The peace that Jesus offers is more than an absence of war.  It is shalom, the Hebrew word meaning wholeness. Jesus wants to help us repair internal hurts and damaged relationships and to extend that grace to others as well.

Jesus is a member of the trinity and so is the Father but this verse in Isaiah 9:6 is a metaphor. It is saying that Jesus has all the attributes of a good father. He provides, protects, counsels, sustains and even disciplines (His discipline is not punishment but correction). He does all these things because He loves and cares for us.

We might try going to all sorts of people for advice and guidance but Jesus is a far better counselor. He is better than all the people we know and certainly better than AI. He is a wonderful counselor because He is full of power and wisdom and truly cares for us.

What do you rely on in a crisis? What is the anchor that keeps you steady? A dynamic relationship with Jesus is the best anchor. Other anchors fail. Another reliable anchor is to have memorized  a key scripture which can sustain when a crisis hits.

380 million Christians are persecuted every year somewhere on the planet. Which of the 10 most dangerous places for Christians would you like to pray for? It does make a difference!  

The Bible clearly states that the will of God is to know Him, the one who calls us. We need to focus on that relationship first and then He will reveal what He calls us to do. And what He reveals may be different to what we thought it might be but it will use our skills and interests.

What have Jairus, the grieving father and the bleeding woman in common? Jairus was a religious leader who faithfully served God but his daughter was dying. The bleeding woman was a social outcast because she was considered unclean. Both came to Jesus for help. Jairus humbled himself publicly before Jesus while the bleeding woman snuck up behind Jesus' back to touch the hem of His garment. Both received the healing power of Jesus. Regardless of our background, we also can receive the healing power of God if we draw near to Jesus.  

Jesus heals the paralyzed man because of the faith of his friends. Do we have the faith to bring others to Jesus?