Podcasts about wonderful counselor

[Isaiah 9:6-7] 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. [7] 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 passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen! The Messiah would bring an era of peace that would ____________ ____________. [Luke 2:13-14] Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Peace (Shalom): completeness; tranquility; rest; peace with ____________. [Mark 4:38-40 ESV] But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” [39] And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Jesus gives peace ______________ the storm, not just peace ______________ the storm. True peace is only available through ______________. [Isaiah 53:5 GWT] He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. [John 14:27 NIV] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid The opposite of peace is not _________, it's ____________. [Romans 5:1] Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Jesus brings peace ________ God and the peace _____ God. [Philippians 4:6-7] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

This message presents Jesus as the “Wonderful Counselor” promised in Isaiah 9:6 and revealed in John 1.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7Speaker: Allen Wright

Send us Fan MailIn this 'EPISODE 466 WHERE ARE WE IN BIBLE PROPHECY? WHY ARE THE MINOR PROPHETS EVEN IN THE BIBLE? ARE THEY WRITTEN FOR US TODAY? CAN WE FIND COMFORT IN THEM FOR OUR FUTURE?' Author and host Elbert Hardy of itellwhy.com and Jesusiswhy.com shows from the Old and New Testaments, our only hope is in Jesus Christ, bringing Peace at last with his soon return!Support the showGo to itellwhy.com to read Elbert's books free of charge, no Ads and no requests for money or Email addresses. You can watch faith building YouTube Links to Videos and the listen to Elbert's Life of Christ Audio Book in 30 minute Episodes arranged and read by the author straight from the Bible, but rearranged in logical harmony of the Gospels, Revelation and other scriptures. All FREE of charge in the public interest.

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https://square.link/u/UHRU92rp - Donate HereToday's reading takes us into Isaiah 9, where deep darkness is interrupted by a glorious promise: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” In a time of national rebellion, corrupt kings, looming judgment, and Assyrian terror, God gives His people more than political hope—He gives them a prophecy of the coming King.This chapter reminds us that Jesus is not just a Christmas verse; He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He is the light that shines in Galilee, the ruler whose government has no end, and the Redeemer whose coming reaches all the way into the story of Ruth and Boaz. As we read Isaiah 9, we are invited to slow down, see the darkness honestly, and live like Jesus is everything the Word says He is.

He Is Series Wonderful Counselor — When You Don't Know What to Do, God Will Guide You Isaiah 9:6 “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I love today's name, Wonderful Counselor. I think this is an often-overlooked name of the Lord. Many of us would not hesitate to go to the Lord if we are sick or if we have a loved one who is sick. Especially if their prognosis doesn't look good. If we have nowhere else to turn, most of us, even some people who don't really believe in God, will turn to God when they feel they have nowhere else to turn. If they are desperate enough. What I didn't always know is that we can go to the Lord seeking advice or wisdom. I always knew I could pray to the Lord for the things I needed. My mom and dad had a lot of children, and they did not have a lot of money, so I got to see firsthand how God provides for us when we ask. I am glad we did not have a lot of money because if we had, I would have missed out on seeing all those miracles. However, I didn't know that I could sit and talk with God and He would talk back. I didn't know that you could have a two-way conversation with the Lord. This was life-changing for me. While I was in the Encounter School of Ministry program, I heard a testimony about a mom who went to the Lord seeking wisdom. You see, she had returned home from work one night to find her teenage son watching pornography. She was so angry and hurt and didn't really know what to say or do. She knew how she handled this was important, but she wasn't sure the best way to do it. She told him to go to bed for the night, and they would talk about it in the morning. Then she got on her knees and asked the Lord for Wisdom. She asked the Lord to guide her in how to handle the situation. While she was sitting there talking with the Lord and praying for wisdom, the Lord gave her an idea. When she talked with her son, she told him that he needed to create a back story of what he thinks that young woman's life must have been like growing up to make her go into that line of work. He had to sit down and write a paper for his mom explaining what he thinks that young woman's life was like. He wrote the paper, and they talked about it, and he said he never wanted to watch pornography again. He said he felt bad for the people who felt like they had to do that as a profession. If she had yelled at him and grounded him, do you think it would have had the same results? When I yell at and ground my kids, I find they don't sit in their rooms and think about what they have done. They usually sit in their rooms, think about how terrible a person I am for grounding them, get angry, and their behavior rarely changes. God knows our children, God knows us, God sees everything, even the stuff we can't see. God knew what would change her son's heart. And what will change her son's heart is not the same as what will change your child's heart. This is why it is important to go to the Lord rather than to all the other places we turn for answers. I had a lot of trouble raising my kids. They all had very different issues, and they seemed to be problems that no one else was facing. Although this is not true, this is what the enemy wants you to think. I read so many parenting books, took classes, and asked all the experts. I tried to do everything I could to be the best mom I could be to these three boys the Lord gave me to care for. Do you know what I didn't do? I didn't go to the Lord to ask for wisdom or advice. To be fair to myself, I did spend time praying to the Lord and journaling. I thought this was bringing it to the Lord. I thought I was seeking the Lord. I went to a MCCW retreat in 2017, and I was having quiet time with the Lord, and I heard him say to me, " You are not coming to me. I was confused because, as I said, I was coming to the Lord for prayer. He acknowledged, yes, you are coming to me to ask for things, you might even ask me what you should do, but you never wait long enough for me to answer before you move on to something else. You ask me what you should do, but instead of staying with me, keeping still and listening, you get up, and you read a book, you ask a friend, you take a class. You don't wait to see what I have to say. What just occurred to me, I am sure, is that the Holy Spirit brought it to my attention: God is the perfect one to give us advice on what would work for each of our kids, because He created them. He knit them together in my womb. I always used to say that I wish kids came with an instruction manual. Not a generic one, but a separate one for each child that explained what would and would not work for that child. That explained what they could and could not do. What they liked and didn't like. That is all the information we can get from the Lord. If we seek his counsel, He can help us know what will and won't work best for our sons and daughters. The same goes for our siblings, our spouse, our co-workers, and our boss. They were all created by the same creator. He knows what they need, what they want, and how they function best. I liked this name when I found it because it is so eye-opening. God is a wonderful Counselor. We can go to Him when we need advice. We can go to Him when we aren't sure what we should do. There are many ways He can communicate His answers to us. Some people ask God a question, and then they receive a thought from the Lord. Sometimes, they might just get a strong feeling of what they should do. Sometimes they might get a scripture verse, and when they read it, they know what they should do. Sometimes it might be something someone else says to them, and they might just know that God is speaking to them through that person. There are no limits to how God can talk to you and share with you the answer to your question or the wisdom that you seek. If you are struggling with something right now. If you have a problem you have been trying to solve on your own, I want to invite you to find some time to sit down with the Lord and ask Him what you should do. Then stay there with Him and just listen for his answer. Notice if you suddenly have an idea of how to solve it. Notice, if you feel a certain way, or you think of a scripture verse. Just notice your thoughts and feelings. Be on the lookout for the answer, as God has told us over and over again, when we ask, He answers, when we seek, we find. So, ask and listen for the answer. If you don't feel like you receive anything in that moment, that is ok, you didn't do it wrong, He just doesn't always answer right away. Just seek the answer out as you go through the day. Seek, and you will find! Trust that He will answer, and He will! I have seen it happen many times. Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, you are amazing, and we are so grateful for all you do for us. Thank you for being our wonderful counselor. Thank you for guiding us as we try to navigate this crazy place we call the world. Thank you for giving us wisdom when we need it. Thank you for helping us to parent our children. Thanks for guiding us on how to get along better with our siblings or our co-workers. Whatever it is, Lord, I know you are taking care of it, and we are so grateful! We love you tons!! We ask all this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I always say—Don't keep good things to yourself. If this blessed you, pass it along to someone else who might need it too. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in October 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Peace be with you, my children. Peace I give you. A peace that flows from my heart to yours. A peace that I knew when I spent time in prayer with my father. One that gave me the courage to go on when things seemed overwhelming. A peace that passes anything that man can understand or know. A peace that only I can give. Open your hearts to receive it. Open your minds to believe it. Open all you are to me. Receive the peace I give you.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Friend, how do you feel right now — in your mind, in your body, and in your spirit? Whether you are thriving today or barely holding on, this conversation is going to bring you hope and renew your spirit.   We are so delighted to welcome back the beautiful and gifted Jennifer Tucker — bestselling author, artist, and devoted follower of Jesus. Jennifer is the author of the beloved Breathless Prayer, as well as Present in Prayer, and today we are celebrating her newest book, Prayer in Motion: An Invitation to Be Fully Present, Connect with God, and Pray with Your Whole Self. Jennifer is a wife, mother, grandmother, mental health advocate, and she joins us from Georgia with so much warmth and wisdom to share.   In this conversation, Jennifer takes us on a journey through all three of her books and shares how each one grew out of a deeply personal season of her own life. From the breathing exercises that tethered her to Christ during her most anxious years, to the stillness of Scripture meditation, to the discovery that our bodies were made to move in connection with God — this is a conversation that will shift the way you think about prayer entirely.   Jennifer opens up about her own struggle with anxiety and perfectionism, and how prayer had quietly become just another item on her to-do list — until God invited her into something freer and more alive. She shares the beautiful science behind movement, including how our muscles release proteins called "hope molecules" every time we move, and why even the gentlest motion can lift our mood and draw us closer to God's presence. Friend, you were not made to live in a state of overwhelm, disconnected from your body and running on empty. God is both your Great Physician and your Wonderful Counselor, and He is inviting you into a rhythm of rest, movement, and prayer that can truly change your life.   In this episode we discuss: How Jennifer's three books work together as a complete trilogy for connecting with God through breath, stillness, and movement Why prayer can quietly become a checklist — and how to find your way back to genuine connection The science of "hope molecules" and what even gentle movement does for your mind and body Practical grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method and finding "glimmers" in everyday moments Simple movement practices — stretching, walking, and more — that invite God into your whole day Why community and connection are essential to feeling safe and at peace in your body   Connect with Us Free guide: "5 Keys to Walking In Your Worth." wonderfullymade.org Allie's Books Social Media Reset: A 30-Day Guided Journey to Unplug, Reconnect with God, and Reclaim Your JoyWonderfully Made: Discover the Identity, Love, and Worth You Were Created For Social Media @wonderfullymade_org @alliemariesmithTikTok Resources Life Coaching for Teen GirlsSocial Media Reset CourseWonderfully Made Young Women's Course  

