31 March 2013 - ENCS

The "Back to the Future" series today Pastor Larry did close

Talking about various resurrections, Bible stores everyone knows

With the Easter service more than filling the movie hall

He told us more about the greatest resurrection of all

For without Christ's resurrection, our lives would be pointless

But today He is alive, so we are thankfully not in that mess

Pastor read from Luke 24, verses one to three and six to seven

The women heard that "He is arisen" from angels down from heaven

The story is repeated in each of the gospels four

Thus reminding us of Christ's power and more

He can change us and heal us, Pastor did then say

No matter how much wickedness there appears today

 

The time we live in often seem wicked and dark

And doing the right thing is no walk in the park

We may not have all the answers all of the time

But that is to be expected, it is not a crime

And so when we want to complain about how we feel

And we ask God "why does it take so long for me to heal?'

Remember that our God is both the beginning and the end

When the time is right, answers and healing to us He will send

Pastor referred to Luke chapter eleven, verse twenty nine

Which talks of a wicked generation looking for a sign

As with Jonah and the Ninevites before, there would only be one

For this generation, it was the death and resurrection of God's son

In Ephesians 5 verse 16, Paul's strong feelings on this we can see

"Because the days are evil, make "the most of every opportunity"

In the same way, we need to firmly say

"Jesus is alive and so am I" every day

 

A powerful and moving testimony we did then hear

The lady's sons were both very sick for many a year

Isaiah 60 verses two and three talks of darkness covering the earth

The lesson learned is that God's light will prevail, bringing great mirth

For God wants us to be filled with faithfulness and joys

We will see the difference in our lives, just like her boys

Pastor reminded us again that in His time, God answers our prayers

For through it all and despite our sins, for us He truly always cares

Pastor said that it was time for believers to rise up in unison

Per Philippians 3:10, sharing in Christ's suffering as one

In that way, we can Christ's power know

And attain eternal victory over the foe

He asked us to be Christians by action, not just by name

Believing that our prayers can heal and change and tame

Pastor referred again to one who did so much, the apostle Paul

And asked if we would do likewise, willing to face abuse and all

In Acts 4:13 we read about courage that was clearly heavenly sent

Despite a lack of education, the disciples' bold words were so evident

 

Remember that Jesus did not come to make bad people good

He came to make dead people alive in every neighborhood

Pastor then also spoke of Isaiah 60 verses one to three

We must rise up to allow God's shining light others to see

We should listen to Romans 8:11 and the clarion call

By doing so, others can see that hope is available for all

In the same way that Jesus rose up to give life, Pastor did state

We should open our hearts and rise up to avoid a deathly fate

In each of our hearts, God's spirit can dwell

Thus giving us power and a story to tell

31 March 2013 - PLMC

At Sunrise service this bright and sunny Easter Day

"Do Not Be Afraid" is what Pastor Lynette did say

 

She said that there is a thief lurking through the year

We feel it at night and when darkness is near

It stops our actions because of its words we do hear

Stealing our joy and courage - its name is fear

Although this fear is not something we actually see

It often tells us to swap our integrity for popularity

It taunts us, saying we are unloved and unwanted

Through fear of failure and death, it persists undaunted

Fear's objective is to turn us into cowardly, joyless souls

Removing smiles and taking eyes off Jesus are its goals

 

Pastor then read Matthew 28 verses one through ten

The word "afraid" is repeated again and again and again

"Don't be afraid" appears 365 times in the Bible, it is said

Like a daily reminder from God, call it our daily bread

Pastor pointed out that although Jesus' guards seemed so strong

When the Lord's angel appeared, the guards did not last very long

Meanwhile the two Marys, despite being considered among society's worst

Were given the honour of hearing the angel and then seeing Christ first

They were given this very important part

Because of the attitude within their heart

 

Pastor then highlighted parallels between Christ's resurrection and birth

The circumstances and the words, they must have double the worth

Angels appeared both times, saying "do not be afraid"

We should not live in fear, God's love will never fade

Psalm 46 says "He is our refuge and our strength"

"Our help in times of trouble", no matter the length

Faith gives us strength and comfort, we should not fear

That is the phrase from Lynette we continued to hear

An author said to keep our fears to ourselves, with others courage share

Lynette said to give fears to God in exchange for courage anytime, anywhere

 

Pastor said to remember that the cave is not the end of the story

This is important, especially when things seem dark, dismal, or gory

At both his birth and resurrection, from the cave Jesus did come

We should remember this, for Jesus is waiting for us in His kingdom

For all of us, Christ Jesus went to the cross

That was a transforming event, not a loss

With those still in caves, we need this message to share

Making sure that nobody can say that "God does not care"

 

We may come to Him with fears that do not seem to fade

But remember that Jesus often said "do not be afraid"

He will deliver us to a world of hope no matter how bad things seem

Pastor said that there is no tragedy from which He can not redeem

Easter is about new life, with Jesus leading the way

No matter how good or bad things are on the day

So although we may all at times be gripped by fear

"Our Savior lives, we should not be afraid" we did hear

30 March 2013 - Black Saturday

In sermons, this is a day rarely talked about

Not much has been written either, no doubt

It is referred to as Black Saturday or Easter Eve

The full day when the disciples surely did grieve

From the Scriptures we can not really tell

If Jesus actually did descendeth into hell

I happen to believe it is true, for what that is worth

As Matthew 12:40 mentions "the heart of the earth"

