“The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul- but who are you?”  (Acts 19:15)
 
Teachers lecture students on formulas that they use in class. Formulas such as the mass energy equivalence formula or the mass energy equivalence equation commonly referred by E=mc2, there are several equations that we learn while attending primary school. Some equations are useful to learn while others are in the back of minds forgotten.

The formula used shows that mass can be converted into energy and vice-versa. Mass moves mass and it can be calculated to find how much energy it takes. In Acts 19 certain men were trying to use the name of Jesus as a formula to expel evil spirits. They did not realize that a major piece of the equation is having a true relationship with Jesus. They try and use the name of Jesus but, had no relationship with Jesus, so they had no power or authority. Faith cannot be faked.

​Faith cannot be imitated either we cannot copy another person’s faith. Faith must be genuine and our own this comes from spending time with Jesus. Building a relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior this happens through reading the Bible, spending time with Jesus in prayer, and worship.
 
Heavenly Father, help us to develop a true authentic relationship with your son Jesus.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“He listened as Paul spoke. After looking directly at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed.” (Acts 14:9)
 

There are so many distractions these days. Everyone is usually carrying around a phone checking emails, watching videos, or even messaging someone that they often do not see the person right in front of them. Often, we must ask someone to put away all the distractions to look at us to see if they are even listening to what we are telling them.

Even when people are looking at us, they might not see us completely. They may be looking in our direction but, a thousand and one things are on their mind keeping them from focusing on the person in front of them. When we know someone is directly looking at us and is truly seeing us our entire demeanor changes because they are fixated on us and really knowing us, we realize everything that they could be doing or thinking about has been put aside. There are several ways to feel seen through validation, recognition of thoughts and feelings, a sense of connection and acceptance.

​We feel loved when we are completely seen. We feel that we are known because someone is taking their time and investing into us. Not only did Paul see him but, God sees us directly and there are no distractions around when God sees us. He knows us completely because he sees us and loves us.
 
Heavenly Father, in a world filled with distractions we thank you that you see us completely and know us.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

As they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)
 
The invention of the telephone has come a long way. It no longer needs to be connected to a wall. We can send emails, text messages, and even video messages to people. If you missed a call and get a voicemail some phones will even transcribe the message you can read the message instead of listening to it. Depending on who the caller is we might quickly pick up the phone call or let it go to voicemail.

When we remove distractions, we can focus on the person who is calling. During a fast we might set aside a distraction social media, alcohol, or even sweets to focus our attention on prayer and God. This allows us to open our hearts, minds, and souls to what God is saying and even directing us to do. We must be open and sensitive to hearing God speak into our lives and direct us.

For many we fixate on the message often forgetting about the person who called us. It is who called you that is important. The person has a role in our life our doctors, friends, and family. The most important person who calls us is God. God is calling each one of us. Trying to reach each one of us because He loves us and cares for us. There is nothing he would not do to try and get ahold of us.
 
Heavenly Father, may we be open to hear your voice when you call us.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins
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“At the end of twelve months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built to be a royal residence by my vast power and for my majestic glory?” (Daniel 4:29-30)
 
We grow up thinking “I’m Different” or even “Unique” the situation that we are in no one would truly understand. Many of us go around thinking we can handle our own situation on our own – no help is needed. This happens with little kids all the time at one point they believe that they can do everything all by their self not needing any help from someone else. Even when they make a mess, they are proud of their self because they did it on their own and did not need any help.

They forget that they did need help, and someone was with them the entire time guiding, overseeing, and assisting when needed. There was someone with them who had more strength and power who could assist them when they choose to ask for help. No one likes feeling powerless or incapable of doing something on their own, but we all need the saving power of Jesus Christ to help guide us throughout our day.

It is through Jesus that we can get where we want to be in life.  The things that we obtain in life might feel like we did it on our own but, Jesus is there the entire step of the way.
 
Heavenly Father, we do not want to admit that we need your help every hour but God it is only because of you that we make it through.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins
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“Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (Acts 2:44-45)
 
Today many people would prefer to be alone. Often you can find people going for a quick meal alone through a drive thru. Not having to worry about talking with someone while they are on their lunch break. With social media people do not have to worry about talking to strangers they can sit on a bench alone and feel connected. There is more of an emphasis of having me time and taking time to be alone. Time alone is not bad for we need to take the time to take care of ourselves and replenish our spirit. However, we are better together.

