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And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

When life starts piling up and your heart feels too heavy to carry, it's time to talk to the Wonderful Counselor. In this episode, we're diving into what it means to release it all, choose healing, and find peace in the One who truly understands your heart.–To connect with Lauren or to become a Supporter, visit gravetop.com and follow her @laurenahargrove on Instagram and Facebook

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

John 10:22-42,At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods'? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— 36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,' because I said, ‘I am the Son of God'? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.I want you to think, for a moment, about someone in your life who rejects Jesus. Why do they reject Jesus? I really want you to try and answer that question. What is it about him that drives them away?Maybe the Christians they know have disappointed or even hurt them. Maybe they had a bad church experience somewhere along the way. Or they're sinning in a relationship, and aren't willing to stop. Or they had a child who came out as a homosexual, and they couldn't accept what the Bible says about homosexuality. Or they look at all the suffering in the world — wars and poverty and cancer — and can't conceive how there could be a God. Maybe they can't stomach hell — eternal conscious torment.I think that question is what our passage is about this morning: Why would anyone hate and reject Jesus? . . . And why would anyone love and follow him?Three (Four) Responses to JesusAs we've been walking through this Gospel, there are really only three responses to him. Some think he's crazy. They seem to kind of pity him. We saw this two weeks ago, in the first half of chapter 10, verse 19:“There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, ‘He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?'”In other words, “This guy's clearly nuts. Did you hear who he thinks he is? Why would you give him the time of day? Why listen to him?”Others hate Jesus, and they do everything to stop him. They're not content to stop listening, dismiss, and ignore him. They want to kill him. They actually try to beat him to death with rocks. That's how angry and afraid they are. We'll see this kind of hatred again in our passage this morning, but this isn't the first time. Again and again, they tried to arrest him, silence him, and kill him. Some think he's crazy. Others hate and attack him. A few leave and risk everything to have him. They weren't just saying, “Yeah, you know what, I think he's right about that. No, they were saying he's worth losing everything.” I think about the man born blind in chapter 9. Jesus spits on the ground, makes some mud, rubs the man's eyes — and he can see! The Pharisees are angry that he'd open someone's eyes on the Sabbath (can't do that), so they confront the man's parents. Even his own parents are so afraid to be associated with Jesus, they say, “Go ask our son. He's of age. He will speak for himself.” That's how dangerous all of this was. The son they bore and raised and guided around his whole life because he couldn't see — he can see, and they can see that he can see — and they don't want to talk about it! So the Pharisees confront the son and ask him what happened. He tells them. And they say, “You were born in utter sin,” and they cast him out. That wasn't like, you need to leave the room now. That was “You're cut off from everything now.” You're not welcome anymore — your identity, your relationships, your livelihood, you're finished. Some think he's crazy. Others hate and attack him. A few leave and risk everything to have him. I really might lose everything to follow this man — but if I have him, it'll be worth it.I'll add a fourth response here that I don't see anywhere in the Gospel but I see everywhere today: Many in our day hear Jesus and just scroll right by — no hatred, no confusion, no love, just cool disinterest. They don't care enough to be curious or offended. They treat him like a guy would treat an ad for skin care, or like a girl would skip a YouTube video about how to fix the drive belt on a dryer. What do they hear when they meet Jesus? They hear “cottage cheese,” “real estate tax,” “math homework.” That's how they feel about Jesus — the Son of God. I almost wish they hated him, at least then they'd be taking him seriously. Jews in the first century didn't have this fourth option. They couldn't scroll by this man. His works were too great to ignore:He turned water to wine.He healed an invalid.He healed the man blind from birth.He healed the official's son from afar.He fed 5,000 people with one man's leftovers.He walked on the sea.We're about to see him raise the dead in the next chapter.No, Jews at that time knew he was either the Messiah or an imposter. He was either everything they had ever wanted, for hundreds and thousands of years — or he threatened everything about them. They didn't have a fourth option, and I want you to hear this morning: We don't either. We might think we do, but we really don't. His life and teaching demand a response: either pity, hostility, or worship. Those are still the options. Either he was a mentally ill babbler, or he was a lying egomaniac who's ruined millions of lives, or he was the very Son of God. And some of us might say, “Well, of course, he's the Son of God” here on Sunday morning, but then we treat him like a skincare product the rest of the week. What do you see when you meet Jesus? And why do you see what you see while so many hate what they see?Why Does Anyone Hate Jesus?That's the main question this text is addressing: Why do so many hate Jesus when he finally comes?We begin in verse 22:At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. . . .”The question might sound sincere: “Oh Jesus, are you the Christ we've been waiting for — Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace? Just tell us, so we can follow you.” But it's not sincere. It's sinister. They're trying to trap him. They want him to say something they can kill him for — “say it plainly, Jesus.”Why don't the Jews believe him? Why do his own people try everything to kill Jesus? This problem is raised in the very first verses of the Gospel, John 1:11:“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”Why did so many not believe? Why do you not believe (if you don't believe)? That's the question at the heart of our text this morning. And before I get to Jesus's answer in our passage, we've already gotten two answers in the book of John. Why does anyone reject and hate Jesus?1. Because They Love Their SinFirst, they don't believe because they love their sin. This is John 3:19–20:And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.Why did people hate and reject Jesus? Because they secretly loved darkness. They loved their sin, so they hid their sin, and stayed in bed with their sin. And Jesus went around exposing people's sin, and telling them they must repent, so they tried to kill him. Their secret sin kept them from seeing the Messiah who would save them from their sin. But they didn't want to be saved from their sin. They didn't want to go to hell, and they didn't want their sin to be exposed in front of others, but they didn't want to leave that sin behind either. They didn't love Jesus because they loved their sin, and no one can serve two masters. If that's you, you can't serve two masters.2. Because They Live for PraiseSecond, they don't believe because they live to please man. They live for the approval and applause of other people. This is John 5:43–44:“I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”Why did people hate and reject Jesus? Because they lived for the glory and praise of man. They cared too much what other people thought about them, and they knew what it would cost them socially to get in the boat with Jesus. The reputation and approval they'd worked so hard to earn would be gone. And that vanity, that me-worship blinded them to Jesus. They loved the mirror, and so they could never love the Messiah. “How could you believe?” he says.3. Because They Are Not HisJesus gives a third reason now, though, and it's the most blunt of the three. Again, they ask, verse 24,“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, verse 25,“I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because . . .” Because what? Here's the third reason why so many hated and rejected him. Why do the people you love not believe in Jesus?“…you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.”You do not believe in me, because you are not mine. Whoa, what does that mean? He goes on, verse 27:“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”You do not believe in me, because the Father has not given you to me. It must be given to you.At the earliest, deepest, most decisive root, our belief in God is not a work we achieve, but a gift we receive.The Father gifts us to the Son, and in handing us to the Son, he gifts life and faith to us by the Spirit. Why does anyone who believes in Jesus believe in Jesus? Because the Father has given us to the Son. We've been born again. We saw this in John 3:6-8, remember:“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”You believe because you were born again, and you had as much control over your second birth as you had over your first. God chose you and gave you new birth. From beginning to end, you are a child of sovereign grace.“But” — Jesus says to the angry mob — “my Father hasn't given you to me, and so you are not among my sheep, and that's why you don't believe.” You hate me because the Father you claim to know and worship hasn't chosen you. He hasn't given you sheep ears yet. And so while others hear my voice and it sounds like the Hallelujah chorus, you hear nails on a chalkboard. The Father has sent his own Son into the world, so that anyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal live, and yet in your ears, that Word of heaven sounds like hell.And what do they do? “The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.” They prove who they are. They prove they're not his sheep.“I Said, You Are Gods.”A brief aside here on the next few verses, the most confusing part of this passage. When they pick up stones, Jesus says,“I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answer back, verse 33,“It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”And then Jesus does this strange thing. He quotes Psalm 82: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods'? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be broken — do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,' because I said, ‘I am the Son of God'?What's he doing? It's difficult to really say, and I won't get into all the possible interpretations. Good scholars I trust, though, get to the end of their sophisticated theological and exegetical explanations, and basically say, “He was buying time.” He's about to be murdered, the rocks are about to fly, and so he buys a little more time. The argument — “The Scriptures sometimes call humans ‘gods,' so why would you stone me for saying I'm the Son of God?” — the argument certainly doesn't prove that he's God or the Son of God. And it doesn't really solve the problem of blasphemy either, because Jesus is saying he's more than whatever humans Psalm 82 is talking about. No, I think he's buying a little time in an incredibly heated, volatile moment, by saying in a roundabout way, “You don't understand your own Scriptures, and that's very obvious because of how you're treating me.”Now why would he buy time? He's already said, verse 18,“No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”So why stall with a Psalm 82 riddle? It's not for his safety; he doesn't need tricks or riddles. No, he buys a little more time for them. What does he say next? Verse 37:“If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”Even if you can't bring yourself to believe my words, believe my works. Do you hear his patience with them? They're holding rocks, arms raised, and he's still pleading with them to repent and believe. Hear my voice! Hear my voice! And if you can't hear my voice, then look at what the works are saying: that the Father has anointed and sent me.“Believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”Believe the works for now, so that you might finally hear and believe me. And what do they do in the face of all his patience? Verse 39:“Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.”They hated, rejected, and attacked him. They treated the Son like a wolf. Why? Because they loved their sin, because they only cared what others think, and because they're not one of his chosen sheep. The Father has not made them his sheep, not yet anyway.Why Evangelize with Election?Why did Jesus take this approach with them?“You do not believe because my Father hasn't chosen you and given you to me.”You won't find this in an “Evangelism for Beginners” book, right? You're picking up stones because my Father isn't your Father, and you're not my sheep. No, we talk about election with Christians — this is how you were saved. Why would he go there with really hostile, lost people?Because he wanted to make it clear to a group of violently proud men that the Son of God came to save the humble and oppose the proud.This kind of talking draws the humble and infuriates the proud. Even in this room, some of you are bristling inside. There's too many Americans in here for someone not to. I don't like that! I make my own choices. I make the decisions around here. I come to my own conclusions. This God won't save proud people, people who want credit for their saving. He won't save someone who comes to him holding up their intelligence, their decision, their good works. No, from beginning to end, he does the saving and he gets the glory. This Savior is calling sheep — and this crowd doesn't want to be sheep. He's calling children — and they don't want to become like children. He chooses the sheep, he predestines the sheep, he justifies the sheep, he calls the sheep, he gives new birth to the sheep, and one day he will glorify the sheep — and no one can take them out of his hand. Verse 29 again:“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.”That makes Jesus a refuge for the humble and a terror to the proud. He's calling sheep who are happy to be chosen sheep, born again and saved by grace — and they don't want to be sheep. So are you okay being a sheep? Can you love a God who calls and saves like that?Why Does Anyone Love Jesus?You might think, “Well, if no one believes unless the Father chooses, then what can I do? I guess I'll just have to head home and wait for a call.” No, he's calling right now. If you want to come this morning, you can hear his voice. He's given you a gift. If there's any impulse in you to come, then come! This is the invitation, John 6:35–37:“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” Do you hear him this morning? Are you drawn to this Jesus? Are you ready to come out of the darkness, and to finally leave your sin behind, and to stop living for what others think about you? Do you want to come, somewhere deep inside of you? He won't cast you out. If you come in humble faith — I'm a sheep, and I'm so happy to be your sheep — he will never, ever turn you away. And no one will be able to snatch you from his hand. I want you to be like the sheep in verses 40–42. I love where this chapter ends. The Jews sought to arrest him and he escapes, and now verse 40:He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.He went across the Jordan, and he lifted up his voice, and the stones stopped flying and the sheep came running.The sheep heard his voice. They heard him then, and they still hear him now. Oh that God would do this in the Cities today, in New Brighton, in Burnsville, in Woodbury. He was calling along the Jordan, and now he's calling here along the Mississippi. Many came to him and believed in him there, and we pray that many, many would hear his voice and come to him here. I'm so jealous that our legacy in these Cities would be John's legacy in that town of Bethany:“Everything those people said about this man was true.”A Man Making Himself God?As we come to the Table now, I want to end back in verse 33. When they pick up the stones, Jesus said to them,“What work are you stoning me for?”The Jews answer,“It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”And in all their blindness and hatred, they're almost right. It's beautiful when Jesus's enemies preach the gospel for him, isn't it? We hate you and we're going to kill you “because you, being a man, make yourself God.” Almost.No, this is not a man who made himself God, but this is a God who has made himself man — for us. Remember the very first verses of this Gospel:“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”That's why he could say, “I and the Father are one.”“And that Word became flesh and dwelt among the sheep, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Have you seen his glory? Have you heard his voice? Have you tasted and seen that he is good? Have you believed in his great name? Then we'd invite you to eat and drink with us. If you're not yet a believer in Jesus, we'd ask you to let the bread and the cup pass. But let today be the day you put down your stones, put down your pride, join the sheep, and experience abundant life with us.

What if Christmas wasn't about doing more, but learning how to be more present with your family? In this episode, we're diving into why holiday perfection is stealing your joy and how you can shift from chaos to connection this season.We're talking about practical ways to focus on what really matters—faith, family, and freedom from the pressure to do everything perfectly. You'll discover how to choose meaningful traditions over Pinterest-perfect moments, and how to prepare your heart during Advent so you can actually enjoy Christmas morning.In this episode you will learn:✅Why scrolling social media makes you feel behind and stressed✅How to shift from perfection to presence during the holidays✅3 keys to a more peaceful Christmas✅Simple ways to create meaningful traditions your kids will actually remember✅How to use Advent to prepare your heart, not just check off a to-do listReady to make this your most peaceful Christmas yet? Grab the Christmas Celebration Bundle mentioned in this episode at HowToHomeschoolmychild.com/ChristmasbundleShow Notes:How to Be More Present This Christmas (Without the Holiday Stress)Hey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop stress so you can take a coffee break. Let me tell you, the topic we're talking about today can stress you out, but I'm here to give you some ideas and some solutions.Yes, you can see the background, it's one of my first episodes for this Christmas season, and I think it's really important to figure out what happens when you let go of holiday perfection. What if Christmas wasn't about doing more, but being more present?The Pressure of Holiday PerfectionYou know, I used to try to make everything, well, back in the day, magazine perfect. Y'all are dealing with making everything Pinterest perfect, or Instagram perfect. I used to get a magazine, Southern Living. Actually, I got a whole two rows of them, old copies, and Southern Living had always, around November, December, they'd have an article about decorating the tree, and having the perfect little snacks, and everything was just perfect.Only, anytime I tried that, it didn't work. So, I sort of gave up on it. Some of you may be thinking about, oh, I gotta get the perfect matching pajamas, or just the flawless photos, elaborate crafts. But by Christmas Eve, for myself, and especially Christmas Day after we'd opened gifts, I was exhausted and snappy, and as I've told you before, crying in the car on the freeway.I realized after a couple years like that, that Jesus never asked for perfection. He asked for presence. He just wants our presence with Him.Letting Go of the Comparison TrapHow can we let go of that perfection? And you may not be a perfectionist. But you may still be scrolling social media going, oh, I wish I had… oh, look at them, look at that.That is such a false hope. They are showing you their highlight reels. They are not giving you an accurate picture of what life is like. Because we scroll through Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and we feel behind already. We want our kids to have magical memories, but we forget that we set the tone as well.You see, when we do that, when we are constantly comparing ourselves to other people, we feel guilty. We feel overwhelmed. We feel stressed. And there's one more. Oh, we miss the joy of the season! You know, the season's supposed to be joyful and joy to the world. It is not happening.Your kids are not going to remember the perfect decorations, or the perfect decorating, tree decorating evening. They're going to remember the times as a family. They're gonna remember your peace and your presence with them. We don't need to be doing more, we just need to be present with our family.From Chaos to ConnectionSo how can we go from chaos to connection? Letting go of perfection actually opens the door for true connection.Think about it. What if on Christmas morning, y'all just had a great morning? If you open gifts in, that's great, but you're calm, your kids are happy, the home is at peace. Wouldn't that be awesome?But it doesn't just happen like this. We need to be intentional about it, and that is why I want to talk to you about that. We can use that time of Advent. Advent starts about 4 weeks before Christmas, and every week we can be doing different activities that can prepare our heart.Sometimes it's a heart surgery. We need to look at ourselves and see what do we need to do before God? Are there some sins that we need to confess? And we need to model that, and then show our kids as well. And then the different activities need to be purposeful and intentional.The Three Keys: Faith, Family, and FreedomThe key here is making a shift to faith, family, and freedom.Faith. Putting Christ back at the center. Back at the center of your celebration.Family, focusing on meaningful moments together, not the perfect photo.And then freedom, releasing the pressure to do everything perfect. And just have joy instead!You see, we need to spend that time personally, in faith, with our Lord and Savior, spending time, preparing our hearts for that celebration, and then we need to spend time as a family. That will draw the connections first. You've got up and down connection with God, then we have horizontal connection with our family. And when we build those connections, I think we grow into some freedom, that we don't have to do everything perfect.Practical Ways to Be More PresentSo, what are some practical ways? I would encourage you to pick one or two meaningful traditions that you might do year after year.For our family, I think my kids will all tell you their favorite Christmas tradition was baking pumpkin bread and cookies to sell. They took the profit, and they bought a gift for one missionary family. Every year, we picked a different missionary family. And to this day, they've all said something about that. It's one of their favorite traditions.We did that every year, and they would sell the baked goods, and then we would go to the store and buy it with whatever profit they had, because they had to pay me back for all the ingredients and that type of thing.So, pick one or two traditions. Say no to the activities that drain your family, that drain your spirit, your husband's spirit, your kid's spirit. Focus on time together, not just checking off the boxes. I did that for several years and realized that was not helping our family.I think it's really important that we use that time before Christmas, not as a to-do list with a checklist, but to prepare your heart, prepare your heart for that celebration.The Christmas Celebration BundleNow, it would be nice to have something that's sort of all set out for you, and that's why I did pull together our Christmas Celebration Bundle. I'm going to say this quickly. It's for some of you, it's not for others of you, but it's gonna go back to faith, family, and freedom.We've got items in this bundle, it's all digital, it's a Christmas celebrations bundle.Faith. We have a Star of Bethlehem. This really ties together Bible and history and science, all sorts of things, research, writing, and so this is analyzing from Matthew 2 what is the Star of Bethlehem. We have copy work.We also have fun family activities. This is our Christmas celebration eBook. Celebrate Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. And for those of you that don't know what Epiphany is, here's a little something. It's the 12 days after Christmas, because the Feast of Epiphany is on January 6th.That is the day they… we celebrate the wise men arriving. Now, it didn't really happen in 6 days, but that is the day that we celebrate the wise men going to see Jesus. And so there are traditions, activities, all sorts of things in this one book.And you can see these are for all different ages. We have Christmas around the world. This is more for junior high, elementary, and preschool, and you've got 5 countries that we're gonna, that you can use this as well, with books and crafts and songs and everything. And then we've got Christmas Carol Book, your kids can learn biblical Christmas songs, they can copy it, there's all sorts of things, but that will tie together your faith, your family, and then hopefully give you some freedom, because it's sort of all set out for you. And that is something that can be used year after year after year.Brooke said she got this bundle, and it helped her save time, and guided her to teach her kids the true meaning of Christmas. Another mom, Elena, told me that she became much more intentional with their learning during the Christmas season. She was excited to dive into Bethlehem Star and learn more about astronomy and astrology.That is a bundle available. You can go to HowToHomeschoolmychild.com/Christmasbundle, and you can get that there.Make Christ the CenterYou need to think about this. You don't need a perfect plan, you just need a plan, just a simple one that keeps you focused on Jesus Christ.So let's make this year the year that Christ takes center stage. Christ takes over the heart of you, your kids, and your home.For unto us is born a child, 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, and Prince of Peace.Ready to make this your most peaceful Christmas? Grab the Christmas Celebration Bundle at HowToHomeschoolmychild.com/Christmasbundle!

