29/06/2017

Reason no. 1192...

Thank you God that You loved me before I was even created and even when I was lost in sin. Reason no. 1192 :)

Reason no. 1191...

Yesterday I found out that I finished my degree with a 2:1! This means that I am a qualified Speech and Language Therapist! Thank you God for Your faithfulness over these past 4 years. You are so good! Reason no. 1191 :)

28/06/2017

Reason no. 1190...

Thank you God that I am a new creation: made holy and righteous! Reason no. 1190 :)

Reason no. 1189...

Thank you God that You are the One who sustains me, You are the One who puts breath in my lungs and gives me life! Reason no. 1189 :)

Reason no. 1188...

'To find God is the fountain of all joy.' 
Augustine

Reason no. 1188 :)

27/06/2017

Reason no. 1187...

Thank you God that You are the One who stills the storms!
Reason no. 1187 :)

Reason no. 1186...

Yesterday my parents and granddad put an offer in on a house and it got accepted! Great answer to prayer! Reason no. 1186 :)

26/06/2017

Reason no. 1185...

Thank you God that You already know where David and me will live when we move to Ashford and that You will provide us with a great affordable home in the right location. Reason no. 1185 :)

Reason no. 1184...


Habakkuk 2:3
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.


Thank you God that promises spoken by You will come to life in Your perfect timing. Although the promise may take days, weeks, months, years, if it is a promise by You it will not be delayed. Thank you God that You fulfilled Your promise to Abram (Abraham) of a child many many many years later. The promise came, even if it was a long wait! Reason no. 1184 :) 

Reason no. 1183...

David (as in David and Goliath!) 'knew that each breakthrough would only come through intimacy with God and awareness of God's perfect timing.' David knew that when a breakthrough was needed that he had to inquire of God and seek His direction rather than respond to situations by himself (2 Samuel 5:19). Rather than repeat strategies used from the past for similar situations, he found out the strategy God wanted in this specific situation/time. (Leif Hetland)

Thank you God that You want us to see breakthrough in our lives. Thank you God that You love it when we come to You for advice and the strategy. 

Reason no. 1183 :)

25/06/2017

Reason no. 1182...

Thank you God that You are my protector, my refuge and my fortress. This is who You are every day and in every circumstance. Reason no. 1182 :)

Reason no. 1181...

Thank you God for marriage. In a couple of weeks I will have been married to David for 1 year! Thankful to have someone so loving, kind, supportive, encouraging, gentle, fun, wise, funny to be my amazing husband! Reason no. 1181 :)

Reason no. 1180...

Thank you God that You give wisdom to those who ask for it. Thank you God that You give it generously and draw it to mind at the right time.  Reason no. 1180 :)

Reason no. 1179...

A good evening with David's sister and her fiance yesterday. Thankful for the time they spent travelling to come and see us for a few hours.

Reason no. 1179 :)

24/06/2017

Reason no. 1178...

Thank you God that You love being part of my life and love it when I include You in it. Thank you God that You love it when I talk to You about anything and everything. You are a friend who is so dependable, a wonderful listener and overflowing with wisdom. Reason no. 1178 :)

Reason no. 1177...

Thankful that the green 'p' s for my car have arrived! It meant that I felt a little bit more confident when driving today. David has been a great driving instructor whilst I get used to driving again. Today I managed to get up to 40mph for the first time since passing my test, which is one small achievement towards being ready to drive for my job in August! Reason no. 1177 :)

Reason no. 1176...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 
    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 
    a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,

    a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

    a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
 
    a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
 
    a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Thank you God that You hold our lives in Your hands. Thank you God that You are with us through every time and season. 

Reason no. 1176 :)

Reason no. 1175...

'David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.'
1 Samuel 30:6

In the midst of difficult situations David reconnected with God and was strengthened to a place where he could move forward. How did he strengthen himself? With praise and prayer. David focused his attention on the promises of God not on his problem. David enquired of God and asked for His direction. David knew that he needed a strategy from God to reach a place of victory over his problem.

Reason no. 1175 :)


Reason no. 1174...

'Who dares despise the day of small beginnings?' 
Zechariah 4:10

'Small beginnings are the seedbed for greatness.'
Leif Hetland

Thank you God that You place so much value in the little day to day things. Thank you God that You took David who was a shepherd and made him into a King. Taking care of the sheep on a daily basis trained David to defeat Goliath and become a champion. The lessons David learnt on the field prepared him for what was required when ruling a nation. 

