Living in a small town in the foothills of Appalachia brought me many wonderful memories.

Even though the little town of Kermit, WV was considered a city, to me it was a country paradise.

From climbing trees to walking to the top of man’s face rock, this was where I found joy, peace and an unmitigated sense of family.

My niece and I were often found high in the mulberry tree, which was our ‘girls only’ fort, or on the hill behind the house, exploring the bugs and animals that roamed about.

On one particular day, we decided that it would be so cool to jump from the top of the knoll to a small bush, just a few feet below. You know, like Superman does on the tv.

What we didn’t take into account was that the small bush was a rose bush, thorns and all.

I can’t actually recall the conversation between us, but somehow, I was the one who was elected to jump first.

As expected, I leaped into the thorny patch below, landing bluntly in the spiky thicket, cape and all.

The briar patch can resemble our lives. The Bible warns us of false prophets; people saying they’re preaching from the Bible, but in essence, using their own thought-up stories.

Read the Bible for yourself and don’t get caught in the briar patch, wondering what went wrong.

Psalm 1:1-2 - “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

We’ve all heard of paying it forward. This usually means if you are lucky enough to receive a gift or favor, you should give the same gift to someone else.

But, I like to think of the opposite, paying it backward.

It’s seeing someone in need, and offering help, giving your time, money or resources to better someone else’s life.

This was never more real to me than when I returned home from my first mission trip.

Making someone’s day by giving them a $2 bandanna, opened my eyes to the oppression that most of us have never experienced.

Seek out someone hurting, someone struggling to make ends meet, and then take action - pay it now!

2 Corinthians 9:7 - “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Most every product you buy at the store or online, you get a proof of purchase or a receipt. Most people just throw the receipt in the trash, although many keep it for verification or to review later.

When Christ died on the cross, He paid all of our sin debt in full. This means that any past, present and even future sins we commit, He’s already paid the price.

Our ‘proof of purchase’ for this indebted sin is the cross. Any time in my Christian walk when I feel lonely or forgotten, I remember and reflect on what Jesus did to pay for my freedom.

This proof of purchase does none of us any good unless we accept this gift of freedom.

This requires letting go of your former life, your past sins and regrets, and giving your whole life to Christ.

It may sound hard to do for many, since some of us like to hang onto the past, but it’s really simple and I can say that for me, it was the best decision of my life.

Do you want your sin cancelled and your debt paid in full? Give it to Jesus. He paid it all on the cross and is living proof that peace is possible and a new life in eternity guaranteed.

Colossians 2:13-14 - “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”

Reflection is when light bounces off an object. If you’ve ever seen a still body of water on a sunny day, you’ll see the reflection of the area on the water.

You see your own reflection in a mirror. You turn on a light when entering a room. These are all examples of what happens when dark is invaded by light.

Before Adam and Eve were created, the world was dark, non-existent. Then God made man and creation.

After Adam and Eve disobeyed God and caused sin, darkness and death entered the world. I think God knew that it would take a miracle to turn things around; to help mankind rise out of the darkness into a life filled with light. That’s when He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to save us from death.

Jesus became the light of the world. He brought life to those in darkness. He brought hope and a promise of eternal life, for those who believed in Him.

As Christians, we are to be the ‘light of the world.’ We are to reflect Jesus in our lives.

There is coming a day when all death and darkness will cease to exist, but until then, shine your light my fellow Christians. Tell the world why you have a hope and a future.

God created us in His image. Let’s be a reflector of light.

John 8:12 - “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Have you ever met someone that likes to read the ending of a book, before they start to read the story? Or, some that likes to fast forward a movie and skip all the boring parts?

Well, what if we could fast forward our lives? What if we could skip to 2021 and miss out on all this chaos we’re living in now?

Did you know that it says in the Bible that we (Christians) are to welcome trials? That sounds crazy, right? Why would we want to be grateful for the birth of this pandemic?

Christians know their future. They can see the blessings and mercy given to us each day and can persevere trials with prayer. How? Because we know there’s a purpose in these trials. We know that no matter what happens, or how long it takes to get through this tragedy, that God is near. He sees what’s going on, and He’s protecting His children.

Ask God to give you your vision of the future. Be determined in your heart that God’s purpose in your life is being fulfilled.

Scared of our future as a nation? Stay the course, seek God in all this and never give up on His promises for those who love and follow Him.

James 1:3-4 - “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

I think you’ll agree that our world has taken on a whole new landscape this year. Our visions and plans of 2020 have been disrupted at the very least. As 2020 arrived, most were planning a new year with great expectations. And then, Covid19 hit the world, and life as we knew it changed.

So, some are thinking, “what’s the backup plan?” Well, in a pandemic of this sort, there is no immediate backup plan. There’s no one suggesting, “well, let’s just do this or that.” They’re telling us that this is the new normal. There is no going back.

Plans were stopped, careers were put on hold, agendas were wiped clean.

So, what do we do now? As a Christian, we have a backup plan. It’s a life plan that we chose when we accepted Jesus into our lives. I can’t say that I’m not worried about our country, but I can say that God is good, and He will see us through and bring something good out of all of this.

What’s your backup plan? What are you going to do if you get that dreaded phone call from the doctor, or lose your job, or lose your home? Are you going to fret and live stressed out? Or, are you going to look to Jesus and accept His backup plan?

There’s only one way, one ‘get out of jail free’ option in life. And that’s to give it all to the One who died for you and me.

Let Jesus be the new norm in your life today.

Galatians 3:10-11 - “ For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”  Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

There’s a song I love that’s called, “He grew the tree.” This song gives you the visualization that God not only sent His Son to die for each one of us, but that He actually planted the seed and grew the tree, that He knew would be used as a cross and where He would take His last breath.

This tree was the old rugged cross. Jesus was mocked, spit on, whipped and beaten, but His death wasn’t in vain. His death gave each one of us a chance for life.

What is your response to the above statement? Do you read it, and go on with your day, not thinking about it again? Or, do you for the first time realize that there is a God who cares? There is a God who would love us so much that in order for us to have a life in eternity, He would have to send His Son to earth to die for each one of us.

God is real. He sacrificed His only Son for you and me. What have you sacrificed lately? Time out of your day to help a friend; money to help those who are suffering?

I’m so thankful that God loves me and He proved it on the cross. He grew the tree that He knew would be, used to make the old rugged cross.

Ezekiel 17:24 - “And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

I knowI need to get with the times, but am I the only one that gets the dreaded text from my phone company, warning me that I’m almost out of data?

I usually just quit using my data, but then am limited in what I can do with the phone.

There is one thing that never runs dry, never runs out, and that’s God’s love for us. When I think I’ve done some things I shouldn’t, or neglect something I should be doing, God doesn’t say, “you shouldn’t have done that, now you’ll be punished.”

No, He does the opposite. God will not condemn me for my sins, His Son already paid that price. He will gently scold or redirect my path, if necessary.

I’m telling you from experience and a history with God, I CAN’T do one day without Him in my life.

He fills me up with love and grace, in order for me to purposely bless others.

We run out of time, money, physical ability, patience, luck and yes, data from our phones.

But, if you have God in your life as your Savior, you’ll never run out of His love, compassion, mercy and the promises of an eternal life with Him.

Before you run out of life (literally), turn it all over to God.

He promises you a hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.