15 January 2023 - ENCS

Pastors Neli and Tina Atiga spoke about progress today

Progress is possible and it is also purpose, they did say

Neli and Tina both complimented and complemented

And a very powerful message they jointly presented

Neli referred to Exodus fourteen, verses six to fourteen

The Israelites yearned for where slaves they had been

Egypt was significant for Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac

All three went there at times when food they did lack

But when Moses brought the Israelites to the Red Sea

Moving towards the Promised Land, they did not agree

Akin to lifting weights to gain strength, as we know

We must be broken, rest, replace, in order to grow

But this process of progress should not be feared

Per verse fourteen, the Lord has never disappeared

Tina said we need a new wineskin in order to progress

We have had setbacks, heartaches, and often a mess

But Tina pointed out that we must recognise the pain

Not easy but failure to do so will our progress constrain

We must know our purpose, clearly rooted in our identity

God’s plans for us stand forever, per Zephaniah three

Psalm one hundred thirty nine says to God give praise

For we are fearfully and wonderfully made, to paraphrase

Our words can give death and life, per Proverbs eighteen

Speak positively so as children of God we are to be seen

Remember Proverbs chapter nineteen verse twenty one

We may have plans, but God’s purpose will be done

The Lord chose us because of our future faithfulness

Thankfully not because of our past failures or success

19 June 2022 - Father's Day

As around the world today most celebrate Father’s Day

For inspiration, I looked at what the Bible has to say

Proverbs twenty two says show children the way to go

They will not turn from the path when older they grow

Per Ephesians six, our children to anger do not provoke

But raise them with discipline and words God hath spoke

A righteous child has joyous father, per Proverbs twenty three

And he rejoices if wise his child eventually turns out to be

Have compassion on children, per Psalm one hundred three

As God does with those of us who fear Him, we clearly see

God will be our Father, Second Corinthians does say

So when in doubt, we can turn to Him and earnestly pray

I am blessed to have an earthly father who raised me well

And with whom so many memories we shared and now tell

Re Exodus twenty, I respect and honor him and my mother

The right balance of love and discipline they did us smother

Without their guidance along my life’s challenging way

I know that I would not be the person that I am today

I can only hope that with my children I have done the same

Prayerfully I have given them more than just my surname

For the many mistakes made, to them I sincerely apologise

They should know that love and pride fill their father’s eyes

And God, thank you for your guidance, patience, and love

It’s always comforting to know I have an eternal father above

5 June 2022 - ENCS

On “Relationship Matters” Pastor Mark did speak today

The reason is clear even in Genesis one, Pastor did say

“Let us make man in our image” from verse twenty six

Does bring the concept of the Holy Trinity into the mix

The "three persons in one" is mentioned in Matthew three

Christ’s baptism both the Spirit and the Father did see

Each is fully God regardless of the specific nomenclature

Pastor said this indicates that God is relational by nature

As we are made in His image, we are relational by design 

Per Hebrews ten, "meeting together" is guidance divine

Helping us “spur one another toward love and good deeds"

