Notes of Faith April 14, 2026

Notes of Faith April 14, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

June 30, 2002

“GOD AND ALL THINGS”

Romans 8:28

We were reminded in Romans 8:27 that the Holy Spirit prays for believers according to the will of God. Because of that fact we have the promise that follows in verse 28:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

In verses 26 and 27 we are reminded that God is behind everything that comes into the believer’s life. In fact He actually causes everything to work together for good.

Notice that he doesn’t say that everything IS good, because that just isn’t so!

God knows just what is needed in your life and mine. Some things are good. Some things are bad. Our Lord knows how to blend the good and the bad together for our benefit.

When my wife makes a cake, it seems as if everything in the kitchen goes into that cake. Some of those ingredients are very good. Sugar and butter and eggs are yummy. But have you ever tasted baking powder or flour? Yuck!!! Those things alone are not so good. Then she mixes it all up. If she beat me the way she beats that cake, I would be in bad shape indeed! Then she puts the whole conglomeration into a pan and puts it in a hot oven. Again, that would be very bad for me but evidently very good for the cake, for after a certain period of time, out comes a most delicious confection! Eva took the good and the bad and mixed it all together for our family’s good!

But who are the ones that God is working with? Everyone? No, only the ones who love Him. Those whom He has called “according to His purpose!”

Our God has a specific purpose for the life of each believer. He is bringing everything to bear on the fulfilling of that purpose. What is that purpose? We will discuss that in our next Pen Pulpit. But just a hint this morning! Verse 29 reads, “those whom He knew He predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” That pretty much says it all. We’ll deal with this in more detail next time.

Beloved, view your life like the making of a cake. God allows the good things and the bad things into your life. But all things come out in Christ-like character. Neat concept, isn’t it? Just remember that God is behind it all. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles

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."

1 Cor 10:31-11:1

whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

11 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Heb 12:1-4

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

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin…

But Jesus did for you and me! Let our every thought flow from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that we might do the will of God in all things! Work hard at resisting and striving against sin…ask God for greater faith to trust that you belong to Him. He loves you and is making you like Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 13, 2026

Notes of Faith April 13, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

June 23, 2002

“THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PRAYER LIFE”

Romans 8:26-27

And 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; 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.

The Holy Spirit not only gives us the strength we need to overcome the power of the flesh within us, He also helps us in our specific weaknesses, namely our prayer life.

Verse 26 tells us that we do not know how or what to pray for as we should. The Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. This means that His deep praying cannot be uttered in words. This is not the believer praying, this is the blessed Holy Spirit praying within us and for us.

But what is the Holy Spirit praying for? God the Father is constantly searching the hearts of His people. He is well aware of what is in the mind of the Spirit. How? The Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of the Father (I John 5:4).

Many times our prayers reach no further than heaven’s door. Why? Because we often are ignorant as to what to pray for.

How glad I am that some of my prayers aren’t answered positively. Because they are so far out of the will of God - God just couldn’t answer them!

Does a loving earthly father give his little one everything he asks for?

I am also aware that prayers that are not my own are being answered on my behalf. Other believers are praying for me through the Holy Sprit’s leading or the Holy Spirit Himself is praying for me! What an awesome thought!

Believer, you can’t lose. The Father’s ears are always open to prayer. God the Son is praying for us at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34). The Holy Spirit is interceding within us and others are praying for us.

So you see, we can’t lose! We are on the winning side! Beloved, remember that glorious fact at those times when you can’t seem to get through to God. The Holy Spirit is interceding for you, according to the will of God.

God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

We don’t know how to pray as we ought! Our selfish and fleshly desires often ask God for things that are outside of His will for us. We must remember to imitate Jesus and fully align with “not my will, but Yours be done”! I recommend that you read the gospels often…all four of them, looking closely at Jesus, His actions, His reactions, His prayer life…and imitate the One who loves you most! He died for you, that you might be saved through believing in Him, and trusting His work in your life. You literally have God living inside of you. Live your life according to that truth in His power, authority, and will!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 12, 2026

Notes of Faith April 12, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

June 16, 2002

“SAVED IN HOPE”

Romans 8:24-25

For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

This is Father’s Day, 2002. I’m thankful for where I am today. By the Heavenly Father’s grace I have come a long way since Father’s Day, 1999. Praise His Name. I appreciate my salvation all the more.

Thank God for hope. Paul says,

For in hope we have been saved.

When God saved us, He saved us with a view to hope. While salvation is complete, salvation has not yet been completed. There is more coming!

When you stand before the minister and he pronounces you man and wife, your marriage is complete. However your marriage is not completed until the day God takes one of you home. There is much more coming after you say, “I do” (smile, guys)!

Although promised, we don’t see that hope yet (the coming of Christ and eternal life in Heaven with Him). If we see it, hope would not be hope! The logic – “for who hopes for what he already sees?” This is an incentive to faith. If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with perseverance. We keep on keeping on. Paul says that we wait eagerly for it.

How many things we wait eagerly for – that shiny bike, our first car, graduation, marriage, family, that big promotion, retirement – how even more eagerly should we look forward to seeing our Savior face to face.

Dads, how about it? How is your hope this Father’s Day? Does the future look brighter because you have been saved in hope? Are any of you on the verge of giving up hope? If you are, go over this passage carefully. Nothing will encourage your heart like hope. I guarantee it. If I had not set this hope before me, I don’t think I would have made it. Jesus Christ became more real than ever during those dark days in Mirada Hills.

Let’s close out by looking again at this precious passage:

For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

God bless. Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Ps 42:5-6

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation 6 and my God.

Ps 71:5-6

5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,

my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;

you are he who took me from my mother's womb.

My praise is continually of you.

Ps 71:14-16

I will hope continually

and will praise you yet more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,

of your deeds of salvation all the day,

for their number is past my knowledge.

16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;

I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

Ps 119:49-50

Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction,

that your promise gives me life.

Ps 119:116

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

Rom 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 8:23-24

We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved.

Rom 15:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Rom 15:12-13

12 And again Isaiah says,

"The root of Jesse (Jesus) will come,

even he who arises to rule the Gentiles (all people except the Jews);

in him will the Gentiles hope."

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

Do you hope in God and His work today? Come to Jesus, in faith, believing that He is God the Son, your Lord and Savior, and be filled with true HOPE!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 11, 2026

Notes of Faith April 11, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

June 9, 2002

“PRESENT SUFFERING – FUTURE GLORY”

Romans 8:18-23 Part II

“For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Little did I know when I began this study in Romans 8 that midway into this glorious chapter I would spend a week in the hospital and another week-and-a-half in the rehab wing of Mirada Hills, the hospital in which I convalesced for so many months after my stroke. Always a favorite passage, these verses have become even more pointed and personal.

“For we know the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.”

. . . and Paul continues to talk about the anxious longing that the present creation is experiencing and that it looks forward, with great anticipation, for the revealing of the Sons of God (Colossians 3:4). He now connects the futility of the inanimate creation with the sovereign will of God.

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it” - - IN HOPE!

Creation will one day be liberated from its present corruption of decay, death and destruction… into the freedom of the glory of the children of God! Creation will be returned to its’ original glory without decay and death when God gives man the future glory waiting for those who love Him!

It is common knowledge among Christians that the whole created order is going through the pains of childbirth. This is something that the inanimate order inherited from the fallen human race.

• Every storm reveals this fact.

• Every natural disaster demonstrates this truth.

Nature’s destiny is inseparably linked to man’s. The pain of childbirth describes creation’s period of waiting. Creation, like a mother-to-be, travails to give birth which brings forth new life! And when man’s glory is divinely restored, the natural world will be restored as well!

Next week we will talk about how this truth affects Christians.

Eva and I want to again thank you for your prayers. A special thanks to the trio who transformed a dismal hospital room into a concert hall, giving glory to God! This coming week more tests are scheduled which will determine future treatment. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Ps 98:8-9

8 Let the rivers clap their hands,

Let the mountains sing together for joy

9 Before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth;

He will judge the world with righteousness

And the peoples with fairness.

Isa 55:6-9

6 So you should look for the Lord before it is too late;

you should call to him while he is near.

7 The wicked should stop doing wrong,

and they should stop their evil thoughts.

They should return to the Lord so he may have mercy on them.

They should come to our God, because he will freely forgive them.

8 The Lord says, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts.

Your ways are not like my ways.

9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 10 Rain and snow fall from the sky and don't return without watering the ground. They cause the plants to sprout and grow, making seeds for the farmer and bread for the people. 11 The same thing is true of the words I speak. They will not return to me empty. They make the things happen that I want to happen, and they succeed in doing what I send them to do.

12 "So you will go out with joy and be led out in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees in the fields will clap their hands. 13 Large cypress trees will grow where thornbushes were. Myrtle trees will grow where weeds were. These things will be a reminder of the Lord's promise, and this reminder will never be destroyed."

Rev 21:5

And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."

Rev 22:12-13

12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Rejoice in hope for the Lord is coming soon!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 10, 2026

Notes of Faith April 10, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

May 19, 2002

“PRESENT SUFFERING – FUTURE GLORY”

Romans 8:18-22 Part I

For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Paul talks about the suffering of this present time (literally “the now time”). He says that these “now time” sufferings are not in the same category of intensity with the glory that is to be revealed to us. That is the suffering is not to be compared with the future glory.

The fall of man affected, in a drastic way, the creation we live in – both animate and inanimate. He says the anxious longing of the created order waits eagerly (literally “with neck outstretched”) for the revealing of the sons of God.

I so well remember, on long ago Christmas mornings, swinging on the gate in front of our house with my neck stretched out as far as I could reach as I looked, with great anticipation, down the road for the arrival of my cousins!

It was the fall of man that brought about the ruin of creation. Man was over creation (Genesis 1:28). Whatever happened to man also affected creation to the same degree. Paul says:

For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope. (Romans 8:20).

It is God who subjected creation to futility - in hope. In other words, God had a plan for restoring fallen creation. He explains that truth in verses 21 and 22. Creation will be liberated from its slavery to corruption, which is evident all around us, into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Creation was enslaved because of the sin of man. It will be liberated into the same blessed glory of God’s redeemed people. Paul then describes, in graphic terms, the suffering of the created order.

For we know the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

Creation will one day receive a new birth (Isaiah 65:17 ff) for which it is anxiously awaiting. This also includes you and me. What a legacy! We will take up that subject in our next Pen Pulpit

Have a great week, rejoicing in the goodness of our wonderful Lord. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

We all suffer because the fall of man brought sin and death as a consequence. The Apostle Paul suffered much and gives us great detail about his physical suffering. But he also suffered spiritual suffering. He calls himself the chief of sinners for he persecuted the church even chasing down followers of Jesus, putting them in jail, standing by while they were stoned to death, actually doing in his ignorance, what he thought God wanted him to do. After meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, pursuing more followers of Jesus, he was transformed from Saul the Pharisee, to Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ!

Acts 9:15-17

he (Paul) is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake."

Paul suffered greatly, both physically and spiritually in this world, saying that these things are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

He was filled with joy about the promises of God for future glory both physically and spiritually! Let us endure this temporary earthly suffering knowing that our eternal glorious life is prepared and waiting for us in heaven!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 9, 2026

Notes of Faith April 9, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

May 5, 2002

“HEIRS OF GOD”

Romans 8:17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 8, 2026

Notes of Faith April 8, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

April 28, 2002

“THE TRUE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”

Romans 8:12-16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

1 John 5:13

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

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 7, 2026

Rom 8:1-14

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

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

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

Notes of Faith April 6, 2026

Notes of Faith April 6, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

April 14, 2002

“PEOPLE PICTURES”

Romans 8:5-8

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

A Picture of People in the Flesh

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

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

A Picture of People in the Spirit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 5, 2026

Notes of Faith April 5, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

April 7, 2002

“FULFILLING THE REQUIREMENTS OF

THE LAW - GOD’S WAY”

Romans 8:1-4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Gal 5:16-25

…walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

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

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

Pastor Dale