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

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

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

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

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

12 June 2022 - ENCS

Pastor Mark today continued speaking about relationships

Specifically focusing on words that come from friendships

Proverbs twenty seven verses five and six, Pastor did quote

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love” Solomon wrote

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted” for they are sweet

Whereas “an enemy multiplies kisses” and is full of deceit

A faithful friend will speak the truth in order to help guide

Speaking from a place of love his feedback is supplied

So if a Christian friend is given cause to rebuke you or me

Assume it is well-intentioned and thus accept it thankfully

Similarly, when we provide feedback, do it with love as well

“The sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel”

So let me accept friends' rebukes as if they were from above

And ensure that if I rebuke others it is from a place of love

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

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

19 May 2019 - ENCS

The short series on relationships, Pastor Joey did continue

For our existence and happiness, relationships are the glue

As with a chair, we must trust a relationship’s foundation

Without trust, relationships falter and go into deterioration

For human beings, having trust and relationships is a must

As we are all sinners, we can never be fully trusted or trust

So about what builders trust, five points Pastor did share

As always, looking to God and the Bible helps us to prepare

For per Proverbs three, trust in the Lord with all of our heart

And in all of our ways, from a straight path we will not depart

Pastor used the letters of the word 'trust’ to form an anagram

For some of us, that is easier to remember than a diagram

With four letters in common, truth is the first basis for trust

Truth is tough, as half truths and fake news are oft-discussed

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life per John fourteen

So from Jesus and with Jesus truth we can surely glean

Reliability is another basis, as trust follows consistency

God is always reliable, so we should trust Him completely

His promises always come through, per Joshua twenty one

While His trust in us is dependent on what we have done

The third basis is unity, our words and actions aligned

The level of  consistency is how our integrity is defined

God is perfect unity, per the words in Deuteronomy four

Therefore versus humans we can trust Him infinitely more

Fourth is standards, akin to our building blocks or bricks

God is considered “holy, holy, holy” in Isaiah chapter six

Last but not least is time as per Hebrews chapter thirteen

Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever it is seen

Pastor concluded by talking about how we build this trust

Giving and receiving trust is inherently risky, he discussed

He mentioned that if we can not trust people to be on time

It is hard to trust them with bigger things (but not a crime)

