“Thanking God for bringing light out of my darkness.”

“Thanking God for finding treasure from my tragedy.”

“Thanking God for providing success regardless of my test.”

“Thanking God for giving me a break, before I broke.”

“Thanking God for His triumph in spite of my failures.”

Celebrating the One who suffered, died, and rose to save our soul; the One who delivered us from sin and shame, and provided victory through His name: JESUS

We couldn’t get around sin. It was too wide. Only Jesus could reach that far. We couldn’t  jump over sin. It was insurmountable. Only Jesus could jump that high.

We couldn’t hide our sin. We couldn’t hide from sin. Only Jesus could find it. We couldn’t live beneath sin. Only Jesus could dig that deep, go beneath, rising again… conquering sin.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15: 56-57  ESV

In God, I will keep on thanking Him for being our Victor over sin.   By Hertistine Washington

All vehicles, computers, and some appliances contain several lights. One special light is an indicator light. The purpose is to warn that something unusual is happening on the inside. For example, a car’s indicator light will come on in the event the car is about to over heat, or something unusual is happening with the engine. It’s crucial to pay attention to this light. It may save your device, or even your life.

Are you aware God has given every Christian an indicator light? It resides on the inside. It’s always in place, and will never blow a fuse. It’s not a noisy light, but one that shines really bright. It is the warning light from the Holy Spirit. If we pay attention, it will let us know when something is about to go wrong. Like our cars, it will also come on when we’re about to over heat, blow a fuse, or even break down. We are grateful the warning light of the Holy Spirit provides signs when we need a check up, or to stop, look, and listen.

“Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is.”  Mark 13:33    KJV

In God, I will keep on thanking Him for the warning light of the Holy Spirit. By Hertistine Washington

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” Psalms 34:1.

It makes sense to praise Him. He gives ears to hear, eyes to see, nose to smell, hands to feel, and mouth to tell of His goodness for you and me:

Lord, we thank you for hands that reach, help, hold, and touch. Thank you for strengthening them to do so much.

Thank you for ears that hear all around, wind blowing, birds singing your joyful sound.

Thank you for a nose to takes air in and out, and smell your fragrance all about.

Thank you for eyes that see outwardly and within, that you are God, our Maker, our Friend.

Thank you for a mouth that gives voice, to speak and sing your praise, which is our honor and our choice.

“Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.”  Psalm 150:6  KJV   In God, I will keep on thanking Him, for giving me sense to praise Him.   By Hertistine Washington

Thanking God for Women of Service. In honor of Women History Month…”honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate”, so says Proverbs thirty one and thirty one.

A useful woman is a woman who does good, whether she resides in King’s palaces, or in the neighborhood. Her desire and goal is to serve, whether or not her voice is heard.  She’s mindful, God can use anyone to fulfill His plan. He can use a woman in ways, He chooses not to use a man.

So, beautiful woman, do you know who, and whose you are? Who, you really are?  You are God’s. You are His choice; His helpmate for man throughout every land. You are His instrument for mass production to birth kings and queens, ministers, scholars, lawyers, doctors, engineers, presidents, and so many more. Woman, you are unique; one of a kind. In creation, God already had you in mind.

You may not be humble as Mary, who bore our precious Savior. Nor courageous as Ester, who risked her life to save a nation. Perhaps not loyal as Ruth, whose love for her mother-in-law guided her heart. But one thing you can do; stand, and follow in God’s righteousness and truth.

You may not be  hospitable as Martha, or skillful in tent-making like Pricilla; nor heroic and fearless as Rahab, who hid the spies to save their very lives. Still there’s one thing you can do; you can always do good and not bad.

You may not be a seamstress like Tabitha, who made clothes for the poor and needy. Just the same, whatever service you do, do freely. Beautiful woman, be who you are. Be the best woman you can be, never compromising your integrity. Yes, we applaud those women who have long paid their dues. Now, it’s our time to be “that woman,” God can use.

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”  Proverbs 31:27-29   ESV  In God, I will keep on thanking Him for His strength to serve.   By Hertistine Washington

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