In James Chapter 3:1-12, James opens our eyes to the fact that not every word that comes out of a person’s mouth is needed. When you speak, are you speaking as though Christ dwells within you? What do your words say about Christianity? Do they encourage others to follow Christ or showcase hypocrisy and deter people from going to church?

One of the most common excuses I’ve heard from people about why they won’t go to church is, “the church is full is hypocrites.” To be honest, it’s the truth. The church, as well as the world, is filled with hypocrites that act one way on Sunday, holy and happy, then drastically change their attitude the minute they wake up on Monday morning. In a two-faced world, how can others see the love of Christ? How does your attitude differ on Sunday? Can you tell a difference?

Just last night, I had an argument with a good friend that really struck me off guard.

Keep in mind, the morning after our argument, I went to Sunday school and our scripture was on James Chapter 3 about  “controlling our tongues.”

About a month ago, we had a get together where apparently something was said that offended her. The whole night we talked, laughed, and let the kids play while we played a few board games. (I know it sounds lame but it was a lot of fun) In my eyes, nothing was wrong when she left, and everyone had a good time together; however, in her eyes, I extremely upset her in some way. For over a month, we didn’t talk to each other. I would send her messages and she would rarely send back anything. I knew something was wrong but didn’t want to bother her. To be honest, I just thought she was busy with work and didn’t have time to get back to me. We are both adults, so life does get busy. Last night, I finally gave in and asked her if everything was okay. What did I do that was so wrong? Did I hurt her in any way? When she finally told me what happened, I literally was shocked. I had no idea that at some point during that get together about a month prior I had offended her by some comment that I had made. I still don’t know what comment was, but I do know that it hurt her pretty bad and that breaks my heart. I perceded to ask her for forgiveness and try to figure out where I went wrong but somehow the conversation blew up in my face and now I don’t know what will become of our friendship. It only takes one word, or perception of a comment, to ruin a friendship and ruin your “Christ-like image. One way or the other, one of the words I said, hurt one of my best friends. I can never take those words back, but I can learn from my mistakes and grow in my walk with Christ by trying to be more like Him and less like myself.

The Bible says in John 3:30 “He must increase and I must decrease.” I think it’s time I remind myself to let Him take the lead with my words.

Was I wrong for being sarcastic, making a joke, and not even knowing I hurt someone? Or was she wrong for not confronting me about it immediately so the problem could be resolved? The truth is, we both were in the wrong, and hopefully we both learned a lesson that we can grow from, restore our friendship, and prevent future struggles. Friendships are not easy at any age. Treasure your friendships and treat each friend as though they are a gift from God. One day, they will be gone and you’ll wonder what you did to push them away.

When you speak, think twice about what you say. What if you never see that person again? Was that simple argument worth being the last words you spoke to them? What about your silence, if you lost your friend today, would you miss that month you ignored them? What can you do to be a better friend, family member, or even coworker?

For now, I don’t know where our friendship will go or if it will be restored, but I do know that I will watch my mouth a little closer next time and all the time.

“Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.” James 3:4-5

Your words will direct your path and the paths of others. Beware of what you say, one wrong word could send a friend down a path of destruction, depression, and pain. What path are your words leaving behind?

This poem was written as the last words of someone you hurt. Don’t let this friend be the friend you left behind.

When I die will you miss me?

Will you know who I was?

Will you remember our last fight?

Will you remember the words?

What will happen when you open your eyes?

When you realize I’m gone and no longer alive?

What about the words you can never get back?

The night I left and felt under attack?

The silence we started will forever go on.

Because you never realized one day I’d be gone.

Think before you speak. Words have more power than you know.

Your friends are gifts from God, always treat them and all people, with respect and love. Show them Christ even when you are joking or just kidding around. Christ’s love is your witness to this world. Are you sharing His love with others?

“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body and sets on fire the course of our life and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” James 3:5-8

Your words can either set a fire that spreads the love of Christ for generations to come or a fire that destroys everything in its path. The choice is yours, choose wisely.

May God Bless You and Show You His Grace Every Day!

