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

31 December 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh ended the year talking about thankfulness

A feeling we should always bear in mind, he did stress

Per Acts seventeen, Paul said God made everything

That is why in many Psalms, David did praises sing

The SQ App has a function to see answered prayers

A powerful reminder that God both listens and cares

Josh stated we should be thankful to God every hour

For His provision, His protection, as well as His power

We should be thankful for God per Hebrews thirteen

Because God will never leave or forsake us, it is seen

And we are more than conquerors, per Romans eight

God’s presence, peace, and person will never abate

Be thankful to God for each other was his final point

For our fellow believers support and never disappoint

In First Corinthians one, Paul said to give thanks

Per Romans one, he said we help fill in others’ blanks

In Romans twelve, Paul said  be thankful to God above

For multiplied wisdom, mutual faith, and genuine love

25 December 2023 - Blessed Christmas

“Why do…the peoples plot in vain?” says Psalm two

The Lord and His Anointed One the leaders try to outdo

From heaven, the Lord scoffs and rebukes them all

For His King on Zion – the holy hill - God did install

“You are my Son…and I [am] your Father,” God said

God will make “the nations [His] inheritance” instead

“Therefore, you kings, be wise [and] be warned”

For they should serve the Lord they once scorned

 

The Lord said to Jesus, according to Psalm one hundred ten

To “sit at [His] right hand” and rule over all earthly men

For on “the day of battle”, “[His] troops will be willing”

Jesus is a “priest forever”, thus old prophecies fulfilling

God “will crush kings on the day of His wrath”

For Jesus will always be found on God’s path

There have been many priests, per Hebrews seven

But only one lives forever, He was sent from heaven

“Therefore he is able to save completely” any person

“He lives to intercede for them” before their lives worsen

 

The birth of Jesus is briefly written about in Luke two

Joseph went to Bethlehem, for a census all had to do

He went with Mary, his betrothed who was expecting

She gave birth to her son in a stable without objecting

There were shepherds in the nearby fields with their flock

The glory of the Lord shone, and their knees did all knock

But an angel came and told them about the good news

That in Bethlehem had been born the King of the Jews

They were told to rejoice, for they were not in any danger

They would find Jesus wrapped in clothes lying in a manger

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem,” per Matthew two

Magi from the east came, a star in the sky was the clue

The king of the Jews is who they wanted to worship

So they brought gifts with them on the very long trip

King Herod was disturbed; the Magi in secret he did call

They were to report back to him; his evil plans not to stall

The child they did find as to the star they did refer

They worshipped him with gold, incense, and myrrh

About Herod’s evil plot from a dream they did learn

So by another route to their country they did return

17 December 2023 - ENCS

The Christmas sermon series Pastor Josh did continue

Uncertainty surrounds, as in Psalm four we did view

David asked The Lord God to lift up the light of His face

If we see God, then good things appear in every place

A contrast to Jesus the Saviour we see in Luke two

Born in a manger,  far from a king’s traditional debut

The angels promised peace on earth, goodwill to all

Supernatural God can change things big and small 

In Psalm four, David lay down in peace and sleep

For the Lord would allow David in safety to keep

Jesus will fix everything, either in this life or the next

That is mentioned or alluded in many a biblical text

God himself is our peace, as per Ephesians two

Jesus preached that peace for all should ensue

Remember peace is relational, not circumstantial

Our access to God via the Spirit is substantial

In Second Corinthians five, we are a creation new

We receive God’s peace as a major breakthrough

And because we are now in Christ a new creation

Jesus has given us the ministry of reconciliation

10 December 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the Christmas sermon series today

We will go through love, joy, peace, and hope he did say

All four are intangible things that everyone does strive for

God can provide true love, joy, hope, peace, per Psalm four

An angel shared the message of Jesus in Luke chapter two

Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy out of the blue

Unto you is born this day a Saviour who is Christ the Lord

The last line addresses the previous one, it cannot be ignored

Continuing from Luke two, from the temple Anna did not depart

Worshiping, fasting, and praying constantly from the day’s start

She gave thanks to God and to all who did listen of him she spoke

PMPF - pray, meditate, proclaim, fellowship - we should also invoke

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”

