Notes of Faith June 9, 2026

Notes of Faith June 9, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: The Holy Spirit in Today’s World

September 28, 2003

THE SEALING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Ephesians 1:13

The sealing with the Holy Spirit, although mentioned only a few times with reference to believers, is nonetheless one of the more significant ministries of God The Holy Spirit. This will become evident as we go along.

The Meaning of the Sealing with the Holy Spirit.

The seal in the Old Testament is the token of the completion of a transaction. When an agreement was concluded, the act completed and the price paid, the seal was affixed to the contract to make it definite (Jeremiah 32:9-11).

Jesus Christ agreed to leave heaven, come to earth and die for the sins of man. When an individual receives Jesus as savior, the Holy Spirit is given to live within the believer. His presence in the Christian is the official seal that an eternal transaction has been completed. The believer is sealed with the presence of the Holy Spirit. This seal is immediate, permanent and eternal.

The Sphere of the Sealing with the Holy Spirit.

The believer is sealed with or in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the substance of the seal – the essence of the seal.

The Scope of the Sealing with the Holy Spirit.

All true believers are the recipients of the sealing with the Holy Spirit.

1. Illustrated in the Corinthians (II Corinthians 1:22).

2. In Ephesians 4:30 the sealing is the basis for exhorting believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit.

3. There is no command nor condition for the sealing with the Holy Spirit.

The Time of the Sealing with the Holy Spirit.

The believer is sealed at the time of his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior (Ephesians 1:13,14). Note carefully the grammatical implications “Having believed … you were sealed.” “Sealed” is the main verb in the sentence. The Greek text indicates that the sealing occurred at the same time as believing. This is the only place in the New Testament were it is grammatically stated that the believer received the Holy Spirit at the time of faith in Jesus Christ.

The Significance or Purpose of the Sealing with the Holy Spirit.

The sealing with the Holy Spirit has several significant features:

1. Ownership by God. We are stamped or branded by God as His property – Romans 8:9; II Timothy 2:19.

2. Security that is permanently guaranteed – Ephesians 4:30.

3. Authority over what He owns.

4. Assurance – because the believer belongs to Jesus Christ by virtue of His work of redemption, the Holy Spirit’s presence as the seal or guarantee of ownership also begets assurance – Romans 8:14-17.

5. The realization of all promised blessings at the day of redemption – Ephesians 4:30.

So you see Christian friends, the sealing with the Holy Spirit is God’s way of sealing you and me into the body of Christ permanently. Let’s praise His wonderful name for His grace and mercy. God bless.

Love in Him,

Pastor Charles Covington

Thought for the day…

Believers must remember, our mission is fishin’!

Thinking about doing a little of both today for my birthday…fishin’ for fish and of course fishin’ for eternal souls to be saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ!

Stand secure and assured in your faith, especially when you fall into sin…for you have been sealed (confirmed, ratified, made certain) that you belong to God for all eternity! Nothing can separate you from the love of God…nothing!

Rom 8:38-39

8 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.

Just another day to glory God with the life He is giving you…

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 8, 2026

Notes of Faith June 8, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: The Holy Spirit in Today’s World

September 21, 2003

THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Confusion Concerning the Baptism with the Holy Spirit

The term “Baptism with the Holy Spirit” is like raising a red flag in front of a bull in some circles – for there is no area of the ministry of the Holy Spirit that is more misunderstood today than this one. The reason for this misunderstanding may be traced to several factors:

1. The term “Baptism with the Spirit” is often confused with the filling with the Spirit.

2. The erroneous association of the baptism with the Spirit with speaking in tongues.

3. The misunderstanding of the distinction of this present Church Age.

The Meaning of the Baptism with Holy Spirit

Primarily, the Spirit’s baptism is the act whereby God makes us members of Christ’s body (I Corinthians 12:12,13). Secondarily, but not of lesser importance, the Spirit’s baptism is the act whereby God gives to the believer his position in Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:27).

The Nature of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit

1. It is unique to the Church Age and is never mentioned as having occurred in the Old Testament or in the Gospels.

• The Holy Spirit could not be given before Jesus was glorified (John 7:39).

• As late as the ascension, the disciples were to wait for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4, 5, 8).

• There was no Spirit baptism until Pentecost.

