Notes of Faith March 11, 2026

Notes of Faith March 11, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 1, 2001

“A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD”

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change. And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

The battle was growing hot and heavy as Martin Luther sat down and penned the words, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.” Then in verse 7, “The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.”

The battle we in the Christian church face today is not unlike the battle the great reformer faced. Circumstances may be different, but the source is the same and the cause is the same. Satan has attempted to dethrone God in the lives of His people from day one.

Luther’s battle was quite up front and personal with certain high members of the Roman Catholic Church. He was given an ultimatum: give up or go down. Luther did neither - because he was a fighter. He took his licks and continued to preach the Word of God - more specifically, justification by faith. His persistence won out. We have his great song stating his philosophy of life.

What an encouragement he is to the church. When he was challenged to recant his stand, he boldly declared, “Here I stand. I can do no other.”

I’m wondering if we found ourselves in the same predicament as the reformer, could we say with conviction, “Here we stand. We can do no other.”

Our Christian young people face the same battle in public schools today. Let me challenge you, guys and gals, take your stand because God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Let’s take that stand in our neighborhoods and in our churches. Make this next week a week of standing up to be counted. God bless.

Love to you all

Pastor Charles Covington

Eph 6:12-18

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Matt 28:20

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Rom 8:37-39

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Are you a believer in and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, there is nothing that can take you out of God’s hand. You are safe and secure for all eternity because you are not the One in control of your destiny. God is! He is faithful! His promises are true! We who believe in Jesus are on the winning side. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 10, 2026

Notes of Faith March 10, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

Father’s Day 2001

Today is a special day for me. It was two years ago today that I preached my last sermon to this beloved flock. I thought it would be appropriate to print a maxi-version of today’s pen pulpit. This is the sermon I preached on Father’s Day, 1999.

“The Truly Great Man”

Mark 10:35-45

What is greatness? How do we recognize greatness? Who do we set up as great people in our estimation?

A person who is eminent, important? One who has notability? One who has superiority or is famous? Usually we tag someone as great who has prominence, lineage, who has achieved much or has ability to make significant contributions in philanthropy, sports, medicine, military prowess, the literary field, etc.

These men are all great because society has a way of measuring men by standards we have created or endorsed.

But when we come to Scripture we discover that there is a standard for greatness by which men are measured that the world does not recognize. In fact they repudiate it. That standard is seen in, reflected by, and lived out in Jesus Christ. In Mark 10:35-45 He gives to His disciples His perspective of greatness.

1. He established the principle of true greatness based in God’s standard [vs.42-44]

In vs. 32-34 He reveals that this trip to Jerusalem will fulfill Old Testament prophecy.

In verses 35-37 His apostles see something different awaiting them - they are looking at the pathway to glory. They ask three things of Him in v. 37: to grant preeminence, proximity, and power.

In verses 38-40 Jesus responds. He does not rebuke them for what they ask - but in the manner by which they are going about it. They have no idea what is involved - of the price that must be paid. He is on the same path they are on - but He will pay the price!

Then in verses 42-44 He outlines for them a two-fold mindset that is essential to obtaining true greatness:

• The truly great man must avoid following the standards for greatness set by the world (vs. 42,43 cf. vs. 35-37).

This is the spirit of the age. The spirit of intense rivalry. There is not to be striving and struggling for position and honor - jockeying for position, the world of aggressive competition, the insatiable desire to have authority over others. To constantly strive to be first among equals, campaigning for promotion (cf. mud-slinging of political campaigns) - cf. 3 John 9,10.

Compare the difference between legitimately, honorably contending in the Christian race that the Bible endorses - 2 Timothy ch 2; 1 Cor. 9:27; Hebrews 12:1,2 with the narrow minded, selfish, clawing ones way over others to reach the top at any cost. The hunger and thrill for authority over others - cf. 3 John 9,10. The greatest erosion to true greatness is the harsh competitive spirit of the age.

