I woke this morning with the prayer:

Thank you God for always being there. You’re always faithful when things seem uncertain.

You’re always powerful, though I am weak. You’re always looking and watching over the poor and the meek.

Through difficult times, when I can’t see, your love is always comforting me.

You’ve always provided when I didn’t know it was you, always bringing me through.

When I’m thirsty, you’re always my fountain, whether in the valley or on the mountain. You’re always present; never absent a second.

I thank you, Lord, that you’re always so kind; You are God, Most Holy Divine.

“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).

“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

I will keep on thanking God for His ever-present presence. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

Have you ever been stung by a bee, a wasp, mosquito, or any other insect? Wow, I bet you didn’t see it coming, did you? If you had, I’m sure you wouldn’t have let it sting you. That’s what happened to me one day, as I was preparing for a great time of quietness and relaxation in my backyard. Before I sat down good, I got stung! How unexpected was that!

The pain was so excruciating, I screamed and jumped away as fast as I could! The effects were immediate; the area began turning red and swelling up. I realized I had to do something quick! So I ran inside to clean it and applied a healing ointment. Although I didn’t feel better right away, I had confidence that the ointment would do the job.

After the pain subsided, I began thinking about sin and how sin affects us… many times we don’t see it coming; then all of a sudden… we get stung! Thank God for Jesus, (our healing ointment), who took on sin, preventing us for being eternally stung! He suffered, died, was buried, and rose again that we might live; never having to suffer the pain of being stung by sin again.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law” (1 Corinthians 15:56 ESV).

I will keep on thanking God for saving me from the effects of sin.  By Hertistine Washington /keeponthanking.com

“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star  in glory.” (1Corinthians 15:41).

After reading this scripture, I began meditating about the stars in the sky; how they all shine, and how we can only see them at night; though they never stop shining in the day. I thought about how Jesus created them, and knows each one by name. From our perspective, they all look the same. But in the heavenly places, they are different, having their own particulars. Still they continue to shine.

Do you know Jesus also have stars on this earth that shines everyday for Him? If you have accepted Him as your personal Savior, you are a shining star. You can shine for Him both day and night. You can let your light shine before others that they may see your good work, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I will keep on thanking God for allowing me to shine for Him that others might see His glory.  By Hertistine Washington /keeponthanking.com

The love of God and I are inseparable! Allow me to tell you about my inseparable love. It is a love I can never loose; can never be parted from. Nothing will be able to separate me from this love; we are inseparable!

This love will always have me, keep me, hold me, protect me, correct me, guide me, comfort me, raise me, warm me. and never wrong me; we are inseparable!

I am loving this love… my friend, my confidant, my security, my hope; my worry destroyer, fear remover, and doubt dissolver; we are inseparable!

I can rest in this love. It will never scare me, trouble me, strike me, or fight me. It will never break away or run away; we are inseparable!

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”  Roman 8:35

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

Looking out a window from a 12 story building, I could see many things that I couldn’t if I were standing at ground level. I could see tops of houses, tops of trees, roads, and cars going here and there. Standing from that perspective, I thought about all the things I was able to see from above. Yet, I could only see so far.

Then my mind fell on God; how wonderful He is! How He sees everything and everybody. It doesn’t matter if we’re high up, down low, up close, far away, or under cover, God sees us. He watches our going and coming; aware of our every move. Even though I couldn’t see within the houses, or building, or in yards (because some things were covered up), it’s comforting to know God can. I can never ever be out of His sight! He always sees me.

“The LORD looks down form heaven; he sees all the children of man;” (Psalm 33:13). 

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

I will keep on thanking God for watching over me. By Hertistine Washington/  keeponthanking.com

As I was eating a banana this morning,

I though about a second helping.

However, I wasn’t  thinking about eating another banana.

I was thinking about the Lord of Hosts; Hosanna;

How He went about helping  all,

Not missing any that could fall.

He was our first helper before He went away.

Told us to follow Him each and every day.

I believe that included helping others;

along with mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers.

Since He helped us, let’s follow through,

To give service of all that we can do.

Let’s be thankful that we can keep stepping,

in serving others with a second helping.