• Baptism with the Holy Spirit is associated with the Body of Christ which is unique to this age – the age of the Church.

2. It occurred for the first time on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 11:15, 16).

• Jerusalem Pentecost was the fulfillment of promises in the Gospels (Matt 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33).

• Jerusalem Pentecost marked the transition point from the old to the new covenant area.

• Jerusalem Pentecost marked the birth of the Christian Church.

• Jerusalem Pentecost was an historic event – never to be repeated (it was the fulfillment of the Old Testament Feast of Pentecost).

• There was no Spirit baptism until Pentecost.

3. It is received only once by each believer upon conversion (Acts 10:44: 11:15,16). Therefore, there is only one Spirit baptism. There is no second Spirit baptism subsequent to conversion.

• It is described as a one-time event (I Cor.12:13) while the filling is repeated.

• A member of the body cannot be removed from the body and then reinstated through a rebaptism

• Scripture clearly states that there is only one baptism (Ephesians 4:5).

4. Baptism with the Spirit is universal among all believers in this age.

• Scripture plainly teaches that all believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9, I Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27).

• There is no scriptural command to believers to be baptized with the Spirit. We are told that we are!

5. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is non-experiential.

• It is not based on or derived from experience.

• It occurs whether a believer is aware of it or not.

• Believers may experience the results of the baptism but not the act.

• Faith in Christ is the only condition of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39; Galatians 3:2, 13-14).

6. The results of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

• It makes us members of the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).

• It is the union with Christ in His death making us no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:1-14).

It would be saying too much to infer that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is the most important ministry of the Spirit. It is, however, one of the most essential for reasons we have explained. This ministry places us in the Body of Christ and gives the believer his/her position in Christ. It also gives us our spiritual gift with which we serve God and one another. Do not allow yourself to become confused with some of today’s theories with this ministry.

Beloved, if you have received Christ as Savior, you have been baptized and filled with His Spirit. Our bodies are His temple. That awareness should be sobering as well as exciting. God bless.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Charles Covington

I am participating in a jail ministry and the men incarcerated shared with me that another visitor such as I, told them that if they did not speak in tongues that they had not received the gift of the Holy Spirit, had not been saved, and therefore were still headed to hell. He said that they were not members of the body of Christ, the church, had no gift(s) to use to glorify God or benefit those in the church. This is a great misunderstanding of Scripture and false teaching. I have been blessed by these men, as they struggle with their choices that led them to prison, seek to be renewed in heart and mind, so that upon being released, that they not return to the old person and sinful habits that put them in jail. There is much praising and worshipping of God. There is great hope in God for their future and how God desires to use them even now. This is the true work of the Holy Spirit, for none of them would care about God or others were it not for His work in their lives. May we recognize the truth and power of the Holy Spirit, GOD living within us, and live each day for His glory and honor!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 7, 2026

Notes of Faith June 7, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: The Holy Spirit in Today’s World

September 14, 2003

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT THE TIME OF SALVATION

OR THE SECURING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We came to salvation in Jesus Christ as a result of the Holy Spirit convicting us of our sin and our need of a Savior. Once we have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we are secure in Him, also because of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. He does this through regeneration (a big word for change) and this regeneration places the believer IN Christ. As such his position in Christ is as secure as Christ is in the Father! The believer can never be unregenerated any more than a child born into this world can become unborn. Let’s look then at the relation of regeneration to the security of the believer.

Regeneration (a work of God the Holy Spirit) is the act by which He imparts eternal life to an individual. Regeneration is the instantaneous change from a state of spiritual death to a state of spiritual life (Titus 3:5, Matthew 19:28). Other words used to express regeneration are found in I Peter 1:3, 23; James 1:18; and John 3:3, 7. The essence of meaning contained in these various words is “new beginning, to give birth, born from above,”

Terms used to express regeneration:

• New Birth - John 1:3; James 1:18. This portrays the intimate relation of the child of God to his heavenly father. It also declares the kind of life the believer receives

• Spiritual Resurrection – Romans 6:13; Ephesians 2:5. The believer is completely identified with Jesus Christ, not only in His death, but also in His resurrection. We have His life – Amen?!

• New Creation – Ephesians 2:10; 4:24; II Corinthians 5:17. Regeneration is creative in its nature and results in a fundamental change in the individual. It speaks of a new nature being added with its new capacities.