As I sat down after a long day of painting my kitchen, then my dining room, and then my chairs…I finally had time to check my Facebook and just rest. Aaaahhhh…calm…kids are asleep…nice and clean from a shower…then bam…my phone is dead. Then it clicks, I left my charger at my sister’s house earlier in the day. Ugh! Oh well, I decided I would do like most people and get on my laptop to publicly announce my phone is dead in case anyone needs me. (I mean really? Will anyone need me for a few hours?) Anyway, I opened my laptop and noticed Wi-Fi wasn’t working right so just like any tech genius would do, I turned it off and turned it back on again. When I looked at the screen it said this, “Please wait…” It was updating. While I waited “patiently” I turned on Netflix… “Netflix encountered an error. Please wait…” Wow! What a night. Now my router was flashing, and my Wi-Fi was not coming back to life. I guess someone was trying to tell me something.

“Please wait…”

Sometimes God tells us to move forward with things, continue the path we are on, or turn a different direction. Other times, He graciously tells us, “Please wait…” What is God telling you today?

Patience is not a commandment you can just ignore. It’s a repetitive call to action in the Bible showing us it’s importance in our daily lives. I myself struggle with patience. I have two young boys, now ages 2 and 5, and I’ll be honest, patience is my biggest battle. That night, I about lost it over Wi-Fi and a dead phone!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

BUT GOD says, “Please wait…be patient.”

In life, I’ve waited for a lot of things.

In my teenage years, I waited for Mr. Right by trying to find him myself without God’s help. God sat back and waited for me to listen to Him and “be patient.” It took time and a lot of pain and heartache to realize I needed God’s help. Years later, I’m married with a beautiful family of my own.

In marriage, I waited for a child. I wanted a child in my timing, But God said “wait.” My husband and I had our first miscarriage just a few years into our marriage.

In trials and struggles, I waited for peace and understanding. Years later, I’ve used my testimony to connect with other women and show them how trials are sometimes just a part of God’s plan. You just have to wait to see the end picture.

We now have 2 handsome young boys that can’t wait to grow up. I tell them every day, “Please wait..”

Waiting is never easy, but God’s plan for your life takes time and can only be revealed by your Heavenly Father’s direction. Just wait. Be patient and trust in God.

It’s hard to see the end of your story when you are in right in the middle of it. I’m 30 years old and the average life span is somewhere in the mid-70s. I guess you could say I’m close to being right in the middle of my life. (mid life crisis?) As a child, I couldn’t wait to grow up and get older. As a baby, I imagine I wanted to be old enough to walk around and get into anything I wanted. Maybe I dreamed of being tall enough to reach the cookies one day.  (I still struggle with this now but I can climb at least) When I started walking and talking, I dreamed of being old enough to ride a bicycle, have my own phone, drive a car, get my own job, move out, go to college, and get married to the love of my life. Day after day, my dreams got bigger and bigger. I was so impatient with life. Even in college, I couldn’t wait to finish school and get a job. (Why on Earth would someone want that? Adulting is not easy!) Now that I’m older (the famous saying) I want to enjoy each day more and treasure each year treating it as a gift God has given me. When I think of getting older, I don’t dream about the new aches and pains that will come along with age, or the hot new set of wheels I’ll get on my wheel chair one day. I dream of the day I’ll be able to sit down with Jesus and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I can’t imagine what Heaven is going to be like, but I can pray that you’ll be there with me one day.

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” Psalm 62:5

So often we get wrapped up in the worries of today and the dreams of tomorrow that we forget that our lives here are noting but a blink compared to eternity. One day, you’ll either spend eternity with your Heavenly Father in peace or sadly you’ll end up in Hell completely separated from the peace God can offer you. God is the God of second, third, and even one hundredth chances, but only on this Earth.

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8

God is a patient God. I am so thankful that He is. But God wants you to know that He is waiting. He is patiently waiting for you to answer His call and trust in Him. Don’t get so wrapped up in life that you forget about what is important. Take time to listen to God, seek Him for direction. Trust in God and be patient knowing that your life, your past, present, and future are all in His hands.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Our level of patience should mirror God’s level of patience. Does yours? How patient are you today?

My prayer today is that you evaluate your life and let God reveal where you struggle most. If it’s patience, pray for patience. Whatever it may be, just pray and ask God to help you so you can better show the love of Christ to others.

Until next time… “Please wait…”

May God Bless you and show you His Grace every day!

