Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live Sunday sermon, which is normally broadcast every Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love, sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Jesus Christ 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.
- We continue our prayers for Evangelist Cal Jennings, that his health becomes steadier than it has been for far too long. We pray that his medical needs are fully met, and he has all that he requires for comfort and peace.
- My daughter Deanna is preparing for some pretty serious oral surgery later this spring. Keep her in your thoughts.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they navigate through the maze of medical tests and specialists to get all the answers they need in both of their health issues. They have too much red tape and confusion going on with their issues between insurance and doctor appointments. They are frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Erica, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and has set up a site for donations to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- Our prayers were answered for my son-in-law Douglas’s diagnosis, let’s hope the solution, a diagnosis of sleep apnea, assists him in his daily life.
- We continue with our prayers for my niece Autumn, who has been suffering seizures due to a head injury from a car crash.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately. Her car ended up being totaled after the fender-bender. This combined with the fact she misses my father as he passed away three years ago due to COVID-19 has made it a tough year for her.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including two survivors of the disease, my Aunt Donna and my friend Kelly.
- We pray for those who are in the path of dangerous weather, and other dangerous conditions, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide.
- We have several who have asked for private prayer requests including my friend Jeff and his family, as well as my friend Mary and hers.
- We pray for the various outreach ministries we have joined with, with their leaders, Pastor Stephen Okoth, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, Pastor Amir Aneel, Sister Santhi Swaroopa, Pastor Duke Moenga, and others in Kissee, Nairobi, and other places in Kenya, Pakistan, and India.
- We pray also for our American outreach ministries, including Rev. Lisa Tyler on the other side of Georgia from where I am and Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog with her ministry, Way Maker Messianic Jewish and Christian Center – USA as well.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, we thank You for all the gifts You have brought to us on this beautiful Sunday. We ask that You help us remember the blessings we have already and those we encounter each day. We ask that you watch over those who have been sick, no matter the type of illness, and assist them in their healing. We praise You for the healing power you have shared with family and friends like Kelly and Erica and others as well. We thank you for connections we make with new people every day, that You give us the courage to share Your Word and Unconditional Love through prayer and thanksgiving. We ask that You watch over all who we love and care about. We ask that You protect us from the storms and more to come around this world. We ask that You protect our orphans and missionaries around this world. We thank You for the connections with our outreach ministries worldwide. We thank You for the many blessings You bestow. We bring this prayer through Your Son Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: You’re the Almighty God ~ Nikos & Pelagia Politis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbzI3kfIKYU
Sermon: Today we are completing chapter three of the second letter Paul wrote to Timotheus of Lystra. We are completing the segment titled “A Final Charge to Timothy”. Now, Paul is closing this portion of his second letter to Timotheus and the congregation at Lystra. There is only one chapter of this last letter remaining. Paul is arming us, even to this day, as he completes this chapter. These words are important to truly listen to, hear, understand, and put into practice.
2 Timothy 3:12 KJV – Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
NIV –In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Every person in the days of Paul and the Apostles, was in danger of persecution, and death, martyrdom, as followers of Jesus Christ. To this day, there are a great many who are still fighting, and hiding, their faith in Jesus Christ. This is just part of the Word as shared by Jesus Christ in three of the gospels and the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Matthew 5:10-12 KJV – Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
NIV – Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 10:22 KJV – And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
NIV – You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Luke 6:22-23 KJV – Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
NIV
– Blessed are
you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your
name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.
For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
John 15:18-20 KJV – If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
NIV – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
Acts 14:22 KJV – Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
NIV – strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Paul adds to this with the words from James the Just, the younger human brother of Jesus along with the Hebrew prophets, Peter, and John the Beloved.
James 1:2-4 KJV – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
NIV – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Hebrews 11:25-26 KJV – Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
NIV –He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
1 Peter 2:20-21 KJV – For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
NIV –But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 John 3:13 KJV –Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
NIV – Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
Revelation 2:10 KJV –Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
NIV –Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Paul continues with his last warnings for Timotheus and the congregation of the church there at Lystra.
2 Timothy 3:13 KJV –But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
NIV – while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Seduction into deceit is something we continue to see all over this world to this very moment in time. This doesn’t go away. It gets bigger, and worse, with every day that passes in the pursuit of it. Deceit and seduction are seedlings of evil and wickedness. These are things that we have been warned about by the prophets, apostles, and our Savior Jesus Christ as well. Here are some of these warnings as Paul references both the Old and New Testaments.
Isaiah 30:10 KJV – Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
NIV – They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
Jeremiah 14:14 KJV – Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
NIV – Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.
Jeremiah 23:16 KJV – Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.
NIV – This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.
Ezekiel 13:9-10 KJV – And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God. Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
NIV – My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. “‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,
Micah 3:5 KJV – Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
NIV – This is what the Lord says: “As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim ‘peace’ if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them.
Here we see Paul’s references from the New Testament, beginning with the Word as spoken by our Savior Jesus Christ shared by the gospel writer Matthew.
Matthew 7:15 KJV – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
NIV – “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Matthew 24:11 KJV – And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
NIV – and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
We get more insight from the gospel writers Luke and John the Beloved in excerpts outside the gospels as well.
Acts 20:29-30 KJV – For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
NIV –I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
1 John 4:1 KJV –Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
NIV – Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Revelation 13:13-14 KJV – And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
NIV –And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
Paul continues his warnings for Timotheus and the church congregation of Lystra.
2 Timothy 3:14 KJV –But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
NIV –But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
Paul again turns to the gospels, in this case, John the Beloved.
