Notes of Faith April 29, 2026

Notes of Faith April 29, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

October 20, 2002

“THE SERVANT’S THOUGHTS ON DISCIPLESHIP”

Mark 8:34-37

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus Christ as the true servant of Jehovah. In Mark 8:34-37 the Servant (Jesus) talks about true discipleship. Divine discipleship is simple – learning from and following Jesus Christ!

1. The Price of True Discipleship – v. 34

And He summoned the multitude with His disciples and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

To be a true disciple of Christ we must be identified with Christ. One might say that identifying with Christ is taking up our cross for Him. Taking up our cross is conforming to His program and accepting His purpose for us. In the culture of Christ’s time on earth, for a condemned man to take up his cross was to begin his death march. To us it is putting to death our old desires and presenting our bodies as instruments of righteousness to God (Romans 6:1-14).

2. The Divine Logic of True Discipleship – vv. 35-37

For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Gain is loss and loss is gain. True discipleship defies human logic. No philosopher/logician operating within the arena of human wisdom can reconcile this kind of logic.

I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with Him. Philippians 3:7, 8 NLT.

This is the philosophy of authentic Christianity. Salvation is never earned by denying self and following Christ - salvation is proved by denying self and following Christ. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me!” John 10:27.

The question for us today is - are we disciples of the Lord Jesus! Are we wasting or investing our lives? God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Col 3:1-17

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him — 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 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. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Once upon a time I had these verses memorized. I am working on them again as they are a reminder of whom I belong to and how I am called to live…dead to sin and alive to God in Christ…forevermore!

Let’s be true disciples of Christ following in His steps of sacrifice and love!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 28, 2026

Notes of Faith April 28, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

October 13, 2002

“THE STORMS OF LIFE AND THE SAVIOR’S CONCERN”

The death of Christ is a birth message – the life of Christ is a growth message. Therefore, we can expect to study the events in the life of Jesus and draw from these events practical principles of truth and doctrine that can help us in our life and growth as believers.

The background for the event in this Pen Pulpit is the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Jesus had been teaching all day, it was late and there was nowhere to buy bread. Jesus took a small lad’s lunch and with it fed thousands. Immediately after this miracle He sent His disciples across the sea while He went up to a mountain to pray. As His disciples were rowing across the sea, a great storm came up and we read in Mark 6:45-53:

1. That Jesus sent His disciples into that storm (vv. 45, 46). The apostles are moving in accordance with their Lord’s direction. They did not know what was out there, but He knew (see Ps. 37:23, 24). We don’t know what the next day will bring but we can be assured that God is directing our lives.

2. Jesus saw His disciples in the storm (vv. 47,48). Jesus knew just where His disciples were. Likewise the believer is never out of the surveillance of the concerned Savior (see Psalm 32:8, I Peter 3:12, Hebrews 4:13). “He saw them” is translated “He knows and understands where you are.” You are not forgotten. His understanding, which is infinite, extends to even the tiniest of His creatures (Matthew 10:29-31).

3. He prayed for them in the storm (v. 46). The text says specifically that Jesus was praying. Is it assuming too much to say that He was praying for His disciples (Luke 22:32; John 17:9, 15; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25)? Why is Christ able to pray emphatically for those of His own in trouble? Because He knows what it is to suffer as a man and to overcome. It is His death sufferings that qualify Him as Savior. It is His life sufferings that qualify Him as our sympathetic High Priest.

4. He came to them in the storm (v. 48b). They were not forsaken. Nothing was out of His hand (I Corinthians 10:13). Sometimes in great distress, there does not seem to be the sense of His presence, then suddenly He is there (Isaiah 50:10).

5. He comforted them (vv. 50, 51a). He comforted them by speaking to them, assuring His disciples that all was well. What comfort there is in the promises of God (Isaiah 41:10)!

