“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). Some people think when bad things happen in their lives, they are being punished by God. Do you think that way? Especially in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, many are now looking within and taking a retrospective view of their behavior for the first time, which is not a bad thing to do. The Bible does tell us to examine ourselves. But are you one who thinks, “God must be mad and allowing this terrible sufferings in ‘my life’ because I may have done wrong?” None of us possess an all seeing eye, nor is the judge of right and wrong. But let me encourage you, if you have sinned, repent. For indeed unrepentant sin brings forth punishment. But God is faithful to forgive us of our sins. The point of this post, however, is to encourage you that when bad things keep happening in your life, it is not always the result of sin. Just keep praying no matter what happens. Briefly, let’s consider a few of the biblical characters that experienced bad things in their lives.

Job was a righteous man. Was he being punished because tragedy after tragedy kept occurring in his life? Clearly, Job was in his own pandemic; He lost all except his faith, his life, and his wife. Remember, Job also lost 10 children in one day! Was Jeremiah being punished when he was thrown into the deepest part of the dungeon for preaching the Word of God? What about Daniel, who was thrown into the lion’s den for praying? How about the three Hebrew boys; Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego, who refused to bow to the king’s command? As a result, they were tossed in the burning fiery furnace. Surely, Scripture bares record that these men were not being punished because of the bad things that happened to them. They were men of faith willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. Like them, Scripture speaks of many more.

But there was another in particular. One who stood above the rest and was subject to like passions as we are, but did no wrong. His name is Jesus and He lives today. He is Savior. Was God punishing Him when He was ridiculed, spat on, whipped, pierced, died, and was buried? Absolutely not! Instead Jesus willingly took on the punishment for our sin. He was God, wrapped in flesh and sinless; yet allowed wrong to be done to Him that we might have life eternal. In view of this, no matter the cause of the pandemic you maybe  personally facing, when perilous times comes think on Jesus. Definitely repent if you have sin in your heart, and be thankful Jesus paid the price of sin’s punishment for everyone.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

I will keep on thanking God that although bad things do happen, those that trust in Him can find rest for their soul. Dear Lord, I thank You for your assurance that You have forgiven me and took on the punishment for my sin. In times of trials, I can still rest, in Jesus name, amen. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking,com

***Lifting prayers for all who risk their lives during the Covid-19 Pandemic and all  families affected.

Mother’s Day is a day that has been set aside to celebrate moms. Although this is true, I hope you’re not waiting only for this day to remember and celebrate your mom; use every opportunity. For a mom, everyday is Mother’s Day. She deserve to be honored. She deserves the best.

Although my precious and dear mom left this earth in 2007, she will never leave my heart. She left me something more valuable than money, the knowledge of what it means to possess the love of a mom. Remembering God’s love demonstrated in her helps me to love the more. So in this post, I’m calling all moms that truly are moms: the birth moms, stepmoms, adopted moms, godmoms, grandmoms, mom figures: auntie moms, spiritual moms, teacher moms, life coach moms, and especially those moms on the front line of the Covid-19 Pandemic. We love you, and we remember who you are. You’re not only the vessel by which our Heavenly Father chose to birth children into the world, you are the initial carriers of the future. You are that face of love. You are the light in your child’s eye. You are the voice of lullaby, singing, hush little baby don’t you cry. Moms, we love you.

You are APPRECIATED. You are LOVED. You are so SPECIAL. I CELEBRATE YOU

“Hear my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9)

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her; Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all” (Proverbs 31:28-29).

I will keep on thanking God for the genuine love of a mother. Dear Lord, I thank You for giving me a mom that not only told me about Your love, but demonstrated Your love to me. I also thank You for every mom-like figure you’ve placed in my life, in Jesus name, amen. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

“You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).

Dear LORD, we look to You, and thank You too,

For this day of Your divine mercy and Your grace;

Knowing that You are LORD, and You are God; nothing for You is too hard.

Therefore, we are thankful again and again that we have You, our Savior, our friend.

In light of this COVID19 pandemic, help us to pray, and not to panic.

Help us to rest in You, that You know just what to do.

You are mightier than any storm, in any climate; especially this coronavirus pandemic.

Clearly it’s no match for You; it can only do what You allow it to.

