Thanking God Because He First Loved Me

“We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19  KJV). Can you think back to your first love? How did it make you feel? If your first love was anything like my first love, you couldn’t wait to see him. On his approach, did your heart began beating faster with every breath? Did the palms of your hands become sweaty, while at the same time your face became red as you anticipated his impending arrival? We can all agree, our first love was a unique experience, one of a kind.

Do you wish you could maintain such a love like your first love?! Well, Even though we may not be with our physical first love, we can definitely experience a love far and beyond that kind of first love, now and forever. I’m referring to a spiritual love. The love of God. If you fall in love with Jesus, His love will always be there. His love is everlasting, never-ending. It will never fade away. Every encounter is like the first. His touch never changes. His embrace is beyond a mere hug. His conversations are deep. You will find your heart panting for Him, as you anticipate His embrace.

You may ask, how can I acquire such love? Where is it? Where can it be found? It’s simple. All you need to do is open your heart, ask Jesus to come in and be your Savior. Then and only then  will you possess His love eternally. He is waiting to be your first.

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:15-16 KJV

In God, I will keep on thanking Him for loving me first.  By Hertistine Washington

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Thanking God For Anger Management

“Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be over past.” Isaiah 26:3

Every time I read this scripture, I get chills just thinking there is a possibility of getting so angry,  I would need to hide myself until the fury passes or goes away; that I would need to get away before I say or do something that could hurt others or myself. I say thank you Jesus for providing a way for me to manage my anger until it subsides. Thank you for being my Hideaway.

Have you ever gotten so angry that your anger became a bit unmanageable? During times like these, there is something we can do before we find ourselves swelling like a volcano getting ready to erupt! Sometimes it’s just time to hide away before the hot lava runs down and burns our soul. We don’t need to implode or explode! There is a solution.

Jesus is the answer. He wants us to come and enter our room. He says close the door until our anger goes away. If we do this, we shouldn’t be angry very long. He wants us to hide, or take refuge as it were for a little while! You may ask, Lord where am I going to hide? How can I get away from this angry feeling? Hide in Him. Let Him be your Hideaway, and watch Him heal your anger in a moments time. Use His Word and you will see it can soothe and manage the angriest of hearts. I’m learning, it’s far better to hide away in Him than to react, or hold anger toward them.

“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:7 KJV

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Ephesians 4:26  KJV

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalms 119:11  KJV

In God, I will keep on thanking Him for being my Hideaway during times of anger. By Hertistine Washington

Thanking God no matter what

“Come what may”, he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.” 2 Samuel 18:23 ESV

What a statement to say; “come what may!” Have you ever heard that, or said it yourself?   What is really meant when we say, “come what may?” I believe many of us would think the meaning depends on the various situations we experience each and every day. Definitely when hard times arrives, it can be most difficult to say, come what may. But if we’re in Christ no matter what comes, no matter what happens, we can be certain God will take care of it in His own unique, glorious, and special way.

Now, as we run on in this Christian race, none of us knows what will come our way; not even today. Still, “this God” of yours and mine, is already here, yet there at the finished line. Let’s stand in Him as we face the trials and storms of life; for He knows what’s already headed our way. Be encouraged. Trust Him. Can you hear Him say, I am with you every day? I am here to take care of you, provide for you, and intercept for you. Don’t fret, come what may. I’ll never leave you. I’m here with you to stay.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV

In God, I will keep on thanking Him, that I don’t have to worry because He is trustworthy, come what may.

When we were children and given the option of selecting teammates for a team, no one really wanted to be picked last. I know I didn’t. Now in my spiritual walk, I’ve learned with our Lord, there is no need to worry whether we’re picked last or first. He said in His Word, “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” Are you aware God wants all of us on His team? It doesn’t matter when we are chosen.

Be mindful that throughout all His creation, God chose to picked you. Do you realized He could have picked anyone to do what you do? But no… He chose you. You and I are His for the pickings; for the job that you do. For the title that you hold. For the challenges you face, encouraging hearts in this Christian race. Remember, God picked you.