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

I will keep on thanking God for the privilege to serve others.  By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com

I used to get so tired. I was the type of person who would work until exhaustion. Can you relate? Whether it was cleaning house, gardening, running errands, or literally working. I’m aware there’s such a thing as work heartily, or put your heart into it. But I wouldn’t stop until I got done what I was hoping to get done no matter how long it took me, or the cost to my physical or mental self; leaving me feeling like a floppy rag; and too tired to move on. I was running myself into the ground.

But thanks be to God for stopping me before I buried myself. In His Word He showed me a new and better way to do what I was trying to do. He showed me the value of resting in between. I discovered that when I have adequate rest I can do my best not only for myself, but for others, and most importantly for God.

If you were like me, or perhaps still is, just stop and take a rest and refresh your soul. You will be stronger and more energized to do what you are trying to do without becoming exhausted. Please stop being too busy to take a rest.

“He makes me  lie down in green pastures, He leads me besides the still waters. He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:2).

I will keep on thanking God for providing rest for me.  By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com

In some countries to bow to the authority is a must. It shows honor and respect, not only for the individual, but the position they hold. Although the act of bowing goes back for centuries, the idea didn’t originate with people or countries. Bowing wasn’t man’s idea. It stems from God. Therefore, let us bow to Him. He is worthy of all respect, honor, and glory. Let’s bow our heads and bend our knees in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving to His name. He is the ultimate authority and holds the greatest position; He sits on the throne and… He’s got the whole world in His hands. He is Master of the universe.

Let us pray together: Lord, we bow in humility, honor and respect; with gratefulness recognizing that you are God, and without you we can do nothing, in Jesus name, amen.

“For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Roman 14:11 ESV).

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” (Psalm 95:6 ESV).

I will keep on thanking God for recognizing to whom I owe my allegiance. I bow in His name.  Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com.

The other day I felt like I didn’t have enough time to finish my list of goals. The simple answer would have been to shorten the list.  But I was so invested in my time schedule, I failed to do that. I thought about putting things off until the next day. Then I thought, Now, I will have doubly the things to do in the same amount of time! So, did I solve my dilemma? No; only added to it.

Have you ever tried to pencil this in, or pencil that out for the lack of time? As we know there are twenty-four hours in a day, seven days in a week, and fifty-two weeks in a year. Yet, this doesn’t appear to be enough time to do the things we desire most. Can you relate? I ask you, how much time do you really need? God knows… He has not made a mistake on His schedule. If God allowed one more hour, would that be enough time for you? We cannot deny, He has provided adequate time to sleep, rest, eat, work, and play.

I’m learning since God has provided enough time for me. I need to choose time wisely. If, by chance, I run out of time, it’s on me; not Him. Just one more thing: Besides this, are you aware, God has also allotted enough time for us to accept Him as Savior? No matter your time schedule, don’t forget to pencil Christ in. And do you know, one day time will run out? Today, I admonish you to put all your hope and faith in Him, while there’s still time.

“As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do  not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Hebrews 3:15 ESV).

I will keep on thanking God while I still have time; in providing sufficient time.  Hertistine Washington keeponthanking.com

Just saying that 14 letter word – lovingkindness ignites my soul to awe! I’m thankful that we can lie down in it every night, and wake up to it everyday. His loving-kindness never fails. Through the night it keeps us and is with us in each moment. It’s never passive, or stagnate; never dry or brittle. It’s always welcoming, active, flowing, protective, soothing, penetrating, comforting, generous, covering, gracious, saturating, giving, and forgiving. Oh, the lovingkindness of the Lord! We are grateful!

His lovingkindness reflects who He is; merciful and full of compassion. It produces warmth, comfort, and satisfaction to the lonely and needed soul. That’s God’s lovingkindness toward us. It is yours to wrap in today. You can also share it with another, as you go on your way. Isn’t it great to filled with His lovingkindness in the morning, and throughout the day? To bathe in it at night, and wake refreshed to the morning light! Being immersed into his love makes us quick to perceive and appreciate the lovingkindness of God.

“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee” (Psalm 63:3 KJV).

I will keep on thanking God for His unfailing love towards me. Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com.