1 October 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke today on the topic “The Addict"

In old times, a positive attribute this term did depict

Joey said in Acts two verse forty two it was noted

The apostles were addicted, in other words devoted

To teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer

As in First Corinthians sixteen Paul also did share

Since there was no New Testament or printing press

From the Old Testament, those apostles did profess

With Jesus and the Holy Spirit as an interpreting lens

The hearts and minds of thousands they did cleanse

The apostles meditated, as per Joshua chapter one

Per Psalm one, their delight in the Law not outdone

Returning to Acts two, the believers were together

Addicted to fellowship, regardless of the weather

They met every day, their hearts glad and sincere

Breaking bread together every day through the year

Per the words of Jesus, to break bread is to proclaim

Leaving prayer as the last element, Joey did exclaim

The many signs and wonders filled everyone with awe

Their numbers grew daily based on what others saw

The four elements still apply today, Pastor did quip

PMPF equals Pray, Meditate, Proclaim, and Fellowship

Our SQ App is designed for the purpose and is free

If you want to learn more, feel free to contact me

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

10 September 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the “How is your SQ” series today

“In the heavenly realms” many times Ephesians does say

Spiritual forces of evil our earthly struggles often disguise

Today’s sermon was appropriately titled “Open Your Eyes” 

For those with closed eyes, the spiritual realm is not real

Per Psalm fourteen, the fool says God is not the real deal

Ones with closed eyes are fearful, insecure, powerless

Pastor Joey said they are also bold, blind, and clueless

The spiritual realm is real for those whose eyes are open

Per Colossians two, due to our sin Jesus was roped in

Supreme is the power of Jesus, in whom our faith rests

For He is above all, Ephesians one more than suggests

So to keep our eyes open, PMPF we should implement

Pray without ceasing and Meditate on His word frequent

Proclaim your identity and with God’s people Fellowship

Per Romans eight, the love of God is always in our grip

23 July 2023 - ENCS

The Firm Foundations series Pastor Joey did complete

Hebrews five shares six elementary truths not obsolete

The last being eternal judgment, as per Revelation five

So at the title The Glory of the Last Lion Joey did arrive

The significance of God’s justice is where Joey started

It is the foundation of God’s throne, never departed

Psalm eighty nine, righteousness and justice are key

While love and faithfulness go before us, we can see

God’s justice also ensures fairness and impartiality 

Post restitution and retribution, restoration there will be

It puts in us a holy fear, also known as a reverent fear

For God judges our work in First Peter one we do hear

So then what does eternal judgement actually entail?

It is for everyone, both old and young, male and female

Per Hebrews nine, we all die and then judgement face

Our entire life is known, there is nothing we can erase

Per Hebrews four, nothing is hidden from God’ sight

It is a time of accountability, everything comes to light

Per Second Corinthians five, all appear before His seat

Since God sees all, His judgement we can not cheat

Ephesians two says we are created to do good works

But we should do these out of love, not for the perks

Joey said that eternal judgement is also a test of quality

Our foundation is in Jesus, per First Corinthians three

Our rewards will then be crowns that last for eternity

In First Thessalonians two, crowns of service we see

The crowns of devotion, as per Second Timothy four

But to Jesus, we give all the crowns and even more

16 July 2023 - ENCS

The Firm Foundations series Pastor Joey did continue 

About elementary truths in Hebrews five we can view

Repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands we see

Today Joey focused on resurrection, Embracing Eternity

To start, we must have an understanding of physical death 

For it is just a matter of time before we take our last breath

As per Second Corinthians four, we waste away outwardly

Our days are finite, in Psalm ninety and James four we see

Ecclesiastes three states that there is a time for everything

When we are born or when we die, control we cannot bring

The verse goes on to say everything is beautiful in its time

That God has set eternity in the human heart is a paradigm

Pastor then said we must understand Christ's’ resurrection

After Jesus died for our sins despite having no imperfection

As per Mark twelve, God is for both the living and the dead

So many resurrection witnesses could not have been misled

Acts seventeen says we are God’s offspring and should obey

Meaning that we should repent and in His name act and pray

This clearly has implications for our lives each and every day

We have God's power to resurrect any part of life, Joey did say

First Corinthians fifteen talks about our resurrection spiritual

The body that is sown is perishable but is raised imperishable

Similarly, the dishonourable becomes glorious thanks to Christ

The weak become powerful, in eternity for what He sacrificed

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

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

18 December 2022 - ENCS

Today Pastor Josh spoke on “Walking in the Darkness"

