Notes of Faith May 15, 2026

Notes of Faith May 15, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Studies in James

March 9, 2003

“THE CHRISTIAN AND TRIALS”

The Epistle of James is an extremely practical book. James is replete with practical themes of the Christian life. For the next five weeks I have selected five of the outstanding themes of James to examine. In this first study we will look at “The Christian and Trials.” Trials and testing are part and parcel of the Christian experience. However, they are not without design and purpose. James 1:2-12 explains the place trials are to have in the believer’s life – the purpose for which they are allowed by God, as well as the attitude with which the believer is to accept them.

The philosophy of testing is found in verses 2-4. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

• The Christian should have a positive reaction to trials, considering them a source of joy (v. 2). This includes trials of all kinds (various). The word “encounter” means to be completely surrounded by different kinds of trials.

• The prominent reason for trials is threefold (vv. 3-4):

1) Trials produce patience. God expects His people to endure or hang in there when trials come. 2) With this patience comes maturity – becoming more like the Lord Jesus. 3) Trials bring us to our knees as we petition our Lord through prayer (vv. 5-8). “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” We see that the purpose of petition (prayer) is to obtain wisdom to know how we should respond to these trials. God’s promise in answer to that prayer is that wisdom will be given generously and without reproach. We also see a precaution regarding prayer, and that is, we are to ask in faith without doubting. The doubting man cannot expect anything from the Lord.

The perspective of testing is found in verses 9-11. “But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position; and let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.”

• The perspective of the poor is to glory in his high position in Christ.

• The perspective of the rich is to glory in his humiliation which is explained in verses 10-11.

The prize for enduring through our trials is found in verse 12. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” If we endure, we will receive the crown of eternal life with Him. What a promise!

Beloved, what are you going through at this time in your Christian experience? Are you considering trials a source of joy (an unshakable assurance of well-being in Christ)? Are you developing endurance? Do you have an accurate perspective? Are you anticipating the prize – the Crown of Life? Let’s look at our trials as Christ does and thank Him for them! God bless.

In His matchless Name,

Pastor Charles Covington

1 Thess 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Life is better than death especially if you have yet to discover your eternal destiny! It is not easy to rejoice in trial and tribulation if you do not believe in Jesus, for He is life, the Giver of life, the Sustainer of life, the Provider of eternal life! Only in Jesus can one have the joy of the Lord during life on this side of heaven and eternity. May you be blessed to know Him today, have intimate relationship with Him, and trust Him for every moment that comes your way!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 14, 2026

Notes of Faith May 14, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

March 2, 2003

“ONE ANOTHER CHRISTIANITY”

God’s Word tells us that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39.) “Loving God, Loving Each Other” is a song by Bill Gaither that beautifully admonishes us to love one another. Loving God could be called the creed of our faith; loving each other the proof of our Christianity for didn’t Jesus say in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another?” Let’s see what the Bible says about “one another” Christianity.

1. Have the same care for one another – I Corinthians 12:25.

2. Greet one another – II Corinthians 13:2.

3. By love serve one another – Colossians 5:13.

4. Forbearing one another in love – Ephesians 4:2.

5. Be kind one to another – Ephesians 4:32.

6. Forgiving one another – Ephesians 4:32.

7. With all wisdom admonish one another with songs and hymns and spiritual

songs – Colossians 3:16.

8. Comfort one another – I Thessalonians 4:18.

9. Build up one another – I Thessalonians 5:11.

10. Encourage one another – Hebrews 3:13.

11. Consider one another – Hebrews 10:24.

12. Do not speak out against or judge one another – James 4:11.

13. Do not complain against one another – James 5:9.

14. Confess your faults one to another – James 5:16.

15. Pray for one another – James 5:16.

16. Have compassion one for another – I Peter 3:8.

17. Use hospitality to one another – I Peter 3:8.

18. Be subject to one another – I Peter 5:5.

19. Be humble toward one another – I Peter 5:5.

Beloved, if we would learn and practice these “one another’s” in our everyday relationships, what a difference that would make in our lives and in our church. Does the world know we are Christians by the love we show one another?

