25 August 2013 - ENCS

Despite his PowerPoint disappearing, perhaps due to spam

Pastor Charles spoke on "The Nature of the Lion and the Lamb"

He started by turning to Revelations 5 verses five and six

On the bolded words Lion and Lamb our eyes did transfix

Interestingly, this is the only reference to Lion in the book

As opposed to thirty Lambs if we gave a thorough look

As a side note, in reference to First Peter five verse eight

The devil is only like a Lion, Pastor Charles set that straight

 

God's character is being formed in us all the time

Like the pressing of gold, that is pure with no grime

He wants us to have authority like the Lion

As well as the demeanour of the Lamb's scion

Sin separates us from His image, Pastor did say

So we have to make sure that we wash it away

It is not acceptable to say "but that is who I am"

Just to try to escape the consequences of a jam

We must let God do His work in and on our heart

Then His character from our personality will not part

 

The Lamb by nature has no defense except to run or call out

Calling to God for help is a good thing, of that there is no doubt

In the same vein, the Lamb does not retaliate even when he could

Jesus forgave the soldiers when they nailed Him to the wood

We should also remember that the Lamb is humble

Being a servant-minister, that prevents a big stumble

In that way, silence is a perfect response to a verbal attack

Turn away a rant with a soft answer instead of fighting back

 

The Lion on the other hand by nature does not retreat

Not intimidated, with boldness adversity he does meet

We should have this same Lion-like boldness with our faith

Look to the early church as an example, Pastor did saith

The Lion gives authority to pray and share the good news

Like Joshua and Caleb, being confident they did choose

For a life of negativity leads to a life that is forgettable

But our life can leave a legacy, otherwise it is regrettable

 

In conclusion, Pastor said that is our calling to be like both

As a Lion and as a Lamb, we can continue to see growth

God wants us to use the right nature at the right time

To ignore this calling is effectively a heavenly crime

In our nature, both a Lion and Lamb we should see

So that we can be everything God wants us to be

11 August 2013 - ENCS

Aptly, as we just concluded the National Day celebration

Gerald Giam spoke on "How righteousness exalts a nation"

 

His main text was Proverbs fourteen verse thirty four

He referred to other passages, but this was the core

"Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace"

That decides whether a smile or frown is on God's face

Per Amos 5:12, God knows how great our sins are

Whether they occur at home, in the office, or afar

Righteousness is living a life that honours God

Even when nobody is watching, however odd

In Daniel's three friends, righteousness was seen

As told in Daniel chapter three, from verse sixteen

In Daniel six verse five, Daniel of course did the same

Refusing to worship the king, as God he would defame

 

Gerald then talked about being raised high when we exalt

As contrasted with being condemned when sin is our fault

In Deuteronomy 28:1-5, this promise by God was conveyed

Obey God's commands and His blessings will then cascade

This can be seen in today's world, Gerald did point out

Corrupt countries prosper less, of that there is no doubt

Righteous laws and social equality bring similar rewards

Prosperity and growth are blessings God then accords

 

In Isaiah 42:6, into righteousness God does us call

He wants us to be a beacon of light for one and all

We need to stand up in our community and workplace

Bestowing on others righteousness, care, and grace

Democracy reflects the will of the people, good or bad

So about elected officials, we should not be happy or sad

He then referred to Second Chronicles seven verse fourteen

God's people should humble themselves and pray, it is seen

To Proverbs, chapter twenty nine verse two, he did return

If wicked people rule a nation, there is cause for concern

As a church, we need to speak up, as per Esther 4: 14

If we are silent too long, bad things are too often seen

 

Gerald said we each operate within a given sphere

We can most influence those to whom we are near

That is where we are called to advance his righteousness

Our family, colleagues, neighbours, and friends we can bless

He referred to Martin Luther King's comments on wrong vs right

Who said that for a nation, a righteous leader must be the light

Regardless of whether something is not popular, politic, or safe

A good leader must do the right thing, even if to many it does chafe

 

In summary, from Matthew chapter five verse six Gerald did quote

"Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness" Jesus did note