Reflection

As I reflect on the tragedy of today and the threats that we are faced with as a nation I think back to the days when I was a child and there were no worries about a bomber hurting innocent people while watching a marathon!  I think back to the days that my mom sent me to school and I walked with a group of friends!  I think back to the days when we went to school and did not have the worries that we parents face today.  That maybe this could be the last time we kiss our child on the forehead as they go out the door.  I have lived  through so many different tragedies in America. The OKC bombing, sitting in 10th grade Accounting, 9/11 watching in a living room, Columbine, senseless children shot in Connecticut   There are many more!  In the past few years and yes I am getting a little political here but with Obama at the helm of our nation you don't see him praying as often on t.v., or going to a church service on t.v. after a tragic event such as the Boston Marathon bombing.  We would watch as the Bush's lead our country in prayer and encouraged us to find a church service to attend to remember those who were lost.  Every day America is seeing a lesser need to rely on the only thing that can sustain us during these time's of tragedy and that is JESUS CHRIST!  Obama is not going to give you strength, your financial portfolio is not going to give you the strength, your relationship with another person is not going to give you strength only CHRIST!  In 1 Timothy 4:1-5 CEV it states

"God’s Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons. ² They will also be fooled by the false claims of liars whose consciences have lost all feeling. These liars ³ will forbid people to marry or to eat certain foods. But God created these foods to be eaten with thankful hearts by his followers who know the truth. ⁴ Everything God created is good. And if you give thanks, you may eat anything.⁵ What God has said and your prayer will make it fit to eat."

Friends after what I saw on t.v. today if you don't think we are living in the end times I am not sure what will!  I have never believed in predicting the end times nor will I ever believe that but there's verse after verse after verse that directs us to believe as Christians that these are the last days.  Live them well and if you don't know Christ seek a relationship with him!

Chris Tomlin & Kari Jobe - Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies] (Pass...

And how comforting to know that HE HAS GONE BEFORE us and HE STANDS BEHIND US!!!! PRAISE GOD!

God in America

This song is from the 90's.  Can you imagine if Carman rewrote this song for today?  This song has so much truth in it!

Victor's Crown (OFFICIAL VIDEO) by Darlene Zschech from REVEALING JESUS

Alanna Story was at church this morning leading worship and opened with this song!  First time I had heard it and sung it!  SO MUCH POWER in these words!!!!!!

Growing IN Christ!

This past week has been a CHALLENGE but I am grateful that God is molding me to be more Christ like!  The enemy was alive and well and wanted to use my current situation against me!  I am grateful for my mom who just said "Jennifer, is it worth it? Are THEY worth your energy?"  NOPE!!!!!  The old Jennifer would have gone after everyone involved with a vengeance immediately and pay for my wrath for weeks later. I am not saying that I did not get angry because I DID and what was being said about me HURT!  The new Jennifer calmed down, did not attack anyone!  Instead I went to the scripture!  Let me tell you that if you get in a situation where you want to ring someone's neck GO TO THE WORD of God!!!! There is so much power in that!  But to be able to do this you have to be WILLING to allow God to do HIS job!  You have to be mature in who you are to be able to allow Christ do HIS work!!!!

Here are some verses that spoke to me!
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of ONE body. 'In your anger do NOT sin'. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4: 25-27 NIV

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 NIV

"Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, NOT LACKING ANYTHING!" James 1:2-4

I don't know about you but the last verse I don't want to consider my trials "PURE JOY!"  If you are living and breathing I am sure that there have been many times where you have stomped your foot, threw a fit and had a pity party!  I know I have!!!  But it is right there "PURE JOY!"  Will you work on considering your trials PURE JOY?  I know I am!

As a matter of fact this past week I was chatting with one of my good friends and she said Jenny despite everything you are going through you still have JOY and you still find time to encourage others!  When we are in the midst of the trial we may not see our JOY in the situation but others do!  PRAISE GOD!