So Dear LORD, we confess, at times, we don’t know what to do… not even having a clue.

But now LORD, we’re beseeching You to grant us Your wisdom on how to get through.

And yes, LORD, we will be thankful again and again, knowing that we can count on You, Jesus our Savior, our friend.

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

I will keep on thanking God for His sustaining comfort in times of uncertainty. Dear Lord, I thank You for keeping me and being our friend during these perilous times, in Jesus name, amen.  By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com

***Prayers lifted for those on the front line of this pandemic and their families, bereaved families, government, and the entire world, during COVID 19.

I thank God when I woke up this morning I heard the word “blessed” resounding in my Spirit! I immediately began thanking God for His blessings, especially in times like these. I thanked Him, for being counted among the blessed. I then sighed deeply when I thought of His unmerited favor toward me, giving Him praise knowing I hadn’t done anything to earn His mercy and lovingkindness to see another day; yet He still counted me among the blessed.

As we know, after a certain amount of years, everyone is asked to fill out a census application. This is a way the state identifies who we are, where we live, how many of us there are, and so much more; it is a way of being counted. Unlike the State, I thank God that He does not have to literally count us, but He does take count of us. An application is not necessary for Him to know that we are still here. He knows every hair on our head, and He knows us by name. For it is He who provides every move and breath we take. Grateful, we are counted among the blessed.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; ( Numbers 6:24)

“For “‘in him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,”‘For we are indeed his offspring’ (Acts 17:28).

I will keep on thanking God for His divine favor. Dear Lord, I thank you for your unearned, unmerited favor toward me, as being one still counted among the blessed, in Jesus name, amen.  By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com

***Prayers lifted for the front liners and their families, bereaved families, government, and the entire world, during COVID 19.

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weights him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25, ESV. We are aware how important communication is, especially in times like these. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, it can be life saving! However, as I was walking on my treadmill and watching the TV for the latest update from the CDC (Center of Disease Control), about the CV (coronavirus), my mind reflected on something I feel is so important during this time__the CCC (Call, Check, Converse) Connection.

Many of us, before the coronavirus epidemic, were busy going about living life as usual.  But despite our business, some would still find time to text in order to check on love ones, if they didn’t have time to call. But now, there is time. I encourage you to pick up your phone and call, for many are living in isolation and fear from what they’re hearing about the CV from the CDC. Too much silence can leave one feeling alone and possibly depressed.

So as we (WE) keep informed through the TV from the CDC about the CV, let us connect with our love ones by way of the CCC: Call your love ones. Let them here your voice. No need to talk long, but only texting can be wrong. Check on them. Ask them how they are doing. Converse with them. Hear what they say. Your voice could be the only one they’ve heard that day. Simply call and ‘say’ hello; you just might make their day!

Proverbs 25:11 (ESV) “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in setting of silver” 

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

I will keep on thanking God for vocal communication. Dear Lord, I thank you in times like these that you have provided a way to stay vocally connected, in Jesus name, amen.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you. I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Many of us have experienced how difficult it is to hear in a lot of commotion, in big crowds, in an uproar. In light of the spreading of the coronavirus, we’re seeing this today around the world. Many are in extreme anxious mode right now from fear: fear of the unknown, fear of infection, fear of lack, and fear of death. What is the answer? How can we get everyone to do what they need to do, and to remain calm__ including ourselves? Well, here it is. Jesus is the answer. Seek Him in His Word and you will find what to do to calm yourself down. So get away from the panicky crowds, get quiet, and listen to God for revelation. He’s speaking right now. In His Word, He promised never to leave or forsake us.

In quietness of reading and meditating on God’s Word, I pray we hear that God is all we need. He has all the water, for He is the Living Water. He has all the food, for He is the Bread of Life. He has all what we need, for He owns cattle on a thousand hills. Can you hear Him say, ”’I Am” the Living Water.”‘  “‘I Am” the Bread of Life.”’ “‘I Am” the Comforter.”’ With these affirmations and so many more, let us calm down, trust that God is in control, working all things according to His divine purpose, and knowing He has all of us in His righteous right hand.

“For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you” (Isaiah 41:13).

