I can remember the year 1999. Some people were prophesying the year 2000 would be the end of the world. Doomsdayers were getting ready for wars, destruction; everything to be destroyed.

Needless to say, some were disappointed when the year 2000 came and nothing happened.

Some came to Jesus because of fear, which is not a bad thing, as long as they kept their relationship with God after the new year arrives.

This year is almost over and 2020 is near. The end of the year makes most of us review the past year. What have we done that’s made a difference? What have we accomplished? Have we made the world a better place, or did we just get through it?

I served on 2 mission trips this year; God has been good to me. My faith has grown leaps and bounds.

I’m looking forward to 2020. Y2k may have come and gone, but instead of being afraid of the future, I’m excited what God’s got planned.

It’s a win/win situation. Stick with God; He’s got your future in His hands.

Trust Him. Allow Him to use you, in whatever capacity that may be.

2020 is around the corner. I say, “bring it!”

Isaiah 43:18-19 - “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

No one likes to be punished, to be ridiculed, or put on the spot.

As a child, you seek your parent’s praise and approval. If you’re a parent yourself, you encourage your child and revel in their achievements.

Christians should be seeking God’s approval. We need to be serving and giving, not for our own praise, but to glorify God; to show others the love God gives us.

Seek God’s face. Ask God, “what is your will for my life?” Ask God what you can do to please Him. Be ready to follow through, no matter what. Don’t ignore your responsibility as a Christian. Just because you feel intimidated, or not ready to serve others, shouldn’t delay your response of love to others.

Just as a child doesn’t like to be reprimanded, you don’t want God’s judgment.

I used to just go through life on my own terms, not giving God a thought during my day. When something happened to ruin my day, or things didn’t go as I planned, I got depressed or angry. That was 20 years ago. Today, I start my day with God. It may sound corny, but I spend time talking to Him, thanking Him, praising Him; seeking His face.

I have peace. Things go wrong sometimes (in my eyes), but I know God’s in it. He’s right there.

2 Chronicles 7:14 - “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This world is full of convenience. Back in my day, there were no 711s (Seven Elevens), pump your own gas stations, etc. I actually had someone put gas in my car, or check my tires, or check my oil. Those were good times. We went to the grocery store, usually just once a week, and we survived.

The convenience era has made us all lazy to some degree. Instead of buying all the ingredients to make something like lasagna, we started purchasing a boxed frozen version of it. I admit, I used to think of tv dinners as a treat, but it was definitely not as good for you as mom’s home cooking.

I see some living a convenient Christian life. I used to do it, in my 20s and 30s.

I went to church when I felt like it, which wasn’t often. I opened the Bible when the Pastor was reading from the pulpit.

If it wasn’t on my timetable, I left God on the shelf, until I need Him in a pinch.

Now, I look back on my life during that time and realize how foolish I was. My life was a mess. I thought I was doing all the right things God wanted me to do.

God doesn’t want relationships with robots. He wants you to seek Him. He wants you to put Him first in your life.

Don’t live a convenient Christian life; live a fulfilled God-driven life.

Luke 2:4-6 - “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,”

Expectations are beliefs that spring from a person’s thought process when examining evidence.

Have you ever got your hopes up for something, that never transpired?

When these expectations come and are not met, we often get angry or hurt, and put the blame on someone else.

Conflict often results when the assumed expectations fail to be met. May not be anyone’s fault, it just happens.

I’ve been let down many times in my life, mostly because I try to see the good in people and think they should respond and act to situations like I would. I can’t blame anyone but myself, especially if I hadn’t voiced my expectations to the other person.

It’s different when you have a relationship with Christ. Jesus says we are to expect great things. We should have faith that God will bring us a great future. When you thank God for His promises, in the midst of storms, this tells Him you have great expectations of His provision.

I am going through a storm in my life, but I can honestly say that God is good. He is working on my behalf and this is only temporary, a valley. The mountain top is in view and I keep pushing forward, seeing God move each day.

God is good and I expect great things today and in my future.

How about you?

Psalms 62:5 - “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.”

I think it’s good to have your kids have a regular routine of chores. It teaches them responsibility and consequences.

If they’re old enough to cook and it’s their night to cook dinner, everyone is counting on them.