Happy Monday! This week, Pastor Jeff explores the question: What kind of Redeemer brings us back to God? The answer: Jesus—the only one who is fully God and fully human—restores our relationship with God and stands in our place. Isaiah 9:6  "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 9:6–7 describes a child born to us with four remarkable names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Mitch Glaser and Robert Walter unpack how this prophecy reveals the divine identity of the Messiah and His eternal reign on David's throne. Then, Mitch sits down with researchers Motti Inbari and Kirill Bumin to explore the data behind evangelical support for Israel. Has October 7 changed how Christians view the Jewish state? Are younger evangelicals turning away?Learn more and request your free booklet, "The Gospel in the Passover," at

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptGood morning. My name is Spencer. I'm one of the pastors here. So last week I got to serve in Kid City. Yes. First time in eight years. Which should tell you how desperate they were that I was called in to serve. They were really scraping the bottom of the barrel. But I got to serve and it was neat because I usually get the 10,000 foot view. So I got, as an elder, I help oversee the church and every now and then checking in with Isaac, who's checking with Katie. So I get this bigger picture of you. But it's been eight years since I've actually been in the classroom. So I got to basically just walk up there and I was so blessed to just walk in. And there was a lesson in the book of Job that was dealing with big theological, weighty ideas of suffering that was written so well. It was at a game that was really helpful, which some of you may not know this. We actually, we've written our own curriculum. When we started as a church plant, we could not afford to buy curriculum from Lifeway or anywhere else. It's pretty expensive to buy. So we wrote it over the years and it's been edited and re edited and revisited and it's just really strong stuff. And the whole setup was just cool. To see all the work that goes in to teach our children the gospel. And it just, in a brief period of time, just sit with the kids and help them see who Jesus is in new and better ways is just awesome. So this is my plug this morning. If you're not serving anywhere, we'd love for you to serve in Kid City. We got a need for volunteers. It's a wonderful opportunity to teach children the gospel. We're going to. Just being frank, we're going to have a bigger need for volunteers because it is very possible when we send out this church plant next year that we're going to lose volunteers. Maybe more volunteers than children, I don't know. So we actually need. If you're not serving anywhere, we'd love for you to actually connect with Katie Mertz and get involved in Kid City. If you're like, I just. But I hate children. First off, maybe we should talk because Jesus loves children and maybe you shouldn't have that attitude. But maybe Kid City is not the first step for you. There are other places to serve and I can connect you and. Or any of our elders can connect you to service opportunities. But we're going to have a need to fill more gaps in the coming months and over the next year. So if you've been around for a bit, man, we could use you. So come talk to us. Let me pray for us. And then we're going to jump into Second Samuel, chapter seven.God, I'm thankful for the opportunity to walk through your word, to continue to see the message of the gospel and the hope that comes out of the Old Testament. God, I pray that you might help us see that so clearly this morning in a way that would make you more wonderful in our minds, that would lead us to faith, that would lead us to repentance, that would lead us to ultimately delighting in you over all things. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.All right, so in Second Samuel seven, here's what we're going to see today. God delivers this blessing, this promise to David. That is wonderful. And we're going to get to see how it's good news for David, but how it's even better news for us. And there's a little bit of layers of whoa. My wife and I were watching the show and in the first episode it's like, oh, this is good. And by the end of the first episode, it's like, oh, man. They've totally changed this. Whoa. And the whole first season was just more plot lines and threads being tied together. I was like, whoa, whoa. By the end of, it's like, well done. This is great. Today we're going to see a glimpse of that right there as we get to see how this story is tied into the greater story.So jump into verse one.> Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,>> the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.">> And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.">> But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle.>> Wherever I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'>> Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.>> And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.>> And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more, and shall badgered no more; and violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly,>> from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.>> When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.>> He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.>> I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,>> but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.>> And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.'"So Nathan has this message that the Lord is giving him, that he's got to deliver to David. That is, listen, in all the years that I've dwelt in this tabernacle, his unique presence, ruling and residing amongst his people has dwelt. He's like, have I ever asked the Judges and the hundreds of years, did I ask the last king? Did I ask anyone to build me a cedar house? So he presses this upon David.And then it shifts a bit. Now therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. So it shifts and he's like, remember when you were a mere shepherd boy? Remember how I chose you and I took you and I made you prince of Israel, your king. Remember all of this, how I cut off your enemies, how I established your role in your reign. Guess what? I'm going to make your name great. Greater than almost all the names that have come before or will come after. And this is where kind of the layers of whoa begin. It's like, wait a second. What's happening here? That he's giving to David what we're about to see is one of the most important promises in the Scriptures, but I would also argue is one of the most important promises in all of human history. And that's what God is about to deliver to David.> And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more, and violent men shall afflict them no more,>> and from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.>> Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.>> He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.So what the Lord just promised David is that he'd give him three things. A house, a kingdom, and an eternal throne. As we're going to see this, this is an eternal house, an eternal kingdom, and an eternal throne. So David comes and he says, I want to build you a house, Lord. And God takes the words and flips them and says, no, no, no, I'm going to build you a house. And what he's getting at is that I'm going to build you a dynasty. David, your house is going to continue to rule and reign. Your kingdom is going to continue to rule and reign. Your throne will be eternal. This is a massive promise that David is receiving, that his children and his children's children and his children's children's children are going to continue to reign. David gets this wonderful promise.And then he continues this promise. And speaking of his descendants, he says,> I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men.>> But my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.>> And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.In accordance with all these words and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. So David gets, or Nathan gets this vision from the Lord at night, and he takes it to David. And at the last part of this he says, you, son David will be on the throne, and he will be like a son to me. I'm going to have a unique relationship with your line. However, built into this promise is some warning that if he strays, that if he commits iniquity, which is sin, that God will bring discipline. But even as the Lord disciplines him with the rod of men, even as he disciplines him, his love will not fade. It will remain with him because it will remain with David. So David will have an eternal house, an eternal kingdom, and an eternal throne.Nathan takes that message and delivers it to David, which had to be overwhelming. Have you ever been in a situation where someone did something so wonderful for you, so kind to you, so amazing, you just didn't have the words to even convey thanks? My wife and I were watching the show, and this Secret Service agent, he takes a bullet for the President. And the President comes and visits him in the hospital, and they have this exchange where the President looks at him and says, saying thank you kind of feels insufficient. And the agent kind of quips back and says, well, I mean, saying, I'm just doing my job feels kind of lame. And I appreciate that exchange for the writing, but also the reality that it's like, yeah, if someone takes a bullet for you, how do you begin to convey thanks? David has received something so overwhelming, so wonderful, this promise that his sons and his grandsons and his great grandsons are going to sit on the throne and rule and reign unendingly. It's like, how do you begin to even respond to that? Thank you kind of feels insufficient. David's going to do his best. And this best prayer, a prayer of thanksgiving, and that's the rest of this chapter is this prayer of thanksgiving that David gives in response to this promise.> Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?>> And this was yet a small thing in your eyes, O LORD God. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and you have regarded me as though I were a man of the highest rank, O LORD God.>> What more can David say to you for you know your servant, O LORD God. For your promise's sake, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make known all that is in your heart.>> Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.>> And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt a nation and its gods?>> And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O LORD, became their God.>> Now, O LORD, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.