https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cUaRSvChsI
Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live Sunday sermon, which is normally broadcast every Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love, sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Yeshu Ha-Notzri or in English Jesus Christ of Nazareth in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus taught us to manage. We bring His Word to the many as opposed to the few, in order to continue the legacy created by the ministry of Jesus Christ.
You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube & Twitch & TruthSocial & Instagram & Facebook
Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio & Wedding Chicks
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.
- We continue to pray for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sam and Allison, who were in a car wreck three weeks ago. They have several injuries including bruised ribs, bruised sternum, a seriously broken hand, and more. Their vehicle ended up totaled and more. They are better but not completely healed. Please keep them up in prayer. They thank everyone for their prayers.
- We continue to pray for friends of ours in our bowling league, after they suffered devastating injuries, some of which required surgery and will require a long recovery time as well. They too appreciate the prayers and thank everyone who has lifted them up.
- A cousin of ours is looking toward moving to be near where we are, but there are some hurdles they have to overcome to do so. This move would be for a new job. Please pray that this hurdle can be overcome to allow them a new horizon.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings has had another rough week. He is currently in the hospital. He’s suffering burn injuries from opening a package containing a new memory foam mattress. Please pray for his health, it’s very bad this time.
- David Doyle, brother-in-law of Evangelist Cal Jennings, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. David is a preacher of the Word as well, and this is a new challenge for him and Cal’s sister and their family to experience this close to Christmas. Please keep all of them in prayer during this journey.
- We continue to pray for JB & EB’s neighbor Jerry who is healing after completing his prostate cancer treatment.
- We keep JB’s sister Debbie back into prayer as she has now been diagnosed with Lymphoma after conquering two rounds of breast cancer.
- We continue to pray for my sister-in-law Fran who is fighting cancer and has been released from the hospital as of a week ago. Her doctor is going to keep a closer eye on her after each treatment for her cancer.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they navigate through the maze of medical tests and specialists to get all the answers that they need in both of their health issues. They are continually frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals. JB has been especially sick, losing weight way too fast and no complete solution in sight at the moment. She has gotten a tentative diagnosis for what is going on with her, but her doctor has scheduled her with a specialist to verify, so keep her in prayer for full answers that are very much needed. JB had a serious fall ten days ago and is still quite bruised and sore, please pray that they heal well, and fast on top of that.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and is seeking to sell things she owns to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- We bring praises and thanksgiving after learning that my niece Autumn has had her medications changed and the seizures and more are completely controlled at this point in time.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately after the loss of my sister four months ago. These anxiety issues are really devastating for her and for the family, so please keep all of them in prayer.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including several survivors of the disease, JB’s sister Debbie, our friend Alexis, my Aunt Donna, and my friend Kelly.
- We pray for those who are in the path of dangerous weather, and other dangerous conditions, including wildfires, storms, flooding, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide.
- We pray for the various outreach ministries we have joined with, with their leaders, Pastor Stephen Okoth, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, Pastor Amir Aneel, Sister Santhi Swaroopa, Pastor Duke Moenga, and others in Kissee, Nairobi, and other places in Kenya, Pakistan, and India.
- We pray also for our American outreach ministries, including Rev. Lisa Tyler on the other side of Georgia from where I am and Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog with her ministry, Way Maker Messianic Jewish and Christian Center – USA as well.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so much and so many to pray for. We pray for those who have been celebrating their voyage into the next forty days of Lent. We pray for those who have no shelter. We pray for those who have no food or water. We pray that they receive the miracles of Your peace and comfort Lord. We continue to pray for Sam and Allison, Wayne, Chick, and many others for their injuries and the recoveries they are working through this past week or more. We pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings, and his health as he has been through a lot over the past few weeks, including being in the hospital right now. We pray for JB who has also been recovering from injuries and more. We pray for David and all the others suffering or having suffered from cancer. We pray for those who have survived cancer. We pray for a special couple that needs Your comfort in their situation. We pray for our cousin and his family that this new horizon dawns for them with good news and more hope. We pray for all those who have lost loved ones in the past week, or who are remembering those who were lost in the past during this month or had remembered birthdays. We pray for all of our outreach ministries and their memberships. We pray for the orphans and the hungry. We pray for all the world that peace shall one day reign in full thanks to the glory of God through our Savior Jesus Christ in the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
Sermon: Today we continue with our study of 1 Corinthians. We are continuing our study of the tenth chapter. Now, since next week is Palm Sunday, this will be our last sermon on 1 Corinthians until after Easter. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get ahead in the chapter because there’s a lot to go through in these 33 verses. Originally, I was headed for five verses, but God decided I’d stop at four for a variety of reasons. These verses focus on something we’ve seen a lot throughout Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. That something is idolatry and also standing firm in the teaching of Christ. It’s not easy to avoid idolatry because it is literally everywhere. With that, we’ll start where we left off two weeks ago.
