of Christ Jesus. Those who know me well will recognize that there are
definitive differences in the creation of every sermon from this point forward.
It is God’s will that has brought this to be. We wish only that God’s truth
will be shared within His words as brought to us by the Spirit as it fills my
heart, mind, and soul to be shared with my hands, but with His words alone.
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list.
Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names
mentioned. Our prayer list grows or changes every week. This is our current
list.
- Please pray for Elder Cal Jennings who has been suffering
greatly with his health. May the Lord bring his spirits up and help heal him.
- Please pray for relief in the trials and tribulations for those in the ministry and our friends as we all have had a great many. Jesus may your grace surround us and give us solace.
- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what
tomorrow brings.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through
the Spirit.
- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows
bring blessings and pray our own be the same.
- Pray for those suffering as a result of the terrors that
have occurred just this past week around this world.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today is
to have the Spirit bring clarity to each of our decisions. We thank You for
that gift and the many more You have brought us. May our fears be drawn out of
us. Help us to see the many gifts Your love brings and the unknown locations it
might be found. May our pain and sorrow be eased. May peace be brought from our
hearts and shared with others. May Your gifts of love shine through us toward
others. We pray for the poor, the sick, the sorrowful, the wounded, and the
frightened. We pray for the soldiers, the Samaritans, the children, and the
rest. We pray in thanksgiving for every gift brought us. We pray that every
tomorrow bring good things. For each of these we pray in Your Holy Name,
through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so
it shall be.
Sermon:There are
days we have to wonder what in the world we’re going to do. We feel lost, and
afraid. We forget that to fear not will bring us solace, comfort, and strength
in the face of all that pains us, torments us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV
- Be strong and of a good
courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God,
he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
It’s hard
to remember this. We are afraid of many things. We fear so many things, when in
truth, in life we should not fear because God is here. You’ve heard the song
Angels Among Us. Well, who sends those angels? God does, of course. He did when
Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit. He did when Jacob wrestled the angel.
That is in Genesis. There is another verse in Ephesians that speaks of our
wrestling.
Ephesians 6:12 KJV -For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wickedness
can be all sorts of things, and we often wrestle with our thoughts, say biting
our tongues, walking away, or even stopping a conversation in its tracks. It is
not easy for us to keep our anger from taking over. The same can be said about
leaving our faith behind. If we do that, we sink into that place where we can
be swallowed up and away from truth. That’s why we have prayer, friends, and
God’s angels who may bring us a message even though we might not see them, hear
them, or feel them, God’s angels are there. He sent them because He loves us
unconditionally. So, when you wrestle with your feelings, your biting your
tongue when you want to lash out, or walking away to avoid the worst things,
remember, God is with you. Think about it.
Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer
that Jesus taught us saying:
Our Father, which art in
heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will
be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily
bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Closing Song: Be Courageous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_VaiBLo3hg
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries is not to exploit
fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together
as the bringers of the light of Jesus found in the midst of darkness.
Covenant of Hope
Ministries Sunday Sermon_8_11_2013
Good
afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I
am Rev. Laura A. Neff, and the ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. You
can find us posted on Sundays. These are our locations online only:
We have
email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook available every day, and
these are now extremely variable. We’re still working this out between the two
of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will be
informing you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made
due to health reasons. There will be live sermons, and the sermon length will
be shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that might be. Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain
anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer
list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.
- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair as she is in hospice.
She has her good days and her bad days. Her tumor has come back, and they don’t
know what will happen right now. She is at home with the hospice care, but it
is very hard on the family.
- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the
world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many
ways, even if we start with just one step.
- Remember those who have been lost either violently or
peacefully this week.
- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter
their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry,
should support one another.
- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in
regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray
that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and
for all.
Birthday: Today is my mother’s birthday.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we
thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We thank
you for the gift of love and laughter that keeps our hearts singing. We pray
for those who are in pain or sorrow, suffering fear, trial, or tribulation. We
pray for those who have survived traumas or tragedies. We pray for those who
have died and those who have survived them that peace be with them all. We pray
this in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy
Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Sermon: Well, we’re here in a new Psalm.
