Covenant Of Hope Ministries: March 2013

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Remembering the Strength and Favors of God

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_3_31_2013

Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff, and the ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. You can find us posted on Sundays. These are our locations online only:

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

We have email and Instant Messenger through Facebook available most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays 10AM to 2PM ET US. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will be informing you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made due to health reasons. There will be live sermons, and the sermon length will be shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that might be.
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

Please pray for a friend Kerry, her husband Christian, and their family as Kerry goes through surgery for cancer removal.

Please pray for success for my youngest brother, that his continued education be beneficial toward a great career.

Pray for Elder Cal he was admitted to the hospital through the emergency room two weeks ago last Thursday. Yesterday was better, but he’s still weak and still receiving blood transfusions. He had open heart surgery on Friday of that week and now has been fighting pneumonia. He is no longer on the breathing machine or the heart machine, praise the LORD. Pray that he will not require still more surgery. Pray that his spiritual nourishment be increased. He also has had some technical issues, but does have his Iphone so he can receive messages. He also has had some other technical issues with his normal computer. May God provide him wellness, a method toward better communication, and bring that flicker of hope into a bright and roaring flame.

Pray for our member Wayne, who has been absent for a while but is back to work on his faith and connecting with us once more.

Pray for friends Karen, Christie, her son Calvin, Art, Heather, Chris and his family, Jackie and her father, Debby, Tom, Teresa, Hope, during the start of the year for their issues of many forms.

Pray for Fran who is suffering a lot of pain and other issues.

Pray for Karen’s grandaughter Cyndal.

Pray for Marie’s Aunt Connie.

Pray for my friend Grace as she has had pretty bad migraines. Pray also that her stepson would make the right decisions. They are having a hard time, may we have praise from the LORD.

Pray for my friend Laura who hasn’t been feeling well, and was in the hospital on Thursday. No new news yet.

Pray that the Lord will find a way for my family to reach the ability to solutions that are necessary for health, shelter, and more. Praise the LORD more than half of those issues have been solved. There are family members who continue to need prayer. Claim that God knows and will be there. Pray that a solution will be found for a serious test I must have, claim that Jesus can give us answers for that. The cost is simply out of reach at the moment.

Continue your prayers for the continued success for little Phoebe Faire. She is doing very well. Praise the Lord.

Pray for our outreach ministries, and all on their separate prayer lists, no matter where in this world they would be.

Pray for all the members of Covenant of Hope and all those who they reach out to. May each of the members find grace and peace in His love.

Pray for our leaders, local, state, federal and around the world. That they make good decisions for the many.

May the LORD allow us to claim His truth and His healing hands. May we listen and hear and understand what those things we listen to and hear as well.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us.We thank You for the gift of Everlasting Life on Easter, given through the sacrifice of our Savior. We thank You for answering prayers, so that death, pain, fear, strife, and sorrow will cease to be. We thank You for faith and hope and love that are all eternal because You brought them to us. We pray for those who live on this earth, friend or not, known or not, as they are here due to Your sacrifice and You rising from death. Amen, Amein, and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Down to the River to Pray

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/ba9310b84

Sermon: Today is Easter Sunday. It shows us that the strength of God and His love can conquer anything, and everything. That is what this sermon shares, though it would not be the typical sermon seen on Easter. The title of this portion would be ‘Remembrance of former Favours’ includes seven verses in Psalm 44. The thought to listen and hear, David has remembered that they have indeed listened to God and the fathers before them in regard to the work God had done before their lives began.

Psalm 44:1-2 KJV– We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

Why are they cast out? They are what is recognized as those who do not worship God. There are many in the world who are cast out in a way. Yet, that doesn’t mean that they are forever cast out. We can come back to God. You will see how the LORD God brings His people into his arms, in a haven, safety. All of us need a haven once in a while. Exodus 15:17 KJV – Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established.

