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

4 February 2024 - ENCS

Vicki Tekwani preached this morning on quite short notice

About the person of Jesus, he delivered a magnus opus

Things like mission, vision, strategy, and denomination

Along with leadership style as well as political affiliation

These are all good but are in reality a means to an end

Knowing Christ is key, as in Philippians three Paul penned

Vicki took us to chapter sixteen of the gospel of Matthew

Jesus really wants to know who He is to me and to you

The fundamental premise is knowing and being, not doing

Our level of intimacy with Jesus is key to our well-being

To study who Jesus is, Vicky went back to Matthew one

Written after four hundred years of silence was done

Jesus is the Messiah, as prophesied in the Old Testament

To save us from our sin, He is the Saviour fro heaven sent

Per verse twenty two, He is also Immanuel or God with us

He will never forsake us nor in our suffering, kick up a fuss

Vicki’s final point was highlighting who Jesus came for

For those waiting in hope, our Lord God does not ignore

His promise and His Abrahamic covenant, God remembers

Covering all rejected, excluded, and disqualified members

Look at Jesus’ earthly geneology for many who did stray

Christ Jesus came for those willing to believe and to obey

15 October 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey today spoke on “The Heart-Eye Connection”

Per Matthew six, our eyes are like lamps giving direction

If our eyes are healthy, then our body will be full of light

If our eyes are unhealthy, our body will be dark like night

The biblical perspective is that values determine vision

So what, why, and how you see follows with precision

Social media algorithms reveal what our focus has been

If values are wrong, we see the wrong thins on screen

Vision is powerful, so the devil wants to take it away

The eye is the lamp of the body, Matthew six does say

Per Proverbs twenty nine, without vision, people perish

In Jeremiah twenty nine, God’s promises are not bearish

Joey concluded with how to have a healthy vision 

Pray unceasingly, as Daniel did when facing a decision

Always meditate on God’s word as per Philippians four

And fellowship with God’s people, find a good mentor

In other words, treat the ENCS mantra as a big tip

Always PMPF - Pray, Meditate, Proclaim, Fellowship

13 August 2023 - ENCS

The “Maturing in Christ” series, Pastor Josh did continue

The title “A Mature Mentality” we did on the screen view

Josh stated that the journey to our maturity is the key

To experiencing life to the full, per Colossians three

A mature mentality is not playing the part of a victim

Saying always and never, plus criticising ad infinitum

It's also not saying I don’t have enough as if in poverty

And per Philippians four, “Christ who strengthens me"