• The truly great man must learn to acquire the heart of a servant - (vs. 43, 44).

There is nothing wrong in desiring greatness as long as you understand the meaning of the term in God’s dictionary and the path that must be followed to acquire it. To become great is to be willing to be nothing

“A true servant is one who does the will of another to the best of his ability without calling attention to himself - also in his serving, he seeks the greatest benefit for others.”

The Christian is a paradox [A.W. Tozer]

• We save our life by losing it - we are in danger of losing it by trying to save it (Matthew 16:2).

• We are the strongest when we are the weakest - and we are the weakest when we are the strongest. Our strength lies in our weakness - our weakness lies in our strength (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

• The first shall be last and the last shall be first (Matthew 20:16).

2. He sets the supreme example of true greatness [v.45] Only twice is He said to be an example: John 13:15 (serving); 1 Peter 2:2 (suffering). His entire life was a life of servanthood (vs. 45a).

Compare servant prophecy Isa. 42:1-4 with Matt. 12:18-21 (Note characteristics of His servanthood in Isa. 42:1-4)

• Toward God - v.1 - Submission. John’s baptism - Spirit of God descended upon Him.

• Toward self - v.2 - Selflessness. Would not seek notoriety nor prominence.

• Toward others - vs. 3,4 - Sensitivity. Would deal gently with others.

He performed His greatest act of service in His cross work - vs. 45b. In analyzing the heavenly logic of the cross, we see that He descended to the greatest depths and dimensions of humiliation, suffering, love, obedience, sensitivity. (Compare Phil 2:5-8. Please study this passage carefully.)

Questions to ask yourself............

1. What kind of man am I?

• A self-made man - We’ve all heard of men climbing out of obscurity by sheer determination - climbing their way to the top.

• A Christ-made man - Takes the place of insignificant servant - lets God exalt him.

2. Am I fulfilling my role as God intended?

• As a leader among men (if you are called to this level) cf. 1 Peter 5:1-4.

• As the leader in your family (if this is applicable) cf. Eph. 5:25-28.

Something for all of us............

Compare Phil 1:1 - saints in exalted position with Gal 5:13 - saints in lowly service.

Men, ask yourselves this morning, “Am I a man described by the characteristics in this passage?” A good question for us all. Let’s work on it together! God bless. Have a Happy 2001 Father’s Day!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

All people should be concerned about what kind of follower of Jesus that they are. Are they a false follower like Judas or the many other disciples that stopped following Jesus when difficult things came their way. We are not unlike the people of God thousands of years ago, wanting our way, our hopes and dreams to be fulfilled our way, focused on earthly things. May we pray fervently to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and live spiritually minded that we might live as servants of Christ, pleasing to the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit! May we live godly lives!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 9, 2026

Notes of Faith March 9, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

June 24, 2001

“Three Profiles of the Christian in Ephesians”

Ephesians 1-6

The Bible describes the Christian’s life in simple, understandable terms - terms to which we can easily relate. The book of Ephesians, the book of the Church, exhibits Christians in three profiles: sitting, walking, and standing.

1. The Christian as Sitting (Confidence) - Ephesians 1:20 - 2:6

In Ephesians 1:20 Paul states that God the Father has raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlies. In Ephesians 2:6 Paul states that God has raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus! This profile is stating the authority and confidence that the Christian has in Christ (cf. Romans 8:1).

2. The Christian as Walking (Conduct)

• Ephesians 2:10 - In preordained good works.

• Ephesians 4:1 - In a manner worthy of our calling.

• Ephesians 5:2 - In love as imitators of the Father.

• Ephesians 5:8 - As children of Light.

• Ephesians 5:15 - As wise people.

3. The Christian as Standing (Conflict) - Ephesians 6:10-17

In this passage Paul records the Christian armor. This reveals the believer to be in a heated conflict. In this battle with Satan’s forces we are not to fight aggressively, we are to stand aggressively. Stand in God’s divine armor. Stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord.

