Dec/080
Our Prince of Peace
Sar (sar); the one in charge; lord, chief, general
Shalom (shaw-lome’); rest, tranquility, wholeness, completeness
Jesus is our Sar Shalom. Taking the Greek meaning of the words Sar Shalom you might say Jesus is our Captain of Rest, General of Tranquility, Chief of Wholeness, or Lord of Contentment. He is the one in charge of rest, tranquility, and wholeness. It’s amazing the number of times I’ve heard believers make a statement such as, “I don’t have peace.” I’ve come to realize that most Christians have a false understanding of peace.
We personally experienced this a few years ago. While away at an encounter weekend, my wife had to take our youngest daughter, Samara, to the emergency room because she was experiencing tremendous stomach pain. After a few tests, they found that her stomach was pressing through a hole in her diaphragm collapsing her lung and pressing against her heart. They quickly airlifted her to a children’s hospital in Chicago. After nearly 22 hours and a full day of tests, needles, and nurses, they took her into emergency surgery. By this time, we were exhausted. I can remember being awakened by the staff coming into the room to take her away to prep her for the operation. I looked over to Charlene who was sleeping soundly. Instead of waking her, I prayed with Samara and then they wheeled her out of the room. I laid back down in the chair and went back to sleep. About an hour and a half later, the doctor came in to explain to both of us the procedure and all the potential complications that possibly could take place. As the surgeon left the room, and I remember thinking that I needed to be a “man of God” and stay awake and pray for my daughter. However, I knew that there were others that were praying on our behalf so I laid back down and went to sleep. The next thing we remembered was the surgeon waking us to tell us how the surgery went just as they wheeled Samara back into the room.
We still talk about that experience and are amazed at the peace that we walked in. Most parents would be up pacing the floors throughout the surgery. Yet we had amazing peace and laid down and slept. You see, the storm still raged and the battle was still going on. However, in the midst of the storm, we rested. Jesus did the same thing. In the midst of a storm on a boat, Jesus laid down and slept. Why? Because He knew who was still in authority, and the storm didn’t change that. Peace is the supernatural ability to rest while the war rages all around you. Where we miss it as believers is that we falsely believe that for peace to exist, the war has to stop. True peace exists when you can rest in the midst of the war.
Philippians 4:6-7 says that the “peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The peace that comes from the Prince of Peace cannot be understood. It transcends our understanding. Peace that comes from the Prince of Peace is found in Him alone (Ephesians 2:13-14a).
· Jesus is the Prince of Peace who comforts you.
“Peace I leave 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.” — John 14:27
· Jesus is the Prince of Peace who saves you.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1
How would you describe your normal state — very peaceful, mostly peaceful, occasionally stressed, or off-the-charts high strung and anxious? What keeps you from walking in supernatural peace in the midst of the war surrounding you?
Dec/080
Everlasting Father
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve talked about Isaiah’s prophecy that Jesus would be called Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God. As we wrap this series up before Christmas arrives, in this lesson, we’ll cover the last two prophesied names – Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
The word everlasting is defined as “lasting forever” or “eternal.” In these days, we see an overwhelming number of children who are “fatherless.” We see the result of children who haven’t received proper fathering—children involved in gangs, drugs, and premarital sex at very young ages. In a culture surrounded with fathers that often come and go, the tendency is to take our own experiences and place judgments upon our Everlasting Father. However, our Everlasting Father is a true father. He never leaves or abandons His children. He is a true father in ever sense of the word.
· Our Everlasting Father is compassionate.
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” — Psalm 103:8
Some of us may have biological fathers that have many times responded in anger. Some of us may have felt that our natural father’s love is based on certain conditions. However, our Everlasting Father is compassionate. He doesn’t respond in harshness or anger; He always loves. Beyond this, our Everlasting Father is gentle and humble. In his presence we can actually find rest (Matthew 11:28-29).
· Our Everlasting Father cares.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
1 Peter 5:7 instructs us to “cast our cares upon Him.” Why? Because He cares for you! He cares about ever aspect of our lives. He is concerned with matters that concern us. However, the amazing fact is that not only does He care, but also He has plans for us. He has incredible plans for each of His children. His plans are not to harm us, but they are to give us great hope. They are to give us great hope of a wonderful, prosperous future. However, we must choose to trust His plans and cast our cares upon Him.
