Good morning from Covenant of Hope Ministries. We will not have a live sermon today as I have been sick and can’t manage a live sermon. Here is today’s written sermon blog post. Have a blessed and beautiful week!
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: Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube & Twitch & TruthSocial & Instagram & Facebook
Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio & Wedding Chicks
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.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is healing from his latest stint in the hospital just last week. He is home, thankfully, but keep praying for his health and healing.
- David Doyle, brother-in-law of Evangelist Cal Jennings, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. David is a preacher of the Word as well, and this is a new challenge for him and Cal’s sister and their family to experience this close to Christmas. Please keep all of them in prayer during this journey.
- We keep my Uncle Bob in prayer as he heals after his lung issues late last year.
- We continue to pray for JB & EB’s neighbor Jerry who is healing after completing his prostate cancer treatment.
- We bring JB’s sister Debbie back into prayer as she has now been diagnosed with Lymphoma after conquering two rounds of breast cancer.
- We continue to pray for my sister-in-law Fran who is fighting cancer and undergoing treatment.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they navigate through the maze of medical tests and specialists to get all the answers that they need in both of their health issues. They are continually frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals. JB has been especially sick, losing weight way too fast and no complete solution in sight at the moment. The doctor has started her on a ton of medication to see if that can assist, but it is slow going.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and is seeking to sell things she owns to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- We continue with our prayers for my niece Autumn, who has been suffering seizures due to a head injury from a car crash, though, according to her mother she is doing better these days.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately after the loss of my sister four months ago. These anxiety issues are really devastating for her and for the family, so please keep all of them in prayer.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including several survivors of the disease, JB’s sister Debbie, our friend Alexis, my Aunt Donna, and my friend Kelly.
- We pray for those who are in the path of dangerous weather, and other dangerous conditions, including wildfires, storms, flooding, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide.
- 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: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so much and so many to pray for. We pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings, and his health as he has been quite ill. We pray for David and all the others suffering or having suffered from cancer. We pray for those who have survived cancer. We pray for all those who have lost loved ones in the past week. We pray for all of our outreach ministries and their memberships. We pray for the orphans and the hungry. We pray for all the world that peace shall one day reign in full thanks to the glory of God through our Savior Jesus Christ in the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Poem: Listen and Hear ~ Rev. Laura A. Neff © 2012 (To see the photo of this poem, click the photo and it will enlarge.)
Let us all just listen and hear,
Each tiny whisper in our ear;
Day by day and year by year,
Words spoken become so dear.
When a whisper becomes a shout,
You’ll understand without a doubt;
That life brought a lesson and let it out,
Within the words something to think about.
So listen close and with care I pray,
To something old and new each day;
Perhaps peace and hope each just may,
Through love and patience find a way.
Listen and hear or hearken He’d call,
Find within the words advice for all;
Truth discovered before we fall,
Echoing up and down the hallowed hall.
Listen and hear that’s all we should ask,
Whenever we come upon a great task;
For faith and love none could truly mask,
Found in the rainbow’s glow where we bask.
A shout or whisper or song of joy,
Each can work as our heart’s buoy;
Hope you see would always employ,
Listen and hear faith and truth enjoy.
Sermon: Today we return to our study of 1 Corinthians. We are starting our voyage through Chapter 8. There’s a lot to get into, but I’m going to share the first seven verses and then I will get into detail with each of these verses. I’m doing this for a reason and you’ll understand soon enough.
1
Corinthians 8:1-7 KJV –Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that
we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth
nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are
offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is none other God but one.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven
or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all
things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and
we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some
with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an
idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
NIV
–Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.”
But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think
they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But
whoever loves God is known by God.
4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that
“An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For
even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed
there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is
but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and
there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through
whom we live.
7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are
still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of
it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it
is defiled.
So, the first thing you’ll notice is that in the New International Version is the title “Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols”. Now, this was a serious issue back in the early days of Christianity. In some areas around this world, that is still a problem to this day. Paul didn’t waste time to explain how Jesus would treat this, and how God would do the same. This is the reason to read the entire segment primarily before digging into the details. So, with that, let’s start with verse one and its connectors.