Jesus designated the other side of the sea as the disciple’s destination and they reached that destination, but in-between was the storm! Between the beginning of God’s work and the completion of that work in our lives is the “in-between”, the storms that we all go through. Remember – one day we shall reach the other side (Philippians 1:6). But in the meantime, take comfort in the fact that whatever our Lord sends to us, He sees us, prays for us, comes to us, comforts us.

My challenge to you is to forge ahead. Remember - if God is for you, who can be against you? God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

The Lord allows us to go through many trials and troubles, some simple, some quite severe, but is always there with us in the midst of them. We are being prepared to be the bride of Christ, made perfect and holy by the work and calling of God! May we trust Him and obey His Word on our lives that we might reflect His glory to those around us, that they might see Jesus and come to Him in believing faith!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 27, 2026

Notes of Faith April 27, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 29, 2002

“THE FIRST PRIORITY IN A SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY”

I Timothy 2:1-8

From a recent poll taken by the Barna Research organization, the one thing most churches struggle with is setting right priorities. This is true throughout all departments of a given church, regardless of the size of a church. Paul wrote to this issue in I Timothy 2:1-8. When we come to understand this passage, it should alleviate the struggle with what should come first in personal and church priorities.

PRAYER

1. The Constituents of Prayer (v. 1). Note four terms are mentioned.

a. Entreaties (supplications). We must have a clear sense of need, of specific requests, and express this need to a compassionate Father.

b. Prayers – The word in the original text used here is that of general prayer to a Holy God with worship and reverence.

c. Petitions – (intercessions). The idea is to meet with someone in order to converse. What a privilege is ours to be able to have an intimate conversation with God.

d. Thanksgiving – is an integral element of prayer and should accompany every form of prayer. Thanksgiving is linked with prayer in Philippians 4:6,7 and I Thessalonians 5:17,18. Thanksgiving keeps us from taking God for granted.

2. The Concerns of Prayer (v. 1b, 2a)

a. All men – inclusive of every class of people. Prayer within the church is to be universal in its outreach.

b. For kings – The supreme rulers regardless of how ungodly they may be.

c. All in authority – men in all echelons of authority. The believer’s attitude toward the government is of utmost importance. The church is to pray for the ruling class, not criticize them (Romans 13:1-7, Titus 3:1, I Peter 2:13, 14).

3. The Reason for Prayer (v. 2b-4)

The work of God in the world, both in developing His church and in evangelization, can be most effectively carried out when the church is free from national persecution on an organized, wide scale basis. Rulers possess the greatest temporal power for good or evil. These powers would have authority to initiate or control such a movement. So prayer can counteract such vehement outbursts of anti-God movements against the church.

4. The Basis for Prayer (vs. 5-7 explains why universal prayer can be made)

a. The unity of God (v 5a) There is one God - God both of the Jews and the Gentiles.

b. The singular mediator (5b). The mediator is one in the sense that God is one. The oneness of the mediator is as basic to Christianity as the oneness of God is to the Jews.

c. The availability of the ransom (vs. 6,7). Ransom is “redemption price”, a substitution “for all” and in behalf of all. The ransom Christ gave was provisionally universal. All men must come the same way because only one way was provided for all men.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

How seriously do we take our prayer life? We have a sign in our house that says, “the key to everything is prayer”. It assumes a relationship with God through prayer and the work of God in and through us because of intimate prayer.

Eph 6:18

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,

1 Thess 5:17-18

pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Luke 18:1

He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

We are able to pray to God, our Father, because of the provision of His Son, Jesus the Christ, through their gift of the Holy Spirit, who helps us to pray for the will of God to be done.

May we bring all things before God, to seek His will, to bring His name honor and glory!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 26, 2026

Notes of Faith April 26, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 22, 2002

“BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN TURBULENT TIMES”

II Timothy 3:16, 17

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

I don’t feel that I have to remind you of the nature of the times in which we are living. Even children, in their own way, are aware of the tensions that are swelling within our society. However, I would like to remind you of the Divine resources which God has given us to withstand the turbulence in which we find ourselves.

This passage also teaches us how to build confidence in situations of difficulty. The Word of God is the Christian’s source of confidence and direction in this confused world. The main thrust in these verses is that ALL Scripture is profitable, useful and advantageous.

1. Why is Scripture profitable? It is “God breathed (16a)!” Scripture is the reflection of God’s mind and character. Scripture is the philosophy of the Christian’s life. Scripture is without error or ambiguity.

2. How is Scripture profitable (16b)?

a. It teaches us what is right for our life. Scripture is profitable for Doctrine (in contrast to what society is telling us is right.) This is why the Bible places so much emphasis upon the systematic teaching of Scripture.

b. It teaches us what is not right for our life! Reproof is to rebuke, to convict or expose. We teach our children what is right. We also teach them that which is bad for them.

c. It teaches us how to get right in our life! Correction is restoration to a right condition. The reproving ministry of the Word points out our wrongness. The correcting ministry of the Word gets us back on the right path (see Psalm 19:7.) The negative and positive commands of Scripture are found in Ephesians 4:23-29 where there is both reproof and correction.

d. It teaches us how to stay right in our life! It instructs us in righteousness (see Titus 2:11, 12.) The Grace of God teaches us to live Godly lives. The Word of God traces out the details of Godliness and establishes us within the pattern of Grace. May I get “teachy” here? In the original text the Greek word paideian used here is the word for instruction of children (see Hebrews 12:5, 6.)

In verse 17 Paul tells us that all of this results in the gradual shaping of our lives into useful, effective ministry where we are men and women of confidence. We are light and salt, well balanced, well equipped to serve God in a very sick society.

Beloved, let us stay in the Word every day of our lives! As Christians we can’t afford not to! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Pastor Charles thought we were a sick society in 2002…what would he think now? We are so much better? We continue to improve on human life? No! We are moving toward a time of released restriction on evil. Some day, perhaps soon, the Holy Spirit will be taken away, the rapture will take place, the bride of Christ will leave their present life and be transformed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and be caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds, taken to be with Him forever! Since the restraining force of the believing in Christ, those filled with the Holy Spirit are gone…evil will run rampant. We may think things are bad now…but as has been quoted in many circumstances… “you haven’t seen anything yet”. In other words, there is much worse evil that will be experienced and it could be coming very soon.

You can listen to the Word of God with your phone, a “stick” the size of a small pencil with the entire Bible on it. We have no excuse not to be in the Word of God every day and find the truth of human life, from our creation, to our character, attitudes, thoughts and actions…all to be a reflection of our Creator and Sustainer, the Lord Jesus Christ! May you be encouraged, lifted up, inspired to read or listen to the Word of God today and every day, that you might know Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, and grow in His grace and mercy through every moment.

Love God! Love others!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 25, 2026

Notes of Faith April 25, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 15, 2002

“GOD’S CIRCLE OF LOVE”

I John 4:19

We love Him because He first loved us.

Two important truths about the unfathomable love of God are implied in this mighty little verse.

1. Love begins with God.

”He (God) first loved us.” What a statement. Before He created the earth or the heavens or anything else, the eternal God loved us. I feel honored beyond words when I dwell on this truth. The first thing God did was to love us. This love precipitated not only the creation of man but the sending of God’s Wonderful Son to take away our sin.

2. God’s love changes us.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” We were not even able to love until God’s love touched us. In our fallen state we were filled with hate. We weren’t able to love as God loves. Oh, we loved in a shallow, human way and everyone, to a certain extent, can love in this manner. But to love in God’s way requires God to first love us!

When that love touched us through the Lord Jesus Christ, we were changed. For the first time, we were able to love as God loves. We might read the verse in this way:

We are able to love because God first loved us.

Now the love that emanates from our hearts is precipitated by the love of God. When we are treated unjustly or are objects of scorn from the world, we don’t have to lash out in hate or resentment. We can demonstrate God’s love.