You’ll note that this next verse will share more about those who were cast out as shown in our first two verses. Note also that there were seven nations cast out and all of them much larger, and much stronger than the Israelites, yet, God conquered them. Deuteronomy 7:1 KJV – When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

God did the work to gain possession of the promised land, Israel. They were saved through God’s arms, and the light of His face. Note, this one shares the word favor. In other words, the work of the battle, and more were a favor brought to the Israelites. Now, how intriguing that is. Psalm 44:3 KJV – For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

Seven nations fell, they were destroyed by the hand of God, without a single sword from the Israelites. Joshua was the one to take them, all thanks to God’s grace. Joshua 10:42 KJV – And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel

God sent the hornet. Now, if you have ever seen a hornet, you know they can be both dangerous and scary at the same time. God shares that it doesn’t take a sword or a bow when He works to conquer nations. The reason, He is God, and with God we can do anything. Joshua 24:12 KJV – And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

This one shows the very reason God proves that we can do anything through Him. Why can He do this? It is very simple. It only has four letters, but it is one of the strongest gifts that would be given. That one gift is unconditional. It is love. Deuteronomy 4:37 KJV – And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with this mighty power out of Egypt;

What does this prove, it shares that God is the King, He brings more than we think He does. In fact there are peeks at what will soon be. Could you find that peek into the future generations? Try seeing that through this verse. Psalm 44:4 KJV – Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

There are times when we forget that four letter word, love, and feel as though we are abandoned by God. In this verse we see that quite clearly. Psalm 74:12 KJV – O GOD, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

There are many ways to push away an enemy. One of those is through faith, which is part of love. We can conquer just about anything with God. This verse shares that with us. Psalm 44:5 KJV – Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

Note here in this verse how it shares that the enemies will be pushed down. This shares that they will be defeated not by the Israelites, but through the name of God. The comparison of this comes through as a ram, which shares the strength and determination God shares for the Israelites. Daniel 8:4; KJV – I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

Who, what should we trust in? We should trust in God. Why should we trust in God? One reason alone would bring that answer. That reason is love. Trust in God’s love instead of weapons, no matter what type of weaponse they would be. Psalm 44:6-7 KJV – For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

But though hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

Regardless of the fact that many would try to persevere but not with God, through God. Sometimes we forget to consider the strength of God’s grace. You can see this in our last verse. Psalm 33:16 KJV – There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

Strength can’t do everything. Physical, mental, emotional, and more, strength in each of these and others as well doesn’t always mean we’ve managed to fully conquer any, or all of them. That’s where God comes in. 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: Is Anything To Hard For God

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/b26ddff68

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 24, 2013

David’s Promise Serve God Joyfully with God’s Encouragement

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_4_24_2013

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

Note: One of our founding members has contacted me after quite some time, and we are working together to get back up to speed as to the ministry.
Prayer List: Please assist me in updating this prayer list. I haven't heard from many of you in this regard. Thank you and God bless you. 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.

Pray for Elder Cal he was admitted to the hospital through the emergency room a week ago last Thursday. Yesterday was better, but he’s still weak and still receiving blood transfusions. He had open heart surgery on Friday last week and now has been fighting pneumonia. He is no longer on the breathing machine or the heart machine, praise the LORD. Pray that he will not require still more surgery. Pray that his spiritual nourishment be increased. He also has had some technical issues, but does have his Iphone so he can receive messages. He also has had some other technical issues with his normal computer. May God provide him wellness, a method toward better communication, and bring that flicker of hope into a bright and roaring flame.

Pray for parents of a little one year old boy who was shot in the head for no reason in a town near me. His mother was wounded. The ones who did this are at large, pray that they are caught for their actions. Pray that understanding and solace can be managed for the family and the community.

Pray for friends Karen, Christie, her son Calvin, Art, Heather, Chris and his family, Jackie and her father, Debby, Tom, Teresa, Hope, during the start of the year for their issues of many forms.

Pray for Fran who is suffering a lot of pain and other issues.

Pray for Karen’s grandaughter Cyndal.

Pray for Marie’s Aunt Connie.