Perfect love is:

Slow to suspect – quick to trust.

Slow to condemn – quick to justify.

Slow to offend – quick to defend.

Slow to expose – quick to shield.

Slow to reprimand – quick to forbear.

Slow to demand – quick to give.

Slow to provoke – quick to conciliate0

Slow to hinder – quick to help.

Slow to resent – quick to forgive.

Let’s work on this together. God bless.

Loving YOU because HE first loved me,

Pastor Charles Covington

https://youtu.be/1WHFhpz00YQ?si=liqYDEsVGaN4bENT

Let’s follow Jesus and love God and love each other!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 13, 2026

Notes of Faith May 13, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

February 23, 2003

“FAMILY LIKENESS”

Romans 8:29

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.

When a mother shows off her newborn, admiring friends will remark, “he looks just like his daddy”, or, “my, how much she looks like your Aunt Gertie!”

Did you know that all believers in Jesus have a family likeness? While we are on this earth this likeness is in our characteristics. In Philippians 2:5 we read, “Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus.” What is this attitude? The answer is found in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control . . . “

However, one day we will be fully like our Lord Jesus Christ, - “conformed to His image” as we see in today’s verse. This means the full, final and complete part of the believer’s redemption – the believer’s actual likeness to Christ. This change will be not only in attitude, character and nature, but also physically (and the older I get, the more I look forward to that perfect body)!

What does it mean to be “conformed to the image of His Son (Jesus)”?

• “Christ conformity” does not mean that we will all be prototypes of Christ. Each of us will retain our own individuality. We will recognize each other. It does mean that our body will undergo a complete change in molecular structure – the type and substance of our Lord’s body (Philippians 3:20-21). This body will be completely adapted to our new environment – Heaven!

• The new body will not be composed of flesh and blood

(I Corinthians 15:50 ff).

• The new body will be indestructible (I Corinthians 15:42, 53). We will no longer face sickness or death.

• The new body will be a glorious body (I Corinthians 15:43). Our new body will reflect the divine nature that indwells it!

• The new body will be powerful (I Corinthians 15:43) – like the Energizer Bunny we will go on and on and on!!!

• The new body will be a spiritual body (I Corinthians 15:44). The source of our natural life is our blood while the source of our new body will be Christ’s Spirit within us.

• The new body will be a heavenly body (I Corinthians 15:47-49). It will be adapted to a new dimension of existence – Heaven!

So how should all of this affect us today in our walk with the Lord?

On March 11, 1830, a little English girl was doing her lessons with her tutor, and the lesson that day had to do with the royal family. As she studied the genealogical chart in the book, she became aware of the astounding fact that she was next in line for the throne! At first she wept, and then she looked at her tutor and said, “I will be good!” The fact that little Victoria would one day be queen motivated her to live on a higher level.

Beloved, as believer’s we are today children of the King of Kings. Let’s live accordingly. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

John 1:12-13

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Acts 17:26-28

He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist

Rom 8:16-17

he Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.

1 John 3:1-3

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

1 John 5:1-4

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.

How blessed we are to be children of God…now act like it! Sorry, I couldn’t control myself. But understand that I am speaking to myself as well as those of you who read the entire devotion. May you be blessed in obedience today!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 12, 2026

Notes of Faith May 12, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

February 16, 2003

“ABIDING IN CHRIST”

I John 2:24-29

John the Apostle stresses the doctrine of abiding in Christ, which is absolutely essential for the believer if there is to be any power and effectiveness in their life. Questions may arise in our minds, however, such as: “Why is abiding in Christ necessary? What are the dangers of abiding in Christ? What is the result of abiding in Christ?” These pertinent questions are answered in our passage this week.

The need to abide. As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father (v. 24). Abiding in Christ is inseparably linked with abiding in the Word. Abiding in Christ is absolutely essential to the enjoyment of fellowship with God and with God’s people (2:10), overcoming the evil one (2:14), and answered prayer (John 15:7).

