25 December 2023 - Blessed Christmas

“Why do…the peoples plot in vain?” says Psalm two

The Lord and His Anointed One the leaders try to outdo

From heaven, the Lord scoffs and rebukes them all

For His King on Zion – the holy hill - God did install

“You are my Son…and I [am] your Father,” God said

God will make “the nations [His] inheritance” instead

“Therefore, you kings, be wise [and] be warned”

For they should serve the Lord they once scorned

 

The Lord said to Jesus, according to Psalm one hundred ten

To “sit at [His] right hand” and rule over all earthly men

For on “the day of battle”, “[His] troops will be willing”

Jesus is a “priest forever”, thus old prophecies fulfilling

God “will crush kings on the day of His wrath”

For Jesus will always be found on God’s path

There have been many priests, per Hebrews seven

But only one lives forever, He was sent from heaven

“Therefore he is able to save completely” any person

“He lives to intercede for them” before their lives worsen

 

The birth of Jesus is briefly written about in Luke two

Joseph went to Bethlehem, for a census all had to do

He went with Mary, his betrothed who was expecting

She gave birth to her son in a stable without objecting

There were shepherds in the nearby fields with their flock

The glory of the Lord shone, and their knees did all knock

But an angel came and told them about the good news

That in Bethlehem had been born the King of the Jews

They were told to rejoice, for they were not in any danger

They would find Jesus wrapped in clothes lying in a manger

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem,” per Matthew two

Magi from the east came, a star in the sky was the clue

The king of the Jews is who they wanted to worship

So they brought gifts with them on the very long trip

King Herod was disturbed; the Magi in secret he did call

They were to report back to him; his evil plans not to stall

The child they did find as to the star they did refer

They worshipped him with gold, incense, and myrrh

About Herod’s evil plot from a dream they did learn

So by another route to their country they did return

24 December 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Vicki Tekwani talked about “hope” this Christmas Eve

In Isaiah nine, God made promises while His people did grieve

God said that their exile and suffering would one day cease

Thanks to the Saviour, also known as the Prince of Peace

Vicki then ran through three questions that we should ponder

“What are my eyes fixed on - earth or Jesus?” he did wonder

Next up was “Where am I headed - my way or God’s way?” 

But man’s way leads to death, Proverbs fourteen does say

“What does my future look like?” is not just a personal wish

Per Isaiah nine, there will be no gloom for those in anguish

For we are promised that contempt will be turned to glory

And darkness into great light in that same chapter we see

The work of Jesus Christ starts with turning darkness to light

Light represents salvation, hope, and a path through the night

Per John eight, Jesus is the light of the world and its strife

Put another way, He gives us the gift and light of eternal life

Jesus turns sorrow into joy,  not based on human emotion

That is one reason He should be the centre of our devotion

We also have hope because Jesus turns conflict into peace

And with Him, we have an inner peace that does not cease

This will all be fulfilled through and by Jesus and his kingdom

The eternal riches he offers are superior to any earthly income

God’s Son is called Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God too

Without His presence, we really have no hope to look forward to

There will be unending peace under King Jesus, per Isaiah nine

Remember Jesus’ prayerful words “your will be done, not mine”

