Sarah Baughman's Blog, page 5

Above All Names: Wonderful Counselor

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This particular Name of the Messiah is couched in a prophetic passage from God through the prophet, Isaiah. And not only is He our Wonderful Counselor, but our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. He comforts and guides us with His Spirit. He demonstrates His might when He emerges from the tomb, victorious over death. He was, and is, and is to come; He leads His people with an Everlasting love as a father leads his children. His counsel, might, and care bring peace to our hearts…and not the peace people like to talk about during this season. The Peace that He brings is the kind that will remain and even grow in difficult times; it saturates the heart with the assurance of His love in spite of the darkness of the world and our own sinful nature. It changes and covers and blesses.

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Above All Names: Word

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The same Word spoken at Creation, the same Word spoken through prophets of old, this Word has come to dwell among us. He is God’s Word of love and mercy to a broken world. And not merely to the world, as we might send a text, email, or even letter, but the Word of love in our world. His name, whispered into our hearts broken by sin, brings grace and healing. When we speak His name aloud, we invite more grace into our day. Praise the Word of Life! Where can you speak of Him today?

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Above All Names: Way

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In John 14:6, Jesus responds to the question of a man named Thomas, but really we all have been in that place, asking the same question – “How can we know the way?” How often in life do you wonder which way to turn, which way to walk, or even where to ask the questions? Every time we ask, Jesus willingly answers our questions in His Word. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He is the Way means He is the Answer to every question, every road we need to walk, and every fork in that road. Jesus, today we ask You to Show us the Way. Show us Yourself, dear Savior.

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Above All Names: Resurrection & Life

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Death stands in strong opposition to the Life that God created in the beginning. When sin came, death was not far behind as the consequence.  However, Jesus is stronger than Death. He swallows it up and brings Life – life as new as a tiny Baby and eternal as God Himself – to a world held captive to sin and death. And at the end of time, we will witness with the whole world, the resurrection of all the dead at His second coming. We praise Him who is our Resurrection and Life!

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Above All Names: Rock

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The people of Israel complained a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. You can read the backstory of today’s passage from 1st Corinthians in Exodus 17:1-7. The beautiful part, though, is that God answers even complaints. That is part of Jesus Christ’s title, “The Rock.” He doesn’t change, whether we’re full of praise or full of grouching. He is solid, faithful, always giving free, Living Water to thirsty souls in need of love, compassion, and grace.

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Above All Names: Peace

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While this season of Advent and Christmas can seem to bring out the best in people, we know that what truly brings people together is the Peace sent from God. Not only has He paid the price for our sins, thereby allowing us to be reconciled to God, but He who is called Peace truly takes away the divisions among us. We are one body, and He is our Head. We are His people, together, and we worship Him…together! You are our Peace; draw us ever nearer to You, and to one another, that we may live closer to harmony together in You, serving and worshipping You always. Amen.

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Above All Names: Hope

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In this world, hope appears to have one major problem…the expectations attached to it. So often in this life, our expectations are met with devastation, disappointment, or disillusionment. We tend to apply the same level of confidence we would with people, in our relationship with God. We ask, seek, and expect so little from Him, for fear that our expectation will be met with disappointment. But Christ Jesus gives more. He, Himself, is our Hope, our confidence. He was prophesied from the beginning. He came as a baby boy. He died and rose to save you. What He says, He does, and what He does, He says in His Word. At the very sound of His name, we are filled with Hope.

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Above All Names: Founder & Perfecter of Faith

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When the world came into being, Jesus was there. Even before darkness became light, God had a plan. When evil entered and sin took its first bite in our world, Jesus still reigned. God in Trinity founded the foundations of the world, but also founded the faith in your soul. The words author and perfecter go hand-in-hand. An author completes something – a poem, a novel, an essay, a book – whatever it is, it’s a finished work, completed. Jesus completes the plan the Trinity had long before the beginning of this world. And He is writing your story, completing you this day, for eternity.

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Above All Names: Light of the World

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It seems that in recent years, the tradition of putting candles in a house windows at Christmastime has fallen by the wayside. Years ago, this practice had a practical, as well as beautiful purpose. Before electricity and flashlights, and cellphones with flashlights, people would put candles in their windows to guide weary travelers to a place of warmth and comfort. During Advent, this is an especially appropriate tradition, as it reminds us of the true Light of the world. The Light that welcomes and guides, the Light that breaks the darkness of death and scatters the shadows of sin. In the same tradition of welcoming weary travelers, invite someone over for coffee or a treat, and a chance to rest in Christ together. Come, O Light, and shine Your love into our hearts.

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Above All Names: Good Shepherd

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So much is wrapped up in this Name for our Lord – Good Shepherd – from Isaiah’s lament that all we like sheep have gone astray, to David’s likening God to a Shepherd guiding him, to Jesus’ definitive statement, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Yet in a manger, witnessed by shepherds, we see the One whose life personifies what makes a shepherd a Good One: constant care, vigilance, seeking strays, and ultimately the sacrifice of Himself for the sheep, who love to wander. May He always lead us in His ways of life and love.

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