Who gives Growth?
Tinku Thompson Personal, Health and Ministry Updates
Hello Friends and Family,
Some of you may have come across the concept called Self-branding. It refers to creating and managing a personal brand, much like how companies build and manage their brands. It involves presenting yourself in a way that reflects your values, skills, expertise, and unique qualities. Self-branding is crucial in personal and professional development, as it can influence how others perceive you and the opportunities that come your way. It can also turn to self-promotion which crosses boundaries. This could also lead us to a place where we feel like we need to promote ourselves and get credit for everything we do. It worsens when people try to get credit for things they did not do to promote themselves.
The Bible gives us a perspective which is counter to this. The Bible advocates humility and exhorts us to think higher about others than ourselves. This can lead us to think of us more than we should. This can lead us to think that any success or growth is because of us. If we are not there, then nothing will happen or will not happen as efficiently as it should. We may overestimate our ability and importance.
Sometimes people say if they are not there then nothing will happen. Apostle Paul addreses a similar issue while writing to the Corinthians.
5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. (1 Cor. 3:5-7, NLT)
In these verses, Paul uses the metaphor of planting and watering to explain the roles of various individuals in spreading the message of faith and growth of ministry. He emphasizes that, ultimately, it is God who brings about the growth, highlighting the divine aspect of spiritual development. It is not based on an individual’s ability or talents. The passage encourages humility among leaders, recognizing that they are mere servants in the grand scheme of God's plan, and the success of their efforts ultimately rests in God's hands. It is God who gives any initiative to grow.
✍️Quotes of this edition
Faithfulness knows no difference between small and great duties. – John Ruskin
Faithfulness is our business; fruitfulness is an issue that we must be content to leave with God. – J. I. Packer
📔My Health/Personal Update
Thank you for your continued prayers for my complete recovery. Things are progressing in the right direction but I am still on some medication.
Last week of December 2023, I had the opportunity to be in Okhlahoma and minister at Sharon Church. Second week of January 2024, I was at Dallas for one week. I got an opportunity to meet with some pastors and attend few meetings including visiting Sharon church Dallas and ICPF Equip and Empower camps.
In February, I will be mostly traveling few countries in Asia for different meetings. I request you prayers for this matter.
Once again, I want to thank everyone who has not given up but continues to pray for me.
🎬My New Media Updates
Thriving Talk's new episodes have been released.
All details are here - https://gospel-link.com/podcast-thriving-talk/.
Hindi Podcast Launced - जीवन उन्नति संवाद (Jeevan Unnati Samvaad) - Life Growth Talk
Video Messages
Full Video
Outside Messages
Vision for Growth with Kingdom Mindset | Sharon Fellowship Church Dallas (English)
പ്രതിസന്ധിയെ വിപുലീകരണത്തിലേക്ക് മാറ്റുന്ന സമർപ്പണം Submission which turns Crisis to Expansion, Sharon Oklahoma (Malayalalam)
अचानक तूफ़ान (Unexpected Storms), SFC OKC (Hindi)
English
Malayalam/ English
📔Blogs
✍️Papers
🔥Focus for the next few weeks.
Ministry Travels
📚Reading Updates
My updated reading profile is here - Goodreads profile.
🎓Some articles worth reading
Why We Pulled Our Kids from Club Sports
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