25 September 2011 - ENCS

With Pastor Neli speaking, “the Race” series did complete
But we first heard about Kah Shin’s ultra-marathon feat
250 kilometres across the Sahara Desert he ran
There was lots of training before he even began
He referred to the core text Hebrews 12:1-2
Running life’s race with perseverance so we do not rue
Then we read Habukkuk 3:19 and Isaiah 40 verse thirty one
The Lord is our strength and renews ours when we have none
Kah Shin’s secret weapon was to meditate on Bible verses
That helped him finish, even though they were tough courses
He mentioned 2 Timothy 4:7 and Psalm 91:7
Fighting the good fight and getting protection from heaven
Pastor Larry then reminded us that we each run a spiritual race
We should learn from Kah Shin to overcome challenges we face

We then watched a video during which Pastor Neli did speak
For our life’s race, what is the meaning we should seek
Our own likes and strengths dictate how we should run
Remember that this is definitely not being run for fun
For how we run determines our eternal prize
Per 1 Corinthians 9:25 which appeared before our eyes
Our life is a marathon, not a sprint at all
There will be times when we “hit the wall”
We should remember that Jesus also ran life’s race
In three years of ministry, many challenges he did face
But he always ran with eternity in his heart
This allowed him to persevere and do his part
The night before he died, he sweat blood and wanted out
But God’s will was very clear so Jesus had no doubt
We can therefore run our life’s race as did he
Our strength from God, Jesus is the prize we will see

Pastor Neli asked what we are running for in our life’s race
From a person’s dreams and nightmares we can actually base
The prize we aim for is what we most glorify
Or what we sacrifice for before we must die
Christianity promises persecution but also blessing
1 Corinthians 9:25 leaves no room for guessing
For if we train hard to get the gold
Our prize is a crown that will not grow old
Disciple and discipline come from the same word
We must be passionate about the prize, Jesus our Lord
Compared to eternity, so meaningless is our time on earth
Instead of being a lukewarm Christian, give it all of our worth
Pastor asked if we become weak on weekdays
We should run with eternity in mind, not in a daze
We can be physically and spiritually weary
Especially if we run the wrong race, oh deary
Pastor shared two indicators about the race we should run
In the end, they reflect the key things we should have done
“Will our life bring glory to God?” was the first of the two
“Will we help others to know Jesus?” by what we say and do

18 September 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Charles continued the series on "The Race"
He spoke of "Mentoring and Coaching" at a good pace
He first referred to Hebrews 12, verses one and two
To persevere and fix our eyes on Jesus we must do
For Jesus will be waiting at the finish line
If through our lifetime we run the race fine
He also read from Proverbs 27 verse seventeen
For "iron sharpens iron" it is so often seen

For individuals to mentor, encourage, and lead
Professionally and spiritually we have the need
There are silent mentors whom we may read about
And Jesus is always there for us, have no doubt
But human relationships and mentors we also need
To "stand on the shouder of giants", from Newton indeed
A mentor is a faithful teacher, guide, and friend
To help us from the beginning until the very end
A mentor can help us maximise our own strength
And fulfill our calling and destiny over life's length
If we really want to influence and impact others
We need mentors - spiritual sisters and brothers

Jesus had twelve disciples, each of them was a mentee
But Peter, James, and John were the special three
John was referred to as the one Jesus loved the most
We can all have that relationship with the heavenly host
Paul had Timothy, his "own true son in the faith"
That is what 1 Timothy one verse two sayeth

Pastor said that a good mentor fulfills roles numbering three
An advisor, sounding board, and journeyman he should be
An advisor offers suggestions and advice, but not directions
A sounding board listens and asks the tough questions
A journeyman with lots of experience from his own life
Can help you succeed without causing additional strife

Pastor returned to "iron sharpens iron" before he was done
Remember that using a sharp knife is safer than a dull one
A mentor will often give you sincere affirmation
His words of adjustment will not be a condemnation
Beware flattering words that can deceive and harm
Even if they may sound as sweet as a charm

In conclusion, Pastor said that mentors we all need
For encouragement and their advice we should heed
Some of these are seasonal and some for lifetime
We should never walk alone as there are hills to climb

11 September 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on "The Race"
It's frustrating not knowing the end, no matter the pace
Without knowledge of the rules it is hard to win
It's the same with life - and it leads to sin
From the Westminster Shorter Catechism Pastor then read
The goal of life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, it said
God wants us to be happy, we must remember
While we glorify Him from January to December

How do we glorify God, Pastor Josh did then ask
John 15:8 says that bearing fruit is a disciple's task
He then asked how we go about bearing fruit
Model our lives after Jesus, don't try to be cute
We need discipline to remain in God's presence
John 15 verses 4 and 5 makes a lot of sense
Jesus said "you can do nothing" "apart from me"
Making a faith choice is what God wants to see
For God is actually with us all the time
Trusting in Him is the opposite of a crime

