PASTOR’S PONDERINGS DECEMBER 2025

Pastor’s Ponderings –

I heard an interesting story from a friend of mine not so long ago, and it goes like this.

At one point in his life, Matthew Henry, (known for his Bible Commentary), was robbed.  In the shadows of a dark street, he was backed up to a wall and ordered to hand over his money.  Known for his gratitude in all things, he wrote the following in his diary that night: “I am thankful that during all these many years, I have never been robbed until now.  Also, even though they took my money, they did not take my life.  And although they took all that I had, it was not much.  Finally, I am grateful that it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

I am told that the word “thank” actually comes from the word “think”.  If we are thinking the way we should be, thinking leads to thanking.

As a Christian, do you ever wonder what is expected of you?  We many times hear the question, “What do you want from me?”  What does GOD want from us?  Let’s spend some time today in the Word, specifically in the book of Colossians…because God’s Word is always so good at explaining to us what God expects of us as His children.

Colossians 2:6-7 tells us, “So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Colossians 3:1-2 instructs us, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on the things above, not on earthly things.”  Verse 5 reminds us to, “Put to death, therefore, what belongs to your earthly nature.”

Colossians 3:12-17, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Paul makes it pretty clear, and easy to understand what God asks of us.  But why so many references and reminders to being thankful?  Well, let’s look at the fact of how good we have it in Christ.  Let’s consider how much we have been given.  We have so much to be thankful for because of all that Jesus has done for us.  I don’t care about what you have or don’t have on this earth.  Whether the lack, or the plenty, none of it compares to the riches that you have been given in Christ.  And because of what you’ve been given, consider the things that you will never have to face, because your life is hidden in Him.

Colossians 2:13-15 points this out to us with such clarity, “When you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive in Christ.  He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

At all times of the year, but specifically at Thanksgiving time and during the Christmas season we ought to be so very thankful, having hearts full of gratitude for all that we’ve been given.  Sadly, too many people spend so much time and energy worrying about things that won’t last for eternity.  It’s not going to matter, and yet they give it so much time and energy.

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

“She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).  Matthew 1:21-22

What a blessing, what a gift, what an immense abundance.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Praise the Lord!

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Steve