29 January 2012 - ENCS

Pastor Larry took us to the end of the series on values
Focusing on community and family, which act as glues
We value people, be they in our natural or spiritual family
Through time and effort, how we value others is plain to see
From Psalm 68:5-6 Pastor Larry did then read
God values families; this is a trait we should heed
Pastor Larry focused on points three
To ward off attacks of the enemy

"Seeing God as our Loving Father" is point number one
He loves us for who we are, no matter what we've done
We are reminded of the father of the son prodigal
And that God sent his Son, so we can have life eternal
We are children and heirs of God, it is clearly seen
If we read Romans 8, verses sixteen and seventeen
But as a loving father, according to Hebrews 12:6
He must discipline us if there are things to fix
This is for our good and allows us to share his holiness
It produces a peace and a harvest of righteousness

"God places us in families" is point number two
Even Jesus had human parents and siblings too
Pastor Larry referred back to Jeremiah 1:5
God knew us and his plans long before we were alive
He has placed us where he wants us to be
Even if his plans for us are not easy to see
Who we are and where we are from do not matter
The opportunity to serve is often given to us on a platter
We must love the family that we are in
Doing otherwise is what caused jealous Cain to sin
Our words and actions do likewise Pastor Larry said
We should encouraging our family members instead
By loving and caring for our family
We uplift them and provide security

"God places us in community" is point number three
A multi racial preview of heaven we will see
We should pick a church where we feel at peace
Establish relationships so church hopping will cease
At the same time we must look beyond our comfort zone
And interact with those from other cultures, not just our own
Reading Psalm 133 from verse number one
Brothers living in unity is how it should be done
John 13:35 says to love one another
So all can see you are a Christian brother
A family's role, from Nehemiah 4:12-13
Is to protect each other from threats, even unseen
We must fight for our families and not be afraid
For our Father's awesome power will never fade

Isaiah 40:29-31

Verse 29 states that God "gives strength to the weary"
"And increases the power of the weak" while they are teary
For tiredness and weariness affect us all
And even "young men stumble and fall"
"But those who hope in the Lord", per verse thirty one
"Will renew their strength" so the battle can be won
"They will soar on wings like eagles"
Instead of being grounded like beagles
And even if they are not quite a saint
"They will walk and not be faint"

Dear God, please give me this special strength
So I can continue the fight of great length
For although I know that your words are true
There are times I need my heart to be made new
I need your Spirit to remind, refresh, and guide
So that to your plans and wishes I fully abide
And now as into the year of the dragon we do head
Let me focus on a year of obedience to you instead

22 January 2012 - ENCS

It was Pastor Neli's turn to preach
He focused on the value of outreach
Christ is Christianity's heart
The gospel is the main part
The center of this is the cross
For our gain came from his loss

Then Pastor Neli did us tell
The four components of the gospel
First is the creation, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made
Remember God's repeated words "It is good" when we are afraid
Second is the fall, for all of us do sin
We must focus on him to rise above the din
Third is the redemption, for God's grace is always there
Jesus was the perfect sacrificial lamb, for God does care
Fourth is the response which we must all do
Even though the temptations are far from few
We must to the cross continually compel
So that our habitual sin we can repel
And as a natural reaction to his glory and grace
We must broaden our horizons and to the world face
Listen to Jesus' last words for all they are worth
Make disciples until the ends of the earth

Pastor Neli then referred to Biblical passages many more
Including from Matthew chapters 24, 9 and 4
When Jesus shared the Gospel, he also did sickness heal
We must likewise with non believers do more than share a meal
For if by Christ, changed has been our life
Then we should be a vessel for change even during strife
For reading Matthew 26: 6-8 leaves no doubt
That the gospel is meant to be poured out
For outreach without the gospel is aimless
But gospel without outreach is powerless

We must want to share the Holy Spirit's fruit
For otherwise, the Gospel in us has not taken root
Remember the story about the defiant Jonah
God used a fish to get him to Nineveh
The alternative is to be like the Samaritan good
Who used a donkey to help when no one else would

I think Pastor Neli's sincere wish
Is for us to use donkeys instead of fish
For only if by the gospel we abide
Can we truly walk on God's side

15 January 2012 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on values
On the topic of discipleship he did muse
Starting with the ENCS vision statement
We love God so our role is to enlarge his tent
We must show our love for others in a relationship context
From loving other people, serving nations comes next
Our values are what must drive this common vision
Asking ourselves what we want from our life's position
There are four core values, of which God is number one
Through discipleship, outreach and community are done
Think of our community as a spiritual family
We should reach out to everyone we can see

