27 August 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued talking about Embracing Maturity

The thief comes to steal, kill, destroy in John ten we see

Jesus came that we might have life - and life to the full

Make sure it is overflowing with good things, not bull

Josh said that how we think determines how we live

We should be joyful even when trials life does give

Per Second Peter one, make effort to add to faith

That includes goodness and knowledge, it sayeth

Possessing these attributes in increasing measure

Prevents unproductively and ineffective for sure

Every grows old but not everyone actually matures

Maturity involves mistakes, as each person endures

The more we know God, the closer we get to Him

And his vision for us grows brighter, far from dim

Therefore let God define us rather than our history

Promises given to Abraham are ours, no mystery

Josh pointed out that we should mature together

No matter the circumstances or even the weather

Per First Corinthians twelve, we all have differences

In terms of gifts, service, working, and our senses

But the same Spirit and God is at work all the time

So trusting in Him should always be our paradigm

30 July 2023 - ENCS

About living life to the full, Pastor Josh did speak

Per John ten this is what Jesus wants us to seek

Jesus said to find and follow Him, per Matthew four

And then very importantly to go fish for even more

Josh said Second Peter three has words to cherish

The Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish

For God wants everyone to come to repentance

So that nobody has to face their due sentence

So per Charles Colson, now how shall we live?

Lots of answers Second Peter three does give

Saying to make every effort to be found spotless

At peace with God as well as being blemeless

That passage says to add to your faith, goodness

In the original Greek meaning excellence, no less

Then come knowledge, self-control, perseverance

And godliness, mutual affection, love adherence

Love is actually the sum of all of those attributes

There is no fear in love, as First John four imputes

As per First Peter two, if those qualities increase

Our effectiveness and productivity will not cease

21 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the series on God and work today

God’s call is irrevocable, in Romans eleven Paul does say

Our vocation is a calling, a way for us the world to impact

“Answer the call” was Pastor Joey’s title as a matter of fact

God’s call is universal for His purpose, per Romans eight

His call is unique, as each has unique skills to activate

Paul was called to be an apostle, as per Romans one

Each of us is a unique piece in a jigsaw God has done

When we listen to it. God’s call is where you are blessed

Per Genesis twelve, though Abram was older than the rest

God calls us to a relationship with others who are called

Akin to being a lighthouse for the masses so far sprawled

Per Romans one, God calls us to obedience from our faith

Everyone confirms their calling, as Second Peter one saith

God’s call is clear and evident, again per Romans eight

Passions, proclivities, and personality are clues to our fate

Your call is not just what you do, but it is God’s handiwork

Per Ephesians two, to do good works we should not shirk

In Philippians three, Paul implied your call is progressive

We have constant opportunities for as long as we will live

Your call fits God’s plans, per Jeremiah chapter twenty nine

His plans give us hope and a future much more than fine

Joey concluded by answering “How?” we answer today

Following what our conscience and God’s word do say

Ensuring that we are always acting out of faith not fear

And doing what will glorify God the most try to adhere

26 February 2017

Genesis is the Bible’s seed plot, Pastor Josh did say

Freedom was the focus on his sermon on Sunday

In Genesis two, God commanded the man to be free

With one exception, Adam could eat from any tree

God gave us freedom to choose right from wrong

But with choices come consequences, some lifelong

Adam was told if he ate from that tree, he would die

He made the wrong choice and our God did not lie

God blesses us but if we don’t treat blessings right

A blessing can become a curse, but not from spite

We must remember to worship God, who provides

Rather than the blessing itself, which has downsides

The more connected we are with God in a relationship

The easier it will be to ignore others and avoid a slip

Per Romans six, just because we are under grace

We should not sin because death we will still face

Whatever overcomes a man, per Second Peter two

Is what unfortunately he will then be enslaved to

Also from Romans six, from sin we are all set free

So that slaves of righteousness we choose to be

We each choose who to serve - self, Satan, or God

Per First Peter, a free servant of God gets the nod

And instead of always struggling to themselves find

Per Philippians three, God is the target for mankind

The phrase “free love” is a dangerous contradiction

The nature of love is to bind itself, that is not fiction

Following God’s commandments, per First John five

Is not burdensome if we love God while we are alive

Per Galatians five verse one, Christ has set us free

So we should never again submit to a yoke of slavery

Through love serve each other, per Colossians three

For the Spirit’s fruit is love, in Galatians five we see

Josh then shared his four steps that help us equip

We should pray, meditate, proclaim, and fellowship

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

1 March 2014 - Fruit of the Spirit (part four of four)

“A gentle answer turns away wrath”, as per Proverbs fifteen

“Be completely humble and gentle”, in Ephesians four is seen

On the same topic, in Philippians four from Paul we hear

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near”

