Day 2 - Week 92 - Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be on His shoulders. And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,The mighty God, The eternal Father, The Prince of Peace."

Seven hundred years before Christ's birth, Isaiah wrote these words of promise given by God.  The whole ninth chapter of Isaiah is full of prophecy regarding the Savior to come.  God gave Isaiah four names that would describe our Messiah.

The first title given is "Wonderful Counselor."

Wow - what an appropriate title for the One who comes to save mankind.  What do we need more through most of our life than a wonderful counselor.  What have I and the rest of my family needed especially over these last months than a wonderful counselor.  When troubles come, we need good, godly counsel.  But you know what, when good times abound we may be even more in need of that counsel---we may just not be as desperate for it, or even aware of our need.  But as humans, whatever our current situation, we should always be well aware that we certainly are in constant need of a wonderful counselor.

As Robert J. Morgan states, "...we can study the Gospels to see how unfailingly He [Jesus] counseled all who came to Him.  As He prepared to return to heaven, He told His disciples, 'I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you...the Holy Spirit.' (John 14:16, 26)."

Prior to Jesus coming to earth, people had to depend on the judges and then the prophets for their counsel from God.  But Jesus came and shared God's wisdom with His disciples.  "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."  John 15:15

The disciples then were commissioned to share all of this wisdom with everyone - no select group, no secret society - Jesus' words from His Father were sent out to the whole world.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:19-20.
And don't miss Jesus' promise at the end of His instructions.   He is still with us...His counsel is available to us...He is still the Wonderful Counselor for 2013!  Through His Holy Spirit within us, we have access to His counsel; through God's written word, we can hear His instruction.  
How silly of us to rely on our own hearts, other people's advice, or any other form of worldly counsel when we have access to the source of all truth...eternal truth.  Seek Him --- He will counsel you, wonderfully!

Day 1 - Week 92 - It's a glorious May day!

God is allowing me to be back on my patio this beautiful morning - cup of coffee by my side - and I am feeling  His presence all around me.  The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and there is that underlying hint of coolness in the morning breeze that seems to say, "I am here."  While life is certainly not always good, this side of heaven, there are certainly moments of exhilaration.  And they can be very simple moments when we allow God to open our eyes, ears and hearts to the affirmations of His love for us.

His love for us --- it is truly an amazing thing, isn't it?  One that I will never fully comprehend, but something that I think I have come to have a fuller understanding of over these past months.  His love for me is not something I have earned, not something I am able to keep by my goodness, it is His love for me, prompted by Him and undeserved by me.  Now my love for Him is definitely shown by my obedience and a life of gratitude, but His love for me...well, "nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord."

I know it is has been a few days since we looked at Psalms 23, but let's recite it to make sure it is secure in our memory:

Psalm 23"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  He maketh me lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul.  He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemeies.  Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Don't miss that last word, I like to linger on it.  FOREVER.  Forever.  Forever.  Forever is a word in contrast to the world we live in.  The word for this world is temporary.  But our real life...it is FOREVER.  Look forward to it, and remind yourself not to get too entrenched in the temporary when you have forever waiting for you!

We are starting our LAST section of verses, can you believe it?  This section is called, "The Alpha and Omega: The First and Second Comings of Christ."  We will see the promises of Christ's first appearance which took place nearly 2000 years ago, and those of His second coming, which I believe could be very soon!  Exciting, isn't it?  We may be the generation to see Christ come in His glory to redeem His children, all those who believe in His name!

Here is our first verse of promise:

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born , unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor , The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

This is a promise that has been delivered in the person of Jesus Christ.  Hallelujah!  He fulfills all the descriptions Isaiah pronounced, and we will look at these four titles this week.

Thank you again for journeying with me.  Thank you for your graciousness and your support.  I have felt your prayers and they have been so appreciated.  Love to each of you!