Notes of Faith April 9, 2026

Notes of Faith April 9, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

May 5, 2002

“HEIRS OF GOD”

Romans 8:17

And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

In this wonderful verse we have the truth of our identity with Jesus Christ. Paul builds from verse 16:

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

He assures us that if we are children, we are heirs also. An heir is one who inherits within the family structure. As heirs of God, we inherit the riches of our Father.

One can inherit in two ways – we can be born into a wealthy family or we can marry into a wealthy family! In the case of a believer, both are true. We are born again into God’s family and we are married into the family through our bridegroom, Jesus Christ (Romans 7:1-4). Thus we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

To what extent, then, are believers heirs of God? We are joint heirs, have the same inheritance with, Jesus Christ! This is absolutely mind-boggling! Whatever Jesus Christ, the heir of God, is and has – God’s redeemed (you and me as believers), also have. We need a complete sermon to expound on this incredible truth.

Because we identify with who Christ is, we inherit His sufferings also.

. . . if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

If we inherit His sufferings, we also inherit His glory, for which we are still waiting. To summarize – since we are children of God, we inherit Christ’s blessings, His suffering, and His glory!

So the next time we suffer for His sake, please, let’s don’t grumble but just know that this suffering is part of our inheritance as children of God and ultimately leads to sharing in His glory.

What a verse to meditate on throughout the day, or when we have trouble sleeping. “If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may be glorified with Him.” Remember – the last part of this verse is true because of the truth of the first part. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Many, if not most Christians do not suffer socially because there is no apparent identity with Jesus! If we do not reflect His character and glory there is no way for the people of the world to see Jesus in and through us. When the unbelieving world sees a true believer and follower of Jesus is when mocking, persecution, and suffering happens.

Let’s be willing to suffer as Jesus did, remembering that God promises His glory placed upon us for doing His will and following in the footsteps of Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 8, 2026

Notes of Faith April 8, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

April 28, 2002

“THE TRUE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”

Romans 8:12-16

Paul has informed us in Romans 8:9-11 that we are in Christ and the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us as the seal of God’s ownership of the believer. The Holy Spirit gives life to our present mortal bodies and will raise these bodies from the dead just as He raised Jesus from the dead.

Our relationship to the flesh has ended as a result of that freedom truth. We are no longer obligated to the flesh – to live according to its dictates and power (verse 12).

Paul continues and reminds us if we are living according to the desires of the flesh – death is the result. On the other hand if we, by means of the Holy Spirit, are constantly putting to death the evil deeds of the body, we will truly live. This is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day experience of the believer’s will to conquer the fleshly activities (see Galatians 5:19-21).

In verse 14, Paul explains to us what constitutes the true leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives:

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

The word “for” opening verse 14 connects that verse with verse 13. So being led by the Spirit of God is putting to death the deeds of the body. If we are doing that, then the Spirit’s leading in other areas of our lives will fall into place. This leading, then, is a true mark of a mature child of God.

Paul then points out that we have not received a spirit of slavery that leads to fear.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

The unregenerate man’s life is filled with fear. Why? Because he is living in the flesh – doing his own works. He may think He is happy, but down deep in his heart, fear abounds.

On the other hand, the Christian has received the spirit of adoption – adopted into God’s family – which gives us an affinity with the Father. Down deep we cry out, “Abba! Father!” which means, “Daddy!”

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

What a testimony given to us by God, the Holy Spirit! He lets us know in our heart of hearts that we belong to God. What more could a Christian ask than this in days of doubt and fear? Rely on this wonderful truth, beloved. Take it to work with you, moms and dads. Take it to school with you, young people. And what a wonderful comfort to us older folks!

Next week we take up verse 17 which deserves a special treatment in itself. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

1 John 5:13

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Satan is the great deceiver and liar that seeks to keep us from the relationship for which we were created by God. He desires to plant doubt and unbelief concerning the Word of God that we might turn from truth. Our darkened sinful hearts blame anyone but ourselves for our sin against God.