Encouragement from believers is one of our core needs

A key relational component is trust, also known as faith

We need faith to be close to God, Hebrews eleven sayeth

Knowing this, the enemy seeks to fracture relational lines

Causing mistrust and making us busy are two clear signs

That God’s laws are fundamentally relational is no surprise

All about relationships, the Ten Commandments do advise

Per Exodus twenty, the first four are all about the Lord God

The fifth about parents; about neighbours the rest give a nod

But Jesus’ focus was not on the letter, but the spirit of the law

He referred to this often, as in Mark two twenty seven we saw

Pastor Mark also said we have a debt to love, to be relational

Per First John “we love because he first loved us” - sensational

27 September 2020 - ENCS

On Braving the Hidden Epdemic, Pastor Joey did speak

Because the health of our minds is something to seek

Millions in the world are already suffering from depression

Some say this could triple due to covid-related oppression

A spectrum goes from healthy to disordered to dangerous

Pastor Joey then referred to chapter three from Exodus

A bush burning but not consumed is what he aimed for

The outside may look ok, but the inside matters more

Per Second Timothy one, God didn't give us a spirit of fear

But the power of love and a sound mind, we did then hear

Our brain is quite light but lots of energy it does consume

Like a computer’s memory and CPU, Joey does presume

Our minds contain memories, intellect, and imagination

Knowledge, understanding, and wisdom from cogitation

Despite walking in the flesh as do all women and men

The war we wage is different, per Second Corinthians ten

Joey said that we need to be vigilant for reasons three

First, we are at war especially with those we do not see

Second, we must our divinely-powered weapons know

And we must destroy anti-God arguments that do show

Per Jeremiah twenty three, God’s word is like a fire

So let the lies be broken by His words which are higher

Third, per Second Corinthians ten, know our strategy 

Every thought should be captive to obey God, we see

Per Romans twelve two, even though it may be the norm

Paul says to the world’s pattern we should not conform

This means by earthly standards we should not be moulded 

Nor to the methods of this world should our values be folded

Instead we should be transformed by a renewal of the mind

Beyond reformed, in the right place things should be aligned

Joey added that just like a garden, we should renew and test 

Because per Romans twelve, God’s will is definitely the best

14 May 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Josh gave us a special sermon this Mother’s Day

Linking our worth to God’s worth is really the only way

Single moments and choices often can define our lives

Every interaction with another is what actually survives

Raising children involves teaching them good from evil

The aim of which is to equip them for times of upheaval

Pastor Josh then spoke based on Exodus chapter one

Focusing on things various women for Moses had done

The midwives feared God and thus disobeyed the king

So they did not murder any of the Jewish male offspring

Moses’ mother hid him for three months, per Exodus two

Then she put him in a floating basket and bid him adieu

His sister stood at a distance, seeing what would happen

Pharaoh’s daughter found baby Moses and took him in

To find a suitable nurse, the sister did then cleverly offer

Moses’ mother was the Hebrew woman she did proffer

His mother got paid for taking care of Moses for years

Everything worked out well, thus avoiding many tears

And while behind everything, God’s plans clearly were

Without those women, the exodus could not occur

Per First Timothy one, Timothy go his sincere faith

From his grandmother and mother, Paul did sayeth

This is a reminder that God blesses generationally

And that being a mother carries great responsibility

Mothers pray, meditate, proclaim, and fellowship

For their children at home or when on a long trip

We can all learn from this and show others love

Reflecting what God pours on us from up above

"Happy Mother’s Day” is more than just a phrase

It is an unending role that deserves highest praise

7 August 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh said that we should all love Singapore, our nation

Whether we are citizens, residents, or just here on a vacation

Per Jeremiah twenty nine, the Israelites were in forced exile

But were told by God to pray for that city, which did them rile

Josh said that if a nation is blessed, its population will be too

To invest in Singapore is what this should encourage us to do

Christ’s Great Commission, per Matthew chapter twenty eight

Says to make disciples of all nations, no matter how they rate

Helping others follow Jesus, allowing baptism to bring new life

Obey Jesus’ commands to love God and others, avoiding strife

In First Corinthians chapter nine, Paul said not to aimlessly run

For we need a purpose to guide our action until our life is done

Our faith overcomes the world, per First John five verse four

It determines what we see and therefore believe, that’s for sure

Pastor Josh did then refer to King David and his faith so strong

Per First Samuel seventeen, Goliath’s taunts lasted all day long

But David knew that his faith and God would help him overcome

For Goliath was small relative to God, so would have to succumb

But per Second Samuel twenty one, even David did weary grow

A new sword and spearhead Ishbi-Benob the Philistine did show

David was only saved thanks to the intervention of his nephew

Whom David had trained as a youth, part of his life’s legacy too

As Solomon later wrote in Psalm one hundred and twenty seven

Children are a reward and a heritage from the Lord in heaven

Yet David’s own son Absalom conspired to take over the throne

Per Second Samuel fifteen, his devious behaviour was shown

David then fled the palace and went up the mountain to pray

His friend Hushai the Arkite finally helped him save the day

This reminds us of the value of having even one good friend

And challenges us to be such a friend for others until the end

In Psalm sixty eight, David praised God with an apt quote

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows” he wrote

Reminding us God reveals himself whenever we feel alone

For every one of us is His child, whom He will never disown

If anyone mistreats a widow or orphan, per Exodus twenty two

God will certainly hear their cry and His anger will then ensue

So we need a purpose to life and faith to guide us through

We also rely on our family, friends, and of course God too

17 July 2016 - ENCS

As part of the Leadership series, I was asked to speak today

Talking about "Competence : Not a Laughing Matter” I did say

All of us are leaders, Pastor Josh said a couple of weeks ago

As we influence others, the Oxford dictionary also does show

Leadership is stewardship of every God-given competency

It is a process, not just bossing people around, we did see

Competence is doing something successfully and efficiently

Paul shared another definition in his second letter to Timothy

Doing our best, being proud of our work, and the truth to tell

So in addition to being leaders, we can be competent as well

God wants us all to be competent leaders, make no mistake

And like Christ, that means a servant attitude we should take

But per a Joey Bonifacio post, serving is not always leadership

Although true leadership is always serving, he did aptly quip

Books on competent leadership, there is clearly an excess

Four attributes competent leaders must biblically possess

The first attribute of competent leaders is heartfelt humility

In Deuteronomy, Moses said that God gives us the ability

Do not think too highly of self, in Romans twelve Paul wrote 

Second Corinthians twelve has the “thorn in the flesh” quote

We should be humble because from God, all talents come

Without humility, being a servant leader would be very glum

Biblical leaders were Moses, young David, Jesus, and Paul

Humility is one word that can be used to describe them all

In practical terms, better results humble leaders generate

As a team working as one, individual skills will amalgamate

I tried to give credit to the team while shouldering any blame

And got in a fight with my boss for refusing to provide a name

In conclusion, competent leadership often requires humility

And effective leadership benefits from humility, we often see

In Philippians chapter two, Paul added more perspective

With Christ-like humility and without conceit is how to live

Remember the Proverbs adage that pride precedes the fall

This has been seen both in business circles and in football

Samson and the older David both fell into the trap of pride

Fortunately, they were redeemed for God was on their side

Unlike false humility, true humility comes from one's heart

From a balanced perspective, we should try not to depart

Honesty is the best policy should be used in both directions

Both over and understating reality should elicit objections

The second attribute is that competent leaders are aware

Of their talents and competencies, honestly to compare

In Deuteronomy, Moses said choose wise, respected men

Boast of unique talents, in Second Corinthians, Paul did pen

Knowing one’s strength, as per the Sun Tzu classic quote

Allows your team to build a sustainable competitive moat

Knowing your talents also enables you to others best serve

Sometimes what matters is where you sit on the bell curve

Being aware of resulting talent gaps is at least as important

Per Exodus four, Moses’ speech impediment was not a stunt

Paul said we have different roles in First Corinthians twelve

Comparing to a body’s unique functions, he did then delve

For whenever you veer away from your core competencies

Odds of success decrease and the stress will not please

Competent leaders therefore try to hire to fill talent gaps

Hiring top tier talent allows the leader to take more naps

Honing their talent is the third competent leader attribute

Per First Timothy six, with our gifts we should be resolute

For there is always more to learn and knowledge to expand

Luckily for us, the Bible and prayer are far from contraband

The fourth attribute is that competent leaders must apply

Joseph and Paul used their talents to successfully glorify

Paul said he was an expert builder in First Corinthians three

In that one sentence, he expressed awareness and humility

Of course, leadership is not confined to Christians alone

But Christian leaders must act in line with God’s throne

So the why and the how are as important as the what

Because a competent Christian leader is not just a robot

To be respected more than liked, leaders should choose

When faced with the choice, Biblical leaders did not refuse

Making faith visible, competent Christian leaders should

This helps their leadership and marketplace ministry good

In conclusion, we are all leaders and competent ones too

Thus a servant leadership mentality we should all imbue

Humility, awareness, honing, and applying are attributes

For stewardship of leadership, there are no substitutes

26 June 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh wrapped up the short series entitled “One Accord”

Highlighting that many people slip after a high with the Lord

Of course when we are desperate and in need, we often pray

But after our prayers are answered, from good habits we stray

Josh said we should be led by relationships, not circumstances

In that way, we can keep the momentum up and make advances

Josh used three Biblical examples to make points numbering three

The first was the Transfiguration, in Matthew seventeen we do see

There was also Moses’ encounter in Exodus chapter twenty four

And Elijah and fire in First Kings eighteen which is the stuff of lore

All three involved a mountain as a centrepiece, not just a prop

As such, the sermon was entitled “Maximising the Mountaintop"

