Reason no. 440...

Another poem by John Newton: How sweet the name of Jesus sounds...

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer's ear?

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear. 

It makes the wounded spirit whole,

And calms the troubled breast;

'Tis Manna to the hungry soul,

And to the weary, rest. 

Dear name! The rock on which I build,

My Shield and Hiding-place;

My never-failing Treas'ry filled

With boundless stores of grace. 

By thee my prayers acceptance gain

Although with sin defiled,

Satan accuses me in vain,

And I am owned a child. 

Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,

My Prophet, Priest, and King;

My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,

Accept the praise I bring. 

Weak is the effort of my heart,

And cold my warmest thought;

But when I see Thee as Thou art,

I'll praise Thee as I ought. 

Till then I would Thy love proclaim

With every fleeting breath;

And may the music of Thy name

Refresh my soul in death.

There's so much power in a name: to bring peace, to heal and to cast out fear. Reason no. 440 :)

Reason no. 439...

'Amazing grace how sweet the sound' the song of John Newton: once captain of a slave ship, later church leader/ poet. A transformation happened all because of one encounter with God. Reason no. 439 :)

Reason no. 438...

(The Master: a life of Jesus by John Pollock is a really good book for being reminded who Jesus is and what he's like. Here's a few thoughts I was reminded of:)

Jesus, a man who's character is so majestic, yet mysterious. He welcomes those around him to him - no one is too great or too much a sinner for him. He is approachable. He's gentle, yet strong. He carries a natural authority, that captivates those who surround him. Jesus teaches with simplicity, amazing those who hear his word. His compassion for people leads him to heal the sick, touch the unclean and cast out demons. There are crowds of people surrounding him, intrigued by who this man is. 

Reason no. 438 :)

Reason no. 437...

A poem by John Newton: The Cross

In evil long I took delight,

Unawed by shame or fear,

Till a new object struck my sight,

And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,

In agonies and blood;

He fixed His languid eyes on me,

As near His cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath,

Shall I forget that look!

It seemed to charge me with His death,

Though not a word He spoke.

A second look He gave, which said,

“I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid;

I die that thou mayest live.”

Thus while His death my sin displays

In all its blackest hue,

Such is the mystery of grace,

It seals my pardon too!

Thank you God that You forgive me for everything, that Your blood is my ransom and that through Your death I now live. Thank you for the mystery of Your sweet grace! Reason no. 437 :)

Reason no. 436...

Thank you God that You are trustworthy. Time after time You have shown that You can be trusted. Throughout history, in the Bible and in my life too. You do not abandon us, rather Your perfect love is with us. Deuteronomy 32:4...

'He is the Rock, His works are perfect,

    and all His ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,

    upright and just is He.'

Thank you God that this is who You are! 

Reason no. 436 :)

Reason no. 435...

I love how during the day the sun is shining and in the night the moon is out. Night and day are a beautiful contrast. Reason no. 435 :)

Reason no. 434...

A lovely Christmas with my family, great presents, a nice walk in the woods, good Christmas-y TV and delicious food! Reason no. 434 :)

Reason no. 433...

Thank you for Christmas, for sending Jesus, for making a way for You and sinners to be reconciled. Thank you that You chose to live with us on Earth, that You're not a distant God and You know what struggles we face. Reason no. 433 :)

Reason no. 432...

Thank You God for prayer. Thank You that we can talk to You and You listen. Thank You that You love us coming before You and spending time with You. Thank you that even when I haven't prayed to You in days, You still love me and listen to me. Thank You that You teach us how to pray:

This, then, is how you should pray:

"Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

 Give us today our daily bread.

 And forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

 And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from the evil one."

Matthew 6:9-13

Reason no. 432 :)

Reason no. 431...

I love poetry...words are so powerful. Here's one by Martin Luther:

Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God–
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!

Reason no. 431 :)

Reason no. 430...

I really like the road we live down. We have a really nice bunch of people around us. Last weekend we had some of them over and enjoyed Christmas nibbles whilst getting to know them a bit better. I'm pleased to be staying in the same place next year and that some of them will be staying too. Reason no. 430 :)

Reason no. 429...

Yesterday was my last day in uni for the semester. As a course we all wore our Christmas jumpers and raised some money for the Huntington's Disease Association. The lecturer joined in too and brought in some mince pies for us all too. It was such a lovely way to end the semester. Reason no. 429 :)

Reason no. 428...

The carol concert was amazing yesterday! It was joint with the Royal Collage of Northern Music and they were soooooo talented :) They had an amazing orchestra and choir. I've never been to a performance like it before! Reason no. 428 :) 

Reason no. 427...

This week I've been reading stories of people getting saved at the Christian Union's, in the UK, in their Christmas Carol Services. Tomorrow night, the Christian Unions around Manchester are joining together and putting on a Carol Concert, followed by a talk. If God can do it in universities around the UK, then He can definitely do it in Manchester too! Reason no. 427 :)

Reason no. 426...

On Sunday, I heard story after story of God's goodness, of God breaking in and answering prayer. It's definitely what I needed to hear. Testimony definitely stirs faith and brings a reminder of just who God is and what He's about! The fact that He cares about the things in our lives, however big or small is amazing. Reason no. 426 :)

Reason no. 425...

This weekend I'm heading home for Christmas! It's been 3 months since I've last been home. Can't wait to have a break (of sorts - I've still got study to do!) but just have a proper rest and spend time with my family! Reason no. 425 :)

Reason no. 424...

Recently there has been a lot of horrible stuff happening in an area near where I live. It's been reported that within this semester alone there have been over 30 sexual assaults. Yesterday I saw a petition going round to see the area made more safe. It's great that people are taking action, something definitely needs to change. This morning God reminded me that the area just needs Him. Increasing the police force in the area might make a small difference, but bring Him in and the area will be completely transformed. It's largely a student population there...imagine revival coming and a new generation standing up in the name of Jesus. When God breaks in, salvation comes, alcohol and drug addiction are broken off and the streets are safe. As I stepped out of the house this morning, it was wet and the sky was grey, but as I looked over the field and looked at the area where I'd been praying about a sunset was over it and just over that area alone. I totally believe God was highlighting that area and He has not given up on it. There is hope! Reason no. 424 :)

Reason no. 423...

On Sunday, my church back home saw God heal 5 people and 5 people become a Christian!! Amazing what God is doing :) Reason no. 423 :)

Reason no. 422...

Today I traveled on a train to Disley and it was definitely the best train ride I've ever been on! They had decorated the carriages with decorations and people were dressed up as elves and Santa. They also gave out free mince pies, chocolate coins and a bottle of water! It was so nice :) Reason no. 422 :)

Reason no. 421...

This week, I had the opportunity to listen to a guy who stammers and a lady with a voice disorder. It was so helpful having them come into uni and share their experiences. Reason no. 421 :)

Reason no. 420...

'Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.' 

Matthew 11:28

A promise that is of peace and restoration. In the midst of stress, fear and insecurity I come and drop it at your feet, knowing that you will restore, for You are the God of rest. In my weakness and tiredness, You are strong! Reason no. 420 :)

Reason no. 419...

Yesterday I was reminded that when 2 or 3 gather in Jesus' name, Jesus is there too. That means in my house Jesus is here, when I'm back home, Jesus is there. He has blessed me with putting me around people who love Him! Reason no. 419 :)

Reason no. 418...

Having walked into a room yesterday and not knowing anyone, a lady comes over to me and asks if I want to make a friend and sit with her. That takes boldness and reflects kindness too :) Reason no. 418 :)