Happiness and Love Can Be Found

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_3_16_2014

Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find our sermons posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. These are now extremely variable. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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 has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

- Please keep a friend, Debby, in your prayers for a swift recovery after major cancer surgery.

- Please hold several friends of a contact, Mary, on Facebook, in your prayers and thoughts for their health and solace.

- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.

- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be.

- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.

- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.

- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.

- Let us keep those who have suffered from the weather in prayer, as they continue to weather the storms, the cold, and the dangers that can be found within them.

- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering, and chaos we are going through.

- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many ways, even if we start with just one step.

- Remember those who have been lost either violently or peacefully this week.

- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry, should support one another.

- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and for all.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We bring those we love up to You in prayer for their trials and tribulations that they may find peace. We bring the sick and the mourning up in prayer and give thanks to You that they shall be healed. Hold up those who have had devastating news around this world with all the terrors and horrors that would be. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Happy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM&list=FLys7UjSJHrgrNHy9kLrkxpw&index=2

Sermon: I was asked many years ago if I knew what happiness meant to me. I’ve been asked, over the years, why others can’t find happiness or don’t know how to be happy? Well, after hearing the song you just heard as our opening song, I have to say the Lord chose that particular emotion to speak about for this sermon. So, let us start in the earliest view of happiness. Here it is in Deuteronomy 33:29 KJV – Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

He, of course, speaks of the gift that is Israel. The home of the Jews after exile, slavery, and more. They were delivered from both. Happy is exactly what should have been felt then. When anyone is freed from slavery, doesn’t matter the type, it is something we should all be happy about. When our burdens are made lighter, that is yet another reason to be happy. Yet, there are many other reasons to be happy and share happiness. Job 5:17 KJV – Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

When we’re wrong, often we realize it too late, but, that’s what apologies are for. Sure, you can’t take it back. But, you can change the way it is remembered. You can listen to your heart, AND your head. You never know how much it means to hear an apology until someone says they are sorry, no matter the reason for it. Let’s see more in regard to being happy here in Proverbs 3:13 KJV – Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Wisdom, understanding, they come with experience. Once you’ve experienced the good things, and yes, even the bad, seeking the best part of the experience is finding happiness, no matter what would be included in that event in our lives. Now, let’s look at another view of happiness. This has to do with loving our neighbors. We often forget that this world can be a cruel and ugly place, but just being nice can change our little part of it. That’s where this verse comes in. Proverbs 14:21 KJV – He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

What does it mean, having mercy on the poor. The word poor can be seen in many viewpoints, poor as in finances, illness, and spirit. That’s why we have the thoughts of give to the poor, feeling poorly, and sad spirit, and yes, poor spirit, which could often be seen as a thought of guilt or selfishness. Those of us who have mercy for any of these types of people, are able to find happiness, no matter our circumstances. No, it’s not easy. We’ll always hear the words ‘why can’t we get a break, a light at the end of the tunnel’ or other thoughts. Let’s see other views of happiness.

Proverbs 16:20 KJV – He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

Ah, there’s the idea of wisdom and trust. Those who think and do wisely will realize the trust they have in God can assist in being happy. Sometimes though, we forget to look at things that way. Fear not we often hear. Don’t fear the world outside, because you can change it. Fear only that which you don’t want to change, because it can hurt more than you might realize. Here’s a verse that speaks of something similar. Proverbs 28:14 KJV – Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

When we become selfish, shrink into ourselves, our hearts get bitter, hard. When we feel betrayed, forgotten, and more, we’ll often forget what being happy is. Laughing is something that belies humor in one form or another. Laughter is an outward view of happiness, if we don’t use it in a hardened way, an ugly view of laughter.

Jeremiah 12:1 KJV – Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgements: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Then there are times like these, when we want to know how the bad guys always seem to get the best things. I can’t think of the number of times where I’ve heard ‘why can’t I get that lucky’ or others similar. Luck has nothing to do with His love. Love is eternal, unconditional, and there are those who will roll their eyes, but happiness is there, all you have to do is believe it, and it’s there.

Malachi 3:15 KJV – And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

Here again we see the angst that seeing others benefit no matter what, and then there the rest would be toiling away wondering why they are working so hard while the others laugh and look ‘fat and happy’ as the saying would be. That’s where Jesus comes in as shared in John 13:17 KJV – If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Knowing the good, the true, and righteous ways to be, and then doing or working within them might seem difficult. To some it might look like standing on a highwire, at a forty-five degree angle, and walking backwards with a blindfold. For others there are ways happiness is found. We consider the solace of friends and understanding family members to be one of those methods for finding happiness. Even if we sit there and complain, at least someone is willing to listen, and, if we’re blessed, will hear, and offer solace in one way or another. That’s where faith comes in. Here we see something along those lines. Romans 14:22 KJV – Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in the thing which he alloweth.

