Covenant Of Hope Ministries

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Nourishing the Spirit Get’s Us Somewhere in the Middle

Do you know that our Spirits need nourishment? They need the time to grow. They need time to heal when times are rough. Think of it this way, even God took a vacation. Remember, every seventh year have Jubilee. That is a whole year of vacation! We in today’s world consider it a blessing to get seven days in a row. Yet, there are times we really and truly need it. This is why.

Galatians 5:22-26 KJV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

If we don’t, can’t keep these in mind, it’s time for a vacation. It doesn’t matter if it’s a “working” vacation. You can do a little just to stave off the boredom. But, in truth, we need that rest. That is why we have the seventh day, Sabbath, the seventh year, Jubilee, and Easter.

Do you remember when we were speaking about the Gospel of John and we saw these words? The Gospel of John 15:5 KJV – I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

It is not always easy to walk in His footprints, or beside them, either one. Yet, so long as we carry Him in our hearts, we can overcome those seven pains in everyone’s earthly life, vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt. We have spoken of these seven so much we should know them by heart. You’ve heard the ideal of keeping our thoughts to ourselves.

The reason we should do just that, unless they are thoughts for the greater good, would be that we keep those seven tame. In other words, setting them loose only makes things worse than they are already. This is something everyone does. Even the ministers that are there for us can indeed let those seven break loose and, well, you know what that can do.

This summer, for example. I haven’t written more than a few sermons, a few studies, as opposed to putting them up all the time. Sometimes we, quite literally, need to take the time to keep our thoughts to ourselves, to recuperate, to bring our thoughts back to where they should be. This isn’t just for ministers. It is for all of us. It’s why those who work for a paycheck would get some sort of vacation, the weekend, those precious seven, fourteen, or twenty-one days in the corporate world, or the twelve that teachers would, in some ways, consider a blessing. Think about it as you see there are ways to be somewhere in the middle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sjHiCjLUwOk

~Shalom~

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~The Rainbow Minister

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder

Covenant of Hope Ministries
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.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Listen_Hear_See The City Of The Lord_The City Of God

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_7_28_2013

Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff, and the ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. You can find us posted on Sundays. These are our locations 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 available every day, and 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 be informing you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made due to health reasons. There will be live sermons, and the sermon length will be shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that might be.
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, the last thing they wanted to see has appeared. Her cancer has returned in the same location. There is nothing that can be done to stop this at this point in time. They have a prognosis of two to eight weeks. Keep her parents and family in your prayers, and little Phoebe as well.

- Pray for our member Sonya Poll who has had her twin daughters. Their names are Addisin Hope and Emmalynn Faith. They are in the NICU for another week. These sweet little girls are sure fighters, Praise the LORD, may they continue to fight and flourish. Pray also that the faith and hope held by their parents be there to help the little ones along.

- Pray for baby Corbin who is struggling to survive. He has lived one hundred days so far, let us pray he continues to beat the odds.

- Pray for the victims of the boat wreck in New York this week, that their families receive their solace, and that truth be found in regard to their losses.

- Pray for the victims of the shooting in a Florida apartment complex, and their families.

- Pray for the victims and survivors of the bus wreck in Indiana.

- Pray that there are more answers in regard to my health situation.

- 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.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We have much to be thankful for. The great gifts and the understanding even in the tragedies this world has brought. We pray that you hear the voices of the sick, the mourning, as we bring them up to You, knowing You can hear, do hear, and will share what You have to bring. Faith, Hope, and Love, all are gifts You bring. It would be those which we need in our hearts, and you have shown us that those are within us, all we must do is ask. We pray for friends, family, colleagues, whether ill, well, or mourning. May Your grace and love fill their hearts, minds, spirits, and souls. We ask this in Your Holy Name, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Healing Hand Of God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-aE7zQTeEg&feature=player_detailpage&list=PLF46276A98B39ACFE

Sermon: Now, we were speaking of the fact that fear had taken hold, causing pain. Fear can do that. Who was this happening to? It was the kings. They were terrified. Because of this fear, this is what happened.

Psalm 48:7 KJV – Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

We find a second view in the scroll of Ezekiel. It’s not just the kings according to this. It would be all of those who look and listen to these kings. Again, we see them broken in the great waters of the sea.

Ezekiel 27:26 KJV – Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.

Listen, hear, and see, this is what we have often wondered about. It is not just using our eyes, it is seeing and understanding what we are listening to, and hearing. That is what we see here in this next verse.

Psalm 48:8 KJV – As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah.

We see it after we hear it. Where do we do so? In the city of the LORD of hosts, the city of our God. Remember it shares that twice at the end, and then says STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT, or Selah. We tend to forget that part, stop, listen, hear, and think about what you stopped to listen to and hear.

