9 March 2025 - ENCS

Ivy Toh continued the series on social responsibility

Per Genesis one, God created mankind we do see

As we were made in God’s image, per Genesis nine

Treat others with dignity and honour, per God’s design

To know God is both intellectual and experiential

Per Jeremiah twenty three, both are essential

Christian Social Responsibility also reveals God

He is almighty and all-powerful, not a facade

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is shared in Luke ten

Showing the reaction of three different types of men

Remember we are each in desperate need of God’s love

To be our Good Samaritan, Jesus was sent from above

9 February 2025 - ENCS

The “spirit-empowered” series Pastor Josh did continue

He read from Genesis one, Luke eleven, and Acts two

We may not sense it but the Holy Spirit is with all of us

About Pentecost and the apostles Josh did then discuss

Rushing wind and tongues of fire came upon the group

Speaking in other tongues threw the crowd for a loop

The Spirit gave Peter the courage to eloquently speak

Then the followers did PMPF* throughout the week

The Holy Spirit baptism is God-powered, Jesus-provided

Providing us all the power to be witnesses, Spirit-guided

With courage and conviction, show compassion and love

We receive the Holy Spirit by having faith in Jesus above

*Pray, Meditate, Proclaim, Fellowship

24 May 2024 - Freedom

Pastor Josh Harris led a session entitled “Freedom” last night

We were made for freedom, as in Genesis two Josh did cite

Freedom enables us to choose life, per Deuteronomy thirty

As the alternative has implications for one's generational tree

Being rightly related to God is known as spiritual freedom

Being rightly related to others is called relational freedom

And being rightly related to ourselves is physical freedom

While being rightly related to resources is financial freedom

Through God’s truth and God’s spirit, His freedom we see

Per John eight verse thirty two, His "truth will set us free”

"For where God’s spirit is, there is freedom” is thus seen

In Second Corinthians chapter three verse number sixteen

Spiritual freedom releases us from spiritual disobedience

Also from spiritual oppression which we may experience

Alternatively it enables us to follow Jesus wholeheartedly

And to experience fruitfulness by  loving others willingly

Spiritual freedom in turn empowers freedom relationally

From unforgiveness and bitterness which are far from holy

Also from relational dysfunctions which are hard to survive

But to forgiveness and walking in love, per Ephesians five

For physical freedom, spiritual freedom also does empower

Taking us away from anxiety, stress, and pasts that are sour

Instead into the peace of God, per Philippians chapter four

As well as to power, love, self-discipline, and so much more

Spiritual freedom also does empower freedom financially

Financial aspects include time, energy, as well as money

From addictions, habits, and false refuges Josh did tell

But into serving others and stewarding God’s grace well

26 November 2023 - ENCS

The series on tests Pastor Josh did complete today

Tests exist to help us life lives to the full, he did say

John chapter ten says to follow God wholeheartedly

From Acts two and Romans eight, we also did see

Instead of being a slave to sin, be God’s son spiritually

Instead of being sovereign, adopt a servant mentality

Instead of focusing on self, think of sacrifice physically

Instead of focusing on money, be a steward financially

Genesis fifteen says not to fear for God is our shield

He is our Father whose love for us can't be concealed

We can all be multipliers like Abram, per God’s desire

Believing in God is righteousness, all that we require

24 September 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the “how’s your SQ” series today

Referring to Genesis when Adam and Eve went astray

In large part because with the serpent she did engage

The sermon title was “Breaking Free From The Cage”

Joey started by asking what’s freedom got to do with it?

