PASTOR’S PONDERINGS FEBRUARY 2026

Pastor’s Ponderings –

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were

unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note

that these men had been with Jesus.”

Acts 4:13

Look at what being with Jesus had done for Peter and John.  Just a few short months earlier, Peter stood in the courtyard of the high priest;  referencing John 18:15-16.  He denied that he knew Jesus three times while he was in the courtyard.  The names Annas and Caiaphas are mentioned in John 18:24.  Now notice in Acts 4:6, again Annas and Caiaphas are mentioned as

among those questioning Peter and John.  Annas and Caiaphas had played significant roles in Jesus’ trial.  Now they stand frustrated at these followers of Jesus who were just as persistent and who promised to be just as troublesome as Jesus had been.  What a change from, “I never knew Him,” to “and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul talks about considering all things lost compared to knowing Christ.  He considered it far more valuable to have the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord, than to have stuff, or to have a comfortable life.  It was a far greater thing to have the righteousness of Christ, and be completely united with Him.  In verse 9, Paul declares the absolute necessity of being found in Christ.

Peter and John are declaring this as well in Acts 4:18-20 as we read, “So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered them: ‘You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight, to obey you or to obey God.  For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.”

May our lives show forth as to prove that we have been with Jesus.  And that we can be found in Him.  If we are not found by God in Christ, how will people know that we have been with Jesus.  “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14.

Press on dear friends,

Pastor Steve