Notes of Faith April 24, 2026

Notes of Faith April 24, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 8, 2002

“A PULPIT PRIORITY”

I Timothy 4:13-14

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

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

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

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

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

1. The public reading of Scripture.

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

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

What a testimony to the power of Scripture!

2. Exhortation.

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

3. Teaching.

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 23, 2026

Notes of Faith April 23, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

September 1, 2002

“LIVING FOR GOD IN A GODLESS WORLD”

I Peter 5:6-9

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

1. Renounce human pride (verse 6).

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

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

2. Rely completely on God to sustain you.

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

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

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

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

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

4. Resist the devil.

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

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

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 22, 2026

Notes of Faith April 22, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 25, 2002

“THE WORK OF COUNSEL AND DISCIPLINE”

Proverbs 19:20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed.

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

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

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

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

In His matchless grace,

Pastor Charles

Prov 1:5

A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel

Prov 1:30-33

"They would not accept my counsel,

They spurned all my reproof.

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

And be satiated with their own devices.

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

And the complacency of fools will destroy them.

33 "But he who listens to me shall live securely

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

Prov 27:9

1 man's counsel is sweet to his friend.

Ps 33:11

The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations.

Ps 33:15

He fashions their hearts individually;

Ps 33:18

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

Ps 34:4

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 21, 2026

Notes of Faith April 21, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: “Worry”

August 18, 2002

“THE CURE FOR ANXIETY” Part III

Matthew 6:25-34

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love in Christ,

Pastor Charles Covington

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 20, 2026

Notes of Faith April 20, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: “Worry”

August 11, 2002

“THE CURE FOR ANXIETY” Part II

Matthew 6:25-34

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In His matchless love,

Pastor Charles

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 19, 2026

Notes of Faith April 19, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: “Worry”

August 4, 2002

“THE CURE FOR ANXIETY” Part I

Matthew 6:25-34

In Matthew 6:24 Jesus has just told His disciples, “No one can serve two masters; for you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (NLT).” He continues in verse 25:

For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

The point is well taken. Life is more than the essentials – or what we consider essential to a fulfilled life, yet modern day society contradicts this principle. It seems that everything in life revolves around not only food and clothing, but also desiring a better job, a more lovely home, the latest model car. I wonder what Jesus thinks of today’s world?

How society envies the lifestyle of the rich and famous – yet more suicides are taking place in this high-class level of living than on skid row! Folks, it seems as if some people can cope better with poverty than with wealth.

I don’t think I want either one. I try to be satisfied somewhere in-between. Didn’t Paul say that he had learned to be content with whatever provision the Lord provided (Philippians 4:11)?

Yet we worry. Will my paycheck stretch? Oh, God! My children are - - - -! What will the doctor say about my latest tests? And our church - - - - -! (Fill in the blanks!)

In this short series of verses we are going to analyze worry, its cause and, hopefully, its cure. George Mueller put it into perspective – “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith and the beginning of faith is the end of anxiety!”

So buckle your seat belts for the next few weeks as we put the sin of worry in its place. After all – worry won’t get you anything but ulcers! God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles

Our lives are filled with problems (tribulations).

John 16:33

"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."

House issues, water leaks, broken appliances, trying to get birds to not nest where you don’t want them, flat tires, car accidents, trying to help people at your job, boss issues, children growing up issues…I think I could fill pages with things that we encounter in a day that need to be fixed! Or do they?

Maybe God allows things into our lives and then watches how we deal with them. Do we respond with a pure and righteous heart? Do we cause more problems by our actions?

Let us do what we know to do…get help with the things that we don’t know how or what to do…in all things first taking it before the Lord to hear His heart in our time of need. He will answer with “you can do this”, or He will send the help that we need at the appropriate time, even giving us opportunities to share the gospel that those helping us might be blessed for all eternity and the Lord be given much glory for the very things that we tend to sit and wallow in worry about.

