Thursday, March 13, 2014

Fear Not

Covenant of Hope Ministries Wednesday Study_3_13_2014
Good afternoon, and welcome to this Midweek Study for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Elder Cal Jennings. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:
Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. Look for my name minus the title. These are now extremely variable. Our Elder Cal Jennings is just as variable and can be found on several sites as noted by his sermons. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.
- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be.
- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.
- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.
- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.
- 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 many of our ministry members and friends up to You for their trials and tribulations that they may be brought solace and peace. We pray for all those who have been ill. We pray for all those who have died. For all of this 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: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmxcotW-O0w&feature=youtu.be  

)
Sermon: There are a lot of scary things going on in the world today. A lot of people are afraid of Marxism. The general concept of Marxism is “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” If it worked that way it might be good. In fact, you might be surprised at who first person who presented this idea was.
Acts 4:32-35
King James Version (KJV)

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Marxism isn't something to be afraid of. It's basically based upon the same principle that Jesus and his Apostles and disciples practiced. It's the corrupt leaders who made it bad just as the corrupt leaders we have in Washington are making things bad for the people here. Jesus knew that not everyone had the same abilities. Not everyone was smart or healthy or had all of their limbs, though Jesus could heal them. The Apostles weren't quite as Jesus just as I wasn't as good as Jesus the three years I had left everything to someone poor and went out and healed people and raised two people from the dead. The Apostles, for instance, had trouble casting out a demon once.
Matthew 17:19-21
King James Version (KJV)
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
I had trouble with the first person I raised from the dead because of my doubt as to whether I could do it. The woman had been in a terrible car accident and I had never tried to heal anyone, much less tried to raise someone from the dead. God had healed me, so I thought I should at least try to “pay it forward.” I was able to raise her from the dead so the paramedics could work on her again but I didn't heal her all the way. The doctors lost her in the hospital the next day. I was successful in every healing after that until three years later when I started doubting again because of some atheist friends I had whom I was trying to get to believe. Now that I've gotten rid of that friend, my faith has started returning. We have no perfect leader except in our hearts now. We also have a great deal of corruption and greed. Under these conditions NO system of government is going to be good. At present, it appears that Canada may have the best system of government. Our greed is reaching into Canada now though, so that could change as well. Still, Jesus' system of government was the best. He is the Son of God and He knows what's best. He was given authority over the earth.
Matthew 28:18
King James Version (KJV)

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
It is a wonder that people don't recognize that. I guess because we were raised in a Capitalist society we fear anything else. Jesus told us not to fear though.
Romans 8:15
King James Version (KJV)

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
1 John 4:18
King James Version (KJV)

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Isaiah 41:10
King James Version (KJV)

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness
We certainly shouldn't fear a system that Jesus himself created. One day we will have that perfect leader again when Jesus returns. Let us not fear the events that are occurring but be joyful that His return may be near. Now that is something to really think about.

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)
Closing Song: Fear Not
http://youtu.be/SEqeGCW5H8o
)



~Love, Hope, and Peace~
Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

~Shalom~
Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Covenant of Hope Ministries
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition:Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press,The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USA
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

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.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Make the Crooked Road Straight Through Faith

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_3_9_2014
Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:
Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. 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 inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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.
- Please keep a friend, Debby, in your prayers for a swift recovery after major cancer surgery.
- Please keep my friend Jeff’s sister in your prayers as she still isn’t out of the woods after a very scary week.
- Continue to pray for my friend Kerry who is still going through issues with cancer surgery.
- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.
- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be.
- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.
- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.
- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.
- Let us keep those who have suffered from the weather in prayer, as they continue to weather the storms, the cold, and the dangers that can be found within them.
- 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.

Birthdays: This coming Friday and Saturday would have my youngest son and I celebrating. My son will be sixteen. Yes, I’ll give mine. I will be forty-four.

