Podcasts about wonderful counselor

Daily Dose of Hope May 20, 2025 Day 2 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 2   Prayer:  Dear God, You are amazing!  How awesome it is that you who created all things are also so intimately involved in our lives.  We give you glory and praise for who you are.  We are so thankful for your love.  We want to know you more.  We want and need to hear your voice.  Help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...  In Your Name, Amen. Welcome back, friends, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a devotional and podcast connected to the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, FL.  Today, we are digging into Matthew 2.  This is pretty familiar Scripture to many of us.  Let's try to see it with fresh eyes. The text begins with foreign Magi visiting King Herod.  These men are an interesting and mysterious group. We don't really know much about the magi who come seeking Jesus from eastern lands.  Some translations call them wise men or kings.  Matthew doesn't include a lot of details.  We have no idea how many there actually were (despite the popular carol, Scripture does not say there were just three of them).  Like the shepherds, the magi seem an unlikely group to seek out and worship Jesus. They were pagans, gentiles, involved in the occult, and yet they knew there was something more.  They were searching for something more.  So these magi embark on a long journey, carrying expensive gifts worthy of a king, eager to pay homage. Their efforts lead them to an encounter far beyond their expectations. Unlike an earthly king who would have been found in a palace, the magi are led to what we can probably assume is a modest home of a Jewish family and it's there that they find Jesus with his mother and Scripture says they bow down and worship him.  Maybe it wasn't what they expected but they see God's hand in it nonetheless and worship the one they know to be the Messiah, the savior of the world.  They were outsiders but they recognized the Messiah when so many insiders failed to do so. Up until now, it all sounds great, right?  But there is another character in this story.  His name is Herod the Great. The Herod family ruled over the holy land both before and after the time of Christ, they were somewhat like puppet kings, put in place by the Romans to keep order.  And they don't have a great reputation at all.  They were, for the most part, insecure and power-hungry. One reason I don't think it's accurate to refer to the magi as wise men is because they did one thing that was really unwise.  They go straight to King Herod, “So where is the NEW king? Where is the one who has been named king of the Jews?”  Keep in mind, Herod the Great considered himself to be king of the Jews.  The man is insecure and vicious so he tries to trick the magi into divulging Jesus' location.  But no amount of earthly power can get Herod what he wants.  The magi are warned in a dream to not return to Herod.  And this angers him more.  Herod was both feared and hated. The Jewish historian Josephus painted a picture of Herod as a suspicious and cruel client king, with a history of killing anyone whom he saw as a threat, including three sons and his wife. So even though the magi remind Herod of Micah's prophecy that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), his response was not to pay homage but to destroy the newborn king.  In Matthew 2:16, we read that Herod decides to take matters into his own hands and kill all the baby boys who might be in the age range of Jesus, When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.  Truly dark and horrific.  The extent to which human beings will go to gain power surely demonstrates the brokenness of our world.  Then and now.  But through all of this, Jesus is saved.  The baby's family is warned in a dream and they head down to Egypt for a period of time to keep the boy safe from Herod before they come back to Israel and settle in Nazareth.  Because God's purposes will prevail.  God had promised long, long ago to send a Savior for his people and there is nothing that could get in the way.  Listen to this prophecy from in Isaiah 9:6-7, spoken 700 years before the birth of Jesus, 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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.  It's like God was saying “I'm going to send someone who will restore the people of Israel to me.  This person will be a light to the Gentiles, and will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth AND it will be obvious once more that your God reigns.”  No power-hungry king could mess that up as hard as he tried.  No earthly power could thwart God's plan of redemption for his people.  It's true that bad things to happen.  God allows human beings free will and that is too often used for evil.  But that doesn't mean God isn't involved, it doesn't mean he isn't invested, God can and has orchestrated, changed, and/or stopped the plans of all kinds of people to get done what needs to get done.  God has been working, in his time, over the course of thousands of years, to achieve his bigger purpose. And what was the bigger purpose?  God's mission from the beginning was to redeem his world.  He did this through Jesus.  That little baby that the wise men knelt down and worshiped, that child that Herod felt so threatened by --- that child would grow to become the Savior of the world.  He would bring sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed, he would proclaim good news to the poor.  He would preach the Kingdom of God and show the world a different way of living, ultimately giving up his own life voluntarily on a Roman cross.  In doing so, he became the final sacrifice for sin, providing a way for you and me and all people to be redeemed.  Because of Jesus' sacrifice, our sins can be forgiven and we can walk hand in hand with a holy God.  Because of Jesus, nothing separates us from God.  And then, three days after he died, he was resurrected, defeating evil and death and demonstrating to the world who HE is.  He is, after all, God.  Jesus is the Lord. Jesus is LORD of all.  Paul writes this in Colossians 1:15-20, The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  Jesus is above all things.  Jesus is Lord. And over the course of 2000 years, rulers and kings and dictators and autocrats have tried to wipe out his influence.  They have misused his teachings, they have twisted the Gospel.  Like Herod, they have done all kinds of things to either try to eliminate the influence of Jesus or to use the Gospel for their own deceitful purposes.  And at times, it's been ugly and violent and really sad.  But this is TRUTH:  God will ensure that his purposes prevail.  Yes, in our sinful and broken world, all kinds of horrors will occur.  Vladimir Putin will think he's invincible.  Kim Jong Un will declare himself supreme ruler.  American politicians will think themselves unshakable.  You and I will experience heartbreak, loss, and illness.  And yet, Jesus is still Lord of all.  God is still working in our lives, God is still present with us in the middle of the mess, and Jesus is still in the business of transforming lives.  Friends, Jesus is on the throne, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The rulers of the world may oppose him but they are ultimately answerable to him.  Because he will come again. I'll stop there for now.  But I do have to ask this question:  Is Jesus Lord of your life?  More tomorrow. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Text: Prov 24:5-7 ESV5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.-Prov 24:5-7 ESV WISDOM IS POWERWisdom and knowledge make a man powerful. There is an allusion to engaging a war (Prov 24:6), Is not life a war? "Work smarter, not harder" is the key. A person can accomplish much more through wisdom and careful thinking, as compared to just brute force or effort. A wise person is better equipped to make decisions (Prov 3:21–23). Likewise, the one who solicits the wisdom of many people is more likely to find a workable solution to their problem (Prov 15:22). No Christian is alone in this warfare. Our captain is Christ, the "Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6). He is always with each believer, and the Holy Spirit, "another Helper," is alongside with us. (John 14:16). Furthermore, the Lord has gifted the church with teaching pastors to help build us up in the faith (Eph 4:11–12).Christians are endowed with God's wisdom available by asking. Paul says, "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might" (Col 1:9–11). The child of God does not rely on his own strength to gain victory over temptation and to triumph over trials, does he? He trusts the Lord for strength. The psalmist asks, "From where does my help come?" (Psa 121:1). He answers himself by saying, "My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121: 2).Solomon notes that wisdom is "too high" for the fool. This is equivalent to the idiomatic expression, that is, "it went over their head." Generally, in the Scriptures, the term "fool" is not about a person's intellect. Being "foolish" is quite different from being "dim-witted" or "slow." Instead, foolishness is primarily a matter of attitude. The "fool" is one who rejects or ignores godly wisdom in favor of their own preferences (Prov 13:1, 16; 18:2). Arrogance and stubbornness are more prevalent in the fool than a simple lack of intelligence. Those persons labelled "unreachable" due to egoism, bias, or sin cannot attain true wisdom, which requires humility (Prov 12:15; 14:12). Interestingly, they will be silent at the ‘city gate', the place where legal matters are discussed. At worst, of course, the fools might speak anyway and fully reveal his condition (Prov 10:19; 17:28; 29:20).-------------------------Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Finding Jesus in Unexpected Places // The Human Womb Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)“Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (God with us)” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)“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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Colossians 2:9 (NIV)“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” Colossians 1:15-22 (NIV)“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Isaiah 40:12,15 (NLT)“Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? … For all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand.” John 1:1-4 (NLT)“In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”     Luke 1:30-39 (NIV)“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacobʼs descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.' ‘How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.' ‘I am the Lordʼs servant,” Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.” Luke 1:41-42 (NIV)“When Elizabeth heard Maryʼs greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!'” Luke 1:44-45 (NIV)“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God's gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”  John 1:14 (NIV)The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (MSG)“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son.” John 1:9-11 (NIV)“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” 

