1 November 2013 - ENCS Music Encounter

At the Spirit-filled ENCS Music Encounter last night

Wayne Huirua spoke on "Priesthood" and its might

He based his talk on Deuteronomy ten verse eight

Which talks of the Levites and their tasks so great

 

To bear the ark of the covenant was the first of three

We also have to carry God's Presence for all to see

The Levites became priests by purging Israel of sin

This unfortunately involved killing lots of their kin

For us to be priests of God, then for His sake

We have to purge our sin, whatever it may take

If we are to lead others in the week and on Sunday

We have to do so by example and show them the way

To remind people of God's Presence was the purpose of the ark

When the Spirit is in us today, the difference is also visibly stark

Wayne spoke of our shoulders and the Holy Spirit dove

Which looks for a safe place when it alights from above

 

To minister unto Jehovah was point number two

This included having lots of menial tasks to do

When the pillar of fire moved, the Levites packed everything

Over time, they got bored and did complain instead of sing

We can all often fall into the same complacency trap

Getting too used to miracles, our enthusiasm may sap

 

But if the worship of people we are to facilitate

A vibrant environment we must foster and create

In this way we can bless lots of people

Building relationships under the steeple

 

Wayne then spoke about what qualifies us to be a priest

It is the same whether we are from the west or the east

We must confess our sins for the Presence to carry

And live what we are singing, not do the contrary

God told Abraham that he would be richly blessed

In this way, Abraham was a priest before the rest

The king of Salem appeared after Abraham's long trek

Abraham was ordained by God through Melchizedek

To do so, he had to walk by faith and in God trust

God will not bless a lie, so full honesty is a must

 

Our challenge is to recognize His authority in our lives

When we acknowledge this, our worship surely revives

We must use Jesus' authority by using the new way

And when he tells us to do something, just say okay

For as long as we try to do His will, we get His grace

And we can then lead worship in any setting or place

We must be careful, for any hypocrisy does impede

But with His authority, we have the authority to lead

29 October 2013 - Encouragement!

From the Bible and friends encouraging words are in constant supply

To share some of them in some simple verse, is what today I will try

 

"This is what the Lord says to you", per 2 Chronicles 20:15

"Do not be afraid or discouraged" is a Biblical line oft seen

Verse seventeen says "go out to face [the battle] tomorrow"

"And the Lord will be with you" so feel joy and peace, not sorrow

 

Philippians 3:20 says that our problems on earth are only for a season

These should not worry us as we are "citizens of heaven", Paul did reason

 

"And we know that in all things", God is powerful and great

He "works for the good of those who love him" per Romans 8:28

 

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you"

So wrote David in Psalm fifty five verse twenty two

This is repeated almost verbatim in First Peter five verse seven

"Because He cares for you", "cast your anxiety" on God in heaven

 

These are words that serve to encourage and uplift me

Whether in a Bible, online, or in an email I may see

And while I thank God for all of those reminders so apt

I also thank my friends whose messages keep me rapt

28 October 2013 - Luke 6:10-15

"Whoever can be trusted with very little" says verse ten

"Can also be trusted with much", again and again

The converse holds true for those who are dishonest

For they will be dishonest with much if put to the test

And "if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth"

"Who will trust you with true riches" without good spiritual health

"No servant can serve two masters" per verse thirteen

For one he will love while for the other hatred will be seen

The Pharisees justified themselves in the eyes of man

But God knew their hearts like only Our Creator can

"What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight"

Put another way, what is popular on earth is not always right

 

This passage is often used in relation to finance

Which is natural due to a reading at first glance

But to other aspects of life it applies just as much

In fact, it applies to everything I do or touch

Whether it is money, talents, or opportunities

Each represents a chance that I must seize

To do what pleases God by putting Him first

For in His love I want to be eternally immersed

27 October 2013 - ENCS

From Nashville, Pastor Kevin Yorke made a long trip

He spoke to us today on the topic of leadership

The world faces many leadership crises, Kevin did say

Leadership involves being a catalyst for change every day

We can be catalysts for both physical and spiritual change

Especially in those places which have some values strange

 