Pray for my friend Grace as she has had pretty bad migraines. Pray also that her stepson would make the right decisions. They are having a hard time, may we have praise from the LORD.

Pray for my friend Laura who hasn’t been feeling well, and was in the hospital on Thursday. No new news yet.

Continue your prayers for Little Phoebe Fair as she is now all the way out of chemotherapy. This week will be amazing for her! Pray that she comes through and her cancer stays into remission. Give her family faith and hope.

Pray for our outreach ministries, and all on their separate prayer lists, no matter where in this world they would be.

Pray for all the members of Covenant of Hope and all those who they reach out to. May each of the members find grace and peace in His love.

Pray for our leaders, local, state, federal and around the world. That they make good decisions for the many.

May the LORD allow us to claim His truth and His healing hands. May we listen and hear and understand what those things we listen to and hear as well.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We are thankful for Your gift of hope and faith and wisdom. We are thankful for friends and family. We pray for our enemies, that they see truth, and we are able to seek peace in the midst of all of it. We pray for our world filled with chaos. We pray for healing and strength in the things that must be done. This we pray in the name of our Father in Heaven through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening Song: Shout to the Lord http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/b160d6224

Sermon: The title for each section would bring us incredible understanding of the verses to follow. The first half, from verse one through five is titled David’s promise to serve God joyfully. The second section one verse, verse five and it is titled Encouragement to his soul. The titles of each segment say so much, even in just five short verses for this chapter. The first verse pulls no punches. You can see it here in Psalm 43:1 KJV – Judge me O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. Judge me, that’s what David says. He wants to have God judge his decision and help him fight against the ungodly and deliver him from the deceitful and unjust. Well, in truth, asking for this is a good thing. David provides us with a road to follow. He’s saying that sometimes we need the nudge to stay on the straight and narrow path. That nudge can end up being more than we bargained for, but it just might be necessary. We see some of that as noted here in Psalm 7:8 KJV – The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

Integrity, righteousness, these are things we fight for in life. Having our integrity broken, our righteousness questioned, it makes us take a second look. Sometimes that second look is needed. Other times it will just prove the point on our behalf. We continue the chapter with Psalm 43:2 KJV – For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I in mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Why does it feel bad, or like we’re abandoned, in the midst of the oppression of an enemy? Well, if you remember, Jesus said we should love our enemies as our friends. Regardless of our feelings, we have to see from all points of view, not just our own. Granted, that’s not easy for anyone. The best part, we see right here in Psalm 28:7 KJV – The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strengh of his anointed.

Trust, faith, understanding, integrity, these are the things David shares. They are added to in Isaiah 26:4 KJV – Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

Send out the light. A light in the darkness of our hearts, our spirits, our souls, even our minds. This brings us to think about the motto our ministry would share as the ending states ‘let us do so together as the rainbow in the darkness’. Psalm 43:3 KJV – O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

Years and years before David, God made a promise to Adam, and then to Abraham, that one of their descendants would save the world. That ability descended through David’s line. He was the very first to be named King of the Jews. Here we see a verse sharing that, just to clarify as to the light, and the truth.

Psalm 2:6 KJV – Yet have I set my king uupon my holy hill of Zion.

God will listen, if we do the same. He will hear, if we do the same. Now, truthfully, He is always listening, and hearing, it’s just that we don’t always follow through with the same. In this case, God hears the cry. Psalm 3:4 KJV – I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Now, here we go. Here the sharing of joy and praise, having the ability to do the one thing everyone wants, share joy and love, with God, and His love with each of us. Psalm 43:4 KJV – Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Sing, praise, dance, enjoy God’s love. Yet, even with that, there are days, times, even seconds where we feel like we’ve just lost that ability to do so. The very last verse shares the downslide from joy to despair. You could compare it to being perfectly healthy and then catching the flu, or ending up in the hospital for any reason. That’s what we see here in the last verse of the chapter. Psalm 43:5 KJV – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