1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV –Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
NIV –So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
Paul is cautioning us as he cautioned the church congregation at Corinth. We can think we are strong in spirit and in faith but that doesn’t mean we actually are. There is a lot more quicksand in the realm of evil and sin than we may ever realize on this earth. The seven troubles and the seven deadly sins are a huge series of stumbling stones that create an unsteady world beneath us. For those who don’t know what the seven deadly sins or seven troubles are, they would be vanity which equals the deadly sin of pride, envy, lust, enmity, and wrath equals anger, shame, and doubt. The seven deadly sins include sloth which equals laziness, gluttony equals overindulgence, greed equals avarice, only some of which are different from the seven troubles. Here are some examples of these sins and troubles in the Old Testament.
Proverbs 16:18 KJV – Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
NIV – Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Isaiah 47:10 KJV – For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
NIV
– You
have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’
Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and
there is none besides me.’
Jeremiah 17:9 KJV – The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
NIV – The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Obadiah 1:3-4 KJV – The
pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of
the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me
down to the ground?
4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set
thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.
NIV
– The
pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the
rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can
bring me down to the ground?’
4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the
stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.
Paul references Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ for further examples.
Matthew 26:41 KJV – Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
NIV – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 22:31-32 KJV – And
the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that
thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
NIV – “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Paul then includes the Hebrew Prophets, James the Just, younger brother of Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ and Peter as well.
Hebrews 3:12 KJV – Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
NIV –See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
James 4:6 KJV – But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
NIV – But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
2 Peter 3:17 KJV – Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
NIV –Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
Paul points out that sin is “common” to all of mankind. This is not unfamiliar. It’s often discussed throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. There are consequences for sin, but Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ is our salvation. We just have to remember Him in everything to ensure that we don’t fall in the cracks and end up on the wrong side of Heaven’s gates and the wrong side of the judgment seat. Temptation is an ever-present condition for humanity. God tests us all the time, but He never makes it where we cannot overcome. He’s always there to lend a hand.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV –There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
NIV –No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Paul utilizes the wisdom of King David, King Solomon, and the prophet Isaiah for this one.
Psalm 34:19 KJV – Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
NIV –The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;
Psalm 46:1 KJV – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
NIV – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 91:3-4 KJV – Surely
he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome
pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings
shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
NIV
– Surely
he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings
you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV – Trust
in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.
NIV
– Trust
in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths
straight.
Isaiah 41:10 KJV – 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.
NIV – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Paul adds the wisdom of the Hebrew prophets and James the Just, also Peter and John the Beloved as well.
Hebrews 2:18 KJV – For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
NIV – Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV – For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
NIV – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
James 1:12-15 KJV – Blessed
is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the
crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is
tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither
tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own
lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and
sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
NIV – Blessed is the one who perseveres under
trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of
life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For
God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but
each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and
enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to
sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV –Beloved, think it not
strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy.
NIV – Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
2 Peter 2:9 KJV –The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
NIV –if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
1 John 4:4 KJV –Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
NIV –You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
We’ve spoken about idolatry and how it can be found everywhere and often when we don’t realize it is occurring. Idols can often be the last thing we recognize as just that. Paul insisted that the people in the church at Corinth “flee” from idolatry as shared here.
1 Corinthians 10:14 KJV –Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
NIV –Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
Idolatry is an evil that consumes humanity. We see it in our churches, boutiques, videos, movies, television, awards, competitions, and the list continues. It’s a terrible consequence of our human nature. It’s not an easy thing to avoid because it is literally everywhere in everything. The Torah shows us so much here and also the prophetic scrolls as well.
Exodus 20:3-5 KJV – Thou
shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any
likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for
I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon
the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
NIV
–“You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of
anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You
shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a
jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and
fourth generation of those who hate me,
Deuteronomy 5:7-9 KJV – Thou
shalt have none other gods before me. 8 Thou shalt not make
thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or
that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them:
for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
NIV
– “You shall have no
other gods before me.
8 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of
anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You
shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a
jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and
fourth generation of those who hate me,
Isaiah 44:9-20 KJV – They
that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things
shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know;
that they may be ashamed.
10 Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is
profitable for nothing?
11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen,
they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they
shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.
12 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and
fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea,
he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out
with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass,
and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that
it may remain in the house.
14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the
oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he
planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take
thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he
maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down
thereto.
16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he
eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and
saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven
image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and
saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their
eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
19 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there
knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea,
also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten
it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to
the stock of a tree?
20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside,
that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
NIV
– All who make idols
are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak
up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.
10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit
nothing?
11 People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen are
only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they
will be brought down to terror and shame.
12 The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he
shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets
hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint.
13 The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with
a marker;
he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in
human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.
14 He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let
it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it
grow.
15 It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and
warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god
and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.
16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares
his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says,
“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”
17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it
and worships.
He prays to it and says, “Save me! You are my god!”
18 They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are
plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot
understand.
19 No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or
understanding to say,
“Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat
and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down
to a block of wood?”
20 Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he
cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
Jeremiah
10:1-5 KJV – Hear ye the word
which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be
not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a
tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with
nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must
needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot
do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
NIV
– Hear what the Lord
says to you, people of Israel. 2 This is what the Lord says: “Do
not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though
the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a
tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with
hammer and nails so it will not totter.