'Leading people to Christ' is the first part of discipleship
The second is walking with them on their God-destined trip
Josh then talked about discipleship and four E's
If we do them, our actions will surely God please
Engage, establish, equip. and empower
From this challenge we should not cower
He read from Matthew 6 verses 13 and 14
The reference to a "narrow gate" is clearly seen
"The way is hard that leads to life" anew
That is why "those who find it are few"
It is best to go with someone who hasalready been there
So that encouragement and lessons they can readily share

From Romans 8:14 Pastor Josh then read
By the Spirit of God we should be led
"Help me help them to hear you"
Is what a God-driven disciple should do
We then looked at Acts 16, verses one to three
About how Paul recruited the Greek Jew Timothy
He circumcised him to end his confused state
For his birthright and blessing he no longer had to wait
And from second Timothy one verse six the reader understands
That the gift of God comes from the laying on of hands
Returning to verses four and five of Acts chapter sixteen
Through their actions, stronger and bigger churches were seen

We need to help others get where they are going
Even if our pace occasionally needs slowing
For discipling others and being a mentor
Is a key thing God put us on this earth for

8 January 2012 - ENCS Prayer and Fasting Day Seven

Today's focus is not surprisingly about outreach
For that is what Jesus' actions do us teach
John 3:16 is a passage by heart most of us know
God sent His son because He loved the world so
We should likewise desire to save the people
Who are separated from God, not under a steeple
We should have compassion and help everyone
That is often how sharing the good news is done
For even a kind action, a word, a smile, or a nod
Can serve to pass on a little love from our God

7 January 2012 - ENCS Prayer and Fasting Day Six

Family and community are the focus for today
We read what Psalms 127, 128, and 68 doth say
"Unless the Lord build the house", it is in vain
Getting up early and sleeping late brings no gain
"Children are a heritage from the Lord"
"The fruit of the womb (is) a reward"
By fearing the Lord everyone can be blessed
It shall be well with all those in God's rest
Our family relationships need to honour God above
The key of course is to act and speak in love
Our families should operate similar to the church
Each having a role, never leaving others in a lurch
And the way to build such healthy relationships today
Is through our attitudes, our actions, and how we pray

6 January 2012 - ENCS Prayer and Fasting Day Five

Today's focus is to honour God and know Him more
We read verses one and two from Psalm eight four
"My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord"
Reading such phrases, I can never be bored
And then from Psalm 16:11 we do understand
That "pleasures forevermore" are at God's right hand
To experience this is what I want to do
For eternity, not just minutes few
Please do not let current events be
Hindrances and distractions for me
Let your music and word refresh my soul
Before these travails take too big a toll

5 January 2012 - ENCS Prayer and Fasting Day Four

Discipleship is the theme of the day
In Matthew 28:19-20, as Jesus did say
"Go", "make disciples", "baptise them", and "teach"
For He is with us until the end of time we do reach
2 Timothy 2:2 says to entrust faithful brothers
Who will also be able to teach many others
But in order an effective disciple-maker to be
A wholehearted Christian life others must see

4 January 2012 - ENCS Prayer and Fasting Day Three

As God's heart is for people of every culture and nation
Per Mark 16:15, we are to proclaim the gospel to all creation
Remember Isaiah 6:8 where he said "here am I, send me"
In any location, a missional life of serving others can be
Some go far afield to an unreached land
Others focus on communities close at hand
All are important and all serve to please the Lord
For we are to do so through service, not the sword
In this vein, we think of verses from Luke chapter ten
The story of the Good Samaritan is referred to again
Having a heart of compassion for the lost and broken
Is frequently mentioned in what Jesus has spoken

3 January 2012 - ENCS Prayer and Fasting Day Two

For day two, "Love People" the prayer focus will be
The core text is Matthew 22 verses 37 to 40
"Love your neighbour as yourself" is commandment two
This should guide us in all that we say and do
Galatians 6 says to "not grow weary of doing good"
And to "do good to everyone" as oft as we could
Verses nine and ten also go on to saith
Be good "especially to those...of faith"
We must promote unity in our family and church
Always helping those who may be in a lurch
Forgiveness and acceptance should be core to our lifestyle
We should always be willing to go the extra mile

2 January 2012 - ENCS Prayer and Fasting Day One

As ENCS begins its annual prayer and fasting week
Verses are highlighted saying that God we must seek
Something written about at some length
Is that He is our source and our strength
As we read Matthew 22 verses 36-38
Loving our God is the commandment great
Then if Joshua 1:8 is the verse in our sight
It reminds us to study His word day and night
Ephesians 6:17-18 mentions the helmet of salvation
Along with the Spirit, prayer, and supplication
Finally John 14:15, notably in the present tense
"If you love me, keep all my commandments"
The focus today is to go deeper in prayer and God's word
And of course more obedience to Christ our Lord