https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZvSb0gpptk
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.
- Member JB asks for prayers for her husband, EB. he is currently in ICU with very serious heart and other issues. Surgery is most likely imminent.
- A woman came up to me earlier this week to borrow a pen, but noted that I would be a minister and asked that we pray for her grandson. He was in a serious accident earlier this past week and is in a coma in hospital in Alabama. His name is Nicholas Mixon. Pray for the family, that they gather their emotional and physical strength for this difficult time.
- Hurricane Helene ripped a lot of land and more apart this past week, and many, many victims are homeless, injured, or dead as a result. Hurricane Helene is the reason we didn’t have a sermon last Sunday, as I had no power until Wednesday this past week. May the Lord prepare us and protect us with the violent tropical weather on the horizon.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is taking life day by day with his dog Scrappy. Cal has been having issues with his stomach and also with pain levels in his back due to the continuous tropical weather chaos we’ve had. They appreciate all the prayers as the two of them continue to take life one day at a time.
- My daughter has asked if we could add three people from her life onto our prayer list. One of them is named Ms. Ramona and works with my daughter, she was rushed to the hospital and has been ordered to be on bed rest until further notice. The second is her husband Douglas’s grandmother, who has a tentative diagnosis of dementia. The last is her husband’s grandfather, known to everyone as Papa John, who is suffering depression due to his memory issues.
- Please continue to pray for my Mama who has been going through a lot of out of the ordinary stresses where she is right now, the last few years have been very hard on her, and she just needs some spiritual support for the time being.
- Please pray for a friend of ours, Tyrone, who is still having issues with recovering from an injury managed at work that has affected his daily life in too many ways. Pray for his healing.
- Pray for Janice’s mother who is still having issues after a stroke last year and other medical issues.
- Please continue to keep my employer’s wife, Joy, in prayer as she has been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease.
- One of my sisters is going through some serious stresses that are affecting everything right now, let’s pray she gets relief from these issues.
- Pray for my niece, Autumn, who is having a lot of health issues relative to a head injury from a car wreck. The wreck caused her to now suffer from seizures with an epilepsy diagnosis.
- Continue to keep my Aunt Donna in your prayers. She is hanging on even with the cancer treatments and the many changes she is going through.
- Pray for a high school classmate of mine, her name is Kelly, who is finally done with her chemo. She has survived the loss of her hair and the debilitating results of chemotherapy. Let us pray that the evil disease of cancer is gone from her body forever. May God’s blessings wrap around her and protect her keeping her spirits high and her pain low.
- Pray for all of our outreach ministers and the work they do, Pastor Stephen Okoth, Rev. Lisa Tyler, one of my mentors, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, and the family of Pastor Robert Nganwa from Uganda who passed away a couple years ago, but the church continues on. We are adding other outreach ministries in Kenya that include Felix Alfayo from Kisii, Kenya and the Christian Ministry Shepherd’s Home Orphanage. With him we add Pastor Amir Aneel from Pakistan from Light of Love Ministry, and Pastor Peter Nyamwembe from Nairobi, Kenya.
- Pray for those who are serving our countries around this world.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this peaceful, calm day. We have plenty to bring to you in prayer. We thank You for protecting us from what could have been a catastrophic hurricane last week, and that the people are banding together to recover whatever they can as a result of the wide path of destruction created by Hurricane Helene. We thank You for all the blessings You have presented for each of us. We thank You for friends and family and for answering their prayers, like Kelly, who survived the rigors of cancer treatment and post treatment surgery. We include Evangelist Cal with all of his health issues, Aunt Donna, still fighting her cancer, and so many others. We bring several up to You in prayer today, including Janice and her husband Ed. Ed has had serious health issues for several days and is currently in the hospital ICU. Janice’s mother, who continues to heal after her stroke last year. She is starting a slow regimen of walks on her property to help with her mobility and coordination, and we thank You for those blessings bestowed. We pray for Autumn and my daughter’s colleague Ramona who is on bedrest still. We pray for my son-in-law’s grandfather and grandmother, both suffering from memory issues. We bring everyone to You for healing and health, faith and hope, peace and patience through our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Shall We Gather At the River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1qnjd23YQM&list=RDv1qnjd23YQM&start_radio=1
Cal Jennings version: https://m.starmakerstudios.com/a-vue3/playrecording?app=sm&from_sid=62172171219&guide_type=2&is_convert=true&pg_rf_ca_vn=15&pid=share_exp2&recordingId=8725724356099466&share_type=copylink
Sermon: Today we will complete the fifth chapter of 1 Timothy. Paul is laying out rules and regulations, just like all ministers of God have done for millennia. However, Paul does something interesting within these rules and regulations that has not been touched upon often. The point he makes is how to judge what is enough, too little, or too much. This pertains to everything in life. Remember the seven troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt. All of these have to do with everything that Paul teaches in these last seven verses. With that, let’s begin where we left off two weeks ago.
