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!