As we are getting come near to the brand new year, it is the time for us to make a New Year resolution. What would your New Year resolution be for the year 2007? Some of us may hear from pastors expressed that the year 2007 would be the great year. Although we don’t know the year 2007 would be great or not, we need to seek God for the direction before we would run in a race to grab the New Year resolution.

As I said before, we all are in a race to reach our goals. Apostle Paul told us that we have to run to try to obtain the prize. We have to exercise and make our bodies workout to get into the finishing line of race. This is the same method that Paul also tries to teach us as we’d mediate on God’s Word each day. We need to have continual communication with God through prayer, meditating on His Words, and fasting. Fasting doesn’t need to be related to food, but we need to stay away from something that we’d desire to have for while, such as TV, computer, radio, etc., and begin to seek on God’s face. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Some of us may have wrong mindset of the New Year resolution. For example, some people may decide to loose weight from 280 lbs. to 150 lbs. for the next 12 months. The New Year resolution is not about self-serving, but it’s about God. Right now, there are many preachers who teach more on self-serving Christians than how we can worship God. Their definition of God’s blessing is all about earthly wealth, fame, and power. Of course, God can bless us to these earthly things, but it’s more than just receiving earthly treasure.

Genesis 1 tells us that God created all the things in this world and He blessed it. John 1 Colossians 1 tell us that if Jesus Christ didn’t create anything in this world, the earth would not be existed and we will not be alive. He cannot share His blessing with us if the earth wouldn’t exist.

Why not let us set our own new goal on aside and begin to give honor and praise God for the New Year and what would He be going to do in your life. The Year 2007 could be the best of the year in your life.

We usually use this verse apply to Christmas or if we are Catholics, it refers to Virgin Mary is equal to God, which means Mary is the Queen of Heaven (cf. Jeremiah 44). Either of the terms for Matthew 1:23 doesn’t fit to the biblical standard of its meaning.

Why we refer Jesus as our Emmanuel (God with us)? Why not we just call Him our Savior or Messiah? Jesus is more than just being our Savior and Messiah. He wants a special relationship with us that would last for eternity. Let’s read what the KJV Study Bible has to say for Emmanuel: “Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us: This is a title describing the deity of the person of the Son of God rather than a name actually used by Him. It implies God will come to dwell among His own people, which He did in the person of Christ.” ((Thomas Nelson, Inc., King James Version Study Bible [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1988 by Liberty University.)

God wants more of us. Because there was a block between God and us, which is our sins, He decided to bring His Son, Jesus, to break the block for us to across over to our Holy Father.

Jesus died and resurrected on the third day (72 hours, not 1 ½ day as most churches would believe), so He can be with us all the time and we have the free access to Him. Although most churches celebrate Christ’s birth on the Christmas Day, we should honor and celebrate His birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection every day.

God wants to have relationship with us while we still are living on the earth and for eternity. He is our Emmanuel.

Although some of us may don’t believe that Christmas does relate to Christ’s birth, we are mandated to lift His name everyday of the year, especially during the month of December. Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

About a couple centuries before the birth of our Messiah, Isaiah prophesied that there will be a Child born to us to take over the world. His name shall be great. Although there was silent gap for almost 400 years between the last book of Old Testament and the first book of New Testament, I believe that God was still working on His plan and spoke to His individual people.

The Bible tells us God brought His Son, Jesus, to us because He wanted to demonstrate us how much He wanted more of us. Paul said in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” If God doesn’t love us, then why Isaiah called Him Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace? Unfortunately, this was not case. He is love. God loves you and me from the very beginning before we formed in the mother’s womb.

We call Him Wonderful, because He is the great God who does wonder of His creation. We call Him Counsellor, because He knows us and we have the free access to seek His help. He is the mighty God, because He has great power to defeat Satan and save us from his mindset by His grace through Jesus Christ. He is our everlasting Father, because He created us to have relationship with us. Also, He is the Prince of Peace, because He wants to have peace and enjoy life with us.

If we celebrate Christmas to receive more gifts from our love ones, then we will miss the point of why Jesus gave up for our sins at the
Calvary almost 2000 years ago. Jesus’ death and resurrection are the most valuable gifts that He wanted to give us. Do you like to have this valuable gift that you cannot find it from any jewelry store? This is the reason why Jesus came to us.