>> And your name will be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David will be established before you.'>> For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.'>> Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O LORD God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.>> Now therefore, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue before you forever. For you, O LORD God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever."That's the end of his prayer. That's the end of this chapter. David has promised an eternal house, an eternal kingdom and an eternal throne. And as I said earlier, this is one of the most significant promises in all of history. And we're going to see why as we walk through this. Though the word doesn't literally show up in this chapter, all the ingredients that are necessary for this are here. This is a covenant. This is a covenant that God makes with David. That's why the Psalmist in Psalm 89, Psalm 89 is all about recounting this covenant.> You have said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant,>> 'I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.'"This is often called the Davidic covenant. The Davidic covenant, that's David, the covenant God makes with David. And if you want to understand the Old Testament, the way to really understand how it all ties together is the history of the Old Testament is told through covenants. There are significant covenants that God makes that help define what the rest of the scriptures. So you can go to Genesis chapter nine and you can see the covenant that God makes with Noah and creation. And that is God's one way promise that he will not destroy the earth with water again. And that is the Noachic covenant, the covenant with Noah. Then you get to Genesis chapter 15 and then we get to see the Abrahamic covenant. This is the covenant, the promise. That's what a covenant is, a promise that God makes with Abraham. And when you look at those two covenants, what you see is that those are what are called unconditional covenants, meaning they are one way promises from God to the party he's agreeing with. So they're unconditional. So for Abraham, God makes this unconditional promise to Abraham that he is going to make a great nation out of Abraham, that he is going to bless Abraham with this big group of descendants. And that becomes the special people of God, the people of Israel. And that's an unconditional promise, meaning that Abraham does nothing, God does everything. Then you continue to read the Old Testament. And that covenant remains. God is blessing and forming a great nation through the descendants of Abraham. Then you get to the book of Exodus, and this is what we saw a few years ago when we walked through Exodus. You get to Exodus 19 through 24 and then the rest of the Old Testament law. And then comes a new covenant. And this is the Mosaic covenant, the covenant with Moses. But this covenant is different. It's not like the Abrahamic covenant, because this was what's called a conditional covenant. So we'll say a bilateral agreement. And what happens at the formation of the people of Israel with the Mosaic covenant is that when God gives the Ten Commandments and the whole Old Testament law that flows out of the Ten Commandments, this is what the Lord says. If you do these Ten Commandments and you abide by the law, it will go well for you in the promised land. But if you disobey the Ten Commandments and you don't follow the rest of the Old Testament law, it will not go well for you in the promised land. In fact, you will get curses and that's the agreement. God will bless them if they follow the law. But if they do not follow the law, they will receive curses and people will come in. As you read the Book of Judges, people are not following the Lord and enemies come in and they bring judgment. And that's the Mosaic covenant.Now, these major covenants are still in play. They're like threads being pulled together through the Old Testament. And that gets pulled into this chapter right here. Because this is the last really major covenant of the Old Testament. And this is the Davidic covenant. Now, I'll be honest, this covenant is the source of a lot of debate over how to think about it. Because there is something extremely unconditional one way promise from God in all caps. And that is you're going to receive David, an eternal house with an eternal kingdom and an eternal throne, your descendants, one after the other, unconditional. This is going to happen. All caps, okay? And then in somewhat fine print right next to that, it says, however. And then we get some seemingly conditional language, because when you read it, it says, when he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men. But my steadfast love will not depart from him as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. And really, that even goes back to what was said before about the people being in the promised land and the surrounding nations having peace from them. All that's tied together. So he's got this unconditional promise of an eternal house, an eternal kingdom, an eternal throne. But also, if your sons and their sons who sit on the throne act wickedly, they will be disciplined with the rods of men. There will be discipline. So when you read that, it's like, oh, that seems a little bit like the Mosaic covenant. Very similar language to what was said with Moses. So it's debated. Is this unconditional? Is it conditional? And that tension right there is felt through the whole rest of the Old Testament that if you read the whole rest of the Old Testament, you feel it. Because when you follow the story, David's son Solomon takes the throne. And Solomon was. What's built in this promise is a couple of things. First, he is the one that's actually going to build the literal house for the Lord, which is the temple. And what you see from 1 Chronicles, chapter 22, verse 8 is that God didn't want David to build the house because he was a man of war. It says, but the word of the LORD came to me saying, you have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name because you have shed so much blood before me I on the earth. So because David was a man of war, he says, you, it's not for you to build a temple, it'll be for your son. So part of this promise is coming to pass because Solomon is going to build the temple. But remember, it's not just literal, it's not just about the house, it's about his dynasty. So lots of blessing is coming to Solomon. And really, when you look at the full reign between David to Solomon, it's kind of the golden era of the people of God. This is when things go the most right and things go very well throughout Solomon's reign until you get to the end of his reign. And when you get to the end of Solomon's reign, he begins to accumulate lots of wives. And as we said, we said it in our overtime episode a few weeks ago, it's not how God wants us to be. And even worse, he starts accumulating foreign wives. And those foreign wives start driving his heart away from the Lord holy towards foreign gods. And at the end of Solomon's reign, because he does not abide by the law, he receives judgment that his son, the kingdom, is going to be torn from him. So Solomon to Rehoboam, which would be David's grandson, Rehoboam, does some foolish things, and then all of a sudden, the kingdom is torn in two. And now there's a northern kingdom, the kingdom of Israel, which is most of the tribes that were fallen. Saul and then Judah in the south. And there's tension. These two kingdoms don't ever really come together again. But when you follow the kings of Judah, because they're the ones that received the promise, they're the ones in the line of David, there are moments where things are going well and the kings are acting rightly and they're leading the people in worship. But then you get kings that are so pagan and wicked and horrible. You get Manasseh. Read the story of Manasseh. It's wretched, it's awful. Manasseh sacrifices his own son, burns him alive on an altar to a foreign God, and then just all types of abominable practices along with that. He's as pagan, even worse than the pagan kings of the surrounding nations. In the line of David. And judgment is coming. And then there's moments of hope where you get Manasseh's grandson, which is Josiah. And Josiah rallies the people and kicks out the idols and the high places and does all the things and leading the people back to following the law. And it seems good. And then his son strays away. And there's just this tension that's felt throughout the whole rest of the Old Testament of, what's happening here with this promise to David, because things are starting to fall apart until finally God just brings ultimate judgment on Judah. The Babylonian empire comes in, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, and they completely and utterly just decimate and destroy Jerusalem. They destroy the temple, they take the people, they bring them into captivity for 70 years. And there's. In all of this, there's just this longing for this promise of David to see its fruition. That's why it's helpful to look at Psalm 89, which is just this retelling of this moment in 2nd Samuel 7 that helps us feel that tension.> I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens.>> If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments,>> then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes.>> But my steadfast love will not depart from him, nor will I be false to my faithfulness.>> I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David.>> His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me.If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, which is again that Mosaic-type language. But I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips once for all. I have sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever his throne as long as the sun before me. And there's still that longing hope. But it is going to happen. And that tension is felt as the people are literally in exile. And it's 586 onward. It's just this. What is happening here? How is this possibly going to come to pass? It just feels like there's no kings right now. There's no, how can this possibly happen? I coached my son's baseball team. We started the season two and oh, and we played our third game Thursday. And I just knew that Thursday's game, I tried to prepare our parents for it. I'm like, y'all, this team is good. I knew before the season, this team was stacked to the ceiling. Their infield is efficient. It's a bunch of 8 year olds who just, they played for years and boy, oh boy, we just, it was very apparent the first couple of innings. We're just taking it. It's almost, you know, it's 13 to 5, it's 14 to 5. And it's just like, how in the world can this team rally? We just can't. Like we're just, how are we gonna get back in this? We're just. Doesn't seem like it's possible. There's this hopelessness that's amongst the people of God. Just how in the world can this Davidic promise come to pass while yet still clinging to the promise? Because God makes good on his promises and that's the guiding hope for the rest of the Old Testament, as one commentator puts it. He talks about that this Davidic promise becomes the nucleus around which all the Old Testament prophets are built. So when you read the whole rest of the Bible, just literally go through the Old Testament and you read the rest of the prophets from Isaiah onward, you just see this callback to the Davidic covenant over and over again.I mean, Isaiah 9, Isaiah 11, Isaiah 16, Isaiah 55, Jeremiah 23, 30, 33, Ezekiel 34, Ezekiel 37, Hosea 3 and Amos 9, Zechariah 12. Like there's all these prophecies of hope that are anchored in this promise to David. And I just, I'm not going to read all of them, but I want you to hear a few of them to see this longing for this to come to pass.