The truth that abiding in Christ reveals. And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life (v.25). If we are abiding in Christ, we have eternal life in Christ. Life that never ends. Life with the eternal God. His eternal life! What a promise!!

The danger to abiding in Christ. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you (v. 26). The danger to those who are abiding in Christ is deceit. There are always those who are out to deceive the Christian so believers are to be on guard against the enemies of the cross.

The power for abiding in Christ. And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him (v. 26). The Holy Spirit teaches us how to distinguish truth from error (I John 4:2, 5-6). He may use human teachers to accomplish this (Ephesians 4:11-16). “As He has taught us” becomes the standard for our abiding in Christ (Philippians 3:16).

The fruit of abiding in Christ. And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him (vv. 28-29).

Confidence before Him at His coming. If our associations in this life are of such a nature so to exclude Jesus, then how can we expect to be confident before Him when He comes for His church?

Conduct that is consistent to our calling. We practice righteousness because we know that He is righteous.

Bottom Line: Abide essentially means: to stay, to live, to dwell, to last out, to endure or to continue. We might summarize the meaning of “abide” as a confident determination to let His Word control us and to follow Him in His ways. This results in a serene, confident sense of at-home-ness in our relationship with God and His people.

God bless as you set your heart and mind on abiding in Christ our Lord.

In His love,

Pastor Charles Covington

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 3:7-8

7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.

1 John 3:14

14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.

1 John 3:17-18

whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

1 John 2:3-6

3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. 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.

Let us strive to abide in Christ and think and act like Him!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 11, 2026

Notes of Faith May 11, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

February 9, 2003

“WALKING IN LOVE”

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.

Valentine’s Day is coming! Love songs are being played everywhere. We see sugary cards and heart-shaped boxes of candy in every store we enter. The Bible has a lot to say about love and we are going to look at one aspect of it.

The Christian life is defined in the Christian’s walk. We are told to walk in many ways and in today’s passage we are told to walk in LOVE! (That word again!)

The motive for walking in love. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.”

The motive is that we are to imitate our father. Most children delight in trying to be like their parents. They wear dad’s hat or mom’s high-heeled shoes. They also imitate their temperament in some ways (ouch!) Love is the temperament of our Heavenly Father that we are to imitate. He calls us “beloved children.” This tells us that, with the Holy Spirit, we are capable of walking in divine love. Every aspect of our life is to be centered in God’s love.

The example of walking in love. “Just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

In what way is Jesus the example? In His sacrifice! Self-sacrifice is a better term. He took the initiative and volunteered to go to the cross for us. Paul says it this way – “an offering.” Christ’s offering was made to God. His sacrifice was to God for us.

This sacrifice was one person taking the place of another. Jesus took the place of the entire human race in His death. He died so that we would not have to. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (His sacrifice!) Romans 6:23

Paul goes on to say that this sacrifice is a fragrant aroma. This means that the aroma of Jesus’ sacrifice ascended to God and is described as fragrant, that is well pleasing or acceptable. We are to sacrifice for others, as Christ did for us. It could be a sacrifice of our time, our comfort, our money or a number of other things. In extreme circumstances it could be our very lives. We witnessed this recently in the space shuttle disaster.

Our walk includes many things. I believe our “LOVE walk” is one of the most important. Let’s walk in love before the world this week. The world’s view of love is so distorted. Let’s follow Christ’s example and be examples of real love to a very dark and sin-sick world. God bless.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Charles Covington

I have shared with couples, asking why they want to get married? Most often the answer from both of them is, “because I love him/her”. Then I ask them to define love. This is where the rubber meets the road. One’s definition and understanding of the word love will define the relationship. Eventually in our conversation I suggest that the greatest expression of love is sacrifice. As Christ sacrificed Himself for us, in love…we are to sacrifice ourselves (not in death but rather living for His glory), to God first, then to all others. This life of love will fulfill the commandments that Jesus said were the greatest and fulfilled all of the law of God.

Love God! Love others!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 10, 2026

Notes of Faith May 10, 2026

Happy Mother’s Day!