John 8:31-32 KJV – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
NIV – To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Paul then added to this with references from the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles as well as his letter written to the church at Colossae.
Acts 17:11 KJV – These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
NIV – Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Colossians 2:6-7 KJV – As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
NIV – So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Paul continues with the references, this time with the writings of the Hebrew prophets, and John the beloved’s first letter.
Hebrews 2:1 KJV – Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
NIV – We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 3:14 KJV – For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
NIV –We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
1 John 2:24 KJV –Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
NIV –As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
Paul points toward a practice that had been managed for millennia by then, the careful study of the Scriptures by the Jews. This, at the time, was an expected practice even after the death and resurrection of Jesus and the very different cultures that these churches were nestled within. It was no easy task to teach the Scriptures the way Jesus taught, in a world that had been following a completely different point of view. In this world today, if more were taught to treasure Scripture for its vital element in the very existence of humanity. This is what he points toward here.
2 Timothy 3:15 KJV –And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
NIV – and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Paul goes into the Torah, the Historical, and the Poetic scrolls of Scripture to help us understand.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV – And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
NIV – These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Joshua 1:8 KJV – This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
NIV – Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 19:7 KJV – The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
NIV – The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Psalm 119:105 KJV – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
NIV – Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Proverbs 22:6 KJV – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
NIV – Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Paul continues his references with the words of our Savior Jesus in the gospels and the writings of the Hebrew prophets as well.
Matthew 4:4 KJV – But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
NIV – Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
John 5:39 KJV – Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
NIV – You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
Hebrews 4:12 KJV –For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
NIV –For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Paul then adds something that is VERY important for us to understand about all of Scripture. In fact, it goes back to that cross reference diagram created by Chris Harrison, which I spoke about previously, portraying the number of verses that cross reference other verses throughout from end to end.
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV –All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
NIV – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
This concept is not easy for people who are not Christian, or have never been exposed to Christianity, can sometimes be overwhelming. People cannot fathom the concept that God breathed the Word into the people who wrote down the words that we read in the Bible. Some ask, but what about the translations from the original languages in which Scripture was written? Think about it this way. If God speaks to every person, do we hear the words He shares in His language or in our own? Jesus insisted that everyone be able to understand Scripture. He doesn’t want us to just hear it. He doesn’t just want us to listen to it. He wants us to consume the Word and use it in our lives, express it in our own actions, our thoughts, our memories, always. Remember, you just heard a verse a few moments ago that points out this fact, the Word, the Scriptures, are ALIVE and ACTIVE. So, how are they active? Well, Paul points towards these points of view.
Psalm 19:8-11 KJV – The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
NIV – The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Isaiah 55:11 KJV – So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
NIV – so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
John 17:17 KJV – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
NIV – Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Colossians 3:16 KJV – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
NIV – Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
The final verse in the third chapter of the second letter Paul wrote to Timotheus in Lystra points toward what God sees as perfection. We are PERFECT ONLY THROUGH CHRIST! We are such because Jesus DIED FOR US! He then ROSE FROM THE DEAD! Why did He do this? To ensure that we all have eternal life. Not because we deserve it, but because He believes in each of us enough to give us every possible opportunity to understand His teaching and FOLLOWING IT. This is what Paul emphasizes in this last verse.
2 Timothy 3:17 KJV – That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
NIV – so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
A man of God is perfect so long as he chooses to follow Jesus Christ through the living and breathing Word as He shared it. The thing is, even though the Scriptures were written and recorded more than two millennia ago for the majority of it at this point in time, the Word continues to live and breathe. How? Why? Well, this is how Paul reveals the process. He does so through the poetic scroll of Proverbs, written by King Solomon.
Proverbs 2:6-9 KJV – For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
NIV –For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.
Then, Paul continues to portray this by referencing his first letter to Corinth and also his letter to Ephesus.
1 Corinthians 1:5-7 KJV –That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
NIV – For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
Ephesians 4:12-13 KJV – For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
NIV –to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Paul then continues with references from his fellow Apostle, Peter, and also from one last scroll, a letter, which he wrote to his colleague Titus.
1 Peter 5:10 KJV –But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
NIV –And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
2 Peter 1:3-4 KJV –According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
NIV – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Titus 2:14 KJV – Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
NIV – who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
The most palpable thought that Paul provides us in his final thoughts for this chapter in the second letter written to Timotheus, is in the fact that we still have a lot to learn and understand from the Word being ALIVE and ACTIVE at ALL TIMES, no matter if we are reading, hearing, studying, speaking, or demonstrating the Scriptures in plays, sermons, studies, songs, poetry, and all the other possible methods that there would be to share just how ALIVE and ACTIVE GOD’S WORD TRULY IS. It is important to understand the reason we are instructed to write the Scriptures in our Hearts and Minds, speak it to each other and our children and our grandchildren on and on into perpetuity. It is important to remember the reason for our being here. His name is Jesus Christ, who comes from the great Jehovah God our Heavenly Father. It is through the life death, and eternal legacy of Jesus Christ that we are here today. Now, let’s 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.
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: O, How I Love Jesus ~ Alan Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy4xJxdyxJo
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=8725724359284012&share_type=copylink&fbclid=IwY2xjawIvfDRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRpCqTuFr2FIMhKYZhzYmyOxpFU7vcVfZdvUQvc5yQ0J-xlLtQX9uOxsJQ_aem_JcoFhUfFORuBUyiLrHN9iQ
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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
Music provided by Evangelist Cal Jennings.
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2025 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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