“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

“Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). Do you know something that’s good for every season of the year; every day, month, and hour? Something that’s good for you, me, and others too? I do. It’s that thing call love. Tis the season of love. Whatever you do, let it be motivated by love. Be determined to magnify the love that stems from Christ the Lord. He is love.

From the beginning to the ending, His love is always available. Despite cloudy days, rainy days, windy days, stormy days, or even crowded days, remember, tis the season of love. Don’t let it pass you by. Make time for it. Stand up, step up, stretch out, reach out, and grow up in love. Expand it; never need to demand it. Raise it; don’t abase it. Tis the season for love. Walk in it, and use it to exemplify the love of giving, sharing, helping, and caring. So as we work, play, shop, and go, remember, tis the season to let love flow.

“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3).

I will keep on thanking God for the present and presence of His love.  By Hertistine Washington / keeponthanking.com

For those who read my blog know that my motto is Expressing Gratitude in Everything. I believe that gratitude can be found in every situation; simply pay close attention. So, to those who follow my blog, I am pausing a moment to say “thank you.” I really appreciate you. Thank you for inspiring me, through your likes and comments, to continue sharing words of inspiration through the Word of God, poetry, short stories, and praise and thanksgiving to Him through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I’m sharing this post to inform you of some good news! Along with my regular posts, for the next four Mondays in December, I will be writing inspirations, entitled, “Tis the Season.” This is all in honor of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, for whom I’m so grateful. I hope you will join me and be encouraged as we glorify our Lord together that Tis The Season of love, joy, peace, and gratitude. Surely Jesus is the reason for the season!

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace.” ( Isiah 9:6).

I will keep on thanking God that we have a reason to celebrate Him; who He is, what He has done, is doing, and what He will do through Jesus Christ our Lord. By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com

Let me encourage you, some things in life should be ignored. Such things as gossiping, silly questions, and accusation are not worth our attention. Are you aware Jesus did not address everything on every issue. He was so wise in not letting things worth ignoring capture His attention. Sometimes He passed it by, didn’t say a word, didn’t give vent, turned it around, or simply ignored the comment.

Remember the woman that was accused of adultery, and the question her accusers asked Jesus? ((John 8: 3-11) Instead of answering it, Jesus ignored it and simply bent down and wrote on the ground; He could perceive the sinful nature of her accuser’s hearts. Instead of addressing their accusation, Jesus spoked to the real issue… their sin: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Upon hearing this, the woman’s accusers eventually walked away.

What a great lesson for us today, to let Jesus stand in our defense. Some questions or things are not worth our attention. It’s better to focus on Jesus, serve Him, and live righteously before Him, than to worry about what’s been said about you; ignore it and leave the results to God.

“And give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27).

“Abstain from every form of evil” (1Thessalonians 5:22).

I will keep on thanking God for spiritual discernment knowing that… not to ignore what should be ignored can result in spiritual ignorance. By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com.

Here I am, Lord; not with mother, father, sister, brother, friend, foe, nor other…

just You, just me.

All by myself, I come. In the quietness, and in the stillness of the hour, I come. Yet, never alone…

just You, just me.

Here I am. The one You made and drew to Yourself before the foundation of the world, clothed and in my right mind; all because of You. Happy and grateful; not sad, mad, depressed, but glad to be alone with…

just You, just me.

Thank You for this moment, this privilege to be here with You. Thank You for making me feel so special that I can relinquish all my cares, secrets, desires, needs, and hang-ups with no one else around…

just You, just me.

Now, Precious Lord, I thank You for this One-on-one. Until we meet again;

just You, just me.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

“Am I a God at hand declares the LORD, and not a God far away?” (Jeremiah 23:23)

“Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence” (Psalm 140:13).

I will keep on thanking God for the closeness I share in Him.  By Hertistine Washington / keeponthanking.com.