· Our Everlasting Father is always there.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5
With divorce running rampant in our nation, children often fear that their father will leave. I know my children often ask those questions as they have many friends who have experienced the reality of a father leaving. As believers, we have a sure foundation and Everlasting Father. He promises that He will never EVER leave us. He will never turn His back on us.
In what ways have you projected the image of your earthly father onto Your Everlasting Father? How has this hindered your relationship with Jesus.
Dec/080
Where is Jesus Power at Work: Mighty God, Part 2
It’s easy to read the Bible and find examples of God’s power in Scripture. However, most of us haven’t seen that same level of power demonstrated in our lives. We may ask ourselves—“Where is Jesus’ power?”
· Jesus’ power is at work in you.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. — Philippians 2:13
His power is working in us to cause us to do what pleases Him. His power is transforming our lusts into His desires. As a result of His power at work in us, we no longer long to do what pleases our flesh, but rather we yearn to do what pleases Him.
Right now, at this very moment, God’s power is at work in you to transform you. God’s power is not working in you so that you can be happy and successful. God’s power isn’t working in you so that He can, by divine revelation, reveal this week’s lotto numbers to you. His power isn’t at work in you to make life easier for you, but it’s at work in you to change you. His power isn’t at work in you for you, but rather it is working in you for Him. His power is working in each of us to transform us from being a selfish and self-centered individual into a Christ-like believer who is fully filled with the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, gentleness, self control, etc. — Galatians 5:22-23).
Where have you not allowed God’s power to work in You to transform your desires into His?
· Jesus’ power is at work for you.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. — Isaiah 40:29
Paul realized that he alone was weak. He understood that in his own weakness, God in turn made Him strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). In our human minds, this makes absolutely no sense. If someone were come to you and ask the question, “How do I get strong?” the last response that would come to our natural minds would be, “You must become weak.” But that’s exactly the scenario to have strength worked out in us. Our weakness becomes His strength, or stated conversely His power is worked out through my weakness.
Where do you still need to become weak so that His power can work through you?
· Jesus’ power is at work through you.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. — Acts 1:8
When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, one of the first evidences is that we see the operation of God’s power working in our lives. If you look at what happened as a result of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring in the book of Acts, the entire world was completely transformed by the Holy Spirit’s power being worked out through a small number of now Spirit-baptized believers. Peter, who only a few weeks earlier was denying his connection to Jesus Christ, was now preaching with power and seeing thousands saved in just one day. Jesus took 12 ordinary men and through them transformed the entire world. Through ordinary men, God did extraordinary things.
Our message should be as Paul’s was to the Corinthians. He said that his message was not comprised of wise and persuasive words. Rather, it was filled with the Holy Spirit’s power (2 Corinthians 2:4-5)
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit’s power to work through you as evidenced by the fact that we are witnesses by winning the lost and making disciples in our everyday lives.
Dec/080
He’s Not a Baby in a Manger Anymore: Mighty God, Part 1
I. He’s Not a Baby in a Manger Anymore
During the coming weeks as we celebrate this Christmas holiday, many of us gather our families around the tree or the fire and retell the story found in the book of Luke. The beginning goes something like this (my paraphrase): “He was born of a young virgin teenager, laid in the animal’s feeding trough, and wrapped in strips of cotton fabric.” The prophesied Messiah’s entry into the world was quite a humble beginning, even for those more primitive times. However, the Jesus that lives today as Isaiah prophesied in chapter 9, verse 6 was to be known as Mighty God.
What are the first words that come out of the mouths of those expectant parents who finally hold their child for the first time? You hear things like, “Isn’t she beautiful?” or “He has your eyes” or “Isn’t he cute?” Very few long-awaited children have the words “Wow, he’s a mighty child” spoken over them, let alone that he or she is a “mighty God.” Isaiah’s words were those used to describe not who He was to be at birth, but who He would become as the full-grown Jesus. This is expressed so wonderfully by one of my favorite songs written by Misty Edwards. In the song “People Get Ready” she tagged a phrase that says, “He’s not a baby in a manger anymore; He’s not a broken man on a cross.” Our Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God is no longer to be identified as a baby in a manger or the dying God-man broken on the cross. He is alive and is the all-powerful man, Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost and today is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling and reigning. He is our Mighty God.
II. Jesus is All Powerful
We all use the word “powerful.” We say things like “The President of the United States is powerful” or “That tornado was really powerful.” We may refer to a car’s powerful engine, an orator’s powerful speech, or a hitter’s powerful swing. Yet, we also make statements claiming that God is powerful. It seems odd that we use the exact same word to describe God and the President of the United States. It’s almost as if we need another word to heighten the level of power that God alone holds. Yet that word doesn’t exist in our language; therefore, we are left to find adjectives that describe the greatness of His power.
Jeremiah 32:17 declares that by the great power of His outstretched arms the heavens and the earth were created. Who can claim that sort of power? From there Jeremiah continues saying, “Nothing is too difficult for Him.” During one of the worship times of our month-long outpouring, I can specifically remember a holy moment I experienced while singing the song, “Healer. The bridge from that song repeats the words “Nothing is impossible for You.” While singing those words, I can remember having the thought, “There is no such thing as ‘impossible’ in heaven.” Every impossibility that exists in our minds is non-existent in Heaven. If Heaven had a dictionary, I doubt seriously that we would be able to find the word “impossible” in it.
Maybe your business is failing or you recently lost your job. Perhaps you have received a disturbing diagnosis from your doctor. Perhaps you or someone you know is suffering with the consequences of a collapsing marriage. Our impossibilities are God’s opportunities for the infusion of supernatural power.
At this moment, think of the most impossible thing in your life or in the life of someone else you may know. Ask your Mighty God to work His power on your behalf.
Dec/080
Questions to Consider: Wonderful Counselor, Part 4
- Read Luke 5:27-32. For whom did Jesus come? In what area of your life are you “sick?” (Be honest. What is your deepest struggle, fear, hurt, or addiction?)
- So many people don’t do what the doctors or counselors suggest. What is Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, leading you to do? Be specific. As the group to pray for you and hold you accountable to follow through on His direction.
Dec/081
How To Approach the Counselor: Wonderful Counselor, Part 3
If you ask any counselor what one of the biggest frustrations about their job is, at the top of the list would be that their patients don’t do what they ask them to do. I know as a pastor, I have experienced this when at times I have advised people to do certain things. Yet, for whatever reason, they choose not to heed my advice. How many of us approach Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, the same way. We cry out and ask for help. We beg for resolution and relief. We say we’re desperate, yet we fail to respond when directed. In any counseling situation, there are a few keys.
· Be brutally honest with the Counselor. Honesty is the key to freedom. If we can’t be honest with ourselves and with our Wonderful Counselor, there is no hope of freedom. Psalms 55:22 reminds us that we are to cast all of our cares upon the Lord. Why? Because He cares. He cares about every situation. Many times in the counseling process, we are asked a question like Jesus asked the Samaritan woman in John 4. When asked about her husband, the woman responded that she didn’t have a husband. She was honest in the literal sense because she didn’t have a husband, but she wasn’t brutally honest. She knew what He was asking, but she didn’t tell the whole story. What’s amazing is that even in her lack of brutal honesty, Jesus had a way of getting to the truth. He prophetically spoke into her situation. Jesus knew that honesty and truth was key to her freedom. Where are you not being completely and brutally honest with the Wonderful Counselor?
· Listen to the Counselor’s voice. At the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the Father spoke of the importance of listening to His Son’s voice. He said in Mark 9:7, “This is My Son . . . listen to Him.” Jesus reiterated this in John 10:27 as he likened us to sheep. He said, “My sheep listen to my voice . . . and they follow me.” If we are to be completely healed of every sickness (physical and spiritual), we must listen to the voice of Counselor. This is easy to do when we like what the Counselor asks of us. This is easy when we agree with the Counselor. But what about the times when he asks us to give up something sacred and precious to us? Then what? Do we continue to listen or do we do tune him out? Where are you refusing to listen to the voice of your Counselor?
· Do what the Counselor tells you to do. You’ve all heard it — obedience brings the blessing. Obedience is easy when it’s easy. The true test of obedience is when what we’re asked to do what is hard. It’s hard when we are asked to do something that is uncomfortable. It’s hard when it hurts. It’s hard when we have to sacrifice what is most precious. Ask Abraham about obedience when asked to sacrifice the promised son, Isaac, on the altar. Ask Noah about obedience when he’s told to built an ark when he’s never seen rain. Ask David about obedience when, as a teenager, he faces a giant that everyone in the land fears. Ask Peter about obedience when threatened with jail and ultimately the taking of his life. Obedience in all these cases brought great freedom and great blessing. However, in Mark 10, when a man was asked to sell everything as an act of obedience, he left sad because he wasn’t willing to do what Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, asked him to do. Where have you been disobedient to what the Counselor has asked you to do?
Nov/081
Jesus, Our Wonderful Counselor: Wonderful Counselor, Part 2
The words Wonderful Counselor actually originate from the Hebrew words, pele’ (peh’ leh) ya’ats (yaw-ats’).
Pele’ (peh’-leh) — beyond understanding; too wonderful for words
Ya’ats (yaw-ats’) — to advise; to consult; to guide.
As our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus leads us, guides us, advises us, and consults us in ways beyond our understanding and in ways that words can’t even express.
Our world is full of counselors. Some of them are highly trained to administer guidance. In a culture filled with various challenges, at times we seek someone who can help us navigate through the struggles of life. When seeking out the perfect counselor for our situation, we research all the possibilities in the hope that we can find just the right person who knows our pain and can understand our situation. Most counselors have not personally experienced the specific issue of every one of their patients. However, when looking for a counselor, we look for someone who can understand our pain and situation and can identify with us. Even if we don’t search out a qualified professional to help us, we search for someone in our family, our workplace, or our church family that can identify with us. We think to ourselves, if they haven’t experienced what I’ve experienced, how can they really understand.
Hebrews 4:15-16 — For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Our Wonderful Counselor is able to understand everything we have experienced and are currently experiencing. He sympathizes with our weakness. He understands fully everything through which we are walking. Moreover, He has the perfect solution to our problem. Jesus said that it’s not the healthy that need a doctor; it’s the sick that do (Luke 5:31-31). All of us have areas in our lives where we remain sick. Some of us continue to struggle with fear while others fight depression and heaviness. Some feel the weight of finances that remain out of control while others deal with the ongoing stresses of work or family. Still others fight against the burden of despair and loneliness. No matter where we are on our journey, there are areas where we need a counselor to intervene. If as you’re reading this the thought comes to your mind, “I’m not sick in an area; I don’t need a counselor,” then let me help you — perhaps pride is your struggle! All of us are in need of a counselor, and we have a WONDERFUL one.
Nov/080
What’s in a Name?: Wonderful Counselor, Part 1
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
One of the joys and challenges which come with the being an expectant parent is the daunting task of naming the baby. Parents painstakingly go through the process of selecting just the right name. I can remember Charlene and I going through that long process when finally we found the perfect name that we knew was “it.” You see, with both of us being teachers, there were very few names that didn’t bring back a memory of some student from the past — some of them more than a bit unpleasant! Charlene had a few more years on me so her list of possibilities was a lot shorter than mine. We finally arrived at what we thought was just the perfect name. What we didn’t know was that two women at Living Stones were due to give birth to baby girls and had selected the same name selected for their daughters! We decided three little girls the same age with the same name was a bit too much. So it was back to the proverbial drawing board! I won’t go into all the details from there, but soon after that, God gave us the name for our first daughter, Selah.
So why are parents so consumed with this process? Why all the fuss over a name? Names are important. They help to define who we are and often, who we will become. Names help to give us identity and define our purpose or calling. This is why we researched the meanings of our children’s names carefully. While I love our daughters’ names, and love how they sound, the meaning of their names carry even greater significance.
Like an expectant parent, Isaiah prophesied a coming birth several thousand years ago. However, this wasn’t the typical expectant parents scenario. He prophesied of a child to be born nearly 800 years later. He said “For a child has been born—for us! The gift of a son—for us!” (MESSAGE). And from there instead of saying, “you’ll name him Jesus,” he said His name will mean “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In the next few weeks we’ll explore each of these name, but in the next few days, we’ll learn about our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR.
