Covenant Church

I knew a man who said that people think too much. He suggested that people lighten up, hang loose, and let some things go.

He lightened up too much, did not think enough, fell off, and is out of ministry and out of fellowship with the Church.

Everyone thinks. The difference is what they think about. Paul talked to his friends about what to think about (Philippians 4:8). He qualified thinking that sustains the soul, refreshes the spirit, and allows a believer to lay his/her head on a pillow at night and be at peace with God and man.

In my thinking, I thought and thought. Then I sat down with Laila and said: “Laila, we are living a very privileged and blessed life. Neither of us takes any medicine. We are in good health. We are very active, very involved in ministry, and very excited about the future.”

I continued, “My thinking is that a year from now there will be changes in our family that will be dynamic. I cannot see all of those changes, but I am sure that a year from now our family will have newness that will be dynamically different from this present moment.”

“I am sure that a year from now Covenant Church will have experienced significant events that will strongly influence our congregation. I cannot define all those events, but my spirit confirms that God is working powerfully in our midst. He has set Covenant as a flagship. He has chosen us as a congregation to minister trans-culturally, trans-denominationally, and to be an integral part of reaching the world with the gospel of Christ.”

“Covenant has a mission at home in our community. Covenant has a mission that is as big as The Great Commission.”

“I am sure that the coming year will be one of the most significant times in the history of Covenant Church.”

“Laila,” I continued, “I am sure that one year from now our world will have experienced events and phenomenon so astounding that if we were to know today it would be difficult for our minds to comprehend.”

Finally, I concluded: “Sweetheart, what shall we say to all this? This is my conclusion. Whatever God is going to do, He will do. Our part is to do what we know to do where we are assigned. Though our hearts love Christ’s Church in all nations, our assignment is Covenant Church. Here we must give ourselves totally, unreservedly, and without thought of cost. This is our best offering to God.”

I love Laila. Her heart that has totally loved Jesus since age 5 is generous, compassionate, and willing. She accepted what I said. Not because I said it, but because she is a companion in the work of the Lord. She does not do for Jesus because she is a pastor’s wife, or because she is looked to as “First Lady” of Covenant Church. Her love for Jesus is from the inner-spring of her own heart, a personal decision, a willful choice. She needed no convincing.

I write to you with but a wall separating me and Executive Pastor McCready. He is young -- young enough to be my son. In fact, once I told him, “Robert, sometimes if I did not know better, I would think you are my son.” And Robert’s good wife, Nicole, she is older than her young years. She too has his heart for ministry. It is not the genetics that bind us, but the shared vision and burden to maximize results for Our Lord Jesus. Together we lead a staff like-minded in relation to the kingdom work.

I am thinking. I am thinking that if you have ever in all your life decided to totally and completely consecrate yourself to God, it is now. If ever you have thought about getting involved in the work of the Lord, it is now. If your thinking is the kind of thinking to keep up with these prophetic times, I suggest that you re-evaluate priorities and decide what things are worth dying for. Treat all other things as just stuff. Commit to those things that have eternal value.

Now, stop and think. God knows where you are. Jesus is Your Redeemer and Savior. Hell has no power greater than the power of the Cross and the Resurrection. Live victoriously. Think it through. The Holy Spirit is with you for victory! I think when you have thought upon these things you will be settled and be a champion for Jesus!

Thinking about you,
Pastor Bare

Philippians 4:8