HE IS: MIGHTY GOD—EL SHADDAI—EMMANUEL—EVERLASTING FATHER—PRINCE OF PEACE!
- Do we need Christ to be our wonderful and wise counselor?
HE IS.
- Do we need Christ to be our guide in our work, in our family, in our retirement?
HE IS.
- Do we need Christ to lead our whole lives?
HE IS.
- Do we need Christ to be a mighty source of strength and healing in our lives?
HE IS.
- Do we need Christ to be a faithful Father who loves us fiercely?
HE IS.
- Do we need Christ to give us peace for our troubled hearts?
HE DOES.
- Do we need Christ to offer His peace in our families, in our jobs, in our communities?
HE DOES.
- Do we need the peace of Christ Jesus to permeate our churches?
HE DOES.
JESUS CHRIST IS ALWAYS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED!
“For a child will be born to us,
(The Book of Isaiah 9: 6 NASB)
a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.”
HE IS EXACTLY ENOUGH!
When we are not smart enough, strong enough, brave enough or faithful enough, HE IS!
HE IS THE GREAT “I AM!”
God’s amazing love staggers us because in its magnificent magnitude—
HE SENT HIS ONLY SON TO DIE ON THE CROSS FOR EACH OF US!
Yesterday was graduation day for the university, and so I donned my black cap and gown to participate in the ceremony set aside to honor the students who have toiled tirelessly to reach this milestone. With bursting-forth joy, I watched from my seat on stage as first Emma walked down the aisle of the chapel, then walked Jill, and finally Charles walked toward his seat in the second row. My three students graduating among the throng of other students.
Behind the rows of graduates, there were row upon row of seated parents, grandparents, spouses, friends—loved ones. They had come to cheer for their graduates as they stepped onto the stage when their names were called, shook the university president’s hand, and received their college degree.
The ceremony was filled with songs, with words, and with applause. This was THEIR day—the GRADUATES’ DAY because they had worked so hard.
- As I participated in the ceremony and then watched Emma step on the stage, I remembered six-year-old Emma who ran across the cross-country course at GE field so long ago.
- As I saw Jill step on the stage, I recalled her story of addiction since the age of sixteen, of her testimony how it was because of Jesus that she was now clean.
- As I observed Charles boldly pass across the stage to receive his degree, I smiled, realizing there were so many future students who would benefit from this new PE teacher’s joyful demeanor.
Each of the graduates yesterday were there—graduating—not because they had done enough. No, they were there because GOD HAD WALKED THEM TOWARD THIS ENDEAVOR.
& because of their hard work coupled with the support of those who loved them. This truth was apparent at the sound of the applause when the students stepped onto the chapel stage, and again after the conclusion of the ceremony when everyone met together across the street in the Heilmann Welcome Center. A plethora of hugs were given and received. I participated too as I congratulated the students, particularly the three who I had the pleasure to coach and teach.
- GOD IS FAITHFUL.
- GOD IS LOVINGKINDNESS.
- GOD IS LOVE.
- GOD IS ENDURING.
There is a beautiful melody “My Revival” by Lauren Daigle that speaks through song WHO GOD IS!
We praise God because HE IS THE GREAT “I AM!”
MIGHTY GOD!
EL SHADDAI!
EMMANUEL!
EVERLASTING FATHER!
PRINCE OF PEACE!
“Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
(The Psalms 36: 5-9 NASB)
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
How precious is Your lovingkindness,
O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of
Your wings.
They drink their fill of the abundance of
Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of
Your delights.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.”