"Praise the Lord, O my soul"
His greatness I do extol
He forgives our sins and heals our diseases
And satisfies our desires, if He so pleases
The Lord provides justice for the oppressed
Of His goodness, Moses and Israel can attest
He is compassionate and His love abounds
He does not punish us although He has many grounds
He removes our transgressions from us
Because a father's compassion He does possess
Our days are numbered and we will be no more
But He will be the same tomorrow as He was before
With those who fear Him and His teachings obey
God's love and righteousness will always stay
In heaven, He has established His throne
His kingdom rules over all the known and unknown
All the earth and heaven He doth control
Indeed, "Praise the Lord, O my soul"
There is so much to be thankful for
Of His love for me I am sure
To know that my sins He doth forgive
Makes it so much easier to live
I count my blessings each and every day
As I hope my poems do convey
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
29 June 2010 - Job 1
There was once a holy and righteous man named Job
He had family, great riches, and more than one robe
He would sacrifice a burnt offering for each son
In case they had sinned in what they had done
God considered Job blameless and upright
Satan tried to prove otherwise, using all of his might
Job's oxen and donkeys were carried away
Many sheep and servants died on the same day
His seven sons and three daughters were killed
Yet Job's great love for God was never stilled
Verse twenty one should be memorized and taken to heart
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart"
Then "The Lord giveth and the Lord has taken away"
"May the name of the Lord be praised" each and every day
This may not explain why good people have to suffer
But it does remind me that Job had it much tougher
Job was faithful through it all
Which is why his story we do recall
So to God I give thanks each time I pray
That really is the only way
He had family, great riches, and more than one robe
He would sacrifice a burnt offering for each son
In case they had sinned in what they had done
God considered Job blameless and upright
Satan tried to prove otherwise, using all of his might
Job's oxen and donkeys were carried away
Many sheep and servants died on the same day
His seven sons and three daughters were killed
Yet Job's great love for God was never stilled
Verse twenty one should be memorized and taken to heart
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart"
Then "The Lord giveth and the Lord has taken away"
"May the name of the Lord be praised" each and every day
This may not explain why good people have to suffer
But it does remind me that Job had it much tougher
Job was faithful through it all
Which is why his story we do recall
So to God I give thanks each time I pray
That really is the only way
28 June 2010 - Psalm 73
"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart"
But of the wicked and their prosperity I was envious from the start
They seem to be struggle- and problem-free
Their malice and arrogance are an affront to me
Meanwhile I have tried to keep my heart pure
But seem to be daily plagued, that's for sure
God will "cast them down to ruin", per verse eighteen
They will be destroyed for their acts obscene
I was senseless and my heart was bitter
My relationship with God I should not fritter
I should stay with him so He can guide me in every endeavour
For "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever"
Upon those are far from God, He will trod
"But as for me, it is good to be near God"
But of the wicked and their prosperity I was envious from the start
They seem to be struggle- and problem-free
Their malice and arrogance are an affront to me
Meanwhile I have tried to keep my heart pure
But seem to be daily plagued, that's for sure
God will "cast them down to ruin", per verse eighteen
They will be destroyed for their acts obscene
I was senseless and my heart was bitter
My relationship with God I should not fritter
I should stay with him so He can guide me in every endeavour
For "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever"
Upon those are far from God, He will trod
"But as for me, it is good to be near God"
27 June 2010 - ENCS
From Psalm 20:7, instead of trusting in a chariot of a horse
In the offertory, Ivy said to trust instead in God of course
Then with Pastor Larry the “Just Live It” series did end
“Security Walls” was the topic on which he did rend
The trip to Israel formed the core basis
For Pastor’s message to our ears and faces
Israel has lots of walls and security
But how to be secure in that unsafe city?
In the same way, for security people do strive
So that physically and financially they might thrive
Pastor then asked what types of walls do we need
Jerusalem will have none, in Zechariah 2:4-5 we do read
Around the city, the Lord will build a wall of fire
So He can protect us from everything dire
The same is true to the church
He will bless us, not leave us in a lurch
Is our growth hindered by walls we erect?