Per Genesis two, it is a command that God did transmit

It is a daily decision whether to follow God, our free will

Love involves having that freedom which God does install

Freedom is powerful but quite dangerous it can also be

For along with great power comes great responsibility

He steals your freedom by perverting your freedom

It is clear in Genesis three the serpent is far from dumb

Temptation, deception, and accusation are his tools

Then we surrender our freedom, following his rules

We start building a cage with unrighteousness and guilt

Add in self-righteousness and shame - the cage is built

So how then we can regain our freedom is the real key

We must confess our sins, as in First John one we see

Per Second Corinthians five and also in Romans eight

That when we are with Jesus, we avoid our sinful fate

Per Galatians five, it is for freedom that Christ set us free

So stand firm, do not be burdened by the yoke of slavery

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

28 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the work series, referencing John five

Remember that we work much of the time that we are alive

Our office or home environment can be toxic in many cases

Whether bosses, customers, employees in various places

But Josh said that there is really no way to detox our jobs

Per John sixteen, in this world we will all face lots of probs

Yet this is not a reason to be despondent or to have fear

For Jesus continued by saying we should be of good cheer

The key is that God can change us, starting with our vision

That gives purpose, purity, and presence in every decision

In Matthew five, Jesus said for the earth we are to be salt

Josh highlighted that passivity is often a destructive fault

For the world, Jesus also called on us to be beacons of light

Even a small light is helpful when things are dark as midnight

Holiness is actually what we do, not just what we avoid to do

Glorifying God and letting other people our good works view

Pastor Josh then spoke about Joseph in Genesis thirty eight

He was detested, a slave, a prisoner - a seemingly bad fate

But despite the challenging times, he kept hold of his vision 

And was eventually able to provide his nation with provision

For God’s presence provides immunity to life’s certain toxicity

His vision for us provides clarity no matter what the complexity

And the perspective holds no matter our problems or position

It also helps to enable us to fulfil Jesus’ Great Commission

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

14 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh did speak on the topic of work again

Jesus came to give us life to the full, per John ten

Since much of our time is actually spent working

The appropriate approach is exerting not shirking

In Genesis one, a key message God did transmit

Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it

No matter what we do, to be fruitful we should strive

Since the fruit of the sprit is love, per Galatians five

What really matters is expressing faith through love

The rest of the verse are manifestations from above

Without Jesus we can do nothing, per John fifteen

He who abides in Jesus bears much fruit it is seen

Josh then moved on to talk about filling the earth

In Genesis, God made a garden of immense worth

He wants both things and relationships to flourish

The earth to be filled with His glory is God's wish

That is so clearly stated in Habakkuk chapter two 

And in Psalm seventy two, David said it was true

To take dominion over something is to subdue

The first step is to have our own breakthrough

Per Galatians five, to overcome sin and desire

Per Second Corinthians, Jesus’ love we require

In Romans eight, Paul wrote on challenges of life

We can be conquerors through all kinds of strife

7 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey started a series on "God and Work”

A responsibility we are not supposed to shirk

Today’s sermon was entitled “Divine Clock In"

