The Biggest and Best Advice Brought By Jesus

Good afternoon, welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries. My name is Rev. Laura A. Neff, the Rainbow Minister. The choice for Rainbow has to do with the fact that the rainbow symbolizes a promise made and one that can and will be kept. I made, long ago, a promise to God that I would do all I could to keep that faith within me. We are normally posted on Sundays for sermons and Wednesdays for studies. You can find these posted in the following locations.

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

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

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 a friend of mine, Kerry, who has been having tests and more done in relation to her fight with cancer.

- Please continue praying for a friend Susie Bartholow as she is, as far as I know, still in hospice. She has been in very grave condition with cancer. She is home with her family while in hospice care.

- Please pray for Elder Cal Jennings as he is going through a whole lot health wise and emotionally as well.

- Please pray that he will be able to find and follow inspiration still.

- Please pray for members Theresa and Wayne that their trials and tribulations would cease.

- Pray for those near and far who have been suffering in battles that do not have to be.

- Pray that peace can be found amidst the fear and anger, frustration, and more. May hope blossom and bring that peace once more.

- Pray for our friends and our enemies, may they all find that the gift of God’s Son, Jesus, holds the hope and faith everyone seeks.

- Keep hope alive in your prayers no matter the pain or strife we might suffer.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for those who are here to share it with us. We thank You for each of the blessings You bring to all of us. We pray that You might remind us always what we should be looking forward to. We bring prayers for those who have been seriously ill. Help those who are working to fight serious illnesses the ability to find solutions. We pray for those who suffer pain, that their pain be relieved. We pray for those lost, and those who mourn. We pray for all those who are victims of violence. We pray for patience and courage for those we love and care about, and ourselves as well. We pray for peace to reach out from the heart and be heard, felt, and understood. We pray that Your grace and love would fill the hearts of the many in this world. We pray all this in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CBtA1A-cR8&index=117&list=PL614A115BF39E5936

Sermon: Good afternoon. Today inspiration comes from the after effects of what has been going on in this world. What would this be? Hate. We have seen hate in many forms, age, gender, religion, political views, and everything else. Everyone has their separate beliefs. Just because those beliefs don’t match our own wouldn’t mean that we can’t love each other still. So, now it’s time to get advice that doesn’t come from a column in the newspaper. It comes straight from the words of Jesus. Scripture says love one another. It doesn’t say love him or her if she’s just like you in thoughts, actions, or whatever. There are all sorts of instances that we find, within the New Testament shares in regard to loving one another. The most often read, quoted, and so forth comes from Jesus’ own mouth. Let’s look here.

John 13:34-35 KJV – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

Here it is again, emphasized in the words of Jesus to love one another. Let's take a look in a different chapter in the Gospel of John. Here is one of my favorite segments in all of Scripture.

John 15:12-17 KJV – This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what the lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give to you.
Jesus says many, many times here that love brings us out and away from feeling subservient. It can indeed make us friends one to another. All we have to remember is that love is brought from within, and shared with those around us. It doesn't matter, as was said before, who you believe, what you believe in, and so on. Let's see how His love is shared further in Scripture. 

Romans 12:10 KJV – Be kindly affections one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Romans 13:8 KJV – Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

It's not about things, money, or whatever else. It's all about love. This is our biggest debt toward each other. With love even if we don't like the things each other. With love, even if we don't like the things each of those around us would do, love should still be there. Why is that? It's quite simple. Jesus once said while hanging on the cross. "Father forgive; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34 KJV)There are many times we actually don’t have any idea what we’re doing to each other. Pain and sorrow may be felt, in many different ways, but it isn’t always seen. You’ve heard the phrase, what you see is what you get. In the case of love, you have to look beyond the hugs, the kisses, the smiles and laughter. You have to see that love in the heart, the spirit, and the soul of one another. There is that portion in each and every person. It just isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it is, quite literally, under wraps, hidden from view. There are no explanations as to why love is often hidden under the proverbial bushes. It just is in too many ways. This view of Scripture, to love one another, is one which God in His infinite wisdom, has shown me must be shared over the next few weeks. There are too many reasons Jesus and His love brings these verses to me to write here. Some of those have been seen in recent events. Others have spread over an entire lifetime, and that doesn’t have an age group or limit in the description. So, love one another, as He loves us. It doesn’t say love this person because he or she is just like you. It doesn’t say hate this person because they aren’t like you. He says ‘love one another, as I have loved you’. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus brought us.Our Father, which art in heaven,Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.(Matthew 6:9-13)

Closing Song:  Jesus Loves the Little Children 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CBtA1A-cR8&index=117&list=PL614A115BF39E5936

~Shalom~Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister
Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & BlogspotCalvin Jennings ~ Facebook & Twitter & BlogsterCovenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/        Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press,The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USASermon or Study Copyright © 2015http://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. 

This mission statement speaks of the rainbow in the darkness. Every time I would have a seriously traumatic thing happen in my life I would wake in the middle of the night. When I do I see a rainbow at the end of my bed, or even through the window behind my head. I'll see that rainbow in a dark room even during the day. It will hover in the shadows and reassure me that God is with me.

Our Heavenly Father’s Heart Shared with Our Fathers

Good afternoon, welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries. My name is Rev. Laura A. Neff, the Rainbow Minister. The choice for Rainbow has to do with the fact that the rainbow symbolizes a promise made and one that can and will be kept. I made, long ago, a promise to God that I would do all I could to keep that faith within me. We are normally posted on Sundays for sermons and Wednesdays for studies. You can find these posted in the following locations.

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

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

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 all the fathers in this world that they may be there to love and protect their sons and daughters, appreciate their choices even if they are not the dreams that were had by yourselves.

- Please continue praying for a friend Susie Bartholow as she is, as far as I know, still in hospice. She has been in very grave condition with cancer. She is home with her family while in hospice care.

- Please pray for Elder Cal Jennings as he is going through a whole lot health wise and emotionally as well. Please pray that he will be able to find and follow inspiration still.

- Please pray for members Theresa and Wayne that their trials and tribulations would cease. Theresa has been going through a whole lot of housing situations for the last two years. Her finances are suffering greatly as a result.

- Pray for those near and far who have been suffering in battles that do not have to be. Pray that peace can be found amidst the fear and anger, frustration, and more. May hope blossom and bring that peace once more.

- Pray for our friends and our enemies, may they all find that the gift of God’s Son, Jesus, holds the hope and faith everyone seeks.

- Keep hope alive in your prayers no matter the pain or strife we might suffer.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for those who are here to share it with us. We thank You for blessings You bring to each of us. We are thankful for our fathers as they are a gift You have brought us. We pray that You can remind us always what we should be looking forward to. We bring prayers for those who have been seriously ill. Help those who are working to fight serious illnesses the ability to find solutions. We pray for those who suffer pain, that their pain be relieved. We pray for those lost, and those who mourn. We pray for all those who are victims of violence. We pray for patience and courage for those we love and care about, and ourselves as well. We pray for peace to reach out from the heart and be heard, felt, and understood. We pray that Your grace and love would fill the hearts of the many in this world. We pray all this in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song:  Teach Your Children Well https://youtu.be/QTqXAZn9Ynk

Sermon: Good afternoon. Today we have a new inspiration brought by the Spirit of God. Now, in the United States we celebrate Father’s Day. There are many ways to celebrate our fathers. The true ways would be to honor not only our earthly father, but our heavenly Father as well. You see, without our heavenly Father we wouldn’t have fathers. There are some who do not appreciate fatherhood. However, there’s always the potential for them to see what being a father can do. In my lifetime I have seen many who share that view, the appreciation, the love, the care for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. You see, when you honor your father, you honor those grandfathers, great grandfathers, and so forth back in history. Here is what has been given to us today.

Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV – Children obey your parents to the Lord: for this is right.
Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Notice this series of verses share two sides of parenting. It shows that children should listen and hear what their fathers are saying. The fathers need to realize whether they are setting a good example for their children. They also need to see how their treatment of each child affects that child and those around him or her. Here we see yet another view of honoring, appreciating, our fathers.

Proverbs 23:22 KJV – Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

In life age should never matter. You see, from the first day of our lives, and long after our fathers would leave this view of life, they will always be there in our hearts, our minds, and our memories. The bad parts of life will fade as time passes. The good memories, the happy ones that bring laughter, those are the ones that stick with us. That’s the way it should be. For some who are growing up without their biological fathers, they may be able to look up to a grandfather, an uncle, or at stepfather. In all views the gift of their knowledge and wisdom brings still more dimensions to our views of fatherhood and carry on until boys become men and then also become fathers themselves. Yes, fathers also influence their daughters. They share their love in so many ways. There is the treatment of the child’s mother, their siblings, our grandparents, and their grandparents as well. This regardless of their being alive on earth or solely in our hearts.

Exodus 20:12 KJV – Honour thy father and thy mother: that the days may be long upon the land upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Ah, here’s yet another view of fatherhood and how we should treat and remember our fathers. You see, life is as long as God dictates, however, that lifeline can grow just by listening, hearing, sharing, and gathering wisdom from that. The gifts brought in that knowledge would pass down from generation to generation and bring amazing things if we allow the good to shine brighter than the bad.

Deuteronomy 5:16 KJV – Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Ah, here we see something very familiar from Scripture. That would be the commandment – Honor your father and your mother. It isn’t always easy to do such. When a father teaches a child, that influence can cause a child to run. Take, for example, the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32 KJV) and you will see quite a lot as to how a son doesn’t want to do just that, and then later realizes how important his father would be. Yes, I just gave you some homework in regard to seeing just how important a father can be to each of us.

Colossians 3:21 KJV – Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Now, here’s an interesting one. This one again can reflect the prodigal son. You’ll ask how. Well, in the parable the son gets to the point of being completely destitute (Luke 17-20) and realizes how wrong he had been. In the following verse he is home with his father and professes that he’s been against all that was taught to him in his lifetime. What does his father do? He celebrates the fact that his younger son has returned to their home.

