Thoughts from Tiffany

Hi guys,

This week has turned out to be a very traumatic time, with the loss of Stephanie and Rachel Works. We have held many prayer meetings for the Works Family and many have relayed the words they themselves have been saying and are encouraged by how much faith and trust they continue to have in God with no bitterness or unforgiveness for the shooter. They continue to be a good example in showing the Love of Christ to all that are watching. I can’t imagine their grief, although I know what it is to lose somebody close to me. My brother died just one year ago.

I also know the strength that God gives and the unspeakable joy and peace that comes when you invite God to share in the sufferings with you, not allowing fear or bitterness to well up within you but choosing instead to worship God simply because He is loving, faithful and true (because of who He is).

As I have thought about this last weekend at all that took place Sunday I am reminded in Revelation 2:10

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Jesus says we will face persecution. It is inevitable, but not to be afraid because He is with us. They can kill our physical bodies, but they will never kill our spirit. When Jesus lived here on this earth He also was persecuted, beaten and killed, the apostles were also treated the same way. Why? It was because what they were preaching was truth and convicted the people, making the people around them realize what they did was sin, and that they would be judged for it if they didn’t stop.

In Matthew 24:9 Jesus says "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”

Persecution will come when we are living a life pleasing to God and advancing His kingdom because the devil and his kingdom is being threatened. Scripture says we don’t fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. That’s means even though circumstances like these happen, we need to not be angry at those people but more and more awakened to the reality of powers and rulers of this age in the spiritual realm that are trying to destroy us because we are spreading the Love of God and people are getting saved for the fire of hell..

In John 12:24 “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

I believe that God is using the death of the Works sisters to advance the Kingdom of God in our city and around the world. So don’t allow fear to seize your hearts or discouragement...but rejoice because we are advancing the kingdom of God and defeating the enemy !!