Bible verse:

“‘Save your people, O Lord, the remnant of Israel!’ For I will bring them…  from the distant corners of the earth. I will not forget the blind and lame, the expectant mothers and women in labor. A great company will return! Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They will walk beside quiet streams and on smooth paths where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s father.” Jeremiah 31:7-9

The people of Israel had been exiled, taken from their own land and deported to another.  This was a natural consequence of their rejection of God, their Father, and choosing other “gods” and doing things their own way.  But God loved them with a faithful, unfailing love.  So he brought them back home again.  Notice he brings EVERYONE, even those we’d consider vulnerable or weak?  Notice the people’s reaction – tears of joy!  Notice how he prepares the way home – beside quiet streams (a constant, fresh, water supply) and on smooth paths, so no one stumbles.  This was an historic event that happened to real people.

As significant as this homecoming was for the remnant of Israel then, it’s even more significant to us today, what Jeremiah predicted through Christ’s coming.  Through the cross and empty tomb, by placing our trust in Jesus, you and I are considered the “remnant.” You and I are being freed from our adversary (slavery to sin, eternal death and the power of the evil one) and being led “home,” back to a close relationship with God now, to be with him forever.  

The “new covenant” Jeremiah predicted in chapter 31:31-32 is unfolding NOW, among us.  People are coming back from their “exiles” and coming back to God.  They are turning away from the “gods” of this age, and putting their trust in Christ Jesus.  They are experiencing the “tears of joy,” the “quiet streams,” and “smooth paths” he is providing.  Will you let him free you and father you?

Prayer:  You are not only Israel’s father, you are my Father.  I receive the freedom you are providing for me, freedom from my adversary, and freedom to be in daily relationship with you.  Not only me, but would you help each person that is locked up and exiled to experience your freedom. I pray the see the Truth of Jesus.  In Jesus’ name.

By Pastor Kevin Schuessler

Bible verse:

“Long ago the Lord said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.'”  Jeremiah 31:3

Your Father says, “I HAVE loved you,” not “maybe someday down the road,” but TODAY, already activated and in place.  He says, “ I have loved you with an EVERLASTING love,” a love that lasts forever with no end.  His love for you never trails off, never runs out of steam, or gets revoked.  It’s everlasting.  He loves you with an “unfailing love”, which speaks to his character – faithful.  His love is never based on one’s performance toward him, how good or bad, faithful or faithless, for HIS love is always faithful.  With unfailing love, he has “drawn you to himself,” embracing you, like the most wonderful, earthly father (times a billion) does for his child.  He’s not loving you from afar, but up close and intimately.  Notice he is doing the initiating, always extending his love towards you, drawing you close and embracing you.  That’s just who he is.

Today is a good day, to BE LOVED.  Let yourself be completely and entirely loved, to the core.  Let him wipe away your tears, heal your hurts, forgive your sins, and wash away your regrets.  This may be a new experience for you, this language may make you uncomfortable.  It’s OK, he knows.  He knows you very well, for he formed you within your mother, and even knew you before you were even conceived, and loved you then, and loves you entirely now.  You don’t have to jump through hoops or get your act together first, to become more “lovable.”  Forget that.  Let him love you today with an everlasting, unfailing, drawing-you-close kind of love.  

That’s what the prophet Jeremiah predicted, and that’s what Jesus came to accomplish and establish.  It’s an historic event – for you.  Today.  Will you let him?

Prayer:  Father, I receive your love today.  I will let myself relax in your arms, and rest in the strength of your love.  Help me not to resist, or squirm away, but receive all that Jesus accomplished for me on the cross.  I pray for my family, my friends, my neighbors, my coworkers, that each of them would receive your unfailing love as well.  I want this more than anything.  In Jesus’ name.

By Pastor Kevin Schuessler

Bible verse:

“His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”  Isaiah 9:7 (NLT)

Governments are supposed to guard their citizens and protect them.  But they are often flawed and limited.  Jesus is neither.  His government and Kingdom offer complete fairness and justice.  And peace!  King David represented God’s purposes during his lifetime, but God promised “a child is born to you”, who would usher in God’s Kingdom now, and lasting into eternity.  This is so key.  We all long for the fulfillment of this promise in eternity, but Jesus kept saying, “the kingdom of God has arrived among you” (Luke 11:20), referring to himself.  

Jesus, in his final moments before his trial and crucifixion, prays to his Father for you and me, saying, “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.  They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.  Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world” (John 17:15-18).

You and I, through faith in Jesus Christ, are already citizens of God’s Kingdom.  For a short time now, we have a role to play, first to step into God’s way of thinking and God’s way of loving others.  And to continue expanding his Kingdom by the way we conduct our lives for him.  He promises that “the passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” God has placed his full resources behind you and WILL accomplish this!  Will you align yourself with the Lord Jesus and let him work through you to bring others into his Kingdom?  If so, just watch him do just that!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for adopting me and claiming me as a citizen of your Kingdom.  I give you my will, to accomplish this in my circle of people as well.  May I live your truth and share your Truth (the Lord Jesus) with the people I love and interact with today.  In Jesus’ name.