The bottom line is for us to do the right things consistently

Then amazing relationships with God and people we see

12 May 2019 - ENCS

Pastor Josh shared some thoughts on this Mother’s Day

God-sent angels who teach us how to serve and to pray

Mothers very often exhibit various forms of sacrificial love

Which in effect is replicating the Lord in heaven above

On the importance of relationships, the sermon did focus

They bring out emotions like a beautiful blooming crocus

Our God is a god of relationships, Pastor Josh did state

Starting with his triune nature, ever since creation date

This is clear in Matthew chapter three from verse sixteen

The spirit of God came to rest on Son Jesus, it was seen

God saw that man needed a companion, per Genesis two

Because relationships are critical in everything we do

Given that, Pastor asked why relationships are so hard

God is omnipotent, loving, and is never caught offguard

But as human we all have limits and can get offended

Even if the impact of the action or words was not intended

Per Proverbs eighteen, taking offence is very unyielding

And like a castle, quarrelling puts up bars for shielding

But by putting up bars, we end up being more isolated

We need forgiveness for our mistakes, Pastor stated

As always, the hardest part is determine how to do this

Don't empower others to control our emotions and bliss

God loved Jesus and was well pleased, per Matthew three

And this was before any the Son’s miracles or ministry

Similarly, God loves us for what we are, not what we do

We should remember that to us His power does accrue

God chose us before creation, as per Ephesians one

In line with His pleasure, as each of us is an adopted son

Jesus came so we have abundance, per First John four

And thus we should love one another, he did underscore

God chose us, so we should have love and confidence

But if we do not connect to Him, the challenge is intense

Jesus sacrificed his life for his friends, per John fifteen

When we do things sacrificially, a similar attitude is seen

About relationships, we should have healthy expectations

A flow of generosity starts when it is at our foundations

God does more than he has to, we should remember

He wants to spend time with us January to December

And when we allow that, we learn about relationships

Giving us more security and confidence at our fingertips

3 February 2019 - ENCS

On the last Sunday before Lunar New Year’s Eve

Before to New Zealand Pastor Josh was to leave

He referred to Proverbs chapter twenty two four

The reward for fear of God is riches and honour

For when we fear the Lord and have true humility

He will take care of us and our lives, we will see

Fear actually implies respect, reverence, and trust

As following common sense can often lead to bust

God sometimes asks us to give time or resources

When we are feeling weakest or facing evil forces

We can learn to trust in the Lord if we do our part

Because what God actually desires is our heart

Per verse seventeen of Second Corinthians five

Anyone in Christ is a new creation and can thrive

God offers all of us second chances many times

For He loves us no matter what our sins or crimes

From the domain of darkness, per Colossians one

God can deliver us into the kingdom of His Son

To all sinners, Jesus showed compassion and love

So no matter how we mess up, He will rise above

We can never repay Jesus for what He did for us

We should accept His gift of new life without a fuss

Our reconciliation with God and others is His desire

Like the prodigal son despite all that did trasnspire

Once reconciled with God, ambassadors we become

Representing His kingdom is the obvious outcome

For reconciling with God is a life changing event

That is why His son Jesus Christ to earth was sent

Remember that God created and loves everyone

Reconciliation is open until our earthly days are done

17 June 2018 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke about “Why Dads?” on this Father’s Day

Starting with what to Jesus at His baptism His Father did say

Per Mark chapter one, via the Holy Spirit coming like a dove

God said Jesus was His Son who he loved and was proud of

All children look for such affirmation, affection, and availability

Fathers should thus try although there is no earthly infallibility

Josh noted three things fathers do to foster that environment

To defend, define, and discipline should be the ongoing intent

Defending the family involves providing, protecting, praying

Per First Timothy five, a believer not providing is dismaying

Nehemiah four says to fight for our families against intrusion

Prayer is the best because human control is a mere illusion

There are many Bible stories about fathers using their voice

Genesis thirty five, Luke one, and Numbers thirteen - rejoice

Isaac, Zechariah, and Moses each saved the day somehow

Per Numbers thirty, a father’s words can nullify a child’s vow

Josh said children need healthy boundaries for life to enjoy

Proverbs thirteen says we spoil if the rod we do not employ

Per Hebrews twelve, God disciplines us for our own good

We are actually illegitimate if He does not do as He should

No earthly father is perfect for a variety of obvious reasons

But per Psalm sixty eight, God is our father for all seasons

John fourteen says that if we love Jesus, God will us love 

Per Romans eight, we will then be adopted by God above

To have a wonderful earthly father, I am very very blessed

And having God on my side ensures I will not be oppressed

For my children and godchildren, I pray for the right direction

So I remember to affirm, be available, and to show affection

13 May 2018 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke on “Wonder Women” this Mother’s Day

He first highlighted what Proverbs one fourteen does say

Her own house, the wise woman builds with her own hand

The foolish one tears hers down, we read and understand

He spoke about Zechariah and wife Elizabeth, per Luke one

They were righteous despite what the Herodians had done

But despite praying and walking blamelessly in God’s sight

Elizabeth was barren, so their future did not look so bright

Once entering the temple, to Zechariah an angel did appear

The angel’s first words to the pious priest were “do not fear”