Reason no. 1174 :)

Reason no. 1173...

This week my uni results should be released! Thank you God that You got me onto the course in the first place and You have been with me every step of the way - every assignment, exam and presentation. Thank you God that You were with me in every lecture and seminar too. Thank you God that You have a job lined up for me already. Thank you God that You will get me over the finish line this week! Reason no. 1173 :)

Reason no. 1172...

Thank you God that You are the One who restores brokenness.  What may look impossible to man, is truly possible for You. Reason no. 1172 :)

Reason no. 1171...

Thank you God that I am part of your family and because Jesus makes me holy, You are proud of me! Reason no. 1171 :)

23/06/2017

Reason no. 1170...

'...because Jesus already won the battle against sin and death, we are fighting from victory, not for victory.'

Leif Hetland

Reason no. 1170 :)

Reason no. 1169...

Thank you Jesus that you endured all the pain of the cross, even though you could have saved yourself from it, because you loved me and wanted to save me. Reason no. 1169 :)

Reason no. 1168...

Thankful for these past 4 years with my some great coursemates. We are now in the process of all parting ways across the country as we soon start our first jobs! Thank you God that many of us already have jobs, but I pray that you will provide jobs for those who are still looking. Reason no. 1168 :)

Reason no. 1167...

'For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.'
Hebrews 13:5

Thank you God that regardless of whether we 'feel' your presence, the truth remains that You are with us, still watching every detail of our lives, still loving and caring for us.

Reason no. 1167 :)

22/06/2017

Reason no. 1166...

Wonderful answer to prayer for my family! After concerns about whether the offer someone put in for their house would stay, today they found out that their buyer is happy to progress with the sale! Next prayer: great house for my parents and granddad to buy and for that to be found/released soon! Reason no. 1166 :)

Reason no. 1165...

'Normal life was, in fact, the training ground that uniquely prepared David to take down a giant no one else could....Some of the greatest victories in life begin with being faithful in the small things...We must never forget to do well with what God has already given us. Taking care of what is right in front of us is the best way to get to what is ahead of us...Showing up in the small things is what prepares us to show up when we face the greater pressures of the battlefield and the throne room. This was true for David, and it's true for us, too.'

Leif Hetland

Thank you God that You know what You are doing and You know all things from the beginning to the end and all things in between. Help me God to be faithful with what You have put before me at the moment.

Reason no. 1165 :)

Reason no. 1164...

'As children of God, made in His image, we are people of destiny. We are destined to overcome giants and to accomplish great feats for the Kingdom of God.'
Leif Hetland

Reason no. 1164 :)

Reason no. 1163...

Thank you God that because of Jesus I am on the winning team!
Reason no. 1163 :)

Reason no. 1162...

Last week I heard an amazing story of how God is working in Vietnam! Absolutely incredible! It is wonderful how God places the church in positions of tremendous influence that allow kingdom values to come into culture! Reason no. 1162 :)

Reason no. 1161...

'Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.'
James 4:8

Reason no. 1161 :)

21/06/2017

Reason no. 1160...

This week I and someone who used to work as a speech and language therapist had a conversation with a lady about some speech and language related concerns with her child. At the end the lady was saying how she felt a lot more reassured and at ease about the situation. I am thankful that these past 4 years of training is not confined to be used inside a job but can bless and reassure others even when I am not working!

Reason no. 1159...

Thank you God that You are with me in every situation. Thank you God that in the good and bad times You never leave me. You are Emmanuel. Reason no. 1159 :)

Reason no. 1158...

Thankful for the hot weather allowing washing to dry really quickly. It is so much better when our flat is cold flat is cold and the washing would take nearly a week to dry! Reason no. 1158 :)

Reason no. 1157...

Yesterday David had has final day in college (with exception to graduation!) - he achieved everything he needed to begin his social work degree in September! I have loved being there along the journey and seeing him so interested by some of the topics. It amazes me how someone who managed to leave his assignments so last minute managed to achieve so so so many distinctions! Reason no. 1157 :)

Reason no. 1156...

