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Wonderful Counselor

11/27/2016

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“HIS NAME SHALL BE”
Terry R. Baughman
​

“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, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6).

“His Name shall Be … Wonderful, Counselor.”

“Wonderful” is such a — wonderful word. Often the word is a impulsive interjection when we hear good news, “Why that is wonderful!” Thinking about it, the simplest definition is that it is a description of something “full of wonder.” Wonderful is used to describe something that is awe-inspiring, amazing, or inspirational. Wonderful is an accurate description of our great God. He is the embodiment of the attribute. He is wonderful! 

Sometimes language is so limited. We use the words at our disposal but find they are inadequate to fully describe the immensity of God’s attributes or the Divine quality of His character. So we use modifiers, adjectives and word pictures to convey the magnitude of His magnificence. Other times the simplest words best suit the situation and one succinct word or phrase carries the burden of delivery adequately. Jesus is just wonderful! 

In the Old Testament times of the Judges an angel delivered a promise in a message to Manoah and his wife that a special son would be born to them who would bring deliverance to Israel. Manoah asked for his name, so when the promise was fulfilled he might bless him, “The Angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?’” (Judges 13:18). Because of the multitude of wonderful works performed by the Lord He is rightfully called Wonderful!

The Christ-child prophesied by Isaiah was also to be a counselor. A counselor is one who gives wise instruction and insight. At the age of twelve He confounded the teachers of the Law in the Temple by His understanding. When Jesus began His ministry and concluded the Sermon on the Mount it was noted that no one had ever taught like Him. “They were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). 

Jesus also promised the coming of His Spirit to be a comforter or counselor for us. The same remarkable ministry Jesus demonstrated while living on earth is available through the power of the Holy Spirit. Through His gifts He has given a word of wisdom, the gift of knowledge, and discerning of spirits. The Counselor is still with us; even in us! 

Some translations have opted to use wonderful as an adjective modifying  Counselor. They eliminate the comma between indicating one attribute. Put together, He is the “Wonderful Counselor!” He is not just a counselor but an outstanding, awe-inspiring counselor. Though it may seem like a minor inflection of meaning, both translations are valid. He is Wonderful; He is the Counselor, and He is also the wonderful Counselor!

His Name shall Be!
​

Scripture:
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—” (John 14:16).


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LifeChurch Bulletin 11/27/16

11/26/2016

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The Praises of Thanksgiving

11/20/2016

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BE THANKFUL
Terry R. Baughman

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4).

Thanksgiving requires an object. We cannot merely “be thankful” without an expression of gratitude toward the one who is the reason of our thankfulness. When there is no person responsible for evoking our expression of thanks, we must consider Providence, the certain knowledge that One beyond our circle has provided the bounty of blessings we have received. We can thank one another for gifts or kindness, but who can we thank for health and life? Who is responsible for sunshine and rain, provision and abundance? Should we thank nature who is unable to hear us or the solar elements that are unresponsive to our gratitude? No, of course not. There is only One who should be honored for those blessings that are often accredited to nature and inanimate objects. Our God is the only one worthy of praise and glory for the multitude of natural blessings we receive daily. 

If it were not for God’s provision we would have no hope. When we realize our utter hopelessness without God we are overwhelmed with gratitude for all He has graciously provided. David must have felt that when he wrote, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:3–4).

Thanksgiving is the instant and natural response as praise springs from our lips! The Psalmist exulted, “I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30). Praise should always associate an expression of thanksgiving. A commendation of gratitude for blessings received is an appropriate response when giving thanks. 

Thanksgiving without praise is a selfish act. We may express thanks to bolster our own feeling of self-sufficiency and for selfish gratification if there is no one to receive our gratitude. For it to truly be “thanksgiving,” praise must be directed to deity. God must be the object of our praise and the reason for giving thanks, “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4).

During the season of Thanksgiving, or for any time of the year, let praise be part of your celebration. Make corporate and private worship a part of your thanks. Respond to the songs of the Psalmist, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:2). “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God” (Psalm 147:7).
​

This year purpose to join in with fervor as we sing, clap, rejoice, and shout our thanksgiving to the Lord of Glory! Be thankful and praise His name!
 