There is, however, one thing that can help us seek that good again, the joy and laughter, and that is hope. So, we hope for that moment where we can again stay in a good mood, in good health, with great strength in our faith. Yes, it takes faith to hope and get us through, but it also takes hope just to keep that faith. Psalm 42:5, 11 KJV – Why art thou cast down O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

God is always our rock, our heart, our shield. The song says just that, but we tend to forget the same. People would say that things block that view. Well, sure they can, if we let them. That’s one thing God is showing us, that we shouldn’t just let those troubles, those seven little troubles that have a mighty hold on us, just do our best, and through God and Jesus we can, just do the best we can not to let them. 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: Open the Eyes of My Heart

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/b665a4178

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 17, 2013

Singing Praise Through Hope Is A Gift Of Unconditional Love

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_4_24_2013

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

Note: For those who celebrate, Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
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.

Pray for our family. Praise the LORD more than half of those have been solved. There are family members who continue to need prayer. Claim that God knows and will be there. Praise God, one of the single largest problems we have had is now done with. Pray that a solution will be found for a serious test I must have, claim that Jesus can give us answers for that. The cost is simply out of reach at the moment.

Pray for Elder Cal, as he has still been feeling pretty rotten. He was admitted to the hospital through the emergency room on Thursday last week. He had open heart surgery on Friday last week and now is fighting pneumonia. He is no longer on the breathing machine or the heart machine, praise the LORD. They have placed a tube in his lung to remove the mess caused by the pneumonia. There are currently seven IV’s in him. At this time there has been an added problem with an enlarged spleen. Pray that it will not require still more surgery. He hasn’t eaten in seven days at this point. Pray that his spiritual nourishment be increased. He also has had some technical issues, but does have his Iphone so he can receive messages. He also has had some other technical issues with his normal computer. May God provide him wellness, a method toward better communication, and bring that flicker of hope into a bright and roaring flame.

Pray for friends Karen, Christie, her son Calvin, Art, Heather, Chris and his family, Jackie and her father, Debby, Tom, Teresa, Hope, during the start of the year for their issues of many forms.

Pray for Fran who is suffering a lot of pain and other issues.

Pray for Karen’s grandaughter Cyndal.

Pray for Marie’s Aunt Connie.

Pray for my friend Grace as she has had pretty bad migraines. Pray also that her stepson would make the right decisions. They are having a hard time, may we have praise from the LORD.

Pray that the Lord will find a way for my family to reach the ability to solutions that are necessary for health, shelter, and more.

Pray for those who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, that they remain safe throughout the celebration.

Pray for our outreach ministries, and all on their separate prayer lists, no matter where in this world they would be.

Pray for all the members of Covenant of Hope and all those who they reach out to. May each of the members find grace and peace in His love.

Pray for our leaders, local, state, federal and around the world. That they make good decisions for the many.

May the LORD allow us to claim His truth and His healing hands. May we listen and hear and understand what those things we listen to and hear as well.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We are blessed in the fact we know You have already heard our prayers, and are answering them. We praise You for the gifts given to each of us, no matter what they might be. We bring you many who are in need of prayer, friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances and so many more. We pray that You will ease their pains, their sorrows, and their fears. We pray that You will share the joy and laughter, love and hope with all of them, and show our enemies what that could be. We ask this in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Be Blessed

