“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” (Psalm 34:1)
 
The world can feel completely hectic at times. The past week there has been hurricanes that have hit countries and left hundreds of people without homes, earthquakes that blocked roadways leading to flooding, and even unexpected fires. During these times we can question is there a God? Why is God not helping me? Or even how can I find joy in this moment?

The good news is that God has never left you. He’s right there with you in the struggle. When we praise God in the middle of our struggle we find peace. Praise reminds us that the situation that we are currently in is not our end story. There is more waiting for you. There are several ways we can praise God during our struggles we can sing songs, pray, and even practice gratitude during the situation.

When we shift our mind from the negative of what is going wrong to gratitude not only is there a shift in our mind, but our spirit. We can see things in a new light and have hope in dark moments. We can continue to place our hope in God for He is with us even in our struggle.
 
Heavenly Father, may we sing praises to you even in our darkest times.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” (Acts 16:6-7)

Have you ever had a door of opportunity blocked? We might apply for a dream job- prepared, interviewed, and even prayed on it but not get hired. We were perfect for the job. It can be frustrating and confusing. Months later when another opportunity arises and we are perfect for it and it has even higher pay, but you still do not get the job. It can become discouraging when we do not get the job and tried our best for interviews.

We must continue to have faith and not give up when we hear a “no” since a “no” can feel completely defeating. A “no” might not be a complete “no” but a wait. Wait on the Lord and he will direct your steps. Sometimes we might be eager to go for something that is not beneficial for us in this case God says “no”. No is not a punishment either that he hates us and does not want us to succeed. For God cares for each one of his children and wants the best for them.

​A “no” can lead to an even greater “yes” an opportunity that he was holding out for us. A blocked opportunity might just be a wait. Wait on God because he has something better for you. Let him guide your steps to where you need to be to glorify him.
 
Heavenly Father, give us ears to listen to your Spirit.
 
Walking with you,        
Stacy Watkins

“On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.” (Acts 15:11)

“Clean up first, then believe.” it is the same as telling someone “Go to work first, then get dressed for work.”  It does not make sense. Many today hold to the belief that we need to be cleaned up first or appear a certain way before we can have a relationship with Jesus. There is a need to feel perfect before we can be accepted and feel included. Sadly, we are far from perfect.

Often, we think that there is something that we must do to be saved. That there is some kind of work, ritual, or emotional experience we must be a part of to experience a right relationship with God. We focus on our actions as a guarantor that we are saved. None of our actions such as community service involvement, church attendance, or even how loud we sing brings us salvation.

Salvation is gained only through the belief in Jesus Christ; it is through faith in him alone. There is nothing that we can do or must do for Jesus for he is the only way that salvation can be gained. We do not deserve this grace for it is unmerited and undeserved but through it we gain acceptance, and forgiveness for the behaviors and thoughts that we have done wrong in the eyes of God.
 
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace we never could have earned or deserved it but, you freely gave it to us through your son Jesus.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins
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“When Peter came to himself, he said, 'Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.'” (Acts 12:11)

It sounds funny to expect the unexpected because honestly, how can we expect the unexpected it is not the desired outcome it is what we would not consider happening. No one expected for someone to rewrite the alphabet song because singing the ABCs was too difficult but, it happened. No one expects to get a flat tire while driving on the road but, it happens.

When we pray often, we pray for what we expect will happen but, God is the God of the possible and can make the unexpected happen. We are not called to live predictable lives that are naturally possible. Many of us love what is predictable we know exactly what we can get, what we will find, what is there. However, we are called to an invitation to more. We are called to expect the unexpected when God is involved. When we pray to God, he can do things that we are not able to do for ourselves.

​We know what others can do for us but, underestimate what God wants to do for us. God is a God of surprises. He loves to do things we can’t predict or see coming. We cannot predict what God is going to do, and we never will be able to do so. He thinks, plans, and operates on a level all by Himself. Because of whom he is he will always do what we do not expect. God loves us and wants the best for each one of us.
 
Heavenly Father, Lord, may we not put expectations on what you can do in our lives. May we embrace the unexpected in our lives.
 
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

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1

Today it is hard to believe when something happens. We rarely take anything on just someone’s word. If my friend says they can deadlift 300 lbs, we want them to prove it. If our kids learned their first word we try and make sure they say it again so there is proof they know the word. Your aunt’s banana pudding is the best. The proof is in the pudding. There is a lack of trust since we must prove everything.

The definition of faith is what is hoped for but, a proof that is unseen. It is a reality of what you have hoped for there is a conviction, of what is not real but is true. It is not wishful thinking “I hope this is going to happen” but a firm conviction that what you have hoped for will happen.

In Indiana Jones the Last Crusade Indiana is told he needs to take a leap of faith. There is a point where he is looking into a chasm and is terrified since he cannot see the bottom. It looks like if he takes the step he will fall to his death. He instead takes a step of faith and steppingstones appear beneath his feet. It gives a great picture of faith. To take a step when we think it will lead to our death but, have faith that there are stones underneath our feet even when we cannot see them.

God calls us to have this kind of faith. Although, we cannot see Jesus we believe in him. We believe in Jesus, not like a blind leap of faith in the dark but, because we have a reason too. He died on the cross so that we can have a relationship with God. Restore our relationships with each other. To set us free from any sin that we are facing. Faith in Christ is a firm foundation. For he is the true definition of faith.
                 