Let us ask God for a powerful release of His Spirit within us, that we might show to those around us, (as well as ourselves) whom we belong to, and implore those who will listen to the good news of Jesus, to come to His throne of grace that they to might become children of God!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 7, 2026

Rom 8:1-14

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Notes of Faith April 6, 2026

Notes of Faith April 6, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

April 14, 2002

“PEOPLE PICTURES”

Romans 8:5-8

In Romans 8:4 Paul tells us that the way to fulfill the requirements of God’s Holy Law is to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. Then in verses 5-8 he tells us why this is true.

A Picture of People in the Flesh

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh v. 5a.

In other words, the natural man has a natural mind only. Thus, the only way he can go is the way his mind dictates. In Colossian 3:2 we are admonished to set our minds on this things above where Christ is seated, not on the things of earth.

A Picture of People in the Spirit

. . . but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit v. 5b.

This is a given. Those who have experienced the new birth are taken up with a new genre. The contrasting results are seen in verse 6:

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

The mind that concentrates on the flesh – death. On the other hand, the mind that concentrates on the things of the Holy Spirit experiences life and peace.

In verse 7 we have an explanation of the experience of the mind that follows the flesh. That mind is hostile toward God – an enemy of God. It does not voluntarily subject itself to God’s law. Furthermore, it is not able to seek God. A forthright statement might be, “The mind set on the flesh doesn’t seek God because it unable to seek God. It is virtually impossible for the man outside of Christ to even like the things of God.”

A definite conclusion is that those in the flesh cannot please God. It is a waste of time to urge a natural man to follow God. What then shall we do? How do we approach such a person? We look for the answer to our Lord Jesus Himself as he met with Nicodemus and tells him, “You must be born again or you cannot see or even perceive the Kingdom of God (John 3).”

Beloved, our mandate is that we are dealing with men and women who are in the flesh. They cannot change their actions until God changes their hearts. They need the Gospel. The words of the song are so true, “People need the Lord.”

Let us rejoice in the things of the Spirit and endeavor to bring others into that same realm of enjoyment. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Let us fervently pray that those God places around us be broken by His Spirit, to see their sin as He sees it, that they might repent, turn to Him for forgiveness and salvation and that we, being used by God to share the truth of the gospel, might bring forth much fruit, pleasing to God in every way!

Be the church! Be the heart, hands, and feet of Christ every day!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 5, 2026

Notes of Faith April 5, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

April 7, 2002

“FULFILLING THE REQUIREMENTS OF

THE LAW - GOD’S WAY”

Romans 8:1-4

Paul has told us in Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,” the reason being that we are linked up with the crucified, buried, and risen Christ. In Him there is no condemnation. In Christ, we operate under the Law of the Spirit of Life. However before that, in Adam, we operated under and were controlled by the Law of Sin and Death.

The reason the law could not aid us in any way is because the law was weak through the flesh (we mortals). The beloved Bible teacher, Dr. J. Vernon McGee, had a wonderful example of this.

Stick a fork in an overdone chicken and try to lift it out of the pan. The fork comes right through the overdone chicken. There was nothing weak or wrong with the fork. The problem was the overdone chicken. The fork was weak through the flesh!

There is nothing weak or wrong with the Law of God. It is holy and true. The problem is through the flesh of man. It is impossible for mortal man to keep the Law. So what the Law couldn’t do (granting us eternal life in Heaven by keeping it perfectly), God accomplished through sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. He wasn’t in sinful flesh but in the likeness of sinful flesh. God sent His Son as an offering for sin, the purpose being that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The requirement of the Law was fulfilled, not by us, but in us who do not walk according to the Law but according to the Spirit (v. 4). What a statement! I have reverted to this statement hundreds of times in my Christian experience.

The Holy Spirit has no trouble at all in fulfilling God’s righteousness in our lives. Our part is to learn to walk and order our life by the Spirit. This requires staying in the Word of God as much as we can for the Word is where the Holy Spirit works and operates.