 

God says, “  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Is your past holding you back from the future God has planned for you?

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 1 Corinthians 5:17

Trust Him. Know that His forgiveness is not conditional. His love is everlasting. He is there for you.

He also says we are a new creation when we are in Him. We are no longer who we used to be – and if you are – if Christ really in you?

 “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.” Isaiah 34:18-19

Trust in Him.

After forgiving yourself for your past, move forward continuously and forgive others as well.

“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15

Forgiveness is hard but not being forgiven by your Heavenly Father….how would that make you feel?

As a review from Wednesday night when I spoke at Six Mile Baptist Church, “Forgiveness takes faith, trust Him, and always rely on His direction for your life.”

Who has done you wrong? Who needs to ask you for forgiveness?

That’s an easy one. Most people know of at least one person that has hurt them in the past that either they want them to ask for forgiveness or basically they want them to cease to exist? Am I right?

The Bible tells us to love everyone, but what about our enemies? I don’t know about you but I’ve been hurt pretty bad by some people that I just don’t know how to forgive – and honestly – I’m still working on forgiving some people in my life. It’s not easy. Go back to John 16:33 – Life is not going to be easy. BUT GOD has overcome the world! 

There aren’t steps to forgiveness or levels of people who deserve it. God simply says, “ forgive others and I’ll forgive you.”

OUCH.

Here are a few other verses that will encourage you to forgive yourself, forgive others, and move forward in faith. 

Romans 12:20-21 

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Luke 6:27-28 

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Proverbs 24:17 

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,

Matthew 5:38-39 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Luke 10:27 

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

1 John 1:8 

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

John 14:26 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.   (HE WILL HELP YOU DO WHAT YOU THINK YOU COULD NEVER DO – FORGIVE)

Galatians 2:20 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 It all boils down to this…follow His commandments. Simple. Forgive. Let go and let God show you what He can do with your present and your future. You will find joy again. Just have faith and trust Him.

John 14:15 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Mark it in your Bible, write it on your mirror, memorize this verse as you follow His will for your life.

May God Bless You and Show You His Grace Every Day!

Kayla Rampey

Sundays are always memorable, but some Sundays are just days you’ll never forget. You’ll never forget the day you got saved, the day you looked over and saw a friend in tears and all you could do is hug her and pray, or the day you heard a message that sounded like the Pastor was talking directly to you (from God) and to no  one else. Those are days you’ll never forget.

Yesterday, before the opening music even ended, a young girl walked up and asked Preacher Jamie if we could have special prayer for a teenager that died in a car accident the night before. The thought of a 17 year old dying so young is devastating, but to hear later that she was in the car with a drunk driver and other young teens, it’s terrifying.

Ladies, please be careful. My son always says he’s going to get to Heaven before his brother because he’s older. He’s 5 and his brother is 2 but death has no age and no one is promised tomorrow. There will be days and times in your life (at all ages) that you feel invincible like nothing or no one could harm you or take your life away, but in a split second, you could be facing eternity. Where will you spend eternity? Are you ready for that day?

I still remember the first teenager that I knew that passed away at a young age. Adam Harris was in my youth group and suffered from heart trouble off and on all of his life. He was so tough and just flat out hilarious! Everyone loved him! We spent our Summers racing jet skis on the lake and going on youth trips with the church. He was always fun to hang out with and just listen to. He had the greatest Southern accent/drawl I guess you could say. I can still hear it now just thinking about him. He was a friend to everyone.

After a bad four wheeling accident, multiple surgeries, he didn’t  recover and bounce back as quickly as we hoped he would. All I know is one day I woke up and my mom told me he was gone. He was too young to die. He had his whole life in front of him but he was gone…just like that.

I’ll never forget that first Sunday going to church and he wasn’t there. I thought I was strong enough to sit there and listen to the sermon and funny stories we could all tell, but I couldn’t. I remember going down the steps crying my way out. I couldn’t handle it.

