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

As one year comes to an end, and another is rapidly approaching, let us keep on thanking God for the privilege of blessing Him.

Bless the Lord, that I will. Bless the Lord as I live:

He’s the Quietness in my still. He’s my Prayer when I kneel. He’s the Zeal in my thrill. Bless the Lord, that I will.

He’s my Climb up the hill. He’s the Hope in my will. He’s the Strength in my heel. Bless the Lord, that I will.

He’s the Medicine in my pill. He’s the Provider of my meal.  He’s the Fullness in my fill. Bless the Lord, that I will.

He’s the Master in my field. He’s the Payment in my bill. He’s the Gift that I give. Bless the Lord, that I will.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalm 103:1 kjv   In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Thanking God for Follow-ship

What happens when we follow Jesus? According to the 27 verses in James chapter 1 something definitely occurs when we follow Jesus:

1. Following Jesus helps us to meet and greet with the right attitude, and count it all joy (v:1-2).
2. Following Jesus helps us let patience have its perfect work, and gain wisdom (v:3-5).
3. Following Jesus helps us to stay focus, and rejoice (v:6-11).
4.  Following Jesus helps us to endure temptation, and get to know the Father of Lights (v:12-14,18).
5. Following Jesus helps us to be slow to speak, but quick to hear (v:19-21).
6. Following Jesus helps us become doers of the Word, and not hears only (v:22-23).
7. Following Jesus helps us to remember what manner of person we are (v:24-25)
8. Following Jesus helps us to know what true religion is (v:26-27)                “Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God, and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God” (Luke 18:43  ESV). In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Thanking God for Miracles

Have you ever experienced a miracle? As we know, many agree miracles happens everyday. Some are noticed and some may go unnoticed. Nevertheless, many say they do occur.

How you define a miracle may differ from one person to the next. But I define a miracle as an extreme phenomenon that happens when at all odds (as seen by the naked eye), was impossible to occur, or not; a surprising occurrence that is considered to be the work of a divine agency. This brings me to my story.

One beautiful sunshiny Saturday morning I was driving on the streets of LA to attend a caregiver’s meeting. I was accompanied by a close friend. Traffic was light. A few minutes earlier for no particular reason, I decided to change lanes. I changed from driving in the right outer lane to the middle left lane.

A few minutes later something happened. My friend echoed a scream to the top of her voice with both hands raised. Needless to say, I was beyond startled! It was no wonder I didn’t let go of the wheel when I heard such an out cry! I immediately glanced in the direction of her scream. I then saw a black pick-up truck quickly approaching from the passenger side of my car where my friend was sitting. It was headed straight for us. the truck had failed to turn onto the clearly available right lane. It was coming directly into the left lane where I was driving. I knew there was no way of avoiding the impact. I remembered praying and thinking; thinking and praying, ‘please Lord don’t let my friend get hit’; all the while seeing from the look of things, it was impossible for her not to be. But praise God she did not get hit.

When I realized my friend wasn’t hurt, (still driving) I began bracing myself for the impending impact to the passenger rear side of the car. In my view, an impact was still unavoidable. The truck was just that close. I knew it was going to hit my car “somewhere”. But thanks be to God, the truck swirled as if someone had literally placed a cushion between us and the truck, thereby preventing what was surely about to take place.

My friend and I gave a big sigh of relief. We knew something had just happen beyond any man’s control. This was indeed a miracle; a truck coming straight for us fail to hit us.  Being obviously shaken, we still gave praise and thanks to God for His divine protective care by providing that miracle on the road. In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington