Monday
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Mighty God
On January 15, 2009, US Airways flight 1549 collided with a flock of seagulls shortly after liftoff from La Guardia airport in New York City. The birds congested both engines, causing them to fail and leaving the pilots powerless to continue flying. With only seconds to act, Captain Sullenberger (Sully) contemplated a return to the airport but realized they weren't going to make it. The only option was to ditch in the Hudson River. After following an emergency checklist with his crew, Sully guided the plane down just beyond the George Washington Bridge and successfully landed in the river. An aviation expert later called it "...the most successful ditching in aviation history." “Sully” was considered a hero by most.
Israel needed a superhero to deal with the superpowers they thought they faced in Isaiah 9. They needed a Mighty God. The Hebrew word for God in this title is the simple word “el”. It denotes a mighty power that can be found only in a deity. When we understand that the word for God means “Mighty Power” then we can see that this title means the “Mighty Mighty Deity”. In other words, Jesus is set apart from all other powers, deities, and spirit beings. His power is seen as far superior to anyone else.
Reflection
In what ways did Jesus demonstrate His “Mighty Power” when He was on earth? When have you seen God show up as a superhero in your life?
Praise/prayer
Praise Jesus as the one and only true Mighty God. Ask Jesus to provide help and rescue in your life and the lives around you where you need it today.
Mighty God
On January 15, 2009, US Airways flight 1549 collided with a flock of seagulls shortly after liftoff from La Guardia airport in New York City. The birds congested both engines, causing them to fail and leaving the pilots powerless to continue flying. With only seconds to act, Captain Sullenberger (Sully) contemplated a return to the airport but realized they weren't going to make it. The only option was to ditch in the Hudson River. After following an emergency checklist with his crew, Sully guided the plane down just beyond the George Washington Bridge and successfully landed in the river. An aviation expert later called it "...the most successful ditching in aviation history." “Sully” was considered a hero by most.
Israel needed a superhero to deal with the superpowers they thought they faced in Isaiah 9. They needed a Mighty God. The Hebrew word for God in this title is the simple word “el”. It denotes a mighty power that can be found only in a deity. When we understand that the word for God means “Mighty Power” then we can see that this title means the “Mighty Mighty Deity”. In other words, Jesus is set apart from all other powers, deities, and spirit beings. His power is seen as far superior to anyone else.
Reflection
In what ways did Jesus demonstrate His “Mighty Power” when He was on earth? When have you seen God show up as a superhero in your life?
Praise/prayer
Praise Jesus as the one and only true Mighty God. Ask Jesus to provide help and rescue in your life and the lives around you where you need it today.
Tuesday
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; – John 20:30 ESV
Mighty God: The Power of His Divine Miracles
A sign is something that points to something greater than itself. For instance, the point of a stop sign is not the sign but the potential danger that lies ahead. The miracles were signs that pointed to Jesus as the Mighty God promised in Isaiah 9. In Matthew 8:26,27 we read about Jesus calming a fierce storm. Jesus said, “‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’”
William Barclay writes about John, “To him, a miracle was not simply an astonishing happening; it was not simply a deed of power; it was a sign. That is to say, it told men something about the person who did it; it revealed something of his character; it laid bare something of his nature; it was an action through which it was possible to understand better and more fully the character of the person who did it.” We can better understand who Jesus is through His divine miracles.
Reflection
What signs has God given you in the past to remind you of who He is and what He can do? How does the Bible tell us we should respond when God gives us a sign?
Praise/prayer
Praise God for the times He has reminded you who He is by displaying His power in your life. Ask God to grow your faith in the future because of what you have seen Him do in the past.
Mighty God: The Power of His Divine Miracles
A sign is something that points to something greater than itself. For instance, the point of a stop sign is not the sign but the potential danger that lies ahead. The miracles were signs that pointed to Jesus as the Mighty God promised in Isaiah 9. In Matthew 8:26,27 we read about Jesus calming a fierce storm. Jesus said, “‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’”
William Barclay writes about John, “To him, a miracle was not simply an astonishing happening; it was not simply a deed of power; it was a sign. That is to say, it told men something about the person who did it; it revealed something of his character; it laid bare something of his nature; it was an action through which it was possible to understand better and more fully the character of the person who did it.” We can better understand who Jesus is through His divine miracles.
Reflection
What signs has God given you in the past to remind you of who He is and what He can do? How does the Bible tell us we should respond when God gives us a sign?
Praise/prayer
Praise God for the times He has reminded you who He is by displaying His power in your life. Ask God to grow your faith in the future because of what you have seen Him do in the past.
Wednesday
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV
Mighty God: The Power of His Death on the Cross
Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000—that’s genius. Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth a million dollars—that’s capital. Uncle Sam can take gold, stamp an eagle on it, and make it worth $25.00—that’s money. A mechanic can take material that is worth only $5.00 and make it worth $50.00—that’s skill. An artist can take a fifty-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth $1,000—that’s art. God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to humanity—that’s salvation. (Author Unknown)
Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection brought saving power into our lives. When Jesus died on the cross in John 19:30, Jesus said “It is finished” and then bowed his head and died, and then the temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom. The might and power of that event are seen from many different angles.