An appropriate name on which the series to begin

We were made in God’s image, per Genesis one

That same chapter talked of work God had done

And since He created the heavens and the earth

He works where we do work, for all that is worth

God showed us the way to work, per Creation

There was order, objectives, and organisation

God accomplished His work, per Genesis two

Satisfaction, fulfilment, and blessing others too

Our work starts with resting in God, Joey did say

Remember that God rested on the seventh day

He created us the day before, this was not a slip

God clearly wants with us a strong relationship

Our work is a responsibility from God, this is key

Involving stewardship, excellence, accountability

Our work is best done in community with a team

Shared wisdom, energy, and resources per diem

Jesus entered our work world, as per Mark six

As a carpenter, he would have had things to fix

Jesus redeemed us at work, per Romans eight

And He continues to work, John five does state 

20 November 2022 - ENCS

Vicki Tekwani continued the series on famine today

Wow face recession and inflation, albeit not doomsday

Referring to Joseph in Genesis from chapter forty one

Showing God’s redemptive power can not be outdone

The question “why does God allow famine?” he posed

To awaken our hearts to God, as did Jospeh he disclosed

And to establish God’s purpose, unique for each creation

So thus bringing about divine provision and restoration 

Vicki then went on to ascertain how we can respond

We must take the action step, there is no magic wand

And by recognising God’s sovereignty and goodness

We can obey God’s leading thus avoiding a big mess

On the blessings of obedience, Vicki then did reflect

God’s redemption has a spiritual and a physical aspect

This is supported by God’s provision in things financial

As well as God’s restoration in matters more relational

Joseph was in fact a precursor, in conclusion Vicki said

Jesus went down to the pit of hell but came out ahead

The author and finisher of our faith, per Hebrews twelve

About redemption in recession we can continue to delve

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

22 March 2020 - ENCS (2)

Pastor Joey noted that the start of twenty twenty

Has seen global challenges and disasters plenty

Given current conditions, more we will surely see

But the greatest obstacle can be an opportunity

Then to Hebrews chapter twelve Pastor did refer

From the term "once more”, seriousness we infer

God will shake the heavens as well as the earth

What cannot be shaken must be of great worth

For it is God’s kingdom that cannot be shaken

Our worship, awe and reverence should awaken

Shaking can break you or be your breakthrough

So that our journey of destiny we can pursue

In Genesis forty one, Joseph was given power

Pharaoh knew that he was the man of the hour

Joseph got the wisdom to plan and to execute

For God rewarded his faith which was absolute

Per verse forty nine, much grain was then stored

That does not mean in lockdown we should hoard

Perhaps this time of being shaken is necessary

So we let go of things of which we should be wary

This reminded me of the song “Clear The Stage”

