What’s the best Christmas present you ever received? My favorites were the two G.I. Joe tanks and Star Wars Millennium Falcon I received in the same year! What’s the worst Christmas present you ever received? My worst was a combination of a $100 savings bond and a boy Cabbage Patch doll…really? For one, boys don’t play with dolls (they’re called action figures), and I still haven’t seen that savings bond. The gift you’re given shows the heart behind it. We have all received things we needed and wanted. I always received socks and clothes for Christmas – needed items, even if I didn’t necessarily want them. God displayed his great love for us when He gave us what we really needed and could not get on our own. 1 John 4:9 says, “God showed us how much he God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” Jesus is the perfect gift for any season but He is the gift that is Christmas.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 9:6. It says, “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.” Those four names illustrate four things Jesus is and offers to us. Let’s take a look at each of those names. First, we have a Wonderful Counselor. We all have decisions to make. We have all made terrible ones. Who wouldn’t want a built-in counselor who could guide them through the most difficult of decisions? James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” In what area do you need wisdom from the Lord? Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor!

Second, we have a Mighty God. Think about all the demands you have on your life. There is no way to meet all the deadlines and deal with all the demands. We are limited people who get weary, stressed, and can easily give up under the pressures this life throws at us. Scripture says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29–31). In what area do you need the strength from the Savior? Jesus is our Mighty God!

Third, we have an Everlasting Father! All of us have earthly fathers. Some have been good and some bad. Some are still with us and some have passed. At some point, the best of dads will let us down and pass away. Who wouldn’t want a father…a dad…that would be there for us eternally and help lead us down the right path of destiny and purpose? The two verses before the one above say this, “O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the EVERLASTING GOD, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding” (Isaiah 40:27–28). In what area do you need the fathering of the Master? Jesus is our Everlasting Father!

Fourth, we have a Prince of Peace. What keeps you up at night? What are you anxious about? Do you crave the kind of peace that settles you in the middle of chaos? Peace isn’t the absence of problems; peace is the presence of Jesus. Peace is a person and His name is Jesus! Scripture says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7). In what area do you need the calmness of the King? Jesus is our Prince of Peace!

The good news is those four gifts come as a set when you receive the gift of salvation God purchased for you with His Son Jesus. The gift of salvation is real and can be yours. Ask Him for it today. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23b). We receive salvation by grace through faith – God’s greatest gift to us (Ephesians 2:8). What a benefit package we receive in salvation: a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!

Categories: Uncategorized

stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.