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(Thanking God through Temptation)

I had a peculiar moment the other day. The reason I call this “peculiar” is because it happened on a Sunday, right after my personal early morning devotion with my Lord. As I began getting dress for church, a memory of a negative encounter came to my mind. It was an incident that happened with another person that made me very uncomfortable.The individual had said some pretty unpleasant things to me. Being a Christian, I was careful of my response. I dared not speak the things I really wanted to say. Though I held back, I was furious!

To my surprise, I though I had truly repented and dealt with that issue. But now, here on this beautiful Sunday morning, after personal devotion, getting ready to go to church (for more worship, mind you), this incident pops back into my mind. I even had a desire to call the person and finish what I didn’t say. I wanted to give this individual a piece of my mind. I wanted to react in a way I though would bring me peace (As it appeared, I didn’t have any). I wanted the other person to feel sorry and ashamed for what they had said to me. I couldn’t believe I still desired to tell this person off!

When I realized what I was thinking (retaliation); what I had finished doing (devotion); and where I was about to go (to church), I asked God to help me get over this feeling of hurt. I ask God to forgive me. Help me to forgive this person also. Forgive me for wanting to use words of retaliation and thinking as such. As I prayed, I began experiencing the peace of God. That’s when the things I though I wanted to say began to diminish and really go away.

After genuine prayer, confession, and praise, what I felt like saying didn’t matter anymore. I was at peace. I thanked the Lord for reminding me not to yield to temptation, but to pray. I also prayed for the other person to be brought to repentance, and into God peace as well. When I prayed and kept thanking God for His help, this is the response He gave me to affirm:

“Though tempted, I will not yield; in your name Lord, I will keep still.”

Who knows when temptation is going to strike? It could be by day, or it could be by night. It could really end up a nasty fight! Who wants to be a prey to temptation’s bite!

It can enter by a thought, word, or deed. Temptation doesn’t care. It desires to take the lead. It can never lead up. It can only lead down, causing us to lose our smiles, replacing with a frown.

Let’s be thankful to God for making us aware, no matter what we do, temptation is always there. It’s there, trying to raise its ugly face, hoping to hinder us in our Christian race. It’s there, giving no slack; pulling and tugging on our minds, hoping we would react.

If temptation could sink us, it really would. Satan means it for evil; but “yielding not”, produces the good. So believers, let’s stay on our guard singing praises, and keep on thanking Jesus, our Lord!

When temptation shows up let’s be prayerful and say, “My God is with me, and I’m not going your way.”

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

My dear Lord,  thank you for reminding me everyday who You are. You are the way, the truth, and the life. You are the One who came and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

My dear Lord, so sweet and so kind; so merciful and so good, waiting patiently for all to come, if only they would.

My dear Lord, the giver of life, the maker and sustainer of man; creator of all things, watching over all throughout every land.

My dear Lord, Savior, Lord, and King, I lift you up as I raise my voice to sing, “Glory, Glory, thank You dear Lord, for Your redemptive story!”

Oh, my dear Lord, who looks from above, keeping watch over everyone with your unfailing love; sweeter than the sweetest, dearest than the dear, never far away; always so very near.

“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusted in him.” Psalm 34:8

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

How did you wake up this morning? Did you wake up in fear? Are you fraid? I am fully aware this question may sound crazy to the soldiers hidden in a trench while bullets and bombs are flying by, knowing their life can be taken at the blink of an eye. It may sound ridiculous to parents whose child is wandering in the streets, subjected to the dangers they may meet.

Yet, I asked, how did you wake up this morning? Are you afraid? Are you fearful of the turmoil in the world today? Killings after killings; some standing, some sitting, some watching, as others kneel to pray?

“Fear ye not?” Does this really apply to me?

So who is He, that said to me, “Fear ye not,” when I’d rather flee? Really? Is He crazy? Could it be that He knows something that I may not? For at times it seems I’m shaking in my boots! So who is He, that said to me, “Fear ye not,” but,”Come unto me?”

I know of only One that could be so bold. He is the Savior of my soul. I know of only One whom I can rely; times I may be afraid, He hears my cry.

He is Jesus, our Savior, the Almighty King, who is willing to take away our fear in everything. Why not give Him all our fears today?  Why not stop worrying, what come, what may?  Jesus is ready to take all fears right now. “Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Today, let us say, thank you Jesus;  we have no need to fear. Help us to  continue to look to you and pray. Help us to thank you every time, because you’ve “not given us the spirit of fear;  but of power; and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.

Through fearful times, I encourage you to keep on thanking God.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

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Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me

(Thanking God through Grief)

Somehow at this time, as I was putting away the mess of clothes on my  bed I let lingered behind, a children’s nursery rhyme entered my mind, “Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me.” But, I was bothered. How did this happen? Why such neglect? It bothered me to see my bed of mess! For I am one who tries to put things back, so there will be no need to “put things back.”  But as I looked around, I became more bothered. Not by my loved ones who had recently passed, and are now dead. Not bothered by them, but by the mess of clothes left on my bed! Yes, I do understand my loved ones are gone, safe and secure in our Savior’s arm, never to be bothered by anything nor anyone. “So why am I bothered to the point of neglect?” I said. Sometimes can’t find a clear space to lay my head.