Jimmy Needham’s lyrics are exceptionally sage

“Anything I put before my God is an idol” he sings

We must “crush the idols”, both actions and things

Egypt had seven years of abundance then famine

When disasters happen, His word we must examine

Unless we can learn, these events will happen again

That is why all the world came to Egypt to buy grain

Pastor opined that covid19 is more than just a virus

God is doing something for the world and each of us

Akin to Joseph's brothers, we must improve listening

To determine what in this season for us God is doing

Joseph could not control himself in chapter forty five

He explained to his brothers why he was kept alive

They should be be distressed as there was a reason

Similarly, there is a reason for suffering in this season

This reminded me of Romans five from verse three

Suffering produces perseverance, we clearly see

Which produces character and then finally hope

And hope does not disappoint, so we should cope

Pastor said a plane can fly but needs direction

Our  lives need God’s purpose as an injection

We each have a unique purpose in each season

Remember serving God is the universal reason

3 November 2019 - ENCS

Pastor Josh today spoke about Genesis twenty eight

Jacob had left home and was just in a survival state

He stopped for the night and took a stone for a pillow

Angels going up and down a ladder, a dream did show

Of Abraham and Isaac his father, God did Jacob remind

And the Lord's promise to Jacob was very well defined

Remember His promises and blessings are massive

And we can claim them even if our actions are passive

Jacob’s family would be blessed and would bless others

God wants His blessings to expand beyond our brothers

Even in toxic situations, our presence should be a light

Jesus’ miracles often happened out of normal eyesight

Jacob awoke and realised the Lord God had been there

For God is omnipresent, Pastor Josh did then declare

Even or perhaps especially when we feel most alone

God will never forsake us nor will he ever us disown

Jacob said that that place must be heaven’s entrance

Building an altar, Bethel is what he named the expanse

But then Jacob reverted to his simple survival mentality

He tried to make a deal with God, as was his normality

But an encounter with the Lord is of a journey, one part

Obviously important, while often serving as a kickstart

Per John one, Jesus is the ladder which gives us access

Per Romans five, this access is ours by faith not stress

In summary, Josh reiterated four steps for our life’s trip

We should often pray, mediate, proclaim, and fellowship

By doing this, Jesus’ light in us will to others be evident

And thus our lives will reflect why to earth we were sent

27 October 2019 - ENCS

About making decisions, Pastor Josh today did continue

Per Genesis twenty seven, Esau’s anger at Jacob grew

Rebekah warned her son Jacob of Esau’s stated intent

To her brother Laban in Haran she wanted Jacob sent

As a result Jacob would be on the run most of his life

She said life would be worthless if he took a Hitite wife

Pastor Josh focused on starting over despite one’s age

Basically saying it is never too late to start a new page

Isaac called Jacob to bless him and give him instruction

Teaching us not to let our place in life be an obstruction

Pastor said even if we take wrong turns on life’s route

It is never too late to start over with a spiritual reboot

Esau saw that Isaac gave Jacob blessing and direction

However taking a third wife was very far from perfection

That we should not try to be another is a lesson to learn

Instead focus on being the best we can be at every turn

Be content with our current state, per Hebrews thirteen

But wanting God to improve us in ways often unseen

Esau erred in four different ways, Pastor Josh did share

He applied knowledge without counsel, let alone prayer

He followed form without power, as Paul later did warn

In Second Timothy three, about this trait he did mourn

Esau effectively hid behind tradition without revelation

Per John five, only closeness to God leads to salvation

To work without relationship, change Esau tried to bring

Per Luke fifteen, relationships matter more than anything

Those four mistakes match up nicely with steps to take

By now, the message should be quite clear, not opaque

Pray, meditate, proclaim with actions as well as words

And fellowship to keep our plans aligned with the Lord's

20 October 2019 - ENCS

Today Pastor Josh talked about Genesis chapter twenty seven

And why we oft make decisions that are not pleasing to heaven

Isaac was old and called his elder son Esau to his resting bed

But he should have thought about succession earlier, Josh said

As a leader or as a parent, we must prepare the next generation

We need to impart knowledge thus ensuring a sturdy foundation

Isaac told Esau to kill and then prepare food to get his blessing

By adding conditions, Isaac compounded his error - distressing

Isaac's wife Rebekah was listening and with Jacob did conspire

Jacob brought two goats that Rebekah then stewed over a fire

To fool Isaac, Jacob wore his brother’s garment and added hair

Jacob’s desire was to get the blessings due to the rightful heir

So Jacob went to see his father Isaac, as Esau he did pretend

We do not need to do so, for individual blessings God will send

Trying to be someone else deprives us of being our own best

Although taking on elements of others can help us be blessed

Jacob claimed with God’s guidance, the goats he quickly found 

By invoking God’s name, he did his sinful situation compound

Isaac heard Jacob’s voice but due to his nonexistent eyesight 

He gave Jacob the blessings associated with Esau’s birthright

Isaac said Jacob would lord over his brothers and be wealthy

Jacob left as Esau arrived to find the situation was unhealthy

That Isaac had deceived him, old Isaac realised a bit too late

To get his blessings, until later in life Esau would have to wait

Blessings from God should lead to blessings for others as well

And definitely not to hatred and discord, Pastor Joshua did tell

As a result of his deceit, what Jacob did sow he did later reap

Despite all of his blessings, the price he paid was quite steep

By contrast, per First Samuel, Saul did treat David very unfair

But in Chapters twenty five and six, Saul’s life David did spare

Pastor Josh then referred to Proverbs ten verse twenty two

As a strong message to trust the Lord is what we should do

Psalm number thirty seven says "delight yourself in the Lord"