Yesterday I went for a walk with David round a park we have gone past nearly very week this past year. When we arrived we realised it was so much bigger and beautiful than we had realised from the roadside. Such a nice surprise! Definitely a new place for some nice walks these next few weeks :) Reason no. 1156 :) 

20/06/2017

Reason no. 1155...

Thank you God that Your creation makes You smile! You watch us as we do the things You made us to do and when we use our talents and abilities it brings You joy! Reason no. 1155 :)

Reason no. 1154...

Thankful for David taking me out in the car and letting me get used to driving again. Thankful for his encouragement and help! Reason no. 1154 :)

Reason no. 1153...

Thank you God that You want to be my friend - not just an acquaintance but a close friend! Reason no. 1153 :)

Reason no. 1152...

'When Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, the veil in the temple that symbolized our separation from God was split from top to bottom, indicating that direct access to God was once again available.'

Rick Warren

Reason no. 1152 :)

19/06/2017

Reason no. 1151...

One of the key messages from the conference: There are 8 domains in society: medical, economics, agriculture and water, social and civil society, education, communication, science and technology, governance. Church is present in every area wherever a disciple is present. There is value in being present in the workplace. Reason no. 1151 :)

Reason no. 1150...

When we retuned home from the weekend, a letter was waiting for us from the council tax people. It turned out we were in credit. Perfect timing seeing as my student status is now gone and we would have to pay the extra 25% for the next 2 months before moving in with parents for a little while. God is looking out for  our finances! Reason no. 1150 :)

Reason no. 1149...

Yesterday I heard an amazing testimony from a lady who prayed for boldness. Her prayer led her to pray for someone at church with a bad back and God growing that person's leg to a place where discomfort in their back significantly decreased. The lady then went to the cinema later that day and saw another person with a bad back and asked whether she could pray with him. He said yes and God broke in and the man's leg grew. He had no more pain! God is good and God is healer. Reason no. 1149 :)

Reason no. 1148...

Whilst sat next to someone at the church leadership conference, I ended up chatting to a lady who was a physiotherapist.  The conversation allowed me to dream beyond what the next few years of my career and perhaps not see myself confined to what uni has described for the past few years. Reason no. 1148 :)

Reason no. 1147...

This weekend David was keen to buy a book but when he looked at the price it seemed really expensive. The next day we were given some cash that meant that not only did he buy the one book but we got 3 extra ones too! Reason no. 1147 :)

Reason no. 1146...

Yesterday was Father's day! I am thankful for my dad. He is so loving, encouraging, funny, caring and thoughtful. I love how he loves God and encourages others by sharing what is on God's heart for them to hear. I love how he enjoys playing board games and going for walks as that meant I got to spend time with him. I am thankful for the past 4 years and all the financial support he is provided to help me get through uni and now stand on the other side of having finished the degree. I love how he freely releases me and my sister to move to Manchester and Birmingham and Esther to Canada this coming year. I am excited to get to see him on a much more frequent basis than the last 5 years! Reason no. 1146 :)

Reason no. 1145...

Thankful for David's aunt and uncle and grandparents for letting us stay with them whilst we attended a conference down in Milton Keynes. Reason no. 1145 :)

15/06/2017

14/06/2017

Reason no. 1143...

Thank you God that You are a faithful friend and are with me through every situation. Reason no. 1143 :)

Reason no. 1142...

Thank you God for guiding David with the access course he has done this year. So happy that yesterday he submitted his final assignment. He has worked so hard and done so well to get back into studying. Looking forward to see what the next 3 years of studying have in store for him! Today we went and celebrated by heading into town ad treating ourselves to some cake! Reason no. 1142 :)

Reason no. 1141...

'Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.'
Reason no. 1141 :)

13/06/2017

Reason no. 1140...

Thankful for the sunshine after days of wind and rain!
Reason no. 1140 :)

Reason no. 1139...

Thankful for the next week - spending a few days in Ashford and then Milton Keynes and being able to catch up with lots of family. Reason no. 1139 :)

10/06/2017

Reason no. 1138...

Thank you God that You will sort out the right location and right accommodation for David and I as we move to Kent. Thank you God that You already know where we will live and You have the timing in Your hands. Reason no. 1138 :)

09/06/2017

Reason no. 1137...

Amazing answer to prayer at youth today! We were praying for one of the youth leader's for a new job and whilst we are praying her phone starts ringing and it is a job offering her a trial shift tomorrow. God is good! Reason no. 1137 :)

Reason no. 1136...