The purpose of the mountaintop is what Josh first talked about

For without a clear purpose, there will be abuse without a doubt

In the Transfiguration, God said they should listen to His Son

God gave Moses a plan to handle what there was to be done

The Lord answered Elijah’s prayers with fire to show his strength

For godly encounters like these, most of us often pray at length

But problems also arise when we come down from the mountaintop

We come down to reach out to others but challenges arise nonstop

Moses got extremely angry when he returned to see pagan worship

Elijah was scared of Jezebel’s threat so he went away on a long trip

We have to recognise that God’s word and plans will be tested

For the enemy wants God’s kingdom’s progress to be arrested

So the real question is how we should respond, Josh did then say

The clear Biblical answer is to turn back to God and fervently pray

God continued to sustain Elijah as he went back to the mountain

Moses went back up the mountain to atone for the people’s sin

Peter, James, and John looked up and saw only Jesus remaining

Reminding us that that single focus ensures our faith is sustaining

27 April 2014 - UCC Keene

On the last Sunday before Pastor Gordon Ellis leaves UCC Keene

He spoke about water, about which many Biblical passages are seen

Psalm sixty seven, Acts ten, and John seven

All speak about water as a gift from heaven

We cannot live without water, which is a key element of creation

Engineering prowess enables water's amassing and utilization

Great aqueducts collected water and carried it far away

The ruins of these aqueducts are still impressive today

The Jordan River has been shrinking as it is siphoned for irrigation

Reflecting water's status as a scarce resource in every Mideast nation

Water symbolizes cleansing and renewal and so much more

In particular, it symbolizes the foreboding underworld's door

So when God stirs up water, it proves that miracles happen

In Genesis, there was creation and then after the flood again

In Exodus, the Israelites escaped when God stirred up the Red Sea

Later Moses' rod brought water from a stone for all the nation to see

In Joshua, the ark carriers saw a swirling Jordan River all around

But God stirred up the water to allow them to cross on dry ground

There were also water miracles in the New Testament

John baptized many, telling of the Messiah God had sent

Jesus turned water into wine and walked in the Sea of Galilee

And on Pentecost, believers were baptized and filled with glee

Miracles still happen today when God stirs the water in our soul

Having God present and alive in our lives should thus be our goal

9 March 2014 - The Attributes of God (part one)

In Exodus thirty four, “the Lord came down in the cloud”

And stood there, proclaiming his name Yahweh out loud

He told Moses that He was “compassionate and gracious”

And “slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”

Due to His love, God forgives wickedness, rebellion, and sin

Yet he punishes the guilty, mush to their descendants’ chagrin

Moses asked the Lord to favor the Israelites with His presence

To forgive their wickedness and take them as His inheritance

Then the Lord said “I am making a covenant with you”

For the people, never-before-seen wonders will I do

God is compassionate says Psalm one hundred forty five

“Slow to anger” and from His people love He does not deprive

In Second Corinthians one, this message Paul does repeat

God is “the Father of compassion” whose comfort is complete

He “comforts us in all our troubles” so we can do the same

Passing along His comfort to anybody, no matter the name

And although many sufferings in life Paul did know

“So also through Christ our comfort” does overflow

God forgives transgression and pardons sins, per Micah seven

He does not stay angry but showers mercy on us from heaven

He will “be true to Jacob” and to Abraham, mercy show

As He “pledged an oath to our fathers in days long ago”

Per First John one, “God is light; in him there is no darkness”

If we claim fellowship with Him but walk in the dark, we transgress

John added “but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light”

We have fellowship and Jesus’ blood makes everything right

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves” badly

But “if we confess our sins”, “faithful and just” will God be

“If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar”