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. — Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

It was another stare-down, the son glaring at her in anger and defiance as the mom stood her ground, arms crossed, jaw set. She wasn’t quite sure how they had arrived at this place, this season, when her once loving son now seemed to second-guess her motives and resent the few rules she put forward. His stepdad had tried a few times to intervene, but it only seemed to feed fuel to her frustrated teen’s fire. It felt like their whole family was falling apart.

Where did I go wrong? she wondered to herself as her son stormed off toward his room. She thought back to all the years of teaching, of training, of taking him to church. She had tried her very best, even through the difficult divorce, to keep her kids afloat. She had read countless parenting books, attended seminars, and tried to check every box. But as she sank down onto her bed, she only felt defeated. The weight of failure and fear for his future lay heavy on her shoulders.

Lord, what do I do now? Her mind drifted toward God in despair.

“You leave him in My care,” came the unexpected reply.

And then she realized where she’d gone astray. Somewhere deep in the trenches of parenting, she began to believe her son’s salvation and success depended on her prowess as a parent... that she somehow possessed the power to save his soul. But his defiance revealed a deeper need for them both: a return to full reliance on God.

Parenting is never easy. But our God is the same today as He was at the beginning of time and will forever be. Our wills and our ways are no match for Him. He invites us to stop striving in our own strength to subdue the hearts of our kids when only He can. Instead, we can come boldly to His throne of grace to receive the help we so desperately need. He promises to give us the kind of divine wisdom that self-help books don’t possess, plus the power of His Spirit to follow His lead through every struggle until He sets the captives free.

Lord, I don’t want to parent out of fear but out of faith. You love my children even more than I do, and You alone know the way to their hearts. Please gift them with repentance and faith in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray for your mom today. Give thanks for her. If you are able, bless her in some kind, loving, special way today! She doesn’t need you to spend your life savings, just give her the love and respect that she deserves every day. Honor her as a gift from God. Encourage her to trust God, to walk in the Spirit, and spend time in God’s Word each day. You will be blessed as you bless your mom today!

If you are a mom…know that God gave you the very special gift and blessing of bearing a child or children. Give Him thanks for the wonder and miracle of life inside your womb and the opportunity to raise these children, created in His image for His glory!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 9, 2026

Notes of Faith May 9, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

January 26, 2003

“WALKING BY THE SPIRIT”

Galatians 5

Walking by the Spirit is an essential and fundamental characteristic of the Christian life. In this study, three features of the Spirit walk will be outlined: the Definition, The Involvement and Life Evidences.

What is the Spirit Walk as defined in Galatians chapter 5?

• It is a freedom walk. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” v. 1. Christ set us free, so that we would be free! Free from the bondage of sin.

• It is a cooperative walk. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” v. 16. If we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we will walk free of the desires of our humanness.

• It is a directed walk. “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” v. 18. The Holy Spirit desires to lead us day by day. When we allow Him to do this, we do not subject ourselves to the dictates of the law. We are not under law, but under grace!

What is involved in learning to walk by the Spirit?

• Walking by the Spirit is as natural as learning to walk physically.

• The Christian learns to walk by walking! We must get involved in life.

• The Christian learns to walk by falling. No one ever learned to walk physically without falling. It is a natural part of the process of learning to walk. Christians fall, but the Holy Spirit is right there to set us on our feet!

• The Christian learns to walk responsibly. Taking chances builds our responsibility. Taking chances in serving, witnessing, letting God stretch us!

• Walking involves details. Life is filled with details – making decisions, planning, etc. Each decision needs to be preceded with prayer.

How will walking by the Spirit be characterized in terms of life evidence?

• There will be a decreasing frequency in the activity of sin in the life vs. 16-21.

• There will be an ever-increasing presence of the fruit of the Spirit in the life vs. 22, 23.

The Bottom Line: God’s presence is in our lives. He wants to make that fact evident. However, it requires our working together with Him to make it happen.

Let’s make a pact with God today – a pact to cooperate with Him. God bless.

In Christian Love,

Pastor Charles Covington

The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is alive in you.

