The Holy Bible bares record that “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). This is to say that to have faith is to believe we have those things that we are hoping for, even though we cannot see them with the physical eye. We must stand firm in our belief, in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me further encourage you, faith must be firm in order to stand firm. It must be solid; concrete. Wouldn’t you agree it’s easier to stand steady on a solid surface than an unstable or shaky one? So I ask, is your faith firm, or is it wavering, uncertain, doubtful, squishy, or soft? Know that this kind of faith cannot stand the least severe of storms. Be mindful, neither can it build the kind that will triumph over opposition, though at times we do fall short. But thanks be to God, faith that is firm is strong, and will stand the storm. When the wind blows, it will not fail. When the floods come, it will keep us from drowning in defeat. I pray and hope that we will maintain a firmness in our faith as Paul hoped to see in the Colossians, and the kind that Jesus encouraged His disciples.

“For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgivings” (Colossians 2:5-7).

“Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22).

I will keep on thanking God for the determination and courage to hold on to my faith in Him, no matter how I feel, what I see, or what may happen.   By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

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I still thank you, Lord, for your love, though at times, I don’t feel so loving.

I still thank you, Lord, for your grace, though at times, I don’t feel so gracious.

I still thank you, Lord, for your joy, though at times, I may feel sad.

I still thank you, Lord, for your peace, though at times, I may feel uncertain.

I still thank you, Lord, for your strength, though at times, I feel weak.

I still thank you, Lord, for being a stronghold, though at times, I feel I can barely hold on.

I still thank you, Lord, for the victory, though at times, I lose some battles.

I still thank you, Lord, that I know and declare, in You, I have Your unfailing love, grace in time of need, unspeakable joy, peace that surpasses all understanding, strength when I’m weak, a stronghold for my soul; and victory in spite of from Your power above, though at times.

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9).

“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psalm 34:1).

I will keep on thanking God, no matter how I may feel.  I understand that feelings change; I still have everything that God promised me. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

Sometimes the things we’re going through can seem so monumental; I don’t mean to belittle that in any way. However, they certainly can seem that way when we lose focus on Christ and His promises. Is your heart hurting in some way because of something, or some relationship for the cause of Christ? Are you grieving because it seems you’re not getting the desired results? Are you suffering because you can’t see God’s glory in it, now? If you are, don’t worry; I have good news for you.

The Bible encourages us to know that God isn’t slow about keeping His promises (1 Peter 3:9). Therefore, keep your head up and keep holding on to your faith in Christ Jesus. For the suffering we’re experiencing is not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed to us one day for Him. It will not compare! It will not measure up! We have something to look forward to in Him. He has promised that one day the pain and suffering will end. Let us thank God that it will never transition into His eternal light of glory.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Roman 8:18 ESV).

I will keep on thanking God for giving us hope of His glory in spite of this present day suffering. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 ). In this day of power walking, how many steps a person makes during a day could really surprise you. Although bodily exercise is good, I’m aware that, as determined as some are, they still are making only a few steps. Yet, some make a lot. Still, others are constantly on their feet; they’re stepping all day long. Some have even purchased walking monitors to indicate how many steps they’ve made at the ending of the day.

After thinking along this line, I began meditating on our spiritual walk. How are we walking? How are we stepping? What if there was a device to monitor ‘how’ a person steps in the Christian life? Today, I encourage you to step with the Spirit. That is, to walk like the Spirit say walk for the best spiritual health possible. I hope, in your walk, you’ll discover that stepping with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control is indeed the ‘way to step’ with the Spirit.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22).

I will keep on thanking God that in Christ Jesus, He gave the example on how to walk; following His steps guides our steps. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13). This is a great year for venturing out to new places and learning new things. I am grateful that you and I are alive and have this wonderful opportunity. As students are going back to school so that they may learn, experience, and discover new things, I can appreciate the teachers who help them prepare for their future goals. I’m also grateful for parents who are teaching their children rules that they may know which are good to follow and which are not.

On another level, I am thankful for God, our spiritual parent, who gives us His Word that we may know Him and His wonderful  plan of salvation; that we may know He is Savior to all who believe in Him. That we may know He is love, and He loves us one and all. Also, that we may know His perfect will, and that things that were written beforehand were written for our learning. So today, let’s strive to learn all we can about the Father’s plan for salvation and for our lives. Let’s go forth with a grateful attitude, teaching and inspiring others that they too may know the joys and benefits in knowing Jesus as Savior.