We must be careful not to break the sequence of these three profiles. Sitting must precede effective walking. Walking becomes the prerequisite for standing.

This is truth for all of God’s people and it is truth we are learning throughout our Christian lives. Are we good learners? God bless.

Love to all,

Pastor Charles Covington

We, believers and followers of Christ, need to know where we stand. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus! This is our confidence for living now and for all eternity.

We must learn how to walk spiritually. Paul clearly shows the calling of God on our lives, to walk with God in all that we do and say.

In this world we will face conflict, not only with other people but against the forces of Satan, rulers and dominions of evil that war against God and anyone that worships God.

Sit in confidence. Walk in righteous conduct. Stand firm in the conflict that will come against all true Christian living!

God has promised to keep you to the end. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

I look forward to seeing you all soon, here on earth or in heaven with Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 8, 2026

Notes of Faith March 8, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

June 10, 2001

“FOR THE OTHER’S GOOD”

Romans 15:1-3a

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself.

The common practice of all mankind naturally is for each of us to please ourselves, foremost of all. That’s just the way we are! We entered the world with that mentality and we live up to it very well.

One exception. Jesus Christ came not to please Himself, but what He did was for the benefit of others - and in doing that He pleased the Father. Christ didn’t live for Himself. He didn’t die for Himself. His death was a birth message for us. His death benefits us in that it gives us life.

His life was a growth message for us. It’s observing how He lived in His everyday world. How He handled the difficulties and setbacks that invaded His life becomes the norm for our growth for He definitely worked His way through them. Jesus was the overcomer. We are told to walk as He walked (cf. I John 2:6).

Have you received eternal life through believing that the death of the Lord Jesus applies personally to you (II Corinthians 5:21)? On the cross He took your sins and removed them from you as far as the east is from the west (cf. Psalms 103:12).

And how about your life? Do you see Jesus as the great example for you? Do you desire to see your life affect someone else in a godly, positive way? If you are concentrating on influencing others for the Lord Jesus Christ you can rest assured that you are living for the good of others. This is something we have to do daily. In your talk and your conduct do you have other’s good in view as Jesus had your good in view? Let’s work on it together. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Matt 22:36-40

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

John 13:34-35

34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Gal 6:10

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Rom 12:10

10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor…

Rom 13:8

8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Eph 4:32

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Col 3:16

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

A word that is implied in many of these verses is “sacrifice”. We are to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others. We need to be an example of Christ to those who are without Christ and use our gifting for the blessing and edification of the church, the bride of Christ. May we understand the joy of sacrifice for the benefit of those God is drawing to His eternal family!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 7, 2026

Notes of Faith March 7, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

June 3, 2001

“THE AWESOME POWER OF KNOWLEDGE”

John 8:32

. . . and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Jesus

Some people revel in the fact that they possess a great deal of knowledge. Knowledge gives them a certain sense of security. However, the question arises - knowledge of what? Just knowledge for knowledge’s sake is worth very little. But if knowledge is affixed to the right thing it can be extremely powerful.

In our text today Jesus said knowledge of the truth can free you. The truth referred to here is the ultimate truth - the Word of God (John 17:17). “Thy Word is truth.”

Now the question - free from what? What has man in such bondage that only the truth of God can free him?

1. We need to know the truth about ourselves. That’s where liberating knowledge begins. We are, by nature bound to ourselves. Mark chapter 7 and Galatians 5:22 list those enslaving characteristics that hold us bound to ourselves. Only a working knowledge of the truth can free us.

2. We need to know about the binding power of Satan (Hebrews 2:14,15). In this same context we see that liberation from Satan comes through Jesus Christ who is the truth (John 14:6).

3. We need to know about the binding power of the law (Romans 7:2). Again, Jesus (who is truth) has freed us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

Knowing these facts and the liberating power of truth can be yours for the taking. What a blessing to know that myself (flesh), Satan or the law no longer need enslave us if we diligently take these truths to heart. Think on these things, beloved, and come to know real freedom. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

John 3:16-21

16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

John 16:13

When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

John 17:17

"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

John 18:37-38

For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?"