God’s will embodies justice and righteousness, making things right

His Kingdom will stand the test of time, as Proverbs does write

It is important to remember that we always have access to God

His love for us has been proven many times, it is not a facade

And if we continue to pray, mediate, proclaim, and fellowship

We will bring light to the world, as we should being His heirship

17 December 2023 - ENCS

The Christmas sermon series Pastor Josh did continue

Uncertainty surrounds, as in Psalm four we did view

David asked The Lord God to lift up the light of His face

If we see God, then good things appear in every place

A contrast to Jesus the Saviour we see in Luke two

Born in a manger,  far from a king’s traditional debut

The angels promised peace on earth, goodwill to all

Supernatural God can change things big and small 

In Psalm four, David lay down in peace and sleep

For the Lord would allow David in safety to keep

Jesus will fix everything, either in this life or the next

That is mentioned or alluded in many a biblical text

God himself is our peace, as per Ephesians two

Jesus preached that peace for all should ensue

Remember peace is relational, not circumstantial

Our access to God via the Spirit is substantial

In Second Corinthians five, we are a creation new

We receive God’s peace as a major breakthrough

And because we are now in Christ a new creation

Jesus has given us the ministry of reconciliation

10 December 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the Christmas sermon series today

We will go through love, joy, peace, and hope he did say

All four are intangible things that everyone does strive for

God can provide true love, joy, hope, peace, per Psalm four

An angel shared the message of Jesus in Luke chapter two

Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy out of the blue

Unto you is born this day a Saviour who is Christ the Lord

The last line addresses the previous one, it cannot be ignored

Continuing from Luke two, from the temple Anna did not depart

Worshiping, fasting, and praying constantly from the day’s start

She gave thanks to God and to all who did listen of him she spoke

PMPF - pray, meditate, proclaim, fellowship - we should also invoke

3 December 2023 - ENCS

The ENCS Christmas sermon series Vicki Tekwani did start today

“What's love got to do with Christmas?” was the title he did say

He spoke about agape love, referencing First John chapter four

Love if from God, we should love one another, and lots more

God is the source of agape love, unconditional and sacrificial

We must spend time to receive His love which is so beneficial

Love is God’s nature, for He can not not love each one of us

Love is sacrificial, remember propitiation for our sin was Jesus

Sending His son was the ultimate expression of God’s love

Remember that this was entirely initiated from heaven above

This propitiation of sins means we have unlimited atonement

Using free will unwisely is the only reason for postponement

As God loves us, we are called to love others in the same way

Remember we are His children, receiving His love every day

How we talk, act, and treat others is how His love we display

This requires sacrifice and service even if there is foul play

Love has everything to do with Christmas, Vicki did conclude

What love is and is not, in First Corinthians thirteen we viewed

And since God’s love for us is both unlimited and never ending

A similar sort of love to others we should also be extending

26 November 2023 - ENCS

The series on tests Pastor Josh did complete today

Tests exist to help us life lives to the full, he did say

John chapter ten says to follow God wholeheartedly

From Acts two and Romans eight, we also did see

Instead of being a slave to sin, be God’s son spiritually

Instead of being sovereign, adopt a servant mentality

Instead of focusing on self, think of sacrifice physically

Instead of focusing on money, be a steward financially

Genesis fifteen says not to fear for God is our shield

He is our Father whose love for us can't be concealed

We can all be multipliers like Abram, per God’s desire

Believing in God is righteousness, all that we require

15 October 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey today spoke on “The Heart-Eye Connection”

Per Matthew six, our eyes are like lamps giving direction

If our eyes are healthy, then our body will be full of light

If our eyes are unhealthy, our body will be dark like night

The biblical perspective is that values determine vision

So what, why, and how you see follows with precision

Social media algorithms reveal what our focus has been

If values are wrong, we see the wrong thins on screen

Vision is powerful, so the devil wants to take it away

The eye is the lamp of the body, Matthew six does say

Per Proverbs twenty nine, without vision, people perish

In Jeremiah twenty nine, God’s promises are not bearish

Joey concluded with how to have a healthy vision 

Pray unceasingly, as Daniel did when facing a decision

Always meditate on God’s word as per Philippians four

And fellowship with God’s people, find a good mentor

In other words, treat the ENCS mantra as a big tip

Always PMPF - Pray, Meditate, Proclaim, Fellowship

8 October 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Mark spoke on “Values, Treasures, and the Heart”

In Matthew six, about types of treasure Jesus did impart

We should not lay up temporal treasures here on earth

As eternal treasures in heaven have so much more worth

Mark said we should remember that our hearts do pursue 

Those things, temporal or eternal, which we most value

Firstly, recognise how valuable we are in Christ’s eyes

His words in Matthew six about birds we should memorise

Per John ten, we are so valuable He will not let us go

As Romans five, Hebrews thirteen, and Luke twelve show

We are valuable masterpieces, per Psalm one thirty nine

Because per John one, we are in Christ’s direct bloodline

Secondly, realign our perspective using heaven's eyes

Doing things that upset God is foolish and clearly not wise

We should all create and add value to people around us

Although storing and increasing value is not superfluous

In First Timothy six, in a passage that is never outdated

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, Paul stated

Finally, reposture our hearts and reorder our values

Do a heart check and seriously consider God’s views

For the heart is often deceitful, per Jeremiah seventeen

So the Lord tests our hearts, in the passage it is seen

We should clear the blockages and take proactive care

“Slowing, stopping, silence, solitude” Mark did share

And in the absence of those on a South African trip

I would add “Pray, Mediate, Proclaim, Fellowship”