By Pastor Kevin Schuessler

Bible verse:

“And he will be called: Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

Have you noticed there is a difference between physical peace (absence of bodily harm) and internal peace?  Have you noticed that we can have physical peace and not have inner peace?  Of course we want both.  What does Jesus promise us?  In John 14:27, he says, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  And in John 16:33 he says it even stronger.  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

He promises that whatever you experience externally in our world today, that he will give you a GIFT of peace, a shalom for your heart and mind!  And that no matter the trials and sorrows we face, that we can actually take heart, or be encouraged, because he has overcome the world,  through the cross and empty tomb.  Incredible.

Will you shift your focus from the chaos, confusion, division, strife and warring of society, to the Lord Jesus?  Will you receive this gift he earned for you on the cross, and step into this lifestyle of peace?  Notice that even when Jesus was tortured and undergoing incredible pain prior to and on the cross, he never lacked peace.  That’s what he offers freely to you now.  

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I receive your peace now.  Even if I can’t fully understand it, I know you are the Prince of Peace, so I trust you.  Help me to shift from the world’s flawed version of peace, and into your bulletproof shalom.  Guard my heart and mind from the evil one, and help me to enjoy you in full confidence and peace.  May the Prince of Peace in me cause others around me to experience your peace as well!  In Jesus’ name.

By Pastor Kevin Schuessler

Bible verse:

“And he will be called: Everlasting Father.”  Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

Do you find it interesting that Jesus (“for a child is born to us…”) is also named “everlasting Father”?  Is this because the Father and his Son, Jesus, are one?  In John 14:9-10, Jesus says to his disciples, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father…the words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.  Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me”.  If we want to see who the Father is, how he feels about you and me, and how he treats us, we can look at Jesus in the narratives of Scripture!  And notice how “fatherly” Jesus is with his disciples.  He calls them “children”, and loves them as a good father would love his children.  He doesn’t blast them or expel them, but lovingly calls them upward, as though he believes they will eventually get it!  This is how he treats you and me, lovingly calling us upward, to believe and trust in him more and more.  

In a country undergoing a “crisis of fatherlessness,” we long for good fathers, fathers who will stand for truth, who are wise, who self-sacrificially protect and care for their children.  No matter how old you are, will you let the Lord Jesus, father you today?  Will you allow him to love you, protect you, speak words of wisdom and direction into you and care for you?  Will you let your guard down, and let him speak life into the dead places in your heart?  I believe he so longs to do this, even more than we crave it ourselves.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, father us, as you fathered your disciples and followers of your day.  Help us overcome our distrust, reluctance and even rebellious tendencies.  And then, allow us to serve your people around us, that we may carry on Jesus’ ministry of fathering in your winsome, kind way.  And one by one, may we see a revival of people changed from the inside out, and full to overflowing with your love!  In Jesus’ name.

By Pastor Kevin Schuessler

Bible verse:

“And he will be called: Mighty God.”  Isaiah 9:6

We all know powerful people – in business, government, military, even in entertainment, etc.  But often we fear those people and what they might do, because we have seen how power often corrupts.  We crave Someone strong and powerful who will protect us from the bullies.  Humans let us down, but God never does.

The people in Jesus’ day recognized him as a “prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19).  And the only ones who feared Jesus were those who opposed him.  He used his power to save the lost, heal the sick, raise the dead, forgive the sinner, defend the weak, etc.  He is completely trustworthy and faithful.  He will do what he did then for you today.  As you place your life in his hands, you will experience his might in the most wonderful ways.  His power to overcome your biggest bully, the evil one, will change your life.  Will you let him?  

And someday soon, when Jesus returns through the clouds, with a “loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16), all the world will see his might with our own eyes.  Will you acknowledge Christ Jesus today as your mighty God?

Prayer:  I acknowledge you, Jesus, as my mighty God.  I come under your authority, and give you permission to lead me.  I pray for the people of our nation, that more and more people would place their allegiance in You alone. Work through me to help accomplish this!  In Jesus’ name.

By Pastor Kevin Schuessler

Bible verse:

“And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor.”  Isaiah 9:6

Each society has people considered to be experts, people who are smart and gifted.  Yet we discover how their wisdom often falls short, and that they too are flawed people.  We need a Counselor, someone who is all wise, who knows us best, who understands our situation and gives us brilliant counsel.  The Apostle Paul wrote, “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25).  Paul points to Jesus Christ as the “wisdom of God” (:30)

We can get angry at our governmental leaders, or the experts in their respective fields.  But really what we need is to acknowledge Jesus as our “wonderful Counselor”, and to take direction from him.  In confessing him as your Lord and Savior, you are doing just that.  His wisdom doesn’t play by our world’s rules, but brings heaven’s brilliance to your problems and issues.  Will you listen to him?  Will you heed his advice?  Will you step out in faith and do what he suggests?  I promise the more you do, the more you’ll recognize how wonderful a counselor he actually is!

Prayer:  Lord God, you are brilliant, I acknowledge that.  Help me trust you and take one small step at a time as you direct.  I pray for a nation full of people who acknowledge Jesus as their Wonderful Counselor and walk in his ways.  May your infectious wisdom in me draw others to you, Lord!  In Jesus’ name.

By Pastor Kevin Schuessler