Saturday, January 16, 2016

Name Above All Names--Prince of Peace


artwork by Krista Hamrick


Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Name Above All Names Alphabet, has so inspired me. Each of the 26 individual Names she has identified are so special, as Krista has intricately painted, almost like stained glass windows, each one with its Scripture reference. Krista has said, This is probably the painting that I have most enjoyed researching, designing, redesigning and painting. Beth Willis Miller has expanded upon each name with devotional word studies. By knowing, believing and trusting who God says He is, we can be confident in who He has created us to be.” I so agree with Krista! 

My heart has been drawn to do a word study for each of the names included in her art print. Krista and I felt led to publish our Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ available now on Amazon as a softcover book and as a Kindle book at this link.

Combining the beauty of Krista's artistic excellence with these word study devotionals is perfect for individual quiet reflection or small group Bible studies focusing on the Name Above All Names—Jesus Christ—and His attributes and characteristics.

Review by Michele Morin: “The infinite variety in nature, the curious complexity of human behavior, the synchronicity of multiple systems in our own anatomy — and in the solar system — all point, through general revelation, to the nature of God: multi-faceted, magnificent, and yet mysterious. Special revelation in Scripture picks up where creation leaves off, and Beth Willis Miller has teamed up with artist Krista Hamrick to focus on twenty-six pieces of evidence in Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ. The result is an alphabetical collection that resembles a twenty-six sided gem, each facet reflecting a slightly different hue of the nature of God the Son. From Alpha and Omega to King of Zion, each devotional highlights the Scriptural basis for the name in multiple translations and then provides commentary on the verses. Beth applies the truth and then invites her readers to join her in a prayer that turns the truth into a paean of praise. No mere academic exercise, the point of Name Above All Names Devotional is threefold:



Look up – Meditate on the name and what it reveals about the character of God.

Look in – I am propelled to ask galvanizing questions about my discoveries: “Because God is ___________________, I should therefore _______________.”


Look out – Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.


With full-color art work and space for notes, Name Above All Names Devotional is a treasure for devotional reading, a resource for serious study, and a thoughtful and inspiring gift for loved ones.” (review by Michele Morin)




I was inspired by Hillsong’s anointed hymn, Prince of Peace
…while studying Isaiah 9:6

NASB:  For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace

Amplified: 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 [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

Expanded Bible:
A child ·has been [or will be; the prophet views the future as though it had already happened] born to us;·God has given a son [L a son has been given] to us. He will be responsible for leading the people [L The government/rule/dominion will be on his shoulder]. His name will be Wonderful Counselor [or Wonderful! Counselor!; or Extraordinary Advisor], Powerful [Mighty] God, Father Who Lives Forever [Eternal Father], Prince of Peace.

NET: For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace

Pastor Ray Stedman writes: "The Greek word eirene is derived from the verb "eiro" which means to "join together." The picture is that of binding or joining together what is broken or divided—setting the divided parts at one again. To "make peace" is to join together that which is separated. Eirene originally meant the ordered life that was possible when people were not at war. Later, the concept was expanded to include an inner, personal peace. As noted above, in secular Greek eirene was originally associated with cessation or absence of war.  Before we were born from above, we were "at war" with God. In Christ our lives are made whole, our relationships are harmonized, and we experience the spiritual and psychological wholeness that God intended for human beings in the original creation. His peace can provide freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Jesus did not end all human wars, but he does make it possible to end the war between God and man. His death is our peace, our means of reconciliation with our Father. Peace does not mean the absence of pain. It means that in our pain, we can have peace because we know the Prince of Peace and we know He is in control. True peace comes not the absence of conflict but from the presence of the Prince of Peace."

Jim Walton was translating the New Testament for the Muinane people of La Sabana in the jungles of Colombia. But he was having trouble with the word peace. During this time, Fernando, the village chief, was promised a 20-minute plane ride to a location that would have taken him 3 days to travel by walking. The plane was delayed in arriving at La Sabana, so Fernando departed on foot. When the plane finally came, a runner took off to bring Fernando back. But by the time he had returned, the plane had left. Fernando was livid because of the mix-up. He went to Jim and launched into an angry tirade. Fortunately, Walton had taped the chief's diatribe. When he later translated it, he discovered that the chief kept repeating the phrase, "I don't have one heart." Jim asked other villagers what having "one heart" meant, and he found that it was like saying, "There is nothing between you and the other person." That, Walton realized, was just what he needed to translate the word peace. To have peace with God means that there is nothing—no sin, no guilt, no condemnation—that separates us. And that peace with God is possible only through Christ.

