“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
 
There are many ways we can define power. One way is observing power in how much money a person has and what they control. Another way is observing their position within a company if the person is CEO, they have the power to make various decisions within the company. Many have attempted at the 4-minute mile.

​To do a 4 – minute mile the person must be running at top speed the entire time. The person has powerful lungs. All these are different forms of power but, they all fade in a person’s life. The person who was CEO turns over leadership to another person, the rich person with money at one point will pass their money along in an inheritance, the person who once ran a 4- minute mile no longer can run that fast. There is one form of power that is promised to us and never fades.

Jesus promises us an even better power that enables us to do so much more and never leaves us. Power from the Holy Spirit it is a transformational power that changes us inward and outward not for our goodness but, as a witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit changes us from someone who was unkind to someone who is loving, jealous to celebrating friend’s accomplishments, selfish ambition to other focused.

The power of the Holy Spirit allows us to tell others about Jesus not only in our immediate area where we live but even further wherever we go. We can start small with telling friends, family, and even people we know about the saving power of believing in Jesus and when directed by the Holy Spirit even talk to people, we may not know librarians, clerks at stores, and even waiters. The power of the Holy Spirit is the best power that resides within us.
 
Holy Spirit, may you come and empower us to share the gospel of Jesus to those who have never heard of Jesus.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

When Jesus spoke to them again. “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12)
 
Have you ever tried to find a black cat in the dark or try and not step on a black cat in the dark. It can be difficult since the cat blends into the surrounding. You must be careful with every step not to accidentally step on the cat. The best way to ensure the cat’s safety is turn on a little light. You could use a bell to hear where the cat is at however, if the cat is sneaky the bell might not ring and instead you might still step on the cat. To avoid stepping on the cat using some light in the darkness helps you find the cat.

Light is the best way to see the cat in the darkness. There are two types of light we perceive physical light such as light that used in a flashlight, lamp, or even lights that we use in a building. Another type of light is the Light of Truth. The Light of Truth is the light of God’s word. Jesus promises us a transformative light to each of us. This light does not only dispel darkness but, is the light of life that changes our existence. Jesus can shine light of truth into hearts and the consciences of everyone who believes in him. Jesus is the exclusive source of spiritual light. There is no other source of spiritual truth available. 

Physical light is necessary for the world. The world would change if there was no physical light. Plants would have a hard time growing if there were no light sunflowers throughout the day turn to face the light. Spiritual light is necessary for transformative change from stopping doing what is harmful to doing what is virtuous from leaving a life of addiction to a life of connection which first starts with Jesus. Following Jesus means not living in darkness and reflecting the light of Jesus to others. The light is evident by the good deeds that people do in the world taking care of the sick, taking care of the environment, and caring for friends.
 
Heavenly Father, help us to shine the light of Jesus throughout my day.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple assuredly I say to you he shall by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)
 
Water is one essential item we cannot live without. Our bodies are made up of water. On a hot day we might even say “that we might die if we do not get any water.” It quenches the thirst and satisfies us. Some people prefer flavored water with a lemon or even mint. Online you can find several different videos on how to make water. It is necessary to drink water even if we do not like the taste of water since it nourishes us and gives us exactly what we need.

There is scene of a movie that after the main character tastes certain water he states, “that is some high-quality H2O.” He even had special water that was from a glacier in Alaska that was blessed by an Eskimo medicine man. The water was cold and always remained cold. It never got warm it stayed cold no matter what. There is water that is even better than this, but it only comes from Jesus.

Water quenches our thirst for a moment, but Jesus gives us something even better he gives us living water. This water not only nourishes us for our bodily needs but also for our spiritual needs it never runs out but continues to fulfill us. We obtain living water by believing in Jesus. Jesus can meet our physical needs when we pray to him our spiritual needs are also meet. Our spiritual needs can be different at various points of our lives this could include the need for reconciliation, forgiveness, healing, and even division within the family. God cares not only about your physical needs but your spiritual needs.

​Not only does Jesus give us spiritual water he has empowered us to share the news of Jesus with those who have not heard of Jesus. When we share the gospel of Jesus to others we give others a cup of living water. We share the love and hope of Jesus. There are several ways we can share the gospel with others we can invite them to church, pray for one another, and even spend time with them.
 