> 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.>> 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.That sounds familiar. It's because we read that every December.> "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.>> In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'"It's this longing for this promise to David to come to fruition, to come to pass when things will be well again.> "I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.>> And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken."You just follow the prophets and you just see that there's this longing for the promise that was made to David to be fulfilled, that somehow his eternal house, eternal kingdom, eternal throne will be established century after century after century. It's not happening. It's not happening. It's looking more bleak. But in the bleakness, hope remains, because over time, the people of God start to call what this figure is going to be in the line of David. They start to call him the Messiah, the Savior, King. And if those Old Testament passages didn't give it away, if the Messiah language doesn't give it away, if the general trajectory of all of our sermons don't give it away, it's Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. And that's what makes the Davidic covenant so special that throughout the whole rest of the Old Testament, there's this tension that's felt that God's going to make his promise come to pass, right? God said he would. He said he would. He said he would. And then God comes and he takes on flesh and he dwells amongst us and he fulfills it on the God side of it. But also, Jesus Christ is man, meaning the conditional elements that seem that are in it. Jesus Christ also fulfills. He fulfills all of it. That's why the New Testament begins with the genealogy. Some of you people think, man, what a boring way to start a story to name off a bunch of people. Why? It's because all this covenant promise is coming together with both Abraham and David. It shows he's in the line of David because he's the one, the Messiah who is to come. All the threads come together in a way that's so powerful, so beautiful.When I was in college, I had to go to these things called cultural enrichment programs, which were boring. Most of them. They just, you go, you had to get a bunch of them, and then you just sat there and like, oh, please make it stop. And then you'd leave. But there were a few of them that were good. And one of them, there's this guy, it's the first time I ever saw this. He grabbed a guitar and he started playing a song and he started playing a rhythm and then he hits the pedal, then he moves on to another instrument, starts playing that, hits the pedal, comes back to the guitar, plays the lead line, hits it, and then he like hits another pedal and then boom, they all come together. And all of a sudden you're listening to all the parts of House of the Rising Sun. And now all of us who are conditioned for boredom in these things, are getting into it. And then he puts more instruments on top and layers and layers and layers. And this one man band, the first time I've ever seen this, puts together this wonderful sound. And that is what the Old Testament is doing. It's putting all these parts together. And then in Jesus Christ it all comes together in this wonderful song. That's what Paul's getting at in Acts 13 when he's making those connections from first and second Samuel into the New Testament.> Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'>> Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.And that thread gets pulled all the way to the end and the final chapter of the Bible and the final words that God gives in his word to his people.> I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.It all comes together and this beautiful promise and the question that you leave coming from that is, okay, well then why is that so significant? Why is that the most important promise in all of human history? It is because the whole story of redemption leads to Jesus establishing an eternal house. That's the family of God. That's the church we just sang. The church of Christ was born and the Spirit lit a flame. That's it. That's the fulfillment that as the eternal family of God, we get to be invited into a fellowship that never ends. That goes back to the promise to David. It's an eternal kingdom which is the rule and the reign of Jesus Christ, which we get to participate in as it expands and it moves. The reason that Jeff is in the water this morning declaring what happened years ago, because someone in the kingdom of God declared the good news of Jesus Christ and his ears were opened that he placed his faith in Jesus Christ. It all goes back to the promise of David. It's this eternal throne that when Jesus went to the cross and died for our sins, when he rose from the grave and conquering death, that Jesus Christ ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and that's the establishment, that the work is finished and his eternal reign will reign forever and ever and ever. Amen. And that's what we're invited into through simply believing.But here's the deal. This is why this is really important. In the south, those of us that are in and around the church, we can deceive ourselves into believing that faith in this is the mere mental agreement to these truths. To cite Jesus died for my sins. To say Jesus rose in the grave. That's why we celebrate Easter, to say he ascended to the right hand of God the Father. You can recite the Nicene Creed a thousand times. Growing up, you could do all types of things to mentally agree with this message. But the heart of this message is not mentally agreeing. What it boils down to is, do you see that Jesus is the king in the line of David? Do you see him as your king? That's what this boils down to. Is he your king? Meaning, does Jesus Christ have supreme rule and reign over every aspect of our lives? That's the question that should be lingering as we look at the celebration of Jesus Christ the King on the line of David.Because here's what happens in the south is that we have all the words that we can say. We know all the phrases. And the moment that Jesus starts to try to make a claim on parts of our lives that we don't want to yield to him, we say, mm, no. I want to dictate in my kingdom who I can have sex with. I want to dictate in my kingdom how I spend my money. I want to dictate in my kingdom how I use my time. I want to dictate in my kingdom the way I speak in the workplace. I want to dictate in my kingdom how I strategize and move, whether it's through slander or gossip. And then Jesus Christ stands at the right hand of God the Father and declares, I am king. And we say, yes, but not of this. And I want to tell you something. If that is the seated heart position of your life, he isn't king for you and that should terrify you.But the good news of the gospel is that a you're here to hear the message of a God who loves you so much that he gave up his life for you so that he might become your king and invite you into an everlasting kingdom and a rule and a reign and a throne and a family that is far superior to anything this world has to offer. That as we regularly rehearse that Jesus is better than everything else, it is the rehearsing that we believe that his kingdom is better than everything else. We believe that his kingship is better than everything else. It is the invitation to see him as supreme master of every aspect of our lives.And as we get ready to close out this morning, that is the question that your soul should reckon with. The band's going to come up and we're going to get to sing. But some of you, you might need to sit and you might need to consider if he's actually king of your life. And you might need to surrender to the King this morning and lay down your life, whatever it is that you're holding your tight fisted your hand onto that you don't want to give up, now's the time to open it up and say, take it, King, it's yours. Some of you have truly trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ. But there are parts of your life right now that are so hidden that you've tried to make a claim on and I want you to see so clearly. The kingship of Jesus Christ is wonderful. The promises that go back to David are wonderful. And they're offered to you. That you don't have to run back to former ways. You don't have to go back to worse kingdoms and worse rules and worse reigns. That you have a savior that says, do you understand that I'm a good king? I'm a good and wonderful and gracious king. And that when I tell you that that part of your life is worth yielding to me, that I'm actually for your good, I'm not against you. I'm for you. And your faith needs to inform the actions that leave this place today. And you'll have some opportunity this week in community group to do just that. And my hope is that you would let me pray.Heavenly Father, I thank you for this wonderful message that comes from 2nd Samuel 7 that helps us see that you are the king. You are the promised Messiah. You're the ruler of all things. May we in faith submit to you as our king to see how good and wonderful your kingdom is. May we yield to you in powerful ways. God, we have some repentance that we do in our hearts. We've got some areas of our lives that we've carved out for ourselves that belong to you. And I just pray that you do the work in our hearts to soften, to see it and to yield it. And as we worship and close out today, may the gospel of your kingdom coming to bear in our lives be felt and lived out in a way that makes you look good. In Jesus name, amen.