We talked some about how to let the Holy Spirit work in our lives last night at small group and this morning I was reminded of Luke 8:43

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

The power was there inside Jesus and yet that power was not activated by all the people that touched him while he went through the crowd. It was her faith combined with action that activated the power of the Holy Spirit.

That same power is living in us and can be activated the same way.

Thank you to Andy Anderson for his comments on our church small group study from the previous sermon given by Pastor Jeff Reynolds!

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 5:1-3

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Phil 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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."

Acts 13:52

And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor 6:19-20

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? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

2 Tim 1:14

Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

Titus 3:5-7

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Jude 24-25

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 8, 2026

Notes of Faith May 8, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

January 19, 2003

“DANIEL – OUR EXAMPLE”

One of the most loved stories since our Sunday School days is that of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. And yet the most mature Christian can learn much from this giant of the faith that lived so many years ago. Let’s look at it again.

As a youth Daniel and three of his young friends were captured and sent to Babylon to be trained to serve in the king’s court. They were given a daily ration of the king’s choice food and wine and educated for three years, after which time they were to enter the king’s personal service. However, Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself and sought permission from the commander of the officials that he and his friends would not eat the king’s rations, but a diet of vegetables (Daniel 1:8). At the end of the test period, the appearance of the four youth seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food (1:16) and entered into the king’s personal service as the king found them ten times better than the others in wisdom and understanding (1:19-20).

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that none of his wise men could interpret. Angry, the king ordered all the wise men killed, which would include Daniel and his friends. Daniel went to the king and requested time to declare the interpretation of the dream, sought compassion and wisdom from God and the mystery was revealed to him (2:18-19). Daniel found favor in the eyes of the king and, as a reward, was appointed ruler over the entire province (2:48).

After the deaths of Nebuchadnezzar and his son, Belshazzar, Darius was made king and Daniel found favor with him also and, as a result, was appointed over the entire realm of satraps (assistants to the king). They did not like Daniel and sought to bring accusation against him. They searched every part of his life but could not find anything with which to accuse him. They then plotted to have Darius sign a decree stating that anyone found bowing down to another king should be cast into a den of lions with which Darius readily agreed (6:1-9).

Daniel, in obedience to God, continued kneeling three times a day, praying and giving thanks before Him. Being found worshipping, the satraps brought Daniel before the king and demanded the sentence carried out. Darius had forgotten that Daniel worshipped the God of heaven and tried to save Daniel from his fate but, being reminded that a decree by the king could not be changed, ordered Daniel thrown into the den of lions saying, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you” (6:16).

God did not deliver Daniel from the lions, but protected him in their midst. This made a great impression on Darius who gave orders that the men who had maliciously accused Daniel be cast, with their wives and children, into the lion’s den (6:24). He then made a decree that all in his kingdom were to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel, recognizing Him as the living God who would endure forever (6:26).

The Lesson:

• Obedience. Daniel obeyed God’s commands.

• Challenge. Daniel remained faithful when challenged, even when the consequence was death.

• Commitment. Daniel was committed to serving his God.

• Confidence. Daniel was confident that God would be with him, no matter what.

It is our responsibility to obey God. God is responsible for the consequences. So take heart Christian, as God will take care of His own… He has promised never to fail us or forsake us? The same God who was with Daniel all those years ago, is with us today. Praise His name!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

What lion’s dens are you facing today? Are you finding it difficult to be faithful and obedient to God? Daniel was committed, devoted, full of faith and trust, confident that God would bless their eternal relationship on earth or in heaven! May we be imitators of Daniel, in prayer, in worship, in obedience, trust, awaiting the sure provision of God for us!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 7, 2026

Notes of Faith May 7, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

January 12, 2003

“MEETING THE WORLD’S SPIRITUAL NEEDS”

Matthew 9:35-38

And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. And seeing the multitudes - - -

What an evangelist was our Lord! He, more than anyone, saw the spiritual needs of mankind and poured out His heart and soul to reach them for eternity. Yet His time on earth was brief so He conveys the spiritual need of the multitudes to His disciples and explains how they can meet those needs. By way of application we see our participation in meeting the spiritual needs of today’s world.

