25 October 2015 - ENCS

The “Gifted” series Joy Talavera did complete today

She used Ephesians chapter two to show the way

In verses nineteen to twenty two, we were then told

We are fellow citizens, members of God’s household

Jesus is the cornerstone, joining us all together

For we are better together, no matter the weather

This enables our God-given gifts to be better applied

And the results and blessings can then be multiplied

Joy highlighted three things that can get in the way

Of using our talents and gifts appropriately every day

The first Joy termed “comparison vs collaboration”

This occurs when others’ gifts become our fixation

Of course everyone is better than us at something

But per Genesis four, this allows sin to be crouching

For whenever we compare, angry we tend to become

By collaborating, “better together” is the rule of thumb

“Cringe vs courage” was the second Joy did highlight

When God gives us a gift, He provides grace to ignite

Grace acts like the batteries for a store-bought toy

Allowing our gifts to bless others in a spirit of joy

This grace, per Ephesians chapter four verse seven

Is apportioned to each person by Christ in heaven

Using that grace, our gifts each other do complement

For with courage, “better together” becomes an event

The third tradeoff Joy said was “captivity vs community”

When we are isolated, we walk into the enemy’s captivity

When we compare or cringe, isolation is often the result

This causes God’s family to mourn rather than to exult

Joy called on Kevin, who one chopstick could easily break

But when given a bundle, not even a crack he could make

Ecclesiastes chapter four verse twelve does state the same

To avoid being tossed about, Ephesians four says is the aim

When working as a community, God provides the sticky matter

For with community, “better together” leads the enemy to scatter

In summary, we should collaborate and with courage act

Then in community, our gifts are “better together” for a fact

25 October 2015 - Walking with Integrity

In Ruth chapter two, Boaz commended Ruth’s integrity

Saying that her actions had made it clear for all to see

She stood by her mother-in-law Naomi in a foreign land

As a result, in marriage Boaz eventually took Ruth’s hand

From a solid foundation of values, integrity does flow

To stand by one’s beliefs, one’s strength must show

God’s Word should always provide the foundation

Telling right from wrong without any consternation

In this way, integrity leads to a top-notch reputation

And we often get earthly as well as Godly affirmation

Integrity can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes

But bottom line, perhaps it really means no surprises

For if you do what you say and actually say what you did

Then people will trust you much more than Billy the Kid

18 October 2015 - ENCS

The “Gifted” series, Jenny Balase did today continue

A video of Genesis chapter one we first did all view

God is a creator and can thus be called creative

Creativity is in our identity and part of how we live

For creativity is not about doing, but is about being

This was extremely clear in the video we were seeing

God created things just by the sound of His voice

That is why singing praises should oft be our choice

For this creates lots of joy, from Jenny we then all heard

“And it was so” confirms the authenticity of God’s word

Since God created man in His image and His likeness

Therefore each person is creative, talents we do possess

Jenny then showed us a picture of the left and right brain

The former is for logic, the latter for creativity in the main

“When we see ourselves as creative beings, we create”

Our doing should follow our being, Jenny did then state

Just as God created and said “and it was good” every day

For our creative dreams and passions, we should find a way

“Creativity reflects God’s image within us” so that others see

Through Jesus, we learned who God is and who we are to be

Jesus said that God was within Him, per John chapter fourteen

And whoever believes in Him will do greater works, it is seen

Worship allows God to act through us, reflecting our identity

Allowing others to learn about Jesus and also to God see

In summary, Jenny said that we are all creative and can create

Although our primary goal remains to know Jesus, Jenny did state

11 October 2015 - ENCS

Pastor Josh Harris started the “Gifted” series at Kallang today

Everyone has gifts and a calling from God above, he did say

“You Have A Purpose” with what God does us individually equip

Ephesians two verse ten says that we are God’s workmanship

God prepared us each of us to do good works in His name

Although our gifts and callings are obviously not the same

Josh said that we must determine how our identity is defined

Not knowing our purpose leads to misuse of gifts, he opined

It is important that we are both a physical and spiritual creation

Adam and Eve died spiritually after falling for the temptation

“You are Gifted” and those gifts will be awesome via His grace

God spent more time creating us than on all the stars in space

In Genesis one, God called the stars he created merely ‘good’

In regards male and female, ‘very good” is clearly understood

In First Corinthians twelve, we read about spiritual gifts from Paul

Diverse gifts, ministries, and activities - the church needs them all

In Romans twelve, Paul lists prophesying, serving, and teaching

As well as exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy outreaching

Paul lists five distinct callings in Ephesians chapter four verse eleven

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers all represent heaven

Several gifts of the Spirit, First Corinthians chapter twelve does name

Comparing to Romans and Ephesians, some of the items are the same

Words of wisdom and knowledge, healing, miracles, and faith manifestation

As well as prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, and interpretation

“Your Gift Isn’t For You” as the Spirit’s manifestation is for the profit of all

As in First Corinthians twelve verse seven, according to the apostle Paul

Most gifts cannot be used on ourselves, so they are used to others bless

In that way, per Philippians two, lights into this world our actions do express

This is consistent with Jesus’ admonition in Matthew five verse thirteen

That through our good works, the glory of God can be very clearly seen

4 October 2015 - ENCS

Joshua Harris finished the series on James’ book

Into chapter five tonight we did take a deep look

“Rich oppressors” are the focus on verses one to six

Josh pointed out that all of us might be in that mix

For the real question is whether we steward well

Of our God-given talents, Pastor Josh did tell

With everyone and always, we must also be just

For justice is important, in God’s eyes it is a must

James then touched on suffering, starting from verse seven

We should be patient like a farmer waiting for rain from heaven

Josh said that a world of instant gratification we live in today

Enjoying pleasures now for a future price is Satan’s way

But God wants to bless us, especially for our self-control

Through His grace, we will get eternal salvation for our soul

Our job is not to exact justice, but to bring about reconciliation

James also commended Job’s perseverance in his tribulation

Verse eleven says that God is full of mercy and compassion

In fact, His supply is so infinite that He never needs to ration

Josh encouraged us not to stop if we are going through hell

For God’s breakthrough is often on the other side, he did tell

For from the enemy Satan come dark times and darkness

But per Isaiah fifty, we can trust in God and He will us bless

Verse twelve reminds us not to swear by heaven or by earth

Instead, let our words have integrity and convey full worth

When faced with suffering, we should immediately pray

Jesus knows what we are going through, Josh did say

Likewise, if we are happy, we should sing songs of praise

And then get church elders to pray for us on our sick days

For in the name of the Holy Spirit, the leaders do us anoint

Thus healing our spirit, soul, and body - that is the point

Our heart opens when we truly ask for forgiveness

And when our heart opens, God can us richly bless

Elijah prayed earnestly and dutifully waited on the Lord

Eventually crops grew after rain from the heavens poured

Remember that one word from God can change our life

Josh heard that word when he married his lovely wife

“Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way”

“Will save him from death”, verse twenty does say

Our heart will mirror His if we spend more time with God

Then the prodigal son’s father’s reaction will not be odd

James urges believers to their faith express in daily living

So that blessings our dear Lord can continually be giving