Hosanna Restoration Church

God with us is more than just; God came to make an appearance. He came to be with us. He did not just come to be present in the world. He came to show that He is on our side. He is God with us and God for us! With God all things are possible. God is not just near, He is here! Isaiah chapter 9 tells that He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Sadly, we hear His name used in a many ways that do not measure up to all of this, but really people just do not know any better. There was a time in my life when I certainly did not know any better, and proved it continually. As a Christian, I now feel that it is up to me to make sure I rightly use and appreciate the Name of the Lord.

His name should not be used flippantly. Nor should we take on some self righteous attitude and posture to say it. The Name of the Lord should be adored. His name is important to every part of our lives. It is no wonder that the enemy has enticed people to use God’s Name in exact opposition to the way that He said it should be used. However, we really cannot worry about that. We have a call to be a light to the world. We have a call to lift up and to bless that Wonderful Name. As we do, we will see the glory of God manifest around us. When we express His name as God intended, it literally affects the world! I know that sounds hard to believe, but then everything about God is hard to believe, until we simply accept it and begin to walk in it.

Yes, God is with us. God is for us. As we enter into this understanding we do begin to know Him as Wonderful. As we accept Him as Wonderful, we will seek Him as Counselor. As we accept His counselor, we will experience Him as Mighty God. But more than that, we will see Him as our Everlasting Father. If we stop at Mighty God we may well remain looking at Him as a mountain that cannot be approached, much less touched. We will stand far off instead of getting up on His lap and calling Him daddy.

We really must go all the way and know Him as Prince of Peace! Remember, as a baby He had angels singing, shepherds gazing, and wise men searching. Once we come to know Him the way He came to reveal Himself, His Name will flow from us like the living water that it is.

Celebrate His birth. Celebrate His life. Celebrate the life He lives in you. Celebrate Jesus…Immanuel…God with us! Read Luke 1:68-79 and see what Zacharias prophesied. Truly, bless His wonderful Name.