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 have suffered loss and devastation. We bring those friends and family who have been ill, in hospital, or other ways, up to You that they be healed through faith and love. We bring those in mourning to You that they might find solace. We pray for all who have been brought to harm, and all who would need Your guidance. We do all of this in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ in the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Open the Eyes of My Heart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHZ9iuo1kRs



Sermon: There have been many who have felt as though they’ve been trampled by life in recent days, weeks, months, and years. All of us have felt as though the road we follow has been tied in an impossible knot. Well, crooked roadways are spoken of in Scripture, and would include steep ones, rocky ones, and more. Let’s start our exploration here with this verse. Isaiah 40:4 KJV – Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
What is God saying here? He’s saying with His love, guidance, and more, our paths won’t be rocky, too high to reach, or too low to travel on. The crooked path will be straight on top of that. What could be more intriguing than this? God sits here speaking about His proverbial footprints in the sand, that we might follow him. Jesus brought us a human version of this view, but let’s look at more ways Isaiah shares in the realm of crooked pathways.
Isaiah 42:16 KJV – And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
The unknown for many is something that would frighten us for reasons we couldn’t touch upon. Being blind, whether it is physical or not, when we are exposed to things that are unknown we tend to wonder ‘why am I here?’ ‘what do I do next?’ and others. Yet, there is a promise, a light at the end of the tunnel. That tunnel is brought to the light through God’s love. The crooked roads and other pathways will be made straight as well. Why is this? It is to give reason and the ability to see with more than our eyes, that God is always with us. This would be something we often fail to realize. Thus we often seem like we’re stuck on the crooked roadways in life.
Isaiah 45:2 KJV – I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break into pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
Follow Him! That’s what He says here. He’s ahead of us straightening out the mess we often see ahead of us, and breaking down the walls so that we won’t feel as though we’re hitting those walls head on. If we all were to look at life as though there might be hurdles, but God is there to push them out of the way, to straighten the road, so that we might get to our destination. Let’s continue exploring the crooked road with this verse here.
Isaiah 59:8 KJV – The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
There are some who don’t always make the best decisions in their lives. In fact, many of us have made those bad decisions, but we learn from them. Those of us who do learn those lessons have learned how to judge their actions as good, beneficial, or bad, detrimental. What do we find when we do these things? Well, that’s answered in the verse, peace, of course.
Ecclesiastes 7:13 KJV – Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
Does God make paths crooked? Or do we do so? Perhaps we both might? The answer is the last of those questions. We make our paths crooked by worrying, overthinking, regretting, and using the ‘what if’ ideals. Worry is something all of us go through, but even Jesus said ‘worry not’. When we say ‘what if’ we often think every scenario, past, present, and future. You can’t what if, because all it will do is bring regret or make you feel like you’re the proverbial dog chasing its tail. God straightens it all out, all we have to do is listen and hear.
Luke 3:5 KJV – Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
Ah, and now we see how Jesus brought the influence of ages past into life as known in the days of the gospel. Every valley filled up, every mountain and hill flattened out, what does that mean? It means we won’t have those hurdles, the walls we have to climb or swim through or any of that, as it will all be brought to where we can see with our hearts, our spirits, our souls, our minds, before our eyes would be needed. It is amazing what you can see if you open the eyes of your heart. God always knows there will be rough roads, mountains and valleys that appear too perilous, and waters either too deep or too wide. That’s why we have Him there in the first place. 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)

Closing Song: A Crooked Road


~Shalom~
Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster
Covenant of Hope Ministries
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition:Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press,The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USA
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

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.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

The Gift of Ministry and Its Meaning for All

Covenant of Hope Ministries Wednesday Study_3_5_2014
Good afternoon, and welcome to this Midweek Study for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:
Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. Look for my name minus the title. These are now extremely variable. Our Elder Cal Jennings is just as variable and can be found on several sites as noted by his sermons. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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.
- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be.
- Please pray for family members of my friend Jeff, that they might heal soon.
- Please pray for fruitful benefits in the finances and health of many who are suffering any and all types of hardship.
- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.
- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.
- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.
- 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.
- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.
- 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 thank you for the gifts brought to us through Unconditional Love. We are brought up in prayer for friends, family, and those who are in need for whatever that might be. We pray for healing, faith, hope, and the gift of family and friendship for those who need each of those. We do so through Your Holy Name and the Son Jesus Christ within the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Spirit Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWEDBaFy0SI

