Covenant Of Hope Ministries

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Starting Anew

Covenant of Hope Ministries Midweek Study_1_8_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.

- 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.

Note: My apologies for the delay in the sermon. There were technical difficulties on my end.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We are thankful for Your goodness and grace and for the gift that is patience. We pray that You might help us to accept those in our hearts and minds. We thank you for the gifts of the present, the sweet memories, and the lessons learned. We thank You for the promise of tomorrow. We pray for those who have been lost, injured, in sorrow, in pain, and those who suffer fear. Let them know your presence, as we are thankful for it. We ask these things in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: I Can See Clearly Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FscIgtDJFXg

Sermon: It is a brand new year! We are given a clean slate, as Jesus gave us in the gift of baptism. There are a few views of being given the chance to start over in life, even in existence. Let us see what some of those are. We start at the beginning. The first point that allows for starting over would be Noah and the gift God brought him through the courage to do something completely outside the box at the time. Let’s see what this would be here in Genesis 8:1-12 KJV – And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark; and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;

And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.

And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.

And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.

And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:

And he sent forth a raven, which went forth too and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.

Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground.

We’ll add another segment of the voyage with Noah here in Genesis 9:12-16 KJV – And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual geneations:

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

Now, the Old Testament shows several others, but this one would show the washing away of all sin, of all that was evil and wicked in God’s eyes. He then makes a promise, an everlasting promise. That would be sealed in a bow in the clouds, a rainbow, after every rain. Now, we have floods in this world, but none that cover ALL of the earth. Certainly they are devastating for the people in those areas, but they survive, they rebuild, and they thrive once more. Those are gifts from God. In that view there is also the gift of Jesus and His ability to share the thoughts of baptism and being brand new through Him. So, with that ideal we take a look at these three sets of verses in Ephesians 5:8-9 KJV – For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of the light.

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; )

Matthew 28:3 KJV – His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Mark 9:3 KJV – And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

We see in these three verses the gift of moving from darkness to light and our capacity to walk in the light that is Jesus our Savior. Here is the greatest part, the fruit of the Spirit is in goodness, righteousness, and truth. Then, on top of being the light of life and love we find that His face, His expression is like lightning, which is first quick, and second bright, then also His clothing is white as snow. We’ve seen quite a lot of snow in this country. It is cold, fresh, white, and provides the ability to first change things to being new, and then, when it melts, washing away that which once was, so that it will be no more. This is when plants grow once more, trees bring out their leaves, flowers come from the ground, and more. With this beginning of the year, we are given just that, the opportunity to clean up, to wash our sins, to see that the earth would also be cleansed, but only for a short time, as the covenant sealed with God’s bow would always be kept. 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: Snow ~ Charlotte Church http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj058VsyER8

~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, December 29, 2013

Simeon’s Gift of God’s Promise Brought By the Holy Ghost

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_12_29_2013

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.

- 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 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 another friend, Jeff, and his family in prayer that the new opportunity would benefit them in many, many ways. Pray also for his friend who passed away this week.

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

- Please keep a child from my sister’s classes who lost his mother. He is nine years old. The family is devastated and needs prayers for solace and understanding.

- 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.

- Please pray for our travelers during this holiday and on through the New Year that they may be safe and reach their destinations.

- Please also pray for those who are alone this holiday, that they realize they are loved.

Birthday: It’s my husband’s birthday today!

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. May Your love and grace fill our hearts as we celebrate family and friendship during this end of the year. May our hearts reach out to others no matter whether they would be friend, family, enemy, or unknown, neighbors and more. Help us to remember that peace begins within and we can only have peace if we give it to others. May we see that love, unconditional love, would be the same with Your guidance and understanding, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: We Three Kings of Orient Are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mjRxkMBkE

Sermon: The shepherds, the Magi, both come once the child, the Son of God would be born. However there is more to this beautiful promise, the wonder and the star that brought them there. Today we will speak of the gift of the Holy Spirit, after the birth of the Son of God. We begin with Simeon and his first knowledge, revelation, of the gift that is Jesus.

Luke 2:25 KJV – And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Then took he him upon his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to be lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Beohold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Notice how Simeon was waiting for the Son of God. He was waiting to see Him. He knew that God would grant his prayer once he had done so. He would have seen the grace and goodness that would provide salvation for Israel. When he saw Jesus, Mary, and Joseph at last great joy filled him. His heart opened as he curled Jesus in his arms and promised Mary and Joseph that everything would come to pass. The prophecies of old would indeed be true. They would be brought to the Gentiles and to the children of Israel, through the Savior, Jesus Christ. What a gift! What marvel they shared at the knowledge! Well, of course they did! The two couldn’t possibly think anything else with the knowledge of what Simeon was saying. Simeon also warns of the sorrow, the pain, and the sacrifice Jesus would make in the future. He’s telling them what God had told Israel in the days long past. Simeon is providing proof of the prophecy! Here we have celebrated His birth and now we celebrate His gift of salvation! What a beautiful gift it would be, even from His birth. Simeon gives the gift of HOPE, as Jesus’ birth did the same. The promise had begun its fulfillment through the gift that was given through the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost as is shared in these verses. What promises waited for them, just as seen in the prophetic words of Simeon as he curled the baby Jesus in his arms. 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: The Gift http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHKaqmt2zho

~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.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

On the Eve of Christmas Celebrate Christ

Covenant of Hope Ministries Christmas Eve Sermon_12_24_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’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 brother’s friend Paul, that this new job managed for the New Year will be a blessing for his family.