He told Zechariah the couple’s prayers would be answered

They would have a son because their pleas had been heard

In order for Zechariah to have the promised gladness and joy

He must name his son John and give no alcohol to the boy

This was because into John the Holy Spirit would instead fill

So he could turn many to God, according to God’s divine will

Zechariah unfortunately doubted the message that God sent

So until his son's birth his vocal cords were completely silent

This reminds us that our words carry a huge amount of clout

It is better to be quiet than to God’s promises verbally doubt

Eight days after the boy was born, he was duly circumcised

Their family wanted to name him Zechariah, it is surmised

But Elizabeth intervened in order to protect the boy’s destiny

Naming him John, which Zechariah supported for all to see

Remember that with the world, God’s ways don't always align

But if we incubate them, His plans will inevitably turn out fine

Be like Elizabeth and do not be afraid to apt objections raise

Then, like Zechariah, we can speak and to God send praise

It is interesting that Elizabeth had more faith than Zechariah

She was the hero, saving her husband from being a pariah

So on this second Sunday in May, all mothers we celebrate

Thanking them for prayers and support which never abate

17 December 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Josh started by quoting Provers twenty nine eighteen

"Without prophetic vision, people cast off restraint" was seen

Vision is needed to do the right thing physically or spiritually

It provides motivation, without which growth we will not see

Referring to current affairs, Pastor then quoted John McCain

He said that presently in Congress, political chaos does reign

Compromise is no longer acceptable as the vision changed

The role to govern and lead, other forces have rearranged

Pastor Josh then linked this thought to the Christmas season

Saying that unlike the world, we must remember the reason

We are easily distracted by the gifts, food, friends, and family

Remember that Jesus was a gift from God for all humanity

Isaiah nine verse six highlights what we should all celebrate

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given” it does state

Jesus created the world but He returned as a humble man

Showing true leadership and self-sacrifice was God’s plan

Jesus "will be called Wonderful Counsellor", per Isaiah nine

Per Psalm nineteen, His perfect wisdom He does us assign

The Lord gave His beloved Son for everyone on this earth

Implying that in God's eyes everyone has tremendous worth

Jesus became wisdom from God, per First Corinthians one

His goodness outweighs all of the bad things we have done

Jesus gives us righteousness, sanctification, and redemption

These are offered as gifts to all believers, without exemption

Per Isaiah, Jesus is also Mighty God and Everlasting Father

For He is always with us and about us He always will bother

God lavishes great love on us, per First John chapter three

So therefore being a child of God should be our core identity

That core identity should provide a purpose and self-confidence

With peace and stability, aid to others we can readily dispense

Per Luke one, into earthly darkness Jesus came to shine light

And "to guide our feet into the path of peace" - which is right

26 November 2017 - ENCS

About Genesis, the seed plot of the Bible, Josh did speak

Into all Biblical themes and principles Genesis does peek

Including blood, storms, God’s purpose and covenants

As a foundation, the book of Genesis has no equivalents

According to Genesis nine starting from verse eighteen

Noah had three sons - Shem, Ham, Japheth -  it is seen

Noah planted vineyards but got drunk and was uncovered

Per verse twenty two, in this nakedness Ham discovered

And about Thanksgiving, Josh’s point was far from murky

The focus should be on praising the Lord, not the turkey

For although God does not require from us any praise

Giving Him praise ends up helping us even on bad days

Returning to Genesis, to his brothers Ham did then share

He did this intentionally, clearly not out of concern or care

Per Proverbs seventeen, he who covers a sin seeks love

Otherwise, it will separate friends and upset God above

Shem and Japheth did not look while covering their dad

What they did was as good as what Ham did was bad

Noah awoke and blessed them and their descendants

But cursed Canaan for Ham’s sin and lack of penance

Blessings last more generations than curses, Josh said

Neither one ends just because the first person is dead

Adam and Eve sinned, thus were shamefully exposed

Their relationship with God was regrettably transposed

Jesus, when faced with the adulteress in John eight

Forgave her in love, even though the sin he did hate

We are to restore a sinner gently, per Galatians one

And definitely not be tempted by what he has done

Like with Adam and Eve, God knows all that we do

Jesus came to cover our sins, heal and make us new

And thus, God’s presence we can once again access

Which means even our descendants He will bless

5 November 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke on Genesis chapter eight verse twenty two

God said “while the earth remains”, seasons we would view

Akin to summer and winter, we have our individual seasons

We should remember that God does this for different reasons

Webster says that a season is a time that is suitable or fit

The key is to know what season we are in and understand it

Otherwise we get frustrated and God’s plans do not achieve 

His seasons are unique for each of us, we should believe

Know that each season has its own challenges and benefits

Both evident and not evident, as God decides and permits

Per Jeremiah seventeen five, we must trust God not man

Sometimes hardship is part of the Lord's overarching plan

We must work hard during harvest time, per Proverbs ten

Responding to God’s windows of opportunity like wise men

Blessed is he who trusts in God, per Jeremiah seventeen

They will bear fruit in every season, in verse eight is seen

God provides throughout, sometimes more, sometimes less

That is why Chisholm penned “Great is Thy Faithfulness"

