"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
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| Martin Houston, Rob Moore, and Karen Worley |
Merry Christmas from our Moody Radio South family to yours!! We pray that your CHRIST-mas season is full of the life and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ. We've been celebrating around the studio a little bit (including Melissa's Peanut Brittle and Martin's wife Cassandra's famous red velvet cake, yummm). Here's a couple snapshots from our staff Christmas party!
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| Frank Edmondson (WMBU), Shane Dorrill, &John Rogers |
If you have been regularly listening to Moody Radio South, then you know that for the past several days we have been airing some of the seasons most celebratory Christmas tunes. Now, Christmas music is one of those things that I have found some people just LOVE and look forward to throughout the entire year, and for others it cannot be over soon enough! However, I spent some time with the Lord this year and asked Him to reveal to me fresh and anew the beauty found in these Christmas lyrics. Soon enough my ears were flooded with the marvelous wonders of our Emmanuel who brought peace on earth and good will to men. My spirit began to leap as I imagined the heavenly host of angels that stand before the throne of Christ this very moment all reverently singing "Gloria, Gloria!" God certainly bestowed to me a fresh appreciation for and ability to worship through both the classic and contemporary Christmas tunes this season.
How about you? How has the Christmas music spoken to your heart this year? Is there a particular Christmas Carol that pierces you heart to the core and humbles you before our King, who gave up all the glory and riches of heaven to come save us for all of eternity? We would love to hear from you! Just email us at newdaycafe@moody.edu or comment below!
This morning driving to the studio the Lord carried me through what I like to call an "Elijah" moment. It's a moment where I almost escape the world and enter the gates of heaven in worship...even if just for a split second. As I drove I began hearing this melodious sonnet, proclaiming, "Wonderful! He is Wonderful! Emmanuel, God with us! Prince of Peace!" Upon arrival I immediately jumped on my computer to re-read the glorious scripture found in Isaiah 9 where the coming Messiah is prophesied. "His name shall be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
Most of us can quote this scripture. We have sung it in hymns and often include these names of God in our prayers. But there are depths unspeakable within these titles for our Savior. Through these names, God revealed the extravagance of His very essence to man-kind with the purpose for us to know Him personally. So let's break down these revelations for a moment:
Wonderful Counselor - Our world today loves "counsel." Our stores our lined with self-help books and there or millions of websites to counsel your marriage, finances, parenting, and health. However, Jesus is the only true counselor. The adjective Wonderful refers to the supernatural qualities of this counselor that place Him high and above all others. Our counselor is sinless, an all-sufficient Savior, and sits at the right hand of God Himself! Our counselor is readily available and has all wisdom for any and every aspect of your life. He is the author of wisdom!
Mighty God - Our God is the ultimate warrior! He is mighty above all schemes of the enemy and will establish eternal victory, ruling and reigning over the entire earth. That means that He also is the Mighty God who brings victory to the battles raging in your life. Whether your children have walked away from Christ, your spouse has be unfaithful to you, your bank account is depleted, or any other painful challenge, call upon the Mighty God to bring His perfect eternal victory to that area of your life. He is mighty to save!
Everlasting Father - First, God is everlasting! His throne is established forever and ever. But our God is also Father, and we are His children (Gal 3:26). He cares for us with all tender love, claiming us as His very own. He holds great plans for our future, and He supports and sustains us every step of the way. He comforts us with His love. No matter the relationship you hold with your earthly father, you can be sure that God the Father is there, and He will never leave nor forsake you (Duet. 31:6)
Prince of Peace - Christ game to grant peace to the world by restoring a right relationship between God and man (Eph 2:16). However, He also came to establish peace in your life personally. Often when Jesus healed, His final words were "Go in Peace." (Luke 7:50; 8:48.) This blessing of peace is reiterated to us through the New Testament (Luke 2:14; Romans 15:13; 1 Cor 14:33; Phil 4:7). Through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, we have access to peace within our lives - body, soul, mind and spirit. There is peace between us and God, and we now have the opportunity to establish that same peace in our world!
Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23 expounds for us that Emmanuel means "God With Us." This name of God is a revelation of the hope we have in Christ Jesus! No matter how desperate the conditions of man, God came to be with us, to save us, and gave us His Holy Spirit to remain with us until His return. Our God is unlike any other God, in that He came personally and tangibly to us, and He remains personally with us today. If you are hurt, hopeless, or feeling alone this season, remember Emmanuel! God is with you!
So who is Jesus to you? Is He your wonderful counselor, mighty victor, everlasting father, prince of peace? Do you know Emmanuel the God who is forever with you personally and intimately, guiding you through every trial. Jesus revealed Himself to the world as each of these names and more, and you can know him as such today! Call out to Jesus today, claiming the knowledge of His character revealed through scripture. His name is established forever and ever. All glory to God in the highest!
"O Come let us adore Him,
O Come let us adore Him,
O Come let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!"
Key Scriptures:
1 Chronicles 29:11 - Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your Kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things."
Zephaniah 3:17 - For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
Matthew 1:23 - Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, which means God is with us."
Luke 2:14 - Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.
Romans 8:15 - The spirit you received does not make you slaves. so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry out, "Abba, Father."
Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South
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