Covington's Calvary

Steadfast in God’s Will

Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. John 6:15

READ John 6:5-15

The 1957 war movie The Bridge on the River Kwai was so popular that fans flocked to Kanchanaburi in Thailand to look for the real-life iron bridge. They found the bridge, but it wasn’t on the Kwai—the movie got the river’s name wrong! Soon, however, that part of the Mae Klong River was renamed Kwae Yai (Kwai) so it would align with people’s expectations.
Jesus never let the expectations of others cause Him to waver in His divine mission. People flocked to see Him because they heard of the signs and miracles He’d performed (John 6:2). When they found Him and believed that He was the promised Messiah, they wanted Him as a military leader so He’d save them from Roman rule. John says, “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself” (v. 15).
Despite the pressure to rescue people the way they wanted, Christ resolutely followed God’s plan to rescue them the way they needed to be rescued (Colossians 1:13)—not from earthly troubles but from the power of “sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
Jesus’ unwavering will to provide what we need is why we can trust Him in all circumstances. When God’s ways don’t seem to align with our expectations, we can be assured that His plan is always better—because He doesn’t waver in His will to save us.
By Jasmine Goh

REFLECT & PRAY
When have you felt that what God provided didn’t live up to your expectations? What helps you to trust Him?

Dear God, because You’re steadfast and unwavering in Your will to save, I know I can trust You to do what’s best.

And God Sent . . . Moths?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Matthew 6:26

READ Matthew 6:25-34

“AaaaAAAAHHHK!” my daughter shrieked. “DaaaaDDDYY! Get UP here!”
I knew what was wrong: a moth. Every spring, an armada of these dusty insects migrates from the plains of Nebraska to the mountains of Colorado, where they summer. Each year, we brace for their arrival. This year had been especially bad.
To humans, miller moths are unwanted pests that often fly right into your face. But to birds, well, it’s a feast. Doing a little research, I learned that the moths provide incredible nutrition for the region’s swallows. As annoying as they are, these moths are veritable “manna” for the birds.
I don’t know if Israel had moth migrations in Jesus’ day. But Christ took note of God’s provision for the birds there, saying in the Sermon on the Mount, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26).
So these days, I look at moths differently. Not as dirty pests but as winged reminders of God’s provision for His creation—and as a living metaphor for His provision for me too. If God provides so richly for the swallows, how much more does He care for me and for you?
By Adam R. Holz

REFLECT & PRAY
How do you see God’s provision for creation where you live? How might that serve as a reminder of His care for you too?

Father, the beauty of Your provision is ever on display. Thank You for the richness of Your creation. Please give me eyes to see Your handiwork, and let it remind me of Your goodness.

Jesus' Final Word to the Church (Rev. 22) We will be looking at this text in our worship service this morning. Hope you can join us live at 10:30am. Calvary Baptist Covington FB page.
God is good and worthy of our praise and worship!

One in Christ

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

READ Galatians 3:26-29

Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet, used biblical themes to persuade believers in Jesus to abolish slavery. Born around 1753 in western Africa, Wheatley was sold to a slave trader at only seven years of age. Qu**ky distinguishing herself as a remarkable student, she finally secured her emancipation in 1773. In her poems and correspondence, Wheatley pressed her readers to embrace the scriptural affirmation of the equality of all people. She wrote, “In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; It is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance; and . . . the same Principle lives in us.”
Equality before God is a truth emphasized by Paul when he wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Because we’re “all children of God through faith” (v. 26), differences such as race, ethnicity, gender, or social status shouldn’t lead to discrimination in the church.
Even as equal recipients of God’s love, we still struggle to live out this principle. But Scripture teaches that diverse peoples united through faith in Christ best reflect God’s heart and is His plan for life in eternity. That reality can help us to celebrate the diversity in our communities of faith now.
By Lisa M. Samra

REFLECT & PRAY
How does diversity better represent God? How can you celebrate diversity in Christ?

Dear Jesus, please help me love my brothers and sisters through the unity only made possible in You.

No Ordinary People

Remind them . . . to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:1-2 esv

READ Titus 3:1-11

The statement on the wall of my bank declares that its corporate principles could be summed up in a single word: courtesy. And how refreshing it was to find courtesy in the teller who helped me with my transaction there!
In a harsh and unkind world, to be driven by courtesy is a big idea. We find this concept in the apostle Paul’s letter to his friend Titus. He instructed Titus to remind his congregation “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2 esv). This idea of courtesy is also rendered as “peaceable and considerate” (niv) or “showing every consideration” (nasb).
How we treat others reveals whether we see them as image bearers of God or not. C. S. Lewis wrote of this in The Weight of Glory: “There are no ordinary people,” he said. “You have never talked to a mere mortal.” Lewis anticipated eternity, where we’ll either enjoy God’s presence or be banished from Him forever. So he reminds us, “It is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
May we allow the Spirit to enable us to treat those around as what they truly are—image bearers of God.
By Bill Crowder

REFLECT & PRAY
What effect does the absence of courtesy have on your interactions? How might you intentionally bring more courtesy into those interactions?