Pastor Don Fortner writes: “In all that Christ has done as our Mediator, whether in planning or in executing the work of redemption, he has sought and secured the peace and eternal welfare of God’s elect. It was to purchase our peace that he became incarnate and died upon the cross. It was to bestow peace upon us that he ascended into heaven, assumed the reins of universal dominion, and undertook the management of providence. Peace was the legacy which he left to his church when he departed from this world. Upon his ascension back into heaven, he poured out the Spirit of peace upon his people. To this very hour the Son of God, our Savior, the Prince of Peace dispenses peace according to his own sovereign will to the sons of men, giving it in great abundance to all the subjects of his kingdom.
The word “prince” simply implies that Christ, at the time of his incarnation and birth, was the rightful, legal heir of the throne upon which he now sits.  Christ is here called “The Prince.” He is called the Prince of Peace because it is his sovereign prerogative to speak peace to his people.  And there is no peace in the world but that which he bestows. Christ alone is the Prince of Peace, and those who trust him enjoy “a peace which passes all understanding.”. No one will ever apply to Christ for peace until they are in trouble and distress of soul, made to feel the danger, bitterness, and consequences of sin, and made to see the impossibility of helping themselves. But when weary, heavy laden sinners seek him, he hears their prayers and gives them peace. He steps out upon the bow of the troubled, tempest tossed ship, reveals himself in boundless, almighty grace, and says to their raging souls, “Peace be still”…and immediately there is a great calm.”

Pastor Wayne Barber writes: “Now we need to understand that “Prince” means not only giver, but the one who maintains it. He gives the peace, and He maintains the peace. The first place that we find that peace needed is not with Jew and Gentile. It is with man and God. That peace was disrupted when Adam sinned. Man was separated from God, and was placed at enmity with God. You see the first thing that must be received is God’s grace. God’s grace is what God does to a man, in a man, for a man and through a man that a man can’t do himself. God came down. Man could not ascend. He tried that in Genesis 11. That’s where the nations came from. God came down as He told Nicodemus in John 3. He came down to die for our sin. The greatest picture of grace in all of Scripture is Jesus coming to die for our sin and shedding His blood to redeem us off the slave block of bondage to sin. When man receives God’s grace, then and only then can he be at peace with the God that he has been estranged from since Adam’s sin. So before you ever talk about peace with man, you’ve got to realize Jesus is the essence of our peace with God. So often we do it the reverse. So often there is a problem between two of us, and we try to major on our relationship to make our relationship with God better. No, you major on your relationship with God, and that makes your relationship with others what it ought to be. Jesus is the essence of God’s peace, the essence of our peace with God.”


What situation or problem could steal your sleep and your peace? Call on the living Prince of Peace, who will answer when you call to Him. Remember that you can close your eyes and rest because God’s eyes never close. The One who never sleeps cares for you personally and watches over you. The same God who created the expanse of the heavens, majestic mountains, glaciers, and everything else on earth and holds the whole world together by His powerful word knows the number of hairs on our heads—and watchfully and lovingly cares about each one of us individually. This one truth is worth rejoicing about all day—the Prince of Peace cares about me! I am of infinite value to Him. Nothing happens to me apart from His knowledge. He knows my name, my aches and struggles, and He loves me. We do not have to be afraid, for our Prince of Peace is watching over us. Our part is to stay connected by trusting Him.

Lord Jesus, thank You for setting apart each of us to know You and for answering when I call to You. Let the smile of Your countenance shine on me this day. Grant me peace in Your presence, even before a turnaround or harvest comes. When the night falls, grant me to “lie down in peace and sleep,” for You alone keep me safe. Thank You for Your tender, watchful care. Help me to remember all through the day that you are with me. You know every detail about my life—who I am, what I like, where I go—nothing is hidden from You. Your love for me means more than anything else in this world. May I go about my days with quiet confidence and peace, knowing that I am safe in your hand. In mighty Name Above All Names—Prince of Peace, we pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Isaiah 9:6

Look In
—as you meditate on Isaiah 9:6 pray to see how you might apply it to your life.

