For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

At the end of the day we need God — He is an ever present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1). As we forge into the New Year, I want to focus on who Jesus is in our lives and what He came to earth to give us.

One of the facets of God’s character is Wonderful Counselor. “Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors” (Psalm 119:24). If you don’t know who to talk to about a certain situation, go to the Word and receive God’s counsel. The Word is more precious than a field of rubies, than doorknob-sized diamonds; these words of God are the truth that created the world! When you spend time with God and in His Word, He replaces confusion with clarity.

O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah. But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 3:1-3

God is not weak toward you but mighty (2 Corinthians 13:3). You can rely on Him to intervene in your situation. God is so trustworthy that we can cast all of our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Look in the Word and realize that Jesus is able to bring you through whatever perplexing deal is trying to wipe you out. Make yourself speak words of faith over your situation. God said that the mountains move when we speak to them (Mark 11:23).

It’s amazing that God, the Creator of the universe, would so choose to give His only Son for us. Because of that great gift, the fear of death is resolved. The price has been paid and we can have fellowship with God and receive help and counsel from this Eternal Father. Thank God that we don’t have to embrace a religious routine; instead we can have a vibrant relationship with the Creator of the universe who is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace!

There is nobody like my Jesus,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Proverbs 4:18

God has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Psalm 119 tells us that the entrance of God’s Word brings light (119:130a). So, to get where God wants us to be, it’s important to pull out the owner’s manual, the Bible, and read the instructions.

We must keep ourselves filled with the Word of God and keep our spirits sensitive to the Holy Spirit by daily surrendering our lives to God’s plan. This requires us to deal with offenses and make constant adjustments to lay down things that don’t please God. Don’t get overwhelmed! Even small changes produce big results.

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:20-23

Don’t let your purpose be thwarted by bumps in the road. Clear off your spiritual windshield so that you can see things the way God does. You have a heavenly Father who delivers on a very profound level. He gave His Son. Meditate on that for a while. If God can cleanse you of sin and save you for all of eternity, He can certainly cover every other deal in your life.

The rubber-meets-the-road part of this letter is that I believe God wants to use you in the upcoming days to impact others. You aren’t just striving to be a “nice Christian”—the goal is to reflect who Jesus truly is so that your message to the world is clear. You might be the only Bible some people read. Make it your goal to please God and finish strong. Cast your worries on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

He can stabilize any situation. You are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). With man it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). So trust Him. Stop looking in the rearview mirror at past mistakes and step forward into the great big beautiful plans God has for you. The best is yet to come!

Happy New Year!

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

When Jesus shows up in a rough situation He calms the storm. Fears that try to plague your life are not coming to you from God. God wants you to be filled with a victorious spirit. His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). He loves you not on the basis of deeds done in righteousness but because of His mercy (Titus 3:5). When you realize that God loves you completely, and that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39), fear can’t stay.

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad” (Prov. 12:25). God is calling us to better things than giving ourselves over to worry from the time we wake up till the time we go to bed. When I’ve been worried and discouraged, God has instructed me to go to the Word and read His promises and remember His great faithfulness.

To defeat fear, make the Word your confession:
• My God shall supply all of my need. Philippians 4:19
• No weapon formed against me will prosper. Isaiah 54:17
• Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
• The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Proverbs 4:18
• Jesus became a curse for me so the blessings of God would come upon me. Galatians 3:13-14
• These blessings come upon me and overtake me. Deuteronomy 28:2
• My barn is filled with plenty. Proverbs 3:10
• My cup runs over. Psalm 23:5
• His grace is sufficient; His power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Having done all to stand, I stand. Ephesians 6:13-15

Get in your A-game by getting in the Word. Some of you will have to stop the negative intake you have been allowing into your life. Some of you need to meditate on the scripture in Philippians: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7). Your situation may feel hopeless, but with God nothing is impossible. Give your worry over to Him and choose to step into the New Year with a spirit of faith.