And then "the desires of your heart” He will faithfully accord

Bur remember that our desires need to be often God-refined

Which by prayer, meditation, proclamation, fellowship we find

13 October 2019 - ENCS

About “making bad decisions” Pastor Josh spoke today

Esau married two Hitites, Genesis twenty six does say

This went against instructions that Abraham had shared

As a result of these mistakes, Esau became ensnared

Our internal desires and motives, per James chapter four

End up causing quarrels, fights, sinful action, and more

We should ask with the right motives, per verse three

For friendship with the world leads God to be an enemy

Solomon was extremely wise, as per First Kings eleven

But he didn’t listen to advice from friends or from heaven

Having hundreds of wives and concubines, it was seen

Did ruin him, he foretold in Proverbs five verse fourteen

He also warned against spurning discipline and correction

Instead, we should obey teachers for our own protection

Esau’s choices also did his parents’ lives greatly impact

Rebekah said that she loathed her life as a matter of fact

Our bad choices hurt others both directly and indirectly

For not sharing the word with others is acting incorrectly

Josh said the myth of independence is full of liabilities

People get self-focused and ignore their responsibilities

How we can avoid making bad decisions, Josh did quip

Is if we regularly pray, meditate, proclaim, and fellowship

Per Matthew twenty six, watch and pray to avoid temptation

Humble ourselves and use Matthew six as the foundation

Meditating on the Word leads to success, per Joshua one

As a good work, proclaiming the Word we should not shun

Per Proverbs eleven, relying on counsellors leads to safety

Encouragement and support can be provided by community

6 October 2019 - ENCS

Pastor Joshua spoke from Genesis twenty six and Isaac

The envious Philistines said to go away and not come back

Despite Isaac being mightier, he did as his enemies said

Twice more he dug wells and had to move his homestead

Though per verse seventeen he did what his father did do

But the third time was not a problem per verse twenty two

He named the well Rehobath and there was room to grow

God wants us to be in similar places, this we should know

Thereafter, Isaac went to Beersheba to expand even more

And God appeared and spoke to him per verse twenty four

Saying to fear not, that he would be blessed and multiply

Isaac built an altar, dug a well, and pitched a tent to occupy

Abimelek and aides came to visit, as hostilities would cease

Isaac hosted a feast and instead of arguing, agreed to peace

Josh said that we should always keep the end goal in sight

At times, it really does not matter who was wrong or right

On the day he made peace, water came from the new well

For God often blesses those who bless others, Josh did tell

Insead of letting past wrongs negatively impact relationships

We should allow reconciliation and forgiveness to eclipse

1 September 2019 - ENCS

On the tenth verse of John ten Pastor Josh did opine

For in this one quote from Jesus is a veritable goldmine

For “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”

But Jesus comes to bring us life that is filled with joy

About how the enemy steals from us, Pastor Josh did talk

Recognising it is tough to find our path on which to walk

The first area is time or at least how we perceive time

Asking “are we there yet” can become a bad paradigm

Looking to the future is okay, as long as within reason

For per Ecclesiastes three, everything has a season

We should focus on the present and its opportunities

And thus we train so God's future plans we can seize

The second area is when we dwell too much on the past

Memories of both bad and good events should not last

Per Isaiah forty three, the past can muddle the present

In verse nineteen, living in the present is God’s intent

We may have challenges, like streams in the wasteland

But God never fails us, for his promises go as planned

The third area is when we focus on ourselves too much

In Isaiah chapter thirty nine, Hezekiah was out of touch

He cared about his life but not the more important legacy

In Genesis twenty five, Abraham cared for his entire tree

We should each do the same with the next generation

For family, church, and career - build a strong foundation

Thus in conclusion, live each moment as God does intend

And per Second Timothy, fight the good fight until the end

By doing so, we can impact others and create that legacy

And then our rewards will come in heaven for eternity

Remember that we can not take things when we die

Only our relationships with God and people do qualify

9 June 2019 - ENCS

The relationship series today Pastor Joey did conclude

Relationships are critical for we do not live in solitude

But all are different because each individual is unique

Four common principles determine if strong or weak

Trust, love, forgiveness, and today’s topic communication

The key for all of these principles is the implementation

With a blood analogy, Joey does relationships describe

He put this forward extremely calmly, not in a diatribe

The red and white blood cells represent love and trust

Forgiveness, like platelets, heal wounds, he discussed

Plasma is more than half of blood, akin to communication

Per Genesis four, blood has a role in communication

Communication can be defined as a means to exchange

An intent to commune with others, the spirit does arrange

All good communication starts with God, per Edwin Cole

Four basic communication principles the Lord does extol

God’s words always have a purpose, per Isaiah fifty five

Per James one, being quick to listen we should strive

Jesus’ actions as a human many lessons we do learn

Even without words or actions, the Spirit can discern

Joey said relationships become automatic, in summation

If they have trust, love, forgiveness, and communication