23 February 2025 - ENCS

The spirit empowerment series was continued by Mark Chew

Focusing on the fruit of the Holy Spirit and what it can do

Per First Corinthians thirteen, to use our gifts we need love

The passage also lists facets of love that come from above

These facets correspond to a list in Galatians chapter five

John thirteen and Romans thirteen tell us how to be alive

Loving one another as Jesus loved both Jew and Gentile

Praying for others, even if they have been extremely hostile

An Attitude of Gratitude includes giving thanks all the time

For our blessings and even when things are not in the prime

We should Pray Outwards for our needs God already knows

That ia for the lost, believers, and those who do us oppose

We should Know Our Worth for we were bought with a price

We are chosen and are children of God to be very precise

2 February 2025 - ENCS

I could blame the long absence on my cancer

But in truth that is really not a very good answer

For I should always be able to find the time

To listen to a sermon and summarise in rhyme

On being Spirit-empowered Pastor Josh spoke 

Per Acts one, the Holy Spirit we should invoke

When Jesus was baptised, God sent a dove

Symbolising the power of the Spirit from above

Pastor Josh ran through John fourteen to sixteen

Where references to the Spirit are clearly seen

The Spirit gives peace, per Psalm twenty three

So troubled and/or afraid we should never be

The Holy Spirit is God, our Helper, and the Truth

We should not allow ourselves to be uncouth

Giving us help is actually God’s great delight

So let the Spirit in to help make situations right

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

18 Febrary 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today

Focusing on chapters five and six with much to say

Per Jesus in John five, reading the Word is not enough

For the Pharisees, acknowledging Him was very tough

Per Matthew five, Jesus came to fulfil the OT Laws

And therefore to release us from sin’s powerful jaws

His words really turned up the heat of righteousness

Sin is not just actions but what our thoughts express

In Matthew six, Jesus taught us how we should pray

Give honour to God, give thanks each and every day

Submit to His will, pray for sustenance and strength

And His guidance to avoid temptation at every length

Josh then talked about purpose, referring to chapter five

We are to be salt of and light for the world while alive

Letting our light shine is rightly representing the Lord

And linking back to the start, is as critical as the Word

24 December 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Vicki Tekwani talked about “hope” this Christmas Eve

In Isaiah nine, God made promises while His people did grieve

God said that their exile and suffering would one day cease

Thanks to the Saviour, also known as the Prince of Peace

Vicki then ran through three questions that we should ponder

“What are my eyes fixed on - earth or Jesus?” he did wonder

Next up was “Where am I headed - my way or God’s way?” 

But man’s way leads to death, Proverbs fourteen does say

“What does my future look like?” is not just a personal wish

Per Isaiah nine, there will be no gloom for those in anguish

For we are promised that contempt will be turned to glory

And darkness into great light in that same chapter we see

The work of Jesus Christ starts with turning darkness to light

Light represents salvation, hope, and a path through the night

Per John eight, Jesus is the light of the world and its strife

Put another way, He gives us the gift and light of eternal life

Jesus turns sorrow into joy,  not based on human emotion

That is one reason He should be the centre of our devotion

We also have hope because Jesus turns conflict into peace

And with Him, we have an inner peace that does not cease

This will all be fulfilled through and by Jesus and his kingdom

The eternal riches he offers are superior to any earthly income

God’s Son is called Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God too

Without His presence, we really have no hope to look forward to

There will be unending peace under King Jesus, per Isaiah nine

Remember Jesus’ prayerful words “your will be done, not mine”

