24 May 2015 - Keene UCC

After we heard the words of Acts two verses one to twenty one

Pastor Chris Cornell shared the results of a survey recently done

It concluded that Christianity in the US was in an apparent decline

Few would be surprised at this although it is still a warning sign

And while this will lead to questions being asked and answered

These differ from those we should ask of our own faith, we heard

 

Pastor Chris admitted that there is much he does not know

In detail, the word 'tree' is what he used for the point to show

It is a word with a general meaning which we can all seize

But each of us think differently because of our memories

The same holds true for 'love' and for every other word

To believe that we all think alike is really quite absurd

 

So when the Spirit of God came like tongues of fire

Their language abilities caused the others to admire

Similarly, in each believer the Holy Spirit blows inside

As we listen, love, learn, and speak truth, it will guide

Our faith allows us to ask and listen in a different way

And of course helps to ensure that we do not go astray

 

In summary, we should not be focused on the institution

Instead, we should let our heart provide every solution

17 May 2015 - Keene UCC

On Ascension Sunday we heard from Chris Cornell

About baptism and being 'wet' in a letter he did us tell

 

Being baptized doesn't mean that God loves us more
Because He created us and loves us from the core

Pastor said we were created by love, in love, and for love

No matter how dark it may be, we are loved from above

Baptism doesn't wash away our sins or make us sinless

In fact, we will continue to sin and often end up in a mess

Reflecting the fact that out of fear, not love, we tend to act

That is the sin, not the breaking of rules, as a matter of fact

Baptism also doesn't change our eternal location

Or make life any easier or result in a better vocation

 

But as Pastor Chris did in his letter say so plainly and clearly

Baptismal water represents a divine birthmark placed dearly

This divine birthmark reflects who we are and who we can be

As God's beloved, His love in others should be plain to see

For a child of God is every person who resides on earth

In His eyes, each of His creations has immense worth

So we should look at others as if they have the same wet mark

After Jesus was baptized, on a preaching mission he did embark

We should be similarly free to see God's love in everyone

We can see and act this way until our life is finally done

 

Linking back to Ascension Sunday, Jesus gave us a command

To love others and share His word in each and every land

This is how we can lead an abundantly blessed life

An extra benefit is that it helps us to minimize strife

19 April 2015 - ENCS

The "Serve Nations" series Pastor Larry Matsuwaki did continue

In terms of reaching nations, the church takes on a world view

To support the Great Commission, each person has a different role

Some people go or fund, but about those who pray Pastor did extol

He mentioned that Singapore is hosting many events of prayer

Jesus' life and ministry revolved around prayer, he did share

This is why Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them to pray

And why the enemy attacks our prayers, Pastor did then say

 

In Matthew twenty one, Jesus said the temple was a house of prayer

But the moneychangers and merchants turned it into a robber's lair

Jesus was a passionate prayer warrior who prayed for many others

For people of all backgrounds and situations, not just His brothers

 

Pastor Larry said that in terms of types of prayer, there are two

First is personal prayer, which is something we all tend to do

There is nothing wrong with asking for things, per Philippians four

Which also says that prayer should push anxiety out the door

But if or perhaps when our prayers are not immediately answered

Questioning God leads to doubt and uncertainty, which is absurd

For blessed are those who keep the faith without understanding

To our knowledge that "God is still God", we should always cling

It is natural at times to complain about the situation we may be in

Per Second Corinthians twelve, even Paul expressed his chagrin

But God responded to Paul that His "grace is sufficient for you"

But also that the Lord knows exactly what we are going through

 

Pastor said that the second type of prayer is prayer for the nations

Group prayer is very powerful and establishes strong foundations

God told the Jews to pray for peace and prosperity for their captor

Per the words in verse seven of Jeremiah, the twenty ninth chapter

For God had great plans for His nation, filled with hope and a future

By praying and knowing God better, they could their troubles endure

Similarly, we should pray for those who God has thrust into our life

That is how to others around the world we show love and avoid strife

6 April 2015 - Grace Changes Everything

Second Corinthians chapter nine verse eight does imbue

That our "God is able to make all grace abound to you"

"So that in all things at all times, having all that you need"

"You will abound in every good work" and thus succeed

 

Per the ENCS sermon series, "Grace Changes Everything"

That reality should lead us to daily give praise and to sing

For in the words of one popular song, "I've been set free"

Gone are my chains, "My God, my Savior has ransomed me"

 

What does this mean for us at a given time on any given day?

