25 June 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the series on Firm Foundations

Reminding us that deaths are effectively separations

Jesus is the bridge over our immense chasm with God

We need faith on top of repentance, Pastor did us prod

He continued by saying we need faith to come to God

To Hebrews chapter eleven verse six Joey gave a nod

It says faith pleases God and believes that God is real

For those who truly seek Him, rewards God will reveal

Faith is credited as righteousness, as per Romans four

The more faith we have, the righteousness is also more

Per Hebrews four, faith enables us to enter God’s rest

And then per Hebrews ten, not shrinking back is best

The gospel reveals righteousness, by which we do live

"Faith overcome the world”, First John five does us give

Everything not from faith is sin, so faith helps every day

God will then deliver his promises,Hebrews six does say

18 June 2023 - ENCS

A new series "Firm Foundations”, Pastor Joey did start

He told us to take Hebrews five verse eleven to heart

Paul said that they needed elementary truths to relearn

They needed “milk not solid food”, he wrote in concern

Winning the Unseen Battle with Death was today’s title

Starting the series off with a topic that is extremely vital

In Genesis two, death will follow eating from the tree

Although obviously Adam and Eve didn't die physically

Romans six clarifies that the death is in fact separation

And eternal separation from God is therefore damnation

Therefore the way to reverse death is through repentance

Sins separate us from God per a Isaiah fifty nine sentence

Repentance is also the way to remove consequences

God sees our heart if we repent and come to our senses

Finally, repentance is the way for our life to be restored

As it leads to forgiveness and blessings from the Lord

Pastor then took some time to say what repentance is not

It is not about regrets as they can never reverse the rot

It is not about resentment or bitterness to self or others

Nor is it about rationalising or justifying sin to our brothers

Repentance is a lifestyle of recognising sin without cessation

Per First John one, confessing our sins leads to purification

Repentance is a state of ongoing remorse for past actions

Godly sorrow produces earnest change without distractions

Finally, repentance is a progressive change in direction

Per Matthew three, producing fruit during this correction

11 June 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh today continued the monthly series

To engage the next generation there are theories

People encounter Jesus in many a different way

Revelation, relationally, generationally he did say

Knowledge used to be passed from old to young

But with the internet, the pendulum has swung

Per Matthew twenty eight, we must end isolation

The Holy Spirit can be our power and foundation

Remember how Jesus spent his first thirty years

Submitting to authorities who were not his peers

By asking wise questions, he brought out the truth

That is a tactic we should employ with the youth

Jesus told the disciples to wait, as per Acts one

Until the Holy Spirit was imparted to everyone

The Spirit teaches all things, per John fourteen

And the Spirit of truth will forever in us be seen

Pastor Josh highlighted that we are not alone

Presence, peace, perseverance from the throne

We know what to do thanks to the Spirit’s light

Giving perspective, purpose, prophetic insight

Can I do It? was the next question Josh did ask

Per Romans eight, the Spirit helps with every task

God gives sufficiency, per Second Corinthians three

Prayer, power, and provision from the Spirit are free

How to do it is simple - the Holy Spirit to receive

That also fights the enemy who tries to deceive

As per Galatians five, the fruit of the Spirit is love

Helping us be living testimonies for God above

4 June 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke about Engaging the Next Generation

They are everywhere, we must not remain in isolation

We must acknowledge that there is a generation gap

But we can still engage if new tools we decide to tap

How we live is critical for that is what the others see

Per Matthew eleven open and friendly we should be

Humility and repentance are key, as per James four

Being genuine and transparent but faithful to the core

What and how we say things can have a huge impact

Per First Peter three, speak the truth in love with tact

We should be secure in the gospel, per Romans eight

Preach with conviction, not caring about our earthly fate

Pastor Joey concluded by telling us what to focus on

Walking in love, respecting each and every liaison

We should be self-reflexive, by doing what we say

The building of God's kingdom happens every day