Don’t beat yourself up if you couldn’t do more for someone. The same can be said when you didn’t get things done right the first time. Remember, there’s always a second chance. We just have to see it. Yes, that’s when we learn to ‘count our blessings’ and we see some of that here in James 5:11 KJV – Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Endurance, there’s a road full of potholes, cracks, bumps, and more. Yet, here we go, find the patience of Job. That’s no easy achievement, to first find, and second keep the patience Job had for so long. Tender mercy is found in many ways. You can see it, hear it, feel it, and more. There are those who bring it, share it, have it, or give mercy, willingly. That’s the fun part about happiness. You give it away and you’re even happier as a result. There are those who have suffered just to figure out what happiness is. We see that here in I Peter 3:14 KJV – But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

Be not afraid or troubled because even if you do suffer for being good, happiness is there to be had. We see this in another view here in I Peter 4:14 KJV – If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

People often want to condemn us for believing in Jesus, in God. There are those entities that would prevent us from expressing our love for God and Jesus. The fact that there are those who do not see happiness in Christianity as much as in any other faith or religion is a tragic ideal. Happiness shared, even with those who do not believe, is happiness held in our hearts, as Jesus with the Gentiles, the lepers, and even the Pharisees. Jesus loves us, everyone. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 KJV)

Closing Song: Oh Happy Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2a8yqgUpn8

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.

Fear Not

Covenant of Hope Ministries Wednesday Study_3_13_2014

Good afternoon, and welcome to this Midweek Study for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Elder Cal Jennings. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. Look for my name minus the title. These are now extremely variable. Our Elder Cal Jennings is just as variable and can be found on several sites as noted by his sermons. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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 has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.

- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be.

- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.

- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.

- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.

- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering, and chaos we are going through.

- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many ways, even if we start with just one step.

- Remember those who have been lost either violently or peacefully this week.

- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry, should support one another.

- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and for all.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We bring many of our ministry members and friends up to You for their trials and tribulations that they may be brought solace and peace. We pray for all those who have been ill. We pray for all those who have died. For all of this we pray in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmxcotW-O0w&feature=youtu.be  

)

Sermon: There are a lot of scary things going on in the world today. A lot of people are afraid of Marxism. The general concept of Marxism is “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” If it worked that way it might be good. In fact, you might be surprised at who first person who presented this idea was.

Acts 4:32-35
King James Version (KJV)
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Marxism isn't something to be afraid of. It's basically based upon the same principle that Jesus and his Apostles and disciples practiced. It's the corrupt leaders who made it bad just as the corrupt leaders we have in Washington are making things bad for the people here. Jesus knew that not everyone had the same abilities. Not everyone was smart or healthy or had all of their limbs, though Jesus could heal them. The Apostles weren't quite as Jesus just as I wasn't as good as Jesus the three years I had left everything to someone poor and went out and healed people and raised two people from the dead. The Apostles, for instance, had trouble casting out a demon once.

Matthew 17:19-21
King James Version (KJV)
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

I had trouble with the first person I raised from the dead because of my doubt as to whether I could do it. The woman had been in a terrible car accident and I had never tried to heal anyone, much less tried to raise someone from the dead. God had healed me, so I thought I should at least try to “pay it forward.” I was able to raise her from the dead so the paramedics could work on her again but I didn't heal her all the way. The doctors lost her in the hospital the next day. I was successful in every healing after that until three years later when I started doubting again because of some atheist friends I had whom I was trying to get to believe. Now that I've gotten rid of that friend, my faith has started returning. We have no perfect leader except in our hearts now. We also have a great deal of corruption and greed. Under these conditions NO system of government is going to be good. At present, it appears that Canada may have the best system of government. Our greed is reaching into Canada now though, so that could change as well. Still, Jesus' system of government was the best. He is the Son of God and He knows what's best. He was given authority over the earth.

Matthew 28:18
King James Version (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

It is a wonder that people don't recognize that. I guess because we were raised in a Capitalist society we fear anything else. Jesus told us not to fear though.

Romans 8:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

1 John 4:18
King James Version (KJV)
18 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.

Isaiah 41:10
King James Version (KJV)
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness

We certainly shouldn't fear a system that Jesus himself created. One day we will have that perfect leader again when Jesus returns. Let us not fear the events that are occurring but be joyful that His return may be near. Now that is something to really think about.

Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 KJV)

Closing Song: Fear Not
http://youtu.be/SEqeGCW5H8o

)

~Love, Hope, and Peace~

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.

Make the Crooked Road Straight Through Faith

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_3_9_2014

Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. These are now extremely variable. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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 has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

- Please keep a friend, Debby, in your prayers for a swift recovery after major cancer surgery.

- Please keep my friend Jeff’s sister in your prayers as she still isn’t out of the woods after a very scary week.

- Continue to pray for my friend Kerry who is still going through issues with cancer surgery.

- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.

- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be.

- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.

- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.

- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.

- Let us keep those who have suffered from the weather in prayer, as they continue to weather the storms, the cold, and the dangers that can be found within them.

- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering, and chaos we are going through.

- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many ways, even if we start with just one step.

- Remember those who have been lost either violently or peacefully this week.

- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry, should support one another.

- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and for all.

Birthdays: This coming Friday and Saturday would have my youngest son and I celebrating. My son will be sixteen. Yes, I’ll give mine. I will be forty-four.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We pray for those who have suffered loss and devastation. We bring those friends and family who have been ill, in hospital, or other ways, up to You that they be healed through faith and love. We bring those in mourning to You that they might find solace. We pray for all who have been brought to harm, and all who would need Your guidance. We do all of this in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ in the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Open the Eyes of My Heart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHZ9iuo1kRs

Sermon: There have been many who have felt as though they’ve been trampled by life in recent days, weeks, months, and years. All of us have felt as though the road we follow has been tied in an impossible knot. Well, crooked roadways are spoken of in Scripture, and would include steep ones, rocky ones, and more. Let’s start our exploration here with this verse. Isaiah 40:4 KJV – Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

What is God saying here? He’s saying with His love, guidance, and more, our paths won’t be rocky, too high to reach, or too low to travel on. The crooked path will be straight on top of that. What could be more intriguing than this? God sits here speaking about His proverbial footprints in the sand, that we might follow him. Jesus brought us a human version of this view, but let’s look at more ways Isaiah shares in the realm of crooked pathways.

Isaiah 42:16 KJV – And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

The unknown for many is something that would frighten us for reasons we couldn’t touch upon. Being blind, whether it is physical or not, when we are exposed to things that are unknown we tend to wonder ‘why am I here?’ ‘what do I do next?’ and others. Yet, there is a promise, a light at the end of the tunnel. That tunnel is brought to the light through God’s love. The crooked roads and other pathways will be made straight as well. Why is this? It is to give reason and the ability to see with more than our eyes, that God is always with us. This would be something we often fail to realize. Thus we often seem like we’re stuck on the crooked roadways in life.

Isaiah 45:2 KJV – I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break into pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Follow Him! That’s what He says here. He’s ahead of us straightening out the mess we often see ahead of us, and breaking down the walls so that we won’t feel as though we’re hitting those walls head on. If we all were to look at life as though there might be hurdles, but God is there to push them out of the way, to straighten the road, so that we might get to our destination. Let’s continue exploring the crooked road with this verse here.

Isaiah 59:8 KJV – The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

There are some who don’t always make the best decisions in their lives. In fact, many of us have made those bad decisions, but we learn from them. Those of us who do learn those lessons have learned how to judge their actions as good, beneficial, or bad, detrimental. What do we find when we do these things? Well, that’s answered in the verse, peace, of course.

Ecclesiastes 7:13 KJV – Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

Does God make paths crooked? Or do we do so? Perhaps we both might? The answer is the last of those questions. We make our paths crooked by worrying, overthinking, regretting, and using the ‘what if’ ideals. Worry is something all of us go through, but even Jesus said ‘worry not’. When we say ‘what if’ we often think every scenario, past, present, and future. You can’t what if, because all it will do is bring regret or make you feel like you’re the proverbial dog chasing its tail. God straightens it all out, all we have to do is listen and hear.

Luke 3:5 KJV – Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

Ah, and now we see how Jesus brought the influence of ages past into life as known in the days of the gospel. Every valley filled up, every mountain and hill flattened out, what does that mean? It means we won’t have those hurdles, the walls we have to climb or swim through or any of that, as it will all be brought to where we can see with our hearts, our spirits, our souls, our minds, before our eyes would be needed. It is amazing what you can see if you open the eyes of your heart. God always knows there will be rough roads, mountains and valleys that appear too perilous, and waters either too deep or too wide. That’s why we have Him there in the first place. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 KJV)

Closing Song: A Crooked Road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk8W3XuZygc

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.