The work of regeneration:

• The author is God – John 1:12,13; I Corinthians 3:6,7; I Peter 1:3. Man does not possess the ability to communicate life to himself, because men are dead. Only God can give life – any kind of life.

• The agents are the Holy Spirit, the One who facilitates the new birth – John 3:5-8 and the Holy Scriptures, the foundation for the new birth –I Peter 1:23-25; James 1:18 ,21.

The relationship of the trinity to regeneration:

• God the Son paid the penalty for our sins – Romans 5:6

• God the Holy Spirit regenerates and renews – Titus 3:5.

• God the Father becomes the Father of the believer - James 1:17,18.

The results of regeneration:

• A new nature – The new birth brings to the believer a new nature (II Corinthians 5:17). It does not eradicate the old nature nor split the personality. Natures are capacities. The unregenerate person has only one capacity, the capacity to serve sin. The new nature brings with it the capacity to serve righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).

• A new life – The new capacity will bear fruit in the new life (I John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18). The abiding results of regeneration are doing righteousness and not committing sin.

Has the Holy Spirit convicted you of your sin of unbelief? If so, has He communicated new life to you? I trust that He has. He got hold of me in August of 1963 – praise His name. God bless,

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

1 Cor 2:14

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Peter 2:2

…like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation…

We not only come to faith in Jesus through the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit, but continue to grow in God’s grace and wisdom through the same Holy Spirit.

I was blessed to be brought to the throne of grace to receive mercy and help through the conviction of the Holy Spirit in early 1966. The Holy Spirit has continued to lead, guide and direct my life according to God’s will (of course with the many and varied unholy failings on my part) for all these many years. I am praying for more…to be more intimate with my Lord and Savior, to be used more powerfully for God’s glory while I yet live, and this will all happen through the Holy Spirit.

May you truly know what it means to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 6, 2026

Notes of Faith June 6, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: The Holy Spirit in Today’s World

September 7, 2003

THE CONVICTING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A careful study of the New Testament will reveal that the Holy Spirit has ministries which He performs in the life of a believer (1) in bringing him to salvation, (2) at the time of his salvation and (3) following his salvation. We will call these ministries (1) the convicting work of the Spirit, (2) the securing work of the Spirit and (3) the continuing work of the Spirit.

This week we will look at the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing an individual to salvation or the convicting work of the Spirit (John 16:7-11; I Peter 1:2).

At this point it is necessary to have some understanding of the two aspects of the Grace of God. These aspects are known as common grace and efficacious grace.

Common grace is the unmerited favor of God toward all men as shown in His general, overall care for them. The nature of common grace has special application to the problem of the inability of man to receive and understand the things of God. In this sense it is a ministry of the Holy Spirit which reveals the truth of God to man through whatever channel that truth is proclaimed (reading and hearing of God’s Word, creation, etc.) Common grace is limited in that, although it provides good gifts to all men, it does not, however, provide a direct basis for salvation.

Efficacious grace is the work of the Holy Spirit which effectively moves men to believe in Jesus as Savior. It is accomplished as the Holy Spirit convicts an individual of sin then applies the Word of God to the heart of that person so that faith is forthcoming.

1. The Meaning of Conviction

Conviction, when applied to salvation, is the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing a person to an awareness of his sinful condition as God sees him/her and to a deep sense of need for salvation. It is the work of God impressing upon the heart of an individual the reality of his guilt and just condemnation before a holy and righteous God. Conviction brings heaven’s perspective of sin and its inevitable consequences to the human heart and understanding.

2. The Source of Conviction

Conviction is a work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11). He will convict you of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.

3. The Agency of Conviction

Conviction is a work of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of believers “I will send Him unto you (believers) and when He is come He will convict the world” – John 16:7, 8. How? “Through you believers” (II Corinthians 2:16).

4. The Basis of Conviction

The basis of the convicting work of the Holy Spirit is the gospel message –

(I Corinthians15:1-4, Acts 2:22-41 especially verses.23, 24 and 32.) In the sermon Peter preached, the clear facts of the gospel are proclaimed. Then note the response of the people in verses 37-41!

5. The Nature of Conviction

Of sin - of sin because “they believe not on me.” This is a state of sin in which men exist and which holds them in stark and utter unbelief (John 3:18).

