Ripley Baptist Temple

” Forty Years and Counting- 2/13/72 “

Pastor Rick — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:23:27 +0000

It is hard to believe that 40 years ago this week, I received Jesus Christ as my Saviour! I am eternally grateful for those who prayed for me, those who showed me a consistent Christian walk, and to my good friends who told me how that I could have eternal life by trusting the Risen Son of God as my personal Saviour! I truly “just began to live” on that Sunday in 1972 at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Elkview, WV. There is nothing as satisfying as being in the will of God and doing the work of God. I want to be found faithful and to ” finish well.” Most of all, I am thankful for Jesus, Who willingly paid our sin debt on that rugged cross 2000 years ago. ” I was a great sinner, but I found a GREAT SAVIOUR!” Galatians 2:20

The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Pastor Rick — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:02:38 +0000

Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Seven hundred years before Christ came to this earth, God allowed the prophet Isaiah to pen these thrilling words describing our Great Saviour; the Lord Jesus Christ!

In 2011, we can also claim His birth was “unto us,” as Isaiah did long ago. What a joy to know the true meaning of Christmas, the greatest Gift of all; God’s dear son!

Many of our earthly gifts will be opened and soon forgotten. (Isn’t it funny to see our little ones look at their toys awhile, and set them aside and play with the boxes?) I am glad that Christ is God’s Gift that continues to give now and forever. I love the names attributed to our Saviour:

HE IS WONDERFUL

So many during this wonderful time of the year “put on a happy face” and pretend to be joyful and happy (while they pile up debt for the rest of the year). Jesus Christ is our Joy for the Dullness of Life. When trials, tribulations, and the ruts of life begin to take their toll, Christ provides joy for the believer in the midst of suffering. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

HE IS COUNSELLOR

As Counsellor, our Lord never shares our secrets with anyone else. He is trustworthy, tested, and totally able to help us through our problems and uncertainties. As Counsellor, He is our Guide for the Decisions of Life. What decision are you facing today? He will guide you! (Proverbs 3:5,6)

HE IS THE MIGHTY GOD

As God, He is our Saviour for the Detours of Life. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) So many are following false teaching, and wrong paths that do not lead to Heaven. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” (John 14:6) Jesus said in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

HE IS THE EVERLASTING FATHER

As our Everlasting Father, He is our Security for the Duration of Life. The Apostle wrote to the Colossians, ” And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” (Col. 1:17) The One Who began a “good work” in us will see us through to the other shore. With all the uncertainty that prevails in our society, I am glad that the gift of eternal life is as secure and everlasting as our risen Saviour.

HE IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE

As the Prince of Peace, He is our Stillness in the Disturbances of Life. In Luke 2:14, on the first Christmas in Bethlehem, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Only Jesus can give us real peace of heart. We will never have the peace of God without peace with God. He is available as our “shelter in the time of storm.” We are truly “complete in Him.” (Col. 2:10a)

When all the lights, trees, and decorations are taken down for another year, and the forced smiles of the world are turned to frowns, remember that we as believers can enjoy Christmas 365 days a year! Jesus Christ, the real star of Bethlehem, lives eternally at the right hand of God as that Wonderful Gift that keeps on giving!

Fear Not!

Pastor Rick — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:19:47 +0000

All of our hearts are heavy this week as we remember so vividly the events of 9/11/01, ten years later. All of our lives were changed forever on that fateful day. As we remember the nearly 3,000 people who died, the over 6,000 brave soldiers that have given their lives for the cause of freedom, and the thousands wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, we are again reminded that freedom is not free. Let us pray for the wounded soldiers and for the families that live with the scars of 9/11 everyday of the year.

This is a different type of war that we are fighting in 2011. Not only do our troops face an enemy on foreign soil, but we live with the threat of terrorism on our own soil… from those who are filled with hatred and disgust toward all that we love and stand for as Americans. These are are certainly days that ” try men’s souls.” Our leaders have constantly reminded us as citizens to be “vigilant,” and to be aware of our surroundings.

In I Peter 5:8, God’s Word tells us: ” Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Satan is our greatest adversary, and the world’s worst terrorist! We are commanded to ” resist stedfast in the faith” the god of this world. (I Peter 5:9) As we live our lives each day in a difficult and dangerous world, let us who know the Lord Jesus Christ live our lives by faith, without fear of threats and hate.

The Apostle John wrote in I John 4:4: ” Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

We can be ” more than conquerors ” through Him that loved us!

” FOR GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE; AND OF A SOUND MIND.” II Timothy 1:7

Welcome to our Website!

Pastor Matt — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:04:24 +0000

Thank you for visiting our new website. We hope you find it easy to navigate, as well as informative. God has been so very good to us at the Ripley Baptist Temple. We hope that you will visit us very soon so we can have the privilege to meet you. If you have any questions , or need anything do not hesitate to let us know. We hope you have a great day, and we hope to see you Sunday!