Bring Along the Key of Gratitude for a Happy New Year!

Read on, mate, to find your key to happiness.

The following extract is a message from Carolyn Savelle of Jerry Savelle Ministry International (JSMI) to partners of JSMI as found in JSMI Australia blog for your edification:- 

"One powerful way to shift from sorrow to joy is through appreciating the good things God has already placed in your life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Gratitude is a key that unlocks the door to happiness. 

When you choose to thank God for what you have, even in challenging times, you will start to see just how blessed you truly are. You may not always feel like there’s something to be thankful for, but I encourage you to look again – there’s always a blessing waiting to be noticed.

I remember a family that came to our church many years ago that were believing for a new car. When Jerry asked to see the car they were currently driving, he was taken aback. The car was filled with trash, fast food wrappers, and was in complete disarray. Jerry told them, “If you’re truly believing for a new car, start by taking care of the one you have.”

Friend, if you want more joy in your life, start by loving and caring for what you have right now. Psalm 84:12 says, “LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” One definition I’ve seen for the word blessed is blissfully happy or content. 

Maybe you aren’t driving the car you want, living in the house of your dreams, or wearing the clothes you desire, but when you choose to trust God, express gratitude for what you do have, and declare, “I choose to live a happy life,” you set yourself up for God’s blessings to overflow.

One of the greatest blessings God has given us is our family. I treasure the moments I’ve spent with my late husband, children, and grandchildren. We used to take vacations all together, packed into the car with grandkids on my lap, and I remember telling Jerry, “I’m the happiest anybody could ever be.” Though my grandchildren have outgrown sitting on Grandma’s lap, I thank God for great-grandchildren now! 

These moments are precious gifts from God, and He desires that your family be filled with love and happiness too.

I want to remind you that there is an enemy out there trying to disrupt your joy, especially within your family. Since the beginning of time, satan has tried to tear families apart- turning brother against brother and children against parents. 

But God’s plan is different. He created us to live in love, to reflect His image (Genesis 1:26), and to enjoy our families, growing in happiness together.

When you love and appreciate the people God has placed in your life, He will bless you with even more joy and abundance. Matthew 25:29 tells us, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance.” 

Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “…I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore, choose life, that you and your descendants may live.” You have the power to choose – to choose gratitude, to choose love, to choose life. 

As you make choices that honor God and put your trust in Him, you will find true joy, and God will work on your behalf.

I encourage you to take a moment today and ask yourself, “What do I have to be happy about?” Write down everything you can think of, big or small, and praise God for it. I promise, as you do, joy will begin to fill your heart, and God will bless you beyond measure. 

I have learned that hope and expectation live alongside joy. When you choose to be grateful, you start to expect good things. Your focus begins to shift from fear to faith. 

You can reject negative thoughts dwelling on the hurts of the past and you can choose to appreciate the good things God has given you. As you do, faith and expectation will begin to rise inside of your spirit. 

As I look to move into a new year, I’m grateful that God has shown His goodness to me despite the circumstances. God is faithful!" 

Click here for free resources from JSMI Australia to build your faith in Christ Jesus and also to find out more about JSMI.

TITHING: THE TRIGGER OF FAITH by Kong Hee

(Source: City Harvest Church news bulletin, November 1 - 2, 2014)

When the prophet Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken city walls, the first few things he did were to restore the teaching of God’s Word, the weekly worship and –TITHING (Nehemiah 10:37-39). Why was tithing so important when it came to rebuilding the city? In fact, further down in Neh. 13:10-12, the prophet said, “I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them … So I contended with the rulers, and said, ”Why is the house of God forsaken?”

The word “tithing” means “1/10” or “10%” of your increase or your income. It is important for three reasons:

#1: Tithing expresses HONOR.
Tithing is a powerful way of honoring God. Prov. 3:9-10 says to “Honor the Lord with your possessions. And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” That’s the tithe! When we give to God our tithe (10%), we are telling God in no uncertain terms, “Lord, everything I have is Yours.”

#2: Tithing expresses GRATITUDE.
In Matt. 6:21, Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we desire to stay connected to God’s house, we must put “a part of our treasure” – our tithe – in our church. Every month, when we work out our tithes, we are reminded of the faithfulness of God. When we give toward our church, it locks our hearts to our Lord Jesus and the vision He has given to City Harvest.

#3: Tithing expresses LOVE and WORSHIP.
The first time the word “love” and “worship” appear in the Bible, it has to do with Abraham’s giving (Gen. 22:1-5,12). Abraham was so willing to give his son Isaac to the Lord because in his heart, he loved and worshipped the Lord. God Himself demonstrated this same love to us – He gave us His only begotten Son. Like giving the tithe, God gave Jesus Christ to express His love and devotion for us.


Now, what happens to the tithe and offering that is collected in the house of God every week? The Bible spells out three uses of the tithe we bring to God:

In-reach (Manpower) Num. 18:21, 24 “the Sacred Tithe” – Tithes are used to pay the wages of the full-time workers in the house of God.

Up-reach (Ministry) Deut. 14:23 “the tithe for the feasts” – In our modern day context, the tithes provide for the ministry and events of the church that help people grow in their walk with God.

Out-reach (Mission) Deut. 14:28-29 “the tithe for the lost and needy” –This was also called the tithe for the lost and needy, in other words, for evangelism and missions.


When we are faithful to tithe as God’s people, we will trigger seven great blessings of God laid out in Mal. 3:10-12.

Bring in all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house (STRONG CHURCH);

If I will not open for you the windows of heaven (OPEN HEAVEN); 

And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it (SUCCESS);

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes (VICTORY);

So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground (PRODUCTIVE CAREER);

Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field (PROFITABLE INVESTMENTS); and

All nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land (GLOBAL INFLUENCE & LEGACY).

To date, there are 77 churches in City Harvest’s network of affiliate and associate churches. Apart from these, we also have thousands of graduates from the School of Theology involved in the harvest fields of world. The message of the Great Commandment, the Great Commission and the Cultural Mandate is seeing contemporary churches sprouting all throughout Asia. Such influence and impact could only come about with financial resources. Without faithful tithers, the work of the kingdom could not have taken place on such a global stage.

City Harvest, let’s put God FIRST in our lives and let’s be MINDFUL of the work of the gospel. Make a decision to be a faithful tither and a generous giver!





Preaching the gospel of Christ in a way that’s both progressive and heartfelt, Dr. Kong Hee is a highly sought-after conference speaker worldwide, and his messages minister to millions of people around the world who are inspired to become true ambassadors for Christ wherever God has placed them. Kong is also the founder and senior pastor of City Harvest Church – a thriving, contemporary congregation in the heart of Singapore. His international TV program, Alive! With Kong, encourages millions around the world each week. For more information on Kong’s ministry and materials, please visit konghee.com. 


http://edition.konghee.com/