“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Philippians 3:10).

I will keep on thanking God for the assurance of my salvation.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he” (Proverbs16:29 NKJV). Wow, it’s already a week into the New Year! I happily say to those who follow my blog, Happy New Year! I wish you love and blessings from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with seeing another glorious year! I thank God for all of you. I thank Him for connecting us together on my website. I thank you for inspiring me through your likes and comments  to continue to write words that will encourage men, women, boys, and girls toward salvation in Christ.

Again, Happy New Year! I pray you gain new discoveries and insights. I hope your  dreams, goals, aims, and purpose be fulfilled, and be all it’s meant to be. I pray you build new friendships and relationships. I also pray for new declarations, manifestations, illuminations, and revelations into the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as you go forth in Him. Happy New Year!

“Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people, whose God is the LORD!” (Psalm 144:15 NKJV).

I will keep on thanking God for blessing us to see another year and to hold on joyfully to the hope we have in Him. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

Wow! I can hardly believe the year has almost come to a close! I hope you have had a wonderfully amazing year! No matter what you or I  have gone through, we are still here. For this reason, we can gladly say, thank you Lord. For this is a season that never ends; the season of giving unending gratitude and praise for the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ! The Scriptures bears record: “The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad” (Psalm 126:3). Therefore, we can praise Him as long as we want, whenever we want, and as much as we want, with no worry of Him getting weary of our voices. If you join with me this season, He will also welcome your continual praise.

I can’t say it enough, this is a wonderful season to express gratitude! Have God done anything for you this year? This season? If so, be thankful. Having just celebrated the Savior’s birth, we can continue to celebrate His resurrection and soon return, in showing gratitude for who He is and all that He has done. Let us be thankful the Word of God never ceases to declare that Tis The Season of unending gratitude and praise:

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.’ oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Psalm 34:1-3).

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” ( Ephesians 1:15-16).

“I always thank my God for you because o f his grace given you in Christ” (1Corinthians 1:4-5).

I will keep on thanking God that I can always thank and praise Him.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

“No, never alone; no, never alone” is a stanza to a familiar song. I know it quite well. It reminds me that I am never alone because God is with me. God’s most Holy Word tells me that “God is with us.” What comfort it is in knowing we have constant company; especially during this season as we celebrate the Savior’s birth! Tis the season to be certain God is the faithful comforter, always looking out for us, and is still with us.

The angel told Mary that she would bear a Son, and He shall be called Emmanuel, which means, God with us. We are comforted to know that He is forever here; we are never alone. Though times of hurt, loneliness, and pain are inevitable in this life, God is with us to save, guide, comfort, strengthen, and deliver. Lets be grateful we have the comfort of His ever present presence, and that we can cast all our cares on Him for He cares for us.

“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant” (Psalm 119:76).

I will keep on thanking God for His comfort.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

What a time! What a Time! What a time when we all get together; what a time! When I hear that phrase, from a well known song, I think about the blessings that peace brings. When people get together; mothers, fathers, sisters, brother, husbands, wives, and all others decide to live in harmony, surely there will be great peace. The song goes on to say, What a time of rejoicing ‘it will be!’ I’m encouraging you to know that it can also be that way, this season, right now. You can have that peace that surpasses all understanding through Jesus Christ the Lord. You don’t have to wait ‘til we all get to heaven.‘ Peace is available this very moment; and what a time of rejoicing it is! Jesus came to bring peace between us and God; for where He is, there is peace. Truly ’tis the season to be at peace with God, self, and others. Accept Him into your heart and live in peace.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”( Romans 5:1).

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11). 

I will keep on thanking God for His peace.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

In life there can be some pretty dark days, making it difficult to see our way. But we can  be thankful that if we walk in the light of Christ, He will see  us through. He said, He is the Light of Life; He lights our paths and shows us plainly which to take. As this year is coming to a close, let the light of Christ shine in you so that when the New Year arrives, you will be walking and beaming in Him! Trust that His light will never go out, and His bulb will never need changing. He is the everlasting light that lights up our hearts, paths, and the world.

“And again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness. but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

I will keep on thanking God for His everlasting light.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com