As I began, on my bed to look down, I thought I saw a fly, flying around. This also bothered me, and made me frown. I had to shout, “Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me; Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me! I belong to Somebody.”

Lifting my spiritual and physical eyes, I began to thanked God for His goodness, and for sharing my loved one’s lives. I realized the more I thanked God, the less bothered I felt. I remembered–Jesus wept. Now, who would’ve thought (to me) God would bless, from my bed of mess?

When I continued to lift to God my eyes, I was glad to say, “thank you, Lord, for keeping me another day; not to be overwhelmed what comes, what may. I will give You the glory and praise. For I am confident, You make no mistakes. You will get us through this time, no matter what it takes.” This I say, through at times I weep, “thank you for your strength, day by day, and week by week.”

I thank God, as we join together and say: Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me; SHOO FLY, DONT BOTHER ME! We are members of God’s Family.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

In God, I will Keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Can you think of the best sandwich you’ve ever eaten? What did it taste like? How did it make you feel? What did it do for you? If that sandwich was as good as you thought it was, you wouldn’t have any problem answering those questions. I have one more question to ask. Was it fulfilling? Of course, the answer would be yes. I’m sure it filled every bit of your physical appetite and made you smile.

Now, If you’re still hungry after that, let me tell you about a sandwich that will fulfill you completely. No, I’m not talking about a Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, or BLT. I’m talking about the FAP. This sandwich is called the Faith And Prayer sandwich.

This sandwich will fulfill you in every way. It’s not hard to make. It’s quite simple, actually. All you’ll need is a layer of faith sandwiched between breads of prayer. You will not need all the other condiments that’s usually placed on sandwiches. This sandwich has its own ingredients and taste. It stands by its name. Eating this sandwich you will realize faith and prayer fits better together than a hand and glove.

Please be mindful, if you only eat prayer without faith, you’ll only be eating half the sandwich. That will not be effective. But if you eat faith along with prayer you will consume all the nourishment it contains and provides. Faith and prayer gets the job done.

If you have faith as a gain of mustard seed you’ll be able to move mountains, so said the Holy Bible. Be assured, the FAP sandwich will build you up and make you strong in Christ. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s good for  snacks too. Faith and prayer will fulfill all your appetites whether big or small. With this sandwich you can never go wrong.

Oh yes, just one more thing! Eating the FAP sandwich, you won’t gain weight! You can eat until your heart’s content. The great news is, you’ll actually lose weigh! You will lose the weight of worry, fear, and despire, and so much more.

Be for certain, this sandwich will only work if you work. I’m reminded, “Faith without works is dead being alone.” The more you eat, the more fit you’ll get. You’ll become fit for worship, praise, and thanksgiving to the glory of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.You will be glad to eat all you want, and be able to lay aside all those heavy weights that so easily besets us!

Remember, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” “Men should always pray and not faint.” “Pray without ceasing.” So…go ahead, eat your Faith And Prayer sandwich. Don’t be afraid. You can eat while you work. You won’t get fired. Just begin today.

Last, but not least, it won’t cost you a cent to get filled to the max! I guarantee, if you continue eating, and keep on thanking God for the FAP, this sandwich will help you not only to become stronger, but also to relax.

“And Jesus answering saith into them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:22-24

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Thank you Lord, my Provider.

Thank you for providing for me today.

Thank you for providing  insight as I pray.

Thank you for providing strength to carry on.

Thank you for providing calmness in the mist of the storm.

Thank you for providing a way out of no way.

Thank you for providing opportunity

to keep on thanking you,

each and every day.

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

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The day has not fully begun, and you have given so much already. Thank you Lord, my Giver. Thank you for giving a desire to worship you this morning; Thank you for giving  rest for the night, and strength for the morning.Thank you for giving a lift to my spirit to commune with you. Thank you for giving consciousness to my brain to know my surrounding. Thank you for giving sight to my eyes, and hearing to my ears. Thank you for giving smell to my nostrils, and speech to my voice. Thank you for giving touch to my hands, and power to my feet. Thank you for giving blood flowing through my vessels, and my heart a constant rhymic beat.

Lord, thank you for being my Giver. For You have given so much already, and the day is not over.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

 I will keep on thanking God that no one has a monopoly on His Word. It can’t be owned; it’s free to all. It can’t be stored up; it will break through. It can’t be sewed up; it will burst through the seams. It can’t be bottled up; it will pop the cork, or blow the top off; it can’t be buried; it will rise!

Keep on thanking God for the freedom and power of His Word.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written”  John 21:25 (kjv).

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (kjv)

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Did you know gratitude comes in all shapes, forms and sizes? Many times we are thankful for the raises we get on our jobs no matter how small or big. Have you thought about thanking God for the many raises He gives you throughout your day? The ability to raise your head, raise your eyes and eyebrows, raise your arms and legs, and raise your chest as you inhale and exhale? Gratitude is everywhere. Keep on thanking God as He continues to raise your gratitude in all forms, shapes, and sizes.

“And whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him” Colossians 3:17 (kjv).

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

When we realize there is a message in our mistakes, we will keep on thanking God.