God’s promises are true,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! Psalm 8:3-5

On the next clear night, bundle up and go look at the stars. Consider the One who made them and how much He cares about you personally. The quiet moments are more important than you may realize. The call to meditate is not just for people with the aptitude to ponder; there is something important found in being still before God.

“If we really want some things to count, if we genuinely desire some depth to emerge, some impact to be made, some profound and enduring investment to cast a comforting shadow across another’s life (your child, a friend, whomever), it is essential that we slow down . . . at times, stop completely. And think. Now . . . not later. Don’t you dare put this off another day!” –Charles Swindoll

Slow down when you read the Bible. Years ago, a pastor told me that one verse from the Bible properly understood and acted on will change your life forever. Next time you get in the Word, stop on a verse and chew on it and digest it. Read a verse you know and get to know it better. It’s not about how many chapters you can tuck under your belt—it’s what you get out of it.

Despite how sophisticated your thinking is, or how much you may have been through, humble yourself and turn to Jesus. “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). When Jesus died on the Cross, the enemy was gleeful because everything looked like a failure. But it turned into victory over death and sin. God can take the failures of your life and turn them into triumph.

Consider Jesus (Hebrews 3:1). Set some time aside in this busy season to quiet yourself and contemplate what God has done for you. Get your brain off the negative and remember God’s faithfulness. We all have a series of testimonies—remember yours and write them down. God has big, beautiful plans for your life. We are enrolled as participants in something bigger than we can imagine; so get ready for God to use you to change someone’s life.

God is faithful,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

[I pray] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Ephesians 3:16-21

You can trip up in life if you don’t understand who God is and who you are in Jesus. You can’t get in faith on your own—only by hearing God’s Word can we get strong in faith. When you read that you have been freed from sin by Jesus’ blood (Revelation 1:5), when you see in the Word how God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) and able to supply all of your needs (Philippians 4:19), faith rises up in your spirit and gives you an impenetrable advantage against the attacks of the devil.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Take hold of the promises in the Word concerning who you are in Christ and what He has made available to you and write them down on the empty pages in the back of your Bible. Don’t be afraid to take those truths and march into your career, your marriage, and your future. An understanding of the promises in the Word will break generational curses, eliminate inferiority complexes, and straighten out distorted thinking.

If you feel ripped off, take back what the enemy stole from you (1 Samuel 30). If your joy is gone, get back in the presence of God and ask Him to revive you. If you’ve fallen into a pit, meditate on this scripture: “The law of the Spirt of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:2). God knows how to lift us out of the miry clay and put our feet on the solid rock (Psalm 40:2). If you’ve been through a thing or two lately, you’ve gained credibility to speak encouragement into others’ lives. Your answer to any challenge is found in seeking God and reading His Word—don’t back down!

Receive God’s strength,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:27-31

In these verses, the prophet Isaiah is rebuking those who say that God doesn’t care about them. The Creator, the Everlasting God, sees every detail of our lives. I know some of you ache from the pressure on you right now, but instead of thinking God doesn’t notice, draw close to Him to find the answers—He can meet every challenge. You’ll be drawing near to someone who never gets tired and never tires of your drawing near.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Nothing is complicated with God. You may be going through some difficult times, where you don’t know what to do, and don’t even have the energy to look like you know what to do. But as you lean into God, He will take your weary soul and give strength and grace for every situation. I’ve watched the grace of God pour out on my fatigue, my inexperience, my lack of perspective, and on my bad attitude.

As you draw near to God and wait on Him, He gives you the strength to win the battle even when things in life aren’t the way they should be. “The lame will take the plunder” means that God is able to give you victory even when you are wounded by life (Isaiah 33:23b). Remember, it’s not by your might or power but always by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). And by God’s Spirit you can receive more than enough strength, new strength, to not only fix your situation but transfer the message to others. Because people need Jesus and they need to know that He wants to help them with every detail of their lives.

God is able,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

 
Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s loving-kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

It’s easy to forget what God brought us out of and instead focus on the negative. In Lamentations the author first remembers all his afflictions, and his soul becomes “bowed down” (3:20). But then he shifts and begins to recall God’s faithfulness, and that is where he receives hope. You must choose to pull your focus away from the problem and set your gaze straight on Jesus. Recall to mind how good He is, how great His loving kindness is toward you, and how He rescued you in the past.