Through tears, heartaches, and pain; it doesn’t matter whether sunshine or rain, God picked you. For the caring that you give, not concerned about how you feel. For the trials you may be going through, please know, He made no mistake by picking you.

You are His for the pickings. Whether helping someone up who has fallen down, or giving someone an ear to hear the joyful sound, God picked you. So don’t be surprised if some days you may take a licking. Never forget, you are God’s, and His for the picking.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:20  KJV   In God, I will keep on thanking Him, for picking me.   By Hertistine Washington keeponthanking.com

Thanking God for His Love

Several years ago, a former coworker gave me a gift for Valentine’s Day to express her appreciation, care, and love for me. It was a tiny white cup with the word love written on it, and red hearts all around with a matching saucer. Because it was not used for drinking, I only set this tiny cup out during the “Love Month” (so to speak).

This time as I was placing the cup on a shelf, I began thinking about the different kinds of cups in this world: tea cups, coffee cups, and fruit cups. On a lighter note, buttercups, cupcakes, and even, hiccups. I thought, no matter the cup, its use, or name, there is no cup like a loving cup.

Although a few years have passed, I find that I still have this tiny cup. Why? I don’t really know. It wasn’t serving any useful purpose, except providing a warm memory of years gone by, and … I thought it was cute. So I held on to it. I knew I liked the word “love” that was written on it. I also like the “red hearts.”

But this time, as I reached for this tiny little cup and saucer, I felt I was looking at it for the first time. I paid attention to how the cup was decorated, with red hearts, and the word love. This caused me to  think about our Lord and His love for us as He shed His blood on Calvary. I also though about that bitter cup as He said, “not my will, but thine be done.” Oh, what love was shown as He drank of that cup! It also came to mind His loving cup as He served His disciple at the Lord’s Supper. Of course, that cup was not decorated with the word love and red hearts, but He shared it with us because of His great love and heart for all.

Now, as I look at that little tiny cup, I’m not thinking about Valentine’s Day. I’m thinking about God’s Love and His big heart for me and you. I’m so thankful I held onto that little tiny cup and saucer long enough to see a deeper revelation of His Love.

Drink from His cup of love today. Let your cup run over by sharing a loving cup of His love. It will soothe our soul, mind, and spirit. We can be assured, comforted, and thankful that God is the greatest Love, and Lover of all times. His love is everlasting. Because “Love Day” is everyday we can drink, refresh, and warm  ourselves from the cup of His great love.

“And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.” Luke 22:17  ESV

“And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:20  ESV  In God, I will keep on thanking Him for His Love.  By Hertistine Washington

When we wake in the morning, and open our eyes, let it be, thank you Lord, thank you Lord. When it’s no surprise that we’re able to rise, let it be, thank you Lord, thank you Lord. When our feet touch the floor, and we’re able to walk to the bathroom door, let it be, thank you Lord, thank you Lord.

When we wash our face, brush our teeth, and able to clean our own body, let it be, thank you Lord, thank you Lord. When we go to the kitchen to get a bite to eat, let it be, thank you Lord, thank you Lord. When we walk outside, get in our car, and go for a ride, let it be, thank you Lord, thank you Lord.

Whatever we do in word or deed, give glory to God. Say thank you please, by letting it be, thank you Lord, thank you Lord.

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:12 ESV   In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Thanking God for His Invitation

Come my child. Come sit for a while. I will make you smile. Hear the birds in the trees. See the flowers with humming bees.

Come my child. Come sit for a while. I will make you smile. Feel the sunshine on your face, as you sit in His garden with grace.

Come my child. Come sit for a while. I will make you smile. Close your mind from the noisy crowds. Lift your eyes up to the clouds.

Come my child. Come sit for a while. I will make you smile. I’ve been waiting for you, watching, and longing for you too.

Come my child. Come sit for a while. I will make you smile.