1 October 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke today on the topic “The Addict"

In old times, a positive attribute this term did depict

Joey said in Acts two verse forty two it was noted

The apostles were addicted, in other words devoted

To teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer

As in First Corinthians sixteen Paul also did share

Since there was no New Testament or printing press

From the Old Testament, those apostles did profess

With Jesus and the Holy Spirit as an interpreting lens

The hearts and minds of thousands they did cleanse

The apostles meditated, as per Joshua chapter one

Per Psalm one, their delight in the Law not outdone

Returning to Acts two, the believers were together

Addicted to fellowship, regardless of the weather

They met every day, their hearts glad and sincere

Breaking bread together every day through the year

Per the words of Jesus, to break bread is to proclaim

Leaving prayer as the last element, Joey did exclaim

The many signs and wonders filled everyone with awe

Their numbers grew daily based on what others saw

The four elements still apply today, Pastor did quip

PMPF equals Pray, Meditate, Proclaim, and Fellowship

Our SQ App is designed for the purpose and is free

If you want to learn more, feel free to contact me

24 September 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the “how’s your SQ” series today

Referring to Genesis when Adam and Eve went astray

In large part because with the serpent she did engage

The sermon title was “Breaking Free From The Cage”

Joey started by asking what’s freedom got to do with it?

Per Genesis two, it is a command that God did transmit

It is a daily decision whether to follow God, our free will

Love involves having that freedom which God does install

Freedom is powerful but quite dangerous it can also be

For along with great power comes great responsibility

He steals your freedom by perverting your freedom

It is clear in Genesis three the serpent is far from dumb

Temptation, deception, and accusation are his tools

Then we surrender our freedom, following his rules

We start building a cage with unrighteousness and guilt

Add in self-righteousness and shame - the cage is built

So how then we can regain our freedom is the real key

We must confess our sins, as in First John one we see

Per Second Corinthians five and also in Romans eight

That when we are with Jesus, we avoid our sinful fate

Per Galatians five, it is for freedom that Christ set us free

So stand firm, do not be burdened by the yoke of slavery

17 September 2023 - ENCS

About Spritual Quotient, Pastor Joey did today continue

Talking about “The Thief” that in John ten we did view

Our struggle is versus spiritual forces, per Ephesians six

So we pray that the eyes of our hearts on God do affix

Per Isaiah fourteen, the thief is called the morning star

God thwarted his attempted coup and said au revoir

Per Revelations twelve, his name is Satan or devil

Also several other names that we should not revel

About one-third of heaven's angels on his side fought

But omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent he is not

God lets him live so that we can exercise our free will

But his future, per Revelation twenty, torment will fill

God made us a bit lower than angels, per Psalm eight

To overcome the devil, God’s power we can activate

This is very clearly stated in Hebrews chapter two

Jesus will destroy Satan, in First John three we view

The enemy’s names tell us what he is trying to do

As he did with Eve, the serpent will try to tempt you

The devil tries to deceive, telling us all sorts of lies

Satan accuses us - so listening to him is unwise

To stop the enemy from stealing submit to God

For God’s armour Ephesians six gives the nod

Pray against temptation, meditate over deception

Proclaim the gospel, fellowship over accusation

10 September 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the “How is your SQ” series today

“In the heavenly realms” many times Ephesians does say

Spiritual forces of evil our earthly struggles often disguise

Today’s sermon was appropriately titled “Open Your Eyes” 