I will keep on thanking God for a calm spirit in the mists of alarm. Dear Lord, I thank you for being in control of this situation and calming all my fears, in Jesus name, amen. By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com

Those who possess a heart of gratitude know that it is a powerful thing. It helps us to see beyond the clouds to the sunshine; to live above and beyond our circumstances. It also gives us hope of a better day. All through God’s Word we read declarations of gratitude such as, “I will give thanks to the Lord…” , “I thank my God always…” , “Let us come before him with thanksgiving…”, and on and on.

As we meditate on scriptures like these, we’ll find that Paul and others were not ashamed to acknowledge and declare their gratefulness to God to friends and before the world. Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 1: 4-5, “I always thank my God…”, meaning (after having a sincere relationship with Christ), he had no intentions of ever again living a life without gratitude to his Father. He would keep on thanking Him willingly, gratefully, and openly.

Everyday I pray, we as believers and followers of Christ, will awaken with that same heart of gratitude. The Scripture states, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:34). “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2). Now us declare, “I will give thanks to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name, the Most High” (Psalm 7:17). “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1).

“Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:13)

I will keep on thanking God through it all. Dear Lord, I thank you, in Jesus name, amen.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). These are the very words of Paul, giving God all credit for who he is, and what was done through him. He knew that all the work he did for Christ, was not of himself. It was by grace___ God’s grace. Oh, what an affirmation! In this statement Paul had denied any ‘good thing’ that others may have thought he did. He refused credit. His desire was only to boast in the grace of God. Let us do the same. In this scripture I hope you can imagine how thankful Paul was that God’s grace never left him. Let us be grateful that the same grace that was with Paul is with us today. Knowing this, we also can affirm, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.”  Like Paul, we can acknowledge:

I am what I am, but by the grace of God.

I am a  warrior, not a worrier, but by the grace of God.

I am a peacemaker, not a peace breaker, but by the grace of God.

I am a lover, not a hater, but by the grace of God.

I am a fixer, not a destroyer, but by the grace of God.

I am a giver, not a borrower, but by the grace of God.

I am a stander, not a stupor, but by the grace of God.

I am a doer, not a hearer only, but by the grace of God.

I am a worker, not an idler, but by the grace of God.

I am useful, not a waster, but by the grace of God.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelations 22:21).

I will keep on thanking God for His grace. Dear Lord, I thank you for your grace that’s always with me, amen.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

We’re so blessed to rest in the peace of God. It is our guard. It stands before and around our hearts. Better still, it resides within our hearts to guard against restlessness, hopelessness, and despair. It lets us know that we can get through this… though all things are not fair. It keeps us calm in the mist of alarm. It wards off anxiety, envy, and jealously. It works with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, which helps us to never give up, but keep on living in His peace, which surpasses all understanding.

Oh, yes, the peace of God is our guard. It guards from worry and its ever persistent attack. It prevents us from even trying to fight back. It gives sweet sleep during the night with the assurance that…. everything already is alright. Oh yes…. the peace of God is our guard.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

I will keep on thanking God for His peace.  Dear Lord, I thank you, amen.  By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com

Have you ever noticed a baby taking its first step? Ask any parent, it is an amazing sight to behold. For there was a time their child could only crawl. But now, suddenly one day, one moment he’s standing, attempting to take that first step! Seeing this, the parents  realize that something had motivated their child to reach for that which was beyond a crawl… whether a toy, his own parents, or food. Though wobbling, and at times falling down, and with panting breaths, the excitement on his face expressed how determined he was to reach his intended target. So he gets up again, and after several attempts, he finally takes that first step out and grabs hold of it. Pretty darn wonderful, wouldn’t you say?

I’m sure none of us remember our first step as a baby, but if asked, our parents may tell us it was pretty miraculous. As an adult, however, are you willing to make that first step toward reaching your goal? I encourage you to take that first step. It’s not too late. The year 2020, has just begun. Whether you wobble, or fall down at times, just step out and take that chance. Ask God for help; to give you strength, faith, and courage. He promised to be there for us, if we’d only lean and depend on Him. For it’s far better to take a first step with Christ than to sit there ‘alone’ and wait for all our dreams to come true.

“Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”  Psalms 37:24

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33

I will keep on thanking God for His strength to keep on stepping out in faith. Dear Lord, I thank you, amen.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com