Sunday Scripture

 

Here is our last Sunday Scripture for December.  Remember, I am writing these posts from an Advent study that I did with Good Morning Girls in 2013.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download, so if you are interested head on over there and get it.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image similar to the illustration above, and the pdf should open right up.

Just a note too that I am also doing Sunday Scripture posts over at my Christmas blog, Mrs. T's Christmas Kitchen -- and I am using different verses (from the same study) in those Sunday posts.  So if you really want some biblical encouragement during this Christmas season, you might enjoy reading at both blogs.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

Each week of this Advent study focuses on a theme: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.  This fourth, and last, week's verses are focused on Peace.

Today's Scripture is Isaiah 9:6.  In the actual study, this one was from December 23 -- just in case you downloaded the study and are following along with it.

S=  "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, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."  (Isaiah 9:6)

O= Written by the prophet Isaiah, these beautiful words speak eloquently of Christ's birth.  No ordinary child, the government would be upon His shoulder.  The fact that He is given these names of God -- Counselor, Wonderful, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace -- prove once again that Jesus is God.

A=  I've been reminded that "Wonderful" here is a noun and speaks of Christ's person and work.  On my behalf!  Because I have accepted His free (but oh-so-costly!) gift of salvation, I can see Him at work in my life every day in these magnificent roles.

Counselor -- I can turn to His Word every day for guidance and wisdom.
The mighty God -- He is sovereign and all-powerful.  What a blessing it is when I acknowledge this!
The everlasting Father -- God Himself is my heavenly Father and cares for every area of my life.
The Prince of Peace -- as I trust my heavenly Father and rest in His love, trusting Him and acknowledging His sovereignty over my life, I have peace in my heart.  This peace that passes all understanding could only come from the Prince of Peace!

P=  "Lord, I praise You for for all that You are, as depicted in this beautiful verse from Isaiah.  I praise You for Your magnificent work in salvation and for drawing me to where I accepted Jesus as Savior.  Since that has taken place, I see the realities of this verse in my life every day.  

"I thank and praise You for Your Word, in which I can find counsel, guidance, and direction for my life.  I praise You that You are the mighty God, omnipotent and sovereign over all the events of history, working all things together for our good and for Your glory!  I thank You that You are my heavenly Father, perfect in Your love and care for Your children.  And I praise You so much for Your peace that surpasses human understanding -- that peace which garrisons my heart as I commit my cares to You.  Truly, You are Wonderful!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And that's our last Sunday Scripture for December!  I hope that the profound truths of Isaiah 9:6 have been a blessing to you today.