Everyone likes to hear their name. In fact, a person’s name is one of the most pleasant sounds to their ears. What’s the secret behind the power of a name? Referring to a person by name communicates value and humanizes a person, no matter their station in life.
Have you ever met someone that just hated their name or had a nickname they couldn’t stand. Psychologist and name expert Cleveland Evans of Nebraska’s Bellevue University said, “Names tell you more about the parents than about the kids. They reveal their values and goals for their children.” For example, many parents in the 60s who lived communal gave children names that reflected their values and lifestyles, like Moon, Morning, Peaceful Willow, Carrot, or Sunshine. Other parents exercise their sense of humor by naming their children things like Robyn Banks, Dee Zaster, Page Turner, Warren Peace, Justin Case, or Tim Burr.
A Mighty Name
In Scripture, people often didn’t have a chance to pick a name their son or daughter because God told them in advance what the child would be called. Mary and Joseph experienced two separate visitations by an angel that left no doubt as to what their son would be called. “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus means, “Jehovah is Salvation.” His is the name above every name, and the name before which all the world will one day bow and give honor (Philippians 2:8–11).
Names of Jesus
Isaiah gives insight into the mighty names of Jesus when he prophecies 750 years before His earthly father, Joseph, is even born. With each name, we learn an attribute of God.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Each name of Jesus deals with an important area of our lives:
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His name is Counselor
This takes care of the decisions of life. With Jesus Christ as our counselor, we have the wisdom we need to make the decisions, both great and small, that confront us each day. Jesus offers you His counsel because He wants to direct you. He is a counselor who has known you from the foundations of the world, watched your life since conception, and knows the future as intimately as He does the past.
The Bible is the user’s manual of life we’ve all been searching for. Everything you need to know about the Wonderful Counselor is found in the pages of the Bible! Within it you’ll find answers on how to:
- Have an overcoming marriage
- Function in the workplace
- Strengthen your relationships
- Raise your children
- Understand the times we live in
- Handle depression, accusation, temptation, and loneliness
- Build a value system that will bless and elevate your life
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His name is Wonderful
This means we no longer have to deal with boredom and dullness of this life or settle with cheap substitutes of fulfillment. We no longer need to look to this world for shallow excitement because Jesus Christ makes life wonderful. A bored man is a dangerous man because where boredom is, sin will quickly follow.
Man-made marvels fail to satisfy because we were created to interact with an all wise, all powerful, infinitely beautiful, and constantly engaging God. We were hardwired to know Him, experience Him, and walk with Him like Adam did in the garden. Knowing this wonderful God personally takes care of the dullness of life. And while medical science will attempt to add years to your life, only Jesus Christ can add life to your years. His name will be called Wonderful. Do you know Him that way?
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His name is Mighty God
This takes care of the demands of life. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the things pulling for our attention. We must never forget that no matter what we face, we are linked to the mighty one, Jesus. Not only are we linked to Him, we can do all things through Him as He strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). We know a God who wants to get involved in our lives, giving us the internal energy to do what He wants us to do and be what He wants us to be.
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13). Paul is telling us that God energizes both the believer’s desires and actions. God’s power makes His church willing to live godly lives. If you are struggling with some kind of vice right now, call upon the mighty God and work with Him for victory.
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His name is Everlasting Father
This takes care of the future. Knowing we will spend all eternity with Him means we don’t have to be afraid of death. The name of Jesus reminds us that we will indeed to live forever with him because there is hope beyond the grave. The hope of an Everlasting Father gives us great expectation for the future.
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His name is Prince of Peace
This takes care of the disturbance of life. We live in frightening times, but with Christ in residence in the very center of our being, we can know a peace that is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. “Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” -Philippians 4:7.
Peace with God
As we celebrate the arrival of the Prince of Peace, we recall the message the angels gave so many years ago, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Where is the peace on earth? We should give more attention to what the angels actually said. They said, “…peace among those with whom he is pleased.” The reason we don’t have peace is that we don’t please God. God is only pleased with us through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we surrender our lives to Jesus and receive His grace, we find peace.
Jesus desires that you experience Him today because He wants to be your everlasting father. He wants to show you how wonderful He is as he counsels you and floods your life with his peace. The government of your life can be on his shoulders, setting you free to live the life God intended for you from the beginning.