We also need the discipline of rest
Living in God's presence is the best
Hebrews 4:9-11 also talks of another perks
Entering God's rest allows rest from work
The process of discipline can involve pain
But it pays off for us again and again
We must trust God's plan and purpose
For He wants rest and joy for us
About things of eternal value we should care
So the busier we are, spend more time in prayer

Pastor said we must enter God's presence by faith
Read Hebrews 11:6, he did earnestly sayeth
Without faith, pleasing God is impossible
We must believe God exists in full
God rewards those who truly seek Him
Pastor read Hebrews 4:2-3, not on a whim

"How to get faith?" was the last question he did pose
Knowing the Bible does not solve all our woes
For God's word we must actually hear
To Luke 17:5-6 Pastor did us steer
Jesus talked about a little mustard seed
Having that faith is all that we actually need
But faith, like a muscle, we must grow
Exercising it daily is the only way to go

That ended the sermon by Pastor Josh
On discipline, rest, and faith we must nosh

11 September 2011 : Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth”
For moths, rust, and thieves will destroy their worth
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”
Where they will last a million years times seven
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be”
From verse twenty one it is plain to see
And if treasures in heaven we want to build
Our thoughts on tithing should be strong willed

Isaiah 46-48

In BSF we heard about Isaiah 46 though 48
Which reminded us that only God is great
God's people in Israel, Isaiah kept warning
But to idols instead they kept turning
For even if idols are made from pure gold
The future they cannot tell, let alone mold
Our only hope is from God's salvation
That is free for Israel and every nation

As TL spoke of the thirteen verses in Isaiah 46
On "God's Patience" he asked us to transfix
Unlike our God, other idols need to be made
But that is why God's power will never fade
Everyone has faith in something or someone
"The object of one's faith is critical", it's not for fun
Do we criticise or pray, speak in anger or with love?
We should have patience with others, as does God above

TL then spoke of Isaiah 47, verses one to fifteen
Babylon went from the highest of nations to unseen
The title os the section was appropriately "God's power"
For He will discipline all, when He decides the hour
People often go too far, usually due to pride
They will suffer unless God is on their side
"The content of one's faith is critical", TL did say
For what we believe has consequences every day
We are free to think what we want to think
But cannot dictate the results, swim or sink
Consequences are both temporal and eternal in nature
God is the right content and object for our faith, to be sure
We should ask ourselves how we spend our time
For that our 'idol', per the topic of this rhyme

TL went on to talk of Isaiah 48, verses 1 to 22
Why is God so patient and caring in what He does do?
"God's perseverance" means that He never gives up
Even when we are stubbron, rejecting his cup
We need to pay close attention to His word
He loves us for the sake of His name, our Lord
God treats us all far better than we really deserve
Blessings are withheld from stiff-necked He doth observe
"True faith begins and ends with the one true God", TL said
Knowing God is a two way relationship, for He is not dead
We must submit all our thoughts, wordsm and actions
He expects our praise and worship without distractions

4 September 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Larry started a new series “The Race”
Related to our spiritual life and pace
He read the NKJV of verse seven, Proverbs 23
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he”
And as with the first marathon Pastor did run
By having the right attitude, half the battle is won
On Hebrews 12:1-2 he did then focus
Talking of three phrases starting with “let us”

“Let us throw off everything” was the first
Deciding to run is a daily decision, not a burst
The verse starts with “therefore” so we looked at chapter eleven
Which listed several great heroes of faith who are now in heaven
They followed God until from the earth they departed
Illustrating that our efforts cannot be half-hearted
From Galatians five verse seven Pastor did then read
We should throw away excess baggage we do not need
And then from Ephesians 4 verses 22 to 24
We must not put on our “old self” any more
Pastor then shared a tribute video of Uncle Andrew
Who ran a good race despite all he went through

“Let us run the race marked our for us” was number two
In other words, “stay committed” in what we do
Philippians 2:5 talks of having the right attitude
It should be like Christ’s – that’s not a platitude
The “be-attitudes” from Matthew 5 Pastor did share
Be humble, repentant, and obedient if you care
Also be righteous, compassionate, and holy
In the Lord, be peaceful and strong wholly
The Spirit’s fruits are listed in Galatians five
For love, joy, peace, and patience we should strive
Kindness, goodness, and faithfulness
Plus self-control and of course gentleness
God transforms us if to Him we commit
When things go wrong, get up – don’t sit

“Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus” was number three
Look to the cross, “stay focused” we should be
To 1 Corinthians 9:24 and Philippians 3:14 Pastor did refer
“Run in a way to win” for the prize is great, of that be sure
God prepares us and knows the right time
But His ways may be subtle or even sublime
We then saw a video on a British Olympic runner
Running well, his pulled hamstring was a stunner
But he kept on going, walking until the end
He “had to finish” before to his injury he did tend

We should remember this lesson every hour, every day
Stay committed and focused on the race, that is the way