As a Christian parent, you hope that your kids will follow in your footsteps and take your advice. But, what if your footstep history was not one to be followed?

I’ll admit, in my early teens and 20’s, even though I was a Christian, my own rebellion led me to some devastating detours.

The good thing is, God never left me alone. He kept pursuing me, even though I didn’t want to be pursued. I wanted to do life on my own terms.

It took years of me struggling to make things happen, not relying on God for anything.

And just like that, one day I turned my life back to God. I asked for help and He gave it to me.

God brought me out of the pit and put me on the right path.

I do hope my kids follow God. Follow me? Not so much. I learned from my many mistakes. Mistakes I hope my kids don’t repeat.

Today I’m trying to be a Godly example to not only my kids and grandkids, but to those I meet, my friends and my church family.

Follow God as your example. He will lead you to brighter tomorrows.

Matthew 5:16 - “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Have you ever read a book, and you can’t stop reading because there’s a small bit of suspense at the end of the chapters?

You find yourself reading until you finish the book, because you want to know the ending.

Life may feel like a cliffhanger right now for some. You want to speed up time, so you can get on with your life. But, as many of you are aware, we have to abide by some rules and adjust our lives accordingly.

If you’re a Christian, you know that at this time this is not the end of the story. We have a hope for eternity. A life with God forever and ever. We know that the end of our story on earth is the beginning of life in Heaven.

Even so, I am looking forward to brighter days. I can’t wait to see my friends and church family again.

This time, more than anytime in my Christian walk has made me realize how precious life is. But more than that, it is how sweet it is to be alone with God; to watch Him during the day, move in people’s lives.

Are you excited for this next chapter of life? Does it include God?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 - “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

As a part of Evangelism Explosion (a group at my church), we were going out in our city, visiting people who had come to our church for a visit. It was our mission to get to know them, to tell them about our church, and eventually giving them the opportunity to hear the gospel message.

Part of that message is telling others how God loves them and has loved them, even before they were born.

But, did you know that God hates sin, and He must punish sin. God provided a way to escape this punishment. He sent His only Son to die in our place.

God has not forgotten you. If you’ve given your life to Christ, you are His. He’s protecting you; He loves and cares for you, and He will not leave you alone.

If you know someone that hasn’t given their life to Christ, take time to tell them your story, and how Christ has turned your life around.
Deep down, don’t you want to feel peace? Do you seek protection?

Give your life to God; He will fight your battles; He alone can shelter you in this storm.

Psalm 37:28 - “For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.”

1 Kings 17:4 - “You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”

Are you scared, lonely; afraid of what the future holds?

Verse 4 of 1 Kings 17, is talking about God speaking to Elijah. He’s telling him to keep going and to trust Him that He will take care of him. The part of the verse that speaks to me is, God saying, “I have directed the ravens to supply you with food.”

Wow! God speaks not only to us, but He can direct a bird to carry out His mission. If God can use a bird, He can use me, and you.

When I signed up for my first mission trip with Go International, I had no idea what was ahead. I was scared, afraid of what it might involve. Did I have the knowledge and courage to deliver God’s message to the people of Peru?

Well, three years and 3 mission trips later, I can confess that God directed my steps, instilled in me the ability to go and to be an example of Christ.

How will you let God use you today? It may not be on a mission trip, but it could be in your own neighborhood.

If God can direct the ravens to care for Elijah, He can take care of you in this pandemic.

Trust God, He never fails!

Have you ever been in a boat on the water and you felt uncomfortable and fearful that the boat could sink, if something didn’t change soon. Scary, right?

On the other side of this scenario, have you ever been on a cruise ship or pontoon boat, where you had some confidence of the durability of the boat or confidence in the captain? Felt good, right? You felt safe and comfortable.

Take the two scenarios above and compare with today’s current state of mind. The small unstable boat representing people who are anxious, depressed and don’t know where to turn for help.

The cruise liner representing those of us who are safe at sea. We have a creator God who, we know, is in control; a mighty God who will be with us, every minute of every day.

So, which is it for you? Which boat are you in, metaphorically?

Come join me on a cruise of a lifetime. An infinite journey of calming seas and peaceful adventures!

Stay safe out there. Get on the safe boat today. Give your life to Christ, our Eternal Captain.

Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Anytime soldiers go into battle, they prepare by having the right weapons, ready to defend.

But, how do we, as Christians, prepare for our battles. How do we defend ourselves against this insidious virus that is sweeping our world? Worship. We praise God for protection. We thank Him for giving us peace in this chaos.

I’ll admit, it is scary. To think you could be standing next to someone who has the virus, and not know it is a little unnerving.

I pray for protection for all of us. But, most of all, I pray that people will open their eyes and see God in this.

Worship is so much more fun than worry, and the devil hates to hear our joy. Satan is trying to take our eyes into the direction of terror and uncertainty.

But, if we focus on God, turn up the worship music and sing along, our greatest weapon will be our greatest reward.

Keep your mind on good things. Hug your kids. Call your mom, write a letter to your best friend whom you haven’t seen in a couple of years. Find old pictures and send them to someone to brighten their day.

Your mind is a battlefield and the only preparation for battle is worshiping our Creator.

Are you armed and ready with a song in your heart?

Jeremiah 20:13 - “Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.”

I have had people come along in my lifetime, who have predicted the future; fortune tellers… People, who are not of God, attempting to tell others what they want to hear.

These fortune visionaries, (wanna be’s) are all false. They are filling people with lies for their own benefits.

And, then there are men of God, who have predicted certain events before they happened. These are true prophets of God, fulfilling prophecy. Prophecy is verbalizing a specific thing will happen in the future.

Now, no one on earth knows what our future holds, but I, along with my fellow Christians, know Who holds the future.

Christians aren’t alarmed at our current situation. They’re concerned, yes. No one wants to go through physical pain or possible death. But, we have a promise from God, to never leave us and to protect us.

God is here, in this place. He sees the devastation and He alone is available to give peace during this storm.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know Who holds my future.

God wants good for me, and you.

Take hold of God’s Hands today and let Him lead you into a peaceful tomorrow.

1 Peter 1:5 - “who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvationthat is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Praying had always been hard for me. I grew up in a southern baptist church and was around some great saints, prayer warriors.

It took years for me to realize that God’s not waiting on a great powerful prayer from me. He’s just waiting to hear my voice. He already knows my heart. He just wants to have a relationship with me.

When we panic, we cripple our minds in fear. We paralyze our thoughts, focusing on pain and despair.

I have a remedy for this. It’s called prayer. For me, when I feel that pang of fear, I pray. I may be in a crowd, or in my favorite chair at home. I still my mind and focus on God. I think of all the good things He has done for me, and where He’s taken me.

Take it from me, replacing panic with prayer will bring you a peace you didn’t know existed.

Everyone’s looking for answers. They want to know what the future holds.

Join me and my fellow Christians in experiencing God’s grace, God’s love; His peace.

Hard to imagine peace in this pandemic? Try God, the peacemaker.

When panic comes, pray and receive peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”