The Way, The Truth, The Life: How Paul’s Letters Provide Access to His Eternal Path

 

Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. You will normally see us posted in written and live form on Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love and sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus taught us to manage. We bring His Word to the many as opposed to the few, in order to continue the legacy created by the ministry of Jesus Christ. It is God’s will that has brought this to be. We wish only that God’s truth will be shared within His words as brought to us by the Spirit as it fills my heart, mind, and soul to be shared with my hands, but with His words alone.

You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com

 Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin

Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio

 

Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list grows or changes every week. This is our current list.

- Please pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings and the family as his sister battles a malignant meningioma cancer in her brain.

- Please pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings who has been suffering greatly with his health. May the Lord bring his spirits up and help heal him.

- Please pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has a malignant meningioma.

- Please keep several friends and other family members in prayer for their trials and tribulations. They have each requested to remain anonymous for the time being.

One who has been diagnosed with some painful health issues.

One who got out of the hospital after hip surgery a week ago.

Three who have just recently gotten out of the hospital, may they continue to heal.

One who has entered rehabilitation after a stroke.

One who has just had a painful tooth removed.

Another pair who have had serious issues with pain levels in recent weeks and months. May their pain ease sooner rather than later.

- Pray for the economy around this world as inflation and supply chains suffer from extremely high prices for fuel and overly high demand.

- Pray for those who have suffered from violence and died this past week.

- Pray for the survivors of violent events, that they heal and do not have scarred psyches.

- Pray for the victims of the recent hurricane here throughout Florida, throughout the island countries of Bahamas, Cuba, and our own Puerto Rico as well as on the Gulf and East Coasts of the USA.

- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what tomorrow brings.

- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Spirit.

- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows bring blessings and pray our own be the same.

- Pray for those suffering as a result of the terrors that have occurred just this past week around this world.

- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.

Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today is to have the Spirit bring healing to each of our bodies, minds, spirits, and souls. We pray for enlightenment in the wonders that You bring each of us and understanding while studying Your Word. We thank You for the many awe inspiring gifts and the many more You have brought us. May our fears be drawn out of us. Help us to see the many gifts Your love brings and the unknown locations it might be found. May our pain and sorrow be eased. May peace be brought from our hearts and shared with others. May Your gifts of love shine through us toward others. We pray for the homeless, the survivors of the latest hurricanes and tropical storms. We pray for the poor, the sick, the sorrowful, the wounded, and the frightened. We pray for the soldiers, the Samaritans, the children, and the rest. We pray in thanksgiving for every gift brought us. We pray that every tomorrow would bring good things. For each of these we pray in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Daughtry ~ Heavy Is the Crown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PPjXHC_NkU

Sermon: Before you start reading my sermon today, let me tell you I am quite humbled to not be able to portray today’s sermon live. Due to the surgery I went through on Friday, my pain levels will show through too easily for my sermon, and the focus in every sermon should not be on pain, but on the love of God our Heavenly Father and the Word as shared through our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The morning of my surgery, as I waited in a room to be taken to the operating room I was praying the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23. I felt the Spirit fill me and reassure me that all would go well. The surgery went very well, praise God. Today we are starting the first half of the second chapter of the first letter to the church at Thessalonica. Let us begin here.

1 Thessalonians 2:1 KJV –For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

NIV –You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.

Paul recognized the fact that God’s grace through the Word of our Savior Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Apostles had reached this little church at Thessalonica. He realized that the spread of the Truth, the Way, and the Life was happening right before their eyes as they traveled to, wrote letters to, and shared with everyone they could reach. It’s not an easy task, bringing people toward Christianity. This is something that God spent many ages to work toward through the prophets and through the sad and sorrowful. One of those who was quite saddened by the war that was going on within his heart, mind, and soul, not understanding it wasn’t just him. That would be Job. Here is his impression.

Job 39:16 KJV – She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;

NIV – She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain,

Another we can see similarities with would be King David, first king of the Jews.

Psalm 73:13 KJV – Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

NIV – Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.

Paul’s letter goes on to say so much more. He proves that, regardless of being imprisoned for his faith and belief, he continued to bring God’s Word through the memory of Jesus Christ to the masses everywhere he could reach. We see more of that here in this next sentence of the letter to Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 2:2 KJV – But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

NIV –We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

Paul points out that, regardless of his being in prison for sharing the Lord Jesus, he was willing to continue defying the ruling parties of Rome and Greece, and all their laws, regulations, and refusals to follow Jesus’s teachings. That’s just one of many reasons he was so adamant to pursue what he knew as the truth, the way, and the light for all of humanity. Jesus teaches us to find that light in the people around us. He teaches us still that the light is the best path for each of us to reach toward, to follow, to embrace. We see that in the words the gospel writer Luke utilizes in his accounting of the Acts of the Apostles here.

Acts 16:12-22 KJV – And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

 

NIV – From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.
One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Paul and Silas in Prison

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.
 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.
They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar
by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.

Luke shows just how far the Apostles would go to spread the Truth, the Life, and the Unconditional Love that Jesus portrayed during His entire lifetime and on through his execution, burial, and resurrection. There is still so much we can learn from the one third of a standard lifetime that Jesus lived here on earth. Paul proves the legitimacy of their pursuit of transformational teaching and living here on this earth and on into the future.

1 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV –For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

NIV –For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.

Unfortunately, even today, people think too much, analyze too much, and stigmas from times long gone tend to rear their ugly little heads. We all know those seven troubles, and this is something that all the Apostles saw more clearly because of the teaching Jesus managed with them. It’s important that we recognize, remember, and remove those seven trials and tribulations, vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt. We see more from the writing of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles as well as Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth.

Acts 13:15 KJV – And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

NIV – After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

2 Corinthians 6:8 KJV –By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

NIV – through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;

Paul drew strength in his belief through the ability to reach the many as opposed to the few. This was, and should still be, inspirational to all who hear the voice of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Notice what Paul says regarding his letters and sharing the Gospel as Jesus taught.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV –But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

NIV –On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

Paul’s writings often intertwine for a single reason. Everyone needs to hear this, the Word of God as Jesus taught for the short time He preached. People need to understand what unconditional love from God to us actually includes, in all views of life and living. Everyone should realize just how much God loves them, and us, individually for who we are, what we do, and how we live here in this world yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Remember, in this letter to the church at Corinth, Paul was focusing on one age group and how faith should be shared. It’s not easy in this world to find pure hearts, pure souls, and prove their existence. Purity is a grace that Jesus pointed out could be found in everyone if we look at ourselves hard enough. He points this out in Corinth, Galatia, and his colleague Peter does the same.

1 Corinthians 7:25 KJV –Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

NIV –Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

Galatians 2:17 KJV – But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

NIV – “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!

1 Peter 4:11 KJV –If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

NIV –If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus taught that it is important to test the spirits around us. Human, or otherwise. It’s important to do so, because, we all know there are soothsayers and false prophets in this world we live in. We’ve seen many of them emerge and then be destroyed in this world. That is a fight that will continue until the End of Days. We see this thought emerge in this next verse in the second chapter.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV –But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

NIV –On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

Notice how Paul points out that he’s not looking for notoriety. He did everything for the glory of God just as Christ Jesus did every moment of His life. Judgment is a hard cross to bear. Jesus knew this. That’s why He asked why He had been forsaken on the day He died on the cross. Paul was there, watching in disbelief, with the other remaining Apostles. He puts a lesson Jesus taught about women into play here in his letter to Corinth and again in Galatia.

1 Corinthians 7:25 KJV –Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

NIV –Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

Galatians 2:7 KJV –But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

NIV – On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.

The controversial way this pair of verses has been utilized in more modern points of view has often caused contention in this world of preaching and teaching the Word as it should be taught. Peter himself portrayed something interesting in this factor of who should speak and when, how, and so forth.

1 Peter 4:11 KJV – If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

NIV – If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Remember how Jesus portrayed the Ten Commandments? Well, Paul reaches back into his memories and brought forth those thoughts as portrayed by our Savior regarding covetousness. That's wanting something that is not ours to want, and this speaks of everything, not just another man’s wife, or another woman’s husband. It spanned clear across the board, children, belongings, wealth, and the list continues. God is watching each and every one of us. This was the warning Paul shared from the memories of our Lord and Savior’s teaching.

1 Thessalonians 2:5 KJV –For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

NIV –You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.

For another point of reference, we see the view of Jesus through the eyes of John the Beloved, who outlived all eleven of the other Apostles.

John 16:19 KJV – Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

NIV – Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?

John 17:5 KJV – And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

NIV – And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Paul continues to reflect on the Word that Jesus shared as he references another pair of his letters, this one to the church at Rome and the Greek city of Corinth.

Romans 1:9 KJV – For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

NIV – God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you.

2 Corinthians 11:9 KJV –And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

NIV –And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

Paul is pointing out something important. Every person who believes in the life and legacy of Jesus Christ, has a job to do. That job is to share Him with as many as we meet. It’s not an easy job. All of us will have failures along the way. All of us have been humbled at one point or another in life. This is something we sometimes need to have happen. Now, don’t hate the thought. It happens on occasion that we show pride too brightly, and this actually meets with the trouble known as vanity. Remember, we always say something about the “seven deadly troubles”, and vanity is always mentioned first. Covetousness is another word for vanity mixed with lust, which is the second of those “seven deadly troubles” as you have heard many times in sermons over fifteen years. Notice in the New International Version it considers the thought of greed. We all know what greed can get us.

2 Peter 2:3 KJV –And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

NIV – In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Coveting anything can be a single person’s downfall. However, that one person may drag a great many others down with them. We’ve seen that throughout history in the minds and actions of certain figures everyone could point out. We see that in the great massacres of faithful followers. We see that in the massacres of entire sects of humanity for as far back as history records. This is something that Paul wanted us to avoid. Jesus did as well. We see this in the words Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 2:6 KJV –Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

NIV –We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

Paul did so because Jesus had done the same years before. We see this in a memory written by John the Beloved.

John 5:42-44 KJV – But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

NIV – but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.
I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.
How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Paul shares this thought in his two letters to the church at Corinth and with Philemon in Colossae.

1 Corinthians 9:1-4 KJV –Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
Have we not power to eat and to drink?

NIV –Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?
Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me.
Don’t we have the right to food and drink?

2 Corinthians 4:5 KJV –For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

NIV –For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Philemon 1:8 KJV – Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

NIV – Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,

One reason it is so important to explore these letters so carefully is to provide you with the understanding as to what Jesus taught, not just through the stories and parables, but through real life and the actual occurrences during the birth, life, ministry, trial, execution, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He taught by example, and both proving and providing examples throughout His thirty-three years of life. Notice, in this next verse, Paul is again taking a cue from Jesus. This time in relating those who were part of the church as “children of God”.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV –But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

NIV –Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,

This is something that Jesus taught all the Apostles, with an actual physical point of view. Paul again shares this for all his letters, including the churches at Corinth, Galatia, and the church led by Timothy.

1 Corinthians 2:3 KJV –And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

NIV –I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.

Galatians 4:19 KJV – My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

NIV – My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

2 Timothy 2:24 KJV –And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

NIV –And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Paul shares happiness in knowing that the letters were reaching the hands and hearts of the many in the seven churches. We see that yet again here in his letter to the church at Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV – So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

NIV – so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Paul again references another letter, this one to the church at Corinth. He adds to that with the point of view of John the Beloved.

2 Corinthians 12:15 KJV –And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

NIV –So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?

1 John 3:16 KJV –Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

NIV – This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

John the Beloved shares something interesting that should resonate in every single believer, new or long term. He brings one of the most well-known parables back to life. That parable is the Vine and the Branches in John 15. I encourage you to read through that parable to get the context of this amazing thought. Paul continues in his reflections with this next sentence in the letter for the church at Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 KJV – For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

NIV – Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.

Sometimes we learn a whole lot we never realize when the tough times enter our lives. There is a purpose for every difficult moment in our lives. No matter what it is that causes the difficulty, every single person learns something from those moments, no matter the length of their moments. We see more of this in the Acts of the Apostles as written by Luke.

Acts 18:1-3 KJV – After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

NIV – After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,
and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

Acts 20:24 KJV – But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

NIV – However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Paul again references the churches he has had an impact on throughout Greece, and Roman territories, like Philippi and Thessalonica.

Philippians 4:16 KJV – For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

NIV – for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.

Our last view of the second chapter in the letter to the church at Thessalonica is here.

1 Thessalonians 2:10 KJV – Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

NIV – You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

Remember, Jesus spoke about witnessing the Word many, many times. He focused on what was to come. Everyone should focus on that moment when time will end, the time we recognize anyway. That will be the shining moment Jesus returns in all God’s glory. This will be the ultimate reward for all the faithful. It takes a lot of steps to fulfill a pure faith in our hearts, minds, and through our spirits. That’s why we have the Way, the Truth, and the Life through our Savior Jesus Christ. This is how He portrayed it even as He hung on the cross.

Luke 23:41-43 KJV – And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

NIV – We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Paul reflected on this tragic moment of the earthly life of Jesus many times. All the Apostles and Disciples did the same. It is something we should all portray to each other. It’s important to live in the light and life of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Paul proves that.

2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV – For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

NIV –Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.

 

Remember, this world will wash away to reveal paradise and the visual, physical, mental, soulful existence of our Savior Jesus Christ. Live for that moment, and share it with those around you. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus taught us saying:

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: Daughtry ~ What About Now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roDXSHSEuoo

 

 

 

~ Shalom ~

Rev. Laura A. Neff

Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin

Evangelist Calvin Jennings

Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com

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

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

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

Sermon or Study Copyright © 2022 http://www.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.