Monday, April 22, 2019

21 April 2019 - Easter

Walking into a sunrise service this morning at six twenty
I looked around the room, there were seats a-plenty
Then I walked over and tried to sit in my normal spot
Only to be instructed by an usher that I could not
But no reason was provided when I asked him why
Feeling rather unwelcome there, I then said goodbye

It made me wonder how often this happens to others
Who may feel unwelcome by some Christian brothers
We all have interactions with unbelievers every day
Do our actions or words welcome or drive them away?
Remembering that we were lost before Jesus we found
Do we accept them despite their looks or background?
When we are given the opportunity to meet a new face
Do we focus on their sin or convey God’s love and grace?

God created and loves us all, so wants a relationship
The Bible tells us how to pray, to live, and to worship
On Easter Sunday, Jesus’ resurrection we celebrate
To the world, He brought redemption and love great
So in unison we say “He is risen. He is risen indeed”
Thanks to the empty tomb, that is all that we need

Friday, April 19, 2019

19 April 2019 - Good Friday

In the midst of the first Lord’s Supper and Holy Communion
To betray Jesus, the disciple Judas left the sacred union
To Gethsemane, Jesus and the other disciples did retreat
“Your will be done” to God in prayer Jesus did then repeat
Jesus the human was in agony and like blood He sweat
He knew what was forthcoming to pay for our sinful debt

Being crucified would be the Son's ultimate act of obedience
For the Holy Jesus was not allowed a path of expedience
He earnestly prayed for the cup of suffering to be removed
By sending an angel, God’s love for His Son was proved
Strength was provided, as only an angel of the Lord could
For per Isaiah, this anguish would result in eternal good

So as I reflect on this Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
I again realise that obedience to the Lord is the only way
And when facing challenges, I may be tempted to complain
I remind myself of Jesus’ undeserved suffering and pain
Knowing that after two days of the enemy’s celebration
Jesus would be resurrected, offering hope and salvation

Sunday, April 7, 2019

7 April 2019 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke about Genesis chapter twenty one
Four different perspectives from one story were spun
When Isaac was weaned, Abraham threw a great feast
Hagar’s son Ishmael laughed, Sarah’s angst increased
Abraham sent Hagar and son away per Sarah’s request
In the heat of the desert, Hagar became quite depressed
God came to her and behold there was water to drink
Ishmael would father a nation, with God’s plan in sync
Each of the four looked at things in a earthly perspective
Adopting God’s perspective would be far more effective

Sarah’s perspective was in fact about self-preservation
But she should have trusted God about Isaac’s nation
We should not judge people or situations too quickly
For God wants the preservation of all, as we often see
Abraham’s perspective and solution were problem-driven
If we are purpose-driven, better approaches will be given
Hagar’s perspective was fear-driven, not wanting death
God says “fear not” and He does not waste His breath
Ishmael’s perspective was limitation-driven and grim
But God’s ways are unlimited so we should follow Him