How can we do this? Because He first loved us. Nor do we no longer have to fear those who hate us. Why? Because perfect love casts out fear (I John 4:18).

What is Love?

It’s silence when your words would hurt,

It’s patience when your neighbor’s curt.

It’s deafness when the scandal flows,

It’s thoughtfulness for another’s woes.

It’s promptness when stern duty calls,

It’s courage when misfortune falls.

Beloved, let us release God’s love in some way to someone today. Remember – we CAN love because God first loved us. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Real love involves sacrifice.

John 3:16-17

"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.

Eph 5:2

Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Heb 13:15-16

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Let us learn to love sacrificially…God and other people!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 24, 2026

Notes of Faith April 24, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 8, 2002

“A PULPIT PRIORITY”

I Timothy 4:13-14

Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery (elders).

It is believed by many Bible scholars that when Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, Timothy was in Ephesus. Evidently Paul was planning to visit him there and thus found it necessary to give his young disciple some sage advice.

In I Timothy 4:12 he exhorts Timothy to be an example to fellow Christians:

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Then in verse 13 Paul he further challenges Timothy, “until I come give attention to”:

1. The public reading of Scripture.

The power of the Word of God is implied in this statement. Just the reading of Scripture is powerful. It establishes a frame of reference for the entire service.

C.H. Spurgeon, before preaching his first sermon in the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, went alone into the empty auditorium to test the acoustics. He quoted John 3:16. The next day a man came to Spurgeon after the morning service and said, “You were instrumental in saving me yesterday. I was painting up in the balcony when you came in and read John 3:16. Then and there I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

What a testimony to the power of Scripture!

2. Exhortation.

This is the power of Scripture to challenge a course of action. It is more than reading Scripture. It is laying out a plan of action – then challenging listeners to follow that plan.

3. Teaching.

This is explaining the Word of God so that the mind can grasp its meaning. However, teaching is more than explanation. Teaching involves the practical application of Scripture. How does if fit into the context of my life?

Thus, these three functions are extremely important in every church service. So, men of God, let’s take heed to the Apostle Paul when we preach. Let’s read Scripture. Let’s exhort with Scripture. And let’s teach and apply Scripture! And to you, beloved flock, pray for those in the pulpit – to stay true to the Word of God. It is a big responsibility to interpret and give forth God’s Word as God holds us accountable. God bless!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Though Pastor Charles applies these verses to the pulpit and preaching, they could be used in many spiritual conversations, Bible studies, evangelizing, sharing a true hope through the promises of God! At every opportunity read or quote Scripture, exhort those who hear to listen and respond to God appropriately, when time allows…teach those who do not know God or the things of God and pray for the Holy Spirit to illumine their minds that they might understand, obey, be saved, or grow toward maturity in Christ.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 23, 2026

Notes of Faith April 23, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 1, 2002

“LIVING FOR GOD IN A GODLESS WORLD”

I Peter 5:6-9

There is no question but that we are living in a Godless world. Our society gets worse each day. The passage before us tells us how believers can live successfully in spite of all that is going on around us. Here are four principles:

1. Renounce human pride (verse 6).

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time (see also James 4:6).

There is no place for pride in the Christian life. The Bible condemns it. This means pride in ourselves.

2. Rely completely on God to sustain you.

Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.

Notice the incentive to trust, “He cares for you!” What a comfort! Our almighty and all-powerful God cares for us as a loving father cares for his children (Ps. 103:13).

3. Restrain your impulse to take what seems the easy route and go with the flow.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

How does Satan seek to devour Christians? By luring them back into the ways of the world. How easy it is to become desensitized to things that once were an offense to us.

4. Resist the devil.

But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

The Means – We resist by standing firm in our faith – faith in truth as revealed in God’s Word. The only way believer’s can resist the devil is through the Word of God. Know what God’s Word says about our adversary (I John 4:4) and stand firm in that promise.