Alright, so what are we seeing? We’re seeing humanity flowing toward the city of the LORD, the mountain where safe haven can be found. Notice how it says flow, or flowing. You’ve seen a river as it flows, a mass of people trying to get in or out of someplace, somewhere. This is what will be seen. It will be a whole mass of people entering the city of the LORD in the last days. We see more views of that shared here in.

Isaiah 2:2 KJV – And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all the nations shall flow into it.

Again we see this view repeated, and celebrated, as both would share. Well, think about it, at that point in time, wouldn’t you want to be somewhere you’d never feel pain, never fear another human being, never feel sorrow, or anger, and all the rest. That’s the best thought in the world, so, like the other verses, Micah says the same.

Micah 4:1 KJV – But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

Well, many of us are wanting this view. We want it, but often have a hard time understanding what it takes to listen, hear, and see. What does it take? 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: Rain http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3k3jxi4JhXA&list=PLF46276A98B39ACFE

~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

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.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Asking God Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit for Help

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_7_14_2013

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

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

Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope

- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair as she continues to do well. There have been a few setbacks, including fevers.

- Pray for our member Sonya Poll who is two weeks from her due date with twins. She is having complications and needs all the prayers she can get.

- Pray for the victims of the plane crash in San Francisco this past week.

- 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.

- Pray for my nephew who has been sick.

- Pray that my sister and her new husband have a wonderful life together.

- Pray that there are more answers in regard to my health situation.

- Pray that political heat will simmer down worldwide.

- Pray for baby Corbin who is struggling to survive. He has lived one hundred days so far, let us pray he continues to beat the odds.

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 this day, those before this, and for those yet to come. We bring our friends, our families, their friends and more up in prayer. Each of them with their own circumstances, may those trials and tribulations have solutions. We bring the injured, the missing, and the ones mourning the losses of family, friends, or colleagues this week. We pray all this in Your Holy Name, the gift of life through Jesus Christ and His gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Help Me Lord! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yL1LrFtx2w

Sermon: In all the years I have worked as a minister, I have come up with many an interesting sermons thanks to His inspiration. Today’s sermon is no different. This sermon is continuing where we were in Psalm 48. Today we are exploring Psalm 48:3-6 KJV – God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

God is our refuge. He is our haven, and this location, Zion, the palaces within, would be that refuge. Yet, there is fear when it comes to what will happen on the way to reaching that wonderous place given to us as we pursue the path toward it. Let us look at the additions included in these four verses. We’ll start here in II Samuel 10:6 KJV – And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men. Fear, something we all suffer. In the verses found in our Psalm we see that fear, yet they marvelled at the palaces found in God’s house. Fear overcame their senses. Why would anyone fear the ultimate refuge? That’s the question that continues to be asked in the supporting verse here in II Samuel somewhat confuses the situation. Why does it do so? It shows a different view of these troubled kings. The smell of fear can be a terrible smell. So, what did these children of Ammon do? They went and asked for help. Now, that’s something we all do. The only difference is we ask God through Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, in place of others here on earth. It is something all of us must learn, practice, learn more, and continue to practice. You see to learn, and then to apply that learning, will lead us to wisdom. There are many in this ministry, and beyond who are still learning, still practicing, and still reaching toward wisdom. 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: Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzIABaImiK4

~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

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.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

The Wonder of Mount Zion

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_07_07_2013

Good morning, my name is Rev. Laura A. Neff known as the Rainbow Minister by the ministry and others. You can find the ministry here in these locations.

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 and Instant Messenger through Facebook available. The email is easier for the moment. I am supposed to be on vacation but try to put in short ones on Sundays at least.

Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. This is our current prayer list for this week.

Continue your prayers for those devastated in the tornadoes.

Pray for those who lost family and friends in the terrible fires this last two weeks.

Pray for the lost and the surviving from the plane crash in San Francisco, that they be remembered for the lives lived or survived that they may be healed.

Pray for those who have lost their lives around this world.

Pray for those at war, that they might find peace.

Pray for those who are in suffering that relief may be found.

Pray for those who argue that they may find resolution.

Pray for those lost, that they may be found.

Pray for those in sorrow that they receive solace.

Pray for those experiencing joy, that they know how to share it.

Pray that love will fill the hearts of all, since God’s love conquers all so long as we give it, share it, and believe in it.

Pray for those in the ministry, that they be safe, secure, and know they are loved.