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/bc8c86cc4

Sermon: When we are feeling as though nothing can help our souls feel better, feel happy, comforted, it isn’t easy for us. In the case of David, he wants to find a way to get out of the depression he is suffering. He is trusting in God to help him regain that faith, that hope, the love that can remove the sorrow and suffering he has experienced. We see this in Psalm 42:6 KJV – O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill of Mizar. There is a word change from ‘the hill Mizar’ to ‘the little hill Mizar’. How interesting that David wants to remember how God was in the land of Jordan, the Hermonites, and the hill of Mizar. He wants to do so because those were better times. They bring hope, which is something he needs at this point in time. You will see just how he feels in this verse here. Psalm 42:7 KJV – Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Imagine being covered in water, but not like you’re swimming. Some of us feel fear, in fact many would do so. This is what David feels like. He feels as though everything is swept away in the waves and billows, the waterspouts too. This is what fear can do. When you fear in the opposite direction from God, it brings all types of pain. Learning to understand this is not an easy thing. Yet, it can be understood by seeing it with different points of view like this one in Ezekiel 7:26 KJV – Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients. What is mischief? This is bringing harm, injury done by someone. Rumors, we know what they are. It’s gossip, stories that get exagerated. This isn’t a good thing. It is why the law will perish from priests and the counsel of the ancients. It’s definitely not a good thing. But, there is hope. That hope exists in lovingkindness, being affectionate, sharing or expressing love. What kind of love? It is unconditional love. That is what is being shared here in Psalm 42:8 KJV – Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

A blessing, a true blessing that is what this gives, shares, and brings answers to prayer. How amazing that is. God gives answers to our prayers. It is something to treasure, to appreciate, and to share with others, with praise, faith, and hope. You see this again here in an older view from Deuteronomy 28:8 KJV – The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Isn’t it nice to realize God can give us so much, as long as we listen, and hear. You see, you can’t have one without the other. A blessing must be both seen and heard, shared and brought. It is a true gift and praise should be offered for it. It should be just that. Our last set of verses shares something many of us suffer, we forget what God can give, do, and prove. That is what David is suffering at this point through Psalm 42:9-11 KJV – I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I in mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is they God?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

There is a word change in verse ten that changes ‘sword in my bones’ to ‘killing’. Think about it, the pain of not understanding, not being able to fight back because of unbelief, allowing the troubles and the dangers within us and surrounding us pulls us down. It causes suffering. Hope, that is what we must see. Hope, you see, is a gift, an amazing gift from unconditional love. When we sing praise through hope, amazing things can happen. 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: Jesus Is Calling

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/c1852037e

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 10, 2013

Teaching The Zeal of David for God And Sharing It As Our Own

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_3_10_2013

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

Birthdays: My youngest son and I celebrate our birthdays at the end of this week. My son will be fifteen. I will be forty-three.
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

Continue your prayers for Little Phoebe Fair as she just completed her final round of chemotherapy. This week will be amazing for her! Pray that she comes through and her cancer stays into remission. Give her family faith and hope.

Pray for Elder Cal, these are urgent prayers. He was taken to the hospital yesterday. He is in critical condition at the moment. May God provide him wellness, a method toward better communication, and bring that flicker of hope into a bright and roaring flame.

Pray for friends Karen, Christie, her son Calvin, Art, Heather, Chris and his family, Jackie and her father, Debby, Tom, Teresa, Hope, during the start of the year for their issues of many forms.

Pray for Fran who is suffering a lot of pain and other issues.

Pray for Karen’s granddaughter Cyndal.

Pray for Marie’s Aunt Connie.

Pray that the Lord will find a way for my family to reach the ability to solutions that are necessary for health, shelter, and more.

Pray for our outreach ministries, and all on their separate prayer lists, no matter where in this world they would be.

Pray for all the members of Covenant of Hope and all those who they reach out to. May each of the members find grace and peace in His love.

Pray for our leaders, local, state, federal and around the world. That they make good decisions for the many.

May the LORD allow us to claim His truth and His healing hands. May we listen and hear and understand what those things we listen to and hear as well.

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 brought to us, even in the midst of trial and tribulation. We praise Your ability to bring light into the darkness, as the rainbow, or just as brilliant light. We bring those who need prayer up to Your ears, that they may be healed, comforted, and understood. We pray all of these things in Your Holy Name, Amen.

