I had the privilege of speaking at church this past Sunday. I spoke on the importance of living in peace! Here are my notes and a link to the message!

Get Planted

Isaiah 9:6 – Peace has a source
Isaiah 26:3 – Put your mind on Him

Grow Strong

Philippians 4:6-7 – Eliminate fear and worry
1 Peter 5:8 – Always stay alert
Colossians 3:15 – Choose to live in Peace (John 14:27 & John 14:1)

Branch Out

Mark 4:26-29 – Expect peace to grow (Galatians 6:9) 

You can listen to this online @ www.branchchurch.org

Speak out!

Acts 18:9,10 - One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”

It is time to go to a new level in my walk with God! When I read this I felt as if the Lord was speaking directly to me! Scott, It's time to let your life and your words speak out more than ever before! Don't be afraid of what people think about you, don't worry about how they will receive what you say, just be obedient to my Word. No more being silent. It is time for the body of Christ to stand up like never before and stand strong on the Word of God. My hope is in Him. I am trusting in His economy. I am not going to fall into worry or fear about anything. People will know what I believe by watching me live my life and by hearing the words that come from my mouth. I want to encourage everyone to do the same! Let's really live this. Lets NEVER stop growing!

Check it out yourself

Acts 17:11 (NLT) - And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

When I read this passage today I began to think about the times when I would listen to a speaker or a preacher and just take what they said and run with it. I understand now though that sometimes those people may be wrong or may just be sharing their opinion. That is why I think we should do, just as the people of Berea did, and look for ourselves in the scripture to make sure what we are being taught lines up with the Word of God. I know even for me as a pastor I dont want people to just run with what I say unless it lines up with scripture. I think thats why I want people to follow Jesus not me, because I can make mistakes. We need to find out for ourselves what Gods Word say about us and how to live our life. The messages or sermons we here should just reinforce what we are already learning from our own time with God. Let me say this - We should all be sitting under some good teaching from the Word, but lets dont just let that be all we do, lets get in it ourself. You are ultimately in control of your life, so make the decision today to make your walk with God the highest priority, Then decide to take everything you here from others and line it up with the Word. If it lines up - Go for it! If it doesn't - pitch it! If you make the decision to go for it in your walk with God, you will never regret it!!

God will make a way!

Acts 12:5-10 - But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. Peter’s Miraculous Escape from Prison. The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

When I read this yesterday I realized the importance of praying for one another. The church prayed for Peter and Peter was rescued. Can you imagine being in prison and you have 16 guards assigned to watch over you before you go to trial. Then on the night before your trial an angel wakes you up and basically says "Get up and get dressed we are gettin outta here". Then you walk right out unseen by anyone. Thats cool! It is amzing to me and it bring me confidence to know that God will make a way where there seems to be no way. It would have seemed to be impossible for Peter to get out of there with all the guards looking over him, yet it was possible. With God all things are possible! So no matter what you are facing or what you are going through let me tell you that the Word shows us that there is a way out and God will lead you in that way! So dont give up! Ps. 77:19 says Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters— a pathway no one knew was there!
You may not be able to see it right now, but there is a path for you! Stand strong, God is on your side!

You can do it!

Exodus 3:11-12 - But Moses protested to God, "Who am I to appear before Pharoah? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?" God answered "I will be with you...

The greatest revelation to me is realizing that God is with me! I have been in ministry for 14 years and I have had to grow in alot of different ways. My position at the church I am at has changed some and I am having to do some things that I have never really done before. So whenI read this verse I felt what Moses was feeling. How can I do this? Who am I to lead this way? But I aslo kept reading and I realized that Gods answer to me was the same answer He gave Moses. It was like He said "Relax Jenkins, I am with you." And now I feel like I have so much confidence. Not in my ability alone but in the fact that God is with me and he will help me as I rely on Him. That is a good God! So let me encourage those who are reading this! You can do all that God has for you because He is with you and with God, ALL things are possible! Stay encouraged my friend! YOU CAN DO IT!

Follow the path

Psalm 16:11 - 11 Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.

The other day my wife and I took our kids to the park. I usually am not a park kinda guy (especially on Saturday when college football is on). But I knew it was important and would bless my family, so off we went. When we got there I noticed some people walking towards a nature trail that went through the woods and came back around to the back side of the playground. Then, I could not believe what happened next. I actually said out loud "Hey lets walk down the nature trail". Even though I did not want to do that I was amazed at how excited the rest of my family was. So off we went down the nature trail! YEAH!! (can you sense the excitement I was feeling). But I realized something as we went. None of my kids had ever seen that trail or walked on it before. They had no idea where it led to. I told them that it would lead us to the back of the playground and that's all they needed. They took off down the trail. They did not ever say "we aren't gonna make it, we are lost, or help us. They just knew and believed that they were on there way to the playground! Why did they know that because I told them. They believed their father. It was later that I realized I am on my own "nature trail". God has promised me some things and has told me through his Word that His plan for me is great. So I don't ever need to worry or fear! I am on a path that leads to greatness because I am following God! He knows where He is leading me and He knows what my future holds and it is awesome! I am already living a blessed life but I know the path I am on is leading to even greater things than I am experiencing now! I am having so much fun!! Life is GOOD and getting even GOODER. (yes I know that is not a word). Let me encourage you God know His plans for you so stay on His path cause it leads to greatness!

My Treasure

Proverbs 18:22 - The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.

I just wanted to let you know that I am a blessed man! This verse tells it all! I found a treasure in my wife! Today is her birthday and I just want to let you know how awesome she really is! She is amazing! I can not even understand how she does all that she does. She is the greatest and most loving wife and mother anyone could ever ask for! I can think on many occasions when she put her desires and needs aside to take care of someone else's. She is just like that! She gets her thrills watching other people live their dreams, even if it means putting hers on hold! That is the kind of person she is! I know she has dreams and I am going to make sure she can live her dreams out as well. But I am realizing that one of her dreams is to see me and our kids live out ours. WOW! I am learning from her! It is not often you find people that care more for the needs of others than their own. I know that people say this alot but I am serious when I say it! My wife is my best friend and I am so in love with her! I am where I am today in life because of God (of course) but also because of the love and support of my wife. And for that I am grateful.

Don't tell me God does not bless his children! All I need to do is look at my wife and I will know God has been GOOOOOD to me!!

Daddy's girl

I will never forget the feeling that came over me when Meg was born and I realized I was now the father of a little girl. I grew up with just brothers and then when I got married Patti and I had 2 boys. This time we had a girl and it rocked my world. Don't get me wrong I love my boys just as much as I love my little girl but it is different. When the boys were born people came to visit we passed them around for people to hold them. When Meg was born I did not want anyone to hold her I wanted her to just be in my arms and know her daddy loves her! Needless to say I have been a little over protective of her. It took me a long time to just let her go up the stairs without me grasping her hand to make sure she did not trip. I could tell you so many stories of how messed up (in a good way) I am because of her! I want her and my 2 boys to always know they are loved and valuable to me! Sometimes when we put them to bed I ask them "Who loves you?" and they reply "Jesus, Mommy, and Daddy". Here is the coolest thing about that. When they say those words they smile because they truly know we really love them. That always brings a smile! Psalm 139:17  David said "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They can not be numbered! I cant even count them; they outnumber the grains of the sand!" WOW! I know David was smiling as he said that! You and I can say that same thing about Gods thoughts of us! Let that bring you joy today. God thinks good thoughts of you!

Evergreen Is Amazing

Today, Evergreen youth took over the Branch Family Church Services. We (the youth ministry) greeted people, ushered, ran the parking lot, led worship, hosted the hospitality table, took the offering, shared a testimony, ran sound, ran the audio video department, we did it all. As I was sitting on the front row watching all this take place I was so proud of the young people of Evergreen. They are truly amazing! I am so blessed to be able to lead such an awesome youth ministry. I know God has amazing things in store for us! It was great to hear people come up to me at the end of the service and tell me how blessed they were by the youth and by message that was shared. The church was very excited about what the youth had done for them in the services. I was equally excited. But I left with a different excitement. The church was pleased with the youth, but I was pleased with the church. We have a church that has embraced youth ministry completely. I was so blessed to see the love that was poured out to the young people today! Some people have given up on this generation of young people, but not us! We believe in the young people of the Branch Family Church. That was so evident in the services today! I know that the youth could sense that today as well. I am convinced more now than ever before that we need each other. The church needs the youth and the youth need the church. We are one church and one body together. Today we made a great team! God is doing something at the Branch Family Church and it for young and old alike! I am just privileged to be a part of it!

My Family

God has blessed me with such a beautiful family and I am so grateful for them. I thought I would just blog about them.

Patti - The most amazing woman I have ever met. She is beautiful inside and out. She is a great wife and mother. She loves her family and most of all she loves Jesus! I am so glad that I married her and in just a few days we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary - YEAH!

Zack (8) - The most loving and compassionate kid I know. He is our miracle boy. We are seeing the miraculous take place in his life. He brings so much joy to our lives and to our home!

Chase (6) - He lives up to his name! This brother is non stop, wide open and all about enjoying life. He is such a great kid and always steps in to help with things around the house. He is already smarter than me so he helps me with stuff as well. He is a great big brother to Meg and a great little brother to Zack.

Meg (2) - She is my little princess. She gets whatever she wants, whenever she wants and she has me wrapped around her finger. I love taking her to the store with me as she pushes those little kid shopping carts! She loves her mommy, daddy, and her brothers as well. She is a blessing to our home!

I am a blessed man!!