5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot
speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they
can do no harm nor can they do any good.”
Luke, Peter, and John the Beloved contribute to the narrative Paul provides the church there at Corinth.
Acts 15:20 KJV – But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
NIV – Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
1 Peter 4:3 KJV –For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
NIV – For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
1 John 5:21 KJV –Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
NIV –Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Paul now invites us to judge his words by the rubric of our Savior Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ. He doesn’t want us to just take his word for it. He wants us to take HIS WORD for it. There’s a major difference between them because one is human and the other is divine.
1 Corinthians 10:15 KJV –I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
NIV –I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
Paul utilizes a single verse from the words of King Solomon in the poetic scrolls.
Proverbs 14:15 KJV –The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
NIV – The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.
Paul then continues with New Testament references from the Word of Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ in the gospels of Matthew and Luke as well as the Acts of the Apostles, James the Just, Peter, and John the Beloved.
Matthew 10:16 KJV – Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
NIV – “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Luke 12:57 KJV – Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
NIV – “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
Acts 17:11 KJV – These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
NIV – Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
James 1:5 KJV – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
NIV – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
1 Peter 3:15 KJV –But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
NIV – But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
1 John 2:20-21 KJV –But ye have an unction
from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth,
but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
NIV –But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.
1 John 4:1 KJV –Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
NIV –Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
It is very, very important for us to study the WORD often and with heart, mind, spirit, and soul all at once. It is also very important to keep engaging ourselves with the LORD through prayer, meditation, practice, and patience, every day, sometimes every hour, depending on what is going on around us. Nobody knows the day, the hour, the minute, or even the very second of when our Lord and Savior Yeshu Ha-Notzri Jesus Christ will return to this world to gather His faithful. No one, EXCEPT YHWH THE FATHER. As we prepare to celebrate Easter in the next thirty-six days, there is a lot to think about. That’s why I have a reading plan for you to work on in the next few weeks. Also, we will continue our exploration of 1 Corinthians, ensuring that the celebration of Lent continues, with the exception of Palm Sunday and Easter, where we will celebrate their significance in Christianity. Now, let’s show each other how faith and belief in God go hand in hand, and all of us have the opportunity to walk in the faithful steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The ability to do this requires us to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you are willing to do so, please leave me a note in the comments and I’ll be in touch. Now, that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that 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: The Old Rugged Cross
Daily Scripture readings from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.
Return to God (Repentance and Mercy)
Wednesday 18 February Psalm 51
Thursday 19 February Isaiah 1:10–20
Friday 20 February Joel 2:12–17
Saturday 21 February Luke 15:11–32
Sunday 22 February Luke 4:1–13 (1st Sunday of Lent – Temptation)
Monday 23 February Psalm 32
Tuesday 24 February Micah 6:6–8
Wednesday 25 February Romans 2:1–11
Trusting God in the Wilderness
Thursday 26 February Genesis 3:1–19
Friday 27 February Genesis 12:1–9
Saturday 28 February Exodus 16:1–18
Sunday 01 March Luke 9:28–36 (2nd Sunday – Transfiguration)
Monday 02 March Psalm 63
Tuesday 03 March Isaiah 40:1–11
Wednesday 04 March Matthew 4:1–11
Thursday 05 March Hebrews 4:14–16
Teachings of Jesus
Friday 06 March Matthew 5:1–12
Saturday 07 March Matthew 5:38–48
Sunday 08 March Luke 13:1–9 (3rd Sunday – Call to Repent)
Monday 09 March Matthew 6:1–18
Tuesday 10 March Matthew 6:19–34
Wednesday 11 March Luke 10:25–37
Thursday 12 March Luke 11:1–13
Friday 13 March John 6:35–40
Signs of the Kingdom
Saturday 14 March Mark 2:1–12
Sunday 15 March Luke 15:1–3, 11–32 (4th Sunday – Prodigal Son)
Monday 16 March Mark 4:35–41
Tuesday 17 March Luke 7:36–50
Wednesday 18 March John 4:1–26
Thursday 19 March John 9:1–41
Friday 20 March John 11:1–44
Saturday 21 March Psalm 130
The Way of the Cross
Sunday 22 March John 11:45-57
Monday 23 March Mark 8:27–38
Tuesday 24 March John 12:20–33
Wednesday 25 March Philippians 2:1–11
Thursday 26 March Hebrews 5:7–10
Friday 27 March Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
Saturday 28 March Psalm 22
Holy Week – Passion & Resurrection
Sunday 29 March Luke 19:28–40 (Palm Sunday)
Monday 30 March John 12:1–8
Tuesday 31 March John 13:1–17, 31–35
Wednesday 01 April John 14
Thursday 02 April John 18
Friday 03 April John 19
Saturday 04 April Matthew 27:57–66
Sunday 05 April John 20:1–18 (Easter Sunday)
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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Evangelist Calvin Jennings
Covenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
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
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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.