Thank you God that You say  I belong. Thank you God that as I start my job in August You say I belong. Even though I feel like I know very little especially compared to my future colleagues, You have called me to be in that place and have given me a voice with those people. Reason no. 1136 :)

Reason no. 1135...

Having passed my driving test just over 2 years ago...I drove on some quiet roads near where I live for the first time since the test. So thankful for David being brave and talking me through what to do! Reason no. 1135 :)

Reason no. 1134...

'For the Lord takes delight in his people...'
Psalm 149:4a

How amazing that I bring Him delight!
Reason no. 1134 :)

Reason no. 1133...

'You, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.'
Lamentations 5:19

Thank you God that in everything that has happened in this general election and the uncertainty of what will happen: You are God, the One ruling and reigning, the everlasting One.

Reason no. 1133 :)

08/06/2017

Reason no. 1132...

Voting day! Thankful to live in a time and a country that allows me to vote. Reason no. 1132 :)

Reason no. 1131...

'So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.'
1 Corinthians 10:31

Every part of my life has the potential to glorify God. In my sleeping, in my eating, in my walking, in my socialising, in my reading, in my TV watching - it can all be done to bring Him glory. Martin Luther said: 'A dairymaid can milk cows to the glory of God.' That means that even the even the most everyday activity can bring Him glory. Daily activities can become worship to Him when it is done for Jesus and dedicated before Him each day and knowing that He is with me as I carry out each task. God wants me to include Him in every aspect of my life, not just give Him access to a small allotted time in the day, but wants to be with me as I study/work and clean the house. It brings Him such delight when I spend time with Him. Reason no. 1131 :)

06/06/2017

Reason no. 1130...

Yesterday my sister cooked me some amazing food and treated me to some cake - super yummy and kind of her. So thankful for Esther and know she is going to be an amazing blessing to those around her in Canada in a few months time. These past 2 years, God has taken her on an amazing journey and I love how He has revealed so much truth to her whilst being in Birmingham. I am thankful that as she steps foot in a new country God has even more in store for her. Reason no. 1130 :)

Reason no. 1129...

'You weren't put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.'
(Rick Warren)

Reason no. 1129 :)

Reason no. 1128...

'You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You.'
Isaiah 26:3

God, I want to be someone who has their purpose secure in You. I don't want it to be driven by success and fear but I want it to be rooted in You. I want my life to refined by You so I focus my time and attention on what You want me to be doing. I want to trust You with everything that comes my way, knowing that whatever the circumstance I am in, You are there with me. Thank you God for who You are and that You are totally dependable. Thank You God that You offer me perfect peace and that is what I want. Thank you God. Reason no. 1128 :)

05/06/2017

Reason no. 1127...

Thank you God that You are the One who recharges and restores and that rest is found in You. Reason no. 1127 :)

Reason no. 1126...

Thankful for spending time with Esther's housemates (and her church yesterday) and being reminded how much I love students and getting to know them. It is really good timing, to be reminded of this, as David and I are about to move to a new place and church. Thank you God that You place different things on our hearts. Reason no. 1126 :)

Reason no. 1125...

'He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.'
Isaiah 40:11

He is protector, He is strong, He is guardian. He is loving and draws me close to Him. He is not distant  but lets me come close to His heart. He is gentle. He is God.

Reason no. 1125 :)

Reason no. 1124...

Thank you God that everything got started in You and finds its purpose in You (Colossians 1:16).

Reason no. 1124 :)

Reason no. 1123...

'No one is more influential in your life than you are. Because no one talks to you more than you do.'

Paul Tripp

What is capturing my meditation, my thoughts and my focus? Is it the difficulties of life or is it formed by the glory of the gospel? Which one is speaking louder to me? Is it fear, loneliness, despair or is it the gospel?

God wants us to look at life through the gospel lens, knowing who He is and who we are because of Him.

He wants us to preach the gospel to ourselves and consequently live in the light of it, so circumstances are not influencing how we see life and ourselves. He wants us to self consciously and intentionally reminding ourselves of who God is and what He has done in us.


Thank you God for Your amazing gospel.

Reason no. 1123 :)

04/06/2017

Reason no. 1122...