Of righteousness – of righteousness because “I go to the Father and you see me no more.” Jesus Christ is the only righteous person who ever lived, and who alone has entered the presence of God in His own righteousness which is contrasted with all false concepts of righteousness that the world has devised. This sets Him apart as being unique above all men. God has evidenced this uniqueness to all men by the resurrection of Christ from the dead (Acts 17:31; Romans 1:3, 4) and by its practical demonstration in the visible lives of His followers. He will provide righteousness to all who believe in Him as their Savior.

Of judgment – of judgment because “the prince of this world is judged.” The Holy Spirit persuades men that the same judgment with which Satan is judged will come upon them if they persist in rejecting Christ.

So you see beloved, you and I are the fingers of God, the Holy Spirit. He uses our testimony to bring conviction to our unbelieving friends. Let’s make sure that we are in fellowship with Him each day of our lives. God bless.

Love to each one of you,

Pastor Charles Covington

John 14:6

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

Jesus is the only way to receive salvation, redemption and eternal life with God! The Holy Spirit is the source of conviction and knowledge of God that leads to salvation through God’s gift of faith to believe that Jesus is God, that He died to pay the redemption price for your sin against God, and that He rose from the dead on the third day, as prophesied in the Scriptures, lives to intercede before the Father on your behalf and is coming again to receive you to Himself!

The unbeliever cannot understand the Word of God, nor accept the things that are true of God because these things are spiritually discerned and they are spiritually dead! The Holy Spirit convicts hearts, bringing people one by one to the throne of grace to receive forgiveness, true life, and that eternal, a Savior and Lord to guide and direct their heart, soul and mind.

May we be still and listen often to the Holy Spirit within that we might choose the things that are pleasing to God and do the work that He gives to us on earth and in the age to come after!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 5, 2026

Notes of Faith June 5, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: The Holy Spirit in Today’s World

August 24, 2003

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? Part II

In coming to know and understand who the Holy Spirit is, it is essential that we draw our conclusions from the Word of God alone and in this series, we will do just that! Whenever men have departed from the authority of the Bible, invariably they end up with all kinds of strange and weird teachings regarding the Holy Spirit. Last week we saw that the Holy Spirit is a person. We shall see in this study that He is a divine person-HE IS GOD.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD

In Acts 5:1-6 Peter asked Ananias, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?” (verse 3) and goes on to say in verse 4, “ You have not lied to men but to God.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CHARACTERIZED AS GOD

1. He possesses supreme and infinite knowledge (I Corinthians 2:10,11; John 16:13). What do we mean by supreme knowledge? God knows Himself and all things, whether they be past, present or future. He knows all things perfectly and from all eternity. He knows things immediately, simultaneously, exhaustively and truly. He also knows the best ways to attain His desired ends. His knowledge

• Is inherent – not acquired as is man’s.

• Is immediate – does not develop from a process of reasoning.

• Is simultaneous – He knows all things perfectly and at the same time. All things at

once and in their totality.

2. He possesses supreme and infinite power (Luke 1:35). All power means that God, the Holy Spirit is able to do whatever He wills…however, His will is governed by His nature. He acts in harmony with His nature. He cannot do that which is contrary to His holy nature -

• He cannot sin – James 1:13

• He cannot look upon sin with approval – Habakkuk 1:13

• He cannot lie – Hebrews 6:18

• He cannot deny Himself – II Timothy 2:13

However, these are not really limitations of power but a revelation of His strength

and perfection.

3. He possesses supreme and infinite holiness (Luke 11:13). The fundamental idea of holiness is that of separation in terms of position or relationship and character.

• He is separate from His creatures – Isaiah 40:25

• He is separate from sin – I John 1:5; James 1:13

• He is essentially, ethically, pure and perfect (I John 1:5, 1 Tim 6:15,16). Note that

light is used to symbolize truth as opposed to error and purity as opposed to impurity.

4. He possesses supreme and infinite truth (I John 4:6). Truth is the affirmation of reality. The Holy Spirit affirms the reality of God the Father, God the Son, and of the Scriptures (Exodus 3:14).