Mother's Day | May 11, 2025Jen Morris ✓  WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE SUPERNATURAL.Luke 23:44-46 (AMP) “It was now about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), because the sun was obscured; and the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two [from top to bottom]. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last.”✓  THE GREATEST PLACE TO BE IS IN HIS PRESENCE!In His Presence: There is PEACEJohn 14:27 (AMP) Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]In His Presence: There is RESTMatthew 11:28 (GNT) “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. In His Presence: There is HEALING & FREEDOMIsaiah 9:6 (GNT) A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace.”In His Presence: You can see the SUPERNATURALIn His Presence: There is JOYPsalms 16:11 (ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.In His Presence: WE UNDERSTAND HIS WORDIn His Presence: WE ARE LESS LIKE US & MORE LIKE HIMIn His Presence: WE SEE A VICTORYHOW DO WE GET IN GOD'S PRESENCE?1. We POSITION ourselves in His Presence.Psalms 139: 23-24 (NIV) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.2. We stay PLANTED in His Presence.Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV) This is what the Lord says:“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,    who draws strength from mere flesh    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;    they will not see prosperity when it comes.They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,    in a salt land where no one lives.“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,    whose confidence is in him.They will be like a tree planted by the water    that sends out its roots by the stream.It does not fear when heat comes;    its leaves are always green.It has no worries in a year of droughtand never fails to bear fruit.”3. We PRAISE in His Presence.Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV) “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,Because the Lord has anointed MeTo preach good tidings to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,And the day of vengeance of our God;To comfort all who mourn,To console those who mourn in Zion,To give them beauty for ashes,The oil of joy for mourning,The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;That they may be called trees of righteousness,The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

As we draw near to the end of Jonah's story, He's been a first-hand witness to God doing unbelievable miracles AND ministry to reform a whole society far from God, yet we still find a storm raging… not on the sea, but in Jonah's own heart. The story of Jonah leaves us with a cliff-hanger: Does Jonah ever change? Here we find yet another example in the Word of what we all need for true transformation: a therapy session with the Wonderful Counselor. To support this ministry, visit www.waynesborofm.com/give  

Come, let's reason together.  That's the compassionate invitation from our Lord to safely share all our sins and struggles with Him.  He will show us the truth about our circumstances and, through that truth, empower us to live lives that honor Him.

In this episode of Pray the Word on Isaiah 28:29, David Platt calls us to depend on God as our perfect and all-wise Counselor.Explore more content from Radical.

Series: N/AService: Sun First SermonType: SermonSpeaker: David Norfleet

Pastor Tony's message, “Who Is This Man?”, centered on the identity, purpose, and power of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Matthew 1:21, he reminded us that Jesus came with a clear mission—to save His people from their sins. Through the joyful cries of the crowd in John 12 and the prophetic words of Isaiah 9, we see Jesus not only as a King but as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. Pastor Tony emphasized three key themes: Mission, Mercy, and Miracles, showing that Jesus fulfilled His divine purpose with compassion and power. Ultimately, in John 19, Jesus declared “It is finished,” completing His mission of redemption and sealing our hope through His sacrifice.

Pastor Tony's message, “Who Is This Man?”, centered on the identity, purpose, and power of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Matthew 1:21, he reminded us that Jesus came with a clear mission—to save His people from their sins. Through the joyful cries of the crowd in John 12 and the prophetic words of Isaiah 9, we see Jesus not only as a King but as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. Pastor Tony emphasized three key themes: Mission, Mercy, and Miracles, showing that Jesus fulfilled His divine purpose with compassion and power. Ultimately, in John 19, Jesus declared “It is finished,” completing His mission of redemption and sealing our hope through His sacrifice.

CrossWay Church - Queen City, Texas

CrossWay Church - Queen City, Texas

Christus Victor: Victory in JesusColossians EphesiansMarch 9th. 2025Atonement (At-One-Ment) is a theological term used to describe the reconciliation between God and Creation. The Agent of At-One-Ment was life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Motive for the At-One-Ment was love. John 3:16-17 (NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish (die) but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The Objective of the At-One-Ment was to destroy the works of Satan. 1 John 3:8b “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.” Christus VictorAn element of the atoning work of Christ that emphasizes the triumph of Christ over the evil powers of the world, through which he rescues his people and establishes a new relationship between God and the world. Gospel ProjectIsaiah 9:6-7 (NIV) 6 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. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. John 10:9-11 (NIV) 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Satan's Same 3 Tactics Temptation. Deception. Distortion. Satan's Same 2 Lies God is not enough. You are not enough.The Work of Christus VictorColossians 2:6-15 (NIV) 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self, ruled by the flesh, was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 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. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. “What you believe about God is the most important thing about you.” A.W. TozerJames 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.“No one is born a gladiator. No one is born with an inner citadel. If we are going to succeed in achieving our goals despite the obstacles that may come, this strength must be built.” Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph, pg. 137 How do you build overcoming spiritual strength?Cultivate an appetite for Jesus. Build a Spiritual Team. Foster a heart of Worship.