John 14:6

Jesus said… "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Jesus is truth. The Word of God is truth. The Holy Spirit is truth. We who practice truth are giving glory to God through obedience to the truth!

You must not only know the truth… even Satan and his demons do and shudder, you must respond to the truth in righteousness and devotion to the One who is truth! Let us tenaciously pursue the intimate relationship God has always desired with us!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 6, 2026

Notes of Faith March 6, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

May 27, 2001

“WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING?”

II Peter 3:4

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking . . . and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

This is the question that last day scoffers will ask, says the Apostle Peter. Their argument for this erroneous reasoning is found in the following lines - “for ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” Nothing has changed in the created order argues these false teachers. So why should we expect changes at this late date?

Peter attacks their ignorance. They have disregarded the Divine interference of the world-wide flood which destroyed everything and everyone except those in the ark (verse 6.)

Even so today there are those who poo-poo the Lord’s coming. An ancient doctrine, they say, that has no credibility. Peter says there is one thing that escapes their notice - verse 8. “Beloved, with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

Time is not a factor with the Lord of eternity. He is not slack concerning His promise (verse 9a). Why? He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (verse 9b). Very simple. He wants us to be about His business of sharing His good news with those who are perishing. He wants no one to perish but desires that all should come to a change of mind regarding His truth.

That is your job and mine. So how are we doing with our Father’s business? Let’s read over II Peter chapter 3 and let the Holy spirit convict us. He is coming back, beloved. My prayer for you is that of Peter:

. . . but grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. II Peter 3:18

God bless. Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

To live as God intended from the beginning, we must focus our hearts and minds on Him…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are created for an eternal relationship with God! But not everyone will be received by Jesus, only those who have been chosen by the Father to give as a gift to His Son, and those empowered to live this earthly life through the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within them! Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. But not all are given the gift of faith that leads to belief and obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

John 6:35-40

35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36 "But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

John 5:39-40

39 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

Matt 22:14

many are called, but few are chosen."

Rom 10:17

faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Many hear the gospel, the “good news” of Jesus and do not respond in faith, because…

John 15:12

You did not choose Me but I chose you…

John 6:44

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;

John 18:9

"Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."

John 14:1-3

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Jesus is certainly coming again. There is an appointed time for His return. We do not know when but we can be prepared by living lives that are pleasing to Him, obedient to His Word… “Love God, love others!” His Work and plan for His creation will be fulfilled!

Rev 22:12-13

12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Rev 22:20

Amen. Come (quickly), Lord Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 5, 2026

Notes of Faith March 5, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

May 20, 2001

“THE PRINCIPAL PART OF WISDOM”

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For most people wisdom is an attainment through the educational process. If we can just acquire enough education of the right kind we will be a wise man or woman and people will look upon us as such. However, that is not how God assesses true wisdom. This may be human wisdom - but not true wisdom in the Biblical sense. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. In The Old Testament, wisdom is learning to live life skillfully. That is pretty much what it means in the New Testament, also. Wisdom is acquired of God (cf. James 1:5).

The fear of the Lord is not the kind of fear we usually think of (cf. 2 Tim 1:7). God’s people do not cringe before Him in abject dread. First of all we recognize who God is and all His attributes. Then we recognize and accept who we are in all our weakness. In coming to know this, we then come to see how small we are in His sight. We know that He holds our life in the palm of His hand, and that He can direct us in the way that He pleases. Our times are in His hands (cf. Ps 31:15).

This wonderful reality should cause us to stop and assess where we are in life. We are where we are because God in His wisdom has ordained it. One of the majestic things the fear of God will do for us is cause us to increase in wisdom. The fear of God teaches us to hate sin and evil and to avoid it at all costs.