5. Other characteristics of deity

• Love – Romans 15:30

• Eternality – Hebrews 9:14

• Everywhere present – Psalm+ 139:7, 8

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CAPABLE AS GOD

• In His work in creation – Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13

• In His work in inspiration – II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21

• In His work of incarnation – Luke 1:35

• In His work of regeneration – John 3:3-6

• In His work of conviction – John 16:8

HE IS CO-EQUAL WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON

Many Scriptures show this truth - Hebrews 10:15-17; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians1: 4-14. In 1 Corinthians 2:11 we see that the spirit of man constitutes part of man. The Spirit constitutes God.

It is phenomenal to know that the creator of this vast universe resides in every believer. We hear sometimes that He is at our disposal. I would like to reverse that concept. Beloved, we are at His disposal – AMEN?

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

If we stay with Scripture in understanding the Holy Spirit we will draw closer to the truth of God and relationship with Him. Through the Spirit dwelling within you, you are able to produce the fruit of the Spirit…

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!

Let us endeavor to bind with the power of God and be a resource of His power through His Spirit, effective in changing the world, for His glory!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 4, 2026

Notes of Faith June 4, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: The Holy Spirit in Today’s World

August 17, 2003

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT Part I

I know of no Biblical teaching that is more needed in the Christian church today than is the teaching regarding the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. Many called the 20th century the century of the Holy Spirit. Three facts give rise to this label:

1. The awareness for the need for world evangelism through the church and para-church organizations. With this awareness comes the recognition of the need for the Holy Spirit’s power to accomplish this task.

2. The rise and prominence of the local church concept and the great stress upon the various spiritual gifts and ministries that are needed to accomplish this work.

3. The phenomenal rise and spread of Pentecostalism with its unique emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit.

While this great attention on the work of the Holy Spirit has been a good thing for the most part, it has not always been Scripturally guided. First of all -

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON

The trend in history has been for the cults and liberals to deny the personality of the Holy Spirit (Monarchanism, Arianism, Socianism, and today the liberals and the cults). He becomes to them a mere representative of good or of power in the world.

• In John 16:5-15 Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a person – “He, Him, Helper,” etc.

• The Holy Spirit relates to people in the same ministering capacity that Jesus did. I will pray the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may bide with you forever – even the Spirit of Truth . . . John 14:16, 17a. “The Helper” – one who gives help or aid to another – a person!

• In Acts 15:28 The Spirit relates to the apostles in a way that reveals personality ,“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirt and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.”

• The Spirit is a person among and equal to the other personalities of the Trinity. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19.

• The Holy Spirit is a person as Jesus is a person. In John 14:16 the word “another” means “another of the same kind.”

Another mark of personality is having responsibility. Animals are not held responsible for their actions – a person is!

• The Holy Spirit has the responsibility to testify. For testimony to be valid, there must be the possession of facts and the ability to impress the truth of those facts upon the hearts and minds of others in order to produce a settled conviction. The Holy Spirit testifies to the unsaved that they are not the children of God (John 16:11) and to the saved that they are the children of God (Romans 8:15,16).

• The Holy Spirit has the responsibility to teach and teaching necessitates the ability to categorize information to effectively communicate it. The Holy Spirit possesses an intrinsic capacity to communicate from the level of infinitude to the level of finitude. Man can communicate on his own level – from man to man. The Spirit of God has adapted Himself to man’s method of communication to communicate divine truth to a human level.

Another personality trait is having intelligent reaction. The Holy Spirit is a person who indwells each one of God’s people. He reacts to sin in our lives in two ways:

1. He is hurt (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30). The word “grieve” means to cause sorrow. The Holy Spirit is put to shame when believers lie to each other or are engaged in foul talk or other sin.

2. He is hindered (I Thessalonians 5:19). “Quench” means to put out a fire. You can throw water on the work of the Holy Spirit.

And how about us? Do we hurt or hinder the work of the Holy Spirit? Or do we let Him empower us to live a victorious life that glories God and leads others to Him. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Acts 1:8

you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

1 Cor 6:19

do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

Rom 8:11

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.

Rom 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The gift of the Holy Spirit to live within the believer and follower of Jesus brings us into the eternal divine God-head. We are invited into the eternal relationship and community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to live in intimacy with God through the gift of the Holy Spirit living within us.