The Mindset – Knowing that our Christian brethren are experiencing like struggles and gaining victory. Afflictions are the common lot among believers. There is something intensely comforting in knowing that we are not in the battle alone. The Christian constituency is going through the same afflictions. It is our lot in life. Note that it does not say the same kind of suffering but the same experience of suffering. We don’t all suffer the same kinds of things but we all go through experience brought about by Satan.

So, beloved to live for God in a Godless world we must renounce pride, rely completely on God to sustain us, restrain from temptations the world offers and resist the devil. Philippians 4:13 is the key to accomplishing this! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

We are twenty-four years further into a more godless world. We experience more “wrong” things in the world that it calls right and more “right” things that it calls wrong. Satan is actively leading people into this decay and destruction. Choices seem to make no logical or moral sense but they keep increasing in intensity.

This was happening before the world-wide flood that destroyed human life except those that God saved within the ark that He had Noah build. We seem headed quickly toward another judgment time of God. Scripture speaks of Christ’s return often (to come for His bride, believers in Jesus, YEAH!), and then bring judgment on an unbelieving world, the seventieth week of Daniel, the time of Jacob’s trouble, the seven-year tribulation. We may be very close to these days. Do not be surprised at the evil in the world but stand firm in your faith, knowing that these days are coming and that the Lord has promised to keep you, His child, from suffering His wrath against this evil.

Humble yourself before God. Trust Him with your care. Be aware of the devil and his lies and schemes of deception. Resist his temptations, knowing that you have many brothers and sisters going through the same experience and are being victorious in Christ through the battles!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 22, 2026

Notes of Faith April 22, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 25, 2002

“THE WORK OF COUNSEL AND DISCIPLINE”

Proverbs 19:20

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

One of the major problems with many of the youth of our day is the negative attitude they have toward counsel and discipline from their elders. Their attitude for the most part is, “I know what is best for my life. I know what direction I want to go in life”, and they take it! Often the result is chaos. (Young people, I am not picking on you. Read on!)

This is nothing new. The news media if full of the results of “doing our own thing.” I think we all have this attitude to a certain degree. It’s built into us from Adam. However, if we’ll just listen to God’s Word we could save ourselves much heartache.

This is true of adults as well as the young. If we as adults would listen to the counsel of God and accept His discipline we would be not only examples to our children, but much better off ourselves. For example in our passage for today’s Pen Pulpit, Proverbs 19:20, we are told to listen to counsel and accept discipline. Why? So that we may be wise the rest of our days.

We must realize that God’s counsel takes everything into consideration, from beginning to end. He sees the pitfalls that could be avoided. He knows exactly how to discipline us back onto the right paths when we stray, and He does this because of His great love for us.

My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him, FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES, He disciplines (Hebrews 5:6-7).

Scripture also tells us that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23) and He delights in his way.

So – what is the end result of accepting counsel and discipline? Wisdom. Once thing is certain and that is we can’t get by in this world without it. We need wisdom in the decisions we make and that comes from counsel and discipline.

No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed.

No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined.

No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is funneled.

No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, and disciplined.

Beloved, let us work on getting counsel from our God and gladly accept His discipline, then pass that on to our children and our children’s children.

In His matchless grace,

Pastor Charles

Prov 1:5

A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel

Prov 1:30-33

"They would not accept my counsel,

They spurned all my reproof.

31 "So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way

And be satiated with their own devices.

32 "For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,

And the complacency of fools will destroy them.

33 "But he who listens to me shall live securely

And will be at ease from the dread of evil."

Prov 27:9

1 man's counsel is sweet to his friend.

Ps 33:11

The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations.