He continues “Do not be anxious about anything”

But present requests to God with thanksgiving

From First Peter three, doing right results in being blessed

Doing everything with gentleness set us apart from the rest

In Isaiah chapter forty, a shepherd is what God is called

He gently gathers, carries, and leads without being stalled

Zechariah, in chapter nine, about Jesus did prophesize

The Son of God would be righteous, gentle, and wise

In Matthew eleven, “I will give you rest”, Jesus did impart

“Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart”

Like a city with broken down walls, says Psalm twenty five

Is a man in whom self-control does not constantly thrive

Titus chapter two says to “teach the older men to be”

Temperate, self-controlled, and loving faithfully

Similarly, women should be self-controlled and pure

And kind so that God’s Word they do not obscure

In Second Peter chapter one, faith leads to goodness

Then knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and godliness

Along with increasing measures of brotherly kindness and love

To ensure we are effective in sharing knowledge from above

“The Lord is…slow to anger” per Psalm one hundred three

“Compassionate and gracious”, “abounding in love” is He

In Psalm one hundred forty five, those words David did repeat

David’s words of praise are ongoing and are never obsolete

“The Lord takes vengeance on his foes”, says Nahum one

“Slow to anger and great in power” are God and His Son

15 February 2014 - Fruit of the Spirit (part two)

“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous”, says Psalm 33

For right, true, and faithful the Lord’s word will always be

And despite empty stalls and a harvest that was null

Habakkuk rejoiced and in God his Savior was joyful

“May the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace”

Per Romans fifteen, so hope will overflow and not cease

In Philippians four, from Paul’s pen and in his voice

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Do not be surprised at trials and sufferings and more

But rejoice, per verse thirteen of First Peter chapter four

Psalm 104 says “May the glory of the Lord endure forever”

“May the Lord rejoice in His works” that disappear never

“I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” it does say

And “may my meditation be pleasing to Him” every day

In Zephaniah three, despite destruction, he said not to fear

For the Lord took delight in Zion, which he held so dear

In Hebrews twelve, Paul said to persevere with our race

And to not lose heart but to fix our eyes on Jesus’ face

For “who for the joy set before him endured the cross”

As “the author and perfecter of our faith”, He bore the loss

In Numbers six, God told Moses how the Israelites to bless

“The Lord bless you and keep you” he did on them impress

“The Lord [will] turn his face toward you and give you peace”

He will “be gracious to you” and your blessings will increase

In verse one hundred sixty five of Psalm one hundred nineteen

“Great peace have they who love [God’s] law” is clearly seen

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast”

For per Isaiah twenty six, the Lord’s time is never passed

In John fourteen, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you”

Telling his disciples not to fear in anything they would do

In Philippians four, Paul said “do not be anxious about anything”

“But in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving”

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding”

“Will guard your hearts and your minds” through everything

Per Colossians three, “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”

Since all were to called to peace as one body with many parts

Per Psalm twenty nine, David’s love for God never did cease

For “The Lord gives strength” and “blesses his people with peace”

In Isaiah chapter nine, a child’s birth was foretold to one and all

The Mighty God and Prince of Peace will David’s throne reinstall

As a result, “of the increase of…peace there will be no end”

For from ongoing justice and righteousness He will not bend

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith”

“We have peace with God”, Romans chapter five saith

And per 1 Thessalonians chapter five verse twenty three

“May…the God of peace, sanctify…spirit, soul, and body”

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him”

“Do not fret when men” do evil and things look grim

Psalm thirty seven continues, “… and turn from wrath”

And “do not fret” for that only leads to an evil path

In Psalm forty, David said that he patiently did wait

God heard his cry and saved David from a bad fate

Proverbs fourteen says “a patient man has great understanding”

“But a quick-tempered man displays folly” in virtually everything

“Love is patient, love is kind” per 1 Corinthians thirteen

About patience in suffering, in James five is also seen

“Be patient…until the Lord’s coming” for there is nothing to fear

“Be patient and stand firm…because the Lord’s coming is near”

2 Peter three says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise”

“He is patient” so believers should not doubt as did Thomas

God wants “everyone to come to repentance”, per verse nine

“The day of the Lord will come like a thief” says the next line

“And the earth and everything in it will be laid bare”

By living “holy and godly lives” we will not despair

“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation"

This pearl of wisdom Paul also shared in many a quotation

20 October 2013 - 2 Peter 3:8-18

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends”

