QUOTES FOR MARCH 4, 2026

 

FOR UNTO US

 

Isaiah 9:6

 

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.

 

     This is such a wonderful scripture for us to look at today.  Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born gives us a description of his reign, rule and role.  We have so much to cover this morning so we will get started right away.

 

1.       Isaiah says for unto us a child is born.  Jesus came for all mankind.  His coming was both individually and universal.  He came for you and me and also for all mankind because we could not save ourselves.  The sooner we come to grip with that the sooner we will do something about it.  Until you see a need for a savior you will never get saved.  The tragedy is so many will never come to that knowledge.  He came to give you eternal and abundant life.  He came to bring healing, deliverance, salvation, restoration, forgiveness, anointing, empowerment, victory and freedom.  I love that part of Braveheart at the end where he cries freedom.  That is what Jesus did for us.

2.      For unto us a son is given.  Jesus was God.  He was the son, a second part of the trinity.  He was the firstborn of all creation.  He was the son who gave His life.  Allowed His body to be broken and his blood to be shed.  He died, buried and rose again so we could become like Him.  We are now called the Sons of God because of what He has done.  He was given to us, individually and universally.  Jesus is the door to eternity, the source of eternal life and giver of life.

3.      The government will be upon His shoulders.  The current ruler ship in your heart.  He must reign and rule in your heart.  He is your king.  He must be Savior and Lord.  His reign and rule must be in your home to have it complete.  The government, authority and power of the church His on His shoulders.  Jesus is the head of the church not someone in Rome.  One day He will rule both on earth and in the new heaven and earth.  The first two have already been realized the third is yet to come.  The exciting part is that you and I will reign and ruler with Him.  That is our present and future.

4.      And He shall be called.  The following are the names and roles He plays in our lives, our family, homes, churches and the church at large.  He is called wonderful counselor, in some translations there are separated but in the Hebrew text they are not.  Now Jesus is more than a good psychologist.  This is such a limited scope of who Christ is.  He knows all and sees all.  He sees what is in your heart.  He knows how to speak to you.  He uses the word of God which is the discerner of the thought intents of the heart.  The Holy Spirit is our counselor He leads us into all truth.  I want to stop for a moment and remind you that we believe in Trinity which means that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit all have these qualities.  He wants to guide, lead, teach, direct and help you into all the truth.  He will take what He hears and give it to you.  You will never be alone.   You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  You have someone who will always lead you in the right path if you let Him.

5.      I want to give you our belief in the trinity.  That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;   Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.

6.      Mighty God.  Jesus is God, He is the perfect union of God and man He was God with face.  Like we said that week Jesus lived and was tempted like us in every way yet without sin.  He was the complete union of the natural and the super-national.  He was 100%, God and man.  Jesus is God and man.  That is who He is.  Jesus is Word, the word who dwelt among with grace and truth.  The writer of Hebrew says, Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all things.  He is the force that keeps the atom from blowing apart. 

7.      He is the everlasting Father.  He is connected with the Father.  This word means the reign and rule of Christ on the earth and in the hearts of His people.  This is the temporal and eternal reign of Christ.  Jesus’ reign as the second person of the Godhead was before the creation of the universe and will continue for eternity.  He is creator sustainer of life as mentioned before.  He is the order and guide for creation.  He rules His people with love and care.  Nothing has been able or will ever overthrow or exterminate this King.  He is the ageless one who rules and reigns forevermore.  Like Handel’s messiah.  He shall reign forever and ever.  King of Kings and Lord of Lords.   

8.      He is the Prince of Peace.  Jesus is the giver of true peace.  Peace the world cannot give or take away.  His peace with eliminate inner conflict, war and strife.  Jesus gave us a right relationship with God.  The gap between man and God was bridge by Jesus Christ.  He is the bridge of peace.  He is the universal peacemaker.  He brought us into right relationship with ourselves and in turn we can be right with all men and actually become peacemakers.  He brought the three following things in your life.

 

a.      Restore every broken relationship.  This is done by forgiveness, having right attitude, refusing taking offence, living dead to sin and trespass.  That no matter what others to do you, you will not do the same to them.  You will love accept and forgive.

b.      Provides a well ordered and balanced life.  This means surrendering our anxieties, fears, doubts, and frustrations to Jesus that we may experience His perfect peace in our hearts.  Choosing to allow our minds to be renewed.  Keeping our thought life in line.  Thinking on pure, holy, just, true, honest, virtuous and praise worthy thoughts.

c.      Living in the assurance of salvation.  You have been set free.  Live a life worthy of Him.  Make a decision moment by moment to live for Him.  Live in the light of eternity.  Know at any second He could come back.  This brings peace.  You are saved so live like it. 