Opening Song: Trading My Sorrows http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/watchandlisten/play/b192def7e

Sermon: The title for this chapter is as follows: Zeal of David to serve God. It is directed to the chief Musician, Maschil for the sons of Korah. Now, what does this title mean? Well, in the Scriptures written in the King James circa 1890-1910 there would be this to share: A psalm giving instruction of the sons. So, basically it is to teach these sons of Korah. Let’s take a look at the first verse as shared here in Psalm 42:1 KJV – As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Okay, so what is a hart? According to the dictionary, a hart is a type of deer. So the deer pants for the water. A soul should want as much as the deer, to seek the LORD. Now, that’s an interesting comparison, but it also tells us quite a lot. Add to this, pants could also be seen as braying. So, braying, it’s a type of calling out, as such, this means we should do the same. There is a song that says ‘shout to the Lord’ and that surely fits this ideal. Let us look further as we explore Psalm 42:2 KJV – My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Now, we have heard the words living God, and you can recall our Savior saying ‘This is my body’ as well as ‘This is my blood’. As it is now Lent, these words are to be considered as almost a foreshadowing of what would be. Remember, Jesus is a descendant of David’s line. I say ‘is’ plain and simply because Jesus lives in each of us, as God and the Holy Spirit do the same. Here is one way to remember how Jesus brought us to recall this particular verse. John 7:37 KJV – In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

If anyone wants the wisdom of God’s truth, then all they have to do is come to Jesus. He’ll give us all that we need in regard to knowledge, so that we might put it to use. Once we do both, wisdom can be both seen, heard, and understood. We also see a similar view, turning away from the deceit and seeking the truth. I Thessalonians 1:9 KJV – For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Serving God should be seen in truth, not in what others think, but in what He tells each of us. We have similar views, that is why we gather together to minister one to the other. That is one of the many reasons we reach out to each one of us, no matter the way we do so. Let us remember that love is found when we just look around. Look, see, just turn through the pages of those listed and realize, God has given us friends, as family, just as our family can be our friends. Yes, that sounds like the same thing backwards, but it’s truly friends as family, and then family as friends. Sometimes though, our hearts get so burdened we forget that very fact. That’s what we see when David shares this here in Psalm 42:3-4 KJV – My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

When we remember the love of God is not just seen through our eyes, but in every living thing. You realize, even the wind lives. The stars, the sun, the moon, all of them live. They may not live in the same fashion, but they all live just the same. If they did not, we wouldn’t see solar flares, eclipses, phases of the moon, or the seasons as they change. This is yet another reason to have music, songs, in our spirit, our soul, and our being. You can see this in Isaiah 30:29 KJV – Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.

Even with all this, we can feel like we’re alone. Our souls can feel as though our souls are being tortured. Yet, there can be hope, we just have to look for it. Even in our worst times, remember to praise God, because He will give us a path out of the darkness. Psalm 42:5 KJV – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Note here, not only would God be able to quite a tortured and tormented soul, He can help us smile in the face of adversity. Again, that’s not always an easy thought. It’s also not easy to see the possibility. Yet, if you think about life as it has been for each of us, there are times we can smile through our tears, laugh in the midst of terror, and more. This is where trusting in God comes in. Remember, fear not, as Jesus and many others have said. This is shared here. Psalm 56:3, 11 KJV – What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

We don’t just hear this once, we hear it three times. Here is the second. Isaiah 50:10 KJV – Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Listen and hear, you’ll find a reason to follow. This is what is being shared. Also, you’ll find something even more interesting in regard to trust. That something is hope. We see that shared in our final verse. Lamentations 3:24 KJV – The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Hope is that light standing still in the darkness. Like our mission statement shares, we are here not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness. That is what we all should 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)

Thoughts from Elder Calvin Jennings - It seems that you are saying that, if you thirst for God, then you can have faith that God will see you through, even when people and things are against you.

Closing Song: Wonderful Words of Life

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/bab8b056a

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 3, 2013

The Lord Delivers Us In Times Of Trouble

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_3_3_2013

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

We have email and Instant Messenger through Facebook available most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays 10AM to 2PM ET US. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will be informing you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made due to health reasons. There will be live sermons, and the sermon length will be shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that might be.
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

Pray for Elder Cal, as he has still been feeling pretty rotten. He also has had some technical issues. May God provide him wellness, a method toward better communication, and bring that flicker of hope into a bright and roaring flame.