Ps 33:15

He fashions their hearts individually;

Ps 33:18

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,

Ps 34:4

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

Be disciplined in the Word of God and prayer and you will receive wise counsel for daily living. God reveals His will to you. You need to respond with faith and trust in order to live a righteous, godly, fruit-filled life! Seek the counsel of the Lord!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 21, 2026

Notes of Faith April 21, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: “Worry”

August 18, 2002

“THE CURE FOR ANXIETY” Part III

Matthew 6:25-34

By illustrating with the birds of the air just how foolish it is for His people to worry, our Lord now focuses on another basic need – the needs of our body.

And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do then spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?

Jesus uses the illustration of lilies of the field who do not toil nor spin. He further emphasizes this truth by referring to King Solomon, that even in his magnificence he could not compare with these lowly but lovely blossoms. He caps it off by mentioning the grass of the field, arrayed by our Lord even though it is here today and gone tomorrow.

Then our Lord pinpoints the reason we worry, “O you of little faith.” Ouch! The problem with those of us who worry is that we simply do not trust our Lord the way we should. We fail to acknowledge who God is and what He is able to do! He then gives another admonition not to worry ‘

Do not be anxious then, saying, “What shall we eat” or “What shall we drink?’ or “With what shall we clothe ourselves” for all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

How often God’s children act like unbelievers who do not have the divine resources that we do! Jesus reminds us that our heavenly Father knows our needs. What a great comfort this is, just to be aware that God knows and is aware of everything we need. Jesus then challenges us with the cure for anxiety -

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

In other words, put God first in your life above everything else and He WILL take care of you! He closes out with

Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own!

Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has not yet arrived. When it comes tomorrow will take care of itself. There is enough trouble in every day to keep us busy so let’s not project into the future as to what we are afraid might happen – tomorrow or a month from now! Trust God! Believe Him for your life’s needs. Put fear of the future aside.

Is there something you are worrying about today, beloved? If so then take our Lord’s words to heart. God bless.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Charles Covington

It is certainly true that each day has enough trouble of its own! Some people plan for the day, begin their plans, but few days allow for just what we have planned! Much comes our way that we did not expect, plan for, or want in our day, but God knew beforehand what was coming our way, and uses all things to bring us closer to Him and His ultimate glory! I pray that you plan to have a great day in Christ!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 20, 2026

Notes of Faith April 20, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: “Worry”

August 11, 2002

“THE CURE FOR ANXIETY” Part II

Matthew 6:25-34

For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?

Anxiety and worry are the bane of the age. We are living in a world that is heaving with anxiety causing problems. However the problems caused by anxiety and worry are greater than the problems that cause the anxiety and worry!

Worry is subtle. It starts small and gradually takes over your entire being. Worry has been defined as a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.

In Matthew 6:25 the Lord Jesus admonished His disciples and us not to worry. Then He lists some things not to worry about such as food and clothing stating that life consists of more than that.

He enforces this by drawing our attention to the birds of the air. They do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet the Heavenly Father feeds them. Then our Lord affirms that we are of much more value than the birds.

He then stresses a very important point in verse 27, “Who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” He is simply saying that we cannot grow when we worry. In fact, worry stunts our spiritual growth.

In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul tells us that we are not to worry about anything but to take our anxieties to the One that can do something about them and, in turn, His peace will “keep our hearts and minds.” This takes practice, folks!

At the end of his life Mark Twain reflected, “I have been young and now I am old. I have worried about a lot of things in my life – most of which never happened!”

In our next Pen Pulpit we are going to conclude our passage in Matthew 6. We will focus on the sure cure for anxiety. In the meantime, keep trusting God and have a happy and worry-free week! God bless.

In His matchless love,

Pastor Charles

Worry is like a rocking chair. (We have them, though they are rarely used!)

It will give you something to do but it won’t get you anywhere! But worry does cause pain and suffering in our bodies, illness that can even lead to death. Worry is a threat to living at peace and rest in Jesus. Let’s let go of worry. Trust the Lord for the issues of daily life. We will get through them to the other side and by His grace, safe, secure, and strengthened in faith!

Pastor Dale