FINAL GREETING OF JESUS

 

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

 

1.      Paul finishes this letter by reminding his audience and readers that he is only going to boast of one thing.  This thing is the most important element of this letter.  He is going to boast, rave, emphasize the cross of Jesus Christ.  It is on the cross these eight things were done.

 

-        He was the final sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 9:24-26;Hebrews 10:11-12)

-        Christ was the propitiation that satisfied the wrath of God. (Romans 3:25;1 John 4:10)

-        Christ paid the redemption price to purchase guilty sinners. (Romans 3:23-24)

-        Christ was the ransom paid to redeem sinners. (Matthew 20:28;1 Timothy 2:5-6)

-        He made reconciliation between God and man. (Hebrews 2:17; Romans 5:10)

-        He justified guilty sinners, satisfying God’s holy justice. (Isaiah 53:11;Acts 13:38-39;Romans 3:23-24)

-        Christ sanctified those people, setting them apart as holy. (Hebrews 10:10;Hebrews 2:11)

-        Christ perfected forever those that he bought, justified, and sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)

2.      Paul says the result is that he has been crucified with Christ.  He is no longer subject to the images, standards, and control of this world.  He doesn’t want, need, or desire anything of this world.  This world is dead to him. 

3.      The world wants nothing to do with him.  Watch how fast people leave you when you come to Christ.  That is not so bad because you get a better family.  Paul knew that we were in this world but not of this world.  We are passing through, but this is not our home, and this is not the best there is. 

 

15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.   

 

1.      Paul spent the entire letter refuting the idea that the law and circumcision meant anything.  He called it another gospel and those who promoted were cursed.  All that matters is the new creation.  As a new creation the old has passed away and all things are new. 

2.      You have a new beginning, relationship, identity, destiny, position, power, and purpose.  That is a sweet deal.

 

16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

 

1.      Paul gives two benefits to the cross.  First, is peace.  Peace with God and man.  No more internal, warfare, control, and strife.  You have found what the swami, teachers of the east and motivational speakers are searching for. 

2.      Secondly, you have mercy.  You did not get what you deserve.  Remember He paid a debt he did not owed I owe a debt I could not pay. 

3.      This statement is both a prayer and declaration of faith.  All who follow this rule.  What is the rule?   To know you are a new creation and to God a chosen people.  You are a covenant people like Israel.  You have been grafted in and have the peace and mercy of God.

 

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

 

1.      Paul makes a statement and a realized truth.  It is obvious the Judaziers were slandering, lying, and gossiping about Paul.  They were discrediting him to make themselves look better.  That is what the enemy does, accusation and deception are two of his main attack forms. 

2.      Paul says I bear on my body the brand marks of Jesus Christ. 

3.      Listen to what Paul went through in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28:  24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

4.      Paul is basically saying this is what I have suffered what has you gone through?

 

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

 

1.      He says the grace of God.  In your race of life add the Lord and it will be a grace walk.  You have divine assistance.  You have God’s riches at Christ expense.  You have all the benefits of heaven and it cost you nothing.  Jesus paid it all.

2.      It came through the master, God man and Messiah.  This benefit is in the spirit which when submitted to God effects the whole person.  The spiritual component of your life is the software that drives your whole mainframe of life.

3.      He closes calling them brothers and sisters in the Lord.  They are one family.  He closes by saying Amen which means so be it or borrowing from Star Trek, “make it so.” 

LIFE IS

 

     Life can be both wonderful or damaging.  It can take you to the very best things or lay you low in the deepest sorrows.  So today I thought I would give you some simple principles to help you live the best life God intended.  Your thoughts are like boomerangs. What you pass along to others is what will come back to you.  You are more defined by what comes out of your mouth than what goes in it. The way you speak and the things you say can have such an impact so speak, love, grace, encouragement and blessing.  The journey of your success will always begin with the small step of taking a risk, in relationships, and in life, it all begins with a small step grounded in a desire to be better and do to God’s will.  Your education is never complete. Determine to live fully and continually learn. Prepare for what life has to teach by being open to the lessons in everything you do and experience and trust the Lord for guidance.  You have the promise from James 1:5, that if you lack wisdom God promises to give it liberally.

     Here are some more principles.  Don't allow the voice of your fears to be louder than the other voice of God in your head.  Make sure God’s voice of reason, belief, of confidence are all strong enough to drown out fear and remember the promise of 2 Tim 1:7, that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.   A good reputation is more valuable than money. Your reputation is built on the foundation of your character; it entails the words you speak and the actions you take. Take care of your character above all other things and your reputation will take care of itself.

You never really lose until you stop trying. The words I can't never accomplish anything. I'll try, on the other hand, can perform wonders. Until you try you don't know what you can do.  Remember God is with you no matter where you go and what you try.  You get more by giving more. Success doesn't result from how much you get but from how much you give. If you want an abundant life, give as much as you can.  Let God rule your mind or it will rule you.  Paul tells us Rom 12:2, that when we submit our thought life to God we will know the perfect and acceptable will of God.  The choice is yours to make every day.  Great heroes are truly humble. Most of us underrate the importance of humility. It's an important skill because it keeps you teachable, regardless of how much you already know.