The men and women who serve in the armed forces have a duty to our country. Most will look at it as an opportunity to serve.

As a Christian, we need to be living by God’s standards. We shouldn’t feel like it’s just a duty, but an opportunity.

There are so many opportunities to serve, to live as Jesus lived, while He was here on earth.

Everyone seems so busy these days. Their calendars are booked several weeks or months ahead.

Start penciling in visits to nursing homes, find out when your local mission feed the homeless. Offer baby-sitting services to single moms who can’t afford it.

It is our duty as Christians to live and love as Jesus does.

I look at it as opportunities to show others love, with no conditions.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

If you could re-live one Christmas, which would it be? I think for me, I would want to redo a Christmas when my dad was alive. I honestly can’t remember a Christmas with him.

I know I can’t get that Christmas back, but I do know that I’ll see him again some day.

So many people have wished for so many things in the last few days. Kids are wishing for that perfect gift that they’ve been wanting for a while. Adults may be wishing for that new car, or house they’ve been wanting. And then, there’s others, who just wish for something to eat this Christmas.

I don’t care where you live, you can’t ignore that there is hunger in this world we live in. It doesn’t take a scholar to see the people in your city who have very little, whether it’s Christmas or not.

I was a part of feeding the homeless recently and received so much more than what I gave. I gave an afternoon of my time to serve others. There were heartbreaking moments and moments of joy. These people may not have much, but a smile is worth so much. I saw some bow their heads in prayer before eating, thankful for the meal they were eating.

Serving others less fortunate, in whatever capacity keeps me where I need to be. The compassion I feel for these people and the people in Peru keeps me going, keeps me doing what I’m doing. It’s all for the kingdom.

I wish there was no hunger in the world, no wars, no crime. But, that’s not reality. While we’re here on this earth, all of this is possible.

But, we can be the change the world needs. Serve others, give your time and money to those in need.

My biggest wish is for peace and joy to everyone. My wish has come true do me. I’m at peace and I have joy, in the midst of the chaos of the world.

How about you? What’s your wish?

John 15:7 - “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

A sheep is a mammal, typically used as livestock.

Fun fact: sheep have poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of hearing.

Because of this fact, most consider the sheep as dumb animals.

I’ve heard stories of them leaving their flock and walking off a cliff, or walking into a den of wolves.

But, they know their master’s voice. They hear the shepherd calling and they immediately go to where he is.

This same scenario is related to Christians. Without a shepherd, those sheep would be as good as dead. We are all like sheep, waiting to be slaughtered, to be taken out by Satan. But if we know our shepherd’s (Jesus) voice, we can avoid danger in our lives.

Unless you give your life to Christ, you’re open game for the devil.

Matthew 9:36 - “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Jesus explains in the verse above that we’re all like sheep, helpless and harassed.

The good news is there is a shepherd that can help you, that can protect you from the snares of Satan.

Jesus!

Satan’s waiting and watching you get restless, leave the flock. The devil can ensnare us and God will even allow it at times. But, know this: Satan can’t take your life.

Stick to the good shepherd. He knows my name. When He speaks, I move. When He leads, I follow.

Don’t be a dumb sheep. Give your life to Jesus today.

Luke 15:4-7 - “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

I do love the seasons of Kentucky. Even though the climate is ever changing, there’s nothing like an early summer rain. It usually starts as a fine mist, building into a soft rain, maybe with a slight glimpse of the sun. But when the day heats up and the winds roar, you can see the storm on the horizon. You know it’s coming, but rest in the calm before the storm.

Then, all of a sudden, the crack of thunder awakens your senses. The atmosphere has changed and you settle into the storm’s fury.

Sin can be analogous to storms. Sin can start out being a passive habit. It’s not hurting anyone and you get comfortable in the pace.

Sin sneaks up on you. The habit consumes your day; that’s all you can think about, then bam!

What started as a small blameless concept has blossomed into a full-blown act against God.

God will start to convict you; causing you to question your motives.

You can circumvent the storms in your life, if you will put your faith and trust in God. God may not be able to stop the storm, but He does promise to give you shelter during it.

Rest in the rainy seasons of life.

God is good; a shelter in the storm.

Matthew 8:26 - “He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”