Video available of this episode! Follow this link: https://youtube.com/live/uozruwJ8R9g?feature=shareWe love to quote this at Christmastime about the baby Jesus:Isaiah 9:6-76 For to us a child is born,     to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,     and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of his government and of peace     there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom,     to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness     from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.What many don't realize is that only the first seven words of verse 6 pertained to Christmas: “for to us a child is born…” Then there was a 33-year gap, followed by the next six words: “to us a son is given;”And after those words has been a gap 2,000 years and counting.The government has not been placed upon His shoulders yet. But when it is: what will it be like? That's what we'll be discussing today on the Cross References podcast.If you want to get in touch with me, send an email to crossreferencespodcast@gmail.comIf you're looking for a detailed Ezekiel Bible study, cross-referenced with supporting scripture, this podcast will provide an in-depth look at the prophets of the Bible, with clear Bible prophecy explained. We explore Ezekiel's visions and other Old Testament Bible study topics through careful Bible exegesis to help you in understanding the Book of Ezekiel in a deeper way. I'm glad you're here, and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode!

Response: It is true that Isaiah 9:6 says that Jesus' name will be called “Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father,” etc. What it does not say is that Jesus is the Everlasting Father. As God, He obviously has the characteristics of God. Simply put, Jesus being part of the godhead has the attributes of God. This includes everlasting or “eternal life.”Micah 5:2 agrees with this: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”It has been asked why if Jesus' name is “Everlasting Father,” then why don't we call Jesus “Everlasting Father”? Or why not call him “Wonderful Counselor” or “Mighty God” or “Prince of Peace”? Isaiah 9:6 speaks of a “name,” and there are four characteristics associated with that name. Again, this reveals it is the characteristics of the coming Messiah that is in view here. The fact that the Messiah is God is shown in Hebrews 1:3 when it says, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high….” Why shouldn't the Lord subsequently say, “…He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” (Jn 14:9)? Jesus is the “express image” of God the Father as His prophesied name establishes.

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What I mean by the statement, All dogs go to heaven, is really a question I have been asked numerous times by both young and old: Will my pet go to heaven when it dies? I want to do my best to answer that question, but I want you to know that my answer will also address a much broader question related to what Gods ultimate plan is for his creation. We know what His plan is for humanity, but do you know if Gods plan of redemption includes animals? Let me begin by stating some things that could not be any clearer from the Bible and then we will dive into Psalm 8. So, here is what I know beyond a shadow of a doubt: The Bible assures us that God is the giver of every good thing (James 1:17); what this means is that God is not the taker of every good thing. When Nathan was five years old, we got him a kitten because we believed that he would enjoy having a cat. You have given gifts to your children out of your love for them as well. Here is what Jesus said about what we do for our children: If you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:1011)! God is so good that there is no room for improvement for Him to be better. I already mentioned James 1:17 but listen to what the verse actually states: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In Psalm 106, we are told to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy is everlasting (v. 1). According to Psalm 145, God is righteous in all His ways, and kind in all His works (v. 17). Because there is no room for improvement, God is not trying to get it right in the way He exercises His goodness. However, we live in a reality where the curse of sin is inseparable from our human experience and sorrow and sighing are like the compounds that come out of the curse that suck the joy out of life. You may even feel like Bruce from the movie Bruce Almighty in the way he described God: God is a mean kid sitting on an anthill with a magnifying glass, and I'm the ant. He could fix my life in five minutes if He wanted to, but he'd rather tear off my feelers and watch me squirm. So, lets walk through Psalm 8 together with the hope that there is enough in these verses to help us gain a fuller appreciation of what God is doing with this sin-cursed world. A Good God Created a Grand Creation I love the way the Bible begins: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters (Gen. 1:12). The earth was a formless and desolate emptiness until God spoke. He did not speak out of any need, for He was perfectly content within the fellowship of Himself in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God was not lonely or bored, nor was He obligated to speak and create. No, God created because He wanted to, and He wanted to create because He was motivated by love. Out of love, God desired to share that which nothing else could top or compare, which was Himself. God was motivated by love to share Himself with us. Our solar system is estimated to be about 12 trillion miles wide. The diameter of our sun is estimated to be 109 times the size of our earth, and if you were to drive from the Sun to Pluto, it would take an estimated 6,000 years to complete the trip. If that were not enough, you should know that our galaxy, the Milky Way, contains thousands of solar systems like ours. On our little planet, in our vast galaxy, lives just over 8 billion people. The renown astronomer, Carl Sagan, died believing that there was no compelling evidence for the existence of a Judeo-Christian-Islamic God, and said of our earth and the universe: If we are alone in the Universe, it sure seems like an awful waste of space. David, in Psalm 8, answers Carl Sagans question, and if only Sagan could have opened his eyes to see what David saw: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, You who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! If you are wondering if the universe is too big if life on earth is all there is, the answer is a resounding NO! The universe is the size that it is because it is testifying to the majesty and splendor of the One who spoke all of it into existence. The God who spoke all things into existence out of the overflow of His love and goodness is not only knowable but created us with purpose! A Grand God Created Mankind in His Image with Purpose There is only one creature of all the creatures created that was created in the image of God, and that creature is all of humanity. On the sixth day, after God created the animal kingdom and everything else, He created Adam and Eve: Then God said, Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth (Gen. 1:26). To Adam and Eve, God gave them the responsibility to manage His creation as His image bearers. Humans were commissioned and commanded to care for creation and at the same time add to creation by filling the earth with humans like themselves. We are not a part of the animal kingdom; we stand above the animal kingdom as stewards of what Almighty God created! King David marveled over this magnificent reality in his psalm: When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place; what is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him (Ps. 8:34)? David does not stop there, for what he says in the following verses ought to be enough to answer what place your pet has in the universe: You have him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put everything under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the animals of the field, The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas (vv. 68). Adam and Eve were commanded to manage the Garden, to be fruitful and multiply, and not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As you know, they ate the forbidden fruit from that one tree, and by eating the fruit they brought a curse upon Gods creation. As a result, all of creation was cursed as the Scriptures testify: Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned... (Rom. 5:12). There is only one creature who bears the image of God, and that creature is mankind. As image bearers of the living God, we were created to live forever. There is a part of us that lives on after death known as our soul which is also referred to as our spirit (not to be confused with the Holy Spirit).