The Gift of Ministry and Its Meaning for All

Covenant of Hope Ministries Wednesday Study_3_5_2014

Good afternoon, and welcome to this Midweek Study for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. Look for my name minus the title. These are now extremely variable. Our Elder Cal Jennings is just as variable and can be found on several sites as noted by his sermons. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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 has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be.

- Please pray for family members of my friend Jeff, that they might heal soon.

- Please pray for fruitful benefits in the finances and health of many who are suffering any and all types of hardship.

- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.

- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.

- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.

- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering, and chaos we are going through.

- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many ways, even if we start with just one step.

- Remember those who have been lost either violently or peacefully this week.

- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.

- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry, should support one another.

- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and for all.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We thank you for the gifts brought to us through Unconditional Love. We are brought up in prayer for friends, family, and those who are in need for whatever that might be. We pray for healing, faith, hope, and the gift of family and friendship for those who need each of those. We do so through Your Holy Name and the Son Jesus Christ within the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Spirit Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWEDBaFy0SI

Sermon: Today the inspiration was to talk about ministering and ministry. It is very difficult sometimes for those of us who do this, every day in most cases, just to pursue ministry, much less to keep going when those who either read or listen would fail to see that writing for what it is, or hear what is being listened to. Yet, as Paul said, he was made a minister to deliver and share the grace of God with all, Gentiles and Jews. Let’s start with his words here in Ephesians 3:7 KJV – Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Ministers, preachers, priests, elders, teachers all given the gift to share the truth of Scripture with those who willingly listen. We cannot make the people hear. As ministers of God’s love it is our mission to share that, in peace, in joy, with an understanding wisdom. What do we have to speak of? Why, we teach as Christ taught, because that is what should be, and how ministry must be. If we do not give the Truth through the Word, as Christ shared, then we won’t see the proof of how it works. Let’s see what Paul says here in Romans 15:18 KJV – For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

We have this word, obedient, in this verse. What does it mean here in this instance? Well, we have to listen and hear, think and do, as Jesus would do. There is a saying that goes like this, ‘say what you do, and do what you say’. Jesus lived by this very thought, as He said what would be done, and fulfilled what He said must be done. You might not recall the words in John 15 where it shares that ideal. Here, though, is a thought that the least is the most as the most is the least. That too is something Jesus shared often. Let’s look at it here in Ephesians 3:8 KJV – Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Now, when people think of riches, they think money, possessions. They don’t think about knowledge, understanding, the footsteps of wisdom. It’s one of the most difficult lessons to learn, how grace can be achieved through an unconditional sharing of love. Ministry is one way of sharing that unconditional part of us. Life is affected by our words, our thoughts, and our actions. As ministers, no matter what we are sharing, those three are just as important to the ideal of do as you say, and say as you will do. This will prove how much we listen and hear when it comes to Christ and His teaching. Let’s look into that here in Romans 16:25 KJV – Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Who can establish you? There is only One, that One is God through the gift of Jesus and the strength of the Holy Spirit. The mysteries of God, the revelation as yet to come, kept secret since the beginnings of creation, would prove to be the ultimate gift, brought to us through the ultimate sacrifice, that of the beloved Son of God, Jesus. At this time of year we are preparing to celebrate that sacrifice, as it led us to the promise of glorious horizons as yet to come. The resurrection of life as patience, faith, hope, and all the rest of the footsteps of Unconditional Love would bring. I had hoped that, at some point I would do my best to manage at least an audio sermon. I am indeed working on that. The gift of ministry, however, can be managed both in written and verbal form. It has been shown through the letters written to Ephesus, Corinth, and many other locations. Yet, truthfully, both should be managed as often as possible. This is one thing that adds to the ideal of ‘say what you’ll do, and do what you say’, as well as ‘do what you love, and love what you do’. Jesus did, we should as we shall try our best to do the same. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 KJV)

Closing Song: Because He Lives http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.

Gather Together Heart and Soul Wherever We’d Be and Wherever We Go

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_3_2_2014

Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

We have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. These are now extremely variable. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will inform you further regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be video presentations.

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 has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.

- Please keep a friend, Debby, in your prayers for continued recovery after successful major cancer surgery.

- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they continue to grieve her loss.

- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as his health doesn’t know where it wants to be. He has had very few days where he could get off his bed.

- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer. Keep Teresa and her daughter in prayer for many other things that have been weighing down on their hearts, minds, and spirits.

- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for whatever they might need.

- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe haven.

- Let us keep those who have suffered from the weather in prayer, as they continue to weather the storms, the cold, and the dangers that can be found within them.

- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering, and chaos we are going through. I have been to three doctors since January and am going to a fourth tomorrow. May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be there with the hearts and spirits of my friends and family.

- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many ways, even if we start with just one step.

- Remember those who have been lost either violently or peacefully this week.

- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry, should support one another.

- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and for all.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We thank you for the blessings of hope and inspiration, that they might continue in our lives. We pray for those in pain, no matter the type it would be. We pray for those in hardship, as many would walk that path right now with the hope that there will be a better tomorrow. We pray all of these in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Hey Brother http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-fnvfs0h0A

Sermon: Well, today’s sermon is an inspiration brought in the wee hours of this day. As I have often said before, He loves to bring interesting views to us. Today He wants me to bring up something Elder Cal and I have spoken about more than once. Yet, in this case, we would also see something to go with it. Let’s start here in

Matthew 18:19-20 KJV – Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them.

When first introduced it is often believed that the two or more would need to be in the same location, sitting side by side or face to face. Where, in fact, if we believe in similar fashion and seek each other, no matter the method, then we are those two or more, because we are gathered together ON EARTH. As we all know, earth in its entirety is a very big place. Let’s see what more the Gospel of Matthew has to say as we share Matthew 5:24 KJV – Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Oh and His inspiration gets better. Brother to brother, let us reconcile, let us forgive each other and come together, bring peace from each other’s hearts and give it away to those who need it, and those who we know we need peace to be shared. That’s something so many find difficult where it should hardly be such. If Jesus could speak to lepers, Gentiles, and so many views of the Jews, then we can learn together to bring peace to our Brothers and Sisters around this world, no matter who they are, what they believe, how they believe, or where they live. Let us continue in the exploration with James 5:16 KJV – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

Oh yes, look here, tell each other, when you speak, write, or otherwise that you aren’t perfect. Many of us get angry, and bring that anger out of us. There are times when it may seem we’re denying our faith, or even choosing ideals that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus. There are many who would accuse without basis, because they read what is written one way when the intention was to be entirely different. It is when we begin to ask each other what we meant where we will find understanding, and that, my friends, would bring peace, in His everlasting love, brother to brother, sister to sister, family to family. Let’s see what else could be shared as we go to I John 3:22 KJV – And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Oh here you go, ask, and we shall receive, for though we might fall off the path, go backwards, or get confused and stop to stand still, there are ways to change that. What would that be? Bring hope, faith, and love to our Brothers and Sisters and we will find our path once more, that is the gift He brings to us, HOPE. Let’s continue as we read here in

Ezekiel 48:35 KJV – It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day will be, The LORD is there.

So, what is being shared here? JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT, and GOD Himself. How awesome that is. In a city named The LORD is there. Well, truth be told, this shares exactly what Jesus was saying time and again, where two or more are gathered. It doesn’t matter whether you are standing or sitting together in the same room. What matters is that our hearts hear one another, or spirits would be there. That is the most important thing that Jesus is, as He was, teaching us. Let’s see more of this as we share the words from Zechariah 2:5 KJV – For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. A ring of fire. Did any ever consider that the ring might actually be a good thing? You see, Jesus walks THROUGH the fire. God does the same. Remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Surely, if they hadn’t believed with all their hearts, they would have burned. Yet, with the hearts and souls the three believed, and the Spirit of God was with them. That’s what is needed with each of us, belief in the fact that the Spirit of God is standing or sitting beside us, ALWAYS, not just once in a while. This is why the spirits of our family, friends, would be beside us as well, because God brings our spirits together. Let us remember that for those spirits to always be heard we must also bring our words into play, whether in writing, by a phone call or some other means of communication. It is amazing what comfort can be found in the voice of another, no matter written or spoken, for even written, it is spoken, the Bible for example.

Matthew 28:20 KJV – Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

He is with us ALWAYS, until the end of the world. What does that mean we should be teaching to observe all things, always? It means we should share what we see, each of us, one to another, so that we might bring together our thoughts, our feelings, and more, no matter what the discussion would involve. This is the ultimate in being two or more gathered together. What is it? We must communicate with each other. Communication is vital to our continuing faith, not just with each other, but within our selves as well. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 KJV)

Closing Song: Brother

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

Covenant of Hope Ministries

Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

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 © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.