This week, we explore Isaiah 8:11 - 9:7, a passage that flows from a command to fear God over worldly circumstances to the consequences of disobedience, and finally to the glorious promise of hope.This section of Isaiah can be broken down into three parts:Fearing God (Isaiah 8:11-18): The people of Judah are called to stop fearing conspiracies and earthly threats and instead place their fear—a sense of holy awe and delight—in the Lord alone. God is meant to be their sanctuary, but by choosing not to trust Him, they make Him a "stone of stumbling".A Coming Darkness (Isaiah 8:19-22): For rejecting God's word and turning to mediums and necromancers, Judah is warned of a self-inflicted spiritual darkness and distress where there will be "no dawn".The Light Dawns (Isaiah 9:1-7): The passage dramatically shifts from judgment to hope, promising that "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light". This light comes through a child who will be born, a king given divine titles: "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". This child is identified as Jesus Christ, who fulfills this prophecy by beginning his ministry in the very lands of Zebulun and Naphtali mentioned by Isaiah.The takeaway for us today is to examine our own lives. We are challenged to consider where we might be walking in shadows, trusting in "lesser lights" or listening to "lesser voices" instead of Christ. This sermon encourages us to ask what it would look like to truly let Jesus be our sanctuary this week—finding our security, identity, and peace in Him alone, rather than in our fears.