Today, as I sat in church, at 30 years old, my heart broke for the teens and the families that were broken for the loss of their friend. When I got home and heard that a 19 year old was driving drunk when the accident happened, my anger turned to sorrow. Yes, the driver was completely and utterly in the wrong, but why were they drinking in the first place? Where did they get the alcohol? None of that matters but what does matter is that the driver woke up from that accident and one of the passengers didn’t. Can you imagine the guilt, the pain, the anger at yourself? Life is short. Don’t make it shorter by making bad decisions.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say this again, program my number in your phone and I will pick you up – no questions asked – and take you home safely. 864-915-8094 (KAYLA RAMPEY) and yes text works too  – I am a mom – I wake up anytime my phone rings, beeps, or buzzes and I will be there for you if you get in a situation you need help out of. I’m not here to judge you, but I am here if you need help or just someone to talk to. Don’t live life alone or in a fog using alcohol of drugs to cover up your pain. It’s not worth it, I promise.

And if you can’t get me – call an adult you can trust and find someone that has not been drinking AT ALL to just take you home. I’ve been there, I’ve done that, it’s not worth the risk of maybe or maybe not making it home alive. Get a ride – save your life and he lives of others.

My dad told me hundreds of times the same thing yet I never called him. I’m ashamed to say that there were nights I’m not sure how I made it home. All I know is God had a better plan for my life and his protection is the only way I survived my rebellion. Not everyone survives. Don’t waste your life running from God and trying to do things your way, run to Him, and let Him change your life.

Yesterday, at the end of the service, 2 young ladies walked to the front to pray. Shortly after they kneeled down, a few more came behind them. One by one, two by two, crowds circled around them and just prayed. That was powerful…the power of prayer not only reaches God in Heaven but it reaches those around you. It encourages, it displays His love, and it inspires others to step up and trust in Him.

There are times that honestly you won’t know what to say or what to do to make someone feel better, but you can pray. You can grab there hand, no matter where you are, and simply pray for them.

Youth – you can be an encouragement to kids, teens, and even adults. Just last week, I was working at the Easley Fall for the Arts Festival when a young lady walked up to me from church and asked me how I was doing. (for those of you that don’t know I’ve had a lot of health problems for the last 6-8 months – and it’s really gotten me down and depressed at times). I told her I was getting better and then we talked a minute and she asked if she could pray for me….right then….right there. WOW. With people all around, in public, a teenager put her hand on my shoulder and just prayed that God would give me peace, heal my body, and answer my prayers. Tears came to my eyes as I realized I needed to do that more often. It was such a blessing to me.

Teens – you can make a difference. You can be the change this world needs. Step up and show the world Who God really is!

May God Bless you and Show you His Grace every day!

Do you struggle with anxiety or depression?  At some point in life, whether it’s right now or happened years ago or years in the future, anxiety will try to steal your joy. As women, we are emotional, compassionate, and caring. The world wants us to be independent, strong, and confident, but we all know that’s not how we are every day. Even as an adult, I struggle to be strong and confident. The girls that look confident, strong, independent, and happy could be breaking down on the inside. We’ve all heard the saying “Never judge a book by it’s cover,” but have you ever thought about why? Just the other day, a friend of mine told me that she noticed one of her students was acting different during class. Normally she was bubbly and energetic, talkative and smiling, but that day, she was just quiet. When her grandmother picked her up, she asked her if the girl was feeling okay. The girl’s grandmother looked up and said, “She’s going to be okay but her parents both went to court today and lost custody of her. They’re both going to jail.” The beautiful bubbly little girl that always had a smile on her face was broken on the inside. Who do you know that’s hiding behind a smile?

Challenge: This week I want you to go on a scavenger hunt. I want you to search the word anxiety in the Bible App and find resources that can help you when you struggle. There are tons of 5-10 day Bible Studies that can help you on your toughest days. If you need more help, reach out to a friend, ask them to pray with you and help you find the joy in your life. Take a stack of note cards and write down scripture that will help you along this journey. Post them around your room or carry them with you for instant comfort. Whatever you do, don’t give up! You are a child of God, precious, and chosen. Choose joy and choose to let God win.

May God Bless you and Show you His Grace every day!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

As you wake up in the morning, ask yourself, “Who do I want to look like today?” The world will tell you to look like the models on TV, your favorite singer with the perfect hair, or even the most popular girl in school, but what does the Bible say?

The Bible tells us to look at ourselves and see Christ. When you become a Christian, you let go of who you used to be and let God create you as a new person. It’s not an instant transformation, but with the will of the Father, and the devotion of a follower, Christ will change your life. The word “Christian” can be broken down to mean “little Christs.