ISAIAH'S PROPHECY of a coming Messiah included foreseeing where Jesus would declare war on the fallen realm.  Chapter 9 of the book of Isaiah picks up where the prophet left off, condemning the people of Israel, for consulting the dead on behalf of the living. His prophecy that a light would shine on those dwelling in a land of deep darkness was cited by Matthew as fulfilled when Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum. We connect this to Psalm 23 in the valley of the shadow of death, which in our view is the Jordan River Valley between Mount Hermon and the Sea of Galilee. Isaiah 9 also includes the prophecy of a coming Savior who is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). We discussed the interesting rendering of this verse in the Lexham English Septuagint, in which “Wonderful Counselor” is translated “Messenger of the Great Council.” The second half of this chapter is devoted to God's judgment on the northern Kingdom of Israel, which was fulfilled when the Assyrians overran and conquered Samaria in 722 BC. Here is a link to a PDF copy of the R. H. Charles translation of The Ascension of Isaiah (link opens PDF document). Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us!• X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation | @thebiblesgreatestmysteries• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the left-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.

ISAIAH'S PROPHECY of a coming, Messiah included for seeing where Jesus would declare war on the fallen realm. Chapter 9 of the book of Isaiah picks up where the prophet left off, condemning the people of Israel, for consulting the dead on behalf of the living. His prophecy that a light would shine on those dwelling in a land of deep darkness was cited by Matthew as fulfilled when Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum. We connect this to Psalm 23 in the valley of the shadow of death, which in our view is the Jordan River Valley between Mount Hermon and the Sea of Galilee. Isaiah 9 also includes the prophecy of a coming Savior who is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). We discussed the interesting rendering of this verse in the Lexham English Septuagint, in which “Wonderful Counselor” is translated “Messenger of the Great Council.” The second half of this chapter is devoted to God's judgment on the northern Kingdom of Israel, which was fulfilled when the Assyrians overran and conquered Samaria in 722 BC.Here is a link to a PDF copy of the R. H. Charles translation of The Ascension of Isaiah (link opens PDF document).

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 9:1-7 Isaiah ministered during a time of great gloom and fear, a real social darkness. But a new kind of King is coming! Christ is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—the King who doesn't use power to take, but to save. Sermon Points: The Historical Setting The Good News of the Child The Messiah’s Kingdom

  Psychology vs. The Faith:   Psychology has had a heavy impact on American culture for decades. Then, through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, it steadily crept into the church. Today, it has a deep foothold in the church. And I want to say this carefully, but plainly: one of the most subtle forms of heresy to ever hit the American church is psychological theory being absorbed into Christian ministry as if it were neutral, safe, and compatible with the faith. Not because every observation made by anyone in the field is false. Not because the body doesn't matter. Not because Christians have never been helped by conversations with professionals. But because the most dangerous part of psychology is the part that claims to explain what man is, why man is the way he is, and how man changes. That's not lab science. That's not medicine. That's a philosophy of life—and very often, a rival religion. The Spirit "Expressly Says" This Will Happen Paul warned Timothy with a kind of urgency we rarely hear anymore: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…" (1 Timothy 4:1) Notice what's happening: people depart from the faith, and as they loosen their grip on biblical truth, they become wide open to deception—"deceiving spirits" and "doctrines of demons." Then Paul adds something that should sober every pastor, counselor, and ministry leader: "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." (1 Timothy 4:6) That means warning the flock isn't optional. If we refuse to instruct God's people where deception is creeping in, we are not being "good ministers of Jesus Christ." This isn't about causing trouble. It's about acknowledging that there's already trouble if we won't speak. This Isn't About Condemning People Let me be clear: this is not a blanket condemnation of every psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or person who has sought help. Many people are hurting. Many people are trying to survive. Some have real physiological issues—brain chemistry, sleep deprivation, hormonal problems, trauma responses in the body, or medical complications that should absolutely be evaluated. The Bible does not forbid legitimate medicine. Jesus said the sick need a physician (Luke 5:31). Luke was called "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). The issue is not medical care. The issue is philosophy—systems that tell you what life is, what man is, what truth is, what morality is, what change is, and what salvation looks like. That's why Scripture warns: "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men… and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8) When a counseling theory runs "not according to Christ," the church must not import it uncritically and call it "wisdom." The Most Dangerous Part of Psychology There are areas of psychology that are closer to observation and measurement—like certain aspects of learning patterns or child development. You can observe, record, and make modest conclusions. But the danger zone is the sprawling world of psychotherapy theories that claim authority over identity, meaning, values, morality, and transformation. One of the best summaries I've ever seen puts it like this (paraphrasing the sense of the quote you referenced): the most seductively dangerous area is the part that tries to explain why people are the way they are and how they change. That's exactly the ground Scripture claims as its own. Because the Bible doesn't just tell us what to do. It tells us who we are. It tells us why we sin. It tells us what the heart is. It tells us what repentance is. It tells us what faith is. It tells us what love is. It tells us how change happens—by grace, through the Spirit, in union with Christ, in the life of the church. Psychology Often Operates Like Religion Here's where people get uncomfortable. But we need to be honest: modern psychotherapy doesn't merely treat "disease." It frequently teaches a worldview. It interprets suffering. It assigns meaning. It defines virtue. It sets the boundaries of blame and responsibility. It reframes guilt. It counsels hope. It offers a path of transformation. That's religion-level territory. Even Carl Jung—one of the towering figures in psychological theory—recognized this. He essentially admitted that people were coming to therapists for what they used to go to priests for: relief, meaning, wholeness, direction. In other words, therapy was stepping into the territory of pastoral care and theology. And here's where discernment matters even more: Jung wasn't "biblically spiritual." He was spiritually open in a dark way. You referenced his fascination with spirit-guides and his guide "Philemon." Whether someone calls that metaphor, imagination, archetype, or spiritism, the fruit is the same: theories shaped by contact with a spiritual framework that is not submitted to Christ. The church must not be impressed by "spiritual language" if it is not the Holy Spirit and not the truth of God's Word. The Bible Calls It "The Faith" The New Testament doesn't present Christianity as one option among many "faiths." It presents Christianity as the faith—objective truth revealed by God. "Then the word of God spread… and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7) And Jude says: "I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3) That phrase "once for all delivered" matters. The faith is not evolving. It is not awaiting modern upgrades from secular theory. It has been delivered—complete in its authority and sufficient in its message. So when someone says, "Why can't we just blend the Bible with modern psychotherapy?" my answer is: because you're not blending two neutral tools. You're blending a religion with the faith. And when you merge competing belief systems, you don't get "balance." You get compromise. How the Early Church Handled Rival Spiritual Claims Acts 13 gives us a vivid picture. A sorcerer resisted the gospel and tried to turn a leader away from the faith: "Elymas the sorcerer… withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith." (Acts 13:8) Paul's response was not mild or therapeutic. It was clear and confrontational: "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil… will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10) Why so strong? Because the issue wasn't "two equally valid perspectives." It was deception competing with revealed truth. The church today has become so polite that we often treat spiritual rivals like "alternate viewpoints." The apostles treated them as dangers to souls. And later, after Paul was stoned and left for dead, the mission continued with this repeated emphasis: "…strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith…" (Acts 14:22) Notice that phrase: strengthening the souls… continue in the faith. That's discipleship. That's pastoral care. That's biblical counseling. What This Means for Counseling Today So where does that leave us? We don't deny the body. We take physiology seriously without surrendering the soul to secular theories. We don't demonize every person who has sought therapy. We shepherd people gently, patiently, and truthfully. We do test messages and methods. Not by our preferences, but by Scripture. We refuse captivity. "Philosophy and empty deceit" must not disciple the church. (Colossians 2:8) We contend earnestly. Because the faith is worth protecting, and people are worth warning. (Jude 3) And let me say it plainly: the church does not need a new system to explain man. We have God's Word. The church does not need a new path to transformation. We have Christ. The church does not need a substitute priesthood of therapists to do what pastors and mature believers are called to do in the local church. Jesus is still "Wonderful Counselor." (Isaiah 9:6) A Word to Those Sensing a Call If you sense the Lord calling you to learn biblical counseling—real discipleship care rooted in Scripture, grounded in the local church, centered on Christ—then I want to personally invite you to consider the Biblical Counseling Academy. We are enrolling dedicated students—men and women who sense a call from God to grow in discernment, compassion, courage, and biblical clarity. This isn't about collecting information. It's about being "nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6) so you can help others with hope that is truly from the Lord. If that's you, don't ignore it. Pray. Seek counsel from your pastors. And take the next faithful step. Much Love to All — Serving with You, for God's Glory, by His Grace, Pastor Jeff Christianson Dean of Biblical Counseling