1. We must acquaint ourselves with the spiritual needs of people. “And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.”

When Jesus saw the needs of people, He was moved. Jesus had a true missionary heart. He loved people and had compassion on them, knowing what they were like. (See also Luke 19:10.)

It is easy to theorize about the needs of the world. It is when we are exposed to the stark reality of spiritual darkness that God is able to work compassion into our hearts. How is this accomplished? Reading first-hand reports, on the spot exposure to missionaries in action.

“They were like sheep having no shepherd.” Men have not changed in this respect. Man, with all of his integrity and worldly skill, still has no direction regarding spiritual and eternal matters.

2. We must assess the missionary situation accurately. “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’ ”

There is a plentiful harvest. (See also Matthew 7:13.) Let’s look about us. Is not our society teeming with people? And yet there are few workers. There is never a balance in the mission field. The lion’s share of the work has always been done by the few. By-and-large missionary work is a selfless work, often thankless and unappreciated by many in the church.

3. We must ask God to activate workers for His harvest. “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Our Lord instructs His disciples to begin meeting the needs by praying! The Holy Spirit is the One who activates workers for the mission field. (See Acts 13:1-3 and Acts 16.) Prayer is where we should begin. Let’s ask ourselves how much do we pray for the spiritual needs of the multitudes? Not as much as we should, I’m sure.

Let’s covenant with the Lord and ourselves, to spend more time in prayer for people without Jesus Christ. Then let’s make ourselves available to Him, as workers in the fields “white unto harvest.” God bless.

Love to all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Let the Holy Spirit guide you into prayer, that your heart might be aligned with God’s own, to speak the truth of the gospel to all around you, that those who truly hear would come to Jesus in faith believing in Him for salvation, redemption, and wholeheartedly serving Him by leading others to His throne of grace!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 6, 2026

Notes of Faith May 6, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

January 5, 2003

“LIVING FOR GOD IN A GODLESS WORLD”

I Peter 5:6-11

There is no doubt in my mind that we are living in a Godless society. If all true Christians were to be removed from our world, (which could happen very soon! RAPTURE, pd) there would be absolutely no influence for God. However, while we are still here, we have the responsibility and privilege to live as God would have us live and be salt and light in a very dark world. In today’s passage we find at least four principles that help us to live lives and be the witnesses that point a needy world to their Savior.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. I Peter 5:6.

1. Renounce pride. The world of the unbeliever is a world of pride, love of self, trying to be #1. James tells us that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6. The corresponding result is divine exaltation.

Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you. v. 7

2. Rely completely on God to sustain you. Note the incentive to trust, “He cares for you!” Satan tries to convince believers that God does not care (cf II Kings 18:19-37.) The devil’s way to try to turn believers against God is to discourage them.

3. Restrain your human impulses to go with the flow. Note the rationale back of this exhortation, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” v. 8

4. Resist the devil. And how do we do that?

• The means – faith! “But resist him (the devil), firm in your faith” v. 10a Our faith is in the revealed truth found in God’s Word. Our Lord Himself is our example as seen in Mark 4 and Luke 4. He resisted the devil by confronting him with the Word of God.

• The mind set – knowing. “Knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” v. 9. Afflictions are the common lot among believers.

The promise comes in verse 10 – “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm strengthen, and establish you.”

Believers, what a glorious promise this is! Review this passage carefully then let’s press on with our heads held high – determined to live for God. Amen! God bless.

In His love,

Pastor Charles Covington

Perhaps the greatest incentive for living for God is His provision of eternal life! If we can focus on the gift and blessing of God for all eternity, we can endure the battle against the evil forces in this world. While we must live day to day, our choices and decisions made with a heavenly perspective will guide us through even the valley of the shadow of death to our righteous and perfect heavenly home. And though we live with God literally living inside us (if you are a believer and follower of Jesus), one day, we will see Him face to face and enjoy the glory of God forever. Lord Jesus, please come quickly!

Pastor Dale