A mature mentality is what in Numbers Joshua showed

And how Jesus humbled himself to take on our load

A mature Christian focuses on and trusts in God above

Which leads the individuals to serve others and to love

Taking off the old mentality and put in the new mentality

Ignore momentary pleasures, as per Colossians three

We are made in God’s image so should walk in unity

Letting Christ's word and wisdom dwell in us richly

30 October 2022 - ENCS

About mental health, Pastor Josh did today continue

Elijah, Hagar, David, and Hannah to date we did view

Through his own emotional wrestling, Jesus also went

We can all learn from how He dealt with this torment

Chesterton warned against reductivism, linguistically

Answering a complex question simply or simplistically

A key is both simpler and more complex than a knife 

Ergo Christianity is like a key that fits the lock of life

Part of the complexity results from Jesus’ humanity

He took on a human likeness, per Philippians three

Per Hebrews fifteen, he was fully human in every way

He faced temptation so can relate to us, Josh did say

Remember that Jesus prayed to God to take His cup

Even a visit from an angel failed to lift His spirits up 

He was betrayed and deserted, and even forsaken

He knows how we feel, we should not be mistaken

Jesus experienced victory in death, per Hebrews two

Giving those who feared death a major breakthrough

Sometimes we go through difficult times for a reason

To enable us to share our faith in a different season

We should make decisions based on faith, not fear

The Spirit’s law frees us, Romans eight makes clear

In summary, Pastor Josh referred to First Peter three

Jesus suffered once so our sins are cleansed eternally

21 August 2022 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Evil Days Ahead

Passages from several books of the Bible he then read

Ephesians six mentions the breastplate of righteousness

God says to stand firm, First Peter five does profess

The work of righteousness is peace, per Isaiah thirty two

Romans eight states God will always see us through

No weapon formed against us by the enemy will prevail

If, per Isaiah fifty four, of God’s righteousness we avail

Righteousness is reflected and evident in our actions

Rooted in covenants and relationships and reactions

In verse six, God’s words to His people Micah did share

Comparing our righteousness to His, we should not dare

First Thessalonians five says to put on faith and love

As a breastplate to signify we belong to God above

Remember we are all unclean, per Isaiah sixty four

A message repeated in Romans three wit detail more

Righteousness gives us peace, protection, and power

Through right standing, relating, and living every hour

By letting go of self-righteousness and receiving God’s

For believing our hearts are worth it increases the odds

1 Peter 5:8

1 Thessalonians 5:8

Ephesians 6:13-14

Isaiah 32:17, 54:17, 61:1-7, 64:6

Micah 6:1-8

Philippians 3:6-8

Romans 3:10-12

31 July 2022 - ENCS

Today as our study of Philippians reached its final climax

Pastor Josh delivered a sermon aptly entitled “Life Hacks”

If we look at chapter four verse twelve of his exhortation

Paul gives us secrets of being content in every situation

Starting in verse thirteen, his first point we clearly see

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

God’s unlimited resources, Paul encourages us to use

But not only with the people we would normally choose

As a side note, he adds “don’t hear what I am not saying"

Our real messaging is evident in acts we are displaying

Each of us is blessed with talents, money, and/or time

Leveraging these to bless others should be our paradigm

That adage links to a oft-quoted promise from heaven

The “generous person will prosper” per Proverbs eleven

Remember that our eyes do not face in, but look out

For God’s kingdom is outward looking without a doubt

We should aim to please God until in heaven we arrive

This is what Paul conveyed in Second Corinthians five

And do not store treasures on earth, per Matthew six

For where our treasure is, our heart’s eyes will affix

24 July 2022 - ENCS

Vicki Tekwani shared the message today on Philippians four

Over “The Closing Remarks” from Paul’s letter Vicki did pore

Paul provided the recipients practical keys to living a godly life

Something that was very hard given the persecution and strife

There were several critical truths that Paul wanted to impart

For the church in Philippi had a very special place in his heart

“Stand firm in the Lord in this way”, as stated in verse one

For there will always be disagreements, which are not fun

“Let your reasonableness be seen by all for God is at hand”

That is what Paul in verse five does instruct, if not command

Showing gentleness to our enemies is a sign of moderation

Instead of judging, we can listen and engage in conversation

Remember that Jesus shared the truth with love and grace

In the Asian context, this could involve showing others face

Verse four states that we should “rejoice in the Lord always”

The onus is on us to act, perhaps moreso these stressful days

Remember that we have free will and can exert our druthers

For when we rejoice, it strengthens us and influences others

Per Habakkuk three verse eighteen, there is an admonition

The prophet also said to rejoice despite his tough condition

For as Vicki said, we can always find things to be thankful for

The chance to worship, our family and friends, and more

Verse six is one of the Bible passages that is most oft-quoted

So “do not be anxious about anything…but pray”, it is noted

Because God cares about us, our praying gives us peace

Out strengths will increase while our stresses will decrease

As Vicki moved on and highlighted excellence per verse eight

That which is true, honourable, pure, and many a similar trait

So “be content whatever the circumstances”, per verse eleven

Verse thirteen says we can do all with strength from heaven

17 July 2022 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series, looking at Philippians three

Halfway through the letter, the first word is ironically “finally"

“It is no trouble…to write the same...to you again” Paul said

It is an important safeguard he will repeat until his deathbed

Rejoice in the Lord and beware the dogs who to flesh do evil

The enemy whispers in our ears in order to cause upheaval

If we listen to him, our blessings from God we surely miss

That is the equivalent of falling from a peak into the abyss

We do this by worshiping God in the Spirit, per verse three

Rejoicing in Christ, not having confidence in flesh, we see

These are the internal marks that now replace circumcision

For we no longer require external proof of God’s provision

Paul pointed out his previous supposedly strong credentials

The right heritage, teaching, and actions - Jewish essentials

But those gains he now considered a loss, per verse seven

They pale compared to a relationship with Christ from heaven

It is important to note our value comes from this relationship

Rather than our performance or possessions, Josh did quip

We should forget the past and “strain toward what is ahead”

If we follow Paul’s example, God’s glory will no doubt spread

10 July 2022 - ENCS

The Philippians series Pastor Josh did today continue

He started by reading from the first verse of chapter two

But note the first word “therefore” implies a continuation

“Believe…and suffer for His sake” the preceding quotation

So in challenging times, Josh asked, how we we thrive

He said that to “be one”, not be alone, we should strive

Per verse two, we should be of one accord and mind

Start by reaching out to others as well as being kind

Look out for others and their interest, per verse four

Complaining and disputing things, we should abhor

By adopting this attitude, to the world we can be light

Even brighter at night, like the stars shining at night

To esteem others better than one’s self, per verse three

Should be done from a position of self-love in actuality

For if we look at Jesus’ actions in John chapter thirteen

Despite His position, He washed disciples’ feet clean

That is a reminder that we should always be humble

Being passionate can bring suffering - do not grumble

We should be ready by holding fast to the word of life

Being obedient to God even when temptations are rife

We should be fearful and tremble, per verse twelve

A semicolon implies that into the next we should delve

It says that God works in us to fulfil His good purpose

Input from any other source is therefore superfluous

3 July 2022 - ENCS

On the book of Philippians, Pastor Mark today did speak

Fifty one mentions of Jesus serve to add to His mystique

Understanding more about Jesus helps us His lens to use

Our perspective will change and life will no longer confuse

Many different contrasts in chapter one we clearly see

Servants and saints, life and death, good will and envy

Beginning and completion as well as confidence and fear

As Pastor Mark said, using Jesus’ lens makes them clear

Paul and Timothy were a team despite the big age gap

About their strong relationship Pastor Mark did recap

We should each have a Paul and a Timothy, Mark said

To be discipled and disciple others we should not dread

 

His points once again serve as a good reminder to me

To life’s events through an appropriate lens try to see

To obey God’s word rather than follow my own druthers

To be open to both learning and teaching from others 

1 July 2022 - ENCS

Pastor Mark shared at worship just the other night

His words were brief but the message was just right

From Second Chronicles chapter seven he did refer

We should humble ourselves and wicked ways deter

For then we will receive forgiveness from God’s hand

And the verse says He also promises to heal our land

Pastor also spoke about Philippians chapter one

From Paul and Timothy, who was his spiritual son

The term “servants’ implies obedience and humility

That tells us the attitude that in us God wants to see

Pastor Mark then spoke about different generations

And the importance of building strong foundations

Each generation can and should both learn and teach

And in that way we continue the church’s outreach

13 September 2020 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke on the topic of destiny Sunday

Doing one thing very well is the key, he did say

If about ourself and others we speak correctly

Then God’s destiny will come to pass directly

Per Psalm thirty three, God’s word led to creation

We are all made in His image so by extrapolation

Our words have power per Proverbs eighteen

Death and life come from the tongue, it is seen

About the power of the tongue, James three talks

Akin to how a bridle impacts how a horse walks

Josh also said ships are guided by a small rudder

How large fires get started, it makes me shudder

So since our words can determine our direction

We should thus aim to utilise them in perfection

Children often look to parents for their identity

Parents need to be extra careful, as they see

An old story about his daughter, Josh did share

Unable to do math, “i’m dumb” she did declare

Josh realised that saying nothing would affirm

He said she was smart, helping her long term

Mouths can bring either a curse or a blessing

The former is of course extremely distressing

Like a water fountain with good water and bad

The chance of poison is not a chance to be had

Our tongue problem is really one of our heart

As Matthew chapter twelve to us does impart

Guard your heart per Proverbs four twenty three

For everything flows from it, we can all see

Some end up letting hardened be their heart

From God, that ends up alienating and apart

For ignorance creeps in, per Ephesians four

Then our mouths speak arrogantly even more

The better way is to allow our hearts to heal

Per Psalm thirty four, God’s presence is real

In Psalm one forty seven, wisdom is imparted

God binds wounds, healing the brokenhearted

Josh referred to Philippians four re our role

Rejoicing in God always should be our goal

And if we pray, meditate, proclaim, fellowship

We will not be anxious through our life’s trip

1 December 2019 - ENCS

Talking about a race, Pastor Joshua started December

To always finish the race strong, we should remember

Per Philippians one, God will bring us a flourishing finish

But if we don’t know the finish line, our odds do diminish

Of course life is a series of parallel and sequential races

A lack of clarity is often the biggest enemy in many cases

Per First Corinthians nine, Paul said not to run aimlessly

Second Corinthians five says to please God shamelessly

For if we focus on this objective whether “home or away"

We will all be living for Christ, in every race on every day

All of our problems can be addressed if we hear and obey

Be gracious and forgiving to others, as was Jesus’ way

Per Hebrews twelve, we should run the race set before us

Laying aside our sin and disbelief, so they are superfluous 

Remember that Jesus had joy despite enduring the cross

We should do likewise even if frustrated with energy loss

Our interactions with others can influence them in eternity

Remember how Jesus dealt with sinners and their hostility

Jesus loved us so we should similarly pass His love along

It is only God’s power, not our own, that makes us strong

At times, all we might need to do is obey by saying “yes"

Per Philippians four, we can thus abound in every mess

And reverting back to Philippians one, without a deletion

He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion

6 January 2019 - ENCS

Pastor Larry asked how we can start the new year right

The Lord sitting on a throne, from Isaiah six he did cite

Isaiah forty says God is everlasting and understanding

God gives us strength, tough situations not withstanding

"Hurry is a great enemy of spiritual life", per Dallas Willard

Pastor declared “The Power of the Wait” we should guard

Pastor’s first point was “Wait is silent reflection prayer” 

Per Psalm sixty two, David knew God always did care

Daniel, Paul, and others relied on God as their rock

We should do likewise, so we can withstand any shock

“Be still and know that I am God”, per Psalm forty six

Per Romans twelve, patience and consistency do mix

“Wait for the praise of power” was his point number two

In Acts one, the disciples were told what they should do

To wait for the Holy Spirit and then receive God’s power

Thanks to that, Peter then preached for many an hour

The Spirit will give life to our bodies, per Romans eight

And prayer can impact self and others without debate

"Waiting Brings Change” was the final point Pastor made

Per Isaiah forty, with the Lord we should not be afraid

Psalm ninety one says God is our refuge and fortress

Per Matthew eleven, with rest He will the weary bless

Rejoice always and pray with thanks, per Philippians four

The peace of God guards our hearts, minds, and more

18 February 2018 - ENCS

Pastor Joey was in keeping with the CNY season clad in red

For three years we will look at the book of Genesis, he said

From Genesis eleven verse ten we read of Shem’s family line

And per verse twenty seven, Terah set out from Ur by design

The beginning of chapter twelve speaks of Abram’s migration

All three - Noah, Terah, and Abram - decided for separation

Why people choose to migrate, there are three basic reasons

Environmental, socio-political, or extreme economic seasons

The exception to this rule was Abraham, who chose to obey

He was called to an unknown place, Hebrews eleven did say

Abram listened to God’s voice, because he did in God believe

Only much later his inheritance did Abram from God receive

Pastor Joey then asked us three questions on which to ponder

They should help ensure the from God’s path we do not wander

First and foremost, whose voice will we listen to this year?

Spending time to read the Bible if God’s voice we are to hear

He referred to William Penn, who books landed him in prison

But from whose later writings the US constitution was arisen

And if we listen to God, He will take care of the other issues

Philippians one verse six says to be confident in this news

The second is on whose promises will we trust this year?

God always delivers on his promises, so we should not fear

In Hebrews eleven verse nine, the word ‘promise’ is repeated

Abraham’s family lived in tents until the promise completed

The last one is what are we looking forward to this year?

