Dearly Beloved,

COME WITH CONFIDENCE

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12 NIV).

At last, this old year is winding up! The new year is coming with many hope and expectations. Do we need to be afraid? Absolutely not! For we are serving the One who holds…

Dearly Beloved,

THE FIRST NOEL

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a…

Dearly Beloved,

STILL ON PRAYING FOR THE DEAD

"May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus" (2 Timothy 1:16-18 NIV).

Before I sent my message on praying for the dead out two weeks ago, I…

Dearly Beloved,

HEROD'S PALACE

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.... After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was" (Matthew 2:1, 9 NIV).

The Lord revealed to some wise men from the East (or simply, the Magi) through a special star that a King was born. They decided to come…