- 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 another friend, Jeff, and his family in prayer after a Christmas miracle affords Jeff a new post to begin in the New Year.

- 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.

- Please pray for our travelers during this holiday and on through the New Year that they may be safe and reach their destinations.

- Please also pray for those who are alone this holiday that they realize 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 hope and faith brought to us by the birth of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We pray that the hope and faith that is given would reach everyone in peace and harmony. We pray that those who are traveling remain safe. We pray that those far from home know there are those who love them and remember them, no matter where they are, and they’ll be home, even in our dreams. We pray all this in Your Holy Name, through the Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Song: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiSqct-Ei80

It came upon the midnight clear,

that glorious song of old,

from angels bending near the earth

to touch their harps of gold;

"Peace on earth, goodwill to men,

from heav'n's all gracious King!"

The world in solemn stillness lay

to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,

with peaceful wings unfurled;

And still their heav'nly music floats

o'er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains

they bend on hovering wing;

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

the blessed angels sing!

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

the world has suffered long;

beneath the angel strain have rolled

two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

the love song which they bring

O hush the noise, ye men of strife,

and hear the angels sing!

For lo! The days are hast'ning on,

by prophet bards foretold,

When, with the ever circling years,

comes round the age of gold;

When peace shall over all the earth

its ancient splendors fling;

And the whole world send back

the song which now the angels sing!

Sermon: Today we aren’t having a sermon. We’re having a time to praise and celebrate the birth of the Savior. In so doing we are going to share music, with the lyrics as they are sung. Added to this we will have poetry for Christmas itself, and for the New Year that is yet to come, may you be blessed.

Gospel of Luke 2:15 KJV - And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmSlIbJt7nU

The First Noel

The first noel the angel did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay;

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

Born is the King of Israel

They looked up and say a star

Shining in the east, beyond them far,

And to the earth it gave great light,

And so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star,

Three wise men came from country far,

And to the earth it gave great light,

And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the northwest,

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,

And there it did both stop and stay,

Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those wise men three,

Full reverently upon the knee,

And offered there, in His presence,

Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

Gospel of Luke 2:7 KJV – And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91brmsKeqcQ

Joy To The World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,

Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sin and sorrow grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love,

And wonders, and wonders of His love.

Luke 2:12-14 KJV – And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggmtULEV4mc

Let There Be Peace On Earth

Let there be peace on earth,

And let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth

The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our father

We are family.

Let us walk with each other

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With every step I take

Let this be my solemn vow.

To take each moment

And live each moment

With peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth,

And let it begin with me.

(child)

Let there be peace on earth,

And let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth

The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our father

We are family.

Let us walk with each other

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With every step I take

Let this be my solemn vow.

To take each moment

And live each moment

In peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

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:

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

Elder Cal Jennings
http://www.spaceeagleproductions.org
http://www.pureheartvideo.net
http://spaceeagle.multiply.com
http://www.myspace.com/music_man1701
http://www.myspace.com/woodstock40th2008

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, December 22, 2013

Accounts of Jesus' Birth

Covenant of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_12_22_2013

Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Elder Cal Jennings. 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, Elder Cal Jennings and Rev. Laura A. Neff would still be working this out between the two of us as to what will happen. We 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.

- 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 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 another friend, Jeff, and his family in prayer after a disappointment that has them searching for answers.

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

- Please keep a child from my sister’s classes who lost his mother. He is nine years old. The family is devastated and needs prayers for solace and understanding.

- 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.

- Please pray for our travelers during this holiday and on through the New Year that they may be safe and reach their destinations.

