On this resurrection Sunday, it is a beautiful thing to remember my risen Saviour. This verse has been on my heart all week & I've been particularly meditating on the phrase "as He said." Jesus promised to rise again. He promised redemption, and he completed it. We serve a God who keeps His promises.

I love the beautiful story that traces through all of the Old Testament - starting with God's promise to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15), the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12), the Jewish sacrifices that were mere pictures of perfect redemption to come and a reminder of man's inadequacy to redeem himself, Isaiah 53's prophecy, and so much more. Redemption and reconciliation were always on God's heart, and as we trace the pictures and prophecies all the way to the cross, we see perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The resurrection was the culmination and completion of all that came before, as God purchased freedom for mankind.

I also love the words directly after this statement, "Come, see the place where the Lord lay." While I may not be able to travel to Israel and see the physical empty tomb, Christ invites me through the eyes of faith to see. The tomb is empty. What a wonderful truth to rejoice in.

Happy Easter, friends. And, if you do not know Jesus as your Saviour, I urge you to explore the gospel. Get in touch - I would love to share the good news of Jesus with you.

Hannah x

This verse was requested by a reader a little while ago, and I decided to create a wallpaper AND phone lock screen (I know, I'm never this organised... study procrastination is a wonderful thing haha) with it this week. It made me think of a song we sing with our youth group:

One Sunday morning after our Easter Sunday service at church, I was driving home and couldn't help but be in awe of the beauty in the clouds that day. It reminded me of this verse in Matthew 28:6 when the angel proclaimed to the women at the tomb of Christ, "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." What a joy it is to us that the Lord Jesus Christ rose again!

This is a beautiful song from Matt and Christy Taylor's Album "Gentle Voice" called "Here is Love." Hope you enjoy listening to it :)

Over the past few weeks, our Pastor has been preaching on the necessity and importance of Christ's 1st coming to earth (His birth). So, I thought that seeing as Christmas is almost upon us I would share a few of the points outlined in the sermons. :)



The Necessity of Christ's 1st Coming
1 John 4:11-21
Jesus did not just come to be a part of a nativity scene, or part of a holiday; His purposes in coming to earth were much greater than that.

Why did Jesus come to earth?

1) He came to be our sin bearer. (1 John 3:5)

Just last week I had the great privilege of attending the National Baptist Fellowship Meetings in South Australia. The meetings were such a blessing and I came away challenged and encouraged in the Lord. Over the next few months I plan to share some of the notes I took during the messages in the hope that they will be a blessing to someone else. And as the audio files get uploaded to the internet, I will put a link to them in my post so that you can go listen to the sermons for yourself. :)

3/10/2013 {2nd Morning Session}

Not Ashamed - Pastor James Herringson