25 September 2016 - ENCS

The Fast and Furious series was concluded by Rachel Ong

On “Excellence At Work” she has experience deep and long

What we do at work is a form of worship to God, she said

By building our skills, we build trust and actually get ahead

Skilled people will only serve kings, per Proverbs twenty two

Thus bringing more value to the world with what we may do

As long as we know God, then ‘secular work’ does not exist

For we are presented ministry opportunities not to be missed

In Genesis, God introduced labor before the concept of worship

The marketplace and church need each other, Rachel did quip

Workers need to create, not just add, value to an organisation

Using our gifts helps others and donors God with commendation

For God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven, Jesus did pray

On how to become excellent at work, Rachel shared many a way

The first is to find your niche, that is your purpose and calling

If we do, to our competitors our confidence will be quite galling

Our purpose is to solve problems with our God-given strength

In order to help groups of people, often going to a great length

Some of us may in fact know our calling from a very young age

For most of us, however, it takes longer to find the right stage

During that process, we must remain faithful on God’s path

Working hard every day pleases God and does not incur wrath

Remember that today is a gift, that is why it is called the present

As stewards of each day, we should give one hundred percent

We need freedom to discover our true potential and His design

We can then be fruitful, as barren land can yield great wine

But righteousness and peace must abide in the environment

To truly honour the name of God who on earth we represent

By finding our niche and remaining faithful, flourish we will

This can be a thriving city, a friendship, or a new medical pill

Having a deep relationship with God is the ultimate prize

Although we will still face battles, Rachel did then advise

God gave us the ability to work in order to the world impact

But He created earth and mankind to flourish, that’s a fact

Although God intends for us to work, we also need to rest

Trusting Him to help make decisions is always for the best

How we treat others is a critical element at the workplace

Per Romans three, if we judge others we are way off base

For only God can give us true peace as we have all sinned

Per Second Corinthians two, we must forgive and not rescind

So in summary, find your niche, remain faithful, and flourish

God will equip you to impact others if on His word we nourish

18 September 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh shared about Fast and Furious part three

We face volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity

Given more info, decision are tougher than in the past

In this world, we thus need a sense of normalcy to last

Josh concluded that the key is for us to find true rest

God introduced the concept of a Sabbath, not in jest

Per Leviticus, fields need a break every seventh year

Failure to do so impacts soil and yields, we did hear

Per Second Chronicles thirty six, Israel did not heed

So for seventy years they were captive and not freed

God will similarly force the issue if we refuse to rest

For internal and external rest is actually for the best

Per Isaiah fifty seven, the wicked are like a tossing sea

Still waters, like rest, reveal junk that we don't like to see

One benefit of true rest is to allow true self-reflection

And per Deuteronomy five, to praise God’s perfection

God’s aim is for us to enjoy rest while we work and live

That is one reason that the Sabbath to us He did give

In order to take such rest, we need to have a lot of trust

Per Proverbs, trusting God with our whole heart is a must

Being a trusted guide for us is for Jesus a critical role

For we need to rest not just our body but also our soul

If we are honest with God, He will offer power and grace

With those, we are very well equipped to run a good race

God offers a promise to enter His rest, per Hebrews four

So that we can be at peace - even if the world is at war

Jesus was so secure He loved while being persecuted

For us to feel the same, in His rest we must be rooted

We do not need to perform in order to get God’s favour

All we need to do is believe that Jesus is our Saviour

Josh said the Bible helps change us from the inside out

We should listen to God’s wise words without a doubt

Per Hebrews four verse twelve, His words penetrate

In that way, a new rested body and soul He can create

In summary, we should obey God’s command to rest

Relying on Him and His word to overcome any test

11 September 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke on “Fast and Furious” part two

Reminding us of God’s purpose in all that we do

We should not let 'urgent' from 'important’ distract

Life can be a stressful mess, that is indeed a fact

Jesus said that it is tough to enter the narrow gate

Per Matthew seven, it is worth it and is never too late

As we find our purpose, there are enemies three

Comfort, convenience, and control they would be

Choosing what is right is harder than status quo

By ceding control to God, a fulfilled life will show

Luke nine says to deny self in order to Jesus follow

Taking up the cross daily and letting earthly idols go

Responding to Peter’s quip, Jesus said in Mark ten

Believers are repaid many times and in eternity again

But there will also be persecution, in word and deed

Remember that with our words, others can be freed

Our purpose, per First Thessalonians chapter four

Is to walk, please God, and be sanctified even more

Josh highlighted two ‘friends’ of achieving this destiny

The first is character and the second is community

God cares more about who we are, not what we do

Per Second Peter one, all power come from Him too

Paul continued by listing characteristics of character

Knowledge, self-control, godliness, and love for sure

We must try to increase these qualities as we live

Otherwise, we will become unfruitful and ineffective

In Acts sixteen, Paul had a vision and others followed

By working as a community,  we can share the load

Josh pointed out that this is a key in choosing a career

With a good team, we can do more for God without fear

We are all members of God’s house, per Ephesians two

Therefore bear in mind our specific role in all that we do

In summary, to get closer to Christ should be our creed

So both character and community are what we do need

David called to God in prayer, per Psalm one forty three

He was asking for protection from enemies plus mercy

4 September 2016 - ENCS

Josh started a new series entitled “Fast and Furious”

His use of a big movie title made us all quite curious

With both life and information moving so rapidly today

The challenge is how to filter things in the right way

Words on social media are so easily misunderstood

Leading to polarisation which is obviously not good

Romans twelve says to the world not be conformed

Instead discern God’s will so minds be transformed

In order to listen to His Word, we must slow down

And obey even if this to our face brings a frown

In Ephesians two, Jesus came to preach peace

Asking us to help God’s household to increase

Hearing God’s word is important, Josh did say

But what we really must do is apply it and obey

David demonstrated this in Second Samuel five

If he did otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed alive

For at the young age of thirty, David became king

For the next forty years, peace to Israel he did bring

When he took the throne, the Philistines did attack

David asked God for a plan so victory he did not lack

When they attacked again, he used a different plan

Since he went to God, he struck down many a man

As God was with him, more powerful David became

And doing God’s will became David’s primary aim

In summary, we can all be great if we follow God’s way

Doing this will enable us to bless others every day

But we must slow down and of God guidance ask

Before we start on any major challenge or task