Redemption Revealed | Week 4 | Lynn Kitchens--Jesus comforts his disciples and prepares them for the future, promising them the Holy Spirit and peace.--Outline

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

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

It's Friday, January 2nd, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims killed 14 in Adamawa State Fourteen Nigerians are dead, and four are missing after Boko Haram, a Muslim terrorist group, attacked three villages on the evening of December 29th in Adamawa State, reports International Christian Concern. In addition, numerous homes and businesses were vandalized or burned in the attacks, which struck the villages of Zah, Mubang Yadul, and Kijing. Many villagers fled for their safety. The attackers reportedly fled into the bush before security personnel arrived. The attacks, which occurred days after the U.S. struck ISIS-affiliated Muslim militants in northwest Nigeria, were the latest in a string of assaults on villages in the area to occur around Christmas. MN employees: "Gov. Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud." Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana took to the Senate floor to address how it's possible that Somalis in Minnesota were able to defraud taxpayers to the tune of $1 billion, possibly $9 billion, through fake non-profits. KENNEDY: “Here's what the Legislative Auditor in Minnesota said: ‘The threat of litigation and the negative press affected how the state politicians use their regulatory power.' “And here's what a fraud investigator in the Attorney General's office said: ‘There is a perception that forcefully tackling this issue would cause political backlash from the Somali community, which is a core voting block for Democrats.' “One of the other witnesses in the fraud investigation said, ‘Look, the 80,000-voting block folks with Somali ancestry, you got to have their votes to win in Minneapolis. And if you're a Democrat, if you can't win Minneapolis, you can't win in the state.' So, the politicians did nothing.” Senator Kennedy quoted from a social media post in which hundreds of employees of the Minnesota Department of Human Service weighed in. KENNEDY: “Don't just take my word for it, and don't blame the state employees. They tried. In fact, recently the state employees, they just said, ‘Look, we've had enough.' Several hundred employees from the Minnesota Department of Human Service, who administered this program, they posted this. I'm quoting now. '[Democratic] Governor Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota. We let Tim Walz know of fraud early on.' That's employees talking, hoping for a partnership and stopping fraud. ‘But no, we got the opposite response. Tim Walz systematically retaliated against whistleblowers.'” Jeremiah 9:6 says, “'You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge Me,'” declares the LORD.” Additional massive fraud at Somali-run day care centers in Minnesota In a related story, YouTuber Nick Shirley, age 23, has exposed what appears to be massive additional fraud in taxpayer-subsidized, Somali-run day care centers. This has prompted the Department of Health and Human Services to announce that it is derailing the $185-million gravy train.  HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neil said on X, “We have frozen all child care payments to the state of Minnesota,” reports The Blaze. O'NEIL:” “Intrepid journalists have made shocking and credible allegations of extensive fraud in Minnesota's child care programs. We believe the state of Minnesota has allowed scammers and fake day cares to siphon millions of taxpayer dollars over the past decade.” Muslim NYC Mayor sworn in with Quran Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani took his New Year's Eve oath of office on his grandfather's Quran and a 200-year-old Quaran from the New York Public Library. It marked the first time a New York City mayor used Islam's misguided text to be sworn in, reports the Associated Press. The 34-year-old Democrat became mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, the first Muslim, the first South Asian and the first African-born person to hold that position. Most of Mamdani's predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state, and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text. In addition, Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has directly labeled Mayor Mamdami a Communist.  Posting on X, Cruz wrote, “When communists rule, individual rights—invariably—are taken away.” Listen to the Big Apple Mayor's own words. MAMDAMI: “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” CT Governor to give $10 million to abortion giant Planned Parenthood Connecticut Democrat Governor Ned Lamont has announced he intends to give $10.4 million of taxpayers' money to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, in order to compensate for Trump's decision to defund the abortion giant, reports LifeSiteNews.com. The Connecticut Mirror reported the governor's latest spending proposal, part of $41 million to make up for lost federal funds for a variety of so-called “services,” bringing the total committed for that purpose up to almost $168 million. Parents: School cancels Christmas concert over “Jesus” lyrics And finally, parents in Fonda, New York are furious after the annual elementary school Christmas concert was canceled. Many suspect it's because a teacher was offended by the name of Jesus, reports Christian talk show host Todd Starnes. Children at Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School had worked very hard to learn songs for the concert.  But there was one particular song that caused a bit of controversy. The song is called, “Oh, What a Special Night” and it tells the birth of Christ from the perspective of the animals around the manger scene. At the end of each verse, the children sang, “Thank you God for Baby Jesus.” The school district confirmed that the song was removed from the concert under guidance from their legal department.  Shortly after that, the concert was canceled. On Facebook, one parent wrote, “So tired of this woke culture, where one parent can call in and complain, and ruin it for the entire district.” Another said, “It is CHRISTmas. If someone doesn't agree with that, then they don't need to participate, and their parents don't need to attend. … The school has ruined the countless hours of practice the other kids have put in, as well as the joy and excitement they feel when they see their families in the audience. All of that happiness has been taken away.” Isaiah 9:6 declares, “For unto us a Child is born, unto 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 Friday, January 2, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 9:6 - 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. (ESV) THE EVENING MINDSET IS COMING! Beginning January 1 - 2026 - A new DAILY podcast will be available to help you wind down, reset your mind on God’s truth, and prepare for a night of rest and rejuvenation. “The Daily Mindset” will launch on the podcast player of your choice on January 1, 2026. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode: https://EveningMindset.com

The angels’ proclamation of Jesus’ birth still matters today because it announces lasting peace, living hope, and a Savior for all people. The Christmas story reminds us that God’s glory broke into ordinary life, calling us to see Jesus personally, share His good news boldly, and live in worshipful praise. Highlights The heavenly host announced Jesus’ birth with glory, joy, and peace for the world. God chose ordinary shepherds to first hear and respond to the greatest news in history. Seeing Jesus personally is essential—faith is not inherited, it’s encountered. The shepherds immediately shared what they had witnessed, spreading amazement and hope. Praise and worship naturally followed obedience and belief. The angels’ message continues to invite us into joy, proclamation, and worship today. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: What the Angels Proclaimed Still Matters By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.’” - Luke 2:13-14 Northern Lights, comets, planets aligning in the sky… they all catch our attention, especially for stargazers. It’s a thrilling sight to see the night sky lit up with brilliant light. As Luke 2:9-12 describes, shepherds who were quietly minding their own business, guarding their sheep, watching over their flocks, were surprised, to say the least, at what happened to them one clear, starry night long ago: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” Although one shining angel is more than enough to catch their attention, God’s great joy and delight broke through from Heaven with a great heavenly host, praising God and lighting up the earth. Why the Angel’s Proclamation Still Matters Although thousands of years ago, what the angels proclaimed on that clear starry night still matters to us today. Here are three reasons why: We each need to see the Savior for ourselves. Just as the shepherds were told to go see Jesus for themselves, it remains a divine directive that each one of us needs to follow. As written in Luke 2:15-16, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” We still need to spread the word of Jesus’ birth. Just as at His birth, there are many who do not know about Jesus unless we tell them about Him and where to find Him. As Luke 2:17-18 records, “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” We are called to glorify and praise God. The angels glorified and praised God in their proclamation, an example for us to follow in celebrating His coming to earth. As Luke 2:20 describes, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” As well, John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Christmas is a time for great celebration, as demonstrated by the angels and heavenly host. The angels inspire us to spread this good news - an announcement like no other in the history of the world. “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). Intersecting Faith & Life: The angels’ glorious proclamation, so many years ago, remains ageless and forever relevant in Heaven and on earth. Their message doesn’t fade away or lose its impact on the world. Because what the angels proclaimed still matters, we can see, spread, and praise God through it. Further Reading: A Prayer of Celebration for Jesus’ Birth Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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.