[1] Unlike the rest of creation, humans have a soul that only God is able to destroy. So, when it comes to death, our soul lives on even after our body dies, but death for the Christian is not the end as we are assured from the Bible: For we know that if our earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed, in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked. For indeed, we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. (2 Cor. 5:14) So, when your pet dies, there is no immaterial part of them that lives on because they do not bare the image of God and therefore do not have a soul. What this means is that when your pet does eventually die, regardless of the behavior, there is no eternal punishment or eternal life waiting for them... they simply cease to exist. The only creature that is born and lives in active rebellion towards God are humans. Unlike the animal kingdom, sin is now a part of our nature. A Good and Gracious God Has Provided Redemption Through a Second and Perfect Adam Now, remember what I said at the beginning of my sermon: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights... (Jas. 1:17). God is a good God who is the giver of every good thing, not the taker of every good thing! After Adam and Eve sinned, they were promised a Descendant who would reverse the curse of sin. A second and more perfect Adam was promised who would come to reverse the curse of sin: For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:17). The second and more perfect Adam was also promised to David who wrote Psalm 8! God assured David, When your days are finished and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Sam. 7:1213). What will this second and more perfect Adam do? According to Jeremiah 23:5-6, He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.... Oh, and the Name by which the Son of David will also be called will be, The Lord Our Righteousness. In Isaiah we are promised that when He reigns as King, He will judge between the nations, and will mediate for many peoples; and they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not lift up a sword against nation, and never again will they learn war (Isa. 2:4). The second Adam would, be born of a virgin as fully human and fully diving: ...a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. When the second Adam comes to reign as King, His reign will bring the kind of peace only God is capable of restoring: ...the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and fattened steer will be together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.... They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isa. 11:6-7, 9) When it was announced by the angels to the shepherds that the promised King was born, it was declared to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). Jesus, as the second and better Adam, humbled Himself by, taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.... He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross (Phil. 2:7-8). He was born to live the perfect life we could not live to die the death we all deserved. There is only One who is qualified to reverse the curse of sin, and it was and is Jesus! In Revelation 21:5, we are told that through His death and triumphant victory over death, that He is making all things new! This is what we all want and what all of creation is longing for! We long for a day without the dark cloud of the curse of sin. This is why Paul wrote, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Rom. 8:18-21) When Jesus entered into Jerusalem the week before He was to be crucified for the sins of mankind, the children in the temple area shouted something that irritated the chief priests and scribes. As Jesus entered into Jerusalem, the children shouted: Hosanna to the Son of David! (see Matt. 21:15-16). The chief priests and scribes said to Jesus, Do you hear what these children are saying? What were the children saying? They were celebrating the promised second Adam, the righteous Branch of David, and the One who is to be called The Lord our Righteousness (see Jer. 23:5-6). Guess how Jesus answered the irritated religious leaders who were concerned about what the children were saying? He answered them by quoting Psalm 8:2, here is what He said: Yes. Have you never read [chief priests and scribes], From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself? Do you realize what Jesus said to the chief priests and scribes? He was essentially saying that although Adam made a mess of creation through his sin in the Garden, there was a Son of Man who was made a little lower than the angels and God when He willingly took on human flesh to become fully human while remaining fully God at the same time! Jesus did this for the purpose of redeeming mankind through His cross for our sins, and by doing so, made redemption possible for all creation, and this is the point of Psalm 5, Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! Do you hear Philippians 2 in Psalm 8? And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:8-11) Now, against the backdrop of Philippians 2:8-11, listen what Psalm 8:7-8 promises: You have him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put everything under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the animals of the field, The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. All of creation, including your pets, are eagerly awaiting for the completion of our redemption because when it happens to us, creation will enjoy the good and faithful reign of the second Adam over them as well, and when He comes to do that, He will make all things new and it is what He will restore that all of creation is longing for: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, Write, for these words are faithful and true. On the Day Revelation 21 becomes our reality, all that was lost, will be restored and it will be even better than the Eden the first Adam lost! I am not sure if that means He will restore and make new your pet that was lost to the curse, but I do know that it will be better! The glory we will be crowned with will be the glory of King Jesus when, There will no longer be any curse... (Rev. 22:3). We will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away (Isa. 51:11)! The great hope of our future is not who is in office as our president, but the King who is coming to restore all that was lost through the first Adam. Christian, because you belong to the second Adam, you can declare with David: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! [1] Soul and spirit are used synonymously in the Bible (e.g. Acts 7:54-60; Matt. 10:28).