We do know that from God Jesus was separated

That was a circumstance both obviously hated

 

But we never have to suffer that horrible feeling

Because Jesus died for our relationship's healing

God is available to us every minute of every day

All we need to do is to close our eyes and pray

He can then provide us with what we need

Comfort, strength, guidance we should heed

29 March 2013 - Luke 22:47-23:49

At night they arrested our Jesus so dear

He intervened to restore the centurion's ear

Three times Peter denied Him before the cock did crow

What was happening to Jesus we don't entirely know

But we do know that he was mocked and beaten

We also know that his last meal has been eaten

He suffered thirty nine stripes for our sake

All this happened before its was daybreak

In the morning, to the Sanhedrin he was then taken

He was the Son of God, they were not mistaken

Then to Pontius Pilate, Herod, and to Pilate once more

Who couldn't understand what Jesus was being charged for

He washed his hands of making a brave decision

And has since been the target of perpetual derision

Release Barabbas not Jesus, said the crowd

The angry mob's voices were very very loud

So our dear Christ was then nailed to a cross

We ended up gaining from His sacrificial loss

Above His head was a "King of the Jews" sign

He suffered for sins, both yours and mine

"Forgive them, for they know not what they do"

His love for others was more than we ever knew

The soldiers and people continued to Jesus deride

Meanwhile lots were cast for his clothes to divide

In mid-afternoon, the sky did turn very dark

Jesus died, the curtain tore - a sign very stark

 

Mixed messages and feelings abound this day

His loss, our gain - there was no other way

Our sins forgiven and no longer causing a stain

But that does not stop me from feeling pain

That He did all that for me is so amazing to know

My relationship with Him I want to continue to grow

28 March 2013 - Matthew 26:36-46

On the eve before his crucifixion, which we call Good Friday

Jesus took eleven disciples to Gethsemane Garden to pray

Jesus took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee

He was sorrowful and troubled, they could see

He said that his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow

Knowing that his body would face death tomorrow

He asked them to "stay here and keep watch with me"

How difficult a task that eventually proved to be

Jesus prayed that if it was God's will, the cup could be taken

He returned to the three disciples whom he had to awaken

"Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?"

For Jesus knew that he needed a lot of prayerful power

This scenario played out not once, but thrice

Disciples sleeping on the job, not very nice

By the end, God's will Jesus did clearly know

And towards Judas the betrayer he did go

Like Peter, James, and John I often let Jesus down

Sleep overcomes prayer at times; He must frown

My actions inconsistent with words that I write

With the enemy's temptations I have to fight

So as into the Holy Weekend we do now head

I think back to the meaning of the wine and bread

The blood of the new covenant and his body

Shed out for the sins of many, including me

That thought makes me humble and contrite

As I reflect on this Maunday Thursday night

24 March 2013 - PLMC

On this Palm Sunday Pastor Jonathan Seet did speak

Into Song of Songs 1:8 to 2:6 we did more than peek

"Let Him Embrace Me" was the title of the sermon

The reason was clear by the time Pastor was done

 

On the fragrance of spikenard, chapter one verse twelve talked

Mary later used spikenard on Jesus' feet that so far had walked

Intimacy with others comes from praise and affirmation

That is why we worship God with a loud proclamation

In the passage, there were many references to praise

In order to remind us that there are so many ways

 

The rose of Sharon is ordinary like a crocus

But that was not the bridegroom's focus

In Christ, we can become lilies among the thorns

Becoming more beautiful as His presence adorns

For us, the basis for a godly relationship

Must surely start and focus on the worship

 

Myrrh is then mentioned in chapter one verse thirteen

A long list of its attributes from Pastor were then seen

An expensive painkiller with a smell so nice

It symbolises Christ's suffering and sacrifice

So when we feel like giving up in times of trouble

Remember His sacrifice which turned evil to rubble

In Christ, we can turn our sinful smell

Into one that is pleasant and swell

Our pain is diminished with His myrrh

Because of what He did, that is for sure

 

Chapter two verse six talks of the right and left hand

Each symbolises something, Pastor let us understand

The two arms and hands provide the divine embrace

Letting us gently rest looking at His loving face

The right is for things God has done of which we are aware

The left is for the unseen things, which are far from rare

Pastor then showed a video of "Footprints in the Sand"

Reminding us that we are always safe in God's hand

17 March 2013 - ENCS

Pastor Larry continued the "Back to the Future" series

Which is focused on several resurrection stories

Although the death was emotional in the story today

Remember that God wants to set us free, Pastor did say

For us to be discouraged is what the enemy wants

As a result, we should not listen to his many taunts

 

In 1 Samuel 22:1, David went to the Adullam Cave

He ran from Saul, trusting that God would save

For God, David was extremely zealous

Unfortunately King Saul became jealous

David and his family, Saul wanted to destroy

Despite David's loyalty since he was a boy

When we go to a cave, it is a dark dead end

Remember to trust God, for He is our friend

For David, God had a lesson he wanted to teach

In God, complete hope and trust we can reach

God answered David's prayers yet again

This was evident to the four hundred men

 