Heavenly Farther, God it is hard to live by faith. Help me to live by faith today, to live with an assurance and conviction, confidence in you and your word.

Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins

“I will make you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant- this is the Lord’s declaration- and make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you. This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.” (Haggai 2:23)
 
Pick-up games for basketball make me nervous there is always the anticipation of which team is going to choose you. Are you going to be picked first or are you the person that the team gets stuck with because you are the last one standing there? I dislike having to stand in the lineup and just wait for someone to say I pick them. Maybe your super tall and never have to worry about getting picked for a basketball game. No one likes being picked last it is the worst feeling.

God says that he has chosen you not only are you chosen but like his signet ring. A signet ring was used by kings to mark their seal on documents. The seal stated that the document was genuine. It is comparable to a notarized document today. It carried the authority of the kings’ commands. God gives Zerubbabel honor and authority that will not be removed by making him like his signet ring. Today that same signet ring of authority is in each one of us the Holy Spirit that lives in us is a sign of authority and honor that was placed on us through God. Zerubbabel’s honor and authority continued through the Davidic line giving hope and encouragement.

Through this promise not only do we have continued hope and encouragement because of Jesus but God sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the seal that we are chosen by God and have honor and authority from him. It continues to lead us and guide us in all that we do.
 
Lord, I thank you that not only do you see us and have chosen us. Lord, you did not choose us because we are strong, clever, or great but because of who you are and because you love each of us.
 
Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins

“For I am doing something in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.” (Habukkuk 1:5)
 

If you turn on the news today it always seems very negative majority of the media coverage includes possibility of war. Hurricanes take out power in cities. Companies are laying off hundreds of workers. Children are killed by their parents. There is a lot of injustice in the world that can make us question if there is a God? Or even why is God not intervening? Why is He allowing for all this to happen? We can get drained from negative circumstances and just want everything to be right in the world.  When devastating circumstances rock our lives, we can doubt God and what He is even doing.

God is not scared of our questions or our doubt. Instead, he gives us hope in hard times. Sometimes the plan that God is doing is completely unbelievable that we would not even believe it even if we tried. We can only see a part of the story and not the entire picture. God sees the entire picture and can work things together for good. God is working in our lives and in the world in ways what we could not imagine.

​It can feel like God is absent or not listening during these times, but he hears our cries and wants the best for us. God is bigger than any of our circumstances and can make a way when we see there is no way.  The situation may seem bleak but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your situation does not define who you are. You are worth more than your situation.
 
Heavenly Father, there is so much violence and negative circumstances in the world that I do not understand. It is hard to find hope when there is so much wrongdoing. But God, may I continue to trust in you for I know you are doing something completely unbelievable that I could not even imagine happening.
 
Praying,
Stacy Watkins

“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
 
We each have a job to do many times we can think that the job that we have is not important by saying “I am just…” or “I just do …” since what we do does not include a fancy title or are not famous. We can think that we are limited in our abilities because of the tasks that we are assigned.

Often, we do not think that the task we are assigned can be an opportunity to bring someone joy or learn new habits and grow. Each person has a task to do which contributes to the overall goal of the company or organization no job is more important than the other for each has a different opportunity to influence people.

We may work as a janitor at a hospital, but we can also brighten a patients’ day by greeting them and having a conversation with them. We may work as a dog walker but, may also at the same time be helping a family not feel stressed about leaving their dog home alone, you may be a gardener but, are truly helping an elderly person keep up with their yard when they cannot. The work we do is not “I am just…” but is our world of influence. Everyday there are several people we encounter at our jobs that we can influence. Our jobs are not just a place of employment but, a place to influence others and grow.

The job we have may not be glorious but, every task that we are given we can influence the people around us and create a better environment.
 
Praying
Stacy Watt

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Psalm 97:1-2
 
A couple of weeks ago I was out in the woods doing some hunting. We were about 2 miles in and it got dark. Luckily we had a road to walk on to get back to the truck – and a flashlight! At one point in our walk in the dark I turned off the flashlight. It was dark! Very hard to see where we were going. When it is dark it is hard to move, especially when you turn off the light. It can be very disorienting and scary. I didn’t leave the light off for long before turning it back on – maybe just a step or two. 

Many of us might find ourselves in the dark. We might be having great difficulty moving forward either in life in general or forward through a particular problem or season of life. In those moments who or what do you turn to for light – for direction? How do you know they are leading you in the right direction and what do you do when they are not around – when the light goes out? 

What really strikes me about this Psalm is that it says God is surrounded by clouds and thick darkness. God knows what it is like to be in the dark. He is in the midst of our darkness. He is with us on that journey with us. I know we might be tempted to turn to someone or something other than Him for direction. We might even find that we have put our hope for salvation from the darkness in a human made system, a person, or even a substance. But, none of those things or people can offer what God does. They aren’t always in the darkness with you, but God is. 

The last time we see God in the darkness He brings forth life (Genesis 1-2). He brings order to chaos. He declares light where there once wasn’t any. We can, and should, ask other people for help and invite others to join us in our darkness so they can help us out, but ultimately our hope should reside in God. Ultimately, He is the only one who can truly transform the darkness into light.

Your road might be pretty dark today, but know that God is right there with you. Trust Him for the light you need so you don’t get lost and can keep moving forward.
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In Christ,
Pastor Matt