Notes of Faith February 3, 2026

Notes of Faith February 3, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 10, 2000

“YOU SHALL BE FREE”

John 8:32, 36

You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. - - - If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

The word that catches my attention in these two verses is the word “free.” It appears three times. “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Knowledge of the truth shall free us. But what is “the truth?” In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” So knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ shall free us and “If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

You may ask the question, free from what and from whom?

• We are free from Satan’s rule of fear. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2: 14, 15).

• We are free from the law of sin and death. “For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).

• We are free from the law’s condemnation. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” Romans 8:1).

Prisoners do not know the exhilaration of freedom until they are out of prison. One can become accustomed to being a captive. Freedom becomes something you hear or dream about. However, once freedom becomes a reality through parole or completion of sentence, the moment of truth arrives. Freedom is for real.

In like manner, the Christian comes into freedom through faith in Jesus Christ. A glorious moment of truth that spreads into an eternity.

To emphasize this reality, the Holy spirit is given to the believer. Paul says to the Corinthians “Where the Spirit is there is liberty” (II Corinthians 3:17). Jesus told the disciples that “the Spirit would take the things of mine and show them unto you” (John 16:13, 14). This means that God, the Holy Spirit, will make a living reality of the freedom in Christ to the life of each believer!

What a wonderful reality to awake in the morning to a living freedom that you can know and experience throughout the day. This freedom gives Christians a peace that the world cannot know because they do not know Him. Our privilege and responsibility is to introduce this freedom and peace to the world.

I trust that each of you knows this freedom in Christ and the peace it brings.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

The people that are not believers in and followers of Jesus Christ do not know that they are held captive by sin. They may have heard the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ but not believing in Him are not set free from their sin and sentence of death. They do not know the power that can set them free. Many Christians struggle with understanding the power of God that sets them free and have acquired sinful habits that can only be broken through His strength and power. Today, if you are struggling with sinful thoughts, actions, consequences of your sin, may you know God’s power today…

Rom 8:31

If God is for us, who is against us?

Rom 8:37-39

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

We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus! Let us live a true life of freedom, choosing what is righteous and godly, pleasing our heavenly Father, honoring our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit given to live within us! We are free indeed!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith February 2, 2026

Notes of Faith February 2, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 3, 2000

“HOW TO REALIZE YOUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST”

Galatians 5:16, 17

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

The aspiration of every child is to grow to a place of responsibility - to come to the place where they are no longer hampered or controlled by parents and the confines of home environment; to come to the place of responsible freedom. Likewise, the desire of every child of God should be to come to the place of freedom in his life - responsible freedom. The greatest hindrance to the Christian’s understanding and enjoying real spiritual freedom is the flesh. To realize real freedom in your life is to learn to walk by the Spirit.

[Note a joint responsibility in these verses: The Christian exerts the effort to walk and the Holy Spirit energizes our effort and gives it dynamic.]

What is walking by the Spirit? Walking by the Spirit is learning to regulate your whole round of life according to the norm or standard set by the Holy Spirit. This is something you are constantly working on.

How do you learn to walk by the Spirit?

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

• You learn to walk by walking! No one ever learned to walk just by observing others.

• You learn to walk by falling. You never reach the place in your life where you are not prone to fall. Making bad decisions in the process of life is all a part of learning to walk. You don’t quit because you fall. You get up and start over again. Stay involved!

• You learn to walk responsibly. You first “house walked” which was monitored by your parents (restricted freedom.) Then you “yard walked” which was monitored by the confines of a fence under the watchful eye of parents, big brother, etc. (still restricted freedom). Then you walked on your own (responsible freedom).

How does it work? In the process of learning to live a responsible Christian life, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to win you away from the controlling power of the flesh. Just as you learn to walk physically, you gradually pull away from the things of infancy (see Ephesians 4:11-16). You walk by the Spirit by leaning to regulate your life in the Word (Christ’s example is found in Luke 4:1-14, see also Ephesians 6:17). You become familiar with the Spirit’s voice in the Scriptures.

The objective of the believer is to:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage to sin (Galatians 5:1).

Keep walking! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

I have to assume that even Enoch had to learn to walk with God and fell many times because of his sin nature but continued to rise and continue his walk of faith and trust in God! The Scriptures say that Enoch and Noah walked with God. We recognize that they both must have sinned, (for all fall short of the glory of God, sinless perfection), but we read nothing but Noah becoming drunk. I would like to think that all people that God calls to Himself through the gift of faith “walk” with Him. How well we walk might not be fully understood or reflected until rewards are handed out in the glory of heaven.