We’ve studied quite a few. This one brings interesting thoughts to mind. We
start this Psalm with who is being spoken to. Title
Segment: Faith in the resurrection built on
God. To the chief Musician, A Psalm * for the sons of Korah
Here we
already have something to look at. The sons of Korah. For the sons of Korah could also be Of the sons of Korah.
Psalm 49:1-4: Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants
of the world:
Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart
shall be of understanding.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark sayings
upon the harp.
For one
thing, it shares the thought of all the inhabitants speaking only of humanity,
the people. It’s not just speaking of one segment, the poor, the middle, the
rich, those of high stature, or those of lowly. He wants them to hear, not just
to listen, but to hear. This author is sharing wisdom, but the only way for
this is to share the wisdom found in the quiet of a soul and understanding what
is being brought to us. We see that he’s speaking of a parable, a story that
relates to life itself, and then clearing the mind of those bad thoughts
everyone has.
Isaiah 2:2: And it shall come to pass in the last days that the
mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains,
and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it.
We are
seeing the thought of all nations, the city of God, the LORD’s house at the top
of the mountains. This is yet another view of the future, fortelling what shall
be in the last days. Why does this fit with the verse? Think just think, in the
last days ALL nations shall flow into it. There won’t be just one. That is what
people haven’t seen. You must remember that believing manages seeing. We cannot
see this future without believing it is there in the first place. All nations
will be one. They will be as God promised Jacob long, long ago.
Obadiah 17: But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there
shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
Everything
Jacob had, his children, his grandchildren, every animal he had, all that which
he would carry. He was called Israel. He would find everything that he would
need. That is the description of what will be when time ends, there will be no
night. All that has been suffered will be healed, and life will take on new
meaning. Why would this be? Well, Micah has shared it as many others have done.
The description breathes the breath of eternal life.
Micah 4:1But in the last days it shall come to pass, that
the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills;
It shall
be exalted above the hills. It shall be established at the top of the
mountains. A mountain ON TOP of the mountains. How intriguing that would be. Now,
that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us
saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father
which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and
Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all
that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.
Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our sermon or
midweek study. You will normally see us posted on Sunday and Wednesday. I am
Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love. It
doesn’t conform to society’s wishes. This ministry shares the Word of God, the
Spirit of Christ Jesus. Those who know me well will recognize that there are
definitive differences in the creation of every sermon from this point forward.
It is God’s will that has brought this to be. We wish only that God’s truth
will be shared within His words as brought to us by the Spirit as it fills my
heart, mind, and soul to be shared with my hands, but with His words alone.
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list.
Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names
mentioned. Our prayer list grows or changes every week. This is our current
list.
- Please pray for Elder Cal Jennings who has been suffering
greatly with his health. He has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, please pray that it is resolved in his physical therapy. May the Lord bring his spirits up and help heal him.
- Please pray for relief in the trials and tribulations for
Sister Theresa and myself as we have had a great many over the past year and
more.
- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what
tomorrow brings.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through
the Spirit.
- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows
bring blessings and pray our own be the same.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today is
to have the Spirit bring clarity to each of our decisions. We thank You for
that gift and the many more You have brought us. May our fears be drawn out of
us. Help us to see the many gifts Your love brings and the unknown locations it
might be found. May our pain and sorrow be eased. May peace be brought from our
hearts and shared with others. May Your gifts of love shine through us toward
others. We pray for the poor, the sick, the sorrowful, the wounded, and the
frightened. We pray for the soldiers, the Samaritans, the children, and the
rest. We pray in thanksgiving for every gift brought us. We pray that every
tomorrow bring good things. For each of these we pray in Your Holy Name,
through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so
it shall be.
