Fasting and Prayer starts January,8-29th Matthew 6:16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. The Christmas Promise Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Christmas was designed to bring joy back to the Earth. The Old Testament ends with the world “curse”. Malachi 4:6 And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Then after that there was 400 years of silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The entire Bible from cover to cover is about God wanting relationship with his people. In Genesis we see God walking and talking with Adam. God gave Adam and Eve a free will and they made a bad choice to sin and they were separated from God. Sin still separates us from God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God gave His people a promise in the book of Isaiah and after 400 years of silence Matthew tells us of a promise God fulfilled. Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Christmas is all about The Promise. When God gives a promise you can trust it. Isaiah promised that a child would be born and his name would tell us his character. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. … And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 1. Wonderful counselor He is worthy of wonder because incarnation defies human understanding. Philippians 2: 6-7 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He is the divine counselor. Those of us who know him have experienced his guidance in our lives. Scripture says seek his will in all you do. Proverbs 3:5-10 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. 2. Mighty God He has the power to protect us against the fiery darts of satan himself. He has the power to protect us when our own strength fails us. He has the power to provide. Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He has the power to promote. John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. This world is a temporary stop! 3. Everlasting Father Our Heavenly Father loves us with an everlasting love. He loves us so much he gave himself away on a cross. John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 4. Prince of Peace. Perhaps the greatest benefit of salvation is peace. Without Christ our lives are marked with fear. God has promised to keep all who trust in him in perfect peace. Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. Jesus will never let you down. You can put your trust in him. He is a wonderful counselor mighty God everlasting father and the prince of peace!