Josh said patterns are a reminder of God’s steadfastness

Per James one, if we ask then with wisdom He will us bless

Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, said to preach the Word

To be ready both in and out of season was stated not inferred

In summary, our various seasons we should accept with joy

Doing God’s work while our God-given talents we do employ

15 October 2017 - ENCS

The lengthy series on Genesis Pastor Josh did today continue

Per chapter six verse seventeen God knew what He had to do

In order to rid the role of all the corrupt behaviour and violence

Due to all the sin, almost everything on earth he had to dispense

To focus on our relationship with God, for a crisis we cannot wait

For if we don’t know how to hear God by then, it will be too late

God told Noah he would establish a covenant, per verse eighteen

It was God’s first, although until chapter nine details were not seen

“Just trust me and be obedient, Noah”, God was effectively saying

His omnipotence and love are why we should frequently be praying

God said to take a male and female of all species in verse twenty

That would enable them all to procreate and repopulate aplenty

As a side note, Josh asked if we have built an ark for our families

So that when storms inevitably hit, they will feel like a light breeze

Noah did everything that God commanded, per verse twenty two

That is a reminder that knowledge means nothing unless we do

And the greater the crisis, the more important it is to fully obey

For God always has our best interests at heart, Pastor did say

We should set boundaries and discipline our children in love

In the same way we are guided and disciplined by God above

Not disciplining our children is in fact hate, per Proverbs thirteen

As we are God’s legitimate children, the same approach is seen

Proof of how much He values us is seen when He sent His son

To pay the price for all the sinful behaviour we have ever done

God actually protects us by giving us commands, Josh did state

Being able to hear Him and then obey can help avoid a bad fate

Per Genesis chapter seven verses twenty two and twenty three

It is evident that Noah’s obedience affected his family’s destiny

So as we go forth into this world filled with its challenges and sin

Listening to and obeying God's commands should be our linchpin

10 September 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke about Enoch using Genesis chapter five

Per two verses, Enoch "walked with God" while he was alive

But then Enoch “was no more, because God took him away”

The fact that he did not die is unique, Pastor Joey did say

The prophecy of Enoch is mentioned in Jude verse fourteen 

God would come to execute judgement, it is clearly seen

The Lord revealed His plans to prophets, per Amos three

Which is why the Old Testament is important for us to see

Enoch fathered Methuselah, whose name was a prophecy

“His death shall bring judgement” was a Godly guarantee

Seven days before the flood, at age nine hundred sixty nine

Methusaleh died, his grandson Noah to carry the bloodline

In order to fully appreciate His grace, we must fear the Lord

In this regard, Proverbs nine verse ten should not be ignored

In Matthew ten verse twenty eight, the disciples did all hear

As Jesus reiterated that God, not any man, we should fear

Enoch did not experience death, per Hebrews chapter eleven

Because he walked in faith, God took him directly to heaven

Romans ten verse seventeen says faith comes from hearing

Hearing the word of Christ is thus more than just endearing

Three steps we can take to have faith, Pastor Joey did highlight 

Being in God’s Presence, not being present, is what is right

Agreeing with God, not merely acknowledging Him, is key

Choosing God’s Pleasure over ours should be our reality

Per Psalm sixteen, in God’s presence there is fullness of joy

Since God is everywhere, this true joy nothing can destroy

We cannot please God without faith, per Hebrews eleven

And if we have faith, our eternal reward awaits in heaven

11 June 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Joey Bonifacio spoke on Genesis chapter four today

To God, brothers Cain and Abel each took a different way

Being religious like Cain focuses on works and compliance

Having faith like Abel involves trust and on God, reliance

The Lord God asked Cain why he was angry, per verse six

How do we react when others point out something to fix?

He who hates correction is stupid, Proverbs twelve says 

For we are all imperfect and need correction, even a Pres

God kept talking to Cain about doing right, per verse seven

In the Bible, it was the first mention of “sin", not from heaven

Desires lead to sins which lead to death, per James one

Through sin, our perceptions of truth and right are undone

Which then affects our attitude, our actions, and our identity

For sin’s trajectory pulls us away from God and His serenity

Faith helps us overcome sin in three ways, Joey did say

Proverbs three says trusting in God’s Word is the way

That allows us to turn to His ways , per Isaiah fifty five

So we can tap into God’s power every day we are alive

God wants us to operate within a range, to avoid extremes

We do not need to be poor nor engage in greedy schemes

Our bodies are temples and are not to be idolised or abused

Both hedonism and aestheticism can leave us confused

Sin is like a crouching lion, waiting to pounce and destroy

But Jesus is a lion whose strength we can always deploy

And if we trust, turn, and tap into God, the real McCoy

We can experience righteousness, peace, and true joy