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” Revelation 22:17

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 1:28  ESV

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

Thanking God for Fond Memories

I smiled as I thought about the many ways I used to play dress-up. As a child, I played dress-up with dolls, stick objects, and even with myself; I enjoyed playing dress-up! It was one of the highlights of my childhood. With my dolls, I would regularly change their outfits and pretend to be a variety of exciting, gorgeous characters. With my stick objects, I would attach pieces of my mom’s old wig hairs and pretend the stick objects were the most clamorous ladies in the world, with their long hair swinging back and forth round and about.

Sometimes to make my dress-up more fun, I sneaked into my mom’s bedroom when she went on errands. I quickly make my way over to her dresser, closet, and then finally to her shoe box. Oh, what fun I had! I would make up my face, applying her lipstick just so. Next, I would skip to the closet to locate the right outfit that would compliment my new made up face. Afterwards, I would reach up to the shelf in the closet to get the most biggest and loveliest hat to strut my stuff! Since one of my favorite colors were purple, that’s the one I usually picked. Then I would think, ‘what shoes must I wear with this new me?’ I always chose the shoes with the brightest of color, and the highest of heels (though I could barely walk in them). Wow, what fun memories I had pretending and dressing up!

Although I’m a big girl now, at times I still like dressing up. However, I don’t sneak into my mom’s closet anymore, nor do I pretend with toys. I am thankful as a blessed woman of God, I can buy my own lipstick. My clothes and my shoes fit. I have a lot of fun, getting my own hair done.

Yes, dressing up on the outside can be a beautiful thing. But as I began to grow in the knowledge and faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I discovered I could “look my best” by first dressing up His way. So can you. He has a wardrobe already prepared that guarantees one size fits not most, but “all.”

His way of dressing consists of putting off our old self, which belongs to our former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires. He wants us to be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

I have come to realized dressing up from the inside out, is really what looking good, or dressing up, is all about. Be encouraged, before getting dressed physically, first  go to your own spiritual prayer closet and put on the outfit Jesus has designed for you. He is the Master Tailor. Get dressed up with His compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; and above all, His  love. Wearing His clothes is a great way to stay dressed up all day.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,  Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  Colossians 3:14-15  (ESV)

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

Many people are working it out today, trying to lose those extra pounds gained from the holiday season. Whether you’re walking, running, jumping, or using a treadmill, your goal is to work it out. While working it out, you will definitely lose pounds and get in better shape! But do you know there is another workout you can add to your ‘workout’? This workout can also be used when engaging in those very things. Have you guested what this workout is? If not, let me get you out of suspense. No matter where, you can work it out through “Prayer”.

When you include the spiritual workout of prayer with your physical workout, the results will be astounding! Not only will your physical heart get pumping from the blood running through your veins, but your spiritual heart will get pumping by working it out in Jesus name.

So in this new season, don’t give over to sadness and despair. Keep on working it out, through the avenue of prayer. Drop those pounds of worry, fear, and fret. By losing them, you will never regret. Prayer works in trials and  tribulations. It will bring you to a place of contentment and jubilation. Prayer works in rain or shine. It is the answer needed in your life and mine.

Prayer will work, even when you’re hurt. Continue in prayer. You’ll benefit much.

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8  KJV  

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” Colossians 4:2  KJV           In God, I will keep on thanking.  By Hetistine Washington

Thanking God for the charge to love

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  I woke up this morning with a thought. This thought is not so new. It was here from the beginning. It was inspired for me and you. It is not a small thought, but quite large: “Treat everybody like you love God.”

Not like you love your mother, though she is so dear. Not like you love your father, who may be closer than no other. Not like you love your sister, or even your brother. But treat everybody like you love God. In doing this, life won’t seem so hard.

No matter how big the tasks. No matter how large. When we treat everyone like we love God, we are ready for this New Year’s charge. This charge is a charge to love. Yes, love like no other. Love your sister. Love your brother. Reach out. Make amends. Show that you love them, by the way you love Him.

Loving Him, is surely the call. Loving Him, is this New Year’s charge to all.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:5-6  (ESV)   In God, I will keep on thanking.  By Hetistine Washington