Similarly, God wants to heal our heart

On this topic, Pastor did his views impart

The title was "How to Manage Dead End Situations"

For all of us, there are often many complications

David led those in distress, debt, or discontent

From that stronghold cave to which he went

 

"Dead End Distress" involves anxiety and pain

If we rely on God, He frees us from this bane

But this requires that we rely on Him completely

In the passage, that was quite plain to see

We might run to a cave as a means of escape

But God draws us in to get us back into shape

Taking this further, Pastor Larry did then suggest

That without being healed, we will not get blessed

 

In Second Corinthians 1:8-10, this can also be seen

Paul escaped the hardship because God did intervene

Hardships and trials, we will definitely all face

But we can survive them thanks to God's grace

In Psalm 18 verse 6, to the Lord David did cry out

In distress, he needed God's help without a doubt

 

And that is the end of today's poem, I do fear

I will finish it when the rest of the sermon I hear

17 March 2013 - Random Thoughts

Over the past week three sayings I did read and hear

I thought that to share them, I would write them here

The enemy knows our name but still calls us by our sin

God knows our sin yet calls us by name if we let Him in

This has such simplistic power

I feel like repeating it every hour

We often choose to try to all things control

Instead, to God we should yield our soul

This is a good reminder that I must submit to Him

And trust that He will not leave me out on a limb

"I am the great I am" God does in Exodus say

He focuses on the present tense, as in today

This tells me not to worry about the future or the past

Because our God's power and strength are so vast

10 March 2013 - ENCS

Pastor Josh started the "Back To The Future" series today

How to apply biblical stories now, the pastors will convey

He read the passage from Luke 7, eleven to seventeen

In which Jesus fulfilled Isaiah sixty one, it is clearly seen

The story took place in a town called Nain

The widow's only son was able to live again

 

Pastor said she was in a desperate situation

"What to do?" and "where is God?, consternation!

In Exodus 20:18-19, the people were very afraid

To get Moses to intercede, they did then persuade

He said not to fear in verse number twenty

For them, there would be blessings aplenty

 

God is present, even in the darkest time and place

Only He can help with some challenges we face

And if He is with us, we can have real peace

From the enemy's grasp, He will us release

It is said that we can know God in the light

But only truly know Him in the dark of night

This came from Isaiah fifty verse ten

Trust and rely in God, again and again

Whether our challenges are external or in our heart

Trust God completely, for He will surely do His part

For no matter how much pain we may feel

Know that our God always wants to heal

And if walking by faith is what we do learn

Pastor said that fear will never be a concern

 

We will be tormented if we try to follow our own light

We cannot solve all problems each day or night

About this, Pastor gave Isaiah 50 : 11 a nod

For we can never figure out God for God

 

Returning to Luke 7:13 where God's compassion is shown

Although "do not weep" seems to be in a harsh tone

In fact, these words precede the miracle about to occur

Jesus knew what was happening, that is for sure

 

Pastor then referred to Ezekiel 37 verses one to eight

With prayer, life came to the bones despite their state

And in the passage, one thing we can all see

Ezekiel's obedience to God was clearly the key

 

In summary, Pastor read from Luke 7 once more

In verse 16, God's glory was then hard to ignore

Remember that the testimony comes after the test

In the end, God will be glorified for He is the best

3 March 2013 - ENCS

Today we watched "Father of Lights" Part Two

About what strong Christians individually do

The bottom line is to walk in obedience

In both the present and the future tense

 

There is lots of evil around, in and out of our sight

To get rid of this darkness, we must turn on His light

Millions are persecuted globally every single year

Thousands are killed for their faith, we did hear

But when they are tortured and even killed

Jesus' loving arms help their fears to be stilled

Many good people do nothing; this is a fail

For in light's absence, darkness will prevail

 

Todd White set himself a rather ambitious goal

To love as many as possible, that is his role

He went to Israel without any semblance of a plan

Almost immediately, he healed a limping man

And due to the friends that they did lovingly make

Into an off-limits Muslim temple their journey did take

Todd's believes that his ministry is to share God's love

He says our actions must reflect the light from above

If other people cannot see God's love in our daily action

Then we are not helping His message gain any traction

 

Making the impossible possible is what God can do

Our selfless acts of love for others can help too

For it is not right to boast about our faith

Love is how we show it, the movie saith

We should let God use us everywhere

To show others that He really does care

 

He can change us to help the world change

Winning the war with love, a concept strange

For us to show His love, God will open many a door

Allowing us to share His light to more and more

Our aim is to make disciples of all the nations

We must let His word be our faith foundations

 

And remember that as in obedience we are walking

Whether it be helping, praying, or even just talking

As long as we are doing it with a loving feeling

God will take care of all, including the healing

 

I could not watch the movie without being convicted

My daily actions need to stop being so restricted

We are given many opportunities

Many more I really need to seize

For I know that whether it is day or night

I can do that by being a beacon of light