How Can We Not Be Thankful
Before the close of 2004,
the level 9 earthquakes in Indonesia totally destroyed many tourist resort
paradises in South East Asia and turned them into hell. Tsunamis created by the
quake had taken almost 200,000 lives. In 2005, several huge storms battered the
United States, actually inundating the whole city of New Orleans. On top of
that, there were the suicidal chain of explosions in the London public
transport system; the race riots in Paris, France; incessant drumbeats of war
in the Middle East; and the global avian flu pandemic etc. ¡V all speak to the
worldwide absence of peace. It is also the progressing fulfillment of the signs
of the end of age. When we believers see that the Lord Jesus Christ will soon
return, how can we not live our days on earth vigilantly and reverentially,
consider worldly sufferings to be eminently insignificant and temporary, strive
for the most lofty and everlasting glory of the future, receive God¡¦s blessing
through faith, and diligently proclaim and witness for this faithful and kind
Lord Jesus Christ to others? Christ said in John 16:33: ¡§I have told you these
things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world." The promise of the Lord is
real. May we all experience the peace of the Lord in these turbulent times, so
that we will be thankful in all things.
The things that we have to
be thankful for are truly innumerable Just take the church for example. Ever
since we commenced the work of church building in March of 2003, almost all
tasks are finished as of the end of this year. It is hard to envision moving
soon into an assembly hall of over 10,000 sq ft that totally belongs to us.
In the matter of offerings
we have seen the willingly heart of the brothers and sisters to contribute.
They have unreservedly submitted their all, absent selfishness and without
contest. Some have even sold their own homes to free up cash for an offering;
some have taken out an additional mortgage on their homes to extract funds;
some have redeemed their fixed deposits or sold their mutual funds¡K They are
merely holding onto an attitude of love for the Lord, thanksgiving and faith to
offer back what God has bestowed. Although many of our brothers and sisters
have tendered simply the two small coins that the poor widow had presented, yet
God made sure that none of us are lacking because of our offerings, but instead
we experience grace upon grace and abundant providence from Him. As of this
date our contributions have accumulated to over $2.9M. This is beyond what we
could have anticipated at the beginning. We feel that what God has provided is
truly more than our eyes could see, our ears could hear, and our minds could
ever think of.
In church building duties we
have seen the brothers of the church building committee often hard at work.
They have spent countless hours praying, attending meetings, contacting people
from various relevant departments, and purchasing myriad appropriate supplies
in assiduous concentration. Yet we have never heard a word of complaint from
them, nor have they expressed any expectation of appreciation from anyone. The
Lord has prepared everything for us. How can we not be thankful?
As for the brothers and
sisters, we had all initially carried uneasy feelings, waiting to see how God
would guide us, and how the church would lead us in order to compliantly
follow. The submissive, dedicated, supportive in prayer, and mutually
appreciative will of the brothers and sisters is truly encouraging. Whenever
the church declared that work had to be done, almost everyone from young to old
of both genders all chipped in wholeheartedly to accomplish it. And they still
continue faithfully to discharge their duties in their service positions,
keeping themselves always in the love of God, and manifesting the love of one
another amidst the members. All these are blessings bestowed on us by God. How
can we not be thankful?
Our Lord is truly a God full
of grace. In this year we have had over 260 new visitors, of which over 30 has
converted to the Lord. We also gained a newborn by the name of Naomi, who is
the daughter of K.K. and Rosita Leung. Although some brothers and sisters have
gotten ill, lost their jobs, or even fallen into transgression this year, yet
all by the grace of God have received care and providence, and experienced the
mercy of the Lord. How can we not be thankful?
We have family members who
love us; fellow believers who care for us; clothing, food and lodging; eyes to
see; ears to hear; lives to breath, work, walk and live; freedom to worship
this Almighty God, the perfect salvation; the unchanging love of God; and the
bible to refer to for life¡¦s standards, so that we may be made perfect and
prepared to do all manner of good deeds. All this beauty and goodness emanate
from the Father of the heavenly lights. How can we not be thankful?
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift
there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then
come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)
Conclusion: May we all be cautious; rid our spiritual lives of its garbage; be humble before God, and become a person with whom God is pleased.
By: Esther Hung