Then “His word has no place in our lives” no matter our desire

“The Lord is gracious and righteous”, per Psalm one sixteen

“God is full of compassion”, protecting the needy it is seen

John one says “The Word became flesh” and among us dwelled

The glory, grace, and truth from the Father were never withheld

“From the fullness of His grace” we have all received blessing

After the law of Moses, grace and truth Jesus was professing

In Ephesians two, Paul said “it is by grace you have been saved”

The road to our seat in the heavenly realms with Him was paved

We are saved through faith, a gift from God and the Holy Ghost

Paul stated that it is “not by works, so that no one can boast”

In chapter six, Isaiah spoke of “the year King Uzziah died”

Exalted and amidst seraphs, on a throne God did reside

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” the seraphs did call

For God is holy and on the whole earth His glory will fall

Per Isaiah fifty seven, God lives in a high and holy place

He revives lowly spirits and contrite hearts with His grace

No matter what happens, God will not stay in an angry state

Or faint would be the spirit of the man, whom God did create

Per First Peter one, “as obedient children, do not conform”

“To evil desires you had” when ignorant living was the norm

“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do”

“For it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” is the right view

8 March 2014 The Golden Calf

Per Exodus thirty two, Moses was away so people did rebel

To their desire to make other gods, his brother Aaron fell

With all their gold jewelry, they made a golden calf

Thinking that this was a god was indeed a big gaffe

God told Moses about this and thus to go down

Their actions angered him a lot, making him frown

Due to the “stiff-necked people”, God wanted to be alone

Planning to destroy them for actions He could not condone

But Moses pleaded for the people despite their great sin

Saying other nations would view angry actions with a grin

About God’s covenant with Abraham, Moses did remind

So the Lord relented and his threats He did then unwind

Moses went down the mountain, with the two tablets

Seeing the golden calf and dancing, he had regrets

In a fit of anger, he threw the tablets and they broke

He burned the calf with a great fire and some smoke

The ashes were ground and across the water spread

Moses made the people drink it, each and every head

About this in First Corinthians ten Paul did write

Warnings from history and the Exodus he did recite

There was idolatry, pagan revelry, and more immorality

“God was not pleased with most of them”, evidently

But He will not tempt beyond what man can bear

He provides a way out, as for us He does care

8 March 2014 - The Law (part three of three)

Hebrews nine spoke of the tabernacle and worship

The Israelites took the tabernacle and ark on every trip

The first room had a lamp stand, table, and consecrated bread

It was The Holy Place, where priests entered without dread

The ark was in the Most Holy Place, behind another curtain

Only the high priest entered once a year, that’s for certain

There were also Aaron’s staff and an altar of incense

And the stone tablets which did the covenant dispense

When the high priest entered, he did so with a sacrifice

To offer for the people’s sins and various acts of vice

But when Christ came, the tabernacle became perfect

Because He was not man-made and thus had no defect

The Lord spoke to Aaron in Numbers chapter eighteen

The Levites were to become the priesthood, it is seen

They were to care for the care of the sanctuary and altar

God’s wrath would not fall as long as they did not falter

This role was given as a gift to Aaron and his close family

Death awaited anyone else who approached the sanctuary

From the holy offerings, the priests were to take a share

They would have no land, but they were not to despair

For God would be their “share and [their] inheritance”

And they would always have a place of holy residence

Deuteronomy seven spoke of driving out the nations

The Israelites would win because of their foundations

For although the others were larger and stronger

God would ensure that Israel would last longer

But God told them that after victoriously emerging

From His instructions, there should be no diverging

“Make no treaty with them” and mercy do not show

Don’t intermarry or the Lord’s anger would grow

For God loved the Israelites and kept his old oath

He redeemed them from slavery and tyranny both

In Deuteronomy thirty, God gave yet another command

It was not too difficult for those headed for the Holy Land

“The word is very near;…it is in your mouth and in your heart”

“So you may obey it”, take the right path, and do your part

The choice is life and prosperity or death and destruction

The command is to love God and follow His instruction

For then “the Lord your God will bless”

“In the land you are entering to possess”

But “if your heart turns away and you are not obedient”

The path to your destruction God will make expedient

So “choose life, so that you are your children may live”