When the world feels overcome by darkness, violence, doubt, and despair, Isaiah 9 breaks through with the promise of light. In this message, Pastor Bob Erbig reminds us that the deepest darkness is never final, because God Himself has stepped into it. Through the birth of His Son, the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” God brings hope, joy, and justice to a weary world.This message also features a special interview with Monique Duson and Krista Bontrager from the Center for Biblical Unity, offering a biblical perspective on justice and true unity in a divided culture.Join us as we discover how the light of Christ pushes back the shadows, transforms our hearts, and leads us from gloom to glory.

Decision-making can feel overwhelming. In our daily prayer and devotional, we remember that we often turn to friends, family, or even the internet for guidance—only to end up with conflicting opinions that leave us even more uncertain. While seeking advice can be valuable, Scripture reminds us that we already have access to the best Counselor of all—the Holy Spirit. When Jesus promised the gift of the Spirit, He assured us that believers would never walk alone. The Spirit of truth lives within us, guiding, comforting, and directing our steps. This doesn’t mean every decision will suddenly feel easy, but it does mean we can trust that God will faithfully lead us in the way we should go. As children of God, we don’t have to rely solely on human wisdom. We can lean on the Spirit’s promptings, rest in His peace, and trust that He will never steer us wrong. When we feel paralyzed by uncertainty, let us pause, pray, and remember that the Spirit of God lives in us—ready to counsel us at every crossroads. Today's Bible Reading: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." – John 14:16-17 (NIV) Key Takeaways God has given us the Holy Spirit as our eternal counselor and guide. Seeking human advice can be helpful, but Spirit-led wisdom is always best. Peace in decision-making comes when we surrender to God’s truth and leading. We can face uncertainty with confidence, knowing God’s Spirit is always with us. Let’s Pray Together Lord God, You are my Wonderful Counselor. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who guides me in truth and helps me make wise decisions. When I feel uncertain or overwhelmed, remind me to seek Your Spirit first. Lead me in Your will, and give me peace as I trust You to direct my steps. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Related Resources & Articles How to Know God’s Will for Your Life – Crosswalk.com 5 Ways to Invite the Holy Spirit’s Guidance into Your Decisions – iBelieve.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Worship Coordinator Kristin Groene urges us to take our raw emotions and struggles to God first, trusting Him as our Wonderful Counselor who hears, guides, and fights for us. She highlights biblical lament, godly accountability, and the wisdom of processing with faithful friends after we've prayed.

In Isaiah 9, we meet the promised child who brings light into our darkest places. Discover what it means that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace—and why his rule changes everything.

Send us a textLight breaks through darkness in Isaiah 9, one of Scripture's most profound prophetic passages. We journey through this remarkable text that announces hope amid despair and reveals the divine nature of the coming Messiah through a series of majestic titles.The Hebrew word for "light" here, "or", echoes Genesis 1, signaling that the Messiah's arrival represents nothing less than a divine new creation. When Isaiah proclaims "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace," he's not merely crafting beautiful poetry. Each title unveils a facet of Christ's nature: divine wisdom beyond human understanding, explicit deity as God the warrior, eternal paternal care, and the bringer of complete wholeness (shalom).While ancient listeners may have hoped for immediate relief from Assyrian threats, this prophecy transcends their circumstances, pointing to an eternal kingdom "with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore." The declaration that "the government shall be upon His shoulder" offers profound comfort—the ultimate weight of responsibility rests not on fallible human leaders but on the Messiah Himself. His kingdom, unlike every earthly empire, has no expiration date.As we reflect on these ancient words, their fulfillment in Jesus becomes clear. The zeal of the Lord Himself guarantees these promises, demonstrating God's passionate commitment to establish His perfect rule through Christ. Have you experienced the light this passage promises? The divine wisdom, strength, hope, and peace available through the one who shoulders the government of all creation? Join us as we continue exploring the greatest story ever told, a story that includes you and me.The Bible isn't just an old book—it's God's story, and it's still alive today. His Story takes you chapter by chapter through Scripture, combining simple readings of God's Word with prayer for every listener and occasional reflections on what the passage means for our lives right now. Whether you're brand new to the Bible or have been reading it for years, this podcast is a space to slow down, hear God's Word spoken, and be reminded that His story is also our story.

What does it mean that Jesus is our “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6)? When Isaiah wrote his prediction of the coming of the “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6), he was spurring Israel to remember their Messiah was indeed coming to establish His Kingdom (Isaiah 9:7).  Isaiah was writing nearly 800 years before Christ. This period of history was tumultuous as the Assyrians were on the march, taking people into captivity by droves.  Isaiah's prophecy gave the people of God a hope they so desperately needed: a Child would be born to fulfill the Davidic Covenant, and He would bear the titles “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Listen in as we take a deep dive into what's Wonderful.