Dear God, it’s easy to get frustrated with people. Please give me a patient spirit and a heart of kindness that I might treat everyone with dignity and courtesy.

Clinging to God’s Promises

My ways [are] higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

READ Isaiah 55:1-3, 8-13

Wendy was feeling a little left out. During lunch break, her boss had left chocolates on everyone’s desks—except hers. Puzzled, she lamented to a friend, “Why did he leave me out?”
When asked, their boss explained: “Those chocolates are still good, but they’ve been around for some time. Wendy’s pregnant, so I just wanted to play it extra safe.” Then he laughed. “As for the rest of you . . . .”
The little incident became a running joke in the office, but it got me thinking about how we sometimes misread God’s intentions because of our limited understanding and perception. We may even believe ourselves to be victims of unfair treatment, forgetting that God always has our best interests at heart. Always.
Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that while we may not fully understand God’s thoughts and ways, we can be sure that they’re “higher than [our] ways” (v. 9). Ours are often influenced by selfish desires; His are perfect, compassionate, and righteous. So even when things don’t look good for now, we can trust that God will provide what we truly need (vv. 1-2), for He’s loving and faithful to His own everlasting promise (v. 3). Let’s “call on him while he is near” (v. 6), knowing that He’ll never leave us.
By Leslie Koh

REFLECT & PRAY
Which promises of God can you hold on to when life seems unfair? Which aspects of His character give you comfort and assurance?

Faithful God, You know I sometimes feel left out of Your blessings and doubt Your love for me. Please help me to trust in You and to hold on tightly to Your everlasting promises.

Changed by the Spirit

We . . . are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

READ 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

When Neil Douglas boarded his flight to Ireland, he discovered his seat was occupied by another passenger, so he began a conversation to sort out the discrepancy. When the passenger looked up to answer, Neil was face to face with his lookalike! Onlooking passengers laughed at the men’s resemblance while the two took a selfie. Later, they ran into each other again when checking into the same hotel and a third time at a local pub. The next morning, they discovered their selfie had gone viral on social media due to their striking facial similarities.
Bearing a resemblance to another human being is a surprise for those of us without a biological twin, but the Bible says we’ll begin to look more like God as we follow Him. In the Old Testament, Moses’ countenance was changed by his face-to-face encounter with God—so much so that “the Israelites could not look steadily at [his face] because of its glory” (2 Corinthians 3:7; see Exodus 34:33-35).
Today, we see the glory of Jesus revealed in people who “are being transformed into his image” through the ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18; see v. 8). Our growing knowledge of and love for God results in moral and spiritual transformation that’s visible both inwardly and outwardly. When God “makes over” our hearts and minds, it’s evident to our fellow travelers in this journey of life.
By Kirsten Holmberg

REFLECT & PRAY
How has knowing Jesus changed you? What is He growing in you today?
Thank You, God, for continuing to transform me into Your likeness.

Hopeless Cases

Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; . . . the Lord has redeemed Jacob. Isaiah 44:23

READ Isaiah 44:21-25

The situation looked hopeless for Amy and Alan’s infant daughter Jem. Born with a condition called trisomy-18, she was expected to die within days or weeks. “There’s no point in treating her,” the doctor said coldly. But her mother said, “I have bigger dreams for her.” They took Jem home and loved her. And they prayed.
Six years later, Jem needed surgery to remove a large tumor that had been found. Then—the same doctor walked in. “I know what you’re thinking,” he said, “but I’m asking you for a second chance.” He admitted he’d been wrong about Jem. “I’d like a chance at redemption,” he said. Amy and Alan might have said no. But they understood the power of God’s forgiveness.
The Old Testament prophets often carried a message of God’s judgment. But woven throughout that message is the irrepressible theme of God’s love, forgiveness, and redemption. Isaiah pointed out Judah’s sins (44:6-20) but suddenly shifted focus. Speaking God’s words, he said, “Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (v. 22). God’s character wouldn’t permit Him to abandon His people. “I have made you,” He said, “I will not forget you” (v. 21). The conclusion: “Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; . . . the Lord has redeemed Jacob” (v. 23).
Jem’s surgery found no tumor. “A miracle!” said the doctor. The power of prayer. The power of our redeeming God.
By Tim Gustafson

REFLECT & PRAY
What “hopeless” cases do you know of? How have you seen God’s redemption at work in your life?

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who asks me to return to You.