May we get up quickly when we fall, repent of our sin, and strive to “walk” with God as Jesus did, doing His will, pleasing to the Father. Thank God for the gift of His Spirit that strengthens us, encourages us, and helps us to stand firm in the truth of the most wonderful relationship possible!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith February 1, 2026

Notes of Faith February 1, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 27, 2000

“TRUSTING IN THE LORD”

Proverbs 3: 5, 6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

If you would ask the average Christian, “are you trusting in the Lord?” you would probably get this answer: “Of course I’m trusting in the Lord. I’m a Christian!” However, there are different levels of trust. There is salvation trust where the Gospel is presented, we are made aware of our sin of unbelief by the Holy Spirit and we trust Jesus to save us. This puts us in God’s family. There is trust for our daily needs. This includes trusting God to keep us healthy so we can work and provide for our family.

Then there is another level of trust which is what is in view in Proverbs 3: 5 and 6 when you come up against a problem that is larger than you’ve ever seen before. You try your best to figure some way to get through it. The harder you try the more complex the problem becomes. Finally you throw up your hands in despair. “What’s the use?” you ask. “I’m helpless against this barrier in my life. What’s a person to do?” Ever been there? I know some of you have. Some of you are there now. It’s quite a bit different than trusting God for daily needs, isn’t it?

Yes, God calls each one of His children, sooner or later, to this highest level of trust. He does it to prove Himself to us. André Crouch wrote in one of his songs:

If we never had them (trials) we’d never know we need Him.

Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

That is what is in view in this passage:

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” This means with all your inner being - all you are.

• “And lean not on your own understanding.” This is perhaps the most difficult of all for us to do. We are naturally programmed to trust ourselves. But in cases like this, it is not good to lean on our own understanding.

• “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” This takes in our daily needs and the otherwise immovable mountains in our path. We acknowledge that God is the One we look to.

• “And He will direct your path.” God not only knows everything, He also sees everything. He can see around corners. I’ve always taken great comfort in that fact. Literally, He will make your paths straight. Ever feel like your way was blocked? That something was in your path and you couldn’t get around it? Or that you were going down a crooked road and couldn’t see clearly? I’ve been there a few times. These are the times when God makes the crooked places straight. He will make the crooked places straight for you.

Let’s work on this highest level of trust together. I’m faced with it every day. I’m sure many of you are. Happy trusting!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Heb 2:10-18

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying,

"I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN,IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE."

13 And again,

"I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM."

And again,

"BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME."

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Hebrews is one of the books that needs to be studied carefully to understand the wisdom and truth that it contains. These verses speak of Jesus and His complete trust in doing the will of His Father, that He might be glorified, providing the way for His bride, the church, to be redeemed, forgiven for their sin, and made perfect and able to enter into the glory of God, to be with Him forever.

Let us give thanks every day for the One willing to suffer and die that we might receive life, and that eternal.

1 Peter 5:6-10

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 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. 10 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.

I pray for all of you as I pray for myself…to be established in the truth of the Word of God, knowing intimate relationship with God, walking with Him through every circumstance, recognizing my weaknesses and most of all, trusting in God and His love for me, to bring me to my forever home, with Him, perfect in His transforming power toward me and all who trust in Him!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith January 31, 202

Notes of Faith January 31, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 20, 2000

“PREACHING THE WORD”

II Timothy 4:1, 2

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.

The man of God has several mandates from God. Perhaps the most challenging of these is the responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God. This is seen in the solemn charge that Paul gives to Timothy in II Timothy 4:1-2. This charge is given in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who is the judge of both the living and the dead. The following are elements of the ministry of preaching the Word.

1. What does he do with the Word? Preach or proclaim. People need to hear the Word, not hear about it, but hear it proclaimed with power and conviction.

2. When does he preach? Be ready at all times. In season - when the time is right. This would include regular pulpit ministry. Out of season - when it is not convenient. Times when people don’t particularly desire to hear the Word. The offense of the cross has not ceased!

3. How does he preach? Reprove essentially means “to correct.” There are those in the church who quite easily drift into error. There are those so-called teachers in some churches who would lead others astray doctrinally. God’s man is to correct this trend. Rebuke those who have fallen into sin. The man of God is to rebuke. This requires courage and conviction. Exhort no doubt involves those who are living within the parameters of God’s will. They are to be encouraged to continue their course of action.

So proclaiming, correcting, rebuking, and encouraging are the elements of the major mandate from God to His servant and all of this is to be done with patience and instruction. So often some preach, correct, rebuke, and encourage in less than a patient manner and do it out of human understanding.

