Read Your Bible, Find Your Saviour.

Micah 6:8 In Micah 6:8, the question is asked, “What does the Lord require of us?” Micah 6:8 gives us an Old Testament answer to the question, “What is holiness?” As well as Micah’s answer, there is a New Testament answer to this question. * “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin” (Hebrews 9:22). God calls us to come to the Cross. That’s where the life of faith and obedience begins. * “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). God calls us to put our faith in Christ. It’s personal faith. Each one of us must come to Jesus - “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.” Faith is God’s gift. Each one of us must receive His gift. * “Without holiness, no-one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). God is calling us to become more like Jesus. Our life is to be less of self and more of Christ - and we’re to give all the glory to God.

"Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’ 16  ‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’" (Genesis 41:15-16). What we can't do, God does. Let's never think only in terms of our own human capabilities. God is more than we are. When we feel that we are out of our depth, may we learn to say, with Paul, " I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

In Genesis 3:15, we have a great promise from God. He won't let Satan have the victory over us. He will sent His Son, Jesus ("the seed of the woman". Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus will triumph over Satan - for us. Satan will bruise Jesus' heel. We see this in Jesus' suffering on the Cross. Jesus will bruise Satan's head. We see this in Jesus' mighty resurrection from the dead. When Jesus was crucified, it seemed that Satan had the upper hand. That's the way it seemed, but it's not the way really was. That was only the bruising of Jesus' heel. Soon, it would be made clear that it was Jesus who had the upper hand. His triumph was revealed in his glorious resurrection - the bruising of Satan's head. When we read these words, we may say, "Satan is still alive and kicking." Yes. That's true, but his head has been bruised - and this is the beginning of the end for him. Satan's end will come when he is "ca...

Zechariah 9:9-10 This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem. Jesus is the King - not just a king. * What kind of King is He? - “righteous and victorious”, “humble” (Zechariah 9:9), “to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:10). * How are we to respond to Him? - “Rejoice greatly... Shout in triumph” (Zechariah 9:9).

"Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11  On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified" (1 Samuel 17:10-11). The Philistine needed to know that he was facing more than the armies of Israel, more than the man they would choose to represent them. He was battling against the Lord! Saul and the Israelitess needed to know that they were not alone in this battle. God was with them!

"David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the Name of the Lord  Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give all of you into our hands”" (1 Samuel 17:45-47). What great words of faith David spoke to the Philistine. He was a facing a giant. Goliath, the giant, was convinced that he would defeat David. The possibility of defeat had never even crossed his mind. David, however, was not afraid. He knew that the Lord was with him. He knew that the Lord would give him the victory,

"Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24). What we do for God cannot even begin to compare with what He has done for us.  Anything that we do - fearing the Lord and serving Him faithfully - can never repay the Lord for what He has done for us. He has done more for us than we could ever do for Him.

"She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”" (1 Samuel 4:21). "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”" (1 Samuel 7:12) Ichabod - a word of warning: The glory had departed - We must take care that this doesn't happen to us! Ebeneezer - a word of encouragement: The Lord wants to bless us - We must pray that the blessing of the Lord will increase as we give ourselves to listening to Him, learning from him and walking with Him. Ichabod and Ebeneezer - the names tell a story. Which will be the story of your life? Will it be Ichabod - The glory has departed? or Will it be Ebeneezer - Thus far the Lord has helped us?

We have come here to praise the Lord. Why do we praise the Lord? "Lord my God, You are very great." God is great in power. His power can impress us, but it will not save us until we are touched by a special power - the power of His love. God is great in holiness. His holiness (Isaiah 6:3) shows us our sin (Isaiah 6:5). It's His love that brings us salvation (Isaiah 6:7). When we see the greatness of His love, we can truly say, "Praise the Lord."

Psalm 111:1-10 Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is risen today - a celebration for Easter, and every Lord’s Day. * At the start of the Psalm - “I will praise the Lord” (Psalm 111:1). * At the end of the Psalm - “His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10). In our worship, there is to be both “the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 111:10) and trust in the Lord - “the Lord is gracious and compassionate... He has sent redemption to His people” (Psalm 111:4,9). We give thanks to the Lord for His love, but we must never forget that “His Name is holy and awe-inspiring” (Psalm 111:9). * The character of God: He is holy, He is love. * The message of the Gospel: In love for us, the holy God has provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. These are the truths of God’s Word which are to shape our lives, making us more holy and more loving.

"The boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people" (1 Samuel 2:26). " The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19). Samuel was only a boy - but the hand of the Lord was upon him. God was preparing Samuel for something special. He would grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord. Then, when the time was right, he would bring the Word of the Lord to the people. As you read these words, think about your life. Does God have a special purpose for you? Is He preparing you for something special? Read the Word of the Lord. Learn from His Word. The time for sharing His Word will come. It will be a time of great blessing. You will be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Your love for Jesus will grow - and there will be opportunities to share the message of salvation. You will speak the Good News of God's love - and people will be brought to the Saviour.