30 June 2013 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on "The Code"

His passion for honour and value really showed

He said blessings often result from honouring others

Per Ephesians 6, especially our fathers and mothers

Another way to think of honour is as a value

There is a quantity and a quality in all we do

 

All of God's commandments we cannot even know

But focus on the core, from which the rest all flow

In Matthew 22:37, Jesus distilled it all into one statement

To love God completely is the greatest commandment

We cannot love Jesus without loving others as well

For Jesus' feet move with compassion, Josh did tell

And as we love Jesus, His love will enter into our heart

Then from the path of loving others we will not depart

 

Josh referred to eighties music and the love theme

But "the search is over" since Jesus' actions redeem

And if there is any doubt about what Jesus meant

John 6: 29 says "to believe in the one He has sent"

To do this right actually requires lots of hard work, Josh said

Reading the Word and in tough times, trusting God instead

Instead of cursing our enemies, we should forgive and bless

Even if their actions were intended to put us into a big mess

Put another way, our enemies we should not hate, but love

That is how we can best honour our heavenly father above

 

In short, we should listen to and believe God's word, then obey

Putting our trust in God is what faith is all about, Josh did say

And per Hebrews 11:6, without faith we cannot please God

In subsequent verses, Noah, Abraham, and others get a nod

Remember that if for some reasons we delay our obedience

His response will be delayed, for this is disobedience in a sense

 

Compared to any problem, God is bigger and stronger

David realised that, so Goliath was not alive much longer

This truth and God's deeds we must tell the next generation

By setting their hope in God they can have a strong foundation

About hope, two unchangeable things are in Hebrews 6:18-19

We are to be encouraged and use it as an anchor, it is seen

 

1 Corinthians 13:13 mentions faith, hope, and love

All three are important but the latter is rated far above

If we invest in these, we will receive the eternal reward

For our life's quality and quantity will please the Lord

Then Josh had us turn to First John chapter five verse three

"Obey His commands, which are not burdensome" we see

That is a good way to sum up Josh's message today

Telling us to honour, value, have faith, love, and obey

23 June 2013 - ENCS

Pastor Larry continued the series entitled "The Code"

On a morning where through the haze the sun showed

On that topic, he reminded us not to complain every day

Instead, we should look to God in heaven and pray

For his sermon, Pastor talked about the purpose for our life

It comes from God and helps us to avoid internal strife

Pastor tried to answer questions numbering three

On the screen several passages we also did see

 

"What is God's purpose for my life?" was number one

In conjunction with His will, His plan for us is done

Reading from Ephesians 1:11-12, as written by Paul

This concept of predestined plans applies to us all

Then onto verse four Pastor Larry did shed some light

Christ wants us to be "holy and blameless in his sight"

He then turned to Jeremiah twenty nine verse eleven

There are plans for our future, developed in heaven

This confirms that our purpose comes from above

The hope and protection are signs of His great love

Genesis 25 verses 32-34 Pastor Larry did then cite

We should not be like Esau, who despised his birthright

He then turned to Romans 1 verses twenty to twenty seven

We should recognise the invisible qualities of God in heaven

For otherwise, even a wise man will become a fool

Paul's words were said in love, they were not cruel

For those who exchange the truth of God for a lie

Will pay a penalty here on earth and when they die

We should determine how to glorify God at work and at home

Ensuring that our heart and thoughts do not from Him roam

 

"How do we follow God's purpose?" was number two

Per Romans 12:2, the way forward is clear and true

To the ways of this world we should not conform

The renewing of our mind enables us to transform

For then God's will we can approve and test

For it is pleasing and perfect - easily the best

 

"What happens when we follow God's purpose?" was number three

Nothing can stop those with God, as in Acts 5:38-39 we can see

For if the purpose is human, it is sure to fail

God's purpose and plans will always prevail

We may not always understand what is going on

But when with God, the word "impossible" is gone

 

Bottom line, we should follow God's purpose and Him glorify

In and through our lives, and the eternal rewards will be high

23 June 2013 - Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened" Jesus said

The passage says "and I will give you rest" He promised instead
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me"

For "gentle and humble in heart" He will always be

"You will find rest for your souls" per verse twenty nine

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light", He did opine

 

A more apt verse for the day I could not have picked

For in the face of to-do lists, this seems to contradict

But Jesus reminds me that I need a day of rest

Spending time remembering how I am blessed

The stack of papers will for another day wait

As I submit to His yoke and take the path straight

And if I follow His Word and down His path go

He will provide for me always, this I know

The Bible does tell us that we should work hard

But against overdoing that we must be on guard

For working harder is not always the best solution

Note that prayer is what helps tackle this pollution

 

No matter what, to His yoke I should submit

For everything all the time, not just a little bit

Then my burdens will be so much easier to handle

For against God, my strength cannot hold a candle

God, for sharing your yoke with me, I thank you

Let me remember with you to all things do

16 June 2013 - ENCS

"The Code" series Pastor Charles did continue today

On "Saying Thank You to Fathers" he had a lot to say

His core text was Ephesians chapter six verses two and three

"Honour your father and mother" is linked to a promise we see

The code of honour means that appreciation we should show

A "thank you" from the heart has great weight, as we all know

Pastor then talked about thank yous numbering four

Although I have a feeling he actually had several more

 