Two types specifically Pastor did select
The first are walls of conflict, like the West Bank Wall
They provide temporary security but in the end must fall
Whether they be in Israel, China, or Berlin
They hinder growth by not letting others in
Walls are not just physical in nature
Our actions can have the same effect, that’s for sure
Jesus came to break these walls down
If we don’t forgive others, He will frown
Our protection is salvation, per Isaiah 60:18
Jesus destroys dividing walls of hostility, per Ephesians 2:14
Into us, His spirit puts a fire we can feel
Allowing us a chance to start again and to heal
Then about a holocaust survivor we did hear
He had much bitterness and probably fear
But his grandchildren wrote him a letter
Reading it at Auschwitz helped him get better
People tend to focus on those who died
But because he lived, his family multiplied
In the same way, we must learn to open our heart
For that barrier Jesus to break down and tear apart
The second are walls of compromise, like Jericho’s wall
The people thought they were invincible and above it all
Supernatural was God’s strategy to defeat
Around the city seven times, marching on their feet
In the same way, our success can be undone
In an instant, even if we are having fun
God does not like people or nations that are too confident
That is what Zechariah 1:15 and Hebrews 11:30 meant
‘Pride comes before the fall’ is a common saying
God wants total commitment from us, never swaying
About our relationship with God we must be passionate
Don’t compromise for man’s version of success, not even a bit
To protect us, a wall of fire is built by our God in heaven
David said the same about his hiding place in Psalm 32:7
God protects us and to look over us sends angels
That is what Isaiah 91 verse 11 tells
So rely on God’s wall of fire
Having other walls is really dire
Remember that if God is for us, against us nothing can be
For His plans and promises will prevail for you and for me
Trust God, who will take care of your earthly bothers
What we need to do is to truly forgive others
In the offertory, Ivy said to trust instead in God of course
Then with Pastor Larry the “Just Live It” series did end
“Security Walls” was the topic on which he did rend
The trip to Israel formed the core basis
For Pastor’s message to our ears and faces
Israel has lots of walls and security
But how to be secure in that unsafe city?
In the same way, for security people do strive
So that physically and financially they might thrive
Pastor then asked what types of walls do we need
Jerusalem will have none, in Zechariah 2:4-5 we do read
Around the city, the Lord will build a wall of fire
So He can protect us from everything dire
The same is true to the church
He will bless us, not leave us in a lurch
Is our growth hindered by walls we erect?
Two types specifically Pastor did select
The first are walls of conflict, like the West Bank Wall
They provide temporary security but in the end must fall
Whether they be in Israel, China, or Berlin
They hinder growth by not letting others in
Walls are not just physical in nature
Our actions can have the same effect, that’s for sure
Jesus came to break these walls down
If we don’t forgive others, He will frown
Our protection is salvation, per Isaiah 60:18
Jesus destroys dividing walls of hostility, per Ephesians 2:14
Into us, His spirit puts a fire we can feel
Allowing us a chance to start again and to heal
Then about a holocaust survivor we did hear
He had much bitterness and probably fear
But his grandchildren wrote him a letter
Reading it at Auschwitz helped him get better
People tend to focus on those who died
But because he lived, his family multiplied
In the same way, we must learn to open our heart
For that barrier Jesus to break down and tear apart
The second are walls of compromise, like Jericho’s wall
The people thought they were invincible and above it all
Supernatural was God’s strategy to defeat
Around the city seven times, marching on their feet
In the same way, our success can be undone
In an instant, even if we are having fun
God does not like people or nations that are too confident
That is what Zechariah 1:15 and Hebrews 11:30 meant
‘Pride comes before the fall’ is a common saying
God wants total commitment from us, never swaying
About our relationship with God we must be passionate
Don’t compromise for man’s version of success, not even a bit
To protect us, a wall of fire is built by our God in heaven
David said the same about his hiding place in Psalm 32:7
God protects us and to look over us sends angels
That is what Isaiah 91 verse 11 tells
So rely on God’s wall of fire
Having other walls is really dire
Remember that if God is for us, against us nothing can be
For His plans and promises will prevail for you and for me
Trust God, who will take care of your earthly bothers
What we need to do is to truly forgive others
20 June 2010 - ENCS
Pastor Neli continued with the "Just Live It" theme
He said that being different was not all that it may seem
It may be hard for him to find clothes as nothing seems to fit
But he talked about "The Perfect Fit" with his usual style and wit
Before delving into the main message, some verses Pastor asked us to see
1 Corinthians 12:18 says we are where God wants us to be
And if we look to Jeremiah 29 verse eleven
We have a future and hope due to our God in heaven
He also said that to others we should not compare
As God's plans are unique, there's no matching pair
Pastor then talked of synonyms for happiness
He named three - nothing more, nothing less
"Satisfied" was the first word Pastor said
Don't be amused, be biblically happy instead
Per Matthew 5:6, it should be our desire
That God's goal be our inner fire
And then he referred to Psalm 37 verse four
"Delight yourself in the Lord", that's for sure
John Piper said that in us God is most glorified
When in Him we are most satisfied
As an example, look at imprisoned Silas and Paul
Per Acts 16:25, they prayed and sang praises through it all
So no matter what circumstances do to your body and soul
Always remember and be satisfied that God is in control
"Glad" was synonym number two
The opposite of what was felt in Mark 10:22
Instead Isaiah chapter 61 verse three is what we should read
God will give us the crown of beauty and oil of gladness that we need
And also read Psalm 92 verse four
The works of God make us glad some more
In our spirit there should be joy resounding
No matter what is happening in our surrounding
Don't be anxious and don't feel down
It takes less muscles to smile than to frown!
"Fulfilled" was the third one that we heard
Similar to twice saying the "full" word
Romans 14:17 talks of righteousness and peace
Law-driven behaviour really should cease
God has tailor made each of us a garment of praise
All is under control, with Him nothing should us faze
The Hebrew word for peace is 'shalom'
That is God's wish for each and every home
Per 2 Corinthians 5:17 God created us to be a new creation
His spirit fills us so we bless others with an overflowing sensation
'My cup runneth over' per Psalm 23 verse 5
God's spirit fills our cups while we are alive
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
He said that being different was not all that it may seem
It may be hard for him to find clothes as nothing seems to fit
But he talked about "The Perfect Fit" with his usual style and wit
Before delving into the main message, some verses Pastor asked us to see
1 Corinthians 12:18 says we are where God wants us to be
And if we look to Jeremiah 29 verse eleven
We have a future and hope due to our God in heaven
He also said that to others we should not compare
As God's plans are unique, there's no matching pair
Pastor then talked of synonyms for happiness
He named three - nothing more, nothing less
"Satisfied" was the first word Pastor said
Don't be amused, be biblically happy instead
Per Matthew 5:6, it should be our desire
That God's goal be our inner fire
And then he referred to Psalm 37 verse four
"Delight yourself in the Lord", that's for sure
John Piper said that in us God is most glorified
When in Him we are most satisfied
As an example, look at imprisoned Silas and Paul
Per Acts 16:25, they prayed and sang praises through it all
So no matter what circumstances do to your body and soul
Always remember and be satisfied that God is in control
"Glad" was synonym number two
The opposite of what was felt in Mark 10:22
Instead Isaiah chapter 61 verse three is what we should read
God will give us the crown of beauty and oil of gladness that we need
And also read Psalm 92 verse four
The works of God make us glad some more
In our spirit there should be joy resounding
No matter what is happening in our surrounding
Don't be anxious and don't feel down
It takes less muscles to smile than to frown!
