// Kenneth E. Hagin

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
—ISAIAH 9:6

IN THIS TEXT, Isaiah, by the Spirit of God, is prophesying concerning the birth of Jesus, the coming Messiah.

We could preach a sermon or two on the phrase "his name shall be called Wonderful," then preach several on "Counsellor" and "The mighty God." In fact, we could almost preach forever on these phrases. In this article we'll consider the phrase "his name shall be called Wonderful."

Jesus was Wonderful in His conception and the announcing of His birth. All of the writers of the Gospel cover the story, but because Luke goes into a little more detail, I like his account best.

A MAN BY THE NAME of Bob didn't believe much in God and was quick to let anyone know. His wife, however, was a believer and raised their children to have faith in God.

One snowy Christmas Eve, Bob's wife and children pleaded with him to go with them to church. He refused. "Christmas is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to earth as a man?" So his wife and children left, and Bob stayed home.

A while later, as the wind howled outside, Bob relaxed in front of the fireplace. Suddenly he heard loud honking noises. He looked out the window, but the blinding snow hindered his view, so he went outside to see what was going on.

In the field by the barn, Bob found several wild geese that had gotten separated from their flock. They had lost their bearings in the snow and were wandering around aimlessly.

ONE OF THE LAST STOPS at the east end of Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway is Khabarovsk. Rich in libraries, theaters, museums, and universities, it's a center of learning that draws people from throughout the Russian Far East. In the winter months when average low temperatures drop to a bone-chilling -10 F, Khabarovsk's snow-covered central square turns into a winter fantasyland complete with snow forts, ice sculptures, and delighted youngsters. Khabarovsk is also home to Rhema Khabarovsk Russia and Fountain of Life Church, pastored by David and Inga Maxey.

David Maxey moved to Russia when he was 17. He lived first in Provideniya, a tiny, remote village surrounded by seemingly endless mountain ranges just across the Bering Strait from Nome, Alaska. David originally planned to stay for a year before going to college. Circumstances stretched that year into three. While there he met Inga and began attending a church pastored by 1988 Rhema Bible Training College graduates Joe and Mary Purcell.

Eventually, David and Inga attended RBTC, with David graduating in 1998. The Maxeys rejoined the Purcells, who by then had relocated to Khabarovsk to pastor Fountain of Life Church. When the Purcells relocated to Singapore six years later, they turned leadership of the church over to David and Inga. The couple also serve as campus directors for Rhema Khabarovsk.

// Tad Gregurich

THE LIFE OF the Christian is one of increase. We're not supposed to be tomorrow what we are today. We need to be constantly growing in the things of God. Why? Because the greater our increase—the greater our capacity—the greater power we'll have available to us. And that means we'll be able to accomplish more for the Kingdom of God.

The Bible says we are to increase in several areas.

1. WE ARE TO INCREASE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (COL. 1:10). We are to know what the Word says about our Heavenly Father. What does this do? It increases our capacity to have faith. Remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).

2. WE ARE TO INCREASE IN LOVE (PHIL. 1:9, 1 THESS. 3:12). God doesn't have love—He is love. And He wants us to abound in His love. He wants us to love one another.