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 memories and lessons of yesterday. We thank you for this day and those that follow for the lessons that may be learned and the wisdom earned from yesterday. We pray for those who are in our hearts and those who are on our list. We pray that those who need to be listened to are heard. We pray for our friends, our acquaintances, our enemies, and the unknown. We pray all this praising Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Sermon: Well, here we have the next verse to share, one with quite a few thoughts to be considered. Beauty, many say it is in the eye of the beholder. Well, this is quite true, as we learned when God chose David as King of the Jews. We’ll start with another view of beauty here in Psalm 48:2 KJV – Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

Mount Zion, the most wonderful place, because it is the Mount of the great King. Think about it, the best place on earth is not on earth, it’s on the Mount of Zion. What’s the difference you ask? Well, for one thing, seven troubles that get all of us in trouble aren’t there. Remember the seven are only trouble if you make them so. On Mount Zion those are left behind.

Jeremiah 3:19 KJV –But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage, of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, my Father; and shalt not turn away from me.

When you remember that God is YOUR Father, as He is OUR Father, you’ll understand He’s always there, we just have to remember that. We just have to realize that. Those are the most important things. The reason for that, He’s there and won’t turn away. It won’t be Him who turns, it will be any or all of us.

Lamentations 2:15 KJV – All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?

Why would anyone hiss or wag their heads at someone or in regard to someone? Well, one reason would be due to anger. Another would be because they don’t listen and then hear. There are many others that could be considered and spoken of, but the idea is there.

Ezekiel 20:6 KJV –In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey which is the glory of all lands.

God is wondering why anyone would look away from the greatest of all gifts. It isn’t money or goods, it is life and the ability to live it, love it, and understand it. You see, if you don’t live life, you can’t love it, learn from it, understand it, or become wise because of it.

Isaiah 14:13 KJV –For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

How are we to do so if we won’t listen and hear? How are we to get to that point if we forget to live life, love it, learn from it, understand it, or become wise as a result? God is OUR Father. He is HERE, right now, all we have to do is say hello, and there you go. 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)

~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

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.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

The Lion Comforted Amidst the Lamb’s Fleece

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_6_30_2013

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 and Instant Messenger through Facebook available most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays 10AM to 2PM ET US and 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 be informing you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made due to health reasons. There will be live sermons, and the sermon length will be shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that might be.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We pray for friends, enemies, and the unknown. Let us remember and pray for those who have been lost to this life. Let us pray for those who have been injured or have suffered illness, short or prolonged. Let us pray for ministries worldwide and for those who are suffering fear, famine, terror, or disaster. We ask all these prayers in Your Holy Name, the name of Your Son Jesus Christ our Savior, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Sermon: Today isn’t a sermon, it’s an observation. We often don’t think about one thing in this world. That one thing is peace. We say we want peace. We say we need peace. But, do we actually know how to achieve peace? To achieve that peace we have to realize unconditional love doesn’t mean we have to like what people do or say, or even think. What it means is to love because they ARE. Like we would be, they ARE, human. We’re not perfect. None of us are. That is what we forget. This is one of the things we have to search for in life. There are two locations in Isaiah that share this. Let’s take a look at the pair and then I will share a poem I wrote recently that takes this view into account.

Isaiah 11:6 KJV – The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

What does this speak of? It shows acceptance, love that is unconditional would accept any and all. Thus the fact that the wolf with the lamb, the leopard with the kid, the calk and lion and fatling, with a little child leading them.

Isaiah 65:25 KJV – The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

We see this same view but what gets added, the serpent shall have the meat of dust. None shall hurt, or destroy in His Holy Mountain. God’s Holy Mountain, sanctuary, the full view of unconditional love.

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)

~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

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.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Great is the LORD in His House and Our Home

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_6_23_2013

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 and Instant Messenger through Facebook available most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays 10AM to 2PM ET US. We’re still working this out between the two of us as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will be informing you further in regard to changes being made. These changes were made due to health reasons. There will be live sermons, and the sermon length will be shortened dramatically, but we are unsure as to when that might be.
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 pray for my youngest brother, he is working toward his dream job.

Please pray for many of those we know and those we have heard about. Pray for their health and healing, financial balance, hope, faith, and love.

Please pray that my health will balance out, or at least bring a reason for what is going on. Add to that prayer the financial situation that is getting worse, not better.

Pray for those we have lost in our ministry. Pray for those we have brought as well.

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 answering prayers for all who would need lifting up. We pray for those in need. We pray for those who suffer. We are praying for our friends, our families, those who are unknown, and those who are enemies, as Jesus asked us to. We do this in Your Holy Name, through the love of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: Great Is The LORD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=035eeu_FygA

Sermon: Yes, I’m writing a sermon. It’s a very short one, but sends an awesome message. Great is the LORD. We shall flow into the house of God, Mount Zion, up in the clouds. How amazing and inspiring this gift would be. It is a gift. The reason this verse and those that coincide would be a gift is quite simple. It proves His unconditional love in hope for peace, love, not just in our hearts, but in our minds, our spirits, and our souls. That gift would wipe out need, want, and all those that follow. We would have all that can be given, shared, and experienced. See it in this verse.