Spent the day with my sister's church family - joining their meeting and bbq. It was lovely to meet her friends, eat great food and play uno too. Reason no. 1122 :)

Reason no. 1121...

Thank you God that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life!
Reason no. 1121 :)

Reason no. 1120...

Thank you God that You are ALWAYS good. Thank you God that it is who You are and who You are is not dictated by situations as it is Your very nature and being to be good.
Reason no. 1120 :)

Reason no. 1119...

Thank you God that in You there is joy everlasting!
Reason no. 1119 :)

Reason no. 1118...

Lovely day with my family in Birmingham yesterday. We explored a beautiful park near where Esther lives, went for a lovely roast dinner, saw a nice national trust property, then went to see Baywatch at the cinema, then went on a short walk and got to see loads of really nice houses near where my sister lives. Thankful for a good day! Reason no. 1118 :)

02/06/2017

Reason no. 1117...

Thank you God for making me a co-heir with Christ!
Reason no. 1117 :)

Reason no. 1116...

Thankful for evenings of playing board games with David, even if I did lose every game last night! Reason no. 1116 :)

Reason no. 1115...

Looking forward to spending a few days in Birmingham with my sister and seeing my family for the day tomorrow. So thankful for everything they have done to support me whilst at uni. Thankful for the skypes in the midst of the assignments which left me panicking. Thankful for them continually encouraging me. Thankful for them visiting me up here for weekends. Thankful for them paying my rent. Thankful for them letting me come back for weeks at a time in the holidays and feeding me. Reason no. 1115 :)

Reason no. 1114...

So thankful for time to relax and time to be restored. Having time to read and bake are 2 things that I did not have time for this semester, but now I can enjoy! Reason no.1114 :)

Reason no. 1113...

'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.'

Ephesians 2: 8-9

Thank you God for salvation. Thank you God that it is not something I earn or deserve, but a gift from you. Thank you God that it comes from Your heart and the overflow of Your love for Your people. Reason no. 1113 :)

01/06/2017

Reason no. 1112...

Thank you God that You sing songs of delight over me. Thank you God that You did that before I even knew who You were. Thank you God that You are smiling at me and cheering me on. Reason no. 1112 :)

Reason no. 1111...

'The joy of the Lord is my strength'.

In the depths of the valleys, in the midst of the darkness, during the hard times: Your truth remains. You are the unchanging God remaining faithful, loving, good, my shield, my refuge and my defender. You are the One who chose me before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in Your sight. You have redeemed me and forgiven me. You have deposited Your holy spirit in me as a guarantee of my incredible inheritance to come. You are the One who is faithful to every promise You have spoken, so in the midst of the struggle I will cling to what You have said knowing it will come to fulfilment. You are a God of joy and as Your beloved child with the Spirit of God in me, I will walk in joy too. Reason no. 1111 :)

Reason no. 1110...

Romans 1:16-17

'I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation for everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'the righteous will live by faith'.

The youth group I grew up in was called 'unashamed' and it was based on this passage. It was a reminder  that we should not be embarrassed by the gospel. The fact that Paul has put it so bluntly that he is not ashamed of the gospel, perhaps suggests that there has been a time when he was embarrassed by it. This is encouraging as Paul is no longer in that place of feeling ashamed as he is now boldly proclaiming the gospel. If that can happen for Paul, then it can happen for the likes of you and me too.

What reason is there to be ashamed of the gospel? 'Has God reconciled us to himself through Christ, forgiven our sins, made us His children, put His spirit within us begun to transform us, and introduced us into his new community?' (Stott, 1994) ...This is the incredible gospel!

It is through the gospel that we get to know the 'righteousness of God': 'God's just justification of the unjust, his righteous way of pronouncing the unrighteous righteous, in which he both demonstrates his righteousness and gives righteousness to us. He has done it through Christ, the righteous One, who died for the unrighteous...' (Stott, 1994). His righteousness is a gift and the direct result of trusting Jesus as the Son of the living God.

The gospel is powerful and it is for everyone.

Reason no. 1110 :)

Reason no. 1109...

Thank you God that You know my name and You know me.
Reason no. 1109 :)

Reason no. 1108...

Thank you God for an amazing answer to prayer with my parents getting an offer on their house and that the person who put the offer in got a job so they could put the offer in! Reason no. 1108 :)