1 Timothy 5:18 KJV –For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
NIV –For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
Fairness is not an easy thing to manage on a constant basis, and this issue has been around for millennia. We see proof of this in the Scriptures as Paul shares with Timothy in this first letter. Here are his points of reference in the Torah.
Leviticus 19:13 KJV – Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
NIV – “‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.’”
Deuteronomy 24:14-15 KJV – Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.
NIV – Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Deuteronomy 25:4 KJV – Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
NIV – Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.
We also find reference in the words of Jesus Christ in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Matthew 10:10 KJV – Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
NIV – no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.
Luke 10:7 KJV – And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
NIV – Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
Paul’s final reference is from his first letter to Corinth.
1 Corinthians 9:9 KJV –For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
NIV –For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
We hear a lot about witnessing people and events throughout Scripture. It’s important in the New Testament because Jesus said it was meant to ensure that truth would be seen, heard, and shared. This is why Paul shares this information with Timothy here.
1 Timothy 5:19 KJV –Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
NIV –Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
In actuality, that is why there are witness questionnaires for accidents, natural disasters, trials, police reports, and everything else. We have to have the viewpoints of multiple people in order to get the entire truth, because even if we are right there to see them, not everyone sees or shares the exact same story. Paul gains insight with the Torah here.
Deuteronomy 17:6 KJV – At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
NIV – On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
Deuteronomy 19:5 KJV – As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
NIV – For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he swings his ax to fell a tree, the head may fly off and hit his neighbor and kill him. That man may flee to one of these cities and save his life.
Paul also references the Word as Jesus spoke in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 18:16 KJV – But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
NIV – But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Paul adds the writings of the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles here.
Acts 11:30 KJV – Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
NIV – This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Discipline is something most people are fearful of, but sometimes teaching discipline is as important as teaching Scripture would be. There is a built in form of discipline in learning and knowing Scripture. This is what Paul is pointing toward when writing this first letter to Timothy and his congregation. It’s important for people to understand the difference between right and wrong. Remember, the good, the bad, and the ugly are laid bare in Scripture. It’s meant to remind us that there are consequences for all those who bring fear and tribulation toward others. This is what Paul shares next.
1 Timothy 5:20 KJV –Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
NIV –But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
For this, Paul only references his various letters. The second letter to Corinth is first.
2 Corinthians 4:11 KJV –For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
NIV –For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.
Paul continues with his letters to Galatia, Ephesus, and Titus.
Galatians 2:14 KJV – But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
NIV – When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
Ephesians 5:11 KJV – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
NIV – Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Titus 1:13 KJV – This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
NIV – This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith
Titus 2:15 KJV – These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
NIV – These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Paul now is referencing something that is important for everyone to remember. There is always someone watching out for us. Those who would be are God’s angels, and Jesus Christ Himself. There are no favorites, no partiality, everything is supposed to be equal. This is one of the hardest lessons humanity has ever had to learn, and relearn, over the millennia.
1 Timothy 5:21 KJV – I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
NIV – I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
Paul references the Word as shared by Jesus in the gospel of Matthew here.
Matthew 16:27 KJV – For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
NIV – For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
Matthew 25:41 KJV – Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
NIV – “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 28:20 KJV – Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
NIV – and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Paul adds one reference of the Word of Jesus Christ in the gospel of Luke and
also a reference from James the Just, human half-brother of Jesus.
