12 June 2011 - ENCS

The “built to bless” series Pastor Neli did conclude
Talking of life’s dead ends and our resulting attitude
“When Life Doesn’t Make Sense” was the title of the sermon
Three biblical examples show how it should be done
He first mentioned Hannah, Elkanah’s first wife
She was barren and leading a desperate life
To the Lord she then poured out her soul
She later gave birth to Samuel, who played a big role
From Acts 16, Pastor then told of Silas and Paul
On the way to Macedonia following God’s call
For releasing a girl’s spirit, into prison they were thrown
They prayed and praised God; they did not moan
An earthquake came, all the prisoners were freed
Paul and Silas stayed behind to help the jailor in need
The third example was of Daniel’s three friends
We all know how their trip to the furnace ends
They had refused to bow down to an image of the king
But into Nebuchadnezzar’s heart, change God did bring
All of these show that a dead end can be an opportunity
If only the perspective of God’s will we choose to see
Pastor then gave us three rules to follow
When at a dead end our paths seem to go

“Prayer and praise first” was rule number one
For God has been pulling the strings since time begun
We should go to God with prayers of faith
As per what Hebrews 11:1 sayeth
Romans 8:28 talks of God’s purpose and will
His perfect plans are what we should fulfil
In us, an attitude of praise should always be seen
Per Psalm 34:1 and Ephesians 6:18

“Expect God” was rule number two
We should declare his power in all that we do
Then Pastor said to “get the but out of the way”
We should talk as if we know God when we pray
Prayer should be full of expectation
Not filled with doubt or hesitation

“Help others in need” was point number three
In Jesus’ actions this was plain to see
For in Gethsemane when He did pray
Despite stress, submitting to God’s way
Jesus looked beyond his mortal dead end
And to the world’s needs he did tend
And about Jesus’ turning water into wine
The six urns used were far from fine
In the same way, God uses ordinary people
Who are selfless, thinking more of the steeple
In prophetic terms, joy is what wine represents
We can bless others – in the present and future tense

We often pray to be blessed, Pastor did say
There is a need with our name on it every day
We should be careful when life is going too fast
Lest we find that opportunities we have passed
And then from Matthew 6:8 Pastor did unmask
That God knows what we need before we ask
Sometimes when we think we are at a dead end
It is so that to others we can assist and attend
And other times when things seem so dim
It is so that we can fully trust in Him

5 June 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Larry spoke while I was far away
A rhyming title he gave his sermon that day
“Don’t be in lack”
“God’s got your back”
For in the midst of trials east and west
Pastor said that we can still be blessed
Three key points he went on to make
All linked to “it is better to give than to take”

The first point was to “give to God first”
Even if in a severe trial we are immersed
For in 2 Corinthians 8:2,5 Paul did say
Trials and poverty did not get in the way
Their “overflowing joy” was the key
Leading to an evident “rich generosity”
Four equations for life Pastor then did share
All of which prove that our God really does care
They apply whether we are a girl or a boy
All start with trials and overflowing joy
The first equation takes trials, joy, and poverty
Which God repays with “rich generosity”
The second takes sickness and results in “mighty healing”
Then from suffering, “strong worship” is revealing
Lastly, persecution leads to “righteous victory” at length
By focusing on God, His joy will surely be our strength
Paul was an example of this in the New Testament
Despite hardships, full of joy and true contentment
Pastor said that a focus on possessions can lead to a mess
Making us discontented with what God for us does bless
To Psalm 37 verses 25 and 26 he then referred
From the generous righteous, blessings will not be deferred

The second point was to “give beyond ability”
Pastor read 2 Corinthians 8 from verse three
They gave so willingly and happily
Their joy of giving, others could see
Money will not be an issue, Pastor did impart
If fully devoted to God is our heart
For God is one who we can never outgive
No matter how long we may actually live
Daniel then testified about his experience in Hong Kong
He gave sacrificially; now the church is very strong
In the end, his finances were not stressed
In other words, his generosity had been blessed

The third point was to have the “grace to give”
From faith to joy to love – it is progressive
This is what was evident in 2 Corinthians 8:7
The Macedonian churches were focused on heaven
About tithing, Rachel then shed some light
Over any of our gifts, we have no right
For from God they all have come
So let Him control all, not just some
She mentioned the many blessings Trybe has received
A ten-for-one reverse tithing could be perceived

