Not too long ago, I taught a lesson in Released Time on Noah’s ark and how Noah was given over 100 years to build the ark and warn the people that God was about to flood the earth and destroy all mankind. For over 100 years he stood strong in his faith and told others about God, but no one listened. They laughed at him, ignored him, and considered him crazy for building an ark before anyone had even seen or heard of rain. Noah had extreme faith and it saved his life and the life of his family.

A few lessons later, we learned about Joseph and how his older brothers hated him so much that they plotted to kill him. Their jealousy turned to anger that they could not control. First, they were going to throw him into a pit where he would surely die without food or water. Then, not by chance but by God’s will, an opportunity arose for the brothers to sell their brother into slavery. As they considered their options, they decided that it was better for them to sell him and make some money while also taking his blood off their hands. The brothers sold Joseph into slavery and lied to their father by telling him he had been killed by a wild animal.

Joseph’s path was not as he had planned, but God had a plan all along. Joseph started out working for Potipher, a leader in Egypt, where he gained his trust and more freedom in Potipher’s dwelling. Unfortunately, Potipher’s wife falsely accused Joseph and caused him to be thrown into prison. Potipher very easily could have had Joseph killed for what his wife accused him of, but instead, he threw him into prison. What sounds dreadful was actually God’s protection and part of His plan. While in prison, Joseph used his spiritual gift to interpret the dreams of prisoners. When Pharaoh had troubling dreams, he called upon all the magicians and wisemen to explain the meaning of his dream to him. No one was able. It was then that word got to Pharaoh that Joseph, a servant turned prisoner, could interpret dreams. The guards cleaned Joseph up and sent him before Pharaoh to explain his dreams to him.

Joseph told Pharaoh that the first dream and the second one were one in the same. When something is repeated more than once, it means it’s important. Both dreams meant that Pharaoh’s people would have 7 years of plentiful harvest followed by 7 years of famine.

In class, I asked the question, “If you knew that for 7 years you would make a ton of money, but after that you would be broke for 7 years, what would you need to do?” Most of you answered “save some of your money.”

 Since Joseph interpreted the dream, Pharaoh gave him rule over preparing for the future. Joseph insured that all people would put back 1/5 of their produce in preparation for the upcoming famine. His preparation saved thousands of lives.

When his brothers approached him and asked for food, they told him that they had one brother that died and a younger brother that stayed behind with their father, Israel. Joseph commanded them, without letting them know his identity, to go back home and bring their youngest brother back with them. He wanted to insure he was safe. When they brought him back, Joseph took all of his brothers into his home and revealed his identity as their brother to them. He didn’t yell at them for selling him into slavery or causing him years of struggles; instead, he welcomed them with forgiveness and had a feast for them. He told them that everything that had happened was part of God’s plan. He forgave them with mercy and grace. He then sent for his father, Israel, so he could seem him before he died. When he returned, Joseph welcomed him and provided land, food, and protection for his entire family. His faith in God saved his family and many other people from famine.

God protects and God provides when you trust in Him. Though we may be suffering today, God has a plan for everything that is going on. Trust in Him.

Dear Lord, I pray for each person that is reading this right now during this uncertain time. I pray that you will give them peace that only you can give them. Help for them to rely on you more and more. Increase their time in prayer. Encourage them with your Word. Lord, let the panic all around us lead people closer to you. I pray that people will take social isolation seriously to protect those around them and stop the spread of COVID-19. Lord, we know you are powerful and You alone can give us strength. I pray that though we are apart as families, churches, and friends, we will continue to stay connected to You in your Word and connected to each other to be there for those in need. Lord, thank You for who You are. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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

-Kayla Rampey

If Christians are supposed to reflect the fruits of the Spirit, then we have to be able to understand them first. They are much more than just words. Each one has a purpose and each one brings us closer to God.

In the next few weeks, I’ll be exploring each fruit of the Spirit and sharing with you what I find. This week, I’m digging into is JOY. There have been many times that I’ve asked myself, “ will I ever find joy again?” So what is JOY and how can you find it in your life?

1. Find joy on your darkest days. Every trial has a purpose.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭NIV‬

2. Our Joy comes through Jesus not this world.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

3. You are chosen – be joyful that Jesus chose to die for YOU. Love as Jesus – live as Jesus and you will find joy in His Name.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:11-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

4. Your joy is depleted when you compare yourself to the world around you. You will be hated at times, but find Joy in your Heavenly Father. Don’t depend on this world for your joy – you’ll never find it here.

““If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:18-19‬ ‭NIV‬

5. Jesus chose joy as He walked to the cross. Why can’t we find joy in our everyday battles? Fix your eyes on Jesus and live by His example. Adjust your focus.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Choose joy.

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

– Kayla Rampey

“And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:3-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Does your life reflect the life of Christ?

One of the most common comments I’ve heard while working in ministry is “I’m not sure if I’m really saved.” Any time this question is asked, I first ask the person to consider what salvation means to them. Is salvation an emotion-led decision or a life changing surrender? Is it a temporary change or will it fade shortly afterwards? Can you sin without feeling the pain of hurting your Heavenly Father, or do you know you are wrong and seek Him for guidance? All of these questions are answered in God’s Word; however, most people just want a secure yes or no answer. The truth is, I cannot tell anyone if they are saved or not. 

I can look at a person’s lifestyle and make a guess where they stand with Christ, but it is not my place to decide whether or not they are truly saved. True salvation is a choice that each person has to make on their own. No one can force it and no one can verify another person’s decision, not even your pastor. 

Salvation is a commitment between a person and God. Only those two parties will know if a person is truly saved. It is a choice, not a checklist. 

The Bible does show us multiple times what salvation should look like, but that does not mean a “good person that follows the commandments alone” is saved. 

True salvation begins when a person recognizes their need for forgiveness, believes in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and surrenders their life to Him. From that point on, a believer’s fruits will start to grow. 

Paul describes salvation as “freedom from the power of sin.’” A true believer knows the power of sin but defeats it through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:6-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Over and over again, Paul states, “We know…” A person that is truly saved knows who they are in Him and knowsthat they are  “dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11) 

In 1 John 2, the Bible gives us several if / then situations that describe a follower of Christ.

“And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.” 1 John 2:3

The scripture continues to say that a believer that does not follow the commandments but says he is a follower of Christ is a liar in the eyes of God, making his/her salvation false. 

“If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:3-6

To be sure of your salvation, you don’t need anyone else to guess your eternal destination; instead, you need to humbly seek your Heavenly Father and ask Him to reveal your relationship with Him. 

You can’t have a relationship without having a conversation first, and a relationship will not grow without communication and dedication. 

If you’ve surrendered your life to Christ, others should see it. No one should have doubt if you are a Christian or not, especially yourself. The people around

you should see you as different from the sinful world. They should feel His presence when you are around, and know that you are doing all that you can to reflect Christ to others. You don’t have to be perfect, but you should have an innate desire to serve and surrender to the Lord. 

“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” 1 John 3:6

If you say you are a Christian, are you living as Jesus did? Can others tell you are a follower of Christ? 

Answer the questions above honestly and you’ll know how sure you are in your salvation. 

Don’t waste another day being unsure. Turn your life over to Christ and let Him show you what surrender truly means.

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