Psalm 48:1KJV – Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

It is interesting to see the words Great is the LORD. We sing songs with those words. Great is the LORD! He brings us many things. There are gifts we don’t realize He has given. There are others that are gifts we are able to realize if we think about it. We wake, breathe, think, dream, love, hope, and many other things.

There are verses that coincide, let us look at those. The first is in Isaiah 2:2 KJV – And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

How intriguing is that? We see here a premonition that is brought to Isaiah by God. He speaks of a new home in the house of the LORD. What a beautiful place, high in the mountains to see and understand the gifts He has brought us for all the days of our lives. Let’s go look at this verse, Obadiah 17KJV – But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

Where is Mount Zion? Well, it is the LORD’S house, of course. It gives a name to the mountain of the LORD’s house as shared in Isaiah. In our first verse we see the words city of our God. Note that it is the city of OUR GOD. The LORD’S house, this city, is as a house, a home, where those who love and believe and share His truth would be when They bring us home, to Mount Zion, the city of God.

I’m going to use one of my favorite phrases here. Think about this. Realize it says people shall flow unto it. That means there will be many who reach Mount Zion, the LORD’s home. That is worthy of praise, now think about that. Think about it 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 Lord My God http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mHqgQjJrxI8

~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

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.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

June 2013 Letter to the Ministry and All

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Brothers Sisters, and Friends in Christ,

My sabbatical being two weeks in, I thought I’d drop you a letter. I was just thinking about you, my friends, as I again awoke quite early. The LORD has done many things for us. Those against the LORD have tried to take us all the way down. Yet, I know that if we, Covenant of Hope Ministries, weren’t meant to be, then I would hardly fight for this, no matter how weak and weary this body might become.

This morning, I was thinking about something I read yesterday. Yes, though I haven’t written much in the realm of sermons and studies, I have kept up on things. Something I have thought about, read about, even written about has been the ideal of a safe haven, a hiding place in God’s love. Now, there are many places to look and find verses sharing this, but this one jumped at me when I read that email.

Psalm 91:9-11 KJV – Because thou hast made the LORD, which is thy refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

We all know the song All Night, All Day. The song speaks of angels watching over us. There is another titled Angels Among Us, which says the same in different words. We may think He’s forgotten us. We may forget He’s there to run toward for shelter, protection, solace. Yet, God is always there. It doesn’t matter who we are, where we live, what we do while we live, God is there, walking beside us. There is another song, and like those already mentioned, it is one I’m quite familiar with. It’s titled Walk With Me. This is what Jesus asks of us. This is what God asks of us. Yes, that means even while we’re on vacation. God wants US to walk TOGETHER with HIM. Jesus asked US to do the same. This is why I addressed this to Brothers, Sisters, and Friends. It sometimes makes me shake my head when God decides it’s time to write to you, for you, but, here I am doing just that.

May this summer bring you hope through faith. May it bring you peace as you give it to others. May we remember that where two or more are gathered, He is there. It doesn’t matter in person, or in the heart and from a distance, when we are gathered together, He is amongst us. That’s why we have love, you know, because it has no barriers, distance doesn’t matter, we are still gathered together. I leave you with this thought. There are many who gather, yet they have one voice. Should that mean just one speaks? There you go, something to think about.

To our fathers in the ministry, Happy Father’s Day. Remember to offer God the same, for He is OUR Father.

~Shalom~ Rev. Laura sending Rainbow Hugs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7CZKIrRTIRs

Rev. Laura A. Neff ~The Rainbow Minister

Calvin Jennings ~ Elder

Covenant of Hope Ministries
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.

About Us/

Welcome, we are Covenant of Hope Ministries. We celebrate the light in the darkness. There are those of us who need a connection, one to another, whether it is someone we want to learn about, or someone we know and wish to keep in touch with. Ministry is all about sharing faith, hope, and unconditional love. This all would offer peace from the heart. It doesn't matter who you are, where you live, if you are traveling a lot, or otherwise, we serve Christians and Others who are disabled, displaced, disadvantaged and disenchanted in today's world. Licensed Ordained Minister, Rev. Laura A. Neff, Evangelist, Cal Jennings, Outreach Ministers including Rev. Lisa, Pastor Stephen, Apostle Eric, and many others. I am licensed to perform Biblically Based Wedding Ceremonies in the state of Georgia, USA locally based in Savannah and surrounding areas. I was ordained in 2007 by Rev. Teresa Piercey-Gates. We established this ministry in October of 2008.