Sermon: Today the inspiration was to talk about ministering and ministry. It is very difficult sometimes for those of us who do this, every day in most cases, just to pursue ministry, much less to keep going when those who either read or listen would fail to see that writing for what it is, or hear what is being listened to. Yet, as Paul said, he was made a minister to deliver and share the grace of God with all, Gentiles and Jews. Let’s start with his words here in Ephesians 3:7 KJV – Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Ministers, preachers, priests, elders, teachers all given the gift to share the truth of Scripture with those who willingly listen. We cannot make the people hear. As ministers of God’s love it is our mission to share that, in peace, in joy, with an understanding wisdom. What do we have to speak of? Why, we teach as Christ taught, because that is what should be, and how ministry must be. If we do not give the Truth through the Word, as Christ shared, then we won’t see the proof of how it works. Let’s see what Paul says here in Romans 15:18 KJV – For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
We have this word, obedient, in this verse. What does it mean here in this instance? Well, we have to listen and hear, think and do, as Jesus would do. There is a saying that goes like this, ‘say what you do, and do what you say’. Jesus lived by this very thought, as He said what would be done, and fulfilled what He said must be done. You might not recall the words in John 15 where it shares that ideal. Here, though, is a thought that the least is the most as the most is the least. That too is something Jesus shared often. Let’s look at it here in Ephesians 3:8 KJV – Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Now, when people think of riches, they think money, possessions. They don’t think about knowledge, understanding, the footsteps of wisdom. It’s one of the most difficult lessons to learn, how grace can be achieved through an unconditional sharing of love. Ministry is one way of sharing that unconditional part of us. Life is affected by our words, our thoughts, and our actions. As ministers, no matter what we are sharing, those three are just as important to the ideal of do as you say, and say as you will do. This will prove how much we listen and hear when it comes to Christ and His teaching. Let’s look into that here in Romans 16:25 KJV – Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Who can establish you? There is only One, that One is God through the gift of Jesus and the strength of the Holy Spirit. The mysteries of God, the revelation as yet to come, kept secret since the beginnings of creation, would prove to be the ultimate gift, brought to us through the ultimate sacrifice, that of the beloved Son of God, Jesus. At this time of year we are preparing to celebrate that sacrifice, as it led us to the promise of glorious horizons as yet to come. The resurrection of life as patience, faith, hope, and all the rest of the footsteps of Unconditional Love would bring. I had hoped that, at some point I would do my best to manage at least an audio sermon. I am indeed working on that. The gift of ministry, however, can be managed both in written and verbal form. It has been shown through the letters written to Ephesus, Corinth, and many other locations. Yet, truthfully, both should be managed as often as possible. This is one thing that adds to the ideal of ‘say what you’ll do, and do what you say’, as well as ‘do what you love, and love what you do’. Jesus did, we should as we shall try our best to do the same. 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)
Closing Song: Because He Lives http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA

~Shalom~
Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster
Covenant of Hope Ministries
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition:Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press,The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USA
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/
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.


Sunday, March 2, 2014

Gather Together Heart and Soul Wherever We’d Be and Wherever We Go

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_3_2_2014
Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:
Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. 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 inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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.
- Please keep a friend, Debby, in your prayers for continued recovery after successful major cancer surgery.
- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.
- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be. He has had very few days where he could get off his bed.
- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.
- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.
- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.
- Let us keep those who have suffered from the weather in prayer, as they continue to weather the storms, the cold, and the dangers that can be found within them.
- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering, and chaos we are going through. I have been to three doctors since January and am going to a fourth tomorrow. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be there with the hearts and spirits of my friends and 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.

