Sunday, April 28, 2013

What It Means To Be Rich In The Love God Brings

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_4_28_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. We haven’t been many names for the prayer list, save two or three. Please bring any you might have.

Please continue to pray for Pastor Eric from our Outreach Ministries. He is having issues with his leg and needs funds to manage fixing the problem, pray that the funds are made available for his health and strength.

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

Pray for my daughter as she prepares for graduation from college.

Pray for my eldest son who is just beginning his collegiate pursuits, that he would grow in his learning and understanding.

Pray for my daughter, who graduated college Friday, that her life and career, though just beginning, be a beautiful experience.

Pray for Elder Cal he is having pain and trouble breathing. I had chest pain 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.

This is one that Rev. Lisa Tyler brought us: Robert is a quadraplegic man in hospital with blood pressure and fever problems. There are many others, but God knows the names.

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 continues to heal.

Pray that a test done this past week would bring answers as to my health.

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. Give praise that a solution has been found for a serious test I must have, praise You, Jesus for the gift of answers for that. The cost is now a very good possibility.

Pray that pain, which all who we love and care about may suffer, would ease, no matter the type of pain it would be.

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 Ministries 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 grateful that You hear our voices. We are blessed no matter what answer we receive. We have many prayers to bring you. There are many names, and many reasons for these prayers, and we give them all to You. May Your love be listened to, and heard through the faith we have in Your Son Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: With All I Am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=OKLyqo8Uwew

Sermon: Well, here we continue the ideal regarding the gift of tomorrow. For example, tomorrow is, though unknown, filled with possibilities, so long as we do not worry so much about what tomorrow might have in store. We do that far too often in life, it doesn’t matter who we would be, how positive, negative, or realistic we would be. In this case, as it was last week, it is hope, faith, praise and so much more seen in a dream of tomorrow.

Psalm 45:8-10 KJV – All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;

Who is the writer speaking of? As our last sermon shared, the writer speaks of God, of course. Who are the kings’ daughters? Do you know? It doesn't give a number, but it does say that these women would be honorable and there would be a queen, a queen of Ophir, or a queen of the rich. So, these women are honorable, but the queen is of the rich. It says to listen to God, in the present, not from the fathers of the past. In other words, look toward the future and leave the mistakes of the past behind. Look toward that future with God at our side. Now, there’s something we often have issues with, just like the Israelites. Do you know who the queen of Ophir might be? Consider this, the rich could be rich in understanding, faith, love, and more. It isn’t always about money or stature in Scripture. What’s the saying? ‘It’s not what you have, it’s what you do with it.’ Look at this, the queen is found on His right side. We know what it means to be on the right hand of God.

Deuteronomy 21:8 KJV – Be merciful , O Lord, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

Psalm 45:11 KJV – So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

God wants us to remember that being good, though it is never easy, it is better for us to do so, because it brings out our true beauty. Remember, beauty is found within, not on our skin. We have to remember that, because God sees that beauty, because he is our Lord, of course, and we worship him, no matter who we are, where we live, and so on.

Psalm 95:6 KJV – O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

We forget, sometimes, that it is better to be grateful, thankful, toward God for all He has given us. After all, He gave us life, and life is what we make of it, because He gave it to us.

Isaiah 54:6 KJV – For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

We often don’t think of God calling us home, but that is what this verse shares. It links to our verses because it is the beauty of what we should be, what we would be, if we had listened and heard. There it is again, listening and hearing, you can’t do one without the other, unless you do as the saying says, ‘let it in one ear and out the other’. It is where we hear it but don’t, and look like we listen but we won’t. It isn’t speaking about listening and hearing each other, though this would be beneficial, this actually speaks in regard to listening and hearing God. Home, what does it mean calling us home? It isn’t calling us to paradise after death here on earth, it is closer to realizing His teaching, and His path would be far better than being the one lost in the maze. Jesus said the same.

Psalm 45:12 KJV –And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favor. Tyre is a seaport city. Daughter of Tyre, the women, or a woman, who live there. What type of rich would these verses speak of? Rich as in money or stature, or rich as in fulfillment no matter how much or how important we would be? In the NIV, it speaks as money and stature. The rich are asking for favor. Remember what Jesus told the rich man? He told us to sell all that we have and follow Him. He wasn’t just talking about monetary goods, but far more than that. This is speaking to have the rich be equal to the humble. Now, this is not to say you couldn’t be rich and not also humble, it just takes a lot of learning to realize that it’s the people, family, that is much more important. This is the gift. A gift given on all ends of the financial scale. Now, that’s something we all must think about.