Pray for friends Karen, Christie, her son Calvin, Art, Heather, Chris and his family, Jackie and her father, Debby, Tom, Teresa, Hope, during the start of the year for their issues of many forms.

Pray for Thomas, as he is having a lot of chaos in his life. He is mourning the loss of his former wife, Mary Cathryn Michel-Lynch, as his father is doing the same.

Pray for Fran who is suffering a lot of pain and other issues.

Pray for Karen’s grandaughter Cyndal.

Pray for Marie’s Aunt Connie.

Pray that the Lord will find a way for my family to reach the ability to solutions that are necessary for health, shelter, and more.

Pray for our outreach ministries, and all on their separate prayer lists, no matter where in this world they would be.

Pray for all the members of Covenant of Hope and all those who they reach out to. May each of the members find grace and peace in His love.

Pray for our leaders, local, state, federal and around the world. That they make good decisions for the many.

May the LORD allow us to claim His truth and His healing hands. May we listen and hear and understand what those things we listen to and hear as well.

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 of hope and faith and all those gifts within Your everlasting and unconditional love. We bring prayers for friends, colleagues and enemies too. There are many to add to that list, in our hearts, our minds, our spirits and our souls. We pray in thanksgiving for Your listening and hearing our prayers. Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Jesus Is Calling

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/watchandlisten/play/c1852037e

Sermon: Our Father speaks quite a bit about the poor. In His eyes poor can mean many things. Yet, over fifty percent are in regard to the spirit within us. It is sometime a hard climb to remember that our spirits can overcome any obstacle, so long as we have faith and allow the spirit within us to take care of that. It’s never easy to give it to God, we see some of the fear David portrays. Fear eats at our spirit. He shares something that is amazing. He gives us something very interesting as well. It is something that life can surprise us. Wouldn’t you want to be surprised if you could just cheer someone up with a literal or virtual pat on the shoulder? In this world of chaos, a little comfort is better than none. This first verse shares just that. Psalm 41:1 KJV – Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

Loving our neighbors, tolerating their ideals and ways, understanding them, no matter whether they are on the other side of your fence, or across the borders of your countries. Granted, that fence tends to get demolished once in a while, and in others it is raised as high as it can go. These fences, walls, can be literal, spiritual, and more. There is more proof of that here in Proverbs 14:21KJV – He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

We have talked about lack many times, in this case, it is the lack of spirit, as shared by our Saviour. It is a most eye opening thought from Him. Mark 10:21 KJV – Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

In this world of want over need we often don’t realize we simply have too much. There are many who would appreciate some of the items around that are simply gathering dust. A gift of that will raise our spirits. Lovingkindness brings amazing things, it is a true gift, and many don’t realize when you share love, as lovingkindness portrays, you realize that love can be returned. This isn’t just intimate love, it is friendly, it is understanding, and so much more. It is a gift that can preserve our hearts and spirits as shared here in this set of verses Psalm 41:2-3 KJV - The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

The gift of life is the single most amazing and precious gift. A child newly born takes their first breath, and proves that love is both shared and cared about. His strength helps us through those times you simply want to just stay in bed and hide under the covers. His love does amazing things for those of us in so many states, physical, spiritual, mental and more we often have no patience and ask for mercy just as this verse shares with us. Psalm 41:4 KJV – I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

There are many places asking mercy, kindness, understanding and more. Those verses just support each other as this one would do. Psalm 6:2 KJV – Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

His bones are vexed, they are plagued, usually with pain or something considered an annoyance. In some ways we all have seen or felt many forms of these. One often has a difficult time holding on to patience, as this verse has portrayed. You’ve heard these words most likely: sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. This, in unique ways, actually fits this series of verses in Psalm 41:5-7 KJV – Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?