Are you and your family members save by the grace of God through Jesus Christ? Jesus died for our sins and resurrected on the third day, so we can have life with Him for now and eternality. If you like to receive this free gift of salvation, you simply ask Him to forgive of your sins and invite Him to your life. He is all you need and there is no other gods to fulfill your inner body of your soul. This can be your joy to the world.

What does the history researcher do? We might think the history researcher would try to find some historical evidences that happened long time ago and connect the dots to today’s society. Most today’s historian scholars are still looking for the answers that relate to our generation from the ancient history. Just as Luke did, many today’s historian scholars are trying to research carefully to look for some evidences that relate to our future, such as World War III, advanced technology, and rapture of the Church.

In the first two chapters of Luke, he carefully researched and wrote the event of the birth of Jesus Christ. Although he didn’t record the date of our Messiah’s birth, Dr. Luke was selected to add his book as the part in God’s inspiring words. If we combine his two books, Luke and Acts, Luke wrote a large portion of the New Testament.

Many of us may have learned that Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 are the Christmas story over many years. Although we may have been learned some history facts of Christmas (I was blinded and guilty of this until God opened my spiritual eyes), the word has no meaning of Jesus Christ’s birth. Most today’s historian scholars and preachers may tell us that Christmas does relate to Christ’s birth, but the Bible has no mention its word, Christmas. Why?

1) If we read Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, we see clearly that the angels’ announcement to shepherds was not during the winter season, but possibly during the spring.

2) The most pagan holidays occurred in the last quarter of the year (October to December).

3) There was no celebration of Christmas during the days of Apostles. One of Catholic Popes gave holiday a name officially as Christmas—that was after first couple centuries since Jesus ascended into Heaven.

4) Jesus celebrated His birthday [physically] only once, that was after Mary birth Him and had several people came over to see the Baby Jesus. After the birth of Jesus, there is no mention of His other 33 birthdays in all four Gospels.
These and more facts may be hidden from our school textbooks, but it can be proven by according to the Word of God. We must seek God to open our spiritual eyes to see the truth. Paul says in II Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

As we come to Christmas season, it is the good opportunity for us to share the love and gospel messages of Jesus Christ. As the world says that this holiday season is all about us, it is the time for us to shout out the name of Jesus Christ to the world. Are you ready for Christmas season while some of things may try to block your ways to celebrate Jesus’ birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection everyday? Set a time each day for yourself with God to celebrate what He has done for you and your family.

AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY
I AM STRONG
LET THE POOR SAY
I AM RICH
BECAUSE OF WHAT
THE LORD HAS DONE
FOR US
(X2)
GIVE THANKS...

Have you thought about what if we have dominion over the earth with Jesus Christ for a thousand year? Think about there would be no more democratic party and republic party to decide which road we should go. Right now what the American need is strong Godly leaders to lead the nation.

This pass week I heard that there are some states who decide to keep the gay marriage, lesbian, and homosexual’s rights. If we allow these activities as constitutional laws, we would say is that we don’t need God in our nation anymore; instead we are gods and allow the Antichrist enter to rule our country.

Apostle John tells us in the Book of Revelation that those who are believers and didn’t receive the Mark of Beast will be reigned with Jesus Christ for 1000 years. Reign with Jesus Christ on the earth for a thousand years may seem to be exciting to us. But this is only for those who are believers in God through Jesus Christ.

After the thousand years are expired, Satan will release from the prison for a limited time and try to deceive the nations to fight against God (Revelation 20:7-9). And then God will cast Satan back into Hell (Revelation
20:10). After all that, God will judge the people according to how they lived on the earth while the gift of salvation had been available to all men. If their names are not written in the book of life, God will cast them into the lake of fire rather than to Heaven. There is no third way to Heaven, except through relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Bible says when we enter Heaven, God will wipe all of our tears and there will be no more pain, even there will be no person who is in a wheelchair. God will give us the new glorifying body—even He will heal a cripple person into the perfect body.

Are you ready to reign with our Lord Jesus when He returns again to possess all things that He created? If you are not sure about your eternal home, you just ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life. God doesn’t want you to be lost eternality.

Jesus warned us that there will be many false teachers and prophets who will wear sheep clothes. As we are seeing what is going on the world today, especially in the United States of America, most popular churches are making millions of dollars by broadcasting their church services through Satellite TV and radio. Even some of small churches are getting impact with hundreds of people each week. Why? Many people hear the messages about what they want to hear and what they want to celebrate in the church (such as Christmas, Easter, Ash Wednesday).