Psalm 45:13 KJV – The King’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

Remember what we have learned about vanity. Who is the King here? Perhaps if we thought in the realm of vanity, envy, and such, the king would be earthly, and we know all about that potential. Here, however, we speak of being wrought of gold, in essence, purity, truth, God’s richness.

Revelation 19:7, 8 KJV – Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

The marriage of Christ is often something we look forward to. The wife is Israel, and her descendants. It is often known that we view cities and countries as feminine, so Israel as the bride of Christ, this is seen from other views as shared in our Psalm. 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: Here I Am To Worship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=CoxopsRSfdU

~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.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Ministry of Reconciliation

When I was a girl, I often wondered what this pair of verses meant. I asked many times for someone to interpret it. When I was nine, I only used the NIV. Now I do both NIV and KJV. The reason is, sometimes the translation doesn’t fit. Perhaps the meaning hasn’t been translated just right. That’s why, sometimes I will use both and sometimes I will use just one of the versions. In this case, I am using both. Let’s start with this version of II Corinthians 5:17, 18 KJV – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

Becoming someone who is “in” Christ, just what does that mean? It means we are the branches of the vine. You remember the parable The Vine and the Branches, also known as the True Vine in John 15, depending on the version of Scripture. When we are “in” Christ, it means we are part of Him. He lives in us, through the Spirit. Having us “in” Christ gives us a new Spirit, thus becoming a new creature, and seeing things through different eyes. We just have to remember that’s exactly what we should be doing. Look at life through new eyes, and leave the past alone. Now, it’s not an easy thing to live in the present and hope for tomorrow. Memories, bad, or good, tend to have us reminiscing, or reliving those times. That’s the thing. If we only live in our memories, we can’t see the new. We can’t hear that same new. We can’t appreciate it either. There is the reason we should remind our selves that to be “in” Christ, we have to look toward when we actually see Him, not just in our hearts, our spirits, our souls, but with our eyes, so that our minds can see hope in full color. You see, the blessing of hope comes with being a “new” man. You can see it in this view of II Corinthians 5:17, 18 NIV – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

The OLD is gone! The NEW has come! RECONCILED that’s what we are, because through Christ we can do anything, with God and Christ, everything is possible. Reconciliation proves that. Think about it this way. If you have had a good friendship and then something happens to break that friendship, but, down the road, you find common ground once more, that is reconciliation. It is the same with God and Jesus. The hardest part for all of us, is realizing what reconciliation would be, not just with others around us, friends, neighbors, colleagues, family, and more, but with God and Jesus. The more we can do to ease the sorrows, the frustration, the anger, and even to find their source, whether it be in our heart or in theirs, to find the source offers the doorway to reconciliation. It doesn’t matter who, or when it happens. What matters is that it does, even if it is in spirit. Have you been there? Think about it.

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~The Rainbow Minister

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder

Covenant of Hope Ministries
http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

The Love of Loves_God’s Gift For Our Hearts_Spirits_& Souls

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_4_21_2013

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

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

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope (currently unable to bring video, but there are hopes for this to return.)

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. We haven’t had new names for the prayer list, save one. Please bring any you might have. We haven’t had new names for the prayer list, save two or three. Please bring any you might have.

Please pray for Pastor Eric from our Outreach Ministries. He is having issues with his leg and needs funds to manage fixing the problem, pray that the funds are made available for his health and strength.

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

Pray for my daughter as she prepares for graduation from college.

Pray for my eldest son who is just beginning his collegiate pursuits, that he would grow in his learning and understanding.

Pray for Elder Cal he is still having issues with pain and breathing and 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.

This is one that Rev. Lisa Tyler brought us: Robert is a quadraplegic man in hospital with blood pressure and fever problems. God knows who all our other prayers are for.

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 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.

Pray that good news follows a phone call made Thursday. 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. Give praise that a solution has been found for a serious test I must have, praise You, Jesus for the gift of answers for that. The cost is now a very good possibility.

Pray that pain, which all who we love and care about may suffer, would ease, no matter the type of pain it would be.

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 Ministries 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 our friends, no matter where in this world they would be. We are thankful for health, faith, love, and understanding. There are many to pray for, and You know all the names. We thank You for listening to each prayer. We pray for our soldiers, that they be safe, and our leaders, that they keep all of us safe, no matter what reason there might be. We pray all these things in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) - Matt Redman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

Sermon: The very first thing you see in the title: To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves which could also be a Song of instructions. That provides interesting insight on the words in the verses chosen. Psalm 45:1-3 KJV – My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

The first thing about this verse is that there is an intriguing change. The words is inditing a good matter could also be considered boileth, or bubbleth up. This is found in the first verse of the chapter, how interesting that inditing could be changed to boiling or bubbling up. It gives us a different point of view.