May you recognize more and more each day the love of God for you and His desire to commune with you both now and forevermore!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 3, 2026

Notes of Faith June 3, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 10, 2003

“BE IMITATORS OF GOD”

Ephesians 5:1-2

The Apostle Paul followed Jesus Christ wholly. This doesn’t mean that he was perfect – but it does mean that as much as any man could walk in Christ’s footsteps, Paul did. In I Corinthians 11:1 he exhorts us, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” Wow! What a responsibility Paul took on himself!

Paul instructed the Ephesians to be imitators of God as dear children. How were they and we to imitate God? He tells us. As beloved children we are to walk in love, (having Christ as our example) - “and walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a sweet-smelling aroma.”

“Greater love has no man than this: that he lay down his life for his friends” Jesus said in John’s gospel. The greatest act of love that a man can demonstrate is to forfeit his life for another. Beloved, Jesus gave His life for a world that hated Him. Paul wrote in Romans that perhaps some would give up their life for a friend or a good man – but the Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for those who were neither good nor friends to Him. How can we imitate that supreme act of love? Very few will ever be called upon to give their life in death for another - however, every day we are called upon to give of ourselves to benefit others, believers and unbelievers alike. If we do this with the attitude of serving Jesus Christ, not expecting anything in return, we are imitating God. This is walking in love. This kind of “living for others” walk ascends to God as a sacrifice with a fragrant aroma. To do this, one has to be yielded to the Holy Spirit. In our fallen sinful human character, it is impossible to live a life which is pleasing to God.

This week’s challenge is to let the world of unbelievers – our next-door neighbor or the person we work with - see our sacrificial life. This will do more to promote evangelism than anything else. Peter writes in I Peter 3:15 “but sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Rom 5:8

God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Humanity, for the most part, loves those who love them and hates those who hate them. This is not the expression of the love of God who IS love and loves even those who hate Him.

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."

Matt 5:43-48

You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

It is very hard to imitate the love of God. Our pride and selfishness overflow in our attitudes, and actions, facial expressions and other body language. If we endeavor to be imitators of Christ we must ask the Holy Spirit within to rule over these sins of the old man and allow God’s love to flow from us as it did Jesus!

Work hard in self-discipline and self-control that you might be like Jesus today and always!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 2, 2026

Notes of Faith June 2, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 3, 2003

THE CHRISTIANS WALK IN EPHESIANS

The believers’ walk is an interesting study in the book of Ephesians. There are seven areas where the believers’ walk is stressed. Let’s take a look.

Ephesians 2:1-3. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 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 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.

A NEW LIFE WALK - Once we were dead in sins-separated from God. When we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we enter into a new life and consequently a new life walk.

Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should WALK in them.

A GOOD WORK WALK – Christians are new creations in Christ - specifically designated to walk in good works – a new life, good work walk.

Ephesians 4:1 – I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord entreat you to WALK in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.

A WORTHY WALK –We as believers are not worthy within ourselves to live for God. However, Jesus Christ has called each of us to walk in a manner worthy of His name. The Holy Spirit is the sole enabler of this worthy walk.

Ephesians 4:17,18 – This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord. That you WALK no longer just as the gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart.

AN ENLIGHTENED WALK – When we were without Christ, we walked in spiritual darkness. Now in Christ we are enlightened. We walk an enlightened walk.

Ephesians 5:1,2 –Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children and WALK in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

A LOVE WALK - We all know human love – but no one can know God’s love until that love lives in our hearts (cf Romans 5:5). That love is to govern our walk.

Ephesians 5:8 –For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, WALK as children of light.

A LIGHT WALK – When in darkness we walked in darkness. Now we are in the

light of God. Therefore we walk in that light. The Word of God enlightens our path

(Psalm 119:105).

Ephesians 5:15,16 –Therefore, be careful how you WALK, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

A WISE WALK – In our unsaved state we were considered unwise in God’s sight. Now in Christ Jesus we are considered by God to be wise. We have Christ’s wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30).

Imagine a field covered with freshly fallen snow. Off to the one side you notice two figures entering the field. The first is larger than the second – perhaps they are a father and his son. As they walk across the field, you notice that the father pays no particular attention to where he is going, but his son, on the other hand, follows directly behind, making a special effort to step in his father’s footprints. After the two figures pass off the scene, you notice that there is only one set of tracks visible in the field, although two people had walked across it. The Christian life is that way. In our daily walk we ought to be following Christ’s example, particularly in times when we are suffering. If someone were to observe the snow-covered fields of your life, would there be one set of tracks, those of Christ? Or would he see two sets, one belonging to Christ and the other distinctly yours?