Lord, we thank you for living water may you continue to refresh us.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)
 
Many people go to college and get thousands of dollars in student loans to pay for their education. Having to take years to pay off the loan from borrowing money for their education. People end up owing money from the people they borrowed money from for decades. This debt can feel daunting since it can take a long time to pay down. There are other debts other people get personal loans, mortgages, credit cards, and even car loans. Owing people for many years. At some point these debts will be paid and we will not owe them anymore one debt that always remains is love.

Love should be our only ongoing debt. Love never ends it is as Buzz Lightyear says “To infinity and beyond” our love should go to infinity and beyond. There is no stopping love. It is not a one-time event but rather continuous. It does not depend on time, person, or even condition. This debt is continual and universal for we owe love to everyone it is not to a specific person, for a certain amount of time it applies to everyone. We are to love all. We can love all because God loved us first and his love knows no bounds. He loves no matter where we are in life. We know he loves us for he sent his son Jesus to pay the ultimate sacrifice for us so we can have a right relationship with God. This love has let us love God and love others.

Love is intentional it seeks others out. There are several ways we can show love to people, we can spend time with them, help them, compliment them, give a thoughtful gift, or even a hug or high five. Love is sacrificial we must give something up to love others, our time, resources, and space but others are worth it.
 
Heavenly Father, show us people we can love during our week.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Introductions in group setting are boring the host usually makes everyone state their name and where they are from. Sometimes the host try and get a little more and want people to say their occupation this allows people to get a general understanding of the person whether they are a professional, skilled labor, or management. We tend to use these descriptors to get a general idea about the person what kind of training they had in life or even who trained them. We use these descriptors to define the person what they are capable of or where they will be successful.

Who trains us plays a factor in our character formation we might start picking up their habits without even knowing we are coping them. The people we spend time with help shape our character and understanding of values such as “the Golden Rule” treat others how we want to be treated we learn who fits into the other category (everyone) and the how to treat them with love, kindness, patience, dignity, respect. No amount of training can determine a person to be loving or showing kindness to a stranger but, a changed heart which comes only from spending time with God.

These two men were ordinary men but spent time with Jesus. Spending time with Jesus made them who they were Jesus makes us bold, loving, and kind. Jesus makes us ready for His purpose and to encounter the world for Him. We might doubt ourselves because we think we are not qualified, not educated, our position, or even wealth. God can always do more than what is expected through us we do not need to worry about our qualifications. Just spend time with him and allow him to change you and become bold for his purpose.
 
Heavenly Father, may we find time to spend time with you and let your presence change us from the inside out.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)
           
There are only a few things that are necessary for basic survival in life food, water, shelter, air, clothing, and sleep. If you asked many today their phones and laptops would also make that list. Other people might say a tv is necessary to survive and if they did not own one, they would not know what to do. Others might say they could not survive without being able to listen to their favorite music. We all have our own lists of what is necessary but for Jesus what was necessary for him to enter his glory included something unbearable.

Jesus poses the question “was it not necessary?”  Jesus the son of God who brought people back from the dead asks if it was necessary for him to die so that he can enter glory. The question seems a little perplexing it does not seem necessary since Jesus has all power and authority under heaven and on earth could command heaven’s armies to defend him but instead, humbly accepts the cross and suffers for all of us. Although we might not find it necessary for Jesus it was necessary because of how much he loved us. It was necessary to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

On disappointing days when we feel like we are losing it can be hard to understand what is happening in our lives. We can become angry or worried, distressed or disappointed, and incredibly frustrated in the circumstances of our lives that it becomes hard to understand what is God doing during our hard times? Even in tragic times God is working in our midst we might not understand it, but he is in control.
 
Heavenly Father, help us to trust in your plans and timing.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“The angel told the women,” Don’t be afraid because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
 (Matthew 28:5-6)
 
Caterpillars when they are ready to begin their transformation process first make cocoons. After a while they will change into butterfly. Their cocoons will remain empty but the caterpillar that was once there leaves and becomes something we all love to see in the spring butterflies flying and landing on flowers. Their cocoons lay empty. No one celebrates a butterfly’s cocoon being empty although the caterpillar became something beautiful the empty tomb of Jesus deserves all the praise and glory.

The women who went to the tomb. The tomb was sealed and no way for the women to open the tomb. They went expecting to see Jesus laid in a tomb but instead was meet by an angel. They went expecting to mourn a dear friend and teacher however, he was not there. That day the angel shared the news with the women that Jesus had risen from the dead just as he had said he would. They only had to come and see the place that he once laid to know the power of God. To know the promise that he had told them. It is the empty tomb that reminds us that Jesus defeated death and has all authority under heaven and on earth. The death of Jesus does not end on the cross for where he once laid is empty and still is empty. This is a sign of everlasting hope that cannot be denied that Jesus who came to die on the cross for us so we can have a right relationship with God defeated death and we will be with him again.