For those with closed eyes, the spiritual realm is not real

Per Psalm fourteen, the fool says God is not the real deal

Ones with closed eyes are fearful, insecure, powerless

Pastor Joey said they are also bold, blind, and clueless

The spiritual realm is real for those whose eyes are open

Per Colossians two, due to our sin Jesus was roped in

Supreme is the power of Jesus, in whom our faith rests

For He is above all, Ephesians one more than suggests

So to keep our eyes open, PMPF we should implement

Pray without ceasing and Meditate on His word frequent

Proclaim your identity and with God’s people Fellowship

Per Romans eight, the love of God is always in our grip

3 September 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey started a series “How Is Your SQ?" today

Following on “Foundations” and “Maturity” he did say

In Ephesians, five times ‘heavenly realms’ is referred

There was a clearly a reason this phrase Paul preferred

In the heavenly realms is where all our blessings are

Per Ephesians one, God’s blessings form a reservoir

The heavenly realms are where power actually resides

And from where manifold wisdom the Lord provides 

From the heavenly realms physical struggles emanate 

Against dark world powers, as Ephesians six does state

Spiritual manifestation in the natural, seen in Daniel ten

Daniel’s humility and prayer helped him time and again

It is quite clear that Spiritual Quotient starts with prayer

In Matthew six, the Lord’s Prayer we are made aware

First Thessalonians five says to pray without ceasing

Matthew eighteen encourages joint prayer increasing

27 August 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued talking about Embracing Maturity

The thief comes to steal, kill, destroy in John ten we see

Jesus came that we might have life - and life to the full

Make sure it is overflowing with good things, not bull

Josh said that how we think determines how we live

We should be joyful even when trials life does give

Per Second Peter one, make effort to add to faith

That includes goodness and knowledge, it sayeth

Possessing these attributes in increasing measure

Prevents unproductively and ineffective for sure

Every grows old but not everyone actually matures

Maturity involves mistakes, as each person endures

The more we know God, the closer we get to Him

And his vision for us grows brighter, far from dim

Therefore let God define us rather than our history

Promises given to Abraham are ours, no mystery

Josh pointed out that we should mature together

No matter the circumstances or even the weather

Per First Corinthians twelve, we all have differences

In terms of gifts, service, working, and our senses

But the same Spirit and God is at work all the time

So trusting in Him should always be our paradigm

20 August 2023 - ENCS

Emerging Victorious is what Josh spoke about

Following on from the Maturity series with clout

Maturity requires trials, temptation, and trouble

James one says to consider them joy double

For the testing of faith produced perseverance

So complete maturity can make an appearance

Waiting and enduring pain makes you stronger

Per Hebrews twelve, discipline may last longer

For God demonstrates love through discipline

Which then enables us to His holiness share in

Perseverance also produces righteousness

One's character grows when under stress

Per Romans five, we should therefore rejoice

For going down this path is the best choice

Endurance leads to character and then hope

Hope does not disappoint but helps us cope

We face trouble in this world, per John sixteen

But Jesus overcame the world, it is then seen

13 August 2023 - ENCS

The “Maturing in Christ” series, Pastor Josh did continue

The title “A Mature Mentality” we did on the screen view

Josh stated that the journey to our maturity is the key

To experiencing life to the full, per Colossians three

A mature mentality is not playing the part of a victim

Saying always and never, plus criticising ad infinitum

It's also not saying I don’t have enough as if in poverty

And per Philippians four, “Christ who strengthens me"

A mature mentality is what in Numbers Joshua showed

And how Jesus humbled himself to take on our load

A mature Christian focuses on and trusts in God above

Which leads the individuals to serve others and to love

Taking off the old mentality and put in the new mentality

Ignore momentary pleasures, as per Colossians three

We are made in God’s image so should walk in unity

Letting Christ's word and wisdom dwell in us richly

6 August 2023 - ENCS

From the Firm Foundations series, Pastor Joey did follow

Per Hebrews six, more than baby food we should swallow

In order to be "taken forward to maturity", we then viewed

He therefore titled today's sermon “Beyond Baby Food”

Maturity in Christ is about moving forward and growing up

As per Hebrews five, on solid food the mature should sup

Growth is gradual, imperceptible, over time and seasons

We should grow up in the right things for the right reasons

Maturity is becoming more like Christ, per Romans eight

He equips us for good works, Ephesians four does state

For God uses everything and uses everything for good

Becoming more like Christ is critical, that is understood

The Lord God matures us by giving us the ability to do so

We are earthly and spiritual, First Corinthians does show

Like a gardener, God often prunes us per John fifteen

And gives examples to follow, in First John two is seen

30 July 2023 - ENCS

About living life to the full, Pastor Josh did speak

Per John ten this is what Jesus wants us to seek

Jesus said to find and follow Him, per Matthew four

And then very importantly to go fish for even more

Josh said Second Peter three has words to cherish

The Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish

For God wants everyone to come to repentance

So that nobody has to face their due sentence

So per Charles Colson, now how shall we live?