What I mean by the statement, All dogs go to heaven, is really a question I have been asked numerous times by both young and old: Will my pet go to heaven when it dies? I want to do my best to answer that question, but I want you to know that my answer will also address a much broader question related to what Gods ultimate plan is for his creation. We know what His plan is for humanity, but do you know if Gods plan of redemption includes animals? Let me begin by stating some things that could not be any clearer from the Bible and then we will dive into Psalm 8. So, here is what I know beyond a shadow of a doubt: The Bible assures us that God is the giver of every good thing (James 1:17); what this means is that God is not the taker of every good thing. When Nathan was five years old, we got him a kitten because we believed that he would enjoy having a cat. You have given gifts to your children out of your love for them as well. Here is what Jesus said about what we do for our children: If you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:1011)! God is so good that there is no room for improvement for Him to be better. I already mentioned James 1:17 but listen to what the verse actually states: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In Psalm 106, we are told to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy is everlasting (v. 1). According to Psalm 145, God is righteous in all His ways, and kind in all His works (v. 17). Because there is no room for improvement, God is not trying to get it right in the way He exercises His goodness. However, we live in a reality where the curse of sin is inseparable from our human experience and sorrow and sighing are like the compounds that come out of the curse that suck the joy out of life. You may even feel like Bruce from the movie Bruce Almighty in the way he described God: God is a mean kid sitting on an anthill with a magnifying glass, and I'm the ant. He could fix my life in five minutes if He wanted to, but he'd rather tear off my feelers and watch me squirm. So, lets walk through Psalm 8 together with the hope that there is enough in these verses to help us gain a fuller appreciation of what God is doing with this sin-cursed world. A Good God Created a Grand Creation I love the way the Bible begins: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters (Gen. 1:12). The earth was a formless and desolate emptiness until God spoke. He did not speak out of any need, for He was perfectly content within the fellowship of Himself in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God was not lonely or bored, nor was He obligated to speak and create. No, God created because He wanted to, and He wanted to create because He was motivated by love. Out of love, God desired to share that which nothing else could top or compare, which was Himself. God was motivated by love to share Himself with us. Our solar system is estimated to be about 12 trillion miles wide. The diameter of our sun is estimated to be 109 times the size of our earth, and if you were to drive from the Sun to Pluto, it would take an estimated 6,000 years to complete the trip. If that were not enough, you should know that our galaxy, the Milky Way, contains thousands of solar systems like ours. On our little planet, in our vast galaxy, lives just over 8 billion people. The renown astronomer, Carl Sagan, died believing that there was no compelling evidence for the existence of a Judeo-Christian-Islamic God, and said of our earth and the universe: If we are alone in the Universe, it sure seems like an awful waste of space. David, in Psalm 8, answers Carl Sagans question, and if only Sagan could have opened his eyes to see what David saw: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, You who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! If you are wondering if the universe is too big if life on earth is all there is, the answer is a resounding NO! The universe is the size that it is because it is testifying to the majesty and splendor of the One who spoke all of it into existence. The God who spoke all things into existence out of the overflow of His love and goodness is not only knowable but created us with purpose! A Grand God Created Mankind in His Image with Purpose There is only one creature of all the creatures created that was created in the image of God, and that creature is all of humanity. On the sixth day, after God created the animal kingdom and everything else, He created Adam and Eve: Then God said, Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth (Gen. 1:26). To Adam and Eve, God gave them the responsibility to manage His creation as His image bearers. Humans were commissioned and commanded to care for creation and at the same time add to creation by filling the earth with humans like themselves. We are not a part of the animal kingdom; we stand above the animal kingdom as stewards of what Almighty God created! King David marveled over this magnificent reality in his psalm: When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place; what is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him (Ps. 8:34)? David does not stop there, for what he says in the following verses ought to be enough to answer what place your pet has in the universe: You have him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put everything under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the animals of the field, The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas (vv. 68). Adam and Eve were commanded to manage the Garden, to be fruitful and multiply, and not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As you know, they ate the forbidden fruit from that one tree, and by eating the fruit they brought a curse upon Gods creation. As a result, all of creation was cursed as the Scriptures testify: Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned... (Rom. 5:12). There is only one creature who bears the image of God, and that creature is mankind. As image bearers of the living God, we were created to live forever. There is a part of us that lives on after death known as our soul which is also referred to as our spirit (not to be confused with the Holy Spirit).[1] Unlike the rest of creation, humans have a soul that only God is able to destroy. So, when it comes to death, our soul lives on even after our body dies, but death for the Christian is not the end as we are assured from the Bible: For we know that if our earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed, in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked. For indeed, we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. (2 Cor. 5:14) So, when your pet dies, there is no immaterial part of them that lives on because they do not bare the image of God and therefore do not have a soul. What this means is that when your pet does eventually die, regardless of the behavior, there is no eternal punishment or eternal life waiting for them... they simply cease to exist. The only creature that is born and lives in active rebellion towards God are humans. Unlike the animal kingdom, sin is now a part of our nature. A Good and Gracious God Has Provided Redemption Through a Second and Perfect Adam Now, remember what I said at the beginning of my sermon: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights... (Jas. 1:17). God is a good God who is the giver of every good thing, not the taker of every good thing! After Adam and Eve sinned, they were promised a Descendant who would reverse the curse of sin. A second and more perfect Adam was promised who would come to reverse the curse of sin: For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:17). The second and more perfect Adam was also promised to David who wrote Psalm 8! God assured David, When your days are finished and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Sam. 7:1213). What will this second and more perfect Adam do? According to Jeremiah 23:5-6, He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.... Oh, and the Name by which the Son of David will also be called will be, The Lord Our Righteousness. In Isaiah we are promised that when He reigns as King, He will judge between the nations, and will mediate for many peoples; and they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not lift up a sword against nation, and never again will they learn war (Isa. 2:4). The second Adam would, be born of a virgin as fully human and fully diving: ...a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. When the second Adam comes to reign as King, His reign will bring the kind of peace only God is capable of restoring: ...the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and fattened steer will be together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.... They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isa. 11:6-7, 9) When it was announced by the angels to the shepherds that the promised King was born, it was declared to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). Jesus, as the second and better Adam, humbled Himself by, taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.... He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross (Phil. 2:7-8). He was born to live the perfect life we could not live to die the death we all deserved. There is only One who is qualified to reverse the curse of sin, and it was and is Jesus! In Revelation 21:5, we are told that through His death and triumphant victory over death, that He is making all things new! This is what we all want and what all of creation is longing for! We long for a day without the dark cloud of the curse of sin. This is why Paul wrote, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Rom. 8:18-21) When Jesus entered into Jerusalem the week before He was to be crucified for the sins of mankind, the children in the temple area shouted something that irritated the chief priests and scribes. As Jesus entered into Jerusalem, the children shouted: Hosanna to the Son of David! (see Matt. 21:15-16). The chief priests and scribes said to Jesus, Do you hear what these children are saying? What were the children saying? They were celebrating the promised second Adam, the righteous Branch of David, and the One who is to be called The Lord our Righteousness (see Jer. 23:5-6). Guess how Jesus answered the irritated religious leaders who were concerned about what the children were saying? He answered them by quoting Psalm 8:2, here is what He said: Yes. Have you never read [chief priests and scribes], From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself? Do you realize what Jesus said to the chief priests and scribes? He was essentially saying that although Adam made a mess of creation through his sin in the Garden, there was a Son of Man who was made a little lower than the angels and God when He willingly took on human flesh to become fully human while remaining fully God at the same time! Jesus did this for the purpose of redeeming mankind through His cross for our sins, and by doing so, made redemption possible for all creation, and this is the point of Psalm 5, Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! Do you hear Philippians 2 in Psalm 8? And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:8-11) Now, against the backdrop of Philippians 2:8-11, listen what Psalm 8:7-8 promises: You have him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put everything under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the animals of the field, The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. All of creation, including your pets, are eagerly awaiting for the completion of our redemption because when it happens to us, creation will enjoy the good and faithful reign of the second Adam over them as well, and when He comes to do that, He will make all things new and it is what He will restore that all of creation is longing for: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, Write, for these words are faithful and true. On the Day Revelation 21 becomes our reality, all that was lost, will be restored and it will be even better than the Eden the first Adam lost! I am not sure if that means He will restore and make new your pet that was lost to the curse, but I do know that it will be better! The glory we will be crowned with will be the glory of King Jesus when, There will no longer be any curse... (Rev. 22:3). We will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away (Isa. 51:11)! The great hope of our future is not who is in office as our president, but the King who is coming to restore all that was lost through the first Adam. Christian, because you belong to the second Adam, you can declare with David: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! [1] Soul and spirit are used synonymously in the Bible (e.g. Acts 7:54-60; Matt. 10:28).

