Tag: Isaiah 9:6-7

Monday 25th December 2023

“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, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgement and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6,7. NKJV

“But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20,21 NKJV

God of every day,

This is a day like any other day – but man has put his thumb print upon it and given it a purpose and expectations. Christs Birthday! It sometimes falls short of perfection and we are tired from all the rushing about before. We cannot put our trust in events for lasting joy. Happiness comes and goes but Your joy lasts a lifetime. Be our source of everlasting joy.

Joseph and Mary had to spend their first Christmas apart from their family. And no Christmas is perfect! But thank You for the gift of Your perfect Son. Our first Christmas gift was perfect. In Jesus we are made new and have a hope and a future.

So whether we are on a mountain top or in a valley today, we give You thanks. You are our Saviour and our very present help and strength. Sometimes we are hanging on by our fingertips only to find underneath are Your everlasting arms holding us (Deuteronomy 33:27). You are the reason we celebrate today. Thank You for those of us who are able to see our family and share the joy.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

God of today,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and lasting joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
Help the Ukrainians celebrate Christmas at this time as they break from the Russian tradition of it being January 6th. May there be a breakthrough of peace.
For Gaza, the Middle East, Sudan, Afghanistan and countries where there is darkness, shine the light of peace, hope, compassion and change.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love and comforted.
For ourselves, that we would just enjoy today and not worry about tomorrow.

In Jesus name we pray.

Worship Monday 25th December 2023

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Isaac Watts
CD: The Bands and Choirs of the Salvation Army, A traditional Christmas, Crimson.


Thursday 14th December 2023

“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 Counsellor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6,7 NKJV

God of zeal,

An announcement is made! We hear Isaiah’s enthusiasm. And the foretelling of Your plan bursting out of Your prophet. An exuberant prophecy of the coming of Jesus. Showing us Your passion to reconcile men and women to Yourself, despite our sin, and because of Your great love. Even though, apart from a star and an angelic choir, the King arrived humbly and quietly in Bethlehem.

Thank you God, that Your enthusiasm has been from everlasting to everlasting, that Your Zeal has not waned with the lapse of Your people into sin or turning to false idols and self reliance. Thank You that You are focused, longsuffering, unchanging and undefeatable.

Help us remember that now is not forever. We are in our time in history, it was not chance we were born at such a time as this. What will our generations be remembered for? World turmoil, wars, a global pandemic, global warming? Being faithful to our God?

Your zeal and enthusiasm for us amazes us. That You planned from eternity to come to us as Jesus, a baby. You planned from eternity each one of us to be born! (Psalm 139) You gave us opportunity to accept Your gift of life and bow the knee to Jesus so we too can know eternity. So You could be our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Life changing.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of Zeal,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. So many hopes and prayers.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Hearts be open to receive You.
For all those who have gone before sharing Jesus thank You. For the generations yet to be born to get to know You in all Your fulness.
For our Government, that it might focus on serving the people of this nation,
For King Charles, the Queen and their families at this busy time.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. So destruction can stop.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon. Change Russia’s outlook and situation.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who deliver medical help and food and water aid, large or small.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling.
For refugees and those separated from family at this time.
For those with mental health problems and grief and who find this season difficult.
For countries where power is misused. Dictatorships, Military Junta’s. Provide for the oppressed.
For ourselves, faith and hope and encouragement as well as the joy of the Christmas season.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 14th December 2023
Even if you are not a fan of classical music this short excerpt from Handel’s Messiah always reminds me of the promise and message of Christmas.


For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace
(Isaiah 9:5)

Handel
CD: Handel’s Messiah, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Stardust Records.