Lots of answers Second Peter three does give

Saying to make every effort to be found spotless

At peace with God as well as being blemeless

That passage says to add to your faith, goodness

In the original Greek meaning excellence, no less

Then come knowledge, self-control, perseverance

And godliness, mutual affection, love adherence

Love is actually the sum of all of those attributes

There is no fear in love, as First John four imputes

As per First Peter two, if those qualities increase

Our effectiveness and productivity will not cease

23 July 2023 - ENCS

The Firm Foundations series Pastor Joey did complete

Hebrews five shares six elementary truths not obsolete

The last being eternal judgment, as per Revelation five

So at the title The Glory of the Last Lion Joey did arrive

The significance of God’s justice is where Joey started

It is the foundation of God’s throne, never departed

Psalm eighty nine, righteousness and justice are key

While love and faithfulness go before us, we can see

God’s justice also ensures fairness and impartiality 

Post restitution and retribution, restoration there will be

It puts in us a holy fear, also known as a reverent fear

For God judges our work in First Peter one we do hear

So then what does eternal judgement actually entail?

It is for everyone, both old and young, male and female

Per Hebrews nine, we all die and then judgement face

Our entire life is known, there is nothing we can erase

Per Hebrews four, nothing is hidden from God’ sight

It is a time of accountability, everything comes to light

Per Second Corinthians five, all appear before His seat

Since God sees all, His judgement we can not cheat

Ephesians two says we are created to do good works

But we should do these out of love, not for the perks

Joey said that eternal judgement is also a test of quality

Our foundation is in Jesus, per First Corinthians three

Our rewards will then be crowns that last for eternity

In First Thessalonians two, crowns of service we see

The crowns of devotion, as per Second Timothy four

But to Jesus, we give all the crowns and even more

16 July 2023 - ENCS

The Firm Foundations series Pastor Joey did continue 

About elementary truths in Hebrews five we can view

Repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands we see

Today Joey focused on resurrection, Embracing Eternity

To start, we must have an understanding of physical death 

For it is just a matter of time before we take our last breath

As per Second Corinthians four, we waste away outwardly

Our days are finite, in Psalm ninety and James four we see

Ecclesiastes three states that there is a time for everything

When we are born or when we die, control we cannot bring

The verse goes on to say everything is beautiful in its time

That God has set eternity in the human heart is a paradigm

Pastor then said we must understand Christ's’ resurrection

After Jesus died for our sins despite having no imperfection

As per Mark twelve, God is for both the living and the dead

So many resurrection witnesses could not have been misled

Acts seventeen says we are God’s offspring and should obey

Meaning that we should repent and in His name act and pray

This clearly has implications for our lives each and every day

We have God's power to resurrect any part of life, Joey did say

First Corinthians fifteen talks about our resurrection spiritual

The body that is sown is perishable but is raised imperishable

Similarly, the dishonourable becomes glorious thanks to Christ

The weak become powerful, in eternity for what He sacrificed

2 July 2023 - ENCS

The Firm Foundations series Pastor Joey did continue

Reference to cleansing rites in Hebrews six we do view

Such cleansing is now called baptism, Pastor did say

Thus :Laundering Your Soul” is the sermon title today

There are several reasons we need baptism, Joey stated

The first is that with sin we have all been contaminated

We have all been corrupted even if we are courageous

And to make matters worse, we have become contagious

The instruction to be baptised is important to remember

It is an act of faith, whether done in July or December

It is a picture of your new life, for the rest of its duration

And about your faith, it is an evident public declaration

So then what is baptism, Pastor Joey did try to convey

It is an immersion into a relationship with God every day

Baptism is also God’s way of cleansing you from your sin

As well as His way of of ensuring you let the Holy Spirit in

25 June 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the series on Firm Foundations

Reminding us that deaths are effectively separations

Jesus is the bridge over our immense chasm with God

We need faith on top of repentance, Pastor did us prod

He continued by saying we need faith to come to God

To Hebrews chapter eleven verse six Joey gave a nod

It says faith pleases God and believes that God is real

For those who truly seek Him, rewards God will reveal

Faith is credited as righteousness, as per Romans four

The more faith we have, the righteousness is also more

Per Hebrews four, faith enables us to enter God’s rest

And then per Hebrews ten, not shrinking back is best

The gospel reveals righteousness, by which we do live

"Faith overcome the world”, First John five does us give

Everything not from faith is sin, so faith helps every day

God will then deliver his promises,Hebrews six does say