Here it comes. Now that the younger brother is home, the older one gets angry at the fact he’s being treated to a feast and more. This is where parenting, fatherhood, can prove both interesting and incredible all at once. If you read the last two verses (Luke 15:31-32) you find his father’s calming spirit shared in the view that his love is one of gratitude, that everything that his father has would one day belong to him. The view his father shares is that even though they were celebrating there was a good reason to do so. Not only was his younger son home once more. That same son’s little brother was the same. This is how we honor and respect our fathers. We have to see through their eyes.

Genesis 18:19 KJV – For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Ah, here we go yet again. Abraham, the father of nations. You see, that gift of fatherhood was given to him by the Heavenly Father. This is something many forget. Fathers in all views are a gift, as we are gifts to them. That is something God has done His best to share, not only with our fathers, but with each and every one of us. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus brought us.

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

Closing Song:  Through the Eyes of My Father https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7SH9eP7Q_o

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister

Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

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

            

       

Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.

Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.

Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press, The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USA

Sermon or Study Copyright © 2015

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.

This mission statement speaks of the rainbow in the darkness. Every time I would have a seriously traumatic thing happen in my life I would wake in the middle of the night. When I do I see a rainbow at the end of my bed, or even through the window behind my head. I’ll see that rainbow in a dark room even during the day. It will hover in the shadows and reassure me that God is with me.

Homecoming in God’s House

Good afternoon and welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries. My name is Rev. Laura A. Neff, the Rainbow Minister. The choice for Rainbow has to do with the fact that the rainbow symbolizes a promise made and one that can, and will, be kept. I made, long ago, a promise to God that I would do all I could to keep that faith within me. We are normally posted on Sundays for sermons, and Wednesdays for studies. You can find these posted in the following locations.   

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

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

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 Elder Cal Jennings, as he is going through a whole lot health wise and emotionally as well. Please pray that he will be able to find and follow inspiration still.

- Please pray for members Theresa and Wayne that their trials and tribulations would cease. Theresa specifically needs a home as housing has become yet another issue for her pains and sorrows.

- Pray for those near and far who have been suffering in battles that do not have to be. Pray that peace can be found amidst the fear and anger, frustration, and more. May hope blossom and bring that peace at long last.

- Pray for our friends and our enemies, may they all find that the gift of God's Son, Jesus, holds the hope and faith everyone seeks.

- Keep hope alive in your prayers no matter the pain or strife we might suffer.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for those who are here to share it with us. We thank You for blessings You bring to each of us. We pray that You can remind us always what we should be looking forward to. We bring prayers for those who have been seriously ill. Help those who are working to fight serious illnesses the ability to find solutions. We pray for those who suffer pain, that their pain be relieved. We pray for those lost, and those who mourn. We pray for all those who are victims of violence. We pray for patience and courage for those we love and care about, and ourselves as well. We pray for peace to reach out from the heart and be heard, felt, and understood. We pray that Your grace and love would fill the hearts of the many in this world. We pray all this in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8jvfdDtoqY  

Sermon: Good afternoon. Today we have a new inspiration brought by the Spirit of God. Homecoming would be the theme. Now, most would think of homecoming in the view of a school dance, or a celebration for holidays. Well, at a local church today would be homecoming. It is when as many members, past and present, are represented and they celebrate God’s house and their coming into it. So, where does it speak about homecoming in Scripture? Yes, there is a view of homecoming even in His word. Here is what has been given to us today.

John 14:2-4 KJV – In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Honestly, years ago I wrote a song regarding the mansions waiting for us in heaven. Notice a mansion is a form of house. Many of us have made houses our home. The house of God would be even better, because it is the home of all homes where we live to love and love to live. Now, most of us want a home like that in this world. However, in God's case, it would be His house, not the world. Yes, there is a difference.

II Corinthians 5:1 KJV – For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Even without an earthly house of worship, there is still one existing. That is God's house. His house is built by His means, not by the hands of man. It's shared in Revelation as we see in Jesus' words here.

Revelation 3:12, 21 KJV – Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Here we find yet another style of house. In this case it would be a castle, or palace. When we think of either view it is often the most luxurious consideration to be had. Everything we could possibly need taken care of without worry or fear. No, I'm more than happy to give up my earthly home if I've got a place the likes of that in heaven. However, we only come to stay when it is His time to give us that potential.

John 13:33, 36 KJV – Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

Jesus promises that there will be a place for us, but warned that it would be a while. In the meanwhile, as he prepares, we follow in His footsteps, and He'll be waiting there to open the door. That's a homecoming worth waiting for. Now, that's something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus brought us.

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

Closing Song: I Will Be Here  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1KsGtMZ9HI&feature=youtu.be&list=PL614A115BF39E5936 

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister

Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

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

       

Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.

Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.

Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press, The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USA

Sermon or Study Copyright © 2015

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.

This mission statement speaks of the rainbow in the darkness. Every time I would have a seriously traumatic thing happen in my life I would wake in the middle of the night. When I do I see a rainbow at the end of my bed, or even through the window behind my head. I’ll see that rainbow in a dark room even during the day. It will hover in the shadows and reassure me that God is with me.