God’s will embodies justice and righteousness, making things right

His Kingdom will stand the test of time, as Proverbs does write

It is important to remember that we always have access to God

His love for us has been proven many times, it is not a facade

And if we continue to pray, mediate, proclaim, and fellowship

We will bring light to the world, as we should being His heirship

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

8 October 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Mark spoke on “Values, Treasures, and the Heart”

In Matthew six, about types of treasure Jesus did impart

We should not lay up temporal treasures here on earth

As eternal treasures in heaven have so much more worth

Mark said we should remember that our hearts do pursue 

Those things, temporal or eternal, which we most value

Firstly, recognise how valuable we are in Christ’s eyes

His words in Matthew six about birds we should memorise

Per John ten, we are so valuable He will not let us go

As Romans five, Hebrews thirteen, and Luke twelve show

We are valuable masterpieces, per Psalm one thirty nine

Because per John one, we are in Christ’s direct bloodline

Secondly, realign our perspective using heaven's eyes

Doing things that upset God is foolish and clearly not wise

We should all create and add value to people around us

Although storing and increasing value is not superfluous

In First Timothy six, in a passage that is never outdated

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, Paul stated

Finally, reposture our hearts and reorder our values

Do a heart check and seriously consider God’s views

For the heart is often deceitful, per Jeremiah seventeen

So the Lord tests our hearts, in the passage it is seen

We should clear the blockages and take proactive care

“Slowing, stopping, silence, solitude” Mark did share

And in the absence of those on a South African trip

I would add “Pray, Mediate, Proclaim, Fellowship”

17 September 2023 - ENCS

About Spritual Quotient, Pastor Joey did today continue

Talking about “The Thief” that in John ten we did view

Our struggle is versus spiritual forces, per Ephesians six

So we pray that the eyes of our hearts on God do affix

Per Isaiah fourteen, the thief is called the morning star

God thwarted his attempted coup and said au revoir

Per Revelations twelve, his name is Satan or devil

Also several other names that we should not revel

About one-third of heaven's angels on his side fought

But omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent he is not

God lets him live so that we can exercise our free will

But his future, per Revelation twenty, torment will fill

God made us a bit lower than angels, per Psalm eight

To overcome the devil, God’s power we can activate

This is very clearly stated in Hebrews chapter two

Jesus will destroy Satan, in First John three we view

The enemy’s names tell us what he is trying to do

As he did with Eve, the serpent will try to tempt you

The devil tries to deceive, telling us all sorts of lies

Satan accuses us - so listening to him is unwise

To stop the enemy from stealing submit to God

For God’s armour Ephesians six gives the nod

Pray against temptation, meditate over deception

Proclaim the gospel, fellowship over accusation

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

20 August 2023 - ENCS

Emerging Victorious is what Josh spoke about

Following on from the Maturity series with clout

Maturity requires trials, temptation, and trouble

James one says to consider them joy double

For the testing of faith produced perseverance

So complete maturity can make an appearance

Waiting and enduring pain makes you stronger

Per Hebrews twelve, discipline may last longer

For God demonstrates love through discipline

Which then enables us to His holiness share in

Perseverance also produces righteousness

One's character grows when under stress

Per Romans five, we should therefore rejoice

For going down this path is the best choice

Endurance leads to character and then hope

Hope does not disappoint but helps us cope

We face trouble in this world, per John sixteen

But Jesus overcame the world, it is then seen

6 August 2023 - ENCS

From the Firm Foundations series, Pastor Joey did follow

Per Hebrews six, more than baby food we should swallow

In order to be "taken forward to maturity", we then viewed

He therefore titled today's sermon “Beyond Baby Food”