     Here are some final principles for winning in life.  Defeat isn't bitter if you're smart enough not to swallow it. At one time or another we will all experience failure. In fact, the more we are willing to risk, the more we will fail. The trick is to think of failure not as the end but as part of the process.  God has promised in Daniel 11:32, that those who know their God will be strong and do exploits.  Forgiveness benefits two people--the giver and receiver. The bravest and the smartest thing you can do in a bad situation is to forgive and move on. Don't allow grudges and grievances to add to the weight you carry on the road of life.  Forgiveness is a therapy.  It releases you to move forward.  God forgives us and we in turn must forgive others. Forgiveness is freedom.  Lastly, be grateful every day, there is a song that says, Give thanks with a grateful heart.  Practice turning your thoughts toward appreciation and thanksgiving, because that is where you will find, strength, power and an appreciation for what God has done. 

SAFETY

 

Safety - "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:8

Seven Promises for God's Safety.

1. I will be your shelter:  He will be your home. No matter where your journey takes you, you belong to Him. "You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in Your word." (Psalm 119:114)

2. No matter who hurts you with their words, I will heal you:  He is your safe place. "In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues." (Psalm 31:20)

3. When your arms are empty of dreams, I will sing you a new song:  His song -- his plan for your life -- is greater than you can image. "He has given me a new song to sing." (Psalm 40:3)

4. I will never tire of your worries:  Don't hide your worries from Him. Come closer and bring them all to Him. Again and again. “Do not worry . . . look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap . . . and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Luke 12:22-25)

5. Let go of what holds you and let Me hold you instead:  What others don't want, he wants. You are his. “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." (Isaiah 41:3)

6. My heart is your home and sure shelter for this journey:  Not because life is perfect, but because His love for you is irrevocably perfect." I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." (Jeremiah 31:3)

7. My choice to choose and love you is irrevocable:  You are forever in His heart. This He pledges. "He has set his seal of ownership in us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge, a guarantee of what is to come." (2 Corinthians 1:22)

FATHERS DAY

 

     With Father’s Day just around the corners.  I thought this following story would inspire and encourage you to note the influence of a father can have on their family.  After Rick Hoyt sustained severe brain damage during birth and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, doctors recommended the family give up any hope of him living a normal life; institutionalization was the only way. But the Hoyts paid no mind, and raised Rick like any other normal kid. Though he was restricted to a wheelchair, couldn't speak, or use his arms and legs, the boy camped, swam, skied, and attended public school — eventually going on to graduate from Boston University. Fifty-one years after that grim diagnosis, Rick not only lives in his own apartment but is also a celebrated athlete. How you might ask? With the help of his father, Dick. When Rick was in middle school, he wanted to enter a charity race to raise funds for a recently paralyzed fellow student. His father, who had never run before, offered to push him in a clunky chair. That arduous race led to a lifetime of team racing (not to mention better chairs). Using a specially engineered chair, Dick and Rick have finished more than 1,090 races, including 252 triathlons, 70 marathons, and 94 half marathons. In honor of their 31st Boston Marathon this past April, the father-son duo was honored with a bronze statue in their likeness.

     When a father chooses to include himself in the life of their children the results are amazing.  Recently I was at a production of Grease where my two grandsons Gideon and Jeremiah starred in.  Sitting beside me was their father Lawrence and beside him was our grand daughter Gabby.  As Lawrence watched his two boys performing you could not have seen a prouder dad.  Our grand daughter Gabby is a provincial soccer champion, and her dad is part of the couching staff.  He is active in every aspect of his children’s life. 

     When Lawrence married my daughter Rachel, I wondered what kind of husband and Father he would be.  He has done both very well.  My sons Robert and Ryan have turned out to be great husbands and fathers as well.  Both are actively involved with their families.  The secret is for all three has been their faith and relationship with Christ. 

     The apostle Paul stated that fathers are to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  This means teach their children respect and encourage.  This means you show by example.  If we want out children to serve the Lord, you show it by example. 

     I have over the years done one thing everyday I have prayed for my children.  From the first time I held my son Robert in my arms till this day I have prayed for my children and grand children.  God has honored those prayers by giving children and grandchildren serving the Lord. 

     So, dad my exhortation for you is simple be an example and pray for your family.  Did you know that 85% of a child’s self esteem comes what their father thinks and says about them?  So, let us say and do the right thing.  It will be a blessing to them and will help them be productive and healthy adults who are a blessing to others.

QUOTES FOR MARCH 4, 2026