Opening Song: Turn, Turn, Turn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKP4cfU28vM
Sermon: Age, that’s something we
all seem to hate, or love, depending on the time period. When we were little we
would jump up and down in glee when we added a candle to the cake. Then we hit
somewhere in the middle and the number keeps going up and we cringe. That is,
until we realize, hey, I’m still here to greet tomorrow. The other day I said
something about each day, and what Jesus said, remember yesterday, live today,
strive for tomorrow. Well, some seem to struggle with this idea. But, if you
look back in Scripture, you’ll find all sort of reference to age. Take Abraham
and Sarah, whose youngest child was brought into her life at age ninety. Now,
granted, the years were shorter, or at least counted with just a smidge fewer
days in a year. Typically a year was 354 days. That’s not a lot of difference
from 365 as we count them now. Granted, it still meant ninety is ninety. But,
age is only old if you let it be. This is one thing I have had to fight to
remember. I know others do the same. I look at it this way now. My great
grandmother lived 98 years, 7 months, 2 weeks, and one day. That’s in today’s
calendar. The oldest member in my family tree, will, in just a few months, be 99 years young. Yet, that relative is healthy as can be. The longest living family
member was 100 years and more. Live for today, hope for tomorrow, that’s all we
can do.
II
Chronicles 15:7 NIV – But,
as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
II
Chronicles 15:7 KJV –Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak:
for your work shall be rewarded.
What types of work are
being spoken of? Well, you know, it takes work just to live in this world.
Whether you lived in the times of the Bible, the Middle Ages, colonial times,
or even present day, it still takes work to live in this world. If you work at
life, you’ll find there are beautiful things around you, and within you. What
kinds of work could this be? Well, it could be working at a job that’s fun, which
can be any job, if you don’t let it be a JOB.
Love what you do, and do what you love. I know friends and
family members who are teachers, nurses, ministers, mothers, authors and other
writers, singers, and so much more. They love their jobs, even if it is just
being mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, or whatever. The thing is you should love
life as it is, not in the world of “what if”. You can’t change what is done,
because it is just that, done. You can, however, change what is yet to be. That’s
something you can do in the view of age. You can greet each day as an
adventure, or, you can greet each day as one of those why am I here days. You
are here because it is meant to be. The age doesn’t matter. What does matter is
the strength in which you live while that age. It’s all about strength, body,
mind, spirit, and soul. If you are strong in body, you can gain strength for
the rest. The same goes for mind, spirit, and soul. All you have to do is see
life that way. There will be days the body is stronger, others will be the
mind, or the spirit, or the soul. Use that strength to give the others the
same. That’s the gift given each and every day of our life. The connection is
everything, because that is what gives us life, even when there is no tomorrow.
We all have to remember this. No, it’s not easy. Think about it as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us.
Our Father, which art in
heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will
be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily
bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Closing Song: Trading My Sorrows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqjivEw7gzE&index=178&list=PL614A115BF39E5936
Our mission
for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear,
but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as
the rainbow in the darkness.
Covenant of Hope
Ministries Sunday Sermon_8_04_2013
Good
afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I
am Rev. Laura A. Neff, and the ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. You
can find us posted on Sundays. These are our locations online only:
We have
email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook available every day, and
these are now extremely variable. We’re still working this out between the two
of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will be
informing you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made
due to health reasons and computer issues. There will be live sermons, and the
sermon length will be shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that
might be. Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain
anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer
list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.
- Continue your prayers for little Phoebe Fair, she has had a
return of the same cancer. It is taking her life from her. Let us pray for her,
and for her family.
- Pray for our member Sonya Poll who has had her twin daughters.
Their names are Addisin Hope and Emmalynn Faith. These sweet little girls are
sure fighters, Praise the LORD, may they continue to fight and flourish. Pray
also that the faith and hope held by their parents be there to help the little
ones along.
- Pray for my friend Heather as she is having many hardships and
needs patience and safe haven at this time, let us claim it will be.
- Pray for baby Corbin who is struggling to survive. He has lived one hundred days so far, let us
pray he continues to beat the odds.
- Pray that there are more answers in regard to my health
situation, claim that it will be known.
- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the
world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many
ways, even if we start with just one step.
- Remember those who have been lost either violently or
peacefully this week.
- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter
their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry,
should support one another.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we
thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We pray
for those who are in need, friends,family, enemies, and the unknown. We bring
those who are sick, dying, and in need up in prayer. We bring those who share
laughter, joy, and love that it may be a reflection of Your love. We pray all
of these things in Your Holy Name through Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen and so it
shall be.
Sermon: Well now, we have studied many of
the Psalms. Today we will complete another. This particular one has had many
interesting, and intriguing views. It has shared joy and what fear can do, the
bad type of fear can make it harder for us, as it can indeed make our path much
more rocky. Yet, here’s where hope comes in. This is how we start out sharing
that very praise. Take a look here to see how we do just that.
Psalm 48:9-10 KJV – We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O
God, in the midst of thy temple.
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of
the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
What is
lovingkindness again? It is affection toward another. The NIV calls it
unfailing love. This is another view of unconditional love. It is always there.
It is available for all. We would only need to believe and then we shall see
that very view of unconditional love. Not only would we see, we would hear, feel,
and know that view as well. Oh what joy that brings to any heart. Praise, all
over the earth, why? It is a promise that there will be a new generation. Well,
there is, and there have been many. We would be one of the many generations.
How intriguing this would be.
Malachi 1:11 KJV – For from the rising of the sun even unto
the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in
every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my
name shall ge great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
God’s
name shall be great among the Gentiles. Realize the second half the same is
said as we would know that many considered the Gentiles to be the heathen. Why
is this? They are not Jews. Yes, it took a great deal of patience to find the
way to remove that line. Yet, in today’s world that line has divided many, not
just the Jews, but many of the Christians as well. What will happen when we
reach Zion? We will be together as one. Now, that would be nice, to not have
war, to not have the stubbornness that reveals the adversity. What is needed is
perseverance to accept, to realize we all see Him, we just take different paths
to do so. Now the NIV shares this in this manner. Malachi
1:11 NIV – My name will be great among the nations,
from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure
offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the
nations.” saith the LORD God Almighty.
There are
only a few differences between the NIV and the KJV versions of Scripture. We
have nations in place of Gentiles. It is also replacing heathen. Now, that is
interesting. Again heathen is noted as nations. Yet, His name will be “great”
among them. This is both interesting and intriguing. Why is this so? It means
that people will unite in their belief, in their faith in God. Now, that is an
amazing gift. It will change our view of all that is now, regardless of the
view of Christianity each of us would have. The fact that we all have a path
that meets in Zion is what we must see as the most important aim. That will
allow what we see in our next pair of verses. Oh what gifts we can receive.
Psalm 48:11-12 KJV – Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of
Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers
thereof.
What do
you see? Joy, rejoicing, gladness as a result of his judgments. The NIV shows
an interesting view as well. Let’s see what it shares. Psalm
48:11-12 NIV – Mount Zion rejoices, the
villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.
Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers.
Note how
the daughters of Judah are shown as the villages of Judah in this version. Add
to that, they ask God to walk about Zion to count her towers as He walks around.
How interesting it is to see that everyone there wishes Him to see what the
villages within Judah would look like. To see His work as it should be perhaps?
It does sound like it.
Psalm 48:13-14 KJV – Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye
may tell it to the generation following.
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide
ever until death.
There are
two word changes for verse thirteen. The first is from the words Mark ye well her bullwarks. It can also
be seen as see your heart to her bulwarks.
In the NIV you will find it says this. Psalm 48:13-14
NIV – Consider well her ramparts, view her
citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation.
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide
even to the end.
What does
this show? It shows us that God is FOREVER. You see, there is one thing that is
yesterday, today, and tomorrow, or FOREVER. That would be UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
You see, love has no boundaries. This is what God has been trying to show us.
Yet we let the earthly things get in the way. Why won’t we look at life as an
adventure? Each and every moment we are alive, we are in a new adventure. Learn
from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow. Hope itself is an
adventure. Many don’t see it that way? Why don’t they? Hope is the way to make
dreams come true. Dreams have the potential to come to life. Those good dreams,
creative dreams, no matter the style will show joy, love, faith, and how hope
can bring us to the ultimate Tomorrow on Mount Zion. Now, that’s something to
think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and
Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all
that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.
