Thanking God:

“His love is inclusive; it leaves no gaps for separation.”

“The Spirit of Christ gives life.”

“When your mindset is on Christ, it will be at rest.”

“Jesus is still pleading and interceding for us.”

“God’s full story also includes His future glory.”

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (John 14:18 KJV). We’re living in a world where so many people are lacking comfort because of grief, disappointments, sadness, failures, or broken promises. Unfortunately, experiencing these are a part of life. But there is hope.

Recently, I lost a dear love one. He was my favorite uncle. I was saddened and disappointed that I couldn’t make it back home for his funeral. At first, I felt a little guilt because circumstances had prevented me. But thanks be to God, I was reminded from His Word (in spite of my grief) there was someone who promised comfort when needed. His name is Jesus. As surely as He gave me comfort, He’ll do the same for you.

Coming to Him in prayer lifted me from a spirit of guilt to a spirit of gratitude. I began thanking God for giving my uncle so many years of grace, and allowing me to be a part of his life. Afterwards, other precious memories began to flood my soul. Before I knew it, I was laughing. I thank God for being faithful in providing His comfort during this grieving time in my life. For those who have experienced or experiencing grief or loss in any form, be assured God is there to provide the comfort you need… right now.

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

“Thanking God for His listening ear.”

“God will rock us when we let Him.”

“God’s solution is always producing.”

“God’s anointing is never disappointing.”

“But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, (Acts 4:19 ESV). This morning I woke us thanking God for what He says in His Word. To my surprise, the childhood game “Simon Says” started resounding in my head. I thought, why am I thinking about “Simon Says” when I haven’t though or played this game since I was a child?

You remember the rules of “Simon Says,” don’t you? Simon’s goal was to trick and confuse you so that you would not win. For instance, if you raised your hands when Simon didn’t say it, you were out. As long as you did what Simon said, you could stay in the game and better your chance for winning. At first, thinking on what “Simon Says” was weird until I made the spiritual transition of who Simon is, and what he says as opposed to who God is, and what God’s says. Simon is a childhood fictitious character. God is not. God is real, and His Word tells us He has already won for us.

Unfortunately, many adults are being confused by listening to what Simons of the world are saying, instead of  listening to what God says. God is God, and He can’t lie. He speaks truth. He never  trick or confuse. Remember, “But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28 ESV).

I will keep on thanking God for the blessing of  listening to His Word.  By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

Thankful:

“We’re not perfect, but pardon.”

“It’s better to step out in faith, then to be crushed  in fear.”

“God’s plans never fail.”

“God grace is to be embraced.”

“Thanking God for spiritual insight.”

Recently I met an elderly lady at a garage sale. We talked about giving thanks. After finding a trinket she liked, she shouted out, “Thank you Jesus!” I responded, “Yes, we can be thankful for the smallest things.” She smiled, then replied, “I’ve also learned to use gratitude as a weapon against the enemy.” I asked, “How? She smiled and said, “It’s a weapon I use and don’t have to fight!” She continued, “I find something to thank God for in spite of what I see or hear. My mind is made up to thank God anyhow.”

The more she spoke, the more enlightened I became on how giving thanks can be used as a weapon to combat the enemy. I see that when I’m thanking God, I’m not thinking about the devil nor his attacks against me. When he tries to discourage, block, or stop me, I can resist him with words of thanksgiving to God. Thanking Him turns my focus away from the enemy attack to lifting God up. When I lift God up, He will not leave me defeated. Victory is mine.

She finally added, “When we give thanks, it’s hard for the devil to bound a grateful heart. The devil won’t stand around while we’re busy thanking God.”At the close of our dialogue, I thanked her for sharing her trinkets on gratitude. Who would have thought that a simple dialogue at a garage sale would produce more insight on how to use gratitude?

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV).

I will keep on thanking God for words of inspiration that comes my way.  By Hertistine Washington/ keeponthanking.com

“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” (I Peter 4:12 ESV). Has anyone ever given you a heads up? If they have, how did it make you feel? Were you grateful? Did it put you at ease in knowing you can specifically pray, watch, prepare or plan for what was definitely going to happen before it actually happened? By given a heads up you may even prevent something from happening that was about to occur.

That’s what Jesus did regarding the fiery trial that are sure to come to test us. He gave a heads up, a warning, a notice to help prevent us from thinking something “strange” is happening to us. God wants us to be mindful to keep on standing in faith as if nothing peculiar is developing in our lives.  In order to be aware, we must be prayerful and watchful. Thank God for giving us a heads up when we are experiencing such trials.

I will keep on thanking God for giving me a heads up. I pray that when there is something strange going on in my life that it is there to test me and not to overtake me. I pray that we would not be surprised, amazed, or stunned to the point where we may be overcome. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

Thankful:

“A prayerful attitude can get rid of a pitiful disposition.”

“Life doesn’t give us any blank pages. It’s always filled with something.”

“On Forgiveness: Thanking God for the undo button, the return and delete tab.”

“God’s Word is not highly opinionated, but highly factual.”

“I can stand, as long as I hold on to God’s hand.”

“And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment” (Revelation 21:6 ESV). Are you thirsty? Wouldn’t you agree that most of us get thirsty at least one time during the course of a day? Some wake up thirsty. Some may get thirsty during lunchtime or dinnertime. Others, throughout the day; perhaps during the night. No matter when we get thirsty, water is a welcome and refreshing drink.

Yesterday morning, I left home and forgot to bring a bottle of water with me. By midday, I had become so thirsty. My mouth was parched. I could barely wait to get to a vending machine and buy a bottle of water to quench my physical thirst. As I was placing the money in the machine, I couldn’t help but think about how much I desired and needed that physical water. After my thirst was satisfied, I thought, how much more do I need God’s spiritual water that’s available to me round the clock!

Do you know Jesus has spiritual water that wont cost us a thing? It’s free. All we have to be is thirsty for it. Are you thirsty for His spiritual water? Have you drank from His fountain today? If not, remember He said, “to the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” He also said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”

I will keep on thanking God for the availability of His Spiritual water. By Hertistine Washington/keeponthanking.com

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Thankful:

“God’s plan doesn’t demand our input.”

“Sometimes God allows uncomfortable situation in our lives to open our eyes.”

“Let Love continue. Let peace abide. Let joy resonate.”

“There are no exceptions to God’s rule.”

“The blessing in making a wrong turn is knowing it, then turning around.”