Psalm 45:4 KJV – And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things,

The first thing we’re going to talk about is the fact that we have yet another word change. The words ride prosperously could also be read as prosper thou, ride thou. Here we see how both speak of prospering. They ride in prosperity. When we ride in prosperity, you are able to find a way through the hard times and prosper. The words live long and prosper are familiar to some, but, truthfully, they come straight from Scripture. Live long and prosper, riding in prosperity.

Psalm 45:5-6 KJV – Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Note the verses here speak of how God takes care of enemies, moving them out of the way for His chosen people. After this it speaks of living strength of God’s creation, earth, the creatures of earth, and man. You see, without God’s strength, we would hardly be here. He has strength of heart, as he let Adam and Eve live so that we could learn, and always learn something new. That’s the gift of tomorrow.

Psalm 93:2 KJV – Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

Everlasting, means forever, sharing that nothing will change His love for us, even with our faults, is forever. It shares a different, yet identical view of our main verses. Let’s see what else would be included in the voice of Psalms.

Isaiah 9:6,7 KJV - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Well then, this is very familiar, isn’t it? Jesus tells us the same in the New Testament. God also proclaims it, even in different words with the same message.

Hebrews 1:8 KJV – But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righesousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

A sceptre of righteousness, this shares what the Psalm also relays to us. It gives us a view of the truth that is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 45:7 KJV – Thou loves righeousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

There is one change in this verse it is God to O God this too is intriguing, O God, thy God, that is what the change manages. God is His own, and ours as well. That is something that we often don’t think of, God’s love is his as well as ours. That’s an interesting view of this verse, and of Scripture as a whole. Let’s continue to see what our next verses share in relation to this verse.

Psalm 33:5 KJV – The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.

Matthew 3:15 KJV – And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Hebrews 1:9 KJV – Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath annointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

The oil of gladness comes from loving through righteousness. Isn’t it nice to know that God loves us through righteousness? Sure, we have our falls, but that’s why God and Jesus through the Holy Spirit give us a hand up. That hand up is righteousness.

Isaiah 61:1 KJV – The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

Look at what God shares. He shares that he can open the jails, bring joy and happiness to the meek, counseling the brokenhearted, and give freedom to those who are imprisoned, not just in buildings, but inside themselves. There are those in this world who put their hearts, their spirits, their souls in a prison of their own. It is a terrible place to live, just as it is terrible to live in the one with bars, gates, and no ability to get free, due to chains and handcuffs, which were used, and are used to this day.

John 20:17 KJV – Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

My God and your God, notice, Jesus said touch me not and then shared the words that would give us hope, ascension to the Father, and proving that not only is God the Father of Jesus, He is the Father for each of us. Jesus is more than a messenger, He is the proclamation of the freedom of mankind from the curse of the apple, the loss of hope forever was within that apple and the temptation managed through the serpent, Satan, and into the heart of Eve who then gave it to Adam. And so, our torment began. Jesus took that torment, and sacrificed His very lifeblood, the Spirit within Him to ensure that Satan could have no hold on those who believe. This definitely links to our Psalm this week, and gives us so very much. 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: Amen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHHYQX-HRf8

~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.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A Study From Pastor Stephen

Our ministry has many branches, as God our Father has the vine, Jesus, He has the branches, those branches include each of us who believes. This study was written by our Outreach Ministry member, Pastor Stephen Okoth. His words are inspiring.

With Bible doctrine one must always go back to the place of origin.

In connection with the origin of creation we must go back to the Creator, in connection with redemption we must go back to the Redeemer.

The great plan of salvation that God has provided is realized in the fact that He brings His sons and daughters back to their original position.

To them He gives eternal life and they will be eternally with Him.

God unfolds His Plan of Redemption before us and we are partakers of His provision.

Not just knowledge about God — it must be accurate knowledge, namely that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, His only begotten Son, the anointed One, to reconcile the world with Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

The Son said, "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake." (John 14:11).

The Father, who is God the Spirit, was in heaven on the throne and on earth IN THE SON at the same time.

Doctrine, knowledge, or religion does not bring salvation; God Himself did it through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

May we be blessed in the fact that God’s grace and love brought our Savior to us, to die for us, and to share everlasting life. Thank you very much for sharing this, Pastor Stephen.

