MESSENGER

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Slow to Anger Forsaking Wrath in the Face of Wickedness & Evil


Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_11_04_2012
Good afternoon. Welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. You can find us recorded, live or written on Sundays at 12:30 PM ET US at our locations online only:
Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
We have email and Instant Messenger available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday 10AM to 2PM ET US via Yahoo IM. We’re still working this out between the three of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings, our Apostle/Shepherd, Mary C. Michel-Lynch and I. The IM is available if you ask and identify the reason as being part of the ministry. This IM connects to Facebook as well. I will inform you in regard to all changes being made. These changes are due to health reasons. There will be live sermons, but sermon length will be shortened dramatically, 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.
From Rev. Lisa and other lists: Stacy – breast cancer
Jackie – blood clot
Clay - had surgery Oct 8 again, pray about recovery
Norma - surgery Wednesday Oct 10 for breast cancer, pray no chemo needed and quick recovery.
Rod – lump in throat, going to doctor Thursday
Sy– problems with his throat too
Tami – 
Jessika and family – emotional strength and all needs met, healthy baby
Sister Rachel, Joe, Lonnie, Johnnie and Jessie
Joel – asking for healing for his brain, and ability to memorize for his job
Maisie - 2 yr old in UK brain damage
Raiden - 3 yr old in coma, possible brain damage from accident
Pascal and his sister - need food and school supplies
Carol – foot and elbow pain
Laura– multiple health problems
Gene
Shirley
Carrie
Jimm – back injury and pain
Lulu – loss of limb, health issues
Multiple people on my FB list with severe health issues
Jerry – emotional issues, demons, deafness
Ruth and family
Tierra and her father (he has multiple health problems, lives far away)
Sarah - breast cancer
Robin - breast cancer
Sara – cyst
Julie – cysts
Clara – pain and various health problems, knees too
Kristine – peace
Angela – strength, clarity
Roberta – her children
My sisters and family – Angela, Mary and Eileen – all needs met
John
Robert
Janet
Clay – handicapped boy, shunt malfunction and infections, spina bifida
Pam – not feeling well lately
Lisa – meth addiction, asks for help and healing
Sister Inaiker (name unknown) epilepsy, panic attacks, deafness
Other no name given prayer requests
Dr. Anna – pain, fatigue, financial needs
             General prayers for God’s workers
Mary – good prayer partner and writer
Mary – faithful and writing to help others
Ruth
Laura
Pam
Dr. Anna
Tomarra – pastor’s wife
Bernie – desires to learn of God, needs study material
Pastor Stan
Pastor Prince
Pastor Creflo
Pastor Joyce
(many more)
             Overseas ministries
Francis Ondara
John Namavarapu
Tobias Ayugi
Apostle Al Anyona
Evangelist Abel
Pastor Ravi Daniel
(many more)
Phoebe Fair has been on our prayer list for her AT/RT cancer treatments. We must also pray for her brother, who has a cold. Phoebe has been in the hospital with minor complications on and off due to her AT/RT cancer treatment, but the setbacks can be very dangerous, and especially at such a young age. Her pituitary gland is gone as a result of the chemotherapy, as a result she has no sense of thirst and is always hungry. This will forever plague her. Please keep her, as well as her family, in your thoughts and prayers.
We pray for Elder Cal Jennings, that his health improve and he be more able to work toward the glory of God. We pray he and his mother can be feeling better.
We pray for Apostle/Shepherd Mary Michel-Lynch that her issues be resolved, or at least uncovered fully, and her health return.
We pray for Emilie and Joey for health and education issues they are working on with some serious changes being made.
We pray in for other family members and friends who have suffered a rather terrible set of news.
We pray for Tony who has had a very hard pair of months.
We pray for Christie and her son, that their troubles, trials and tribulations have solutions soon.
We pray for Heather and Art, that they return to health and are able to do the things they love once more.
We pray for the family of Jacob Olivier who has been missing for two years.
We pray for friends Teresa and Hope, that their financial issues be resolved.
We pray for Debby, Karen, Jackie, for health to return for each of them.
We pray for Jason and Joyce and family, as Jason has been fighting cancer.
We pray for those who are suffering strife around this world, in every form and formula.
We pray for all our ministers and their ministries worldwide, may they prosper and grow.
We pray for everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy.
We pray that political chaos would come to an end that will benefit the many, in place of the few.
We pray for those at war, that peace might be reached. We pray for those who have been devastated by natural disasters and more, that they be able to recover. We pray for war torn countries that their economies recover. We pray for the economies of the world, that they work toward solutions.