"Fulfilled" was the third one that we heard
Similar to twice saying the "full" word
Romans 14:17 talks of righteousness and peace
Law-driven behaviour really should cease
God has tailor made each of us a garment of praise
All is under control, with Him nothing should us faze
The Hebrew word for peace is 'shalom'
That is God's wish for each and every home
Per 2 Corinthians 5:17 God created us to be a new creation
His spirit fills us so we bless others with an overflowing sensation
'My cup runneth over' per Psalm 23 verse 5
God's spirit fills our cups while we are alive
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
13 June 2010 - ENCS
After the offertory message said "just give it"
Pastor Kenneth continued the series "Just Live It"
He talked about temptation, which we have all seen
His first passage was 1 Corinthians 10 verse 13
God will not let us be tempted more than we can bear
He will provide a way out because He doth care
And no matter how many times to temptation we fall prey
We can still overcome it each and every new day
Pastor observed that to temptation we are desensitized
And are drawn to it, instead of fleeing, he surmised
Our weak points the devil knows
Things that we like he often shows
This strategy can be hard to fight
But we can win, with God's might
Pastor shared three characteristics of temptation
The first is temporary relief, aka instant gratification
The second is that temptations are lies from the enemy
This of course started in Genesis 3, verses 1 to 3
The third is that it strikes unexpectedly, when we are tired or inert
Per Peter 5: 8-9, we should be self-controlled and alert
Peter then told us four ways for temptation to be overcome
All have key words starting with W, that's not dumb
The first is to WAIT upon the Lord and learn to say no
To Psalms 33:20 and Lamentations 3:22-26 we should go
Waiting can be hard but worthwhile it will be
Just like discipline as in Hebrews 12:11 we can see
Philippians 4:11-13 tells us to be contented
That makes it hard for us to be tempted
The second is to WATCH out for one another
We need accountability from our Christian brother
Even wise Solomon fell, per 1 Kings eleven
We will all follow, if not for the grace of heaven
So confess to each other per James 5:16
In 1 John 1 :9, this command is also seen
The third is to exercise your WILL to build strong convictions now
Be like Daniel and live through testing fires, wow!
Philippians 4:8 tells us what to think about
To prepare for any crisis, there is no other route
The fourth is that the WORD of God will help us learn the truth
So read the Bible until you are long in the tooth
2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Hebrews 4:12
And Matthew 4:11 are verses you should delve
The latter told of Jesus' temptation
He used God's strength and of course meditation
John 8:31-32 and Psalms 43:3
Are other verses you should see
So in conclusion temptation can be overcome
Remember that to fear we should not succumb
Pastor Kenneth continued the series "Just Live It"
He talked about temptation, which we have all seen
His first passage was 1 Corinthians 10 verse 13
God will not let us be tempted more than we can bear
He will provide a way out because He doth care
And no matter how many times to temptation we fall prey
We can still overcome it each and every new day
Pastor observed that to temptation we are desensitized
And are drawn to it, instead of fleeing, he surmised
Our weak points the devil knows
Things that we like he often shows
This strategy can be hard to fight
But we can win, with God's might
Pastor shared three characteristics of temptation
The first is temporary relief, aka instant gratification
The second is that temptations are lies from the enemy
This of course started in Genesis 3, verses 1 to 3
The third is that it strikes unexpectedly, when we are tired or inert
Per Peter 5: 8-9, we should be self-controlled and alert
Peter then told us four ways for temptation to be overcome
All have key words starting with W, that's not dumb
The first is to WAIT upon the Lord and learn to say no
To Psalms 33:20 and Lamentations 3:22-26 we should go
Waiting can be hard but worthwhile it will be
Just like discipline as in Hebrews 12:11 we can see
Philippians 4:11-13 tells us to be contented
That makes it hard for us to be tempted
The second is to WATCH out for one another
We need accountability from our Christian brother
Even wise Solomon fell, per 1 Kings eleven
We will all follow, if not for the grace of heaven
So confess to each other per James 5:16
In 1 John 1 :9, this command is also seen
The third is to exercise your WILL to build strong convictions now
Be like Daniel and live through testing fires, wow!