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Jesus is able to deal with us so personally and so perfectly as we abide in Him, get to know Him, talk with Him. I've loved getting to know Him as my wonderful counselor. We serve a very real God who has given us access to His voice. It's one of the best gifts we've been given along with our salvation: the Holy Spirit in us, to guide us and direct us. Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HeavenatHome.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Ashley on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Ashley on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

The book of Hebrews is telling us we'll never make it through life without counseling—daily counseling. A main theme of Hebrews is that life in this world is a journey, spiritually speaking, through a wilderness. In verse 13, it says the only way we're going to get through it is with this little word: the Greek word, parakaleō. It's often translated as encouragement, but it comes closest to what we today would call counseling.  Let's ask the text these questions: 1) why do we need counseling? 2) what kind of counseling do we need? 3) who can give it to us? and 4) how do we receive it? This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on February 27, 2005. Series: Christ: Our Treasury (The Book of Hebrews). Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-13; 4:14-5:7. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and more.Each title given to Jesus in the Bible reveals a unique and meaningful aspect of His total nature.Support the show

Sunday Service (12/22/24) // Isaiah 9:6 // Visit our website: https://mbchicago.org Follow us to remain connected: Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others To support this ministry, you can donate via: Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Web: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch PayPal/Credit: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but... #DanielBatarseh | #mbchicago | #mbcchicago | #Bible | #BibleStudy | #livechurch | #churchlive | #chicagochurch | #chicagochurches | #versebyverse | #church | #sermon | #sermons | #sermononline | #chicago | #gospelofmark | #baptism | #bookofmark | #newtestament | #scripture | #verses | #lessons | #crucifixión Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon[a] his shoulder, and his name shall be called[b] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Footnotes a. Isaiah 9:6 Or is upon b. Isaiah 9:6 Or is called

A new MP3 sermon from The Gospel Trumpet is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Jesus, Our Wonderful Counselor: Part 1 Subtitle: Isaiah 9:6 Speaker: Dr. Joel Beeke Broadcaster: The Gospel Trumpet Event: Radio Broadcast Date: 11/3/2024 Bible: Isaiah 9:6 Length: 27 min.

We are all desperately longing for peace. You may be in a season of suffering but able to proclaim that you are experiencing a peace that surpasses understanding, or you may be crying out for peace amidst the turmoil. No matter where you find yourself today, you have access to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  The prophet Isaiah gives four titles for Jesus, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV). In this episode, Lori talks about: What it means for Jesus to be the Prince of Peace Scripture about peace Prayer for those seeking the peace of God Have you experienced Christ as your Prince of Peace? Listen in and be drawn closer to your savior.  Other Resources His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor Podcast Episode 88 with Lori Apon He will be called Mighty God Podcast Episode 89 with Lori Apon Knowing God as Everlasting Father Podcast Episode 90 with Lori Apon Mom, you are not alone!  Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom  For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries. 

Merry Christmas! Perhaps you're gathering with family to open gifts and eat great food, or maybe it's a quiet day for you. However you are celebrating today, the team here at The Christian Working Woman is here to wish you a blessed day. We just want to send you words of joy, reminding all of us of the miracle we are celebrating today. I'll begin with this passage from Mary's Magnificat, the amazing words she spoke as she visited her cousin Elizabeth. Here she is, a very young woman who will bear the Son of God, and she said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name (Luke 1:46-49). Here's a familiar passage from the prophet Isaiah: 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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:5-7). And the Apostle Paul said this: Who, [Jesus Christ] being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11). Remember—you are deeply loved by the Savior of the world who came to sacrifice himself for our sake. Let me close with this reminder that what we are truly celebrating today is Jesus is our salvation: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Merry Christmas!

This is the day of days. While the exact day is unknown, what we do know is that 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ came to earth as a child to rescue us from sin. Christmas is a date on the calendar that literally quickens our hearts. Everyone understands the significance of it. It's why hateful people behave differently for at least 24 hours. Isaiah 9:6 says, “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.” This wonderful passage from Isaiah recorded 700 years before Jesus was born, speaks of course, of our Messiah—born there in a damp setting surrounded by farm animals, and a few people who began to understand that they were seeing something extraordinary. Keep Christmas in your heart this year. Today, stop and think about the one who came bearing the gift of gifts just for you. Have a Merry Christmas. Let's pray.Lord, today, we wake up with anticipation. A day unlike other days through the year, we love you for the greatest gift anyone could ever give. The gift of Jesus, the gift of eternal life. In Jesus' name, amen.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. It's Christmas Eve which means families are likely together and reflecting on the story of Jesus' birth. And while it's great to remember the story, it's often easy to look over its relevance to our lives which is why today's episode gives listeners a chance to apply some of the powerful cognitive truths God teaches us through the story of Jesus's birth to the lives of our families. After listening today, Quinn believes listeners will have a chance to: 1. Reflect on seasons of waiting and stillness in a new way 2. Look for God's unlikely use of circumstances to do something great 3. Feel a new found confidence in each family member's giftings Mind Renewal Tip: Waiting is often mistaken for a lack of God's presence or plan for our lives when in fact, waiting is often the indication that God is in the midst of completing the greatest work among us. Scripture Renewal Tip: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

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.Start your day in God's Word with our Daily Verse Reflections! Each weekday, our pastors offer insights and encouragement to help you apply Scripture to your daily life. Whether you're seeking inspiration, comfort, or guidance, these Daily Verse Reflections will keep you grounded in your faith throughout the week!You can also watch the video versions of our Daily Verse Reflections at https://watch.timeofgrace.org/browse, where you will also find a wide variety of videos that will help you learn more about Jesus and grow in your faith!To receive special text offers and stay up to date with the Time of Grace, text the word "Grace" to 45321 to subscribe!

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15 NLT) It is mind-boggling to think that the Creator of the universe became an embryo. He who created the solar system chose to become an infant. The Almighty appeared on Earth as a helpless human being, unable to do anything more than wiggle and make noises. Jesus didn’t arrive with His full faculties intact. He was a baby who cried and needed His diaper changed. That is the mystery of the Incarnation—that God would allow Himself to live within the limitations of a human body. There wasn’t a moment when Jesus suddenly became God or ceased to be God. First John 1:1 tells us, “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life” (NLT). Jesus was God before Bethlehem. He was God in the manger. He was God as a young man. And He was God during His earthly ministry. He also was God as He hung on the cross, and He was God when He rose from the dead. Jesus came to live among us. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6 NLT). At Christmas we celebrate the arrival of God’s Son on Earth. But it also was a departure from Heaven. Jesus came and walked among us, enduring the limitations of a human body. He experienced the things we experience. Jesus knew what it was like to be hungry and thirsty. And like anyone else, He got tired and had to sleep. While He had the ability to perform miracles—and He did so–He never performed a miracle for His own benefit. Also, Jesus knew what it was like to be lonely. Imagine how He felt when His disciples deserted Him. When He hung on the cross and all the sin of the world was placed upon Him, at that moment He was the loneliest man who ever lived. He knew what it was like for His friends to betray Him. And He knew what it was like for someone to lie about Him. Jesus experienced all those things. That is why the Bible says of Him, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT). When we go to God, we’re not talking to some distant celestial being who has no idea of what it’s like to live on Planet Earth. We’re talking about God who became a man. He knows exactly what we’re going through. Therefore, He can help us in our time of need. It is hard for us to imagine both deity and humanity in one person. Yet when Jesus came to Earth and walked among us, that is who He was. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, College Pastor Drew Humphrey continues in our Unto Us series, focusing on the characteristics of Christ in Isaiah 9. He highlights the title "Wonderful Counselor" and shares four types of counsel believers can expect to receive from the the Holy Spirit today.