For then God will keep his covenant and His land give

7 March 2014 - The Law (part two)

Exodus twenty one speaks about capital punishment

It is applied when there is an intentional murderous event

The same is true if someone does their parents attack

As well as if someone goes down the kidnapping track

If one sacrifices to another God, he will be destroyed

Desecrating the Sabbath one should similarly avoid

Leviticus twenty adds to the capital punishment list

Patricide, adultery, and any unnatural sexual tryst

Leviticus eleven speaks of clean and unclean food

Cud chewing animals with split hoof one can include

Anything with fins and scales is acceptable to eat

But not eagle, vulture, owl, hawk, heron, or bat meat

Flying insects without jointed legs should be detested

Likewise, snakes and lizards should not be ingested

God said “do not make yourselves unclean”

“Be holy, because I am holy” is then seen

Deuteronomy sixteen lists three festivals to celebrate

The Passover of the Lord is the most important date

In the Feast of Weeks, an offering should always be made

After threshing, the Feast of Tabernacles should not be delayed

And “no man should appear before the Lord empty-handed”

With gifts proportionate to God’s blessings, it is commanded

Women’s rights are discussed in Exodus twenty one

[One should remember that this is how things were done]

If a woman servant does not please the master

He must let her be redeemed to avoid disaster

Daughters-in-law should be given daughters’ rights

If not treated well, wives are free to go without fights

In the case of when a man dies without a son

His widow must marry his brother to have one

In this way there will not be any concern or doubt

That the dead brother’s name will be blotted out

6 March 2014 - The Law (part one)

Deuteronomy six says “The Lord our God, the Lord is one”

So to love God with all heart, soul, and strength as did His Son

The commandments God gave are to taken upon each heart

To their children and all the time, the people are to impart

“Tie them as symbols…and bind them on your foreheads”

“Write them on…doorframes…and on…gates” and sheds

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge, per Leviticus nineteen

“But love your neighbor as yourself”, as should be routine

Jesus referred to both commandments in Matthew twenty two

Saying “all the Law…hang[s] on these two”, in His perfect view

“Do not take advantage of a widow”, per Exodus twenty two

For God “will certainly hear their cry” and be angered if you do

When God’s anger is aroused, He “will kill you with the sword”

The resulting impact on your family should not be ignored

In regards widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor

People are to help them, per Deuteronomy twenty four

If people consistently follow the spirit of God’s commands

So “God may bless [them] in all the work of [their] hands”

Per James one, “religion that God…accepts as…faultless”

Is simply “to look after orphans and widows in their distress”

If a man steals an animal, per Exodus twenty two

Paying back four or five more is what he must do

“If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies”

“The defender is not guilty of murder” unless it is after sunrise

“A thief must certainly make restitution” for what he has done

Or sold to pay for the theft, if assets or money he has none

Anyone whose cattle grazes on another’s field or starts a fire

Per the passage, complete restitution is God does require

Exodus twenty one addresses one causing serious injury

“Life for life, eye for eye,…wound for wound” we do see

On the same topic of restitution, per Leviticus twenty four

The concept of “life for life” is discussed some more

But Jesus turned this law around, in Matthew chapter five

Saying to turn the other cheek, as He did when He was alive

Hence, “if someone forces you to go one mile”

“Go with him two miles” and do so with a smile

And “give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away”

“From the one who wants to borrow from you” He did say

4 March 2014 - The Ten Commandments (part two of two)

The sixth was “You shall not murder”, per verse thirteen

For man was made by God, in Genesis nine it is seen

Jesus took this commandment further in Matthew five

The same judgment holds true if anger should arrive

First John chapter three provides more explanation

“We should love one another”, not seek retaliation

For “anyone who does not love remains in death”

For hatred and murder result in no eternal breath

“We know what love is” because of Jesus’ sacrifice

To lay down our lives for others was John’s advice

The seventh was “You shall not commit adultery”

Proverbs five says that with God there is no mystery

For “the evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him”

“The cords of his sin” serve to constrain every limb

As such, “he will die for lack of discipline”