​Jesus was not held by death but lives. Death can be hard especially when it is someone we know and loved but we can have hope for if we believe in Jesus and that he conquered death we will come to live with him for he promises he will be with us always. Death does not have the final answer for Jesus defeated death.
 
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the empty tomb and that our savior lives.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” “He answered them, I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.”” (Luke 19:39-40)
           
Could you imagine rocks crying out and shouting? That would be a sight that no one would expect to see. Talk about watching a rock band made up of all rocks that would be rocking. There are many places we can go that expect us to be quiet the library, movies, and even museums try and ensure that the noise levels in rooms are comfortable for everyone. You would hardly find people shouting or making a lot of noise it is often discouraged to make noise in these places. Even some places of worship creature a posture towards silence in moments of prayer and communion.

There are times when we are not silent and can be loud. At sporting events people cheer loud for their favorite teams and even some sing loud to their favorite songs not caring who is listening. These shouts at sporting events might help to encourage the team but these shouts do not bring glory to them, nor do they bring praise to the one who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to rebuke his disciples for praising him. They did not believe praising Jesus was appropriate and it should be stopped. Jesus replied that even the rocks will cry out. Jesus is worthy of our praise.

These shouts of praise are filled with joy, and even gladness for all that God has done and will continue to do in someone’s life. It includes singing praises to God that ascribe glory to him, professing Jesus as Lord and Savior, and making a public acknowledgment of God. At times we might want to keep quiet because of fear or even judgement from other people but, Jesus states that even if we decide not to praise God creation itself will praise God.

Heavenly Father, may we not keep silent but lift our praises to you.

​Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
           
Spring reminds us of new life. Birds are out, and flying, new nests appear in different areas of houses. If we are lucky, we can find eggs that are awaiting to hatch. All the trees that were barren during the winter start growing leaves and seeds that lay dormant start to sprout. Some people during the spring start the season off by cleaning out everything that they no longer want or need trying to bring in the new season with a fresh start.

The tulips that are in bloom are new life they are not the same tulips from last season or even used. They are brand new flowers that once started as seeds that were buried during winter and lay dormant awaiting the right time to blossom for everyone to enjoy. The old flowers that were in the garden beds are no longer there they have passed making room for a new creation. The same thing happens in our lives when we accept Jesus Christ as our savior our old self must get out of the way to make room for a new creation. Old habits that helped us for a time that are not virtuous must be put to death for new wholesome habits to be able to form.

It is difficult to create new habits while trying to maintain old habits that are not beneficial. It will become a struggle to do good while maintaining wrong habits. We must admit to ourselves that something must change for a transition to begin. It is not through our own power that we are able to become new we can try with all our might but, it is difficult to become a new person on our own. It is through the saving work of Jesus Christ that we can become new and have a new identity.
 
Heavenly Father, may we leave our old life in the past. Thank you for creating a new identity in us.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17)

Biographies have been very popular some especially from previous first ladies of the United States, famous athletes, and even actors. Many of these are autobiographies that they wrote about themselves but some biographies that authors have written about a famous person involved extensive research from various sources to get a better understanding of the person that they are writing about. Some of these biographies might talk about laws if they were about senators or presidents but, it is mostly about their experience.

The Law which includes the first five books of the bible, while the Prophets include the rest of the Old Testament composed of history and wisdom literature. It includes various laws about how to treat individuals and the history of the people. The entire Old Testament was written prior to the birth of Jesus but, Jesus states that he is not here to abolish the law but fulfill it. The entire law even the smallest letter is fulfilled through him. Everything in the law matters and not one letter is missing in him. There is an importance in the law not in what it says but, the heart behind the law.

​The heart behind the law that Jesus is here to fulfill is that God loves the people and wants them to be redeemed. God created laws not as a punishment but to keep his children safe. Often, we can get upset about the creation of laws because we do not understand the heart behind the law. Some laws are made because accidents happen while others are from lengthy research to better assist people. The laws of God are about creating freedom and love.
 
Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus who fulfills the Law and the prophecies that came centuries before him. May we not look at them as a burden but, with a grateful heart that it is through the laws Jesus fulfills that we now have found freedom.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Wakins