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~The Rainbow Minister

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder

Covenant of Hope Ministries
http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Our Pleas Heard But We Do Not Do The Same

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon originally posted_4_14_2013

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

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

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

Please pray that our brothers and sisters who are ill will regain their health.
Please pray that my son has a great year in school as he attends his first year of college.
Please pray for peace and prosperity for the many who need it most.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We are grateful that You listen, even when we do not. We are blessed that You listen, and hear, regardless that we often don’t do the same. We pray for those we love, those we know, and those we don’t, that they be safe, secure, and well. We pray for peace given from the heart. We pray for hope in the midst of despair. We pray all these things in Your Holy Name, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: With Arms Wide Open http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99j0zLuNhi8&list=LLys7UjSJHrgrNHy9kLrkxpw&feature=player_detailpage

Sermon: Lessons learned is wisdom earned. I cannot remember where I heard this particular phrase, but, in this particular section of our psalm, it most definitely can be thought of as something important. The title of this sermon, Our Pleas Heard But We Do Not Do The Same, You see, God always has an ear ready to listen, and a mind, spirit, and soul to hear what is listened to. The problem is, we forget how we are supposed to do the very same thing. The first pair of verses show how we forget to listen and hear. We only see the bad, when there is good to be found.

Psalm 44:18-19 KJV –Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;

Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

Sometimes we need to be taught lessons we don’t like to be taught. Yet, those lessons may seem like they are horrible tests, in actuality, they bring us strength in understanding. You see, if you understand, you can be enlightened, knowledge then increases to the point of wisdom. It is that point we must reach, in order to see what righteousness would be. This is the time of succour, the time of assistance when we get hit by bad things. We often forget that He is there to give us that assistance, maybe not physically, but spiritually. That’s very important for all of us. There is one potential word change in verse eighteen where it says ‘steps declined from thy way’, this can also be shared as ‘goings declined from thy way’. What does this share? It shares times we fall away from the path of righteousness. That’s something we tend to do a lot more than we may realize.

Isaiah 34:13 KJV – And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.

The terrible thing is we often fall into the dangers of those trials and tribulations, those troubles that can, and will, trap us in our fear there are two word changes at the very end of this verse, the first is changing to a court for ostriches replacing the very same portion of the verse that shares this next one. The second is a court for owls which would also, or rather, could also be seen as daughters of the owl. Note the verse shares both ostriches and owls. Stick your head in the sand. The second, daughters of the owl, what could it mean? We normally see owls as objects representing wisdom, so, perhaps this court for owls is fighting against the ostriches, maybe getting heads out of the sand to hear, see, know, and understand.

Psalm 44:20-21 KJV – If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

How many times have we forgotten the fact that God knows our footsteps, our thoughts, even our fears, before they even reach our hearts, our minds, our spirits, and our souls. That’s something too many of us think would be impossible. You must remember, with God, anything is possible. It is shared in Scripture many times. Yet, we often forget that very same thought. With God, we can do anything, and anything is possible. It doesn’t matter who would think it, but often there are times we say this or that would be impossible. We aren’t thinking about the gifts God can give, the strength in His love, and more. That’s something we all should work on. There are several connecting verses to this one starting here.

Job 31:14 KJV - They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.

It’s not unusual to feel like you’ve been rolled up under the water, or a truck. Often life can make us feel as though we are over our head in the water, even like we are drowning. It isn’t easy to pull ourselves out. Often we forget that God is there to lend a hand. Those helping hands are more important than we may ever know.

Psalm 139:1 KJV – O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

How many times have we thought that God wouldn’t realize who we are, what we are made of, physically, spiritually, mentally, and more? In some cases, that would be a daily occurrence. In others, it could be minute to minute or second to second. So many of us forget that He is there, and all we have to do is ask.

I Samuel 16:7 KJV – But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Here we see a perfect view of the one thing that mankind would pursue every day of the week. We see beauty on the outside, but often forget to look within. If you listen to their hearts, you’ll understand your own. Don’t always look on the outside, because the inside, the heart, could be quite ugly.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 KJV – For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Some may never have heard a song that shares the words ‘whether you are bad or good’ it is a Christmas song here where I live. God knows secrets, whether they are our own, or those they have heard from others. Keeping secrets, not just about ourselves, but about others, isn’t easy, nor is it good in every instance. The thing that must be used is discernment. You’ve got to tear that secret apart and see if it will bring anyone to harm, including your self.

John 2:25 KJV – And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

He knows man. No need to testify something God already knows. There is an interesting revelation, knowing that God already knows everything we do and say. That is where judgment comes in. Yet, God will only watch as Jesus, His Son, would bring judgment, as He brought sacrifice to save us. Note this, not only did He sacrifice to save, He will also provide judgment, which looks quite like a twoedged sword.