We see His power and authority in His resurrection---death, sin, grave, and eternity.
Reflection
Do you know any non-Christians who think the message of the cross is foolishness? How can your life demonstrate the power of the cross?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for His resurrection power and thank Him for the power of your salvation. Ask God to help you live a life that glorifies Him by showing the change His grace can make in a life
Mighty God: The Power of His Death on the Cross
Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000—that’s genius. Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth a million dollars—that’s capital. Uncle Sam can take gold, stamp an eagle on it, and make it worth $25.00—that’s money. A mechanic can take material that is worth only $5.00 and make it worth $50.00—that’s skill. An artist can take a fifty-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth $1,000—that’s art. God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to humanity—that’s salvation. (Author Unknown)
Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection brought saving power into our lives. When Jesus died on the cross in John 19:30, Jesus said “It is finished” and then bowed his head and died, and then the temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom. The might and power of that event are seen from many different angles.
We see His power and authority in His resurrection---death, sin, grave, and eternity.
Reflection
Do you know any non-Christians who think the message of the cross is foolishness? How can your life demonstrate the power of the cross?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for His resurrection power and thank Him for the power of your salvation. Ask God to help you live a life that glorifies Him by showing the change His grace can make in a life
Thursday
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
Mighty God: The Power of His Disciples’ Mission
William Bennett, following the shocking assault of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent war on terrorism, wrote a book titled "Why We Fight." Bennett's concern was that Americans had lost sight of their values and unity around those values. Critics questioned the motives of the United States in wanting to go after the terrorists. Bennett wanted to set those values and motives in clarity.
The real issue is "Why We Go." Discipleship is “Why We Go.” Jesus’ parting words to His disciples are frequently referred to as “The Great Commission.” Jesus commanded them to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. Then He gave them the confidence to do it by assuring them He would be with them for the rest of the age.
Reflection
Have you ever been given a job that you felt ill-equipped to do? Jesus has promised to give you what you need for the discipleship process in your life and the lives of others.
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the opportunity to join Him in taking the Gospel around the world. Ask God to make it clear what He wants you to do next to grow as a disciple and to help someone else grow as a disciple.
Mighty God: The Power of His Disciples’ Mission
William Bennett, following the shocking assault of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent war on terrorism, wrote a book titled "Why We Fight." Bennett's concern was that Americans had lost sight of their values and unity around those values. Critics questioned the motives of the United States in wanting to go after the terrorists. Bennett wanted to set those values and motives in clarity.
The real issue is "Why We Go." Discipleship is “Why We Go.” Jesus’ parting words to His disciples are frequently referred to as “The Great Commission.” Jesus commanded them to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. Then He gave them the confidence to do it by assuring them He would be with them for the rest of the age.
Reflection
Have you ever been given a job that you felt ill-equipped to do? Jesus has promised to give you what you need for the discipleship process in your life and the lives of others.
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the opportunity to join Him in taking the Gospel around the world. Ask God to make it clear what He wants you to do next to grow as a disciple and to help someone else grow as a disciple.
Friday
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 ESV
Mighty God: The Power of His Spirit
Bill Crowder gives us a pithy Illustration of Need for Power - The first winter that my wife Marlene and I were married was marked by severe blizzards. I can vividly remember one Sunday when we awoke to find that the electricity had been knocked out by an ice storm. Huddled around a battery-powered radio for news on that frigid Sunday, we heard a most unusual announcement. The announcer, before giving the list of church services canceled due to the ice storm, said, “The following churches will be closed due to lack of power.”What an interesting comment!
In order to fulfill God’s mission for the church, He promised to give them the Holy Spirit’s power. Before Jesus sent the church into the world, he sent the Spirit into the church. The power Jesus talked about was the power necessary to accomplish a task. It is impossible for the church to be everything God wants it to be and to do everything God wants it to do without the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
Ephesians 4:30 tells us not to “grieve” the Holy ‘Spirit. What are the types of things you think churches do that “grieve” the Holy Spirit? Is there anything in your life currently that may be grieving the Holy Spirit?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Ask God to forgive you for anything in your life or the life of the church that is getting in the way of the Holy Spirit’s power.
Mighty God: The Power of His Spirit
Bill Crowder gives us a pithy Illustration of Need for Power - The first winter that my wife Marlene and I were married was marked by severe blizzards. I can vividly remember one Sunday when we awoke to find that the electricity had been knocked out by an ice storm. Huddled around a battery-powered radio for news on that frigid Sunday, we heard a most unusual announcement. The announcer, before giving the list of church services canceled due to the ice storm, said, “The following churches will be closed due to lack of power.”What an interesting comment!
In order to fulfill God’s mission for the church, He promised to give them the Holy Spirit’s power. Before Jesus sent the church into the world, he sent the Spirit into the church. The power Jesus talked about was the power necessary to accomplish a task. It is impossible for the church to be everything God wants it to be and to do everything God wants it to do without the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
Ephesians 4:30 tells us not to “grieve” the Holy ‘Spirit. What are the types of things you think churches do that “grieve” the Holy Spirit? Is there anything in your life currently that may be grieving the Holy Spirit?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Ask God to forgive you for anything in your life or the life of the church that is getting in the way of the Holy Spirit’s power.
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