An identical twin has 99% of the exact same DNA and traits as their sibling. It’s been said that twins even think some of the same thoughts at the same time. Have you ever heard of “twin talk?” Basically, some twins swear that they have a connection with their sibling that can’t be explained. They feel what their twin feels and know exactly what the other one is thinking or feeling during any given situation. I’m not a twin, so my sister and I didn’t have this kind of “connection” but if you are a twin…I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Imagine yourself as a twin of Christ. Would your traits be the same? Would they be 99% like Christ or maybe 75%? 50%? 10%? Where would you fall in connection with Christ? Do you hurt for what He hurts for? Do you desire what He desires?

The fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

Do you love like Christ? Have joy like Christ?

Are you at peace because of Christ? Are you patient? Kind? Good?

How faithful are you? When you find yourself in a hard situation, do you handle it with gentleness and self-control?

When you are in school, why do you take tests? You take tests so the teacher can see how much you have learned.

In life, you are tested so the teacher (God) can see how much you have learned. These tests come in the form or troubles and hard situations. Your true colors come out when you face tests. How do you react during hard times? Do you always pass the tests God gives you?

Don’t worry, no one is perfect, and you are going to fail time and time again. If you were just like Christ and never sinned, you wouldn’t need Christ to direct your path. Our struggles teach us to rely on God, trust His plan, and stay focused on who He wants us to be.

Challenge: Write down the fruits of the spirit on your mirror. At the end of the day, ask yourself, “Who did I look like today?” Rate your fruits, grade your own paper.

Today I looked like Christ, by showing others: __________

Love____    Joy_____     Peace_____     Kindness_____     Goodness_____     Faithfulness_____     Gentleness_____     Self-Control_____

 

May God bless you and show you His Grace every day!

As a young child, I thought I was doing the right thing by walking down the aisle and saying the ABC salvation prayer that I was taught to say. I knew my family members wanted me to do this. I didn’t understand it, but I knew the importance. I cried thinking that one day I would be without my family in heaven. I didn’t want that and I didn’t want to hinder anyone else from getting saved just because I didn’t take that first step. I didn’t fully understand the concept of salvation or really what I was as doing at the time but I did it anyway. Later, I was baptized and continued to live my life thinking I was saved. I mean, I was barely over toddler age when I walked the aisle. It seemed every time someone would preach on salvation I would feel convicted or like I wasn’t saved at all, but I kept convincing myself I was. Once again, saved and baptized at a young age. Even in my testimony, I’ve said I was saved as a child then came back to God, but I now know I was wrong.

In my early teenage years I turned my back on God and the church and did things my way. I rebelled for years and stopped going to church all together when I was old enough to work and drive on my own. I started working at 15 so I slowly started getting out of church because of work and I just didn’t want to go. In college, I continued to do my own thing with no worries or thoughts of being wrong. I was always right at that time. 

But then one day, after my boyfriend and I had been living  together for a few years, his grandfather passed away. At his funeral, my husband said they talked about what kind of legacy will you leave behind? What will people remember about you when you are gone? He was truly convicted by this and decided that the it was time we turned our lives around. He told me right then that he was going to church in the morning with or without me. I didn’t think he was serious but Sunday morning came and he got up to go to church. Shocked, I found some “churchy” clothes and went with him. For a while we bounced back and forth from my childhood church, Elljean Baptist church in Pickens, to his childhood church, New Beginnings Baptist Church in Six Mile. I felt like everyone was staring at the “prodigal son” when we walked in the church. I knew I needed Jesus in my heart but I never was ready to admit until one day at New Beginnings. My heart raced, I gripped the pew, and tears poured that Sunday morning in July of 2009 as I realized I had never truly been saved. I didn’t have Jesus in my heart and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing with my life. That day, I prayed to God like I meant it, not just the ABC prayer I quoted as a child, but a sincere prayer that secured my salvation. I knew from that moment on, I was saved. At the time, my tears embarrassed me and I ran out the door as soon as I could and put my sunglasses on so no one could tell I was crying the whole service. My pride was a work in progress to get rid of. Years passed by and I felt like something was still missing. I continued on in life and started teaching some with the youth, my husband was licensed to preach, and eventually we were youth leaders at 3 different churches. Every time I taught on baptism or listened to the preacher preach about it, I convinced myself I was ok because I was baptized as a child but I still felt convicted.  Baptism doesn’t save you – it’s just an “outward expression of an inward confession” letting others know you have changed. . My pride kept me from talking to any pastor about getting baptized. What would people think? I was a youth leader, taught and even directed VBS for 3 years, and led conferences for teenage girls. What would people think if I got baptized almost 9 years after being saved??? Time and time again, I questioned myself and even spoke with my husband about it and prayed about it with him. Then I finally told him, “I feel like I’m telling God no every Sunday.” I knew what God wanted me to do but I wouldn’t do it because of my pride. Last Sunday, May 27th 2018, I walked the aisle and told pastor Jamie it was time I got baptized. He prayed with me and guess what, I’m getting baptized next Sunday, June 3rd at East Pickens Baptist Church almost 9 years after getting saved.