Paul says the man of God is to minister with great patience. This involves understanding his own weakness. God’s Word is to be the center of all the man of God does in behalf of God’s people. Therefore churches who have this kind of man are to be thankful and supportive. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

The one who is willing to do God’s will and preach/teach/reprove/correct/rebuke/exhort/encourage/ must be filled with the Word of God, living by the truth and doctrine within it, in order to be a useful vessel in proclaiming the truth of God.

We have been given such a man to lead our flock as an under shepherd for the perfect and holy Shepherd by which we all have life. Let us give glory to God for sending this man and those surrounding him who serve “with all their heart” for the glory of God! Thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith January 30, 2026

Notes of Faith January 30, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 13, 2000

“COURAGEOUS CHRISTIANS”

Psalm 27:13, 14

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.

At this point it would seem that David looked back over his life and recalled the hundreds of times God had come through the darkness and discouragement of life to bolster the life of His faithful servant. This being a fact he could count on, David applied that to the reality of what he was going through. This gave him hope and encouragement. He said, “If I didn’t have the reality of what God has done in the past, I would lose heart in the present - for God is faithful. God’s goodness prevails at all times.” Then David challenges his readers, “Let your heart take courage. “

This is something all of us can use. We all face discouragement of one kind or another. But like David, analyze your past experience. Hasn’t God always come through? That ought to be fuel for your faith. If He rescued you then, why do you think He won’t now? Of course He will! However, He may not do it at once. Sometimes He has a way of waiting. So we need to learn to wait on the Lord. He does all things in His time. This strengthens our faith.

Paul knew the waiting principle. He prayed on three occasions for the “thorn” to be removed from his life. God said, “No! My strength is sufficient for you.” In this case God didn’t remove the trial, but He inserted His strength into Paul’s life so that the apostle was able to learn from the experience.

At any rate Christian, whether God chooses to delay His action or insert His strength to overcome your weakness, waiting on Him is the best and wisest thing you can do. What are you going through today? Take courage. God will strengthen your heart one way or another.

God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

John 16:33

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

The longer you live the more earthly tribulation you will experience. I am looking forward to getting out of this world and its struggle with sin against God.

Perhaps memorizing the verse above will give you peace and courage as it does for me. He is faithful and will complete His work in you and bring you home to Himself!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith January 29, 2026

Notes of Faith January 29, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 6, 2000

“GOD’S ADVERTISING AGENCY”

II Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession - that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Here Peter tell us who we are because of God’s work in our life: a chosen race (elected race), a royal priesthood (he is talking about the church collectively), a holy nation - the only holy nation in existence. As a result of all this we have the responsibility of proclaiming God’s excellencies to the world.

The word “proclaim” is a Greek word used only here in the New Testament. It means “to advertise” or “to publish.” The church collectively and Christians individually serve as an advertising agency for the character of God.

Excellencies is a work that combines all of the attributes and beauty of God’s being. We are created in His likeness, made in His image, indwelt by His Spirit. As the moon reflects the brightness of the sun, so the church is to reflect the majesty of His glory on earth. This includes the testimony of our life as well as our verbal testimony which explains the quality of our life.

Beloved, are you and I faithful in advertising the beauty and grace of the life changing God? Paul said in Colossians,

Christ in you - the hope of Glory.

Our attitude and demeanor should shine brightly for His sake. Christians are living epistles, known and read by all men. What a responsibility we have. Sobering indeed, isn’t it?

God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Some Christians may not know that God often displays Himself to mankind with the glory of light.

1 John 1:5

God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

When the glory of God is seen by the Apostle John in the book of Revelation, he sees an amazing spectrum of light displaying God’s glory!

Ex 13:21-22

21 The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people

God’s unconditional covenant made with Abraham…

Gen 15:17-18

17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. (The sacrifices representing the covenant) 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram…

Rev 21:23

And the city (the eternal New Jerusalem) has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Chosen and called by the world “Christians – little Christs”, we are privileged to proclaim Him who is truth and light to a world darkened by sin. The world does not understand their sin, nor call their sin evil, hurtful, or wrong, therefore they see no need for a Savior, or anything to repent from. Nevertheless, because of the mercy of God toward us who have been given faith to believe in Jesus, the Son of God, as Savior, we, who have been blessed to reflect the glory of God, must proclaim those very mercies that God poured out on us, allowing us to be used to lead others to the throne of grace to find the same mercy poured out on us!

Jesus said, “I will build my church” and He will … My prayer is that He builds it through using you and me and the gifts He has given us to do His work on earth!

