Gratitude To God
“Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any other wood, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest?“
Ezekiel 15:2The vine here refers to the people of God. But the question was asked: Why are they by nature better than others? Wasn’t it the goodness of God that caused them to be fruitful? What would they be without Him? Who would they become without the continual influence of the Spirit in them?
There was a certain rich man in the Gospel of Luke whose ground had yielded plentifully. As a result, he thought of pulling down his barns to build a greater one to store his crops and goods. He thought he would have many years to enjoy life and be merry because of the great harvest he had achieved. God called him a “fool” and he died that day instead. Through that, God wanted to show that man cannot live independent of Him. He alone holds the universe and is the Source of all life. Jesus said the man acted like a fool because he was one who “lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (12:21).
Therefore, as we meditate on this thought, let us learn to reject pride and embrace God’s goodness in humility, seeing that we have no ground for self-boasting. Whatever we are, we have nothing on our own to make ourselves proud. For Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The more you have, the more you are indebted to God. Let us also consider our origin, looking back to where we came from. We would still be in our sin if God had not transformed us. Consider who you would have become had it not been for His grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). David rightly puts it this way, “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26). Therefore, let us humble ourselves in the sight of God, knowing that He will lift us up in due course!
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I enjoyed City Harvest Services,because you are a great man of God, filled with wisdom and discerning spirit. Great things will happen because you are faithful, humble, broken, submissive and obedient to our Heavenly Father.
Sun Ho is a godly woman. She loves God, it’s true.
I have some concerns regarding her. Not critics….I am not in any position to give critics…because I am no saint either…I am equally a sinner, complacent , not committed and needs God continual cleansing and forgivness.
This is a new age generation. The world is colourful.People think and talk differently. To be like them is perfectly fine..But does God allow us to be scantily clad?
Whatever we do or dress, especially in public,… does it hold well in the eyes of the public and do we upset God? If I heard correctly in one of his messages, Pastor Bernard had this concern too. (though not directly, but something to the same effect)
Has Sun ever reflected whether God is happy with her provocative scantily dressing that may stumble young christians?
If I , as a woman, can be sexually aroused by the way she dresses, how about others? Unless people had completely lost their innate sexuality.
Does it cause people to lust through her provocative dressing?
If she is only a christian, she is accountable to God alone.
But as a pastor’s wife, husband and wife is considered one body, she is still accountable to the church.
It’s a great pity….this is her character and she felt stifled. But one cannot change the fact that although she is not a pastor, she is still the pastor’s wife.
Another concern:
In most people’s perception… skulls depicts death and commonly linked to the devil..why do people dress up so freely, mixing skull with cross? Although it may not meant anything, it doesn’t portray well. In shows, people uses skull to depict evil, death, depression, oppression.
Scenario: My hairs stands if I enter a house full of skulls and dragons.
I felt a kind of serenity if I enter a house filled with light and brightness. No one equate light with depression. Because God is light and in Him there is no darkness..
Is this psychological or a natural phenomenon?
A church is free to do what they like, but they also have to consider the mindset of the future generations and stakeholders.
Good to be colourful… bright coloured hair..dressing etc…. but not
‘weirdo’ design, pictures like the snarring tiger (ever ready to bite); dragons, snakes, skulls etc…
if one is not careful, darkness may creep in and caught us unaware. (maybe not now) but gradually…when one cannot differentiate right and wrong.
Although an idol is only a idol….Can spirit dwell in it?
If we think idol is only an idol, then we can fill our home with them e.g Kwan In, and treat it as an antique….will God be happy? Because other people are worshipping such idol as well. Similar for such designs…
City Harvest will have a greater breakthrough …..Are His hands tight because of obstacles….?? Is our blessing sufficient or can we have more?
You had done a lot for this church…Fasting, praying and interceding..Great sermons, dynamic speakers etc…The cell leaders are equally dynamic and committed. Can it be better if such obstacles are removed?
This is not to critic but an expression of concern…because I can see great breakthrough in City Harvest..healings, miracles..great prayers and blessing…
Wow, if that’s the case, we should banned Ms Universe and all sorts of beauty pageants contest cos they are wearing bikinis and stuffs. (they wear very little)
BROTHER IN CHRIST
KONG HEE
IAM EXHORTED VERY MUCH BY YOUR DAILY E-MAILS
THANK YOU
iamled…James Paul Rhodes…HIS CHILD.
To Susan Tan who respond on November 22nd, 2009 about Sun.
I read through your e mail ,I can understand that you ‘re a very conservative person.As an entertainer ,you do need to change your outlook appearance every now and then(or it ‘ll be bored) …there are times for everything …sometimes Sun dress up sexy ,sometimes she dress up casually smart.Why not you look at the thousand of souls that she has saved…I am sure God has not problem on her fashion..(I think God knows what are the latest fashion on earth) .do you have a problem ?God looks at the heart ,not the clothes you wear! and God is more concern on how many souls you ‘ve saved matter to Him !
There are many woman that I saw ,they were so conservative in dressing ,and yet they do not have a Christ like mind ,they not even saved a single soul in their entire life-that hurts God . please look at the hearts …outlook doesn’t mean. anything .
please see the verse below:
1 Samuel “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature ,because I ‘ve rejected him,for God sees not as men sees,for men looks at the outward appearance ,but the Lord looks at the heart.”