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 sick on our list, and those who are suffering that their illness and their suffering be short lived. For those who suffer chronically, that their hearts be made stronger for the bad days and that they are able to savor the good ones. We pray for understanding from all for the many and the few, the able and everyone else too. We pray for those who are at war, that peace might be found. We pray for the homeless, those suffering from disaster of any type, and those who are jobless, may the gift of hope be with their hearts, spirits and souls. We pray all this in Your Holy Name through the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amein and so it shall be.
Sermon: When we are too fast in our reactions, in other words, we leap before we look, and fail to stop and think, we often get ourselves into trouble. We succumb to the seven troubles, not just one of them either. It’s no picnic to work with patience and persevere within it. It is one of the most difficult things in the world, to hang on to our virtues, the parts of us that can keep us within the righteous nature God knows would be somewhere in our heart, our mind, our spirit and our soul. That’s where we start our sermon today as we look here at Psalm 37:7 KJV – Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Rest in the Lord can also be seen as Be silent to the LORD. When you think of this as more than just being patient, but as being able to just hang on, even if it’s with your fingernails, in the midst of tribulation seen in wickedness and evil, then you see what God is sharing, and not just God, but Jesus and the Holy Spirit, though neither of the last two would be mentioned by name.
Now we’ll go into the next verse and see how perseverance, prudence, and faith fit into these thoughts as we go on to share Psalm 37:8 KJV – Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Adding to the explanation would be several verses that share amazing additions to the thought of preventing our fear, our trials and tribulations to take over thoughts, actions, and more. So, we’ll start with Job 5:2 KJV – For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one. Oh, now we get into the ideal of the seven troubles, at least two of them. You might remember my thoughts on being called foolish or calling someone foolish. To be called a fool should feel like being slapped across the face. It should feel like you’ve been shamed. It is as close to what we know to be profanity as it can get in Scripture.
So, let’s go further into this ideal as we read what it shares in Psalm 73:3 KJV – For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Well, look at that, now you see foolishness compared to wickedness. Envy, yet another of the seven troubles we’ve spoken of over the years. It’s not hard to even think of envying those who covet, those who prosper when we either do not, or cannot for whatever reason. It is hard to be humble and understanding in the midst of all of that as times get harder, hope is more difficult for us to see and share.
Proverbs 14:29 KJV – He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. Let’s remember, never hurry in our decisions, in our getting angry. It’s no easy thing, that’s for certain, but it can be managed. Holding our tongues, our thoughts, our need to express our anger by attacking that which causes it, that’s no easy feat of endurance, of any form of patience. But those of us who suffer leap before we look also have our issues with foolishness, following when we shouldn’t, and more.   
Ephesians 4:26 KJV – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
Do you remember the phrase “never go to bed angry”? It’s something we’ve heard for family, for spouses, but we should also include anger regarding friends, colleagues, or something that occurs during that day. That’s why we have prayer. It’s also why we have the time to think, time to reflect on things and see if we could have done something differently. Sometimes it takes a while to figure that out, and that’s another reason to never go to bed angry.  
James 1:19 KJV – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Here’s a familiar thought, just spoken straight up, as James would be throughout his small epistle. We’ve studied much in regard to James and his thoughts. Listen close, think about it, and then speak before blowing our tops. You realize that’s one reason I ask everyone to think about what is said in each sermon and study. If we do ponder what is shared in the Scriptures, then we begin to understand and take steps toward our wisdom in God’s unconditional love. 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)
Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot & Multiply
Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster & Multiply
Mary C. Michel-Lynch ~ Apostle/Shepherd Facebook & Blogspot & Multiply
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.

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