 “The first Christmas came with gifts meant for broken hearts.” Christmas is often one of the hardest seasons for parents grieving the loss of a child. Today, I reprise a solo episode originally recorded in 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic which speaks into a time marked by isolation, uncertainty, and compounded grief. Separated from loved ones, surrounded by illness and fear, many bereaved parents were carrying more than ever before. In this episode, I reflect on the Christmas story through the lens of Isaiah 9:6, focusing not on the gifts we exchange, but on the gifts given at the very moment Jesus was born. In this episode, I discuss:The gift of our Wonderful Counselor, when no human words are enoughThe gift of our Mighty God, whose strength carries us in our weaknessThe gift of our Everlasting Father, steady and committed now and foreverThe gift of our Prince of Peace, offering peace with God amid chaos and sorrowThe gift of Immanuel—God with us, near to the brokenhearted and crushed in spiritThrough Scripture, personal reflection, and gentle encouragement, this episode reminds grieving parents that they are not alone—especially when traditions feel altered, expectations feel heavy, and the future feels uncertain.A reminder for this seasonWhen Christmas feels overwhelming… When your heart aches for what used to be… When your child's name goes unspoken… When a new year feels impossible to imagine…God is with us. That is the gift of Immanuel.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Isaiah 9:6 reveals the wonder of Christ’s birth by naming who Jesus truly is—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. These titles invite deeper Christmas worship that goes beyond the manger and into everyday life, shaping how we trust, pray, and follow Jesus. Highlights Jesus is fully human and fully God, born as a child yet given as a Savior. Isaiah’s prophecy points to Christ’s identity, not just His arrival. Wonderful Counselor reminds us to seek Jesus for wisdom and direction. Mighty God assures us of Christ’s divine power at work in our weakness. Everlasting Father reflects God’s constant care, protection, and presence. Prince of Peace offers spiritual wholeness that steadies us in a stressed world. True Christmas worship continues year-round through trust, surrender, and awe. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: How to Worship Through the Wonder of Christ’s BirthBy: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“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, NIV Imagine getting a gift so incredible, so mind-blowing, that you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you gasp, maybe you cry, or maybe you just sit there, speechless. The people who learned about Jesus Christ’s birth on the first Christmas must have felt overwhelmed like that after learning that God had given the world the ultimate gift of a Savior. Hundreds of years before the first Christmas, the prophet Isaiah described that gift – including awe-inspiring titles for Jesus that point to his future work in the world: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 invites you to worship through the wonder of Christ’s birth. The first part of the verse, “to us a child is born, to us a son is given,” focuses on the humanity of Jesus. He was a real baby, born to a real mother, experiencing real life. This part may be the easiest for you to connect with, because it’s personal and comforting. The titles that follow challenge you to move beyond seeing Jesus just as a baby in a manger, but as the powerful Son of God who saves and transforms you. Those titles show you how you can worship Christ in every single area of your life: Wonderful Counselor: When you need God’s guidance for your decisions, you can ask Jesus and get the help you need. He isn’t just a good adviser; he’s a wonderful one. Christ can give you wisdom that cuts through the confusion of life in this fallen world and shows you the best path forward by walking with you as your personal guide. So, worship him by bringing your hardest decisions and deepest confusion to him with the trust that he will help you move forward well. Mighty God: This title removes all doubt about Christ’s divinity. Jesus is much more than just a powerful messenger or a great teacher; he is God himself, who came to Earth to personally save humanity. Christ is mighty – he has unlimited power that he uses for good, loving purposes to redeem what has been broken by sin in the world. When you feel powerless or overwhelmed by a challenge, worship Jesus by relying on his mighty strength to help you overcome that challenge. Everlasting Father: This title speaks to how Christ protects you and provides for you, like a good father does. While Jesus is God’s Son, he is also fully God, because he has perfect unity with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is part of the Heavenly Father who cares so well for you every day of your life. So, when you feel lonely or vulnerable, you can worship him by resting in his eternal, unchanging care. Prince of Peace: Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it’s a spiritual wholeness that puts everyone and everything in creation in harmony with the Creator – which is what Christ does. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gives you ultimate peace with God through his sacrifice for your sins. In this fallen world that’s full of stress, you can worship Christ by accepting the peace he offers, which is strong enough to help you overcome any challenges you face. Jesus is so much more than just a baby born in Bethlehem. When you worship Christ as he’s described in Isaiah 9:6, you can’t help but be filled with overwhelming feelings of awe. Those feelings will inspire you to discover the wonder of God’s work in your life every day. True Christmas worship is something you can practice every day of the year, by seeking wisdom from the Counselor, finding strength in the Mighty God, resting in the Everlasting Father, and trusting the Prince of Peace to help you be calm and confident. Look at all Christ really is, and celebrate with wonder! Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how to worship through the wonder of Christ’s birth, reflect on these questions: Which of Christ's titles (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, or Prince of Peace) do you personally need to focus on most this week, and why? What major decisions are you facing right now, and how can you trust Jesus to be your Wonderful Counselor for how to move forward well? The “child is born” that Isaiah 9:6 mentions is also the “Mighty God” it mentions. How does that change the way you approach prayer? What worries can you hand over to the Everlasting Father, with trust that he will meet your needs in those situations? Who can you forgive this week to worship Christ as the Prince of Peace by forgiving others as he has forgiven you? Further Reading:Matthew 1:23John 14:6Philippians 4:7Colossians 1:15-17Hebrews 13:8 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Let's face it — the chaos of travel, family gatherings, and exchanging presents can cause us to forget the miracle of Christmas. It's easy to become numb or distracted from the treasure of Jesus. Meditating on Scripture helps us reorient ourselves to the surprising arrival of Immanuel and the stunning reality of his everlasting kingdom.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi unpackages the real gift of Christmas using the beautiful words of the prophet Isaiah. This reflection and prayer will stir your longing for more of Jesus and lead you into deeper worship of the One we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.Resources for this Episode:Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for AdventDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

In the fourth and final episode of Promised & Fulfilled, hosts Greg and Nathan turn to one of the most hope-filled promises in all of Scripture. In “A Light to the Nations: Isaiah's Vision of Redemption,” they explore Isaiah 9 and the breathtaking declaration that a great light would shine on people walking in darkness. Spoken into a time of judgment, fear, and uncertainty, Isaiah's prophecy points forward to a coming King—one whose reign would bring peace without end. Greg and Nathan unpack how this promise finds its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ, announced to the shepherds as “a Savior… who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11) and revealed as the true light who overcomes the darkness (John 1:4–5). This episode explores: The historical and spiritual darkness surrounding Isaiah's prophecy The meaning behind the messianic titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace How Jesus embodies the light, peace, and righteous rule foretold by Isaiah What it means to live today in the tension of the “already and not yet” of Christ's kingdom As the series concludes, this conversation invites listeners to rejoice that the light has already come—and to live with hope as we await the full and final fulfillment of His eternal reign. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2, ESV)

The Savior that was promised hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth was the Messiah an army under siege needed … not because they needed to be delivered from their enemies but because they needed to be delivered from their sin. Pastor J.D. continues today in Isaiah 7 to show us how to approach the Wonderful Counselor, who knows our sin but instead of condemnation offers us the righteousness of Christ.