Acts 1:24 KJV – And they prayed, and said Thou, Lord, which knoest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.

The chosen ones, there’s one we hear about throughout scripture. We see the ideal so often it should be by rote when we encounter it time and again. Who are the chosen ones? They are the ones who listen, and hear. They are the ones who take what they listen to and hear first knowledge then wisdom, toward the path of righteousness. This leads up to what is shared here.

Romans 2:16 KJV - In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Note it says the secrets of men. Those shall be judged as much as our actions. Think about it, secrets, words, actions, all linked together, and all to be judged. It is very difficult to realize which would be part of our lives and whether we have been able to overcome those same trials and tribulations.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV – For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

You see, God and Jesus are of one Spirit, that is why the Holy Spirit was given to us. They can discern every part of us, from heart, mind, soul, spirit, to bones and marrow, muscle and skin, and more still. How often do you think of all these parts of us as being part of our trials and tribulations? How often do you think the author of this psalm realized that is just what God was sharing? Was it learned even many, many years later? Well, we’ll see in this verse from the word of Jesus as shared here.

Revelations 2:23 KJV – And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

So, who are her children? We should all remember. Those are known as troubles. Vanity, Lust, Envy, Enmity, Malice, Shame, and Doubt. What is the worst trouble that there could be? Each and every one of these would lead to that one. That worst scenario would be death. Our hearts speak as much as the mind, the spirit, the soul, because we have to, we must remember that controlling our thoughts, our expressions and more would indeed bring much more than we may ever realize.

Psalm 44:22-26 KJV – Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?

For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.

‘For our help’ could also be ‘a help for us’. Think about it this way, they are asking for a helping hand. When we give someone a helping hand, it can certainly change things from bad to good. Shouldn’t we believe that God can do the same? In this case, the plea is to get them out of the mess they created. There are many who get into that same sticky spot. Yet again, we cannot remember that God is there to pick us up out of the mud, the muck, and the dirt. This is yet another thing we forget sometimes daily. 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: On Eagles Wings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&list=FLys7UjSJHrgrNHy9kLrkxpw&v=MvpjxfWrjzY

~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 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.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Presence of God’s Love Even In Silence

Zephaniah has an interesting verse shared here 3:17 KJV - The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

There is a word change for rest in his love shared as he will be silent in his love. Look at it, silent in his love, rest in his love, in other words, even when we don’t realize His love, it is there. Many of us in this world forget this, that’s when troubles, you remember those, can creep into our lives. Yet, regardless of the troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt, God is there, His love will always be there, waiting for us to see what those seven do to each of us. Take a look at what the NIV shares here in Zephaniah 3:17 – The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Look at this, it says nearly the exact same thing. We can relish and rejoice in His mighty love. You realize love can be strong enough to help us do anything. You remember also, GOD is LOVE and there is nothing stronger in this universe, not just in this world, but in all that has been created, the sun, the moon, and the stars all surrounding us here on earth. We should realize this in the gift of the Son of God, our Savior, Jesus. What a wonderful thing to think about. Don’t you think?

~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.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Wait Upon the LORD & Find the Strength of Eagles

I saw these verses today in my email. They most certainly epitomize my life and those of many others I would know. This comes from the book of Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV - He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The NIV shares it like this: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Note there isn't a whole lot of difference between the versions. Power to the faint, strength in place of power; Faint for tired, utterly for stumble; wait on the LORD to hope in the LORD; mount up with wings as eagles changes to soar on wings like eagles, the rest would be nearly identical. Also see that it says even youths tire and get weary. That is one thing that links all ages, tired and weary for old and for the young. To share the common links regardless of age shares something we often don't see, or don't want to see. There are times that even the most able, the strongest people in the world can become weak and weary, regardless of their youth, their strength, and more. They just take longer to get to that point than those who have reason to hurt, including age, disability, illness, or whatever. There are times we all feel like this.
Think about it.

~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.

Covenant Of Hope Ministries

MESSENGER

Sunday, April 28, 2013

What It Means To Be Rich In The Love God Brings

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Sunday, April 21, 2013

The Love of Loves_God’s Gift For Our Hearts_Spirits_& Souls

Opening Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) - Matt Redman

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A Study From Pastor Stephen

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Our Pleas Heard But We Do Not Do The Same

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Presence of God’s Love Even In Silence

Monday, April 8, 2013

Wait Upon the LORD & Find the Strength of Eagles