Covenant Church

When I was a child, older persons used to share that the Sand Man came by at night to put stuff in your eyes to make you sleep. The Sand Man did a poor job this night. Sleep left after three hours. It is only One AM.

I am wide awake. In the quietness of the night I slipped out of bed to the computer. My heart is full of care...not care for the things of this world...care for others...care for the work of the Lord...care for lost souls...care for lonely, hurting, wounded people...care for those who are yearning, longing, desiring to be closer to the Lord and to be more involved in fulfilling their mission for Jesus...

There is a heavy side of the caring. Today Tom Bouch will listen to doctors about their recommendations for treatment and his hopes for life. Tom has been an excellent and devoted member of Covenant's Building Committee.

Ron Dickinson has astonished doctors by living more than three years past their expectations. But now the clock seems to be catching up with him.

Preston Morris, Janice Morris-Horn's brother and the son of Lorraine Williams, has surpassed doctors' expectations and faces challenges.

Kathy and Jerry Steele served on Covenant's pastoral staff nine years. They now pastor Markleysburg New Covenant Church, Markleysburg, PA. Kathy just yesterday received news from her medical team that treatment is not an option.

I cannot sleep. My heart is constrained. Precious people who so deeply love the Lord are challenged. They have dreams, families, hopes, and ambitions to do noble deeds for Our Lord and His Church. Yet, their living is reduced to daily cares limited by physical abilities. When Laila and I first assumed responsibility to pastor a church at age 27, it seemed to us that with time the task would surely be easier. Instead the Lord has helped us to see that the need for His grace increases. Daily He loads us with "benefits" (Psalm 103:2). Daily there is the need to remember that the "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). Daily the Holy Spirit reminds us that the Church belongs to Jesus, not us.

As 2007 came to an end, a spiritual hunger grew. "What does the Holy Spirit want to do at Covenant Church in 2008," I asked in prayer. Our times are challenged. Wars, politics, food and gasoline prices, fear...II Timothy 3 times...YET....What is Covenant Church's responsibility?

The answer came: It is a Year of Harvest. This is not a prosperity message of how God wants to fill every purse with hundred dollar bills. This is not a feel-good, God wants you to sow a $1,000 seed so you can be blessed message. This is a Year of Harvest of souls coming to Jesus.

A Year Of Harvest banner was designed, printed, and hangs outside the worship entrance. That is the simple part. The more difficult part is to develop a strategy/paradigm that engages every willing heart to become involved in ministry.

The Pastoral Staff is in a season of improving their team-leading skills. The Elders regularly discuss how we may keep our faces and hearts pure and undefiled before God to promote a season of revival.

Teams are engaging in planning. The Discipleship Committee is working on Bible studies to provide spiritual firepower for every person willing to go, tell, and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

Churches can die. Churches do die. We have the choice of deciding whether Covenant Church will be a life-giving church. We will decide by our actions whether "church" will be self-serving, or whether we will serve the Church.

Before the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus the Disciples wanted the Church to serve them. The Day of Pentecost came (Acts 2) and the Disciples laid down their lives to serve the Church.

Peter and John, when called to court because of doing the work of the Lord, said: "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).

Peter and John rejoined other believers after their release. The saints prayed: "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus" (Acts 4:29,30).

Verse 31 is significant. After they had prayed, "the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

Yes, I am awake because there are people I love who are physically challenged. But that is not all. I am awake because the clock is ticking. I am awake because all of us have an appointment with destiny...DEATH. I am awake because good health, food, clothes, shelter, and having Jesus as Savior is a compelling interest...absorbing...total...not a fiber in our being can be reserved for SELF. Away Self. Be crucified. Self take up Your Cross. Self, follow Jesus...the only path to life.

I am awake because the time will come when things of this world will pass away. Every person who has ever lived will bow before Jesus and give an account of deeds done in the flesh. Only what is done for and in the Name of Christ will last.

Christ died that we might have life. To have life we must die to self for Christ. The greatest joy, the highest thrill, the most wonderful peace is only found in submission to be servants. Joining with others to serve the Lord is the most fulfilling mission on planet earth.

My Friend, night will come when no man can work. Be sure that while it is day, while you have health and opportunity, you serve the Lord with all your heart. When you kneel before the Lord on that Great Day to give an account, He will not ask whether you bunjee jumped the high bridge in West Virginia, traveled the world, visited the finest places of entertainment, or ate at the most exquisite restaurants.

Proverbs 11:30b is the clue to the right answer to give on that Great Day: "He that winneth souls is wise."

Consider. Be wise. Put your hands to the work of the Lord and do not look back to the cheap and beggarly things of this world. Lay up treasures in Heaven where they will be safe for eternity.

One more thing. Will you pray for me? Pray for my family. Pray that we as a family will serve Our Lord well. Pray that we will never fail Our Lord. Pray that we may win souls, make disciples, and encourage brothers and sisters.

Thank you,

Much love...still waiting on the Sand Man to return...

Pastor Bare

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).