It does not mean that our problems will necessarily go away

But it means that our view of them can for the better change

For God's plans for us are good, and solutions He will arrange

5 April 2015 - PLMC Sunrise Service

At Sunrise Service today, Pastor Lynette Sithiasingam spoke

On "Come, see, ...go and tell", as the angel that day spoke

Her sermon leveraged the first ten verses of Matthew twenty eight

About what transpired at the tomb at dawn on that first Easter date

Pastor Lynette focused on an invitation and four imperatives

On this important aspect, all four gospels include narratives

 

"Do not be afraid" to the women, the angel on the stone did say

He invited them to COME into the tomb to assuage their dismay

In many circumstances, Jesus instructed people to COME to him

Per Matthew eleven, He called those who were weary and grim

Or in John four, the Samarian woman at the well He addressed

With an invitation and a promise that He would give them rest

 

The angel told the women to SEE where Jesus had been laid

They were then filled with joy, although still somewhat afraid

Although they witnessed the earthquake and the stone rolled

It was imperative they actually SEE what prophets had foretold

It is our relationship with God that defines our faith, Pastor said

For then we can share experiences with others and not be misled

 

"GO quickly" was the third instruction that the angel did convey

Which mirrors the Great Commission from Jesus, Pastor did say

As Christians, we should never be content to be complacent

We are to spread the good news why Jesus to earth was sent

It is not enough for believers to just their own faith cultivate

We must GO everywhere in order to His kingdom inflate

 

The last imperative from the angel to the Marys was to "TELL"

Our life - and its words and actions - should do this as well

We should TELL others of this urgent message of hope

All have direct access to God's grace, not just the pope

Our testimony of what we have seen is what we should share

For that is how we really show people that we earnestly care

 

The four imperatives are thus to COME, SEE, GO, and TELL

This call to action, Jesus' resurrection should us duly compel

3 April 2015 - Good Friday

John chapters 18 and 19 tell us what happened on that day

Jesus was tormented in both a physical and an emotional way

In Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, and Luke 22-23 there is more

All about Jesus' death on the cross, what He came to earth for

He was betrayed, arrested, put on trial, mocked, and beaten

Disowned by Peter, with whom the Last Supper He had eaten

But throughout it all, only positive things Jesus had to say

And even at the end, for others Jesus did continue to pray

His crucifixion clearly fulfilled Old Testament prophecies

And forgiveness of our multitude of sins He guarantees

 

When I think of the flogging and His nail-pierced hands and feet

And knowing that because of Jesus, my life can be complete

Reading the words, let alone watching screen adaptations

Hits me hard, shaking my supposed strong foundations

I realize that words of thanks can never really be enough

I should do as Jesus would do, even when times are tough

What I do and how I respond is my testimony and tribute

And one measure is how much to society I do contribute

 

But no matter how much I may do or even poetically say

I know that this is one debt that I can never fully repay

Fortunately, that is not what God wants from any believer

He wants us to be faithful to Him and to be a grace receiver

So on this Good Friday I humbly say thanks for His grace

And with faith, against challenges I move forward to face

29 March 2015 - ENCS

The 'Grace Changes Everything' series was continued by Rachel Ong

She spoke about "Encounters With Jesus" with a sermon quite strong

Starting with Zacchaeus the tax collector in Luke chapter nineteen

To the short wealthy man in the crowd, Jesus was unable to be seen

So Zaccheaus climbed a sycamore tree in order to get a better view

Jesus saw him and shocked all with what he said he was going to do

At the tax collector's house that night He was going to eat and stay

The sinner Zaccheaus' entire life was thus transformed right away

No more shame and guilt, Jesus has healed Zaccheaus' soul

Which, whether a person was rich or poor, was Jesus' goal

The public and the Pharisees did not fathom this amazing grace

But Jesus knew what He was doing for this was not a test case

Once Zaccheaus' life was transformed, he made it up to the poor

Doing the math, Rachel said, he eradicated poverty and then more

 

Rachel then shared a video on Reena, who at 28 lost her sight

It took Reena quite a long time to accept her unfortunate plight

But once she used a cane, allowing God to provide the guidance

Her attitude changed, refusing to let the blindness be a hindrance

Reena now believes that her blindness is actually a blessing

Helping others and making a difference is far from distressing

 

Reena joined in person so her own testimony with us she did share

She grew up a Hindu but now to God and Jesus she goes in prayer

When she first heard John 3:16, Reena first felt inner peace

Now, per Psalm 119, God's guidance for her does not cease

She finds she is able to use her other senses better now

She is courageous, as Deuteronomy 31 tells her how

Once she learned Braille, the Bible she was able to read

Reena says that God is now with her, fulfilling every need

God enables her to bless others and impact many lives

Helping the poor, orphans, and sick wherever she arrives

For her daily encounters with God ensure His light shines

And that her daily activities are consistent with His designs

 

In summary, it can perhaps be said that man's disappointment

Often times provides an opportunity for a Godly appointment

But an encounter with Jesus does not mean no suffering

In fact, some suffering is often what glory does to us bring

But when that happens, as Rachel and Reena discussed

Per many verses in the Bible, in God we must fully trust