Pray fervently to live a life reflecting the glory of God every day!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith January 28, 2026

Notes of Faith January 28, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 30, 2000

“PAUL’S MISSIONARY MOTIVES”

Romans 1:14-16

What is your motive for serving God? More specifically, what motivates you to reach those without Christ? The Apostle Paul lists three principles that motivated him in his missionary endeavors. We find them in Romans 1:14-16.

1. I am obligated - verse 14

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish . . to preach the Gospel. The apostle considered himself to be indebted to the human race for which his Savior died - indebted to preach the saving grace of God. Everywhere he went, this reality drove him (cf. I Thess. 1.)

Personally I don’t like to be in debt. It bugs me when I owe money to people. But beloved, there is one debt we can never repay but we are obligated to pay. Paul said in Romans 13:8, Owe nothing to anyone except to love on another. Love is a debt that we can never repay. We are indebted to our fellow man for a lifetime to love. The highest aspect of love imaginable is to share to Gospel with our fellow man. Jesus provided salvation. We are obligated to preach that salvation.

2. I am eager - verse 15

Thus for my part I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. The second motive that pushed Paul forward in his service for the Lord was eagerness. He said, “The love of Christ constrains me.” That divine love made the apostle eager and anxious to reach out to others.

I have to continue asking myself, “How eager am I to reach the lost?” We may be giving money to support a missionary, and that is well and good. But personally are you eager to see someone come to Jesus Christ as a result of your ministry? Am I? Sobering, isn’t it?

3. I am not ashamed - verse 16

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes - to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Paul experienced a dramatic life changing experience on the Damascus Road. He suddenly saw himself as he was in God’s eyes. Then he realized who Jesus is and what He had accomplished for him on the cross. This made such an impression on Paul that it changed his whole outlook on life. He said in Romans 6:21 that the kind of life we used to love and boast in we are now ashamed of. That which delivered us from that life, i.e. the Gospel, we are not ashamed of.

Why should we be ashamed to stand up for the grace of God that delivered us from bondage? In the Gospel is the power of God - the dynamic of God to everyone who believes.

So: I am under obligation.

I am eager.

I am not ashamed.

Beloved, let these be our motives in our personal outreach. They worked for Paul. They will work for you and me.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

This meditation strikes at the heart of every true believer… I did not meet Jesus the way that the Apostle Paul did, and I expect the same is true for you. Yet we did come to faith in Jesus, by the grace of God, through the guiding of the Holy Spirit.

Am I now in debt for the grace poured out on me?

Does God desire, even command me to share the truth of the gospel?

If I am not ashamed of the gospel and know the power that it holds for eternal life, how could I not speak to any who will listen, of the glory of God and His free gift of eternal life through the One perfect offering (Jesus death on the cross to pay for the sin of mankind)?!

Let us fervently pray for the Holy Spirit within us to lead us boldly into this dark world, chosen by God to bring light, shattering the lies of darkness, destroying evil fortresses, speaking the truth of God wherever He commands us to speak, that His chosen children would come forth from death to life in Jesus’ name!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith January 27, 2026

Notes of Faith January 27, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 23, 2000

“PRAYING AND NOT LOSING HEART”

Luke 18:1ff

The passage before us today is a great boost to prayer incentive. It is called “The Parable of the Unjust Judge.” I like to call it the story of a tenacious prayer warrior. It begins with a challenge to pray and to develop a prayer pattern - then a warning against losing heart.

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

Then He shares a parable about a judge who regarded neither God nor man. A certain widow in that city came to this judge, seeking legal protection from an opponent. The text says that for awhile this judge was unwilling to grant her request but finally, because of her dogged persistence, gave in to her request. The reluctance of the judge is not the issue here - rather the persistence of the widow is intended for us to see. The judge would not hear the case on its own merits, but because he did not want to be bothered any more, finally gave her what she asked of him.

The lesson is obvious and simple. What the unjust judge did grudgingly, how much more God, the just judge, will hear and answer the requests of His children. Not just any request is in view here. It is the cry of God’s people in testing

(cf verse 7):

Now shall not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night. And will He delay long over them?

Let me ask you - are you being tested greatly in some area of your life? Have you prayed about it? Does heaven seem like brass? Do you wonder why there doesn’t seem to be an answer forthcoming? Have you prayed about it again and again and still no answer?

It is not that God is unconcerned about you or your request. He is testing your faith. He doesn’t always answer immediately. Sometimes for your best interests and in His good plan, He waits awhile. We grow stronger in tenacity.

Don’t give up, beloved. Hang in there. God will come through eventually and you will be all the stronger because of the waiting.