18 June 2023 - ENCS

A new series "Firm Foundations”, Pastor Joey did start

He told us to take Hebrews five verse eleven to heart

Paul said that they needed elementary truths to relearn

They needed “milk not solid food”, he wrote in concern

Winning the Unseen Battle with Death was today’s title

Starting the series off with a topic that is extremely vital

In Genesis two, death will follow eating from the tree

Although obviously Adam and Eve didn't die physically

Romans six clarifies that the death is in fact separation

And eternal separation from God is therefore damnation

Therefore the way to reverse death is through repentance

Sins separate us from God per a Isaiah fifty nine sentence

Repentance is also the way to remove consequences

God sees our heart if we repent and come to our senses

Finally, repentance is the way for our life to be restored

As it leads to forgiveness and blessings from the Lord

Pastor then took some time to say what repentance is not

It is not about regrets as they can never reverse the rot

It is not about resentment or bitterness to self or others

Nor is it about rationalising or justifying sin to our brothers

Repentance is a lifestyle of recognising sin without cessation

Per First John one, confessing our sins leads to purification

Repentance is a state of ongoing remorse for past actions

Godly sorrow produces earnest change without distractions

Finally, repentance is a progressive change in direction

Per Matthew three, producing fruit during this correction

11 June 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh today continued the monthly series

To engage the next generation there are theories

People encounter Jesus in many a different way

Revelation, relationally, generationally he did say

Knowledge used to be passed from old to young

But with the internet, the pendulum has swung

Per Matthew twenty eight, we must end isolation

The Holy Spirit can be our power and foundation

Remember how Jesus spent his first thirty years

Submitting to authorities who were not his peers

By asking wise questions, he brought out the truth

That is a tactic we should employ with the youth

Jesus told the disciples to wait, as per Acts one

Until the Holy Spirit was imparted to everyone

The Spirit teaches all things, per John fourteen

And the Spirit of truth will forever in us be seen

Pastor Josh highlighted that we are not alone

Presence, peace, perseverance from the throne

We know what to do thanks to the Spirit’s light

Giving perspective, purpose, prophetic insight

Can I do It? was the next question Josh did ask

Per Romans eight, the Spirit helps with every task

God gives sufficiency, per Second Corinthians three

Prayer, power, and provision from the Spirit are free

How to do it is simple - the Holy Spirit to receive

That also fights the enemy who tries to deceive

As per Galatians five, the fruit of the Spirit is love

Helping us be living testimonies for God above

4 June 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke about Engaging the Next Generation

They are everywhere, we must not remain in isolation

We must acknowledge that there is a generation gap

But we can still engage if new tools we decide to tap

How we live is critical for that is what the others see

Per Matthew eleven open and friendly we should be

Humility and repentance are key, as per James four

Being genuine and transparent but faithful to the core

What and how we say things can have a huge impact

Per First Peter three, speak the truth in love with tact

We should be secure in the gospel, per Romans eight

Preach with conviction, not caring about our earthly fate

Pastor Joey concluded by telling us what to focus on

Walking in love, respecting each and every liaison

We should be self-reflexive, by doing what we say

The building of God's kingdom happens every day

28 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the work series, referencing John five

Remember that we work much of the time that we are alive

Our office or home environment can be toxic in many cases

Whether bosses, customers, employees in various places

But Josh said that there is really no way to detox our jobs

Per John sixteen, in this world we will all face lots of probs

Yet this is not a reason to be despondent or to have fear

For Jesus continued by saying we should be of good cheer

The key is that God can change us, starting with our vision

That gives purpose, purity, and presence in every decision

In Matthew five, Jesus said for the earth we are to be salt

Josh highlighted that passivity is often a destructive fault

For the world, Jesus also called on us to be beacons of light

Even a small light is helpful when things are dark as midnight

Holiness is actually what we do, not just what we avoid to do

Glorifying God and letting other people our good works view

Pastor Josh then spoke about Joseph in Genesis thirty eight

He was detested, a slave, a prisoner - a seemingly bad fate

But despite the challenging times, he kept hold of his vision 

And was eventually able to provide his nation with provision

For God’s presence provides immunity to life’s certain toxicity

His vision for us provides clarity no matter what the complexity

And the perspective holds no matter our problems or position

It also helps to enable us to fulfil Jesus’ Great Commission

21 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the series on God and work today