So, beloved, take your stand in God’s Word and let the Spirit do the rest. Happy walking this week. God bless.

Love to you all,

Gal 5:16-25

…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.

Those who have humbly come to Jesus, confessing and repenting of their sin, must strive to walk by the Spirit every day.

Life is not easy. Satan is still deceiving people today. We must know God, know His Word and follow Jesus closely through the power of the Holy Spirit to walk well with God. Keep drawing ever close to the One who loves you best!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 4, 2026

Notes of Faith April 4, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans Chapter 8

March 24, 2002

“A VERSE BY WHICH TO LIVE AND DIE”

Romans 8:1

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

What a verse! It begins a chapter of supreme blessing for the believer. And what a chapter - as Romans Eight begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation and in-between is the promise that God causes all things to work together for good!

This fantastic chapter begins with “therefore” which reaches way back in the book of Romans. It incorporates all that God has accomplished for the believer in Christ Jesus. Verse 3:24 says:

Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus:

To be justified is to be declared righteous. You and I have been declared righteous! Redemption means to be purchased out of the slave market – in this case, the slave market of sin.

Then we’ve been propitiated through His blood. (3:25). Propitiation means satisfaction. God is totally satisfied with Christ’s work in our life.

It gets even better as we read in Romans 5:1 that we’ve been justified by faith and have peace with God! Peace with God! Many would give millions for that peace and it is free to all who trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

It gets better and better as we see in 5:10 that we have been reconciled to God through the death of His Son. Our relationship to God has changed completely. And going on – we have eternal life through grace (5:21).

Chapter Six shows us that we are joined to Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Can you see now why there is “therefore now” – right now, this minute – not one condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus? What a blessing for the Christian.

But watch out! How the devil would love to fill our thoughts with condemnation. (How can God possibly love me after what I’ve done?)

Beloved, you can go through your life resting on this blessed truth of no condemnation because you are in Christ Jesus! And when your earthy life comes to an end you can rest upon the truth that there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus because of what He has accomplished in our behalf – justification, redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, peace with God, joined together with the ever-living Christ!

What a verse! What a chapter! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles

Romans chapter 8 is one that should be read often for encouragement, to strengthen faith, to fortify against the schemes of the devil, to remember again and again what we have been given through faith in Christ! Later verses in this same chapter of Romans tell us that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus! Nothing! Not even you. This makes clear that if you ever truly come to Jesus, there is nothing that will ever take you away from His love and eternal provision for you! Let us worship Him, give thanks for Him and to Him, and serve Him in everything that we do!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 3, 2026

Notes of Faith April 3, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans Chapter 7

March 17, 2002

“BREAKING OUT OF SIN’S CONTROL”

Romans 7:21 – 8:1

Looking back through the preceding verses of chapter seven, Paul comes to a conclusion in verse 21:

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.

The struggle he constantly faced was a result of evil present within himself although in reality he wanted to do good and please God. In his heart of hearts Paul joyfully

concurred with the law of God – that it was good:

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man (v. 22).

Then he receives a revelation:

But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me (v. 23 NLT).

Paul sorrowfully detected another law at work in the members of his body – constantly waging war with his mind (for you see it was in his mind that he wanted to serve God). This law was making him a prisoner of sin, which was hard at work in his body, and so he cries out:

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Do you know anything about this experience? Of course you do! We all do if we are truly Christians. But then the marvelous truth comes to Paul:

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Then, contrary to his experience, this comforting surety comes to Paul:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

What a glorious position in which to be! While this terrible conflict is raging in Paul’s life, he realizes he is free from God’s judgment because he is in Christ! The same is true of each one of us. We may feel defeated and condemned – but that is not true. It is what our enemy wants us to think. Remember that we are on the winning team! Keep looking to Jesus. You are breaking out of sin’s control! Next week we will talk about why this is true.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Those who hear the “good news” of Jesus and respond to the drawing of the Holy Spirit, rejoice to know that although they are condemned because of sin, they are set free through faith in Jesus and His work on the cross and redeemed from the curse of death by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead!