In this message, Pastor Chris Donald shares why Immanuel, God with us is the greatest gift of radical love. Using Matthew 1:18–25, he reminds us that Christmas is about God coming near and removing all distance between Himself and humanity. Pastor Chris explores what is found within this gift, Jesus as the Light of the World, the Wonderful Counselor, and the Prince of Peace, while calling listeners to return to daily dependence on Christ and rediscover the truth that Jesus is enough. The vision of Mercy Culture is to take people from corporate encounters with God to daily personal encounters with God. At Mercy Culture, one of our unique characteristics is that we are a presence driven church. We are not built around any person or ministry. We are built around the presence of God. Each week, you will hear a teaching from our Lead Pastors, Les and Nikki Cody or another leader in our community. To learn more about Mercy Culture, visit https://mercyculturewaco.com

The promise of a Savior that wouldn't arrive for 700 years might not have been a great comfort to the army that received the prophecy, but God knew what they needed, and what we need today, is a Messiah who would save us from our sin. Today, Pastor J.D. is unpacking the promise of Isaiah 9 from the series “Hope Has a Name” and showing us how we should approach the Wonderful Counselor, who brings light to our darkness and gives us the gift of himself.

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Galatians 4:4–5 NLT) When we think of Christmas, we think of the arrival of Jesus: “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). In reality, it was also a departure. For us, a Child was born. But for God the Father, a Son was given. Twice in Galatians 4:4–5, God talks about sending Jesus to us (NLT). In Heaven, the time had come for the departure of God’s Son. We even have a record in Hebrews 10 of Jesus’ farewell words to the Father. He said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—as is written about me in the Scriptures’” (Hebrews 10:5–7 NLT). It’s impossible for us to comprehend the sacrifice, the break in intimacy, involved in God’s sending of His Son. We see that intimacy between Father and Son throughout Jesus’ public ministry. Luke 6:12 says, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (NIV). Jesus prioritized His relationship with His Father above all else. We see that intimacy in Matthew 26:39. As the time of His sacrifice approached, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (NIV). Jesus knew what was coming. And in Mark 15:34, we see the unimaginable agony of Jesus’ sacrifice as He cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (NIV). God placed the sins of the world on His Son. And in that moment, Jesus was banished from His Father’s presence because sin cannot coexist with God. Jesus suffered the separation from God that we deserve. Jesus also made an unimaginable sacrifice at His birth. He went from the throne of Heaven to a feeding trough. He went from the presence of angels to a stable of animals. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. The apostle Paul summed it up well: “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT). No one who has ever lived has even remotely affected human history the way Jesus Christ has. He has been opposed, censored, banned, and criticized by every generation since His birth. Yet His influence continues unabated. There has never been anyone like Jesus because Jesus was not just a good man. He was the God-Man who came and walked this earth because of the sacrifice of His Father. And that’s what we celebrate at Christmas. Reflection question: Where do you see evidence of Jesus’ impact on our culture today? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Chriamas service might mention Isaiah 9, calling Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That's great, but I have never heard the REST of Isaiah 9 quoted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Chriamas service might mention Isaiah 9, calling Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That's great, but I have never heard the REST of Isaiah 9 quoted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Chriamas service might mention Isaiah 9, calling Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That's great, but I have never heard the REST of Isaiah 9 quoted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Chriamas service might mention Isaiah 9, calling Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That's great, but I have never heard the REST of Isaiah 9 quoted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the name Wonderful Counselor tell us about Jesus? In this encouraging message called, THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR IS HERE, Pastor Jeff Schreve reveals the heart of Jesus and how He can work miracles in your life when you bring your problems to Him. This message is from the series, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME: ISAIAH'S DESCRIPTION OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH.

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. 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 itwith justice and righteousness from that time on and forever" - Isaiah 9:6–7 (NIV) Hope feels different when you remember who Jesus actually is. Isaiah’s prophecy names Him in ways our weary hearts often forget: the Wonderful Counselor who brings wisdom when life feels tangled, the Mighty God who carries what we can’t, the Everlasting Father who never abandons, and the Prince of Peace who calms the chaos within and around us. Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel

“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 passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” (Isaiah 9:6–7 NLT) As we look at our world today, it becomes apparent that part of the promise of Isaiah 9:6–7 has not yet been fulfilled. The Child has been born. The Son has been given. But He has not yet taken the government upon His shoulders. We do not yet have peace with fairness and justice. The good news is that the day is coming. Christ will return. He will establish His kingdom on this earth. And it will be the righteous rule of God Himself. Before Jesus could take the government upon His shoulder, He had to take the cross upon His shoulder. Before He could wear the crown of glory as King of kings, He had to wear the shameful crown of thorns and give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The first time He came, a star marked His arrival. The next time He comes, the heavens will roll back like a scroll, stars will fall from the sky, and He Himself will light the universe. This season, we celebrate the Incarnation and what it means to us. God came near to us so that we can come near to Him. He came to give our lives purpose and meaning, to forgive us of our sins, and to give us the hope of Heaven beyond the grave. Christmas is not about tinsel or shopping or even spending time with family. Christmas is not about the gifts under the tree. Rather, Christmas is about the gift that was given on the tree—when Christ died on a wooden cross for our sins and gave us the gift of eternal life. He also gave us the hope of His return. In Luke 21:25–28, Jesus said, “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (NLT). So, as we celebrate Christmas this year, let’s do so with an eye toward the Lord’s return. Let’s remember that one day our hope will be fulfilled, and our joy will be complete. Reflection question: How does Jesus give your life meaning and purpose as you await His return? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first message from our new series, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Pastor Joel Sims shares that God has good plans for your life that He reveals to us by the Spirit. But it's important to know that to get the Spirit's guidance, you have to be spiritual.

Angel Studios https://Angel.com/HermanJoin the Angel Guild today where you can stream Thank You, Dr. Fauci and be part of the conversation demanding truth and accountability.  Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeOne Question for Mark Kelly and His Supporters // The Tim Walz Matrix // The OTHER Christmas MiracleEpisode Links:Kelly: “People should be able to tell the difference between something that is unlawful and something that is lawful." Welker: "That puts a lot of burden on the troops to make a decision in real time." Kelly: "A reasonable person can tell something that is legal and something that is illegal." Kelly is openly encouraging dissent and threatening prosecutions for actions that Democrats will deem illegal should they reclaim power.The "Double Tap" War Crimes Hoax is a complete joke. Democrat Senator Mark Kelly accidentally admits on air to Rachel Maddow that there were no specific illegal orders from President Trump behind the viral video stunt warning the military to defy the White House.Tim Walz says he takes no responsibility for the Somalis who've been robbing Americans of billions in Minnesota and funneling those dollars back to terr*rists in Somalia. You'll notice he doesn't deny it's happening, of course. Walz is complicit.Tim Walz's new flagWhat Does God's Word Say?Isaiah 9:1-79 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—2 The people walking in darkness    have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness    a light has dawned.3 You have enlarged the nation    and increased their joy;they rejoice before you    as people rejoice at the harvest,as warriors rejoice    when dividing the plunder.4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat,    you have shatteredthe yoke that burdens them,    the bar across their shoulders,    the rod of their oppressor.5 Every warrior's boot used in battle    and every garment rolled in bloodwill be destined for burning,    will be fuel for the fire.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.

Could it be that the Christmas story started far earlier than we think? In our new series, “His Name Shall Be Called,” Pastor Joakim Lundqvist reminds us that Jesus didn't just show up in Bethlehem—He's been present since the very beginning. From Old Testament encounters to ancient prophecies, Scripture has been pointing to who Jesus really is all along: our Wonderful Counselor and the One who still brings wonder into our lives today.

On today's special edition of Family Talk, Roger Marsh welcomes best-selling author Lee Strobel to discuss his new and updated book, The Case for Christmas. Strobel shares his research on the plausible cause for the virgin birth, and how a study of one Greek word in the Bible sheds light on the traditional Christmas story. Isaiah 9:6 declares, “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. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/707/29?v=20251111

Could it be that the Christmas story started far earlier than we think? In our new series, “His Name Shall Be Called,” Pastor Joakim Lundqvist reminds us that Jesus didn't just show up in Bethlehem—He's been present since the very beginning. From Old Testament encounters to ancient prophecies, Scripture has been pointing to who Jesus really is all along: our Wonderful Counselor and the One who still brings wonder into our lives today.