1 Corinthians 8:1 KJV – Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
NIV – Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
Knowledge only takes us part way. That’s what Paul is saying. We need God’s love, the love shared by Jesus, to truly understand what that knowledge is telling or teaching us. With that, there are six verses that I believe personify the first verse here.
Proverbs 8:10-11 KJV – Receive
my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that
may be desired are not to be compared to it.
NIV
– Choose
my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing
you desire can compare with her.
Proverbs 16:18 KJV – Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
NIV – Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 19:2 KJV – Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
NIV –Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
1 John 3:18 KJV – My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
NIV –Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 4:7-8 KJV –Beloved, let us love one
another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and
knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
NIV –Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:18 KJV – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
NIV – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We can think we know a lot, and Paul points out that just because we THINK IT, that doesn’t mean we KNOW IT. This is something that Jesus taught. You can learn every ounce of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, but that doesn’t mean you KNOW what it MEANS, not just to YOU but to GOD. This is what Paul says next.
1 Corinthians 8:2 KJV – And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
NIV – Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.
Here are his references, all but two in the Old Testament to give us more insight.
Proverbs 3:7 KJV – Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
NIV – Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Proverbs 12:15 KJV – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
NIV – The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Proverbs 26:12 KJV – Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
NIV – Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
Isaiah 5:21 KJV – Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
NIV – Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV – Thus
saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the
mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith
the Lord.
NIV – This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
James 1:5 KJV – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
NIV –If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
1 John 2:20-21 KJV –But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
NIV – But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.
Loving God may seem like a mysterious ability, but in truth, Paul proves that it’s easier than we think it could be. However, we often forget that loving God requires a lot of our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to include within that love, because it must be unconditional, and humanity tends to instill conditions on everything. That’s something that Paul teaches is a distinctly sinful and HUMAN condition. Here’s what he shares in his letter to Corinth.
1 Corinthians 8:3 KJV – But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
NIV – But whoever loves God is known by God.
So what did Paul compare this to? He has quite a few references for this verse alone, and only one of them is from the Old Testament.
Psalm 1:6 KJV – For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
NIV – For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
The remainder of Paul’s references are from the gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved, most of them as Jesus speaking, as well as one reference from James.
Matthew 7:23 KJV – And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
NIV – Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
John 10:14 KJV – I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
NIV – “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
John 10:27 KJV – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
NIV – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 14:21-23 KJV – He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that
loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love
him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that
thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If
a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will
come unto him, and make our abode with him.
NIV – Whoever has my commands
and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by
my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you
intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves
me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them
and make our home with them.
John 15:14 KJV – Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
NIV – You are my friends if you do what I command.
James 2:5 KJV – Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
NIV –Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
1 John 2:3-5 KJV –And hereby we do know that
we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God
perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
NIV –We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:
1 John 4:7-8 KJV –Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
NIV –Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:19 KJV –We love him, because he first loved us.
NIV – We love because he first loved us.
Paul continues to clarify his faith and belief and the usage of sacrificial meats to other gods beyond our Heavenly Father with this next verse.
1 Corinthians 8:4 KJV – As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
NIV – So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”
Here are eight references from the Old Testament that Paul brings to the forefront in his lesson today.
Exodus 20:3 KJV – Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
NIV – “You shall have no other gods before me.
Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV –Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
NIV – Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
2 Kings 19:18 KJV –And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
NIV – They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.
Psalm 96:5 KJV – For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.
NIV – For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Psalm 115:4-8 KJV – Their
idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but
they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they
smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but
they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that
trusteth in them.
NIV
– But
their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot
see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot
smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot
walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all
who trust in them.
Isaiah 44:6 KJV – Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
NIV – “This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
Isaiah 45:5-6 KJV – I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
NIV
– I
am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,
6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its
setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is
no other.