True believers in Jesus have the Holy Spirit living within them and when we sin the Spirit within is grieved. We feel the Spirit and know His claim on our life. We must repent even though we are already forgiven eternally, our hearts and minds must respond to the ongoing sin nature. However, we should never let the battle we fight with sin means that we are not victorious in Jesus! By His grace, through faith, that victory is sealed forever! “Let not your heart be troubled…I have overcome the world.” We will be with Jesus soon enough…keep fighting the battle daily for righteousness and holiness, asking God to continue His promise to make you like Jesus more and more each passing day. Press on…

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 2, 2026

Notes of Faith April 2, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans Chapter 7

March 10, 2002

“THE BELIEVER’S CIVIL WAR”

Romans 7:13-20

I’ve read a lot of very interesting accounts and events of the Civil War in America – the war that set American against American. It wasn’t a very pretty war. Many say the Civil War between the states was more devastating than World War I.

While we live some 147 years beyond the end of that war, Christians face an internal civil war every day and it’s fierce! What’s more, there isn’t a true believer anywhere who is exempt from that war. You see, it’s like this - - - .

For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate (v. 15).

In the fifth chapter of Romans Paul tells us that when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Hard to believe that we were once enemies of God, isn’t it? Our civil war began when we were reconciled to God for our old nature is still very active within. It fights God every bit as fiercely as it ever did – maybe even more so because we now have a new nature and the Holy Spirit to enable us to do God’s bidding. Our sinful nature fights hard against that.

In Romans 7 we have been seeing the relation of sin to the Law. The Law becomes a base of operation for sin to do its worst, to fight its toughest battle. Paul shows that in verse 13:

But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my doom? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commandment for its own evil purposes (NLT).

The law, which stirred up sin, was not a cause of death in the believer. It simply illuminated the power of sin. In verses 14-20 we see the two natures in mortal combat for control of the believer’s life. Paul says the things he wanted to do as a believer he found he couldn’t do because of the opposition of the old nature – the flesh. The things that he did not want to do as a Christian he found himself doing! He acknowledged that the culprit was sin in his life (v. 17). He further recognized that nothing good dwelt in his flesh (v. 18).

We’re going to finish chapter 7 (certainly not a feel good - warm and fuzzy chapter) in our next Pen Pulpit. Let me suggest a plan of action that can make you victorious! That plan is outlined in Galatians 5:16:

Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

We are coming to that glorious chapter 8 of Romans so hang in there! God bless!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

These are some of the words to a song that have stuck in my head for years…

“That which I would not, that do I do. I wish I wouldn’t do it, but I’m already through!”

We will not be released from our old sinful nature until we are taken to be with Christ, through death, or rapture of the church…come quickly, Lord Jesus!

As we endure this conflict, our spiritual disciplines must constantly fight, to not only endure the battle, but be victorious in the battle.

Pray, know the word of God, memorize Scriptures that will help you to stand strong against the deceit and schemes of the devil. As we grow toward maturity in Christ, our foundation and daily practice will prove effective, if we stay alert and aware of the deadly forces that take us away from the glory of God. Let us stay focused and work hard to bring glory to God who loves His children and rewards those who follow and obey the commands of Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 1, 2026

Notes of Faith April 1, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

February 24, 2002

“BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION”

I Corinthians 3:11-15

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

In I Corinthians 3:9 Paul tells us we Christians are God’s building. In verse 11 we are told that the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of that building and no man can lay any other foundation. Verse 12 states that we can build upon that existing foundation with one of two types of material (1) gold, silver, precious stones or (2) wood, hay, straw.

These works will undergo a test of fire. The purpose of that test is to reveal the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work remains after the fire he will receive a reward (verse 14). On the other hand if any man’s work is burned up he will suffer loss of reward, yet he himself will be saved. How do we interpret all of this?

It seems to me that the gold, silver and precious stones are works in our lives that bring glory to God. On the other hand wood, hay and straw are works that we do that tend to bring glory and recognition to ourselves. This is talking about Christian men and women.