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 blessings of hope and inspiration, that they might continue in our lives. We pray for those in pain, no matter the type it would be. We pray for those in hardship, as many would walk that path right now with the hope that there will be a better tomorrow. We pray all of these in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Hey Brother http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-fnvfs0h0A



Sermon: Well, today’s sermon is an inspiration brought in the wee hours of this day. As I have often said before, He loves to bring interesting views to us. Today He wants me to bring up something Elder Cal and I have spoken about more than once. Yet, in this case, we would also see something to go with it. Let’s start here in
Matthew 18:19-20 KJV – Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them.
When first introduced it is often believed that the two or more would need to be in the same location, sitting side by side or face to face. Where, in fact, if we believe in similar fashion and seek each other, no matter the method, then we are those two or more, because we are gathered together ON EARTH. As we all know, earth in its entirety is a very big place. Let’s see what more the Gospel of Matthew has to say as we share Matthew 5:24 KJV – Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Oh and His inspiration gets better. Brother to brother, let us reconcile, let us forgive each other and come together, bring peace from each other’s hearts and give it away to those who need it, and those who we know we need peace to be shared. That’s something so many find difficult where it should hardly be such. If Jesus could speak to lepers, Gentiles, and so many views of the Jews, then we can learn together to bring peace to our Brothers and Sisters around this world, no matter who they are, what they believe, how they believe, or where they live. Let us continue in the exploration with James 5:16 KJV – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
Oh yes, look here, tell each other, when you speak, write, or otherwise that you aren’t perfect. Many of us get angry, and bring that anger out of us. There are times when it may seem we’re denying our faith, or even choosing ideals that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus. There are many who would accuse without basis, because they read what is written one way when the intention was to be entirely different. It is when we begin to ask each other what we meant where we will find understanding, and that, my friends, would bring peace, in His everlasting love, brother to brother, sister to sister, family to family. Let’s see what else could be shared as we go to I John 3:22 KJV – And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Oh here you go, ask, and we shall receive, for though we might fall off the path, go backwards, or get confused and stop to stand still, there are ways to change that. What would that be? Bring hope, faith, and love to our Brothers and Sisters and we will find our path once more, that is the gift He brings to us, HOPE. Let’s continue as we read here in
Ezekiel 48:35 KJV – It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day will be, The LORD is there.
So, what is being shared here? JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT, and GOD Himself. How awesome that is. In a city named The LORD is there. Well, truth be told, this shares exactly what Jesus was saying time and again, where two or more are gathered. It doesn’t matter whether you are standing or sitting together in the same room. What matters is that our hearts hear one another, or spirits would be there. That is the most important thing that Jesus is, as He was, teaching us. Let’s see more of this as we share the words from Zechariah 2:5 KJV – For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. A ring of fire. Did any ever consider that the ring might actually be a good thing? You see, Jesus walks THROUGH the fire. God does the same. Remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Surely, if they hadn’t believed with all their hearts, they would have burned. Yet, with the hearts and souls the three believed, and the Spirit of God was with them. That’s what is needed with each of us, belief in the fact that the Spirit of God is standing or sitting beside us, ALWAYS, not just once in a while. This is why the spirits of our family, friends, would be beside us as well, because God brings our spirits together. Let us remember that for those spirits to always be heard we must also bring our words into play, whether in writing, by a phone call or some other means of communication. It is amazing what comfort can be found in the voice of another, no matter written or spoken, for even written, it is spoken, the Bible for example.
Matthew 28:20 KJV – Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
He is with us ALWAYS, until the end of the world. What does that mean we should be teaching to observe all things, always? It means we should share what we see, each of us, one to another, so that we might bring together our thoughts, our feelings, and more, no matter what the discussion would involve. This is the ultimate in being two or more gathered together. What is it? We must communicate with each other. Communication is vital to our continuing faith, not just with each other, but within our selves as well. 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)
Closing Song: Brother



~Shalom~
Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster
Covenant of Hope Ministries
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition:Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press,The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USA
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

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.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Restoring Faith Even in the Face of Pain and Suffering


Covenant of Hope Ministries Wednesday Sermon_2_18_2014
Good afternoon, and welcome to this Midweek Study for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Elder Cal Jennings. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:
Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. Look for my name minus the title. These are now extremely variable. Our Elder Cal Jennings is just as variable and can be found on several sites as noted by his sermons. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our minister Rev. Laura A. Neff and my self, Elder Cal Jennings. We will inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.
- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be.
- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.
- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.
- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.
- 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.
Sermon: Romans 8:38-39
King James Version (KJV)

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I just went through a risky and painful procedure on my heart to see if there was anything that could be done to help. Although it wasn't as successful as some might think, it has somewhat improved my breathing and my eyesight and hopefully will stop the frequent occurrences of passing out. Just when I thought all was lost, God guided the hands of the doctor into making something right even if he says that he only went in and looked to see what could be done. He told me that he was going to try medications since the passageways were too small to splint, yet, I'm breathing and seeing better. As close as death seemed, God snatched me up from its clutches once again, proving that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was ready to accept my fate, quit the ministry, and resign myself to fading off to the other side. Evidently, God had other plans. Just as Job was near death and was restored, so was I restored to God's service.