God’s call is irrevocable, in Romans eleven Paul does say

Our vocation is a calling, a way for us the world to impact

“Answer the call” was Pastor Joey’s title as a matter of fact

God’s call is universal for His purpose, per Romans eight

His call is unique, as each has unique skills to activate

Paul was called to be an apostle, as per Romans one

Each of us is a unique piece in a jigsaw God has done

When we listen to it. God’s call is where you are blessed

Per Genesis twelve, though Abram was older than the rest

God calls us to a relationship with others who are called

Akin to being a lighthouse for the masses so far sprawled

Per Romans one, God calls us to obedience from our faith

Everyone confirms their calling, as Second Peter one saith

God’s call is clear and evident, again per Romans eight

Passions, proclivities, and personality are clues to our fate

Your call is not just what you do, but it is God’s handiwork

Per Ephesians two, to do good works we should not shirk

In Philippians three, Paul implied your call is progressive

We have constant opportunities for as long as we will live

Your call fits God’s plans, per Jeremiah chapter twenty nine

His plans give us hope and a future much more than fine

Joey concluded by answering “How?” we answer today

Following what our conscience and God’s word do say

Ensuring that we are always acting out of faith not fear

And doing what will glorify God the most try to adhere

14 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh did speak on the topic of work again

Jesus came to give us life to the full, per John ten

Since much of our time is actually spent working

The appropriate approach is exerting not shirking

In Genesis one, a key message God did transmit

Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it

No matter what we do, to be fruitful we should strive

Since the fruit of the sprit is love, per Galatians five

What really matters is expressing faith through love

The rest of the verse are manifestations from above

Without Jesus we can do nothing, per John fifteen

He who abides in Jesus bears much fruit it is seen

Josh then moved on to talk about filling the earth

In Genesis, God made a garden of immense worth

He wants both things and relationships to flourish

The earth to be filled with His glory is God's wish

That is so clearly stated in Habakkuk chapter two 

And in Psalm seventy two, David said it was true

To take dominion over something is to subdue

The first step is to have our own breakthrough

Per Galatians five, to overcome sin and desire

Per Second Corinthians, Jesus’ love we require

In Romans eight, Paul wrote on challenges of life

We can be conquerors through all kinds of strife

7 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey started a series on "God and Work”

A responsibility we are not supposed to shirk

Today’s sermon was entitled “Divine Clock In"