Is how this passage starts - and also ends

“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years”, Peter did say

He continued with “and a thousand years are like a day”

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise” to anyone

For “He is patient”, waiting for repentance to be done

“The day of the Lord will come like a thief” into a store

At that time, “the heavens will disappear with a roar”

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way”

We “ought to live holy and godly lives” today

And since we look forward to the day of His return

(Even if it means that many things here will burn)

We should “make every effort to be found spotless”

As well as at peace with God and also blameless

For “our Lord’s patience means salvation” for us all

Peter reminded that this was also written by Paul

Therefore, with this knowledge, we should be on our guard

So that we do not err and from our secure position fall hard

“In the grace and knowledge” of our Lord we should grow

Giving Him glory now and forever is what we should show

 

A good reminder of perspective this passage shall be

To live a “holy and godly” life is still an aim for me

I am far from spotless, blameless, or at peace

And I often wonder if my errors will ever cease

But about God’s power and mercy I do know

With this knowledge, my faith will again grow

I thank God for such reminders from Peter and Paul

And endeavor to make “give glory” my clarion call

 

16 February 2011 - 2 Peter 3:8-10

Let this one thing ring in your ears
"With the Lord a day is like a thousand years"
"And a thousand years are like a day"
In other words, do not question God's way
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise"
So we should not doubt, as did Thomas
"Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish"
"But everyone to come to repentance", for that is his wish

The message in this passage and rhyme
Has to do with God's sense of time
Fathom it, you and I are unable to do
But what Peter said is very true
Irrelevant to God are days and years
So while waiting we should not have tears
For his patience is never ending
And to our needs he is tending
So dear God, let me have patience
And please bless me with your presence

19 December 2010 - ENCS

Pastor Joey Bonifacio spoke about Psalm 1 verse 3
How fruit-yielding and unwavering our tree should be
He told us that all trees must start with a seed
The gap between the two is patience, which we all need
Pastor Joey then shared how men of patience we can be
He gave is simple principles - one, two, three

The first principle is that patience is about time
Per Ecclesiastes 3:1, about which I wrote a rhyme
"There is a time for everything and a season" too
This applies to all we even want to do
Three words for time Pastor then shared
All were in Greek, as at the screen we stared

About the passage of time Krones referred
We must use time wisely, as it can not be deferred
Psalm 90:12 says to "number our days aright"
So we "may gain a heart of wisdom" and light
Proverbs 19:11 says "a man's wisdom gives him patience"
If you think about it, this is actually common sense

The season of time is what Kairos is about
Seasons keep repeating, of that have no doubt
We should do different things in different seasons
They are all from God, for different reasons
During the winter, remember that spring will come
Use the seasons to grow, don't be dumb

Plero is about the fullness of time
The point here is a bit more sublime
As an example, per Proverbs 20:21
Riches quickly gained will likely be undone
For if we are impatient, we won't do God's will
Instead, we need to be seasoned and learn to be still
Like the men of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32
They "understood the times and knew what Israel should do"
Galatians 4:4 says only :when the time has fully come"
Did Jesus appear on earth, from God He came from
If the time has fully come, the fruit will taste good
If we manage out time well, prosper we should

Patience is about perseverance is the second principle
We then read James 5 verses seven and eight in full
"Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near"
From "autumn and spring rains" there is nothing to fear
We should trust God, for He is in control
He will help us, if His will is our goal

The third principle is that patience is about God
To 2 Peter 3:8-9 Pastor gave a nod
God is patient and wants us all to repent
That is why His only Son to earth was sent
The more we look to God and spend time with Him
The more patient we become, and it won't be a whim
For as a fruit of the Spirit, patience can not be learned
But once we have it, patience need not be returned

God must be a relationship, not a religion
Do everything with God, not just a smidgen
Per Hebrews 6:12, faith and patience are key
For with them God's promises and inheritance we will see

8 July 2010 - 2 Peter 1:3-11

"His divine power has given us everything we need"
"For life and godliness through our knowledge of him" indeed
He called us through his goodness and glory
To escape the world's evil desires and actions gory
He has given us promises precious and great
So in His divine nature we may participate
For this reason add goodness to your faith
And knowledge to your goodness verse 5 sayeth
Then come self-control, perseverance, and godliness
Love is the pinnacle, building on brotherly kindness
"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure"
They will allow you to receive God's eternal treasure
"But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind"
That "he has been cleansed from his past sins" has slipped from his mind
"Be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure"
For if you do, you will be welcomed into heaven for sure

What else is there to say?
This is what I must do today
Thank God for His great mercies
And focus on the those qualities