Hebrews 10:23-25
King James Version (KJV)
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Sometimes, when we think we're at the end of our rope, when all is lost, and all that's left is for the fat lady to sing, God writes a new chapter for our lives. It's up to us to get up and do something with it. Well, today I'm getting up and doing something with it in spite of the pain. My heart is pumping well enough for me to see the screen even if barely, so I'm doing my job and writing something that I hope will enlighten and inspire some of you.

We should all do what we can to promote the good news that Jesus died for our sins and freed us from judgment if only we believe in Him. God gave dominion over the earth to Jesus for his selfless sacrifice and in turn freed us all. That's right. We're free of judgment from sin. Does that mean we should run out and do everything sinful we want? No. We were bought with a price and in return should do good to honor the one who paid that price.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20
King James Version (KJV)
12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

God was warning against being an idolater of the lusts of the flesh as a Christian. He compared it to joining with a harlot... a prostitute. So how now is the law fulfilled?

Galatians 5:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

We need to love our neighbors as ourselves. That means that we need to love our neighbor regardless of race, religion, sexual preference, nationality, or anything else that might appear to separate us. Regardless of our differences, we are to love our neighbors and do to them as we would have them do to us. You recognize that. It's the Golden Rule.

What other things should Christians be concerned with doing?

Galatians 5:22-26
King James Version (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

We should be good, kind, loving, longsuffering, gentle, faithful, meek, and temper ourselves. We are to avoid the lusts of the flesh, not only sexual lust, but lust for power and money as well. Of course, we all need enough on which to live, but beyond that, we should not be concerned other than to help others and to fulfill our work for the Lord. We don't need mansions, sports cars, limousines, golf courses, and bowling alleys to fulfill God's work. Instead, that money should be concentrated on food banks, food kitchens, shelter from the weather for the homeless, hospitals for healing the poor free of charge, and the other good works that Christ and his Apostles did. These days though, most of us are having trouble meeting our own needs for survival.

All of the money had become concentrated in the hands of a wealthy few, leaving little for the rest of us to survive on. This is one reason the bible states the following:

1 Timothy 6:10
King James Version (KJV)
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

We hear many preachers these days telling people how Jesus will make you rich. Yes, he will make us spiritually rich, but why would he give us something that is the root of all evil? Would a Father give his son a snake when he asked for bread?

Luke 11:11
King James Version (KJV)
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

No, the Father gives only good gifts. Gifts that enrich your lives and your spirits, not your financial status. God is love and wants us to live in peace with one another. He does not want us to do harm to others, but help others when we can as we can. If everyone pitched in and did their share to help others, the world would be a much better place for everyone, including those doing the helping. There would be more joy, more love, more peace, more kindness. The whole world would open its eyes and want to be a part of that world. After all, how many want to go where they're always condemned and made to feel they need to be punished. Don't be fooled. There are many that fall into this category but that is not what Jesus offered us. He did, however, warn us against doing some things.

Galatians 5:19-21
King James Version (KJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Although they may be lawful for us, they are not expedient. They are not good for us and they are not good for others or as examples to others. They keep our light from shining through the darkness. They lend toward causing strife between neighbors. They cause fights. They cause wars. They cause envy. These things do not bring about the fruit of the Spirit but the spirit of darkness which engulfs many. It is better for us to turn away from these things and to concentrate on taking care of our bodies which are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We shouldn't partake in things that destroy but things that build up so that we may build up one another. Doesn't that sound like the reasonable thing to do?

Love, Hope, Peace, and Christ be with you,

Cal Jennings





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.