“Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea.” (Acts 11:29)
 
This weekend an organization is hosting a workout competition to raise money to support those in recovery. The executive director has put a sign up within the gym that for every dollar donated he will do a burpee. He might end up doing a lot of burpees depending on how much people decide to donate. There is no requirement to donate or how much each person should give it is up to everyone to determine how much they would want to give.

Some people view giving as a waste of money since it is money they could have used for something else either saving, bills, or on fun times. No matter who we are rich or poor, boss or employee everyone can donate something but, it must come willingly and not out of place of “I have to”. When we give generously, and willingly it changes us from the inside out. Our hearts are filled with gratitude and love for others when we give generously. Our generosity is used within the community in all types of ways providing clothing, shelter, food, and even relief in foreign countries.
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We should respond when others are in need, we might not be able to go directly to them and give assistance, but we can donate to trusted organizations to help provide relief. Our expressions of love should be generous and practical within our abilities. Everything that we own is a gift from God it is through God’s grace. When we see others, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ it changes our perspective that those that need relief are not strangers but someone who we should take care of.
 
Heavenly Father, thank you for the possessions that you have given us may you help us to be generous with what we have.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” (Acts 9:31)
 
This is a great picture of the church it is spreading and growing throughout the region. Just within the city of Portland there are dozens of different churches although today many would consider Portland the least religious city in Oregon. When people think of Portland they might think of the slogan “Keep Portland Weird” not the growth of the church. The church is growing in Portland and will continue to grow.

As the church grows, we are to walk in the fear of the Lord. What does it mean to walk in the fear of the Lord? It does not mean we have to be afraid of God. It means we have a reverence and awe of God. His holiness, greatness, and majesty evoke a healthy fear in us. In our daily lives this could be choosing to be honest even if means not getting a job because we value God’s holiness. This can even be practicing self- control abstaining from alcohol or harmful substances because we believe that God wants us to take care of our bodies.

​We are intended to walk in the fear of the Lord while being encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us one who will comfort us, who also convicts us of sin, but also encourages us while we go through challenges to get better, continue through hard things, and even seek help when we cannot do it on our own. The Holy Spirit is there to encourage us and guide us on our journey of God’s grace.
 
Heavenly Father, help us to live a life worthy of your holiness, grace, and greatness. Holy Spirit, may you encourage us each day even when we face our toughest challenges.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy – dwell on these things.”  (Philippians 4:8)
 
Tik Tok is full of people always getting into confrontations and arguing about topics that take place within society, body count, science, is Jesus real. They want people to admit that their way of thinking is wrong. This only brings conflict neither side becomes closer at having a relationship or even building rapport. They tend to view everything one way and leave no room for any differences this does not make room for peace.

​The idea for solving for peace can happen in many forms we might need to add something into our lives to gain peace and sometimes we need to remove something out of our life to gain peace. Many times, we focus on what we must remove and get bogged down. This can lead to resentment and not actually creating peace within our lives. When we only observe what we must remove we forget that we have capabilities to accomplish our own goals to create peace within our lives. We might have old items in our storage units that we can sale, can pick up hours cleaning houses and workspaces, or even working various events because we have free time. Both removing negative habits or items we do not need and working within our strengths give us ways we can solve for peace within our lives.

Though removing and working within our strengths creates a way for peace ultimate peace is found in Jesus. Jesus brings us inner peace a sense of calm amongst all the struggles that happen within our life. Not only not does Jesus bring inner peace but, we have peace with God. Through faith in Jesus, believers are forgiven and made righteous in the eyes of God.
 
Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus who is our ultimate peace. God help us to solve for peace within our lives and look to you for guidance in what we can do in our situations.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy
                 

“Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.” (Acts 6:3)
 
Pick-up basketball games are always fun. When you start playing with the same people for a while you get to know them and what they are known for. One person might have a reputation for dunking, while another might have a reputation for fast footwork always stealing the ball away from the other team. We are known by the works that we do some people might not have a great reputation if they miss a lot of their shots, they might get a reputation for shooting airballs. Our reputation can even proceed us even before we meet someone new for the first time because of the people we know and even hang around.

A person with a good reputation is often sought after because they are known for their work and are trustworthy. One way we know how to do good work is by using wisdom. Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit but, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad. Through time and experience we gain wisdom we also can gain wisdom from asking the one person who knows all things God. We can ask God for wisdom in tough situations and when we are making difficult decisions. We can also seek out friends, pastors, and people we know who might be a little wiser than us to speak guidance into the situation.
 
Heavenly Father, grant us wisdom to see the best course of action and the courage to follow your direction. Guide us in making decisions and help us to follow your will in all things.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins