Notes of Faith June 5, 2026

Notes of Faith June 5, 2026

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

August 24, 2003

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? Part II

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

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD

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

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CHARACTERIZED AS GOD

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

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

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

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

once and in their totality.

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

• He cannot sin – James 1:13

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

• He cannot lie – Hebrews 6:18

• He cannot deny Himself – II Timothy 2:13

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

and perfection.

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Other characteristics of deity

• Love – Romans 15:30

• Eternality – Hebrews 9:14

• Everywhere present – Psalm+ 139:7, 8

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CAPABLE AS GOD

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

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

• In His work of incarnation – Luke 1:35

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

• In His work of conviction – John 16:8

HE IS CO-EQUAL WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

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

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 4, 2026

Notes of Faith June 4, 2026

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

August 17, 2003

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT Part I

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

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

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

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

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

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Acts 1:8

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

1 Cor 6:19

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

Rom 8:11

if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Rom 15:13

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

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 3, 2026

Notes of Faith June 3, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 10, 2003

“BE IMITATORS OF GOD”

Ephesians 5:1-2

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Rom 5:8

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

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

Matt 22:36-40

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Matt 5:43-48

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

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 2, 2026

Notes of Faith June 2, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

August 3, 2003

THE CHRISTIANS WALK IN EPHESIANS

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

Ephesians 2:1-3. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly WALKED according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Psalm 119:105).

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Deut 10:12-13

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

1 Kings 2:3

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

Ps 1:1-3

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

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

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

And in His law he meditates day and night.

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

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Ps 84:11

The Lord gives grace and glory;

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

Ps 86:11

Teach me Your way, O Lord;

I will walk in Your truth

Ps 143:8

8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;

For I trust in You;

Teach me the way in which I should walk;

For to You I lift up my soul.

Rom 6:4

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

Rom 8:4

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

Gal 5:16

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

1 John 2:5-6

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

Eph 6:10-17

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 1, 2026

Notes of Faith June 1, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 27, 2003

OUR AWESOME GOD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Ex 15:11

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

Who is like you —

majestic in holiness,

awesome in glory,

working wonders?

Deut 7:21

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

Neh 1:5

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

Neh 4:14

remember the Lord who is great and awesome,

Job 37:22

Around God is awesome majesty.

Ps 111:9

Holy and awesome is His name.

Dan 9:4

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

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 31, 2026

Notes of Faith May 31, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 20, 2003

THE THRONE OF GRACE

Hebrews 4:14-16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(1) saving grace – Ephesians 2:8-10

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

(3) serving grace – Romans 12:1-8

(4) suffering grace – II Corinthians 12:9

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

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

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Matt 25:31-46

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 30, 2026

Notes of Faith May 30, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 13, 2003

WHERE DO YOU GO FOR HELP?

Hebrews 4:14-16

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

Many of us carry heavy burdens all week long. However, most of us hide them when we come to church. As we look at the world around us and we see calamities all over the place - the distortion of truth, eruption of lawlessness, natural disasters, to name a few. In addition, many of us are carrying around our own burdens: guilt, bitterness, discouragement, depression, fear, discontent, disillusionment, worry, anxiety and so on and so on and so on!

Do we then live out our days in quiet desperation? Or do we find help? Some try to find help in alcohol, drugs, or excessive pleasures (Isaiah 41:10; 31:1). In today’s text we see that the believer has a high priest to whom we may, “draw near with confidence … and receive mercy and grace to help in time of need.” What a blessing!

WHY DO WE NEED A PRIEST? The Old Testament priest was a living, breathing link, between man and God. The Old Testament saint with problems did not come directly to God – he came to his contact person – his priest who shared the same human weaknesses. The priest’s job was to minister to men in things that involved man’s relationship to God. Today the believer’s contact with God is the LORD JESUS CHRIST, our high priest.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS PRIEST? Unlike the Old Testament priest, we have someone who is continually available to us. Our high priest does not keep office hours. He is open 24 hours a day and never quits.

We have someone who completely understands us. He became like us in every way (Heb. 2:17). He has been tempted in all things just as we are so we can count on His understanding of the pressures we feel.

We have someone who is completely competent as He is “without sin.” Sin disqualifies and weakens. Only God is without sin. He deals with us by Divine grace and not by our human works. Grace is the absence of human effort. It is God exclusively. He does it all. In Him we find mercy (the remission of deserved judgment) and grace (the supply of undeserved blessing). We may come with confidence, boldness, and without inhibitions.

We can expect help in every area of life. We shouldn’t isolate certain problems and label them as “impossible” (Genesis 18:14). We can expect help from Him at any time (Psalm 46:1). We can expect help from Him when we recognize our need for Him. He help us resist temptation to sin. (James 4:8).

