Defining Our Personal Righteousness Through Pure Faith

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q4n4Ka-CUU 

 

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. 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 in remembrance for those soldiers who have lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom as the United States celebrates their memories. This is a custom that should be worldwide including all soldiers who have lost their lives in the name of peace for their country of origin.

- Please pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings who has been suffering greatly with his health and his housing situation. May the solution that has presented itself be a beneficial one in many ways.

- Please continue praying for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has had a benign meningioma removed and has been undergoing rehabilitation. The family is overjoyed to learn that the tumor was benign.

- Please keep praying for my father-in-law Raymond Neff, who is still recovering from his severe chemical burns, but is thankfully home. He is improving some, but there are still issues with his health as a result of the burns.

- 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.

        Several who are having money issues.

        One who is suffering from loneliness that keeps them from peace and patience.  

        One cousin who is having a great many issues in their family, including two suffering cancer, other family issues especially difficult include several diagnoses that are a lot to process for them.

        Two who are still recovering from strokes in the past year or less.

- Please pray for my friend Jeff’s close friend Buddy who had a heart attack two weeks ago this past Friday.

- Please pray for a sibling who has again injured his back badly enough to require more surgery.

- 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 violent events, that they heal and do not have scarred psyches and that those who have lost their loved ones to violence find peace in the face of fear.

- Pray for comfort and solace to be shared with those who have said farewell to a loved one this week, known or unknown.  

- 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.

**A special prayer for those who have died in the service of their country, may we always remember the sacrifices they each made to make this world a better, safer place.

Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today on this blessed Sunday is for those who have suffered devastation, whether it is due to health, environment, conflict, or something else, may Your arms embrace them, and Your Spirit comfort, heal, patience, faith, hope, and love. We pray for the success of our graduates from various levels of education. We pray for those who seek guidance through Your Word, that they find that which they need most. We pray for the poor, the meek, the sick, the homeless, and the forlorn. We pray for those suffering in the wake of devastation, whatever form it may occur in. We pray for those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom, while serving their countries in the armed forces. We thank You for the gifts You have brought to each of us in life. 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: Be Thou My Vision https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Optrm7lF16s

 

 

Sermon: We continue our study of the fourth chapter of Romans. In past sermons I have included definitions. In today’s sermon Paul is going to shed light on one definition we have covered before. That is the definition of being “righteous” or proving “righteousness” portraying morally right and justifiable traits, or acting in an upright, moral way. We’ll start where we left off last Sunday.

 

Romans 4:11 KJV –And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

NIV –And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

 

Here are the four definitions of “RIGHTEOUSNESS” in Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Holiness; purity; uprightness; rectitude.

2. (n.) A righteous act, or righteous quality.

3. (n.) The act or conduct of one who is righteous.

4. (n.) The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground of justification.

Now, another word that has not been understood quite enough in Scripture is “circumcision”. This is that set of definitions.

1. (n.) The act of cutting off the prepuce or foreskin of males, or the internal labia of females.

2. (n.) The Jews, as a circumcised people.

3. (n.) Rejection of the sins of the flesh; spiritual purification, and acceptance of the Christian faith.

In the case of Paul’s writing to the church at Rome as written in this verse, he speaks of the fourth definition of righteousness and the third definition of circumcision. However, we will, throughout Scripture, find all of these definitions included somewhere. The reason is that we have to often confess our sins, cut them away as symbolic circumcision, and reaffirm our faith in God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Now we need to go back in the history of Scripture all the way back to Abraham, the first “friend of God”. Here we see the beginnings of teaching and learning righteousness.

 

Genesis 17:10-11 KJV – This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

NIV – This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.

 

We need to add to Abraham’s memories with one from King David.

 

Psalm 47:9 KJV – The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

NIV – The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.

 

Now we need to add some insight from our Lord and Savior Jesus in His own Word as shared in the gospels of Luke and John.

 

Luke 19:9 KJV – And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

NIV – Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

 

John 3:33 KJV – He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

NIV – Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.

 

Paul continues with historical significance, again mentioning the “father of circumcision”.

 

Romans 4:12 KJV –And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

NIV –And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

 

Paul continues to draw influence from another ancient and wise king, Solomon, son of David, along with the prophet Ezekiel.

 

Proverbs 2:20 KJV – That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

NIV – Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.

 

Ezekiel 33:24 KJV – Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.

NIV – “Son of man, the people living in those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession.’

 

Adding to these Old Testament references, we have two from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

 

Matthew 3:9 KJV – And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

NIV – And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

 

Luke 16:23-31 KJV – And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

 

NIV – In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family,
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

 

Paul is bringing up promises as was done by every prophet, every king, all through Scripture. Paul points something out that all preachers and teachers of the Word of God have to do. He points out that God has kept every promise since the first promise made to Adam. We’ve seen it in the existence of many generations of people that have come and gone, both before Noah and the Flood and after to include kings, queens, prophets, and ministers. Paul shares something that transforms the law and the prophets to righteousness and adds to that the very definition of what faithful righteousness is.

 

Romans 4:13 KJV –For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

NIV –It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

 

Again Paul draws influence from the great Abraham, friend of God. He adds to that with the Acts of the Apostles and his letter to the church at Galatia.

 

Genesis 17:4 KJV – As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

NIV – “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.

 

Genesis 22:17 KJV – That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

NIV – I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,

 

Acts 13:32 KJV – And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

NIV – “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors

 

Galatians 3:16 KJV – Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

NIV – The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.

 

Galatians 3:29 KJV – And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

NIV – If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Promises should be kept in any and all ways because it will be those kept promises that will define us from birth to adulthood on toward death and the ultimate gift of eternal life. Remember, Jesus made promises to the Twelve Apostles and the disciples that followed Him here on this earth that one day we would meet together on the inside of heaven’s gates. Remember, by faith alone, as Paul again shares here.

 

Romans 4:14 KJV –For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

NIV –For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,

 

Paul points out an important factor between faith and the law and the prophets. Faith is something that may start out as a tiny spark, grain, or seed in life, but it outranks laws like humanity can convey. Faith, as small as a mustard seed takes our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls and spreads through our lives, faster and stronger than anything the seven troubles can throw at us. The reason for this is the fact that the footsteps of faith fall in with righteous unconditional love. The exercising of righteous unconditional love allows us to walk right past every single one of the seven troubles, vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame and doubt. We just have to remember to kick those seven out of the car we’re driving, out of the work we’re doing for whatever wages we might earn, out of the conversations we carry out with friends, coworkers, or family members, and even people we never met before. Every person needs spiritual guidance at some point. We see this with King David as shared here.

 

Psalm 119:26 KJV – I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

NIV – I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.

 

Paul again references his letter to the church at Galatia.

 

Galatians 2:21 KJV – I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

NIV – I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

 

Galatians 3:18-24 KJV – For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

 

NIV – For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.

A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.

So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.

 

In the letter to Galatia, there’s this very telling sentence. “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” This is a very important point of view that we, as Christians, need to pay very close attention to. What would Christianity be without the promise of salvation? What would we have as a reward for being righteous if it were not for the path that Jesus built for us to walk upon? What would define our faith if we didn’t have examples of God’s unconditional love? What hope would exist if Jesus Christ had not died on that cross, been buried, only to be raised from death to eternal life everlasting? Paul adds to these answers with another point to talk about.

 

Romans 4:15 KJV –Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

NIV –because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

 

Remember, humanity has been corrupted in a million ways since the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. No matter how pious, repentant, righteous, or faithful we try to be, those seven troubles that were unleashed back on that fateful day continue to disrupt faith, to destroy the pathways of faith and extinguish the light that is hope everlasting. Paul points out in his letters to the church at Corinth and Galatia this factor in the mix.

 

1 Corinthians 15:56 KJV –The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

NIV –The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

 

2 Corinthians 3:7 KJV –But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

NIV –Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was,

 

Galatians 3:10 KJV – For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

NIV – For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

 

We have so much to learn in this world to avoid the disguises that sin hides within. We have as much to learn about faith and righteousness as we do about aging, childrearing, finances, corruption, collusion and all the rest. Yes, we must study the best parts of life as much as the worst ones. Paul mentions two words that pertain to Christianity like a hearty and healthy tree with deep roots.

 

Romans 4:16 KJV –Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

NIV –Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

 

For ancient Christians, there were many symbols of Christ’s impact on their lives. The first is the prophecy that one man would be the father of nations, Abraham. We can add the youngest son of Jacob, Joseph, and his intelligence and versatility as well as his faith and trust in God. We cannot forget Daniel’s faith as he was thrown into the lion’s den. Another would be the first king of the Jews, David. Yet another one would be King Solomon for his righteousness and wisdom. There are so many good points of view in regard to faith and righteousness, but there are just as many bad ones. We see some of these thoughts are seen through the prophet Isaiah, and in the Word as shared by Jesus in the gospel of Luke. Added to these would be Paul’s letter to Galatia, and the Hebrew prophets with Peter as well.

 

Isaiah 51:2 KJV – Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

NIV – look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.

 

Luke 19:9 KJV – And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

NIV – Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

 

Galatians 3:7-12 KJV – Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

 

NIV – Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.

Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”

The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”

 

Galatians 3:22 KJV – But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

NIV – But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

 

Hebrews 6:13-19 KJV – For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

 

NIV – When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,
saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”
And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

 

2 Peter 1:10 KJV –Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

NIV –Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,

Paul shares something interesting in this point of view. He explains that God had many, many discussions with Abraham regarding the legacy that continues even to this moment in time.

 

Romans 4:17 KJV – (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

NIV –As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

 

Again Paul is strengthening the role of righteous faith as that which creates the path upon which Jesus leads us to paradise in Heaven with Him. It is those welcoming arms that all of us want to reach for. The importance of having our names written in the Book of Life and being read by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We should already know the importance of having our names listed in the book of eternal life. It’s portrayed by God to Abraham, to Isaiah, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and the first letter to Corinth. 

Genesis 17:5 KJV – Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

NIV – No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

 

Isaiah 48:13 KJV – Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

NIV – My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.

 

Isaiah 51:2 KIJV – Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

NIV – look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.

 

John 5:21 KJV – For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

NIV – For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

 

1 Corinthians 1:28 KJV –And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

NIV –God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,

 

Paul points out how faith propelled Abraham in this next verse. Why was this so important to Abraham? Remember, in the story of Abraham, his first child was born when Sarah was ninety years old! There are no doubts, Abraham and Sarah were walking miracles beside their sons and daughters even to the end of their lives. It is the combination of the number of children and their age at the time those children were being raised. The pair were the epitome of the far reaching strength of hope. Just as Jesus is for each believer in this world to this very day. We see this thought as shared by Paul to the Roman Christians.

 

Romans 4:18 KJV –Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

NIV –Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

 

The ultimate promise is eternal life. We find a part of that in the lives of our children, grandchildren, and so forth, even far after our lives on this earth are over. We see more of this in these final supporting verses.

 

Genesis 15:5-6 KJV – And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

NIV – He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

 

Hebrews 6:19 KJV – Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

NIV – We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

 

We are perfect who have faith in the belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, brought to this earth to be born a boy, become a teacher of true faith, a sacrifice to end eternal death, and bring us into eternal life. This is what Paul wants us to keep in our hearts, minds, words, thoughts, and actions. We invite everyone the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior at this time and honor our fallen soldiers. 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: I Vow to Thee My Country ~ Memorial Day Tribute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS8W2at3TUs

 

 

 

~ Shalom ~

Rev. Laura A. Neff

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Evangelist Calvin Jennings

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

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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.