Anything we give to God is significant to Him, Pastor said
But by comparison what He can give us is miles ahead

5 June 2011 - Keene UCC

At Keene UCC, we heard Dr Gordon Ellis speak
Into 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a he did peek
"Many members, one body" was the title of his sermon
Talking about Asperger's Syndrome is how he begun
We all suffer from a similar affliction, he did say
Focusing on our interests, not in a life-enhancing way
In Corinth, Paul saw this happening quite fast
The church as being destroyed; he was aghast
Different factions and "leaders" were the cause
Even though all should follow Jesus and God's laws

In 1 Corinthians 12, answers were provided by Paul
Using the "one body" metaphor due to the diversity of all
Without diversity, the body would not really work
Parts have to work together or the body goes berserk
This is consistent with what Jesus did fervently pray
That the disciples would be one body, John 17 did say
We must not get fragmented due to our factions
In fact, diversity should be integral in our interactions
For diversity allows us to live out the church's purpose
To be a living example of God's love without making a fuss
Different are all of our individual talents and gifts
But without God's love, this will only lead to rifts

Paul said "I will show you the most excellent way" in verse 31
The focus on love is of course how chapter thirteen is begun
Again, our gifts are nothing without God's love
Per Matthew 22, we are to love our God above
And if in harmony and love we can work together
As the body of Christ, all trials we can weather

5 June 2011 - Matthew 22:36-40

The Pharisees were awed but worried by what they saw
Jesus was asked “which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Words of great wisdom Jesus did then impart
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart”
“And with all your soul and all your mind”
“This is the greatest commandment” he opined
To “love your neighbour as yourself” was number two
These two commandments should dictate all we do

So simple are these words to read
Yet they really are all that we need
For if we love God so completely
Everything else will be plain to see
Our thoughts and actions with God will be aligned
So to others, of course we will be loving and kind
And by doing so, there will be more peace and less stress
So dear God, please accept my all – nothing less

4 June 2011 - Matthew 17:19-20

Jesus’ disciples were frustrated by their inability
To drive out demons, thus affecting their credibility
Jesus’ answer was blunt, as verse twenty sayeth
He said it was “because you have so little faith”
He then went on to say
In an encouraging way
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed”
“Nothing will be impossible for you”, it is all you need

Dear God, for this timely reminder I thank you
The message is clear though the words are few
Please let that little mustard seed grow
So that by my actions, your glory does show
Let me have the strength and wisdom
To think and act per your kingdom
And let met heart believe so that others may see
That with you, nothing is impossible for me

3 June 2011 - Romans 12:9-13

“Love must be sincere” as Paul said it should
“Hate what is evil, cling to what is good”
“Be devoted to one another in love”
Versus self, “honor one another above”
“Never be lacking in zeal”
“Keep your spiritual fervor” real
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction”
“Faithful in prayer”, act without contradiction
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need”
“Practice hospitality”, putting word into deed

These verses focus on putting our love into action
Acts which are better than any theme park attraction
Easy as it may be for these words to say
It is hard to apply them every hour, every day
But encouraging are these key words from Paul
Dear God, may I never be lacking in zeal for your call
Let me be joyful, patient, faithful, and caring
And my blessings with others always sharing
If only one phrase from this I should remember
“Cling to what is good” from January through December

2 June 2011 - Psalm 103:1-5

“Praise the Lord, my soul” says Psalm 103 verse one
“All my being, praise His holy name” for what he has done
“And forget not all His benefits” per verse two
Forgiving your sins and healing your diseases too
He “redeems your life from the pit” says verse four
“And crowns you with life and compassion“ evermore
He “satisfies your desires with good things”
So “your youth is renewed like an eagle’s wings"

And when I read all twenty two verses of this psalm
I am left with a mix of awe, thanksgiving, and calm
Awe because of God’s great power and strength
Thanksgiving because of what He has done at length
And on top of those mighty traits and deeds
Calm is knowing that our God so often intercedes
And even when I don’t see it with my own eyes
God’s presence and influence are easy to recognise
Sometimes it is the words that seem to “just appear”
Other times it is when help and support are so near
And when things happen as if by a master plan
God must be responsible because only He can
So dear God, thank you for always being there
And for showing me how much you really care
Please give me the strength to be a good witness
For you deserve my best, nothing less