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will meditate on all Your work and muse on Your deeds. Psalm 77:11-12

Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy. Psalm 78:41-42 NKJV

Paul considered frequent reminders a safeguard for the church: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you” (Philippians 3:1). Go over scriptures about the great deeds of God’s trustworthiness. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The God who did those miracles in the Bible, who showed faithfulness and provided provision for the Israelites in the wilderness—that God is your God.

Break from spiritual amnesia and stir yourself up by way of reminder (2 Peter 3:1). Write down times that God has been faithful to you so you don’t forget. In order to show a lost and dying world how wonderful and loving God is, you first need to remember the great deeds God has done for you.

God is forever faithful,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,
along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other,
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

God has called us to follow Christ’s example: He showed His great love and died for us when we were still stuck in our sin. Consider the parable Jesus told of the king who forgave his servant an enormous debt, but then that servant still demanded payment of a small debt from another man. When we don’t forgive, we are forgetting about the huge debt of sin Jesus forgave (Matthew 18:21-35).

Choose to be governed by love instead of bitterness. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2). It’s easy to justify resentment, but it will hinder the quality and progress of your walk. Don’t wait around for someone else to do all the repenting—be quick to forgive.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

We can’t afford bitterness. This is a new season and the church is being called upon to reach a world that is shaking off complacency and asking to know God. Choose to unhitch your wagon from offenses one more time, and open your heart to God. When you get up in the morning, meditate on verses about walking in love. On the other side of this obedience you’ll experience advancement and greater effectiveness.

Love never fails!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8

We are not powerless. God has clothed us with power from on high to meet every situation we encounter; to be witnesses and love and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Luke 10:27; Luke 24:48). Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5b). Our authority is rooted in relationship and connection with Jesus. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” (Psalm 127:1a). But through Jesus we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:5-7

Let God’s Word settle in your heart and life. It is thunderously powerful. It is your sharp sword to combat the attacks of the enemy (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). Meditate on the promises of God until they bring a renewal to your mind and strength to your soul that push you past impotence into the effectiveness for which you’ve been created. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

In order to make a meaningful difference in the world, to see impossible situations in our lives turn around, we must connect with Jesus and abide in His Word. Talk to Him when you get up in the morning. Pull out your Bible over breakfast. God will help you to be able to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Even if you don’t feel like it, sing praises about God’s faithfulness. It’s impossible to keep worrying when you are praising God. His power is not for just an elite few. It is for you, for your everyday life (Acts 2:17).

Thank God for His Power!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command. 1 Chronicles 12:32

Like Issachar’s tribe, God wants to sensitize us to His timing. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that “there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” (3:1). It’s essential to understand the times in order to prepare for God’s calling.

God is bringing the nations to our doorstep and we must rouse ourselves. We’re getting ready to expand as a church, despite the fluctuating economy. It’s the right time to move forward. The church is not subject to the world’s ebb and flow because “we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). When darkness encroaches, we’ll step up and bring the light. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

Get Alone With God: 1. In Prayer 2. In Quietness 3. In the Bible 4. In Praise. Esther prepared for her “such a time as this.” There are things that God wants to do through your life that you must prepare for. Between birth and death you have this thing called life, which is your season on earth to champion the cause of Christ: to manifest the love of God, to exhibit kindness, to press on through the battles, to achieve the great accomplishments for which you’ve been set apart.

Above all else, we must be sensitized to God’s timing and to what He is saying. During the dark time in her nation Esther relied on prayer and fasting. In the next month or so, some of the most significant decisions are going to be made for our land. We must pray now. Don’t lethargically wait to see what happens. Be an active doer of the Word. There are people attached to your obedience to pray big prayers, to avoid sin, to press on and not grow weary in well doing. As you push aside distraction and seek God in prayer, what was meant for harm God will turn around for good (Genesis 50:20).

Let’s move forward,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.