- Please also pray for those who are alone this holiday, that they realize 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 are blessed with Your love in the birth of Jesus and the gifts that You brought with Him. We thank you for the gifts of hope, faith, and love, the gift of peace. We pray that all would hear the voice of peace, have faith, and hope, and share the love within them. We pray that pain and strife would cease, hunger would do the same. We are thankful that You can help each of us to do so. We pray all of these things in Your Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Savior, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: What Child Is This? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmRUlKbF7g

Sermon: Since Christmas time is nearing, I thought it might be appropriate to give the accounts of Jesus' birth. Rev. Laura and I have worked together on this particular sermon, as it is quickly nearing that celebrated event of Jesus and His birth in Bethlehem. There are many similarities and differences between the two gospels, Luke and Matthew in the accounting of His birth. We’ll start here in the Gospel of Luke 2:1-20 – New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Now here we see where the Spirit has brought faith away from the ‘sin’ people believed that Mary had committed with her expecting Jesus. As we know, in the days of Jesus, being with child before marriage was considered punishable by stoning, adultery. Here we see Joseph with faith in God’s angels in the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-25 – King James Version (KJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Here in these next verses we see the fear of Herod. The faith of Joseph, Mary, and the wise men from the east is obvious. They not only follow the star to Jesus, they run when God’s angel says not to go back to Herod. It takes a lot of faith to consider ignoring an authority figure, like the king, and leave without telling him anything about the importance of Jesus’ birth. The beauty of this is that they LISTENED and also HEARD the truth and the fact that it would put the Savior in danger, as well as they themselves. Look as the Scriptures shares this in the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12 – King James Version (KJV)

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

As with everything in Scripture, there is always something that leads up to an amazing event. Well, in the case of the birth of the Savior Jesus, there was the birth of His cousin, John, son of Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin. We see this promise found in the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38 – King James Version (KJV)

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

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: Silent Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGjByOI9Iqw

Love, Hope, Peace, & Christ Be With You,

Cal-el
http://www.spaceeagleproductions.org
http://www.pureheartvideo.net
http://spaceeagle.multiply.com
http://www.myspace.com/music_man1701
http://www.myspace.com/woodstock40th2008

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

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.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Real Life Golems

Covenant of Hope Ministries Wednesday Sermon_12_18_2013

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. Today's study/sermon is written by our Elder Cal Jennings. 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

Prayer List: There are some changes. Please let me know if you have others for the prayer list. I’d appreciate it, and all prayers are welcome.

- Please pray for Tasha Ward and her family. She is a coworker with my brother. Her son died from an asthma attack late Monday or early Tuesday morning.

- Please pray for my brothers as one helps the other get through some very tough times. Pray that the opportunity one may have proves fruitful to the other.

- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as he is very sick and truly is seeking answers to his health, life, and prayers.

- Please pray for my friend Kerry Barban Huffines for her pain and suffering and a swift recovery from surgery. Please also keep her family in prayer.

- Please pray for my friend Teresa’s sister who is in stage four cancer.

- 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 another friend, Jeff, and his family in prayer after a disappointment that has them searching for answers.

- 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.

Sermon: Most people are familiar with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, whether from the books or the movies. Most people are also familiar with the Golem character from the series. There are some people who are like Golem from Lord of the Rings. No matter how hard you try to help them go straight, they're so embroiled in their sin that all they do is end up turning on you in the end. Like Golem, they pretend to be trying to straighten up and live right all the while plotting your destruction. Just like Golem, their own greed and hate often leads to their own destruction. I've met at least five people who fit this description in my lifetime. I'm sure some of you have met such people as well. Christ warns us to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves.

Matthew 10:16

King James Version (KJV)

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Jesus knew that there would be people who would take advantage of our kindness, see it as a weakness, and exploit it for their own gain. Jesus even had one such "Golem" as an Apostle and he knew it.

John 6:70

King James Version (KJV)

70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

Jesus warned us to be wary of such people even though we were not to harm them. He didn't say to invite them into your house and let them rob or kill you. He said to be wise as serpents.

When we see a person behaving in such a manner, it is wise to have them removed from your house... by calling the police if necessary.

Matthew 12:29

King James Version (KJV)

29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Mark 3:27

King James Version (KJV)

27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Although we are not to harm them, having them removed from your presence is wise lest they continue their plundering of your hard earned items that may have precious memories attached.

This seems to be in conflict with the following verse.

Luke 6:30

King James Version (KJV)

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Not really though. There is a difference between someone asking and stealing from you.

Judas was said to have stolen from the collections made by the Apostles. So, why didn't Jesus have him removed? Jesus knew that he needed Judas and his betrayal to fulfill prophecy. Remember, even though he allowed Judas, he warned us to be wise as serpents and not to let people take unfair advantage of us. Remember, if you encounter a real life "Golem" in our travels through life, we don't have to allow them to continually plunder us. Yes, we are to be kind to strangers as we may be entertaining angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:2

King James Version (KJV)

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

We are also to give to the poor and to those who ask something of us. Nowhere have I found a verse that says that we should allow people to continually steal from us. Beware of real life Golems.

Love, Hope, Peace, and Christ Be With You,

Cal Jennings

http://www.spaceeagleproductions.org
http://www.pureheartvideo.net
http://spaceeagle.multiply.com
http://www.myspace.com/music_man1701
http://www.myspace.com/woodstock40th2008

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.