Tuesday, November 29, 2016

28 November 2016 - Awaken Generation

Pastor Neli Atiga last night spoke on “The Herd That Heard”
First Samuel one to four formed the basis for his erudite word
Neli said that sheep inherently know the voice of their shepherd
Similarly, we need to know God’s voice, from Neli we heard
Barren Hannah prayed to God and was seen by Eli the priest
He thought she was drunk but her desperation only increased
She promised that her son would serve God is she conceived
God answered her prayer and then Hannah no longer grieved

So Samuel lived at the temple under Eli's mentorship and care
But there was no frequent vision and the word of God was rare
Pastor Neli then spoke to the AG graduating class in a side note
They should create, not just import, worship was his apt quote
Samuel rested in the temple while Eli slept at his own place
Another sign that between Eli and God there was a big space
Neli said that we must be careful and always with God rest
Even doing the work of God can become idolatry he did attest

Samuel heard a voice and eventually realised it was the Lord
Consequences loomed for it was the priestly position Eli adored
With Eli, these dire warnings for his family Samuel did share
Because about God more than man’s view Samuel did care
When he heard about the lost ark of God, Eli met his demise
For he was more focused on his appearance in man’s eyes

Remember that God fills us up to send us out, Pastor Neli did say
To give us the character we need for our platform, we should pray
We should position ourselves to carry out our calling with humility
For it is the heart behind our actions that our Lord God does see

Sunday, November 27, 2016

27 November 2016 - ENCS

The "words of wisdom" series tonight Pastor Josh did finish
That we each build strong foundations is God’s stated wish
Step-by-step is the way such foundations we must build
Asahel ran too fast and as a result with a spear was killed
We need a foundation so that when our platform arrives
We are prepared for the challenge and can impact lives

We should not despise discipline, per Proverbs three eleven
For discipline is only for those loved by our Father in heaven
The verse mentions “reprove”, which is a gentle correction
Also “loves” and “delights” which imply a family connection

Proverbs twelve five says His discipline not to regard lightly
Nor to feel weary or condemned and thus behave contritely
Josh drew a line from ‘fear of the Lord’ to 'love of the Lord’
Too extreme towards fear leads to legalism from the Word
Going too far towards love leads to YOLO in not a good way
Rather, balance gets us peace and righteousness every day

Hebrews twelve eleven says that discipline seems painful
But it yields the fruit of righteousness, far from disdainful
We must put in effort to follow our calling good works to do
And ensure our character is ready as opportunities accrue

Josh again highlighted four steps to help us on life’s wisdom trip
To pray, meditate on the Word, preach, and engage in fellowship
Referring to First Thessalonians five sixteen and Romans eight
Second Timothy three and First Thessalonians five add weight
We should preach to ourselves and others every day and night
Encouraging others especially when a bad mood we must fight

Monday, November 21, 2016

20 November 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh again spoke on “Words of Wisdom”, this was part three
Before looking at Proverbs three, Ecclesiastes seven we did see
As there are bandwidths to wisdom, the extremes are dangerous
Josh said it is important that principles of understanding drive us

God’s word was timely when it was given, Ravi Zacharius did say
But it is also timeless in its implications, even for all of us today
Proverbs three verse one says the we are not to forget teaching
And ensure our heart keeps commandments that are far-reaching

Josh said that depth is not in understanding, but in its application
Love, not just pure knowledge, is what leads to wisdom inflation
This then leads to more quality and quantity of life, per verse two
Life and peace will be added to what wise people are able to do

Josh then used a diagram to talk about the spectrum of new to old
Going too far in either direction is actually more foolhardy than bold
One direction leads to emotional decisions that are short sighted
The other leads to stubbornness and legalism that is not excited

Verse three says to let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake
Because from relationships, wisdom into our hearts we can take
The wise man can find favour and good success, per verse four
In the sight of God as well as many other people, that’s for sure

Verses five and six say to trust in the Lord with all your heart
For leaning on your own understanding is not wise or smart
When trust is broken, our hearts can easily become hardened
When trust is rebuilt, love will follow and mistakes pardoned

In order to turn away from evil, per verses seven and eight
Then in our own wisdom we should not give too much weight
For what God and Jesus did for us is what should really amaze
And letting God drive the depths of our wisdom all of our days

In summary, we must combine the new (heart) and the old (head)
True wisdom comes learning to obey God, Pastor Josh then said
Josh again highlighted four steps to help us on life’s wisdom trip
To pray, meditate on the Word, preach, and engage in fellowship

Monday, November 14, 2016

13 November 2016 - ENCS

More on Proverbs and words of wisdom, Pastor Josh did speak
To translate knowledge into the way we live, wisdom does seek
The contrasting tale of two women is highlighted in Proverbs nine
They both say to “follow me" but their intentions do not at all align
Between Wisdom and Folly we must all distinguish and choose
For Wisdom always speaks truth while Folly tries to us confuse

Per verses fifteen to seventeen, Folly says stolen water is sweet
Thus telling us that simple solutions can complex problems defeat
This is akin to smoking and alcohol abuse, Josh did then highlight
Folly says to ignore the long term but in the short term feel alright
This is why verse eighteen says that the end game of Folly is death
Similarly, blaming others for our problems is a waste of our breath

Wisdom has built her house and hewn seven pillars per verse one
The word ‘hewn’ implies precise workmanship until all is done
We must have faith and patience when God gives us a promise
For our God never lies, so we should never doubt like Thomas
At times, we need patience because our character is not ready
In this way, when God’s promises come through, we are steady

Wisdom’s desire is for us to have life, per verses three to six
By walking in the way of insight, our simple ways we can fix
Wisdom builds, hews, celebrates learning, and to life gives breath
Folly clamours, seduces, celebrates ignorance, leading to death
Josh again highlighted four steps to help us on life’s wisdom trip
To pray, meditate on the Word, preach, and engage in fellowship

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

6 November 2016 - ENCS

About Proverbs and words of wisdom, Pastor Josh did speak
With knowledge and understanding, wisdom is what we seek
Knowledge is about facts and understanding is implications
Wisdom is proven over time through consistent applications

Nigeria with its abundance of resources, Josh did compare
To Singapore and Botswana with good leaders who care
The difference in economic growth is clear for all to see
Similarly, Solomon asked for wisdom in First Kings three

Solomon said the beginning of wisdom, per Proverbs four
Was to obtain, at all cost, understanding more and more
In Proverbs nine, wisdom also requires the fear of the Lord
The Holy Spirit will ensure our efforts remain aboveboard

Four steps to have integrity and wisdom, Josh then did share
The first is to pray, a two way dialogue because God does care
We should however not use prayer as an opportunity to complain
For Christ went through so much more, enduring all sorts of pain
And if we feel wronged by others, our response needs to be right
For those are the instances where we can truly share God’s light

The second is to meditate on God’s word, so it is on our heart
Often times, this means to read less but think more on our part
The third is to preach, which also reminds ourselves of the truth
The fourth is to fellowship, which is key for parents and youth

In summary, Josh turned to Colossians three from verse fifteen
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” is evidently seen
To “admonish one another with all wisdom” is a good reminder
And to give thanks in all that we do makes us wiser and kinder

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

30 October 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh wrapped up the series on the Every Nation vision
Speaking about churches and campus ministries with incision
Children are a blessed heritage, per Psalm one twenty seven
The enemy attacks so that their eyes are diverted from heaven
Both spiritual and biological parents must protect that generation
In God’s eyes, to do otherwise would be enemy collaboration

God’s nature is relational, as the Trinity lives to love and bless
He calls us to relationships, John chapter thirteen does profess
On relationships, our earthly purpose is therefore dependent
Per Matthew twenty eight, to all tribes and nations we are sent
We are each given talents with which to bless others and to love
These help us share the Word and reflect God’s light from above

The core verse is Ephesians two, verses nineteen to twenty two
Which speaks of fellowship, family, and the unity of believers too
We are now fellow citizens, we are no longer aliens and strangers
We have rights and responsibilities but are protected from dangers
Christ is foundation of the apostles and is the ultimate cornerstone
As long as we stay within the lines, we never face troubles alone
Wisdom from God differs for each person but is always consistent
When we come together, it is powerful and we should not dissent

God helps each of us to find our spiritual family and community
Per Ephesians two seventeen, peace for all was Jesus’ decree
Through Christ, in one Spirit to the Father we all have access
Because of that, we should give Christ our all, nothing less