Trusting Faith

During the recent weekday churchwide prayer meetings in City Harvest Church from 29 January to 2 February 2024 via Zoom, Rev Dr Kong Hee taught on how to grow from faith to faith.

The following is an excerpt on "Trusting Faith" by Rev Dr Kong Hee for your edification.

"Trust is of a higher level than belief.

Belief is a confidence in what God can do; trust is a commitment to who He is (Psa. 34:8).

A person's belief can fail and be shipwrecked (cf. Luke 22:32; 1 Tim. 1:19), but trust is eternal (Psa. 125:1). God wants to perfect your faith to such a high level that you could be like Job -- "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15, NKJV).

Consider Shadrach, Meshech, and Abdednego:

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your majesty's hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your majesty, that we will not  serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18, NIV).

What made Shadrach, Meshech, and Abdednego heroes of faith was not their belief, but their trust in God. The only reason God allows you to go through hardships is to purify and strengthen you, and to bring you closer to Him.

God wants to bring you to a high level of trust because He has greater blessings in store for you. Not merely temporary ones, like bringing your prayer requests to pass, but blessings that are more permanent and far-reaching than what you can ever imagine!"                                                                                                 

Revelation of God's Forgiveness

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not new. Neither are the promises of God as contained in the truthful, life-giving and Spirit-empowered Word of God. 

While we may be all too familiar with God's Word, it is always a good time for us to pause and re-examine our lives in the light of God's Word so that the issues of our heart could be brought to the Light of Christ and be dealt with for our good.

For today, let us consider forgiveness and on the flip side of it: unforgiveness.

We are ever so grateful that if we confess our sins to God that He is ever willing to forgive us. "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. 1 John 1:9 (AMP)"

But, there is further insights to the Word of God. Hear then the Words of Jesus Christ:

"For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14 (AMP)"

"But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15 (AMP)" 

"Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]. Mark 11:25 (AMP)"

When we have a revelation that forgiveness is possible and God is willing to forgive us, we could then by the grace of God forgive others, as well. When we follow human reasoning rather than divine edict, we will struggle to forgive others their trespasses. And, truth be told, so many Christians (not to mention pre-believers) are under the bondage of unforgiveness for the longest years yet.

It is time to shift away from the offence, wrong, hurt and injustice that we have suffered, and fix our vision on the Word of God and let it take deep roots in our heart so that we could become the doers of God's Word like a wise man who build His house upon a rock.

Our unforgiveness does not impress God one bit. Hear then this parable from our LORD Jesus Christ on "The unmerciful servant" in Matthew 18:21-35(NIV) by clicking here.

Is forgiveness achievable? Yes, if we have a revelation of God's forgiveness and do what He says regarding our need to forgive others in return. May the LORD Jesus Christ grant us the grace to forgive others completely and resolutely just as He has forgiven us. 

Revelation of God's Glory

"Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John the brother of James, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 

Then Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good and delightful and auspicious that we are here; if You wish, I will put up three [sacred] tents here—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!” When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone."(Matthew 17: 1-8; AMP)

In this account of Jesus' transfiguration, Peter, James and John saw Jesus in a totally different light. Peter had wanted to build three shelters: one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Moses represented the law, Elijah represented the prophets, but Jesus is at a matchless level as the Son of God, and God the Father spoke from the cloud in an audible voice from the cloud that, "“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”"

In the account of Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist receive a similar revelation of Jesus' standing before God the Father. "After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!” (Matthew 3:16-17; AMP)

And, in the Book of Revelation, John the disciple has many revelations of Jesus' glory and power such as the following:

“Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness). I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End [the Eternal One].”

Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him—the righteous who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:12-14; AMP)

We may not be direct witnesses of Jesus' glory, but we have read and envisage His glory from the Word of God. With this revelation of Jesus' glory, our worship of Him would take on a whole new level as we see Jesus for who He is truly and humble ourselves under His Mighty Hand.

As we come into His Presence, let us truly honour Him with awe, reverence and devotion to live a life of loving God and people that pleases Him while using the gifts and talents that have been entrusted to us.

And, when it comes to corporate worship, our revelation of Jesus propels us to be a true worshipper and no longer a bystander because we get it. Yes, Jesus is the big deal and in a league of His own. It is time to extinguish idols such as a favourite influencer, actor, singer, basketball player, baseball player, soccer player, etc. Our worship of Jesus is in direct proportion to our revelation of who Jesus is.