"Thank you for providing" was first on the plate

He read from 1 Timothy chapter five verse eight

Fathers have it in their DNA to provide for family

If not, we are denying our faith Paul says reliably

For resources, to our fathers like ATMs we often look

They provide an atmosphere of love in every nook

 

"Thank you for teaching and training" was number two

As Ephesians chapter six verse two tells fathers to do

This relates to life and faith, by example they should lead

For fathers can model the love of God that children need

 

"Thank you for your life of serving and sacrifice" was number three

John 3:16 provides the most poignant example of this we will see

A father always wants his children's lives to be better than his own

So whatever the price required, he will never complain or moan

 

"Thank you for showing love and grace" was then number four

Luke 15:21-23 tells of the prodigal son's return to his home door

The best robe and fatted calf, his father did bring out to celebrate

Showing that no matter what, a father's love for children is great

 

Of course God is our Father perfect in every way

He shows us grace and mercy every single day

We are naturally drawn to his fatherly heart

For the fruits of grace He wants to impart

 

So as this Father's Day we celebrate and enjoy

Let us remember one thing, whether girl or boy

God is deserving of our every thanks and praise

For in His time, He will always deliver and amaze

He is the perfect Father for us all

9 June 2013 - ENCS

"The Code" series Rachel Ong did continue today

About "Having Relationships" she had a lot to say

We all read from Mark, chapter 12 verses 29-31

Loving God completely is commandment one

Loving others as we love ourselves is number two

But only by loving God, can this second one we do

 

Rachel mentioned that three relationships are key

The first is with God, the second is with our family

For our perception of God is influenced by our earthly dad

God is of course better, for He is always good and never bad

God is slow to judge and always quick to love

That is why we should always love Him above

For us to do great things is His clarion call

Which we can do since He created us all

The third relationship is with our many friends

At work, at church, at school  - the list never ends

Without relationships, a purposeful life we can not live

We must interact with others in order for God's love to give

From Proverbs 18 verse one, Rachel did then read

We can not isolate ourselves for others we do need

 

To honour relationships we must show lots of kindness

Proverbs 19:22 says all want "unfailing love", nothing less

We honour God when kindness is what we show

Whether it be for kinfolk, friends, or even a foe

Kindness often shows the worth of a person anew

Or gives honour to whom the honour is really due

This of course takes effort on our part

But in God's eyes, it is very very smart

 

But Rachel said that even if we are kind more and more

In the end, it counts for nothing unless love is at the core

This in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians we see

If we read chapter thirteen, verse number three

 

And when we give or receive honour, we must give a nod

For the appropriate credit must always be given to our God

She said that we all hope the next generation is blessed

If we are kind in love, then God will take care of the rest

 

Rachel then turned to Matthew six before ending in prayer

Reminding us to treat all with the same amount of care

We should greet strangers as we greet a good friend

For we never know how any such kind act will end

Hospitality is what leads many people to church

And we should never leave anyone in a lurch

3 June 2013 - Ecclesiastes 12:11

"The words of the wise are like a goad" that never fails

"And the words of scholars are like well-driven nails"

 

Each different teacher and leader helps us in a different way

Some exhort, others shepherd, and some have much to say

Some help us to develop while others lend a caring ear

But into our lives for a reason God has them appear

 

We are placed on earth to love and help others in the same way

We should make it a point to use our gifts each and every day

And as we help others on their journey

More of God's blessings we will see

2 June 2013 - ENCS

Pastor Larry's parents helped start a new series "The Code"

First, from his father, testimonies and prayers flowed

Then his mother Josie, a native American Indian, stood
And shared a couple of stories like only a mother could

 

Her message was based on Romans 12 verses nine to fifteen

Love, honour, prayer, joy, hospitality, and blessings are seen

In order to live with genuine love we must have forgiveness

For if we do not let go of old offenses, we will be in a mess

Remember that God forgave us and all of our sin

So why shouldn't we do that for others with a grin

 

She then shared some testimony from her earlier years

When she received salvation, her attitude switched gears

She realised that we should not carry offenses in our heart

Unforgiveness stops God's love from playing its part

For God says to speak about life not death

We should not be discouraged in any breath

 

For each, God has a purpose and in His kingdom, a part

To do this, there can be no blockage of love in our heart

We need to be faithful in prayer, especially for others

Even for those who persecute fellow Christian brothers

For forgiveness brings love which in turn brings blessing

This is God's desired path, there is no prize for guessing

As we honour God with our action

He honours us as a natural reaction

2 June 2013 - John 13:15

"I have given you an example, that you should do"

Jesus then continued with "as I have done to you"

For Jesus showed us how to live the right way

Loving others and humbling Himself every day

 

The following poem from Peterson

Highlights what for us Jesus has done

   "Bless the Lord for love victorious

   Love that conquered on the tree

   For His grace so great and glorious

   Flowing out from Calvary"

 

God, thank you for Jesus and His great love

Which mirrors the love you provide from above

Please let my actions be consistent with this

So others can also experience your great bliss