An appropriate name on which the series to begin

We were made in God’s image, per Genesis one

That same chapter talked of work God had done

And since He created the heavens and the earth

He works where we do work, for all that is worth

God showed us the way to work, per Creation

There was order, objectives, and organisation

God accomplished His work, per Genesis two

Satisfaction, fulfilment, and blessing others too

Our work starts with resting in God, Joey did say

Remember that God rested on the seventh day

He created us the day before, this was not a slip

God clearly wants with us a strong relationship

Our work is a responsibility from God, this is key

Involving stewardship, excellence, accountability

Our work is best done in community with a team

Shared wisdom, energy, and resources per diem

Jesus entered our work world, as per Mark six

As a carpenter, he would have had things to fix

Jesus redeemed us at work, per Romans eight

And He continues to work, John five does state 

30 April 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh referred to PMPF as how we equip

Praying, meditating, proclaiming, and fellowship

For these habits can help us to encounter Jesus

The more we do them, the his love can seize us

In Second Corinthians three, we were informed

That looking at God is how we are transformed

“The old has gone” per Second Corinthians five

And “the new is here” with a promise to thrive

But why is there such a disconnect to look into

Between what I should do and what I actually do

Jesus acts as the bridge by offering us salvation

Bringing us back to God's path and His nation

Our life should involve a growing understanding

About God’s holiness, our sin notwithstanding

Burnout can result from always trying to perform

The alternative is worse, Pastor did us inform

We try to hide our sin in guilt, fear, and shame

But hopelessness leads to despair just the same

Josh then focused on what we should try to do

We are saved, being saved, will be saved too

That is justification, sanctification, glorification

Justification, per Romans five, is for the duration

In Hebrews ten more on sanctification is seen

Glorification is per First Corinthians fourteen

How to be transformed, Josh did then ponder

Second Thessalonians' advice do not squander

For true freedom is being what you want to be

Not doing what you want to do, Josh did plea

Per Romans twelve, do not confirm to the earth

For transformation follows your mind's new birth

Whenever we think others owe us something

Remember all that was done by Jesus the King

Life is a journey of letting Him play a bigger role

Directly or indirectly, from the human race whole

Humility means asking God our problems to fix

We must believe in the one God sent per John six

23 April 2023 - ENCS

Today Samuel Whitefield did speak about discipleship

He came from the US to Singapore - that's a long trip

The foundational value is based on Jesus’ command

Remember that every day and minute, He is at hand

The goal of discipleship is not learning or transforming

These are admirable tools which are heart-warming

But the real goal is based on the old Jewish tradition

Follow rabbi Jesus and emulate based on fascination

For it is through fascination that transformation is seen

As Paul did state in Second Corinthians three eighteen

In today’s lingo, let Jesus be the influencer we follow

Worshiping Him ensures that our life will not be hollow

As a suffering servant the Lord Jesus came to earth

To be rejected and despised despite his eternal worth

Our fascination with Him should extend to the mundane

In conversing, serving, and worship Samuel did explain

The core of discipleship therefore is this fascination

Discipline and other tools are built on this foundation

The fruits of the Spirit should be evident in what we do

Our fascination with Jesus ensuring we pull through

16 April 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey Bonafacio gave us a very clear view

As the good news of Jesus series he did continue

He titled it "Our insatiable appetite for approval” 

Our need for justification, there can be no removal

Our need for approval means we continually search

A historical need for acceptance even with a church

A need to prove ourselves can not be self-attained

And a need to be whole will always leave us drained

There are several problems with self-justification

It is exhausting, often leaving us with nothing to give

It is demanding emotionally, physically, and mentally

A never ending cycle - unsustainable fundamentally

The good news of Jesus through the Bible is seen

We are justified by faith, per Galatians two sixteen

We are also justified to be saved, per Romans one

We are justified to be sanctified, all of us bar none

9 April 2023 - ENCS

Vicki Tekwani shared with us this Easter Sunday

We should understand the meaning, he did say

To answer the question of what Easter is all about

And why we celebrate Jesus day in and day out

Often we keep doing things, forgetting the reason

But our faith is not just rituals through each season

It is based on a a higher power who came to earth

Taking on a human body despite His eternal worth

The world has changed a lot throughout the years

No such thing as “just business as usual" it appears

We face volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity

The pandemic amplified issues, causing more anxiety

Sin in society and our lives is in fact the root cause

That we are flawed and broken should give us pause

The solution can not be a person or a government

Or a process or religious ritual no matter the intent

We need a true leader who has suffered as a human

A conqueror by love and truth, who serves every clan

A sovereign relational being who is a healer and friend

Jesus will never disappoint us, on that we can depend

Christ revolutionised the world, being inclusive for all

Defeating death thus ensuring the enemy’s downfall

Meaningless rituals, Christianity does not in us instil

Nor do we follow blindly, for each of us has free will

Jesus paid the price for our right standing with God

We no longer need to give self-condemnation a nod

About Easter’s importance in John chapter ten we see

He came that we might have and enjoy life abundantly

2 April 2023 - ENCS

From Malaysia, the preacher today was Tim Loh

He said Matthew twenty eight we all likely know

But knowing the Great Commission is not enough

Beyond the words, actually following it is tough

He then referred to Paul in Ephesians chapter six

Surprisingly, he did not pray for his situation to fix

Or even to take care of his numerous bodily pains

But referred to himself as an ambassador in chains

He prayed to declare boldly the gospel’s mystique

Per verse twenty, to speak as he ought to speak

We should also each for Jesus be ambassadors

Whether be at work or home, indoors or outdoors

In the Bible, "ought to” is a phrase so often seen

Per Romans fifteen, Ephesians five, John thirteen

Telling so many examples of what we ought to do

Prayer and testimony can lead to a break through

A caring gesture and even some basic conversation

They do not actually have to be that long in duration

There are dozens of opportunities daily to be a gem

For a small move from us can be a big move in them