Maturity in Christ is about moving forward and growing up

As per Hebrews five, on solid food the mature should sup

Growth is gradual, imperceptible, over time and seasons

We should grow up in the right things for the right reasons

Maturity is becoming more like Christ, per Romans eight

He equips us for good works, Ephesians four does state

For God uses everything and uses everything for good

Becoming more like Christ is critical, that is understood

The Lord God matures us by giving us the ability to do so

We are earthly and spiritual, First Corinthians does show

Like a gardener, God often prunes us per John fifteen

And gives examples to follow, in First John two is seen

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

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

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

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 

30 April 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh referred to PMPF as how we equip

Praying, meditating, proclaiming, and fellowship

For these habits can help us to encounter Jesus

The more we do them, the his love can seize us

In Second Corinthians three, we were informed

That looking at God is how we are transformed

“The old has gone” per Second Corinthians five

And “the new is here” with a promise to thrive

But why is there such a disconnect to look into

Between what I should do and what I actually do

Jesus acts as the bridge by offering us salvation

Bringing us back to God's path and His nation

Our life should involve a growing understanding

About God’s holiness, our sin notwithstanding

Burnout can result from always trying to perform

The alternative is worse, Pastor did us inform

We try to hide our sin in guilt, fear, and shame

But hopelessness leads to despair just the same

Josh then focused on what we should try to do

We are saved, being saved, will be saved too

That is justification, sanctification, glorification

Justification, per Romans five, is for the duration

In Hebrews ten more on sanctification is seen

Glorification is per First Corinthians fourteen

How to be transformed, Josh did then ponder

Second Thessalonians' advice do not squander

For true freedom is being what you want to be

Not doing what you want to do, Josh did plea

Per Romans twelve, do not confirm to the earth

For transformation follows your mind's new birth

Whenever we think others owe us something

Remember all that was done by Jesus the King

Life is a journey of letting Him play a bigger role

Directly or indirectly, from the human race whole

Humility means asking God our problems to fix

We must believe in the one God sent per John six

9 April 2023 - ENCS

Vicki Tekwani shared with us this Easter Sunday

We should understand the meaning, he did say

To answer the question of what Easter is all about

And why we celebrate Jesus day in and day out

Often we keep doing things, forgetting the reason

But our faith is not just rituals through each season

It is based on a a higher power who came to earth

Taking on a human body despite His eternal worth

The world has changed a lot throughout the years

No such thing as “just business as usual" it appears

We face volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity

The pandemic amplified issues, causing more anxiety

Sin in society and our lives is in fact the root cause

That we are flawed and broken should give us pause

The solution can not be a person or a government

Or a process or religious ritual no matter the intent

We need a true leader who has suffered as a human

A conqueror by love and truth, who serves every clan

A sovereign relational being who is a healer and friend

Jesus will never disappoint us, on that we can depend

Christ revolutionised the world, being inclusive for all

Defeating death thus ensuring the enemy’s downfall

Meaningless rituals, Christianity does not in us instil

Nor do we follow blindly, for each of us has free will

Jesus paid the price for our right standing with God

We no longer need to give self-condemnation a nod

About Easter’s importance in John chapter ten we see

He came that we might have and enjoy life abundantly

2 April 2023 - ENCS

From Malaysia, the preacher today was Tim Loh

He said Matthew twenty eight we all likely know

But knowing the Great Commission is not enough

Beyond the words, actually following it is tough

He then referred to Paul in Ephesians chapter six

Surprisingly, he did not pray for his situation to fix

Or even to take care of his numerous bodily pains

But referred to himself as an ambassador in chains

He prayed to declare boldly the gospel’s mystique

Per verse twenty, to speak as he ought to speak

We should also each for Jesus be ambassadors

Whether be at work or home, indoors or outdoors

In the Bible, "ought to” is a phrase so often seen

Per Romans fifteen, Ephesians five, John thirteen

Telling so many examples of what we ought to do

Prayer and testimony can lead to a break through

A caring gesture and even some basic conversation

They do not actually have to be that long in duration

There are dozens of opportunities daily to be a gem

For a small move from us can be a big move in them 

19 March 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on relationships this day

All of them are in the context of God’s big picture, he did say

We are to have an abundant life, per John ten verse ten

But so then why do we face challenges again and again?

Chrina Hansen from Rohei Philippines with us did share

Comfort has a habit of slipping away, despite much prayer

But their massive grief is where God’s vision in them began

God made room in their lives and hearts to see His plan 

We should deny ourselves and follow Jesus, per Mark eight

Matthew eighteen states that the least of us shall be great

To do service for other people is the position of leadership

If we follow God’s own heart, He will us adequately equip

Submission is a topic discussed in James chapter four 

Romans thirteen and Ephesians six add that much more

Gifts, talents, and opportunities can fall into submission 

Submission is what is given, what is taken is oppression

In summary, Josh said surrender, self-sacrifice, submission

Surrender your life to really live per The Great Commission

Self-sacrifice as the last will be first, per servant leadership

Submission personally, positionally, preferentially on life's trip

We should not lose heart, as per Second Corinthians four

Regardless of outwardly wasting, inward renewal is more

Our momentary troubles help us to achieve an eternal glory

So we should keep our eyes focused on the unseen eternity