By focusing on a godly foundation, our lives will rightly steer

In the same way a good house relies on a strong foundation

We should look to and hear God’s word without cessation

Pastor Joey said we should trust God to bless us at length

The secret is to admit our weakness and trust in His strength

The first part of that should be easy given our human nature

The second part relies on having a faith that is quite mature

31 December 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Larry gave his last sermon of year twenty seventeen

Through the Bible, the theme of giving thanks is clearly seen

Per First Thessalonians five sixteen, Paul took no chances

“Rejoice always, pray,…and give thanks in all circumstances”

The power of giving thanks, four points Pastor said we glean

From the story of the ten lepers in Luke chapter seventeen

Leprosy is an illness but also represents being an outcast

Something we will all face even if we have not in the past

By giving thanks and acknowledging God, we remain humble

Remember that even the men of faith in the Bible did stumble

Per passages in First Peter five and Second Chronicles seven

If people humble themselves, healing will come from heaven

That the obedient lepers were cleansed reminds us to obey

Worship includes listening to God, Pastor did emphatically say

This was evidenced by Namaan’s story in Second Kings five

Only when he finally listened to Elisha did his cleansing arrive

Giving thanks builds our faith and that of those around us

In John four, the woman at the well testified about Jesus

Romans one says those who do not give thanks are fools

Ephesians two says we are saved by faith, not our tools

Having a grateful heart brings and sustains our healing

We should give thanks no matter how we may be feeling

But this must be a continual action, not just a point in time

For throughout our lives, there will be mountains to climb

In summary, so many references to being thankful are seen

We should thank God for He is good per Psalm one eighteen

Per Philippians four, we are not to be anxious but thanks give

He will guard our heart and mind for as long as we shall live

4 June 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Harris revisited Genesis four in his sermon today

Specifically about what Cain’s offering actually did convey

For although Cain and Abel both gave God an offering

Per Hebrews eleven, Abel acted by faith in everything

Josh said if worship focuses on actions, it is likely vain

But if it is merely from the heart, it can be a false domain
True worship focuses on God, that should be well known

For He sees our heart and actions, from upon His throne

James chapter one says that if anyone wisdom does lack
If we ask God in faith, He will show us the inside track

Romans ten says faith comes from hearing Christ’s word

For then our vision, path, and actions will not be blurred

Paul said that he was blameless if viewed as a Pharisee

But that this counted for nothing, per Philippians three

This is consistent with a verse from Jeremiah seventeen

If we trust in ourselves, even good things remain unseen

Self-righteousness is prideful, Philippians three days saith

But righteousness from God comes from Christ-linked faith

Faith is the conviction of things unseen, per Hebrews eleven

And without faith it is impossible to please God in heaven

Faith actually requires that we believe in God’s existence

As well as that He rewards those who seek his presence

Micah six says to act justly, love mercy, and humbly walk

Doing this is tough but must influence how we act and talk
Hebrews twelve instructs us to run the race set before us

We will not grow weak or fainthearted if we look to Jesus
For Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die

And give us a chance to our relationship with God rectify

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

1 January 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Larry spoke about “The Slingshot Effect” today

As we start a new year, encouraging words he did say

Per First Corinthians fifteen verses fifty seven and eight

We are to give thanks to God, Paul did resolutely state

For no matter what struggles or obstacles we may face

Our work for God is never in vain thanks to His grace

“Do not fret” in Psalm thirty seven King David did write

Nor should we envy those who act in ways not upright

For per Psalm one hundred and eighteen verse seven

We will triumph over enemies thanks to God in heaven

In Ephesians four, Paul repeated a similar exhortation

We should let Christ, not our worrying, be our foundation

Pastor Matsuwaki's first message for us we did then hear

For twenty seventeen, remember “this year, crush fear”

Returning to Psalm thirty seven, in God we should trust

By committing our ways to Him, His actions will be just

None of God’s promises ever fail, per Joshua twenty two

All enemies will be defeated for the Lord's Word is true

Pastor Larry’s second message to us was no less bold

“This year, determine to trust in God” we were told

And per Psalm thirty seven verses twenty three and four

If God delights in our ways, He will uphold us for sure

Pastor Matsuwaki then told us to do something different

“This year, build a closer walk with God” with intent

For in order to grow our faith, Pastor Larry did state

We must focus on our walk with God to reinvigorate

In conclusion, struggles and troubles we will all face

Like Apollo Thirteen and its challenges in outer space

The astronauts, like David, used a slingshot approach

We should see God working in our lives like a coach

Pastor said that last year’s hardships did us prepare

To experience greater things this year - if we dare!