"For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11; AMP)

And, it is also time for us to tune down on social media, and spend more time in the Word of God and the things of God as opposed to the things of this world.  

Making Sense of What Is Happening In Gaza

The importance of history is invaluable as we seek to understand the present events such as the current war in Gaza in the light of past events.

Beyond historical facts, we could also view the events revolving around Israel with a Biblical perspective regarding the land of Israel and the Jewish people.

The following YouTube clip is both insightful and enlightening in addressing the following questions:

1. Who/ What is Hamas?

2. Why is Hamas so intent on destroying Israel and the Jewish people?

3. What is the history of the Palestinians and the land of Israel?

4. Why are so many Americans youth and young adults supporting the Palestinian cause today?

5. How might any of this fit into Biblical prophesy about the End Times?

Click here for Israel, Hamas, and End Times | Ezekiel 38 | Gary Hamrick

Holding On To Your First Love For God and People

"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers;" (Ephesians 1:15-16; AMP)

In the above Scripture verse, Paul was commending the believers at Ephesus for their faith in our Lord Jesus and their love for all God's people.

Alas, many years later, the church in Ephesus was chided by the Lord Jesus for having lost their first love for Him in the Book of Revelation.

"But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]." (Revelation 2:4; AMP)

I submit to you that it is harder to love people whom we have seen than to love God whom we have not seen. After all, God is love, and all people are work-in-progress of growing from glory to glory in love, at best.

"If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." (1 John 4:20; AMP)

Let us establish our faith in Christ alone by being His follower; a disciple who practices spiritual disciplines such as : hearing, reading, studying, meditating and  memorising God's Word; praying in fullness of faith; praising and worshipping God wholeheartedly; fasting from desires of the flesh; trusting and obeying God's Word all the time; and giving tithes and offerings regularly.

Remember, our calling is not to be a church member or a cell group member. We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ who would grow unto maturity as His sons and daughters, friends, and kings and priests. We need to have our own Quiet Time with the LORD and know Him personally. Do not neglect Him and relegate our personal time with the LORD to corporate settings with the Pastor or your Cell Group Leader.

When you have a personal walk with the LORD, it doesn't matter whether your family and friends are in church or cell group. You are there to meet with the LORD in the presence of other believers. Meeting with the LORD is not just a social gathering; join a recreation club if you are looking for social interactions per se.

Even if there is no physical church to attend like during a lockdown, you will still enter into the Presence of God at home like what you are already doing in your Quiet Time with Him.

Keep loving the Lord Jesus and give Him the preeminence in your life. And, keep loving other people.

"And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him." (I John 4:21; AMP)

In a corporate setting, extending warmness is a good starting point. I have met other believers who are sincerely warm with the love of Christ shining forth (quite rare, but they do exist in the body of Christ). Imagine how wonderful this would be, especially if you are on the receiving end as a new visitor.

Question for us to contemplate: Are we believers who are looking out for our family and friends only while treating everyone else as aliens in a corporate setting as we are consumed to reserve seats and plot where to go for a meal after the service?

Hear then the Words of our Lord Jesus:

"I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” (John 13:34-35; AMP)

We need to deepen our love for God as well as enlarge our love for one another with help of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to the Lord Jesus.

Valuing Our Relationship With God

The following notes are adapted from Rev Aries Zulkarnain's preaching on "Valuing Our Relationship With God" as preached in City Harvest Church on 1 July 2023.

Don't give up at half-time, concentrate on winning the second half.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV) reminds us that: "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride." 

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way." (Exodus 33:1-3; NIV)

God was not convinced that the Israelites were aware of their depravity in sinning against Him. Nevertheless, He was still going to fulfill His promise to their forefathers and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey.

Many of us may rejoice over the blessings of God, but do not truly value our personal relationship with Him.

But, Moses had an incisive recognition and understanding of God's heart. ""Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."" 

The gift of the fear of the LORD is Jesus' delight (Isaiah 11:3). Jesus puts greater value on His relationship with the Father than what the Father can provide and do through Him.

Here is how we can value our relationship with God:-

1.  Valuing the Presence of God

Exodus 33 (NIV)

v.3 "But I will not go with you...". You can have My blessing without a personal relationship with Me.

