Is He Really Immanuel, God with Us? - Merry Christmas!

 Is He Really Immanuel, God with Us? – Merry Christmas!

While preaching on the streets this past week, a lady in her car gave me the f finger sign. I was carrying a sign that said on one side, "BELIEVE IN JESUS, MERRY CHRISTMAS." On the other side it said, "JESUS LOVES YOU, PLZ REPENT." This lady-motorist was very offended. I wonder why? I think it's the mention of the name Jesus, his love and our accountability to Him – to repent and turn to the Lord. My heart was filled with pity and petition to God to save her.

Many this season only want the fanciful baby Jesus in the manger with shining Christmas lights. Many do not know and understand that God is with us and for us - Immanuel. 

Is He really Immanuel, God with Us? Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-8.

How can God come from heaven to be with us without melting us down? It was said that the people begged Moses to tell God to stay away otherwise they will perish (Deut.18:16-18). 

Remember that God used to walk around in the cool of the evening to converse with Adam and Eve? Now there's a big chasm separating God and his creation. Plainly speaking, disobedience/sin has separated us from God. Please read Genesis 1-3.

I long for God. I know I am not alone in this quest. We are made in His image and to long for God. There is nothing else to long for except for the One who lovingly gave us His breath which is actually His Spirit. We are a total pile of dust without the breath of God. And when the Spirit of God leaves our bodies, we are buried and return to dust. This is very humbling.

 At the fullness of time God sent his Son, born of a virgin. God is with us now. His plan for our salvation and restoration started before the world began and has been put into motion at Christmas 2000 years ago. Please read Matthew 1:18-25, and Luke 1:26-38.

Who is Jesus? It is so plain: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”  Hebrews 1:1-3

Please hear Jesus’ own declaration of who He is:

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. 

For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:38-40.

To remain in communion with God, we must believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, lived a perfect life, was crucified for our sins, buried and rose after three days, ascended into heaven, gave us His Holy Spirit and in the near future, Jesus is coming for us to be united forever. We will see God face to face. This is the most exciting truth to live for. Amen. 

I invite you today to this encounter with God if you have never done so before now. 

We all have many questions about God and for God the Father, God the Son, Jesus and God the Holy Spirit. Just like Mary, “How can this be?” The answer is to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to overshadow us just like He did for Mary. 

Bless someone as follows: Be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Then, like Mary, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit that will last forever which is love and God is LOVE. The evidence of the Holy Spirit in us is the love we express to God and to others. (1 Corinthians 13).

Lord, please take total control of my life. I surrender to the continued leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit whom you gave us to be in us and with us - the very God with us, Immanuel. Please continue to overshadow me by your power this day and forever. Amen

May God be gracious and merciful to the lady-motorist and to any other who is offended with God. Maybe it is your time to repent and turn to the Lord. Please Lord, save all. Amen.

Merry Christmas my friend, family and all. God is with you forever in whatever you are going through right now. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, the beginner and perfecter of our faith. Please give people a special gift this Christmas – the opportunity to know Jesus/Immanuel, God with us.

By God’s grace, let’s take some intentional and tangible actions to make Jesus know to people. Talk alone is too cheap – let’s continue to pray, speak and act lovingly to specific people starting from our families especially those who often irritate us. Amen.

I have tasted and know beyond any shadow of doubt that God is with me. How about you?

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