“Led astray by his own great folly” and sin

In Matthew five, Jesus said adultery can be in one’s heart

Lusting for others causes us from His path to depart

And if an eye or a hand is the cause of not obeying

“Cut it off and throw it away” was the famous saying

“It is better … to lose one part of your body”, Jesus did say

“Than for your whole body to go into hell” on judgment day

“Marriage should be honored by all”, per Hebrews four

For adultery and sexual immorality God does abhor

The eighth commandment was “You shall not steal”

Psalm sixty two says stolen goods have no appeal

For God has shown His love and strength since time begun

And “will reward each person according to what he has done”

First Timothy states that hope in wealth we should shun

For God “richly provides us” with all of our needs

We should “do good” and “be rich in good deeds”

This is how we “lay up treasure” for the coming age

Taking “hold of life that is truly life” on God’s stage

Ephesians four says people should “steal no longer”

For “doing something useful” makes them stronger

The ninth is “You shall not give false testimony”

Against others don’t make up tales that are phony

Deuteronomy nineteen talks about a malicious witness

And how judges are to investigate and right the mess

Moses said to “purge the evil” by punishing the liar

Then others will hear of and fear what did transpire

And hopefully the people will then completely understand

“Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand”

Psalm fifteen asked who will dwell in God’s sanctuary

It is the righteous one who is blameless until his obituary

He “speaks the truth” with “no slander on his tongue”

And “keeps his oath” even when barbs are flung

He lends honestly and by him, a bribe will not be taken

For “he who does these things will never be shaken”

The tenth was “You shall not covet” that of others

Including possessions, spouses, and brothers

About this commandment, Romans thirteen does say

“Love your neighbor as yourself” is how to obey

“Love does no harm to its neighbor” and is without flaw

In that way, it is said “love is the fulfillment of the law”

Per First Timothy six, “godliness with contentment is great gain”

To think that we can take anything from this world is insane

“If we have food and clothing, we will be content”

But those who wanted to fall rich, into ruin they went

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”

Some eager for money end up with their faith in upheaval

To be content with what we have, Hebrews thirteen said

Knowing that God will not leave or forsake us instead

3 March 2014 - The Ten Commandments (part one)

In Exodus chapter twenty, ten commandments God did list

He spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai all covered with mist

The first one was “You shall have no other gods before me”

For “I am the Lord your God”, who delivered Israel from slavery

David’s psalm of thanks to the Lord is in First Chronicles sixteen

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth” in verse twenty three is seen

David proclaimed God’s glory, splendor, majesty, and strength

And went on to “ascribe to the Lord the glory due” at length

The second was “You shall not make for yourself an idol”

For God is a jealous god; worshipping another is suicidal

He will punish the sins of the fathers for many generations

To those who love Him, He will show love without limitations

Psalm one hundred fifteen says “to [His] name be the glory”

Those who worship handmade idols are in for a sad story

The third was “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord”

Leviticus twenty four says blasphemy cannot be ignored

For “if anyone curses God, he will be held responsible”

He must be put to death by those who are accountable

Solomon said “the name of the Lord is a strong tower”

Per Proverbs eighteen, the righteous run to its power

The fourth was “You shall remember the Sabbath day”

Verse eleven points out that God rested in the same way

By His actions, the Sabbath was made holy and blessed

It is intended for every person to get much needed rest

In Matthew twelve, the Pharisees asked Jesus a question

He said healing on the Sabbath was not a transgression

Jesus said a person would rescue a sheep which fell in a pit

His logic was sound, even the Pharisees would have to admit

The fifth was “Honor your father and your mother”

“So that you may live long”, one year after another

The next chapter says parents should not be attacked

Death is what awaits one who does such a heinous act

Leviticus twenty says the same holds true for curses

This is stated in the midst of several such verses

Proverbs ten says “a wise man brings joy to his father”

Conversely, a foolish son only brings grief and bother

“Listen to your father”, per Proverbs twenty two

“Do not despise your mother” for she bore you

“The father of a righteous man has great joy”

“He who has a wise son delights” in the boy

“May your father and mother be glad”

Let them rejoice instead of being sad

Ephesians six tells children their parents to obey

For from this commandment they should not stray

With a promise comes only this commandment

“To enjoy long life on earth” and to be content