"I obey to delight in and resemble Him." - Timothy Keller

Idolatry may cause us to be distant from God.

v. 15-16 The he said to Him, "If Your presence does not go with us..." What makes us distinct is our relationship with God. The presence of God carries the grace and favour of God. Just because you are blessed does not mean you have the grace and favour of God. The presence of God will ensure that you remain blessed in both good and hard times.

Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV)

The people who know their God will do great exploits. They are: Resilient, Hopeful, Positive and Strong.

With God all things are possible.

God says, "I am with you."

2. Valuing God over Good

Exodus 33:2-3 "... Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey..."

The hardest dilemma is God or good.

Do not just see good equal God. God is good all the time.

Choose God over inconvenience and difficulties.

It is in the struggle that we develop strength and resilience. Recognize God in your struggles. With the presence and anointing of God, you can continue in all circumstances. Moses asked God for a glimpse of His glory.

v. 18 (NIV) "Then Moses said, “Now show me Your glory.”"

v.19 (NIV) "And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Moses asked to see God's glory, but God showed His goodness instead. God wanted Moses to first understand that God is good all the time.

See that God is good but do not equate good with God. God is still good regardless of our circumstances, experience in life and understanding of Him. Be patient. Spend time with God and enjoy your fellowship with Him.

God is entirely good. Blessing and riches are not our security. Many people are successful in life without having a personal relationship with God.

The presence of God makes a Christian distinctive. Surely, the presence of the King of Kings would more than meet all our needs.

3. Valuing God's Heart

Who? Me? Stiff-necked?

v. 4-6 (NIV) "When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb."

The LORD makes His face shine upon you. He is smiling when He looks at you. God is always full of love towards us. Our facial expression reflects our heart. 

Remember to consider the feelings of God in your expression during moments that are important to Him. Give due honour, praise and worship to God.

Fountain of Life
By Shirnise Lee
Prophetic Art Ministry, City Harvest Church

"The fountain of life flows from you to satisfy me. In your light of holiness we receive the light of revelation." Psalm 36:9 (TPT)

Jesus Delights In The Fear of the LORD

This article is adapted from Rev Dr Kong Hee's sermon "Jesus' Delight" as preached in City Harvest Church 0n 24 June 2023.

Click here for Kong Hee: Jesus' Delight and fast forward to one hour fourteen minutes and nine seconds (1:14:09) for the start of the sermon by Pastor Kong Hee.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”" (John 8:12; NIV)

When the stress and troubles of life come, there is a danger of seeking external things of this world for relief instead of the domain or kingdom of God.

If we neglect to follow God's way, we fall into sin and walk in darkness. Sin causes us to reject the will of God for our life. Intentional sin is a trespass. Deeply ingrained sin becomes a stronghold of evil habit (iniquity).

However, when we tend to the garden of our soul, we can have a closer and deeper walk with God.

The good news is that the Holy Spirit is our Helper and we can ask Him for the following two gifts:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit for the Fear of the LORD

Isaiah 11:2 outlines for us the seven anointings of Jesus, including the fear of the LORD:-

"The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—

    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

    the Spirit of counsel and of might,

    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—" (Isaiah 11:2; NIV)

Verse 3a reveals to us the following insight on what Jesus delights in.

"and he will delight in the fear of the Lord." (Isaiah 11:3a; NIV)

This fear has to do with our personal relationship with God; heart knowledge and not just head knowledge.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10; NIV)

The fear of the LORD is a healthy respect and reverence for God that is rooted in love.

LORD, please give us the grace not to grieve You. God is love and He has made clear to us the path of life as opposed to the way of death and destruction.

We are precious to God. The greatest battle is the fight for our soul.


2. Ask the Holy Spirit for the Mirror of Humility

"Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life." (Proverbs 22:4; NIV)

Humility and the fear of the LORD are two sides of the same coin; you cannot have one without the other.

"Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 15:33; NIV)

Humility is the deep awareness of one's own weaknesses and willingness to submit to God's grace in true surrender.


With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will indeed walk in the light of Christ Jesus and stay in fellowship with Him while steering clear of sin.

"The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." (Proverbs 4:18; NIV)

"Coming Through"
By Yip Pei Yi
Prophetic Art Ministry, City Harvest Church