That presumptive “don’t worry, be happy,” may be more spiritual than one might first think. God takes our worry and gives us peace through the trial, problem, tribulation…whatever it is that causes you to worry. Praise God that it is not our job to fix everything!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 18, 2026

Notes of Faith April 18, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

July 28, 2002

“NO SEPARATION” Part III

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Based on all he has written in the foregoing chapters of Romans, especially Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who is against us?” Paul is convinced of one great and eternal fact: NOTHING - -

1. Neither death – Jesus has conquered the grave (I Corinthians 15).

2. Nor life – A lot of inequalities and trials happen to the believer in life. Jesus said in John 16:32, “Be of good courage. I have overcome the world.”

3. Nor angels – These are evil angels, especially Satan. Jesus has overcome the devil I John 4:4).

4. Nor principalities – These are special evil angels that govern evil human rulers (Ephesians 6:12).

5. Nor things present – This includes anything in this present evil world. Again, Jesus has overcome the present world.

6. Nor things to come – this takes in everything beyond the present.

7. Nor powers – Here he includes powers of any kind – human or otherwise.

8. Nor height nor depth – These two include anything and everything in the universe; nothing in life’s path, from beginning to end, can separate us from Christ’s love.

9. Nor any other created thing – We are the highest of God’s created order. Nothing else is implied. This covers everything but the Creator Himself.

- - will be able to (will have the power or ability to drive a wedge) separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen!

He is our Savior and Lord. What a truth to be convinced of! This will put spunk in your trunk and starch in your backbone! Are you convinced of this glorious fact beloved? You can be. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles

If you or someone that you share spiritual relationship with has doubts and concerns about the security of their salvation…know this…It is God who is in control of your eternal salvation, not you, and if you have come to Him in true faith, repenting of your sin, pressing on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…you will be saved, both now and for all eternity!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 17, 2026

Notes of Faith April 17, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

July 21, 2002

“NO SEPARATION” Part II

Romans 8:33-37

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Paul continues teaching on the subject of no separation from God. In verses 8:33-35 he asks three challenging questions:

1. Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? He answers his question. God is the one who justifies. The only one who has a legitimate right to charge us has declared us righteous. Enough said.

2. Who is the one who condemns us? Again consider the logic. The only one in the universe who has a right to condemn us died for us. More than that He was raised from the dead as proof that our sins are gone. In addition He ascended to the right hand of God and there He intercedes for us.

Note: The Holy Spirit prays within us (Romans 8:26-27). Jesus Christ prays for us. The Father’s ears are open to both sets of prayers.

3. Who will separate (put space between) us from the love of Christ? Last question. The remainder of the chapter answers that question for us. Paul suggests several possibilities. “Will tribulation, or distress or persecution or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” It seems that if anything could separate the Christian from God from the standpoint of the worldly mind, these could.

Paul goes back to the Old Testament to show that the believer has suffered for Christ throughout time. He quotes from Psalm 44:22:

For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Note: In the midst of these things – in the thick of the battle - we conquer overwhelmingly. We conquer and more through Him who loved us.

What does this mean – we more than conquer? We will not only conquer, but we also gain the prize for overcoming! This is done through Jesus who loves us.

In our next Pen Pulpit we will take a look at the finale of this fantastic chapter. Until then, God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Deut 7:8-9

But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Jer 31:3

3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:

"I have loved you with an everlasting love

John 15:9-11

9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Eph 5:1-2

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Rom 5:5

The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Rom 8:39

(Nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 4:9

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

Jude 21

keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

2 Cor 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God (the Father), and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

We clearly see here an expression of the triune nature of God, one God, three persons.

We should also see in these verses that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. He is faithful. His love never ceases. He will never leave or forsake us. Trust in Him for salvation from His wrath, to enter into the glory of His heaven and your eternal resting place. Give Him praise for His love for you, His eternal care and provision for life with Him… forever!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 16, 2026

Notes of Faith April 16, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

July 14, 2002

“NO SEPARATION” Part I

Romans 8:31-32

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Having clearly declared what God has accomplished for us in 8:28-30 – foreknew, predetermined, called, justified, glorified – Paul now calls for a reply.

“What can we say to these things” – (truths just declared). “If God is for us” –

A little grammar lesson here! In this verse, if is used as a first class condition – a statement of fact i.e. “If (or since) the stove is hot (and it is) I will get burned if I touch it!”

If (or since) God is for us, and He is, all the way from eternity past, who is or can be against us? This question can only be answered with “no one can be against us!”

Paul goes on to elaborate further, going into even more detail –

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,

In the great antitype of Christ found in Isaac, God did spare Abraham’s son (Genesis 22:9-13). But He did not spare His own Son – He delivered Him up on Calvary’s cross for all of us.

“how will He not also with Him freely give us (the) all things?

In the original text there is a definite article (the) before the words “all things” which gives limitations to the “all things”. He loves us too much to literally give His people all things without exception. He means all things that enhance our life and lifestyle.

Note: They are freely given. If He has freely given us the greatest gift already, His Son, how could He possibly withhold that which is less than the greatest? We ask, “how will He?” God replies, “I will not!” Note too, that it states, “with Him, (Jesus)”. We have nothing in our lives apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything we are and have is in His name.

Believers, you are rich beyond your wildest dreams! Let’s live like it this week. In next week’s Pen Pulpit we go into a series of great questions that further confirm the fact that there is no separation from our Heavenly Father. So until then – God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Deut 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Heb 13:5-6

"Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you."

6 So we say with confidence,

"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?"

John 10:27-30

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 "I and the Father are one."

These verses give us proof of eternal security of salvation. If…or since one has come to Christ Jesus in true faith, believing in the work that He has done, paying their debt for sin, forgiving their sin, redeeming them to relationship with the Father, then, they are guaranteed eternal salvation! You can never do anything that could change that truth! If you are saved, you were saved by God and nothing can take you away from God’s power and authority! You belong to Him forever!

Let us trust God to live in us, be with us, and go before us for the rest of our days on earth and finally, bring us home to be with Him, transformed into the perfect state that meets the requirements of our eternal home! God is at work in you!

Phil 1:6

I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Amen!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith April 15, 2026

Notes of Faith April 15, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans 8

July 7, 2002

“PANORAMA OF SALVATION”

Romans 8:29-30

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; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

In Romans 8:29-30 Paul continues the thought of verse 28 where he says we are called according to His purpose. He then gives a great panorama of that purpose:

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;

Much explanation is needed here. This verse does not say that God foreknew my actions. It says He foreknew me, which is Step One in the redemption plan.

Nor does he say that God foreknew what I would do. It implies that He foreknew what He would do! Predestinated means that He predetermined our destination, which is not to salvation, but to Christ conformity. What a goal!

Everything that comes into our lives is designed to make us a little more like Jesus Christ, Who is the firstborn among many brethren. He is the firstborn from the dead in a glorified body. There will be many, many more in that glorified image. God is starting to work on us now in that respect.

Now comes the procession, the chain of salvation that links eternity past with eternity future:

. . . and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

In God’s eternal plan we are already glorified. He states it as if it has already happened – and in God’s mind – it has! Just as sure as we have been predestined, called and justified, we will be glorified.

What powerful verses we have here. God’s eternal purpose for His people, from start to finish, is outlined for us.

Beloved, read this over and over again until it sinks into your minds. And remember, God causes all things that come into our lives to work together for our good, which is to conform us into the image of His blessed Son. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Eph 1:4

He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

Phil 3:8-11

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

God chose you! Amazing grace…to think that with all of my issues and sin against Him, God still chose me (and you) to be conformed to His will, and makes us into the image of His Son, Jesus! Our highest focus in life should be to imitate Jesus. We must know Jesus, have intimate relationship with Him, become more and more like Him, and filled with the joy of the Lord, even through earthly suffering, look forward to the eternal life provided by Jesus, who is doing the work of completing our life in Him! May we “press on” toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, daily!

Pastor Dale