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

This recording is a result of our work digitizing over 600 cassette tapes of Elisabeth's talks. In this case, we do not know exactly when or where this talk was given. We'll continue our research but want to share it with you even before we have all the information we hope to have. Because this was recorded on a cassette tape, which has a limited amount of time on each side, in the middle of the talk the cassette was taken out of the machine, flipped over so the recording could continue on side 2. You'll hear that break during this talk. Sadly, those few moments are lost to us. Elisabeth often gave the same talk in different locations. You'll find several talks entitled Wonderful Counselor on the Elisabeth Elliot Foundation website. Each is unique, with its own stories and tone. All are a blessing and encouragement ---- Music: John Hanson

Today is FRI-YAY! With a special shout-out from Pastor Jeff. Today, he reminds us that through Jesus, we can have peace over depression. Life may still be hard, but we don't have to carry our burdens alone—His perfect, never-ending peace is always with us. Isaiah 9:6 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.

Long ago, through a prophet named Isaiah, God promised to send a Savior to the world. And we're told that the government would be on His shoulders. That word government means rule, authority, power. And the word shoulders means the place of carrying a burden. Is it possible that ruling your life has moved from being a responsibility to a burden? Your Savior has come, and He offers to take this burden from you. He says, Give me your life. Let me take it on my shoulders. Walk with me. Allow me to be the one to guide and direct you. Why don't you give Him your life today? When you do, the burdens will be lifted. Always remember, there is hope with God. This is Wendy Palau. "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 radio.hopewithgod.com

We all turn to counselors when life gets tough—parents, coaches, therapists. But what if you had guidance all the time? That's exactly what Jesus offers when he calls himself the way, the truth, and the life. If you need some guidance right now, check out this sermon on Jesus your Wonderful Counselor.

The preface to my dream: Charity Kayembe has helped me so much with my dreams! She is such a gem and an amazing friend! And that is her showing up in my dream. Read more here.Support the show

Discover the meaning of Isaiah 9:6 and the powerful truth behind the name “Wonderful Counselor.” Learn how God offers wisdom, comfort, and guidance in every season of life through His perfect counsel and unchanging love.

In this 'EPISODE 422 REAL HOPE FOR TODAY ? WHAT HOPE CAN WE HAVE IN THIS WORLD OF TROUBLES THAT SEEM TO BE GETTING WORSE? DO CHRISTIANS HAVE A GREATER HOPE THAN OTHERS? WHAT HOPE DOES THE BIBLE HAVE FOR US?' author, speaker and host Elbert Hardy proves from Bible Prophecies by Jeremiah and Jesus himself, that there IS Great Hope for a brighter tomorrow because He is coming soon and will make all things new again when he reigns on the Earth as King of kings.Go 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.

Michael Obadja // June 22, 2025

Over the coming months and through our study of the book of Hebrews, we aim to meditate frequently on the glory of Jesus Christ. May our souls be revived by a constant view of his glory - in this book which invites us to consider Christ Jesus, the exalted Savior of weary pilgrims like us. This week we look to Hebrews 7:1-10.The temptations to drift:PleasureIndifferenceMoralism“…lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1–2Preventing drift according to Hebrews:Look to ChristTake care of your heartLove the church“For to us a child is born… 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.” Isaiah 9:6–7Life Church exists to glorify God by making disciples who treasure Christ, grow together, and live on mission. Salisbury, NCFollow us online:lifechurchnc.comFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitter

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22-23; 1 Timothy 5 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode for June 23rd, 2025, your host Hunter invites you to journey through day 174 of our Bible reading plan. Together, we'll explore dramatic chapters from 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, witnessing the intense zeal of Jehu and the tumultuous shifts in Israel and Judah's leadership. We'll also learn about God's heart for caring for one another from Paul's wisdom in 1 Timothy 5. Alongside scripture readings, Hunter reflects on the difference between human zeal and God's radical, peace-bringing love—reminding us that only Christ's sacrifice truly brings the life and freedom we need. We'll take time to pray, settle our hearts, and reconnect with the God who walks with us each day. Plus, you'll hear a special prayer from contributor Florence Atiega, and get updates from our growing Daily Radio Bible community. Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, join us for encouragement, community, and thoughtful readings that point us back to the One who loves us without fail. Let's journey together! TODAY'S DEVOTION: Jehu's Zeal and the Zeal of the Lord Jehu's devotion was extreme and violent. He personified a radical devotion and zeal for the Lord. The results were the elimination of Baal worship in Judah—and many dead people. Like Jehu, our own devotion and zeal, as great as it might be, may yield results, but it's not the ultimate answer that we're looking for. Sometimes those results have nothing to do with God. Our real need is for peace, not violence. Our real need is for right standing with God and joy in this life. Our zeal might get results, but it's not the results we really need. The zeal of the most zealous man is not enough. Holy Jihad is not the answer. There is only one man whose zeal can achieve what must be done in my life and in this world—and it's not Jehu, or you, or me who achieves it. The results are not the shedding of another's blood, but rather it was God's radical commitment to lay down his life in co-suffering love for the whole world, for those near and far, that accomplishes what is needed. Jehu is a flawed picture of this. In Isaiah 9, we see a far better picture of the person who would accomplish freedom for us: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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 zeal of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen.” His zeal—not Jehu's—has won for you and for me all that we need to start anew, to have strength, to have joy, to have a new beginning. Rest in the results of his zeal and no one else's. No one else will do. Christ has done for us what no man could do. He has achieved for us life. That's a prayer I have for my own soul. That's a prayer I have for my family, for my wife, and for my loved ones. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord of life, you have awakened me again to the gift of this day. You go before me, walk beside me and dwell within me. Let me walk slowly in your presence. May I resist the hurried spirit of this world and instead breathe deep of your peace. Open my eyes to beauty, my ears to your voice, and my heart to the quiet work of grace. Help me not to strive, but to abide, not to achieve, but to receive. Today, Let my words carry your kindness, my actions reflect your mercy, my thoughts be anchored in your truth, that I am yours and you are with me. Hunter: Amen. Hunter (leading the Lord's Prayer): And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." In this glorious prophecy, Isaiah lifts the veil of history and gives us a glimpse of the unspeakable gift that God would send to this sinful and hopeless world: a Child born, a Son given. Yet this is no ordinary child. In His birth, He is human. In His names and essence, He is divine. Every title reveals a facet of His infinite majesty and gracious mission. Wonderful Counselor. In a world drowning in confusion and moral blindness, Jesus comes as the infallible guide for His redeemed people. He needs no teacher, for He is wisdom incarnate. His counsel is never shallow, never mistaken, never misleading. He discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. To the weary, He gives rest. To the broken, He gives hope. To the perplexed, He gives direction. Jesus is the great Counselor who can unravel all mysteries, solve all difficulties, and advise us in all dilemmas. Have you gone to Him for counsel? Have you sat at His feet and let His Word guide your steps? Mighty God. Though born as a helpless infant, He is none other than the omnipotent One. This is the staggering mystery of the Incarnation: the Almighty nursing at the bosom of a young virgin. He is not a mere man with divine power; He is God incarnate. With a word, He calmed the storm. With a touch, He healed the sick. With His death, He crushed Satan. And with His resurrection, He conquered the grave. This Mighty God makes all things work together for the good of His people. He who hung upon the cross, was the God who made

Send us a textThe fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Galatians 5:22The Fruit of PeaceMany are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psalms 34:19What we are holding onto determines the outcome.Who we are holding onto reflects our behavior.I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.   John 15:5The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  John 14:27And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6bAnd the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7Peace is not an emotion, it is a Person.I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.  John 16:33May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:3What's one idea from the message that really stood out to you? Why did this idea grab your attention?Describe something that currently is challenging your peace.Do you sometimes associate peace with a place? Where is your most peaceful/happy place?Do you most often rely on the absence of difficult circumstances or the presence of God for your peace?How does today's message help you connect your thoughts to the peace you have or don't have in your life? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today's message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Isaiah 9:6 offers not just a Christmas promise, but a daily reminder that Jesus is all we need—our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

In this sobering teaching, Servant Marcia Carty from Heaven on Earth Ministries of Jesus Christ sounds an urgent alarm. Comparing contemporary society—rife with sexual immorality, murder, and deceit—to the days of Noah, she asks: will we be caught in God's impending wrath? Drawing from Isaiah 8 and 9, Servant Carty warns against seeking guidance from worldly sources in times of confusion, emphasizing that true light and direction come only through God's Word and Jesus Christ, the "Wonderful Counselor." She highlights how pride and arrogance, like that of ancient Israel and, she suggests, modern nations, provoke divine judgment. The message then transitions to the New Testament, particularly 1 Thessalonians, detailing God's will for our sanctification and the promise of the Rapture—a deliverance for believers from the appointed wrath. The teaching culminates with a stark look at Revelation 15 and 16, vividly describing the seven bowls of God's complete wrath poured out upon an unrepentant world. This episode is a powerful call to examine our lives, embrace holiness, and secure our salvation through Jesus Christ, the only escape from the wrath to come. +++++++ We have begun building a new website which you can see here: https://www.noahdays.org/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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