Jesus is the light of the world, John eight does stress

Darkness can not overcome Him, per John chapter one

For His light is brighter and longer lasting than the sun

His word is a light on our path and a map for our feet

About this Psalm one hundred nineteen is quite upbeat

There will be many times when in darkness we will walk

But about trusting in God’s presence, we should not balk

For His light is ever present and able to be relied upon

Per Isaiah fifty, without it into torment people have gone

Trying to rely on our own strengths will lead to trouble

That is why so many empires have ended up in rubble

Second Corinthians five says to walk by faith not sight

That can be tough when things do not seem to be right

But remember what is clearly stated in Isaiah fifty one

Remember all the things in the past that God has done

Abraham and Sarah are applauded in Hebrews eleven

For their unerring trust in promises from God in heaven

We should LIVE in the light of Jesus Christ our Lord

In His victory over darkness and the light of His word

We should WALK with total reliance on God, Josh said

In trust of His character, not by sight but by faith instead

We should LOOK at God’s faithfulness and His promises

And at God’s face with trust, not as doubting Thomases

16 October 2022 - ENCS

Pastor Josh referred to the recent mental health day

A topic on which the Bible actually has much to say

He focused on David, an example of human condition

A character study of the pain and power of desperation

David was identified in First Samuel chapter sixteen

From overlooked lonely shepherd to king, it was seen

Loneliness and persecution are two ways to learn

From Psalm twenty three we see what he did discern

He could trust the Lord no matter what the situation

For God “restoreth my soul” was David’s affirmation

This allowed him to view circumstances differently

And allowing God’s will to prevail, not coincidentally

In David’s loneliness, he experienced what God sent

Including restoration, deliverance, and empowerment

David also learned from his lengthy leadership duration

Overcoming hardships, betrayal, and false accusation

Nonetheless David’s legacy had both lows and highs

Like many, he was seduced by the lust of his eyes

Succumbing to the lust of his flesh with Uriah’s wife

And in the end David submitted to the pride of life

Pastor Josh said from David lessons we should see

From his loneliness, his leadership, and his legacy

Josh said we should never retire from serving God

As one who is vocationally retired, this is a apt prod

26 August 2022 - ENCS

Pastor Neli Atiga yesterday led a very special worship night

The music, the words, the voices were more than just alright

Bishop Manny Carlos spoke about how God can situations fix

He based his message on Psalm one hundred and twenty six

Being in lengthy exile had been traumatic for the Jewish nation

Returning to Jerusalem was a dream but required restoration

For the city and the temple had both been entirely destroyed

God’s covenant promises people, place, presence - not a void

Manny then highlighted that God can very suddenly restore

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy even more

We should remember that our labour for God is never in vain

God has promised restoration and has begun the process again

14 August 2022 - ENCS

Pastor Josh Harris continued the “Be Strong” series today

Leveraing what Pastor Joey and Ephesians six had to say

Snowden famously said that truth is first casualty of war

For us to wear the belt of truth, Pastor Josh did implore

If we are falsely accused, according to Psalm forty three

We must seek God’s light and truth to combat the enemy

For the truth will set us free, states John eight thirty two

Otherwise we are slaves to sin because of the sin we do

The answers to “why truth” are thus it gives us direction

And by seeking God, truth also provides us protection

Thirdly, Pastor Josh highlighted, truth buys us freedom

So bottom line, not seeking truth would be a bit dumb

Definitions of ‘what is truth?”, there are a preponderance

Be it logical, experiential, or universal correspondence

Truth is righteously active, as stated in Isaiah eleven

And truth is embodied in Jesus sent down from heaven

To answer the “so how?”, look at Ephesians four and five

Replace our falsehoods with our true identity so to thrive

We should remember to walk and do everything in love

Thus as God's children, we can try to imitate Him above

Ephesians 4:21-24, 5:1-2, 6:13

Isaiah 11:2-6

John 8:32-36,14:6

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

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

24 April 2020 - Anxiety

Anxiety should never be underestimated

It leaves individuals struggling and debilitated

Anxiety comes in many forms and is not gentle

Be it physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental

Each individual’s battle is naturally unique

But we are not alone, and definitely not weak

As Asaph wrote in Psalm number seventy three

“God is the strength of my heart” we do see

And even if “my flesh and my heart may fail”

God’s strength and plans will always prevail

So on His presence and people, let me rely

Also to help others rid their anxiety goodbye