Isaiah 46:9 KJV – Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
NIV – Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
Jeremiah 10:10-11 KJV – But
the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his
wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his
indignation.
11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the
heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under
these heavens.
NIV
– But the Lord is the
true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth
trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath.
11 “Tell them this: ‘These gods, who did not make the heavens
and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.’”
Paul only shares one New Testament view for this one today.
Acts 17:29 KJV – Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
NIV – “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.
Now we will hear what Paul shares about the eating of these pagan, or polytheistic, offerings. This is something that continues to be talked about even today. We should pay attention to what God has to say, and that’s what Paul alludes to here.
1 Corinthians 8:5 KJV – As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
NIV – So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”
Now we are just getting past halfway through our first lesson with this chapter. There’s a whole lot going on in these verses. Something interesting in this world is the utilization of idolization. Now, idols are sincerely frowned upon in the realm of Biblical understanding. So, what is it about idols in this situation? Well, that goes all the way back to the Torah. Our references include this reference, and two others in the Old Testament before the only view of the New Testament for this.
Exodus 15:11 KJV – Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
NIV –Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
2 Kings 19:18 KJV – And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
NIV – They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.
Psalm 86:10 KJV – For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
NIV – For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
John 17:3 KJV – And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
NIV – Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Again, Paul is reminding the members of the church there at Corinth that the Ten Commandments, though changed in some ways through Jesus Christ, were still in force. That holds true even today. Love One Another embodies what the Ten Commandments teach. Remember, it’s not easy to keep every single one of the Ten Commandments because we forget what Yeshua Jesus Christ taught, to love one another as He loves us.
1
Corinthians 8:6-7 KJV – But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are
all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things,
and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some
with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an
idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
NIV
– yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and
for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all
things came and through whom we live.
7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are
still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of
it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it
is defiled.
For this the majority of Paul’s reflections emanate from his colleague John the Beloved, the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, the Hebrew Prophets, and also John the Beloved’s most controversial contribution to Scripture, the Revelation. These are those contributions.
John
1:1-3 KJV – In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any
thing made that was made.
NIV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 10:30 KJV – I and my Father are one.
NIV – I and the Father are one.”
John 14:6 KJV – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
NIV – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 17:3 KJV – And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
NIV – Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Acts 15:20 KJV – But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
NIV – Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
Hebrews 1:2-3 KJV – Hath
in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of
all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image
of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had
by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
NIV – but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Revelation 4:11 KJV – Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
NIV – “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Faith and Belief requires us to remember and reflect upon all the lessons that God has taught us through Scripture, and those which Yeshua Jesus Christ re-emphasized throughout His life here on this earth and in the two millennia and more since then. God’s Unconditional Love encompasses all of us who remember His truth, His wisdom, and the limits of human love, of which God Himself has no limits. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. Omnipresent means present everywhere at all times; omniscient means all-knowing, possessing infinite knowledge; and omnipotent means all-powerful, having unlimited power. Without our faith and belief in YHWH and in Yeshua, Jesus Christ, the Savior, the gates of Heaven will remain closed to us. There is a reason that Jesus points out He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God ensured that this would be possible in the Immaculate Conception, the Miraculous Birth, and the Resurrection. 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 Poem: Love Brought In A Prayer ~ Rev. Laura A. Neff ©2012 (To see the photo of this poem, click the photo and it will enlarge.)
Through all the days and nights,
Friends and family suffer plights;
Sorrows, calamities and frights,
For peace and love everyone fights.
So a prayer I would be bringing,
Whether I’m writing or singing;
Not always as easy just clinging,
To hope without faith just ringing.
Friends and family I pray you hear,
A prayer whispered in your ear;
So each time you shed even one tear,
Know my heart would always be near.
In His love as arms held extra wide,
Pain and sorrow can no longer hide;
In the heart where faith and hope reside,
His unconditional love would abide.
So let us bring some love to share,
Proving just how much we all care;
And even if we’re not standing there,
Love proven in a simple quiet prayer.
~ 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
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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.
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