The question is - is it possible for any one person to show only gold, silver, and precious stones at the judgment seat? Is it possible for any one person to have only wood, hay and straw? Frankly, I don’t believe so. I believe, in light of the believer’s makeup, each person will have some of both. The New Testament makes it very clear that all Christians will be rewarded to some extent.

The question is – what are we working on in our lives? Are we working on making God look good or are we seeking to bring ourselves into the spotlight? This is something we have to evaluate and deal with.

You will note in verse 15 that although a man may have some works burned up, yet the man himself will be saved. Every Christian is a work of God, though some of his works may not be! Every believer will pass through God’s fire. What an incentive to keep going for the gold.

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past.

Only what’s done for Christ will last!

Let’s work on our rewards. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

There are way too many people that call themselves Christians that do not “repent” of their sin, and do not truly follow Jesus! Much of this life is a life of sacrifice, a sacrifice of self and the wicked sinful desires must be rejected to pursue the holy life to which we have been called. If there is no remorse, regret, no hate for the sin that rages within us, then we need to consider whether we really belong to God or are still separated from Him. We will continue to sin in some fashion until we are taken to be with God forever, but our striving must be toward righteousness and holiness. Consider the reward you are forfeiting when you sin and could be doing work for God that brings eternal reward… Because of what Jesus has done, providing forgiveness of sin, eternal salvation, and a relationship renewed with God, let us fervently seek Him, to know Him, love Him, worship Him, serve Him, until we are with Him, face to face!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 31, 2026

Notes of Faith March 31, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

February 17, 2002

“GOING FOR THE GOLD”

Hebrews 12:1-2

I am sure many of us have been watching the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City the past few days. Lots of athletes have been going for the gold medal. How thrilling to see an American sweep in the Men’s Half Pipe event! We watched with anticipation the Pair’s Figure Skating. Would Russia be dethroned after 40 years of winning the gold? The Canadian team performed flawlessly following the Russian’s performance that, although lovely, had several mistakes. The audience gave a standing ovation to the Canadians and the announcers shouted, “They’ve done it! The Canadians have won the gold!” And then came the scores and the judges had placed Canada second.

Heartbreak was evident for the Canadian pair whose flawless performance, from where we were sitting, should have put them on top. Many felt that politics had entered that phase of the Olympics.

Thank God there will be no politics in Heaven. We Christians are in a race. Unlike the secular races it is possible for all of God’s people to win the gold – the prize set before us, because God, Who sees perfectly, judges accurately. In Hebrews 12:1 we read:

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us - - -

A great crowd of witnesses has already run the race and all gained the prize.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Just as the Olympic contenders have to abide by the rules set down by the racing commission so we, too, have rules in the Christian race we must carefully follow if we hope to win the gold.

1. “Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.”

2. “Run with endurance the race set before us.”

What is our incentive to run well? Rather, Who is our incentive?

- - - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Jesus, the greatest runner of all time, endured the ultimate discipline to gain the honor of position at the right hand of the Father. The gold was His. He earned it legitimately.

So, in going for the gold we must enter into the discipline of the Lord. We lay aside anything that holds us back and accept the fallout of the cross. We hang in there in His power, always keeping our focus on Jesus. With His help you can do that! So can I.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Any of you who have had a job of any kind…I was assigned taking out the kitchen trash bag at age three by great parents, that were teaching me that work will always need to be done, sometimes causing pain and much physical suffering. But there are rewards: doing a job to the best of your ability, receiving payment for your hard work, learning to do even better. But the best work will not get you into heaven! That is a free gift of God through believing faith in Jesus Christ. The work that follows faith builds treasures in heaven to be revealed when we get there. If we continue in sin we lose opportunity to be building those treasures. What could we be doing instead of sinning? Let us follow as closely to Jesus as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit within and reach out to take the hand of others and help them in this race where distractions abound to keep us from winning. The crown of righteousness is waiting for you to cross the finish line!

Pastor Dale