As a result, many professing Christians are turning their faiths to doctrines of Satan. Satan has been succeeded to deceive people from God over many years through the pagan holidays—Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. If we study our Christian church forefathers in the second through fourth century, these holidays arrived from the paganism tradition by Roman Catholic Church. Even many today’s popular preachers are trying to teach us with using the same method of teachings as our Christian church forefathers did.

Paul warned us this deception will come to our generation. I had been in deception situation before and it was really hurt by one of Fredericksburg churches, which I worked for. Director of the church almost destroyed my life as well as other people’s life.

Satan wants to destroy us (ff. John 10:10a), to pull us away from our Eternal Father. He will do whatever necessary to succeed his goal, even using preachers. But we have tools to guard against the itching ear messages. We have the Bible, which it explains what’s going on the world today and we have chance to prepare to battle against the darkness. We also have the free access to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is wiling to help us in the midst of the battleground. If we have Jesus Christ in our lives, Satan cannot defeat us. His angels are going to loose this battle, because we have the Truth and Revelation from Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus faced His death penalty by Roman soldiers, He warned His disciples that there will be many false Christs and prophets, who will show many wonders and miracles to the people. This prophecy is becoming reality today, especially within the churches. Some churches may tell us the truth of the gospel and some may not.

Even in Christian media, such as TBN, many Christians may deceive themselves by listening to the TV evangelists on what they want to hear. Sadly, most of them may have ended their lives as rich and miserable. As I watched some programs in TBN, most preachers usually talk about moral Christian living standard, such as gaining financial success and blessings; or some preachers may talk about the coming of Jesus Christ to their camp meeting physically.

Benny Hinn claims: Jesus appeared to a whole crowd in Africa!

Again Benny repeats that Jesus will physically appear at his crusades on the "This is your day" program dated May 2nd, 2000. (Real Video, see six minutes into the program - programs are recorded 3 weeks in advance, so this program was recorded before the Nairobi Crusade.) Here is a transcript of the relevant portion:

And I know, that I know, that I know, we are about to see the greatest manifestations of God's presence ever! A prophetess named Ruth Heflin sent me a word recently and told me to get ready, to see, physical manifestations of Christ on the platforms in our crusades, that people will have visions of the Lord in the meetings. Those things have happened in the past, I know. In a Thialagua (spelling?) meeting one time in Africa, the Lord appeared to a - to the whole crowd! It is about to begin happening, I know it too! Expect it, to happen also, in your own home!" (Benny Hinn, May 2nd, 2000)

So how do we know if televangelists tell us the truth of what God wrote? Even though there are many preachers who proclaim to be the Christ’s teaching, we must check with God to see if their teachings match with His Word.

As false prophets began to appear within Christian churches to prepare to make a path to Antichrist, we must realize that it’s almost for us to meet with Jesus Christ. Are you ready to see Jesus Christ and can able to recognize His Second Coming? If not, make sure to get chance to know Him before it would be too late.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Matthew 27:52-53 is the only Scripture that shows the people rose up from their graves as soon as Jesus died on the Cross and occurred an earthquake. Why? Even though the rapture hadn’t taken a place yet, this brief resurrection of the dead people show us that He is the God who can raise people into life. John 14 said that Jesus will come again to take us to His kingdom.

I believe that God gave Paul a vision on the rapture of the Church on the last day of the earth. Even it was not His time during Paul’s life, God wanted Paul to write his vision down, so that we can understand and be ready for His returning.

Paul began by explaining to us if we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, He can raise people from the grave to meet with Him face to face. Remember Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, after four days, and met each other (John 11). If we remain alive, we will be caught up with Him and people from the graves in the clouds.

Many preachers said that Jesus would return and rapture the Church on either before, during, or after the Seven-Year of Tribulation. Even though the Bible doesn’t clear about when He would take the Church out from the earth, God gave us a sign when this would be taken place: at the sound of trumpet from the Heaven. When God would blow the trumpet, we must know that it is time for us to be united with the King at the clouds and live with Him forever.

The only question is: are we ready for the celebration of His returning and have a wedding ceremony with Him? If you are not sure about His invitation, you can check with God if you are on the reservation list. If you like to be on the list and be a part of the family of God, you can invite Him to come into your life. You just give your life to Him by asking forgiveness for all the sins that you committed and invite Him to the center of your life and let Him show you the light of your life.