Scripture:
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

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LifeChurch Bulletin 11/20/16

11/19/2016

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The Choice

11/13/2016

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BE THANKFUL
Terry R. Baughman
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

God has always given us choices. From the beginning in the Garden of Eden there were choices given to the first couple He created. There was one tree that bore forbidden fruit. They were allowed to eat of every other tree but this one. Often we wonder, “Why did God even have such a tree in the garden?” It must be that in order for them to have a choice, there had to be a choice given. Before there can be a choice for good there must also be an option for evil. Disobedience is always an option for every commandment of God. God created man and gave him options, choices for a more productive and fulfilled life.

Thankfulness is a choice. Though the text teaches us to “be thankful,” by implication there is the option to be unthankful. A noted characteristic of the agnostics described in Romans was that they were not thankful. Paul said, “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21-22). Thankfulness is associated with faith and the recognition of God’s favor and provision. 

Thankfulness and gratefulness go hand in hand. When one is grateful there is naturally a spirit of thanksgiving.  Thankfulness is a natural response from a grateful heart. We have a choice. We can be grateful for God’s many blessings or we can look for all the bad things that come in life and grumble about our lack and the events that have brought unhappiness in our lives. When our attitude changes, so does our response to current events. When we begin to look at our blessings and confess our gratefulness there will also be a change in all of our outlook. We can make the choice to be grateful and offer praises of thanksgiving or we can make the choice to be ungrateful and frustration and disappointment will be our lot in life. 

When we approach God in prayer there is a certain attitude that is expected. We have no reason for anxiety, no reason not to present our needs freely and confidently before God. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). With faith in God and a heart a thanksgiving we can ask in full assurance that He will hear our prayer. 

Paul wrote to the Philippians and said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). So it is “prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.” 

It is God’s desire to give us the kingdom, it is His will to bless us with spiritual blessings and often natural blessings also. Don’t hesitate to petition. Don’t neglect the praise and worship, and remember to be thankful. Paul also wrote, "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2).
Let His peace rule in your heart and be thankful!

Scripture:
“Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).​

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LifeChurch Bulletin 11/13/16

11/12/2016

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I will heal their Land

11/6/2016

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NATIONAL RENEWAL
Terry R. Baughman

“If
my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).

For the people who will humble themselves and repent God has promised a sure response. He said, “I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” The impact of that promise is vast, personal forgiveness of sins, and the restoration and healing of the land. Both are desperately needed in this generation. 

The Prophet Isaiah declared, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). Sin builds a barrier and creates a divide from the presence of God. It is only when the chasm is spanned and the barrier is scaled that we can be reunited with Him through the spirit of brokenness and the powerful provision of prayer. In the preface to this passage the prophet proclaimed, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1). God is willing and able to hear and to save if we will forsake sins and call on His name.

Have no fear when you pray. Hold on to the promise of His provision. In faith and confidence approach the only one who can forgive sins. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Our land is broken. The grip of sin is severe and the physical and environmental devastation impacts the lives of our population. Masses are mired in the quagmire of transgression. The natural order has been violated and the judgment of righteousness cries out for vindication. We need God in our lives and in our nation again. 

The political landscape has never been so fractured. Sides are draw and hate-filled speeches fill the airwaves from all sides. The candidates have made a multitude of promises they will never be able to accomplish. If our hope was in the political system we would surely be in despair. 

We may be downcast, but we are not destroyed. Our hope is only in God. He is supreme and the only one who can truly turn our nation around. God is listening. God is ready. Our hope is in the text, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray …” 

The load of responsibility rests upon each of us. It’s time for us to draw near to God and intercede for those who do not know Him. We must stand in the gap and pray the prayers that others don’t even know they need to pray. As Daniel prayed for Jerusalem, let us pray for our nation now, “We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!” (Daniel 9:5; 18-19 NIV).
 
Scripture:
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalm 51:12-13).

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LifeChurch Bulletin 11/6/16

11/5/2016

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    Author

    Terry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ.  See his complete bio at trbaughman.com 

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