Let’s go to our Great High Priest daily. He ever lives to make intercession for us. GOD BLESS.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Phil 4:13

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Matt 11:28

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

James 4:1-2

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

Ask of God, with the right motive (not for worldly pleasures), for His will, and it will be graciously and abundantly given to you!

Eph 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 29, 2026

Notes of Faith May 29, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Accountability Series

July 6, 2003

GOD AND YOUR GIFTS

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. I Peter 4:10-11

So far in this series we have considered the accountability factor regarding the use of our time, our money and finally, the use of our spiritual gifts. When God created the Body of Christ in Acts 2, it was His purpose for that body to grow and to project an accurate portrayal of Jesus Christ to the world of men. This growth is to take place both in quantity and quality. God placed within that body the elements that would properly facilitate both dimensions of that growth. Those elements are called spiritual gifts or spiritual abilities. The way these spiritual abilities are activated and utilized is through the members of the Body of Christ.

Every believer receives at least one spiritual gift at the moment of salvation, “as each one has received” our text tells us. Every person is important in this thing called ministry. God does not leave the job of building the Body of Christ to professionals. This is seen very graphically in I Corinthians 12 where the “each one” concept is stressed.

“Employ it (your gift) in serving one another.” As you have received the gift, minister or use that gift toward the building up of others. A body member that is non-functional is non-productive. A non-productive member means that there is a void, a lack in the congregation.

The non-function of some members can impair a total ministry. The reason many churches aren’t functioning efficiently is because some believers feel they are not important. Someone else has to pick up the slack. No one can do your job as well as you. The church needs your ministry (I Corinthians 12:7). Two things are necessary in becoming an efficient body member: 1) determine the nature of your gift and delight in it (Psalm 37:4), and 2) develop that gift.

We must rely on God’s strength to minister our gift. Speaking gifts are to be centered in the Word of God and serving gifts are to be ministered according to God’s ability. This means that, while gifts can be exercised in the power of our flesh, they will be effective to the extent that they are energized by God the Holy Spirit. This means also that there will be varying degrees of effectiveness within the ministry of the gifts. This means that you are not to get up tight if someone else in the congregation seems to be more effective in the use of their gift of administration than you are in your gift of administration – or teaching or whatever gift (Corinthians 12:4-7).

The inevitable result when our gifts are used properly is that God will be glorified. And how will this come about? In Ephesians 3:20-21 we see that - 1) we are HIS people, 2) these are HIS gifts, 3) it is HIS Word that qualifies one to speak, and 4) it is with HIS ability that we serve.

God has given each of us a responsibility for which we are personally accountable. Are we concerned enough to pursue an interest in our great task of building the body? God bless.

Serving Him together,

Pastor Charles Covington

Rom 12:3-18

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Use of our spiritual gifts should produce the fruit of the Spirit…

Gal 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control…

Eph 4:11-13

He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

The gift(s) of every believer in the church are to be used for other believers to strengthen the body of Christ. When the use of gifts are undeveloped, ignored, not used at all, the church suffers and is not as healthy as it could be if the believer with these gifts used them for the sake of everyone else in the body.

2 Tim 1:6-7

For this reason, I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Phil 2:1-4

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Love God! Love others!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 28, 2026

Notes of Faith May 28, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Accountability Series

June 29, 2003

God And Your Giving

Part II

In last week’s (Yesterday, for those reading this daily devotion) Pen Pulpit we learned who should give, why we give, and how we should give. Next we ask -

WHAT IS THE STANDARD FOR OUR GIVING?

Probably the most popular way for God’s people to give today is to follow the standard of the Old Testament tithe which means “a tenth portion”. The basic argument for the tithe standard is found in the fact that tithing was practiced before the law (Genesis 14:20), later incorporated into the law, but not necessarily a principle attached to the law. So the question - is tithing (giving a tenth of your income to the Lord) a valid practice for today?

The Sabbath was observed before the law and was later incorporated into the law just as tithing. Christians do not observe the Sabbath today so should they observe the tithe? Also we see that the Old Testament tithe was not just 10 percent, but more like 22 percent! Charles Ryrie, a noted Bible scholar writes:

“The Old Testament required that a tenth of all be given to the Levites (Lev. 27:30-33), who in turn tithed what they received and gave it to the priests. In addition, the Jews understood that a second tithe (a tenth of the remaining nine tenths) was to be set aside and be consumed in a sacred meal in Jerusalem (Deut. 12:5-6, 11, 18; those living too far from Jerusalem could bring money). Further, every third year another tithe was taken for the Levites, strangers, fatherless and widows (Deut. 14:28-29). Thus the proportion was clearly specified and every Israelite was obliged to bring to the Lord approximately 22 percent of his yearly income. WOW!

On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

I Corinthians 16:2

The New Testament standard, then, is “As God has prospered each one.” The standard for giving is relative in the Body of Christ. Some should give more than others because they have greater prosperity. The standard may also be relative to any one believer at any given time, as his income may fluctuate. The guideline for our giving is found in II Cor. 9:7.

So let each one give as he purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE GIVE? If the existing membership of our church is giving according to this principle, the existing needs will be met, and we will be blessed both as a church and individuals, beyond measure. We cannot out-give God. We shovel out the front door and He shovels in the back, and His shovel is so much bigger than ours! Examine carefully the principles set forth in II Corinthians 8:12-15 and 9:6-9.

Beloved, lets check our own giving pattern. How are we doing in regard to the needs of our church? And remember – when we place our contribution in the collection plate, we are not giving to the Lord, we are just taking our hands off what belongs to Him already! God bless.

In His love,

Pastor Charles Covington

My personal giving has been related to …

Acts 1:8

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

Therefore, I try to be faithful in giving and supporting the work of ministry in these areas as they relate to me…my church, the community where I live, my country, ministries throughout the world! We should pray for more resources to give more! May you truly understand the blessing of giving to the work of the Lord and GIVE! The rewards are eternal and immediate!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith May 27, 2026

Notes of Faith May 27, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Accountability Series

June 22, 2003

God And Your Giving

Part I

During the reign of Oliver Cromwell in England, the government ran out of silver with which to make the coinage of the realm. Cromwell therefore sent his men everywhere to see if they could find more of the precious metal. They returned to report that the only silver they could find was in the statues of the saints which were on display in various cathedrals of the land. “Good,” replied Cromwell, “We will melt down some of the saints and put them into circulation.” I think God, in His grace, would like to melt down some of the saints in today’s churches and put them and their money into circulation for His glory. What does the Bible say about the Christian and his giving responsibility to the work of God?

Once every year or so we expect the pastor to wail away on the subject of giving – especially if the churches finances are down. We tolerate the pastor’s meddling because we love him – right? But next Sunday we’ll get to the things that are really important – the spiritual things such as prayer, Bible study, the deep things of God. However, giving of tithes and offerings is probably the most spiritual thing we could ever do. In fact, the Bible associates Christian giving with the presence of the love of God (John 3:16).

YOU CAN GIVE WITHOUT LOVING GOD BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOVE GOD AND NOT GIVE. In fact giving is said to be an element of fellowship (II Cor. 8:4). Giving is put on a par with other areas of the spiritual life (II Cor.8:7). In this Pen Pulpit (and Part II next week) I want to ask and answer five questions about giving: (1) Who should give? (2) Why should we give? (3) How should we give? (4) What is the standard for giving? (5) What happens when we give?

On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. I Corinthians 16:2

1. WHO SHOULD GIVE? First of all everything we own belongs to God. Giving is an individual responsibility incumbent upon every believer…both wealthy and poor (II Corinthians. 8:2). Under the old covenant offerings were to be brought according to the personal ability of an individual…but no one was exempt. Some in the church have the spiritual gift of giving (Romans 12:8). However, every believer has the responsibility to give.

2. WHY SHOULD WE GIVE? It is God’s nature to give. He cannot help but give – and He gives where there is need. In Genesis 2:18 we read that He provided a helper for Adam and then gave adequate provision in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15-16). Throughout the Old Testament God gave to the needs of the people – manna in the wilderness, water in the dessert. But the greatest demonstration of giving He ever performed was the gift of His Son – to give us eternal life (John 3:16). And once we receive that gift, He gives His people all things according to their needs in Christ (Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:19).

God has placed His nature within believers (II Peter 1:4). We, therefore, are to imitate God and walk in love (Ephesians 5:1-2). To love is to give and to give is to love (I John 3:17).

God gives because it is His nature to give. Christians give because God’s nature is in them and thus it is their nature to give!

3. HOW SHOULD WE GIVE? Giving is to be planned, consistent and systematic - as systematic as planning for our savings, joining the Christmas Club at the local bank, building an IRA, planning our vacation, our retirement, or our children’s education. Giving should be the #1 item in our budget.

Next week we will look at God’s standard for giving and what happens when we give. God bless.

In His love,

Pastor Charles Covington

2 Cor 9:6-8

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed

The heart-prompt to give is the Holy Spirit speaking to trust God for any and all provision of need…even to supply that which is given and shared with others in need. This should be a spiritual discipline to be learned and practiced in the infancy of faith, young or old, to set aside and give back to God in thanksgiving, worship, and service. We should be an example to others, not to boast or brag, but that the attitude of giving might be part of a true disciple, a trust in the Lord for all provision. There are more needs than we could possibly contribute toward…let us participate in those that the Lord puts on our heart, especially toward those of His children in need!

Pastor Dale