Prince of Peace

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

December 14th Sermon, Day 5

When we think of a newborn baby, "mighty" isn't usually the first word that comes to mind. Babies are vulnerable, dependent, and seemingly powerless. Yet Isaiah prophesied that this child would be called "Mighty God" - possessing unparalleled strength and authority, exhibiting unmatched divine power and dominion.

This same baby would also be called "Everlasting Father." Not just any father, but one whose love and care never ends. A good father runs toward their children's cries, becomes a refuge of warmth, and offers a sheltering embrace when hearts are wounded. When we add "everlasting" to that description, we discover a love that transcends time, circumstances, and even our own failures.

Think about what this means for your life today. The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem possesses all the power of Almighty God. There is no situation too difficult for Him, no problem too complex, no enemy too strong. His might is available to you in your weakness.

At the same time, His role as your Everlasting Father means His care for you never wavers. When you feel abandoned, rejected, or forgotten, remember that your relationship with Jesus as Father and you as His child never ends, no matter what. His love isn't based on your performance but on His unchanging character.

You are held by Mighty God who has all power, and loved by an Everlasting Father whose care never fails.

Bible Verse

'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.' - Isaiah 9:6

Reflection Question

How does knowing Jesus as both Mighty God and Everlasting Father change the way you approach your current challenges?

Quote

A good father is one who brazenly runs toward their children's cries of terror and whatever danger is there, and also becomes a refuge of warmth and a sheltering embrace when hearts are wounded.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being both powerful enough to handle anything I face and loving enough to care for me as Your child. Help me to rest in Your might and Your everlasting love today. Amen.

Mighty God, Everlasting Father

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

December 14th Sermon, Day 4

When we think of a newborn baby, "mighty" isn't usually the first word that comes to mind. Babies are vulnerable, dependent, and seemingly powerless. Yet Isaiah prophesied that this child would be called "Mighty God" - possessing unparalleled strength and authority, exhibiting unmatched divine power and dominion.

This same baby would also be called "Everlasting Father." Not just any father, but one whose love and care never ends. A good father runs toward their children's cries, becomes a refuge of warmth, and offers a sheltering embrace when hearts are wounded. When we add "everlasting" to that description, we discover a love that transcends time, circumstances, and even our own failures.

Think about what this means for your life today. The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem possesses all the power of Almighty God. There is no situation too difficult for Him, no problem too complex, no enemy too strong. His might is available to you in your weakness.

At the same time, His role as your Everlasting Father means His care for you never wavers. When you feel abandoned, rejected, or forgotten, remember that your relationship with Jesus as Father and you as His child never ends, no matter what. His love isn't based on your performance but on His unchanging character.

You are held by Mighty God who has all power, and loved by an Everlasting Father whose care never fails.

Bible Verse

'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.' - Isaiah 9:6

Reflection Question

How does knowing Jesus as both Mighty God and Everlasting Father change the way you approach your current challenges?

Quote

A good father is one who brazenly runs toward their children's cries of terror and whatever danger is there, and also becomes a refuge of warmth and a sheltering embrace when hearts are wounded.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being both powerful enough to handle anything I face and loving enough to care for me as Your child. Help me to rest in Your might and Your everlasting love today. Amen.

The Wonderful Counselor

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

December 14th Sermon, Day 3

In our world of endless advice, self-help books, and online experts, we're constantly seeking guidance. We want someone who truly understands our struggles, someone who can help us navigate the tangled knots of our hearts and minds. We long for wisdom that goes beyond surface-level solutions.

Isaiah calls Jesus our "Wonderful Counselor" - not just any counselor, but a wonderful one. This isn't someone who simply listens and offers suggestions. This is someone who walks beside you in the dim and weary places, who truly hears your heart until those tangled knots begin to loosen into threads of peace and hope.

Unlike human counselors who work with limited knowledge and understanding, Jesus knows you completely. He sees not just your present struggles but your past wounds and your future potential. He understands the depths of your pain and the heights of your dreams. His counsel isn't based on textbook theories but on perfect love and infinite wisdom.