So let me ask you in this pen pulpit, do you recognize who God is? Do you recognize and accept who you are in His eyes? Do you acknowledge His hand in your present circumstance and do you hate evil? If the answers to these questions is “yes”, then you have gained the principal part of wisdom. Let’s work on this together. God bless!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Ps 111:10

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.

His praise endures forever.

Prov 2:2

incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding

Prov 2:6

for the Lord gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding

Prov 2:10-12

When wisdom enters your heart,

And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,

11 Discretion will preserve you;

Understanding will keep you,

12 To deliver you from the way of evil

1 Cor 1:30

you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption

Col 1:9-12

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints

Col 1:28

28 we preach (Jesus), warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Col 2:2-3

attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

No one should be spiritually lacking in wisdom and understanding…if you ask such things of God, He will answer and provide beyond all that you could ask or even think, regarding Himself and His will for you!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 4, 2026

Notes of Faith March 4, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

May 13, 2001

“THE PERFECT WAY”

Psalms 18:30

As for God, His way is blameless; The Word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

When we say something is perfect, we mean it is complete and flawless - without spot or blemish. One thing we should keep in mind is that God is perfect and all of His ways are perfect.

Jesus said on one occasion, addressing His disciples, “Be ye perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48).” He was expressing His goal for the lives of His own.

But can we ever be perfect? Well, not in the ultimate sense, but there is a way we can be perfect as God is perfect and in which we can be like Him. It is the Holy Spirit’s mission to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. Paul, in Ephesians, talks about perfecting the saints. Here maturity is in view. God allows both good things and bad things in our lives for the purpose of perfecting us.

The question I would like to ask this morning is - how do you see ‘incidents’ that make their way to your door? Do you and I see them as God’s perfect way? The sickness, the unexplained pressure of a loved one or a financial setback? Do you feel that God is picking on you? Just remember that God’s hand is always in your life (cf. Psalm 139:10). It is hard to see sometimes but it is true that God’s way is perfect. He’s perfecting His character in each of His children - patience, love, long suffering, etc. It takes all kinds of experience to bring that perfection to pass.

Mothers, can you be thankful for the way in which He has worked His perfect way in your lives? Through some heartache or disappointment as well as the times of blessing?

Let’s all take a few minutes this next week to reflect upon God’s hand in our lives and we’ll have a new appreciation and understanding of God’s perfect way - I guarantee it! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Ps 86:11

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord;

I will walk in Your truth;

Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Ps 37:5-6

5 Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light

And your judgment as the noonday.

Ps 67:1-2

God be gracious to us and bless us,

And cause His face to shine upon us — Selah.

2 That Your way may be known on the earth,

Your salvation among all nations.

Ps 77:13-15

13 Your way, O God, is holy;

What god is great like our God?

14 You are the God who works wonders;

You have made known Your strength among the peoples.

15 You have by Your power redeemed Your people,

God reveals Himself and His way that the people might know Him and the only way of salvation, Jesus! He is our Savior and redeemer! May we submit to Him, love Him and serve Him with all that we are!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 3, 2026

Notes of Faith March 3, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

April 29, 2001

“THE WISDOM OF GOD’S WISDOM”

I Corinthians 1:18-21

For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Wisdom is one of God’s premier attributes. The word is used scores of times in the Bible - both of God’s and man’s wisdom. I believe the most significant usage of God’s wisdom is found in the passage in I Corinthians 1:18-21. It is used in the context of the way in which God decreed to save man.

To begin - in verse 18 the message of the cross is utter foolishness to man who is perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God. In verse 20 God challenges the wise men of this age, the scribe, the debater. Then He says that He has made foolishness of the wisdom of the world.

In verse 21 Paul says that God in His wisdom decreed that man in his wisdom could not come to know God. Then the apostle says that it pleased God to take the most foolish of the messages preached to save those who would look at that message as not foolish at all but powerful to save. The message is “Christ Crucified” which to the Jews is a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness. However, to the believing Jew and Gentile, that message of foolishness becomes the power and wisdom of God.