The story of the first Christmas from the S.W.A.T. Team's (Secret Warring Angel Tactics Division) perspective. All goes as planned until the warriors are expected to—sing! “For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us… And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end... The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!” Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ (originally aired 12/24/19) #kids, #storiesforchristiankids, #christmas, #biblelessonsforkids, #firstchristmasstory, #jesusisborn, #angelsproclaimjesusbirth, #peaceonearth, #goodwilltowardmen, #sharegoodnews, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbitesforkids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebb

In this festive episode, we explore how to celebrate the holiday season with Jesus at the heart of our festivities. Amid the hustle and bustle, we challenge you to keep Christ at the forefront by reflecting on the true meaning of His birth, which embodies God's love and hope. We'll discuss the simplicity of the nativity story and encourage you to embrace the season without the pressure of perfection. We also tackle the challenges of secularism and commercialism, offering practical tips to incorporate Christ into your traditions, such as focusing on scripture, attending worship services, and engaging in acts of kindness.Scripture from today's episode Isaiah 9:6 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.Related Episodes"The Day that Changed Everything" https://www.buzzsprout.com/1113380/episodes/14036027"The Greatest Gift of All" https://www.buzzsprout.com/1113380/episodes/9683413Support the show

Welcome to Day 2524 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2524 – Second Week of Advent – Living in Peace, Daily Putnam Church Message – 12/08/2024 Living in Peace, Daily Last week was the first Sunday of Advent, and our focus was “Living in Hope, Daily. “We were reminded that Hope is alive because Jesus is alive. May we carry this truth with us this Advent season, lighting the way for others to see His love and faithfulness. This week is the Second Sunday of Advent: “The Candle of Peace” in a message titled “Living in Peace, Daily.” During the weeks of Advent, I want to slow life down a bit so we can truly take time to reflect on the purpose of the Advent season. I will also tie in some Christmas traditions in each message so we can reflect on the meaning of some traditions we practice during this blessed time. Opening Prayer: Lord, we come before You today with hearts open to receive the peace You promise. As we light the second candle of Advent, the Candle of Peace, it reminds us of the deep, lasting peace that can only be found in Jesus. In this season of anticipation and reflection, help us quiet our hearts and place our trust fully in You. In Jesus's name, we pray,  Amen. Introduction: The Meaning of Advent Peace Today is the second Sunday of Advent, and we focus on peace. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation, and the peace we remember today is not just an absence of conflict but a deep, abiding calm that comes from knowing Christ. Peace may feel elusive amid the busyness and sometimes stress of the holiday season. But true peace, the kind that quiets our hearts, is not tied to our circumstances or feelings. It's rooted in Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who entered our world to reconcile us with God and with one another. The Promise of Peace in Scripture (Bulletin Insert) The Bible's understanding of peace goes beyond what we often think of as peace today. It's more than silence or a moment of calm; it's a completeness, wholeness, and harmony only God can provide. This peace is found in the Hebrew word shalom, which means completeness or well-being. Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT) “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.” The prophet Isaiah spoke these words hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, yet they describe who Jesus would be to His people: the Prince of Peace. This title is not just a name; it's a role and an identity. Jesus didn't just bring peace—He is peace. Through Him, we find true harmony with God, ourselves, and others.   Illustration: The Christmas Truce of 1914 One remarkable story you may be familiar with that reflects this peace is the Christmas Truce of 1914, during World War I. For a brief time, soldiers on both sides put down their weapons and celebrated Christmas together. They sang carols, exchanged small gifts, and...