Pray without ceasing!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

This kind of prayer takes intimacy and devotion! Maybe that is perhaps why we must wait for some of our answers to prayer? We are called to the sweet depths of intimacy with Almighty God! My experience says that humans are not that great with communication…we hold things back, pain, secrets, desires…that keep us from what God has for our relationship together. But He again provides for us, as He wants this union to be like it was when He first created mankind! Oh how I want to walk in the midst of God’s perfect creation with Him, enjoying His presence and Word from His mind and heart to me.

Rom 8:26-27

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

May we learn to pray at all times to do the will of God.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith January 26, 2026

Notes of Faith January 26, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 16, 2000

“THE GOAL AHEAD”

Hebrews 12:1, 2

Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God.

Here we have the formula for winning the ancient races for the first century runners in the Olympics. In addition to stripping off the excess clothing , a runner was to concentrate on the goal ahead of him. A fraction of a second of distraction could cost a runner the precious time he needed to cross the finish line first. This could be looking behind him or just a glance at the runner alongside. It was a test of endurance and concentration on the goal toward which he was running.

Even so our Christian life is a race. Every one of us who are in Christ is running in order to finish the race. The formula for us is the same as for those involved in the Olympics. Sin and weights that pull us down in our lives are to be stripped off. This requires some earnest soul searching and good old fashioned honesty. Then we need to concentrate on the goal ahead of us - fixing our eyes upon Jesus. Jesus Christ is our goal. He has already run the race ahead of us. He has faced the most difficult opposition: the shame and torture of the cross. He reached the end of the race and has sat down at the right hand of His Father. He has given us His Spirit to keep us going along the way.

The Holy Spirit infuses us with the necessary incentive to keep going. Often we are tempted to look at others to see how they are doing. In doing so we lose precious time for we have a tendency to compare ourselves with others. Sometimes we compare our strengths with others’ weaknesses. This causes us to look good. Instead we should be comparing ourselves with Jesus. He is the One whom we are to pattern our lives after. To do this we have to look at Him - to study Him. The more we look at Him, the more like Him we become (c.f. II Corinthians 3:18).

Let me encourage you to examine your goal - your focus. What are you looking at in this life? Do you have a hero whom you are trying to emulate? Is the desire to outdo another believer controlling you? The paradox of the Christian life is we want to finish the race in good form, yet at the same time we want fellow believers to finish well, too. God bless!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

As I have aged and prayerfully grown in spiritual maturity and wisdom, the desire to pursue what lies ahead has become a great priority. I believe that Jesus is coming to receive His bride (soon) and wanting as a part of His bride (the true believing and obedient church) to be ready, doing His work, waiting patiently yet expectantly.

I do not know what the Lord has planned for me in Bagdad, Kentucky, but I too, press on to lay hold of what Christ Jesus has for me to do here. Let us all prepare, be ready for all the slings and arrows of the evil one, not only protected by the full armor of God, but armed with the Word of God, able to destroy fortresses with truth and love for the building of the kingdom of God! May your spirit be brought to full flame as the signs of the times continue to reveal His soon return.

Rev 22:7

7 "Behold, I am coming soon.

Phil 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us focus on Christ and win this race!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith January 25, 2026

Notes of Faith January 25, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 9, 2000

“GOD IS FAITHFUL”

1 Cor 10:13

13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

The series of promises contained in this verse has been precious to God’s people down through the history of the church.

I first came into contact with this verse 37 years ago when a certain temptation had engulfed me. I tried desperately to shake it but to no avail. Then one morning this verse fixed itself in my mind. I discovered I had been trying to defeat this temptation in my strength. I latched onto the phrase “God is faithful.” I lived with that promise for two weeks. Know what I discovered? “God is faithful!” That was 37 years ago and I haven’t been plagued with that particular temptation since that time.

In the last year I have been afflicted off and on with a problem connected with my stroke. Once again I have been drawn to I Corinthians 10:13. I have found God to be consistently faithful. He is there when I need Him. I am often reminded of Isaiah 50:10:

Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

Dear friends in Christ, are you struggling with a temptation or trial today? Are you finding it’s getting the best of you? Maybe you’ve tried and tried to get free from it only to find it coming back stronger than ever. Let me commend to you the promise of I Corinthians 10:13. If you sincerely want to be free from the burden of temptation, let God replace it with Himself - for truly God is faithful. Take it from someone who has tried Him and found His promises to be true. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Our God is faithful, at all times, in all circumstances. We try so hard, in our own strength to conquer the trials of life…but God is the faithful One. It is in His strength that we are able to overcome the temptations, worries, painful circumstances of our earthly lives.

I will trust in You and I will not be afraid!

Listen to Jeremy Camp sing this and worship God’s provision for you!

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https://youtu.be/Rz9H-yQ-NDs

Pastor Dale