Verse 25 sums it all up. That which we consider the epitome of foolishness, God considers the epitome of wisdom. That which the greats of this world consider the essence of weakness, God considers the supreme power.

To bring this down to where we live, before salvation I dare say that every one of us reading this message today regarded Christ’s dying on the cross a very noble act - the supreme example of sacrifice. But what we didn’t realize was the significance of that death for us. We each had our own idea of how to get to Heaven. In our wisdom we had it all planned out. Then there came the time when the Holy Spirit’s work culminated in our life. It was then that we realized the wisdom of God’s wisdom.

Beloved, let us contemplate the mighty wisdom of God in providing our great salvation. Remember that wisdom is available and workable in each of our lives every day!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Rom 8:28-39

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,

"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;

WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The wisdom of God is so great that our minds cannot comprehend all that He thinks and does! How great is the wisdom of God…to take out of darkness and bring us to light, from eternal condemnation and death, into eternal blessing and true life!

Eph 2:1-10

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

God transformed our lives with His gift of faith and is continuing to transform us through His Spirit into the image of His Son, Jesus! Oh, the wisdom and grace and mercy of God, who pours out on His chosen ones what we do not deserve… including His preparation of good works that we are to live out as His followers!

Praise God for His wisdom and work in us today!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 2, 2026

Notes of Faith March 2, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

April 22, 2001

“WALKING WITH GOD”

Amos 3:3

Do two men walk together unless they are in agreement?

This statement is self explanatory. Unless there is an agreement, can two people walk in harmony? The answer is NO! No agreement is like two horses pulling in opposite directions.

It is the same principle with God. God and a man/woman cannot walk in harmony unless they are in basic agreement. Just what does walking with God entail? Let me suggest a few things.

1. Walking with God is a Spirit walk - “But I say walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” Galatians 5:16. This verse explains itself. In order not to do or carry out the works of our flesh nature, we must let the Spirit of God control us. This includes our mind, our body, our total being. We must be in agreement with the Holy Spirit in all aspects of our life. He uses His Word to control us if we allow Him to do that.

2. Walking with God is a wise walk - “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise” Ephesians 5:15. God is a wise God. He expects His children to likewise walk in wisdom, learning to live life skillfully. Before we came to Christ we lived unwisely. Now in God’s forever family we are to handle life’s ups and downs in a wise and skillful manner (c.f. James 1:5).

3. Walking with God involves walking in love (Ephesians 5:1, 2). Children usually take on some of the characteristics of their parents. Love is one of the more prominent of the characteristics. Christians are to behave as children of God (c.f. I Corinthians 13). It’s impossible to walk in agreement with God if love is not controlling our lives. Love to our Christian brothers and sisters. Love to the non-Christian.

4. Walking with God involves walking in the truth (II John 4). Walking in truth is similar to walking in the Spirit. Our lives are to be lives lived in the truth. The truth is the truth of God’s Word. A disobedient Christian is a misnomer. We are to bring truth to bear on every aspect of our lives, no matter how it hurts. When we do this we are walking in agreement with God.

So walking with God involves:

1. Walking in the Spirit.

2. Walking in wisdom.

3. Walking in love.

4. Walking in truth.

How are you doing? How am I doing? Let’s work on it together. Amen.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Walking with God is one of the greatest things that could be said of you or me!

Gen 5:24

24 Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Enoch did not experience death on earth. God raptured him. God took him to live with him forever. There was intimate relationship between them. Though Enoch had a fallen nature as you and I, he walked with God.

Gal 5:16-26

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Gen 6:9

Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.

Noah believed God. Noah, by faith, built an ark as designed by God for the salvation of mankind and all life that Noah was told to take with him into the ark.

2 Kings 2:11

11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.

These men walked with God! There are many others given to us in the Scriptures and many that walk with us now. May we be blessed with their faith, devotion, and desire to live each day for the Giver of Life and that eternal!

Pastor Dale