Look Out—as you meditate on
Isaiah 9:6 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others.


Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ


Weekly LinkUps…

26 comments:

  1. Prince of Peace, whenever I hear it, fills me up almost to speechlessness. It reminds me I'd have none without Him. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Carrie, I so agree with you...He fills us with His Peace as we focus on Him, rest in His finished work on the Cross...thank you for stopping by...many blessings to you!

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  2. I love the imagery of "joining together what was separated" because that is exactly what the Prince of Peace came to do. Lovely and inspiring artwork!

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    1. Kym, thank you for stopping by and sharing your heart...it is such a blessing to share with others what Jesus has used to encourage me...many blessings to you!

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  3. I've been searching for a study on the names of Jesus. Very glad we're neighbors today at #livefreeThursday!
    Happy Thursday!
    Megs

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    1. Megs, thanks so much for stopping by! It is such a blessing for me to share with others what has encouraged me in the study of God's Word. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  4. Beth, I love all the quotes and insights you share to help meat out this study on the names of God.

    I was convicted when I read one quote which stated that "Those who enjoy God experience the peace that surpasses all understanding." It made me realize that too often, I am caught up in the worries of the world when in fact that is a symptom of NOT enjoying God.

    Thank you for spurring me on to enjoy God and ALL His benefits so that my testimony would bring Glory to God.

    Blessings,

    P.S. I was watching Beth Moore's Periscope yesterday, and she was sharing some comments that were scrolling by at the end and I wondered if it was you because she read that the commenter said, "I am writing a blog post series on the names of God." :-)

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    1. Karen, I so appreciate your encouraging comments. I love Beth Moore but I didn't see her Periscope broadcast yesterday. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  5. Love the quote from Pastor Wayne Barber that not only does He give peace, He maintains the peace. Such a great word for our busy lives. Enjoyed this!

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    1. Mindy, I so agree with you! Thanks for stopping by...many blessings to you!

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  6. I'm up to the letter "h"! What a blessing!

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    1. Michele, you are a delightful, refreshing friend! I LOVE that you shared with me that you're reading our book for the second time, slowly, and memorizing the Scripture for each alphabetical Name of Christ...praise His Holy Name! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  7. I appreciate these insights into peace and loved the picture!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Debbie! I appreciate your kind comments...many blessings to you ❤️

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  8. Prince of Peace...what a beautiful name of power and strength. I am thankful that Jesus offers His peace to us at all times. We just have to learn to accept it! The artwork is stunning. I will have to visit her FB page. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week and may God bless you and yours Beth!

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    1. Thank you so much for you're encouraging commente! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  9. I am so thankful that HE is our Prince of Peace. Thanks for unpacking this Scripture passage for us, Beth.

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    1. Lyli, thank you so much for stopping by...it is such a joy to link-up with sweet sisters in Christ who are so encouraging to each other! Many blessings to you!

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  10. I always love these posts because the gorgeous artwork draws me in and then the Scripture and how you dig in... so full of goodness! And Peace? Yes, please! God has been speaking to me lately about how Peace is a weapon!

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    1. Karrilee, I LOVE that--Peace is a weapon, Yes! A weapon against the world, the flesh, and the devil! When the Prince of Peace takes authority over our flesh and out emotions, we truly can defeat any enemy! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  11. Great post. Yes only the peace that God can truly provide. I'm blessed to be your neighbor at Testimony Tuesday today.

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    1. Tara, thanks so much for stopping by from Testimony Tuesday...many blessings to you!

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  12. Inspired by God's Word and music, linking hearts and giftedness with a friend. Congratulations on what looks to be a stunning book, Beth ...

    Beautiful.

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    1. Linda, WOW! I so appreciate your kind words...I pray all the glory and honor goes to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ--the Name Above All Names, and that others will be drawn closer to Him, from Phil. 3:10a (Amplified)..."For my determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly"...many blessings to you, sweet friend!

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  13. Prince of Peace is such a beautiful picture of Jesus. Thanks for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays.

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    1. Thank you, Mary, I so enjoy linking up with you all at Literacy Musing Mondays! Many blessings to you!

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