When you're facing difficult decisions, wrestling with doubt, or feeling overwhelmed by life's complexities, you don't have to figure it all out on your own. You have access to the most wonderful counselor who ever existed. He's available 24/7, never too busy for your concerns, and His guidance always leads to life and peace.

This Christmas, remember that the baby born in Bethlehem grew up to be your perfect counselor, ready to guide you through whatever you're facing.

Bible Verse

'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.' - Isaiah 9:6

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life do you need the guidance of the Wonderful Counselor right now?

Quote

A counselor is one who walks beside you in those dim and weary places, who listens to you until the tangled knots of your heart loosen into threads of peace and hope.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for being my Wonderful Counselor. Help me to bring my questions, fears, and decisions to You first. Give me ears to hear Your voice and a heart willing to follow Your guidance. Amen.

When Plans Fall Apart

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

December 14th Sermon, Day 2

Mary and Joseph had their lives planned out. In their culture, engagement was a serious 12-month commitment filled with preparation and anticipation. They knew what to expect, had their timeline mapped out, and were ready for their future together. Then everything changed with an angelic announcement that would turn their world upside down.

Sudenly, Mary was pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph faced the possibility of public disgrace. They had to make a difficult 90-mile journey while Mary was near term. Their child would be born in less-than-ideal conditions, far from family and the comfort of home. Nothing was going according to plan.

Yet in the midst of all this chaos and uncertainty, Mary and Joseph held onto something greater than their plans - they held onto God's promises. The angels had spoken. The prophecies were being fulfilled. Even when their circumstances felt overwhelming, they trusted that God was in control.

Life has a way of disrupting our carefully laid plans. Jobs change, relationships shift, health challenges arise, and dreams get deferred. But here's the beautiful truth: your disrupted plans don't disrupt God's purposes. In fact, sometimes what feels like everything falling apart is actually everything falling into place according to God's perfect design.

When your plans crumble, remember Mary and Joseph. Hold fast to God's promises, even when you can't see the full picture.

Bible Verse

'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 9:7

Reflection Question

How can you hold onto God's promises when your own plans seem to be falling apart?

Quote

Your status and your reputation doesn't matter to God. And your life…It's not too much for God. It's not too messy for God.

Prayer

Father, when my plans don't work out the way I expected, help me to trust in Your greater plan. Give me the faith to believe that You are working all things together for good, even when I can't see it. Amen.

Looking For The Wrong Rock

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

December 14th Sermon, Day 1

Have you ever been so focused on one thing that you completely missed something else happening right in front of you? In 2013, astronomers around the world had their telescopes trained on an expected asteroid, watching intently for its approach. But while they were looking in one direction, an entirely different meteor blazed through the atmosphere over Russia, catching everyone off guard and injuring over 1,500 people. They were so focused on the expected that they missed the unexpected.

This happens to us more often than we'd like to admit. We get tunnel vision about how we think God should work in our lives. We expect Him to answer our prayers in specific ways, show up in particular circumstances, or move through certain people. But God rarely works within the narrow confines of our expectations.

Mary and Joseph understood this. When their carefully planned engagement was interrupted by angelic announcements, they could have focused on their shattered expectations. Instead, they chose to trust in God's bigger plan, even when it looked nothing like what they had imagined. This Christmas season, what expectations might be limiting your ability to see God at work?

Are you so focused on how you think things should go that you're missing how God is actually moving? Sometimes the very thing we're looking for is right there, but it doesn't look like what we expected.

Bible Verse

'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.' - Isaiah 9:6

Reflection Question

What narrow expectations in your life might be causing you to miss how God is actually working around you?

Quote

Sometimes our narrow expectations cause us to miss the very thing we're looking for.

Prayer

Lord, help me to release my narrow expectations and open my eyes to see how You are working in ways I never imagined. Give me the faith to trust Your plan even when it doesn't match my own. Amen.