So you see, beloved, the believers’ walk should correspond to our standing in Christ. At least we should be working on it. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Deut 10:12-13

what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the Lord's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?

1 Kings 2:3

Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn,

Ps 1:1-3

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Ps 84:11

The Lord gives grace and glory;

No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Ps 86:11

Teach me Your way, O Lord;

I will walk in Your truth

Ps 143:8

8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;

For I trust in You;

Teach me the way in which I should walk;

For to You I lift up my soul.

Rom 6:4

As Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Rom 8:4

do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Gal 5:16

walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

1 John 2:5-6

By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

Eph 6:10-17

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Our daily walk is a battle. It is a spiritual battle that some are able to see/discern while others do not. Satan uses deceit and temptation to lure us from the commandments of God, to keep us from intimacy with God that will bless and keep our eternal soul. Walking is not easy. We must walk in the strength and admonition of the Lord to survive and thrive! Be diligent in your walk … to walk worthy of the Lord Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 1, 2026

Notes of Faith June 1, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 27, 2003

OUR AWESOME GOD

Eva and I have just returned from a wonderful trip visiting family in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. We spent an afternoon at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Forest from which you could see at least eleven snow-covered mountain ranges and where deer came and helped themselves to anyone’s picnic. As we looked upon the majesty of God’s creation, today’s verse came to mind.

There are many adjectives in the Word of God that tell us what our God is like. One of my favorite words to describe our wonderful God is the word “awesome” which means striking, moving, or impressive - grand. Moses said it first in Deuteronomy 10:17:

For the Lord your God is the God of Gods, and the Lord of Lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.

Let’s look at some ways in which God is awesome:

1. God is awesome in His character (Deut. 7:21; 10:17, Nehemiah 1:5, Psalm 68:35). No one can possibly grasp the fullness of the implication of the awesome character of God. His character is who He is. He told Moses from the burning bush to tell the Egyptians, “I AM has sent you.” “I AM”, the self-existent, eternal God. Webster defines character, among other things, as quality or qualities. The qualities of God are awesome.

2. He is awesome in His deeds (Psalm 40:5; 65:5; 66:3; 145:6, 10; Isaiah 64:3, Daniel 9:4, Phil. 2:12, 13; Genesis 2:2). The awesome works of God are the visible product of His awesome being. No work of man can compare to the works of God.

3. He is awesome in His power (Psalm 66:3). The word “power” has many connotations when referring to God. His power is revealed in His creation (Genesis 1:1-2:1; Ex. 20:11). His power is revealed in His redemption (Romans 1:20).

4. He is awesome in His Name (Psalm 8:1, 72:19, 99:3; Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 42:8). The Name of God is full of revelation. The Biblical use of a name declares the essence of something or someone (eg. Paul means small or little). God has many names, each with a distinctive feature relating to His person (Theos – the one true God; Elohim – power and preeminence; Jehovah – immutable, self-existent).

The world does not see nor understand God in His true nature and power. I Cor. 2:11 makes this fact very clear. The world of ungodly people see the salvation of God as foolishness. Ted Turner stated clearly that anyone who believes in Christianity believes in nonsense. But what can we expect from non-believers? It requires the grace of God to open man’s heart. If you are reading this pen pulpit today and you don’t understand what has been written, then it is possible that you are a stranger to God. You need to be touched by the grace of God. Read carefully Ephesians 2:8-9.

I love the song, “Our God is an awesome God; He reigns in Heaven above; with wisdom, power and love; our God is an awesome God!” I would like to challenge every believer reading this today to determine in your heart that God is, indeed, an awesome God who reigns, not only in Heaven above, but in your hearts as well. It is good to be home! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Ex 15:11

"Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?

Who is like you —

majestic in holiness,

awesome in glory,

working wonders?

Deut 7:21

the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.

Neh 1:5

O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments

Neh 4:14

remember the Lord who is great and awesome,

Job 37:22

Around God is awesome majesty.

Ps 111:9

Holy and awesome is His name.

Dan 9:4

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, "Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments

Our God is indeed an awesome God. He is the only true God. Another beloved song is “There is none like You”!

Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. He is always there and waiting for you to respond to His grace and mercy. Come and receive the free gift of salvation, redemption and an eternal inheritance or remain in your sin to suffer judgment and condemnation for unbelief in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, the author and perfector of our faith! Come home to the family of God!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 31, 2026

Notes of Faith May 31, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 20, 2003

THE THRONE OF GRACE

Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

A throne is a symbol of dignity and authority which may or may not extend beyond its immediate occupant. In the case of secular rulers, that authority extends beyond the immediate occupant of that throne to successive rulers. In the case of the throne of JEHOVAH – HE is the essence of dignity and authority. HE is the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end and everything in between - hence the whole. Authority begins and ends with Him.

There are many thrones mentioned in Scripture. However, there are two thrones that have significantly contrasting features: The Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4: 16); and the Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-14). God sits upon each of these thrones. Each of these thrones represents a marked element of God’s authority and power.

The Throne of Grace – We as believers were ushered into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13), and as such we have a permanent standing in the Grace of God (Romans 5:2). In this kingdom Grace is the factor with which God rules.

The Throne of Judgment – Men who refuse the throne of Grace choose the throne of judgment and retributive judgment is the factor with which God rules here.

The throne of grace in our passage is connected with the high priestly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ whose priesthood has been previously mentioned in Hebrews 3:1. The readers are confronted with the fact that there is no purpose or profit in returning to Judaism to participate in the inferior priesthood of that system. Israel had high priests – many of them. Believer’s today have a High Priest.

The Old Testament system was a system of shadows and types. Shadows, within themselves, do not have substance or reality. They are indicative of the true body or substance which they portray. We are living in the era of fulfillment – not the era of shadows. The Old Testament priesthood, ordinances and sacrifices must be viewed not as abiding realities which are binding, but as types which have their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. A shadow has no permanent reality apart from the body which projects it. When a body stands directly under the light, the shadow disappears. Christ stands in the full blaze of revelation. The shadows which, in earlier stages, pointed to His coming are now gone.

The Old Testament priest passed from the outer court of the tabernacle through the holy place and into the holy of holies to minister once each year. Jesus Christ passed from the earth through the heavens and into the very presence of God – to minister at all times, permanently.

It was very important that the high priest be qualified (Hebrews 5:1-11). Jesus Christ meets those qualifications perfectly. He was called of God into this priesthood. He can have compassion on the weak as He was “tempted in all points” as we are and yet without sin.

The question has been asked, “was Jesus able not to sin or not able to sin?” Theologians are divided on this point. Theologically, Jesus Christ could not sin. The divine nature cannot receive pollution. If Jesus could have sinned the whole person would have been polluted. Jesus is always regarded as one person – not two. The temptation of our Lord did not arise out of a sinful disposition that He had (James 1:13-14). The point being made by the writer is that there was no sin involved or associated with His temptation. It was a valid temptation in that He experienced the full intensity of the pressure of human weakness, which within itself is not sin, together with the full pressure of Satan from without. Yet from His part no sin was involved. The point is that in His experience of temptation and weakness He has come to identify with our weaknesses. He can really sympathize (Hebrews 5:8-9). He learned to sympathize through the process of His life on earth.

We have a high priest who is willing to help and verse 16 is an exhortation for believers to act upon the truth of verses 14 and 15. We are to come boldly – to draw near with confidence without any inhibitions. There is no need to doubt His ability or compassion to help. And when we do, we will find grace at just the time we need it!

(1) saving grace – Ephesians 2:8-10

(2) sanctification grace – Titus 2:11-15

(3) serving grace – Romans 12:1-8

(4) suffering grace – II Corinthians 12:9

(5) helping grace – Hebrews 4:16; II Corinthians 9:8.

Each one of us will one day stand before the Lord Jesus Christ. Will it be at the Throne of Grace or the Throne of Judgment? The choice is ours.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Matt 25:31-46

when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.' 44 "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?' 45 "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46 "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Which group do you belong to? Do you want to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, with His flock or do you choose to be a goat, do your own thing, seeking to glorify yourself…the end for both of these groups was long ago established in the Word of God!

Follow Jesus. Learn from Jesus. Become Like Jesus. Do the things that Jesus did!

Pastor Dale