We were created for community. It is easy to want to do everything by yourself and be a lone wolf. Even young children at one point start saying, “I can do it by myself.” It’s even worse when they grow up to be teenagers and tell you to go away since “your so uncool.” Trying to disassociate with you and not claim belonging to you. It might be difficult when the people close to us no longer want to be around us but, we are made for community and to be with others.

​When we are with other people, we can find out what they need and how we can contribute to their life. It is when we are in community that we come to find wholeness. God created us for community for our inward self to be changed by the Holy Spirit and lead us to an outward change of helping those in need and building relationships. To build community we must find healthy things in common crochet, gardening, or even running. We need people who will cheer us on in life, people we can do life with, and spend time with contributing to society.
 
Heavenly Father, may you place people in our life that we can do community with and become better together.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
            Hebrews 10:24-25

The last few weeks have been spent gathering with different friends, and family members celebrating the various holidays. We can remember the days of laughter expressed with joy. Some of the encounters might not be completely fun while others were filled with debates that left you feeling annoyed and even with worry but, the holidays remind us that we are made for companionship that with the right people we are better together.

When we have been hurt by so many people in our past, often we come to believe that we do not need people in our life we can do everything on our own, but we were not created for isolation. We are created to live life with people and for a purpose. The hardest part is finding the right people to become a part of your community. As we age, we might become skeptical of having anyone become a part of our community when we see a new face often, we do not want to trust them since we do not know them, or we do not want to be hurt like we have been in a previous friendship. It is hard to trust after being hurt, but we cannot go through life alone.
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Trusting a new person can be hard since we must be vulnerable. We must let them know who we are it can be scary; however, at the same time we must be brave and willing to be loved by another person. We need people in our communities that will encourage us to become our better selves, learn to grow, and develop to thrive. When we find the right people to become a part of our community we do not just grow, but flourish. We become even more than what we expected we can become.
 
Heavenly Father, may you place the right people in my path that will continue to challenge, encourage, and even help me flourish. May your Spirit help me discern who I need to let in and who I need to stay away from.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
 
This past week brought about a lot of tension between friends, family, and even coworkers. Each of our friends have burdens that many of us do not know about. To know our friends better we must create space for them to vulnerable. Create space to let them discuss their lived experience and what is currently burdening them right now. We must humble ourselves and be willing to listen regardless of our feelings.

When we love our friends and neighbors, we walk with them through their struggles, their struggle becomes our own struggle. One burden is the temptation to do things that is not good for our health or even for relationships. It might be difficult but, we are to share with those who we trust what temptations we are facing. Those within our circle can hold us accountable.

Some burdens feel a little harder to talk about like being lonely during the holidays or learning to make new friends in a different state. It may feel strange to ask someone if they can sit with you because you do not want to be alone but, they will be glad to be there for you. Christ carried all our burdens when he died on the cross for all of us. There is nothing we must face alone since he is always with us and will never forsake us.
 
Heavenly Father, thank you for carrying our burdens to the cross. Everything that we are facing we do not face alone because you are with us each step of the way. May we continue to lean on you.
 
Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18)
 
The word submit makes me want to cringe. Often it is used as a reason for women to obey their spouse regardless of what they say or how they treat them. This is not the case.

Submission can be seen in two ways in a military context we submit to the leaders who are over the unit. However, your spouse is not in a military regimen with just you and them. It would be difficult to conquer a nation with just the two of you. Submit here is used meaning a voluntary attitude of cooperating, assuming responsibility, and obedience. It is voluntary not mandated. Your spouse has a choice in cooperating in what you are requesting of them, they get to decide if they want to obey or assume responsibility. The decision rests with them. The spouse is a cooperative partner. A partner in your relationship.

“As is fitting in the Lord.” The type of love that is fitting in the Lord is one of sacrificial love that Christ calls for husbands to led by. They are the example as the head of the household of how to protect those under their care, support them, and sacrifice for them. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father. The aim of submission is unity. Jesus submits to the Father to bring mankind into a right relationship with the Father. Spouses submit to each other to create a stronger family unit.
 
Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins