https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFlMhRPhIss
Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live 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.
You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube
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.
- Pray for those celebrating the feast of St. Patrick in the USA, Ireland, and other places around the world. In this prayer pray for the safety of the celebrants, the self-control, and everything else that may occur.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings and his dog Scrappy are thankful for your prayers.
- Pray for my daughter and son-in-law’s family members as they work through some serious family issues.
- Pray for my friend Janice who has been diagnosed with COVID 19 three weeks ago now. She is still suffering with a low-grade fever and the exhaustion. Let’s hope that she recovers soon.
- Pray for Janice’s mother who has also been sick and is still having issues after a stroke last year.
- Pray for a high school classmate of mine, her name is Kelly, who has been diagnosed with cancer and is going through a lot of emotions and more as a result.
- Continue to keep my Aunt Donna in your prayers. She is hanging on even with the cancer treatments.
- Pray for a friend who has had a lot of issues to deal with in their life and is working hard to straighten them out. A lot of questions in regard to their health and more have plagued this person for quite a while. They have said they appreciate our prayers.
- Pray for those who were killed in storms, accidents, and violent criminal actions this past week, and for the families who are saying good-bye.
- Be thankful for each day as we do not know what tomorrow brings.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Holy Spirit.
- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows bring blessings and pray our own be the same.
- Pray for those
who have lost their lives in the pursuit of faith and
hope.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
- Pray for those who are serving our countries around this world.
- Pray for peace
on earth and good will to men as Scripture shares as
Christians everywhere are
celebrating the season of Lent.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many we bring to You for healing and comfort through their trials and tribulations. We pray for my friends Kelly and Janice and her mother. We continue to pray for Cal and Scrappy as well. We pray for those celebrating the feast of St. Patrick in the USA, Ireland, and other places worldwide. We pray for those who have lost their lives to war and violence. We pray for those who have been brought to harm around this world last week. We add to that those who have been falsely imprisoned and all who are being punished unjustly. We add to this with those who are fighting through their health conditions far and wide. We pray that they each hear Your voice and feel Your warm and loving presence in their lives. We pray for all of this in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: This Is the Day ~ A Capella by Rev. Laura
Lyrics:
This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made,
that the Lord has made, we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and
be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made, that the Lord has
made.
Sermon: Today we are taking a step away from Romans to complete the last three Sundays in Lent. Today, the citizens of Ireland celebrate the life and legend of St. Patrick, their patron saint, who brought Christianity to the land of the Irish. Some historical information to acquaint you with the existence of St. Patrick. During the 5th Century of the Common Era, Ireland was under the rule of Roman led Britain. St. Patrick was kidnapped from Britain and carried off to Ireland as a slave. After escaping servitude, St. Patrick took the vows for priesthood and is credited with bringing Christianity to the citizens of Ireland. According to legend the shamrock was taught as the three pieces of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There are several Bible verses associated with the feast of St. Patrick, and it is these verses we will be covering today. Some of them are familiar from our study of the Scroll of Romans. Most of them are familiar with all of our other sermons up to this point. We’ll begin with the words recorded by King David in the book of Psalms.
Psalm 23:1 KJV – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
NIV – The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
Although this particular verse is shared with the entire chapter of Psalm 23, often people only think of memorials and remembrances with this, or in Catholic circles, the Last Rites. However, this chapter isn’t about death and dying, it is about knowing that God is with us, no matter the circumstances, and we need to remember that. No matter the chaos we see in this world, God is always here. He is holding you up when your legs are weak. He’s keeping your mind clear when chaos surrounds you. He brings a song to your heart whenever you are sad and sorrowful, and He brings the breeze to you on a hot, sweaty day. We should rejoice and be glad every day, as David writes in these two verses.
Psalm 118:24 KJV – This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
NIV – The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
Psalm 145:18 KJV – The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
NIV – The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
King Solomon brought his own God-given wisdom to Scripture here in these next two verses. Many times we’ll need direction in this world of chaos. St. Patrick leaned on verses like these for those dire days he spent reforming the Irish all those centuries ago.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
NIV – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 16:9 KJV – A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
NIV – In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Patrick had his challenges, and waiting was always one of them. This is something all humanity has suffered from, the waiting game. There is a poem with the words “Good things come to those who wait”, but that exact phrasing isn’t found in Scripture. But, there are several that come close found in the Scroll of Isaiah, the Gospels shared by Matthew and also John the Beloved as shared here.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
NIV – but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 5:16 KJV – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
NIV – In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
John 14:27 KJV – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
NIV – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The Scrolls in Scripture written by the Apostle Paul also are featured fairly prominently in most sermons relative to St. Patrick. Here are two from our recent study of the Scroll of Romans.
Romans 8:28 KJV – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
NIV – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 12:2 KJV – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
NIV – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Also featured in the many sermons regarding the life and legacy of St. Patrick can be found here in the two letters Paul wrote to the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 KJV –Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.
NIV –Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV –Let all your things be done with charity.
NIV –Do everything in love.
St. Patrick was one to portray the unconditional love that God and Jesus want everyone to know, embrace, and teach to others. In doing so, St. Patrick was portraying something that Jesus taught, and Paul portrayed it this way to the church at Galatia.
Galatians 3:28 KJV – There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
NIV – There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
NIV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
St. Patrick wanted to make the Irish understand and believe that even they had a place in God’s Unconditional Love. It doesn’t matter where we started, or even how we started as Christians. It matters that we strive to be the best at being Christian. All of us often need to remember that God’s love is more than we humans can understand. That’s why so many of us have a tough time understanding the ins and outs of God’s version of unconditional love. Added to the letters Paul wrote and St. Patrick referenced are these verses from the letter to the church at Colossae.
Colossians 3:17 KJV – And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
NIV – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23-24 KJV – And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
NIV – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Our last two verses from Scripture today come from two other very familiar with Jesus and His teaching. One is from James the Just, younger human brother of Jesus. The other is from Peter, who learned very hard lessons in regard to faith and belief and upholding those traits when it comes to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
James 1:17 KJV – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
NIV – Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
1 Peter 2:9 KJV –But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
NIV –But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
The faith that St. Patrick recognized in the spirit and soul of the citizens of Ireland was enough to transform the country from where it began to what it became. His belief in the heart of the Irish people was enough to have him canonized as a saint long before the worst wars and more had even begun. This belief was strong enough to do something many people still marvel at today. All of this proves that belief in God through the unconditional love, life, and legacy of our Savior Jesus Christ and the depth of the Holy Spirit is still stronger than anything evil that might befall us. Believe in His Word and your life will be forever changed from this moment forward. Faith and belief in God go hand in hand, and all of us have the opportunity to walk in the faithful steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The ability to do this requires us to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you are willing to do so, please leave me a note in the comments and I’ll be in touch. 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: Here I Am, Lord
Lyrics: Verse 1: I, the Lord of sea and sky. I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, my hand will save. I who made the stars of night. I will make their darkness bright, Who all bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Chorus: Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
Verse 2: I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. I have wept for love of them, they turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my Word to them. Whom shall I send?
Chorus: Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
Verse 3: I, the Lord of wind and flame. I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them, my hand will save. Finest bread I will provide, till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Chorus: Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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Evangelist Calvin Jennings
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 © 2024 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.
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