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NLT) The story of Jesus coming into the world is not so much the story of a birth as it is the story of a gift. From Earth's perspective, it was the entrance of Jesus into Planet Earth. But from Heaven's perspective, it was the departure of Jesus Christ from Heaven. Jesus is God. Therefore, He is eternal. He has always existed. But at just the right time, the Son of God came to this earth. The Bible says, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law” (Galatians 4:4 NLT). We need to remember that Jesus made a choice to leave the glory of Heaven and walk among us as a man. The very Son of God was born into the most unsanitary conditions imaginable, laid in a little bed of straw, and wrapped in pieces of cloth. This is how the Creator of the universe came to us in human form. The first Christmas was not about a gift to a child; it was about the gift of a child. Isaiah tells us, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6 NLT). Each word that Isaiah chose to describe Jesus gives us a different insight into His nature, character, purpose, and plan. His name is Wonderful Counselor. That takes care of the dullness of life. We no longer have to settle for the cheap substitutes but instead can experience what God has for us. It also takes care of the decisions of life. No longer do the problems we face need to plague us, because there is One who wants to counsel us. His name is Mighty God. That takes care of the demands of life. We must never forget that Jesus was God incarnate. This means that Jesus has unlimited power. And if we put our trust in this Mighty God, He will give us the power to live the life He has called us to live. His name is Everlasting Father. That takes care of our future. We know that life is not merely what we experience here and now on Earth. According to the Bible, we will live forever. The big question is where we will live. If we put our faith in Jesus Christ, then we will live in Heaven. Because He was born, crucified, and resurrected, we can have this hope beyond the grave. His name is Prince of Peace. That takes care of the disturbances of life. Life throws us a lot of curve balls. Frightening things happen, and we don't know what to do. We need the Prince of Peace to step in. We don't have to wait for Christ to return before we can experience His rule and reign in our lives. That can happen right now. We can surrender our lives to Him and experience the purpose and plan that He has for us. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Thursday, December 12th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Another state in India considers an anti-Christian conversion law The North Indian state of Rajasthan moved forward with an anti-conversion bill last week. If passed, the region will become the twelfth state in India to have an anti-conversion law. The measure requires people to tell officials if they are converting to another religion, two months in advance! The law also punishes attempts at unlawful conversions, like fraud or force, with up to 10 years in prison. However, such anti-conversion laws are often used to target Christians who are sharing the Gospel. India is ranked 11th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  European religious freedom champions point to Finland and England Religious freedom experts met at the European Parliament last week.  The panel discussion included Anja Hoffmann, Executive Director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe. Hoffman highlighted religious freedom violations in Europe like Finland's prosecution of a Christian politician for tweeting a Bible verse and the U.K.'s conviction of a pro-lifer for praying silently outside an abortion mill.  Dr. Gudrun Kugler, an Austrian member of Parliament, also spoke on the panel. She warned that “there are a number of legal restrictions on religious freedom, including parental rights, across Europe.”  Participants agreed that the European Union should create a position for combating anti-Christian hate crimes.  Haitian warlord orders massacre of 180 elderly Yet another gruesome gang horror has played out in Haiti, as at least 184 people -- most of them elderly -- were variously slashed, hacked, or shot to death on the orders of a warlord who'd been advised that aging slum residents had used sorcery to give his son a severe illness, reports ZeroHedge.com. Interim Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé called it “a barbaric act of unbearable cruelty.” The brutality was reportedly ordered by Monel "Mikano" Felix, who leads the Wharf Jeremie gang. The carnage took place last Friday and Saturday in the densely-populated seaside slum of Cité Soleil, a neighborhood in the capital city of Port-au-Prince which The Guardian has called Haiti's "most notorious slum. Much of the slum is an open sewer where infant children bathe in water contaminated with sewage. The stench is unbearable.” In a statement to the Haitian Times, members of Haiti's Committee for Peace and Development said Felix's son had contracted a serious illness. When Felix sought the counsel of a Voodoo priest, he advised the murderous warlord that elderly people in the gang's area of operations were harming his son through the use of witchcraft. That's when "he decided to cruelly punish all the elderly people and Vodou practitioners who, in his imagination, might be capable of sending an evil spell to his son.” Isaiah 8:19-20 says, “When they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,' should not a people consult their God? . . . To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” FBI Director Christopher Wray announces resignation FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed Wednesday that he will be resigning from his post before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, reports TheBlaze.com. WRAY: “After weeks of careful thought, I've decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current administration in January, and then step down. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission, on the indispensable work each of you is doing every single day. And in my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important in how we do our work.” Wray announced he will resign just seven years into his 10-year term in the aftermath of external pressure for him to step down, most notably from Trump. Trump has instead decided to nominate Kash Patel for the role, indicating to Wray that he would either have to resign early or be fired. Trump nominated Wray to take over as FBI director in 2017 during his first presidential term. At the time, Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey after he launched the now-debunked investigation into the Russia hoax in 2016. Trump unlikely to restrict the Abortion kill Pill NBC's Kristen Welker interviewed Donald Trump for “Meet the Press” on Sunday.  When asked about the Abortion Kill Pill, Trump said he probably would not try to restrict access to medication abortions. Listen. WELKER: “Let's talk about abortion. Sir, you have taken responsibility for overturning Roe v Wade. You've said that abortion is now a state issue. There are steps that you could take though as President to restrict abortion through executive action without Congress. More than half of abortions in this country are medication abortions. Will you restrict the availability of abortion pills when you're in office? TRUMP: “I'll probably stay with exactly what I've been saying for the last two years. And the answer is no.” However, Trump was not willing to make a commitment to that, saying that things can change.  Nativity displayed at U.S. Capitol for first time And finally, a Nativity was displayed at the U.S. Capitol for the first time in history. Organizers held a “Christmas Carols and Nativity Display” event yesterday on the southeastern steps of the Capitol building. The historic event happened thanks to the work of Rev. Patrick Mahoney. He won a federal court victory back in May, allowing peaceful demonstrations on the steps of the Capitol building.  Mahoney, the Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, talked to The Worldview last night.  MAHONEY:  “We are so very thankful for the opportunity to share the joyful and powerful message of Christmas at the steps of the United States Capitol. … The words spoken by the prophet Isaiah centuries ago are still relevant for us today. ‘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.'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, December 12th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Welcome to Day 2519 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2519 – First Week of Advent - Living in Hope, Daily Putnam Church Message – 12/01/2024 Living in Hope, Daily Last week, we celebrated Thanksgiving in a message titled “A Heart of Gratitude, daily,” from Psalm 100 This week is the First Sunday of Advent: “The Candle of Hope” in a message titled “Living in Hope, Daily.” During the weeks of Advent, I want to slow life down a bit so we can truly take time to reflect on the purpose of the Advent season. I will also tie in some Christmas traditions in each message so we can reflect on the meaning of some traditions we practice during this blessed time. Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You with open hearts as we enter into this season of Advent, where we celebrate the anticipation of Your Son, our Savior. Today, as we focus on the hope that is found only in You, fill our hearts with expectation. Let us be reminded of Your promises and the faithfulness You've shown throughout all generations. May the words we hear today stir a deeper longing for You and Your presence in our lives. In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen. Introduction: The Season of Advent and the Theme of Hope Today marks the beginning of Advent, a season that draws us into the story of Christ's coming. Advent is a time of waiting, of expectation, and of preparation. This period represents the hope that the world held before Christ came for the first time as a human to initiate God's kingdom, and the hope that we, as His people, hold as we look forward to His second coming when He will finalize God's kingdom on earth, the new Global Eden. Today, we lit the first candle of the Advent wreath, known as the Candle of Hope. In lighting it, we remember that our hope isn't rooted in anything temporary or uncertain. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who came once to save us and will come again to restore all things. (Bulletin Insert) What is Hope? - A Biblical Perspective In our world today, hope can often feel like a faint wish or something uncertain. We say, “I hope it won't rain,” or “I hope I get that job.” But biblical hope is much more than wishful thinking; it's a confident expectation based on God's promises and character. Let's look at the words of the prophet Isaiah, who lived centuries before Jesus was born, yet spoke words that still give us hope today. Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NLT) “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine… For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.” Isaiah speaks to a people walking in darkness, promising them a great light. He points to the coming of Jesus as the hope that would break into the world, overcoming all darkness. This is the foundation of biblical hope: the absolute assurance that God will fulfill His promises. Illustration: The Hope of a...

Today's Bible Verse: "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 “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ MEET OUR HOSTS at https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jesus is the miraculous therapist. He is the wonderful counselor. You can confide in and connect with Him. And when we let our minds wander in His wonders, we find healing, rejuvenation, reformation and reconciliation there. Subscribe to the podcast to hear the latest Weekly Service content from Churchome! To help us continue to share the story of Jesus, you can go to Churchome.org/give

Many people have a tendency to confuse needs with wants, and this becomes even more pronounced with the arrival of the Christmas shopping season. For the Israelites living in exile, meeting their deepest need wasn't a matter of satisfying their hunger or providing a luxurious place for them to live. What they really needed is the same thing we still need today: a Savior. In this week's message from Isaiah 9, Pastor John shows us how everything we lack is met in this Savior, Jesus—the one we know to be the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”