Baptism doesn’t save you but it does show others you are not ashamed of your salvation and you’ve changed your life for Him. When you go under the water it represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You are showing others that you are a new person in Christ.

The Bible says over and over again for us, as disciples of Christ, to “go and baptize others in His name.” 

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,”

The Bible also tells us that we should not be ashamed of our salvation or let our pride get in our way of following His commands. 

Matthew 10:32“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in Heaven.”

Mark 16:16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

I’ll end with this, don’t let your pride or your worries about what others will think, hold you back from doing God’s will. I told God no for several years and lived a life “thinking” I was saved and could do whatever I wanted. Then when I realized what I had done, and asked God for forgiveness and salvation in 2009, I still let my pride hold me back from baptism for almost 9 years! (Man, I’m stubborn!) 

No one is perfect, and no one knows what tomorrow holds, so secure your salvation today and be baptized to let everyone know what God is doing in your life. As Pastor Jamie said Sunday, “this is a time of celebration!” I look forward to celebrating my salvation with my baptism on Sunday! 

-Kayla Rampey

May God Bless You and Show you His Grace every day!

This blog is not just for Seniors. It’s for High School Seniors, Rising Seniors, teens of all ages, or even Seniors from years ago. In other words, it’s for everyone. I think this Biblical advice is relevant for all ages but especially for those graduating and entering a whole new phase in life. So here it goes:

Dear Seniors (and everyone else),

I know you’ve heard it all. “This is the first day of the rest of your life.” “Congratulations! Welcome to the real world!” “Your future awaits you!” And of course, “God has a plan for you just stay close to Him!”

I could sit here and tell you all the same things and more, but I’m not. Instead, I want to give you Biblical advice for the future.

First of all, “this is the first day of the rest of your life” is kind of crazy when you think of it. The day you were born was the first day of the rest of your life. Even before that, God had a plan for your life and knew it from start to finish.

Second, “Your future awaits you” well sort of but as we speak, your future is happening. Every step you take is one step further into the future. The future won’t just “wait” for you. It’s there whether you are ready or not. My advice to you is to look to the future by looking to God. Don’t look to the future and look for dollar signs, your future Mr. Right, or anything else – just keep your eyes on God and your future will become the future He has planned for you.

And “God has a plan for you.” I love this one because it always is true. No matter what stage of life you are in, graduating, getting married, getting a job, growing old, etc., this statement will always be true. God had a plan for you the day you were born. (even before you were born He knew the plans for your life)

There’s an old hymn that goes, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.” If you grew up in a Southern Baptist Church, I’m sure you’ve heard the song. In my mind, I can still hear every word to it just as I can “Amazing Grace.” In his 80s my Papa would stand in the choir with tears in his eyes and sing this song without ever once looking at the hymnal. He knew every word and I know he believed them just as much. Every night, he would bow beside his bed and pray, every day he would thank God for giving him another day to serve Him. He was a Christian example that I will always look up to. He passed away almost 2 years ago, but his life forever changed mine.

I want you to look around you as you grow up, who do you see? In your life, from here on out, you’ll see WAY more people than you did in High School. You won’t see the same faces every day, and believe it or not, you may never see them again. Life gets busier and I pray that you’ll use every chance you get to be a Christian example to others.

So who do you see around you now?

At my age, I see my husband and my children, my co-workers and a bunch of patients that come into our office each week, my extended family, and my church. Outside of my direct view, I see strangers walking through the grocery store, neighbors that I don’t even know their names, and thousands of different people on the road or in passing that I may never see again.

What kind of influence am I making on them? At night, they can’t see me kneel with my children and my husband to pray. In my private time, they don’t know what how much time I spend studying the Bible. So what do they see when they see me? In the brief seconds they see me in passing, what do they see?

Ask yourself the same question every day. “What do people see when they see me?” If your answer isn’t Jesus, you need to really think about what matters most in life. The Bible says we are to be like Christ. In 1 John 2, the Bible says, “3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”

When you look in the mirror, who do you see? When life gets busy, it’s hard to see God. You get distracted, you get busy, and you just don’t have time to slow down and spend time with God. My advice to you is to never get too busy for God. I pray that God will place people in your life that will see Jesus in you and forever be changed by your influence. Be the example that my Papa was to me, and don’t wait until you’re a grandparent to be an example. I know, most testimonies go something like this, “I was close to God as a child, I grew up and left God for a while to party in college, do drugs, or something crazy like that, and then I came back to God and now I’m amazing following Him.” Your story doesn’t have to be that way. Your story can be greater by the influence you can make on others in college, in life, and in this world just by being like Christ always.

It’s a challenge, a daily challenge to wake up and be like Christ, but if you pray and you stay close to Him, in His Word, and living for Him by His commandments, you can do it!

I want you to know I’m praying for you, and I’m here for you! You can always message or call me anytime! College, school, life, work, whatever stage of life you are in, I’m just a phone call and a prayer away. Send me a text and I’ll pray for you! (864) 915-8094

May God Bless you and Show you His Grace every day!

Kayla Rampey

“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:37-47‬ ‭NASB‬‬
http://bible.com/100/act.2.37-47.nasb

In my reading this morning, I tried to imagine what it would be like if everyone acted like this today. What if 3,000 people were saved in 1 church service; better yet by a missionary standing on the street. Today,  we get excited about 1 soul getting saved – can you imagine 3,000? My husband just came back from a mission trip in Cuba and he came back so excited to tell us about the eagerness of the people to learn about God. He said one day they walked through a tobacco field to get to a small home and talk to a family about Jesus. 2 people were saved in that home. Can you imagine what those 2 people can do in that small village if they “go and tell”like we are called to do. Dustin went on and on about how happy the people were wherever they went. There were no cars, a few horses and buggies and bicycles but not even a Walmart! And can you imagine – no WiFi?!!!! I know scary! But these people were happy with what they had. No AC, no WiFi, no shopping besides open markets… and they were happy.

Maybe we are missing the point: happiness is not about the “stuff” you have. It’s about Who you have around you – and the best person to be around you is Jesus Christ.

With Jesus in your heart you’ll want to act like the people in th scripture above, You’ll desire to share His Word, and you’ll find out what real joy is.

One more story and I’m done – last week while my husband was in Cuba for 7 days – my hotwater heater flooded….27,000 gallons or water….under my hous over the last 2 months. Apparently a small leak turned to a big leak and busted a week ago. My water company called with concern and to tell me my water bill was going to be outrageous- so I grabbed my flashlight aka my phone and crawled under my house to check it out. BTW make sure you always kno where a flashlight is in your house. Phones are Great but not for crawling under the house. It didn’t take long for me to find the leak and step in water. I called my dad – no answer. I couldn’t call my husband – no service in Cuba. And then I called on of my church friends, Amber. For some reason, her husband answered. I was almost in tears and asked him if he could come check it out. We’ve only known this couple since last Fall but they have been such a blessing to us – that’s a story for another day – but that day – Jon came to my house, checked out everything and decided I needed a new hotwater heater. $$$ is all I could see. He removed the old one, helped me find a new one with a good cost and rebate from my power company, and the next day he installed it himself for no cost at all. I had hot water by lunchtime. Sometimes sharing God’s love is not by telling others abou Him – it can be by serving others and helping those in need. I tried to tell him we would repay him and he said no, he just loves to help others. Be thankful and be blessed for what you have and who you have around you!

May God Bless you and Show you His Grace every day!