Philippians 4:8 tells us what to think about
To prepare for any crisis, there is no other route
The fourth is that the WORD of God will help us learn the truth
So read the Bible until you are long in the tooth
2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Hebrews 4:12
And Matthew 4:11 are verses you should delve
The latter told of Jesus' temptation
He used God's strength and of course meditation
John 8:31-32 and Psalms 43:3
Are other verses you should see
So in conclusion temptation can be overcome
Remember that to fear we should not succumb
6 June 2010 - PLMC
Pastor Reuben gave the sermon this morning
But he started by giving us a warning
Per John 8:32, knowing the truth will set us free
But this knowledge must in our hearts be
Intellectual knowledge is not enough
Even if living the truth is rather tough
The message was based on 1 Thessalonians 2
Pastor Reuben related it to what we should do
The title of his sermon was "The Focus"
What he said applies to all of us
The first twelve verses focus on the minister
Paul was exceptional, that's for sure
The verses describe all his traits good
Even in hardship, praise God Paul would
Be bold and pure, do not deceive
Don't think about the glory you could receive
Paul's motivation is seen in verse four
He wanted to please God more and more
To please God, not men is what a focused minister should do
Unlike what is seen in John 12, verse forty two
Don't let others dictate how you feel
Just go out and show true Christian zeal
In verses 13-20 Paul talked about the church
He spoke of their strength, from his moral perch
Despite persecution, they stood firm and fast
This brought glory and joy that did certainly last
Verse thirteen is clearly the key
Receive the word of God, as it may be
Look beyond the messenger to the source
No matter who is speaking, as a matter of course
And be careful of being like a Donatist
Think of Caiaphas, if you get Reuben's gist
In Matthew 26:65 he broke a Levite law
He was redeemed, as in John 11:49-51 we saw
What Paul and the Thessalonians clearly knew
To see God, not men is what a focused Christian should do
Verses 19 and 20 also help us to learn
That everything Paul did was for Jesus' return
Romans 5:5 talks about our hope
Without which, it would be impossible to cope
Because to this earth Jesus is coming again
Our focused reason should be for God, not men
Condensing all this, it is no real surprise
That on God we should keep our eyes
But he started by giving us a warning
Per John 8:32, knowing the truth will set us free
But this knowledge must in our hearts be
Intellectual knowledge is not enough
Even if living the truth is rather tough
The message was based on 1 Thessalonians 2
Pastor Reuben related it to what we should do
The title of his sermon was "The Focus"
What he said applies to all of us
The first twelve verses focus on the minister
Paul was exceptional, that's for sure
The verses describe all his traits good
Even in hardship, praise God Paul would
Be bold and pure, do not deceive
Don't think about the glory you could receive
Paul's motivation is seen in verse four
He wanted to please God more and more
To please God, not men is what a focused minister should do
Unlike what is seen in John 12, verse forty two
Don't let others dictate how you feel
Just go out and show true Christian zeal
In verses 13-20 Paul talked about the church
He spoke of their strength, from his moral perch
Despite persecution, they stood firm and fast
This brought glory and joy that did certainly last
Verse thirteen is clearly the key
Receive the word of God, as it may be
Look beyond the messenger to the source
No matter who is speaking, as a matter of course
And be careful of being like a Donatist
Think of Caiaphas, if you get Reuben's gist
In Matthew 26:65 he broke a Levite law
He was redeemed, as in John 11:49-51 we saw
What Paul and the Thessalonians clearly knew
To see God, not men is what a focused Christian should do
Verses 19 and 20 also help us to learn
That everything Paul did was for Jesus' return
Romans 5:5 talks about our hope
Without which, it would be impossible to cope
Because to this earth Jesus is coming again
Our focused reason should be for God, not men
Condensing all this, it is no real surprise
That on God we should keep our eyes
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