Luke 9:26 KJV – For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
NIV – Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
James 2:1-4 KJV – My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
NIV – My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
James 3:17 KJV – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
NIV – But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Paul mentions discernment without the actual word in his next two lines in the first letter written to Timothy. It is a warning that the power of Jesus and God through the Holy Spirit isn’t to be used without careful consideration. This includes healing, helping, and taking part in things that are worldly. It’s important to pay attention to what we are doing to our minds, our spirits, bodies, and souls.
1 Timothy 5:22-23 KJV – Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
NIV – Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
It is very important to discern right from wrong. That is getting harder and harder to manage in this world today. We are often steered in the wrong direction because there are so many influences in so many directions. Remember, Jesus often warned us about this in many ways, and pointed it out quite often in the behaviors of the apostles and disciples as well. Paul references the writings of King David and the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Psalm 50:18 KJV – When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
NIV – When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.
Acts 18:25 KJV – This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
NIV – He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.
Paul adds a reference to his letter to Ephesus and also to the second letter from John the Beloved as well.
Ephesians 5:11 KJV – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
NIV – Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
2 John 1:11 KJV – For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
NIV – Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.
Sin is all around us, and often within us as well. We sometimes do not recognize we are sinning. This is due to being human. It’s not always easy to remove the influences of wickedness and evil, as God knows quite well. It has been portrayed in millions of ways in Scripture and in real life. This is why discernment of the seven troubles are so important. These troubles, for those who don’t know, are vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt. This is what Paul shares next.
1 Timothy 5:24 KJV – Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
NIV – The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.
Paul points out that we often won’t recognize our sins. He does so by sharing a reference to Jeremiah in the poetic and prophetic books.
Jeremiah 2:34 KJV – Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
NIV – On your clothes is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor, though you did not catch them breaking in. Yet in spite of all this
Paul then adds references to the Acts of the Apostles and his letter to Rome, and the writings of Revelation from John the Beloved.
Acts 1:16-20 KJV – Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
NIV – and said, “Brothers and sisters, the
Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through
David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He
was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
(With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’
Acts 5:1-11 KJV – But a certain man named
Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a
certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy
Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in
thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast
not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great
fear came on all them that heard these things.
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing
what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And
she said, Yea, for so much.
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the
Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are
at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the
young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by
her husband.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these
things.
NIV – Now
a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of
property.
With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but
brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that
you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money
you received for the land?
Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the
money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not
lied just to human beings but to God.”
When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who
heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,
and carried him out and buried him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter
asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?
Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they
will carry you out also.”
At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in
and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Romans 3:7 KJV – For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
NIV – Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?”
Revelation 14:13 KJV – And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
NIV – Then
I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will
follow them.”
Being good doesn’t have to show up in front of others. For some of us, being good is often done out of view. However, both of those views of being good and doing good, are just as important to our spiritual lives. Being good and doing good things can be just as much fun, and in fact, can be even more fun if we shut the door on the sin and wickedness we have seen far too much of over our lifetimes and in the past history around this world.
1 Timothy 5:25 KJV – Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
NIV – In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
Paul references the writings of King Solomon here.
Proverbs 10:9 KJV – He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
NIV – Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Paul adds reference to the Lord Jesus Christ and His words of wisdom in the gospels of Matthew, and Luke.
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.
Matthew 6:3-6 KJV – But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when
thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to
thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall
reward thee openly.
NIV – But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Luke 11:33 KJV – No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
NIV – “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
Paul’s last reference is from the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles here.
Acts 9:36 KJV – Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
NIV – In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
There are so many things we have to learn as Christians. One of those is to have faith and believe in the Word as shared by God in the Scriptures and in the Word. Have faith in the existence of our Savior who offers us Salvation within our faith and belief. Truthfully, we, all of us, need to show each other how 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: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4g81BVNgWY
Cal Jennings version: https://m.starmakerstudios.com/a-vue3/playrecording?app=sm&from_sid=62172171219&guide_type=2&is_convert=true&pg_rf_ca_vn=15&pid=share_exp2&recordingId=8725724356099546&share_type=copylink
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin
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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