“And it shall come to pass from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before me,” says the Lord (Is 66:23)

The ancients chartered their calendars by the moon. New moons heralded festive seasons and new years. From the Egyptians to the Babylonians, the Chinese to the Arabs, new moons were starts of cycles of time. By the same token, eclipses were bad omens. But the prophet Isaiah proclaims that a time will come when all men from all civilizations- lunar, solar or Sabbath- based will come and worship the God of Israel. When will that happen? When history ends. When sun and moon will cease and time will be no more. Until Jesus comes, we are called to redeem every festival of every culture throughout the earth. And Chinese New Year is one of those!

The unchanging theme of each lunar year is fortune, wealth, long life and family blessings. The bible has something to say about every one of these aspirations. Fortune is all about good luck. Chinese belief says our horoscopes play a part in this. But do your relatives know that true blessings only come from what Christ has done for us? The curse is removed; we are under His grace. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law… so that we may inherit the blessings of Abraham” (Gal 3:13). What are the blessings of Abraham? Riches, Legacy, Long Life, Blessing to nations but above all, the life-long covenant of favour from God the creator of the universe! Leading them to know Jesus will open this treasure of fortune to your family!

What about Wealth? “Remember the Lord your God for it is He who gives you the power to gain wealth that He may establish His covenant…” (Deu 8:18). It is God’s covenant to prosper you! There are three ways to prosper in this world: the world’s way, the devil’s way or God’s way. God’s way is best! “For He adds no sorrow to it..” (Pr 10:22). As for longevity, God says: “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:16). What a verse! And what will He do for your family? “The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting… His righteousness to children’s children” (Ps 103: 17). For all the promises in Him are Yes and Amen!

2015 YEAR OF ABUNDANT GRACE
Ps Dr Philip Lyn