Pastor’s Column 11/23/2025

PASTOR’S COLUMN

⁶ “ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7,NLT                                                  ​           ​                                                                                                    

“Thankful Then and Now!”

As rapidly as things are changing, it is easy for our memories to quickly dissipate.  Because we are consumed by changes that leave little room for reflection; the memory of what was slowly evaporates. For one thing we live in an era where techno-digital systems direct us in our daily routines. Those systems are inherently designed to assist us in engaging in a world much different than it was for previous  generations. In addressing the gifted and resourceful Church in ancient Corinth, the Apostle Paul was on to something valid when he said, “The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.” (1 Corinthians 3;19, NKJV). He meant as resourcefulas humans are, anything we create to accommodate our lives and thoughts, are pale in comparison to the wisdom and guidance God gives us. The panic and worry of so many, Paul told the Christians in Philippi, is largely due to allowing their present circumstance to eclipse what God had done for them in other times. The Apostle’s confidence comes at a time he is in prison or house arrest. He’s possibly close to the end of  his life. Perhaps in those dreadful moments, Paul found peacein reflecting on being “thankful” for what God had previously done for Him. This sincere gratitude gave him assurance that he could “ pray to  God for everything.”We should all pray that the Holy Spirit will fill us with spiritual wisdom, which comes from God – and not from what is so convenient and immediate in this world. Our urgent task is to thank God for all He does, and to trust Him for all we need. Within the vast sweep of time there will always be change, but God remains as our present help in all times. The Scripture assures us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!” Let’s be thankful!!