He referred to the book of Judges and Deborah

She was a unique judge who is viewed with awe

The Israelites cried to the Lord for help one year

Because Sisera's oppression had them living in fear

Commandments from God she did the mighty Barak instruct

But due to a lack of faith, true leadership and honor he ducked

She accompanied Barak to battle, but with him was quite candid

Deborah prophesied that to a woman Sisera would be handed

This shows that God often chooses unlikely people to lead

There are many examples of this in the Bible we do read

 

The first step of being a leader, Pastor did not make us guess

He said that God taps us because we are going to say yes

Nonetheless, he said, it is never easy to lead

But God is there, just waiting for us to proceed

This is in contrast to several of the Israelite tribes

Whose unwillingness to fight led to Deborah's jibes

Pastor added that when leaders lead, not all will follow

When we say yes, we will be let down by some we know

 

But when we lead and are in trouble, God will intervene

As with rain that stopped Sisera's chariots in that scene

Godly leaders will give God the glory, as a matter of course

And give credit to others, even if they were a weak force

 

By saying yes to God, we are chosen to lead

The talents He has given us are all we need

26 October 2013 - Psalm 84:4-12

"Blessed are those who dwell in your house"

"They are ever praising you", not like a mouse

"Blessed are those who strength is in you"

"Whose hearts are set on pilgrimage" too

"They go from strength to strength" says verse seven

Until "each appears before God in Zion", or heaven

It is far better to spend one day in God's courts

"Than a thousand elsewhere", the psalmist retorts

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield"

Favor and honor He always does wield

"Blessed is the one who trusts" in the Lord Almighty

That is something to which all believers must agree

 

This psalm serves to encourage, uplift, and remind

Its sentiments should always be in my heart and mind

I love the line ending with "a thousand elsewhere"

As it serves to reinforce how much God does care

It is also the chorus of a wonderful song

One to which I will always sing along

But the core message of this passage for me

Is contained on the "blessed are" lines I see

To dwell in God's house and in Him find my strength 

Will no doubt serve me well for all my life's length

25 October 2013 - Psalm 42:1-5

"As the deer pants for streams of water" starts Psalm 42

The psalmist goes on to say "so my soul pants for you"

And then "my tears have been my food day and night"

As I wonder where is my God who will make this right

"These things I remember as I pour out my soul"

When I went to God's house, protection was my goal

"Why, my soul, are you downcast?" verse five does say

"Why so disturbed within me?" on the glorious day

So "put your hope in God, for I will praise Him"

"My Savior and My God" are not said on a whim

 

In response to a prayer, I was kindly sent this verse

The message is apt and concise, but far from terse

Verse five holds a key message that forever should last

God's Presence is here; there is no reason to be downcast

When I think back on all the wondrous things God has done

I am encouraged every day with the rising of the morning sun

Knowing this merely makes me want His Presence even more

And it is available right here, resting in my heart, my core

Dear God, let your Presence shine through me

So that joyful, peaceful, and rejuvenated I may be

20 October 2013 - 2 Peter 3:8-18

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends”

Is how this passage starts - and also ends

“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years”, Peter did say

He continued with “and a thousand years are like a day”

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise” to anyone

For “He is patient”, waiting for repentance to be done

“The day of the Lord will come like a thief” into a store

At that time, “the heavens will disappear with a roar”

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way”

We “ought to live holy and godly lives” today

And since we look forward to the day of His return

(Even if it means that many things here will burn)

We should “make every effort to be found spotless”

As well as at peace with God and also blameless

For “our Lord’s patience means salvation” for us all

Peter reminded that this was also written by Paul

Therefore, with this knowledge, we should be on our guard

So that we do not err and from our secure position fall hard

“In the grace and knowledge” of our Lord we should grow

Giving Him glory now and forever is what we should show

 

A good reminder of perspective this passage shall be

To live a “holy and godly” life is still an aim for me

I am far from spotless, blameless, or at peace

And I often wonder if my errors will ever cease

But about God’s power and mercy I do know

With this knowledge, my faith will again grow

I thank God for such reminders from Peter and Paul

And endeavor to make “give glory” my clarion call