And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself: when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

Lies hurt, they don’t just hurt the person who has been lied about, but also the one who has lied. There are those who say lies can be black or white. There are others who say lies are lies, period. If you stop yourself from giving an opinion, or even pointing out a lie, it’s not always the best thing, but there are times you simply have no choice, so that others don’t get hurt by the same lie. As is portrayed in many ways, lies are hurtful, cruel, and yes, even a plague or disease. It is not a good thought to consider that this is what can be seen, heard, and felt in regard to our lies. Psalm 41:8-9 KJV – An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat upon my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

When I was a child there was a saying we had, liar, liar, pants on fire. If you think about it, that’s exactly what’s occuring if you lie. You lie, it can, and often will bite you back, thus the reference to fire. Stubborn people won’t realize that the lies that are told can do just as much in the realm of pain toward them, as it is toward those they share it with. You see it as it is viewed here in Isaiah 30:9 KJV – That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD.

There is a phrase I remember from somewhere, but can’t think of at this time. That phrase is ‘If I had eyes to see, and ears to hear, right there I’d be, to hold you close my dear.’ Many of us don’t see what our lies do. We don’t feel what they manage doing. Psalm 56:3, 11 KJV – What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Fear comes in so many forms. It is hard to overcome our fears, but if we remember to give them to God, those fears ease, they might not necessarily go away. The path to make those fears, that’s what His assistance can often give us. The children are taught a song titled ‘This Little Light of Mine’, God is that light. Jesus is that light, as the rainbow in the darkness, peace can be found as shared here. Isaiah 50:10 KJV – Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

The light, as Isaiah shares, is one that can offer hope, in the midst of despair. There are always going to be days where we forget how much God can do, and how often He is with us. In order for us to remember, we should examine our Scripture as it is written here. Lamentations 3:24 KJV – The LORD is my portion saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

What does portion mean here? In fact it includes many ideals and portrayals, love, a gift that holds hope, peace, faith and more. In these verses you will see mercy, hope, and understanding. Psalm 41:10 -13 KJV – But thou, O LORD, be merciful upon me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

By this I know that thou favourest me, becaused mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Notice the Amen and Amen. So it is, and so it is. The repetition is something that does more than repeat it self. This is actually affirmation that it is as it is. Yet, there is still going to be that which will tear love and all it holds into pieces. That is shared here in our last verse.Ezekial 7:26 KJV – Mischief shall come upon mischief and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest and counsel from the ancients.

Rumors can hurt, because they change from person to person as it is passed on. Too often, the entire original rumor given will actually end up being something completely different and cause spiritual and mental pain for every person who shared that rumor, as well as the one who was the aim for that same rumor. A loose tongue is a dangerous ideal. 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: Just A Closer Walk With Me

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/b173ee184

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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.

About Us/

Welcome, we are Covenant of Hope Ministries. We celebrate the light in the darkness. There are those of us who need a connection, one to another, whether it is someone we want to learn about, or someone we know and wish to keep in touch with. Ministry is all about sharing faith, hope, and unconditional love. This all would offer peace from the heart. It doesn't matter who you are, where you live, if you are traveling a lot, or otherwise, we serve Christians and Others who are disabled, displaced, disadvantaged and disenchanted in today's world. Licensed Ordained Minister, Rev. Laura A. Neff, Evangelist, Cal Jennings, Outreach Ministers including Rev. Lisa, Pastor Stephen, Apostle Eric, and many others. I am licensed to perform wedding ceremonies in the state of Georgia, USA. I was ordained in 2007 by Rev. Teresa Piercey-Gates. We established this ministry in October of 2008.

MESSENGER

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Remembering the Strength and Favors of God

Sunday, March 24, 2013

David’s Promise Serve God Joyfully with God’s Encouragement

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Singing Praise Through Hope Is A Gift Of Unconditional Love

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Teaching The Zeal of David for God And Sharing It As Our Own

Sunday, March 3, 2013

The Lord Delivers Us In Times Of Trouble