PORTLAND CENTRAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Prayer
    • Discipleship >
      • Groups
    • Engagement
    • Service
  • Church Online
  • Give
  • Messages
    • Recent Messages
    • Weekly Devotions Blog
  • About Us
    • Locations
    • Vision, Mission, Values & Beliefs
    • Meet The Team
    • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Ministries
    • Children's Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • Agape Village
    • Reach PDX
    • Spanish Ministry

Quick Read Devotionals

Our Only Stronghold

8/11/2024

0 Comments

 
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7)
 
Where do we go when there is trouble? In elementary school we practice occasionally, what to do when a fire happens, an earthquake happens, or any possible danger. Students knew where they can seek refuge who are the responders who are good that are there to help. The responders did not know us though they were simply there to do a job to make sure there was no fire, or no person who was not authorized to be there was not there. The teachers knew us at school so we could take refuge in them, but they did not know us completely. Some distresses we are not prepared for, and our lives are always dated before and after the event that happened. We can think back to prior when we could pack an entire lunch and even smoke on planes while now you can barely even bring water through security let alone even walk through security with shoes on.

In a day of distress, it is hard to think critically to think what to do next. When we are actively going through a traumatic event like a divorce, medical emergency, or anything that can cause us extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain it can feel hard to know exactly what to do in the situation. Often, these situations can feel like they are personal attacks from God, and he does not care for us. However, this is not the case. God loves you; God is good, he cares for you, he knows what you’re going through and sees you. He desires for us to come to him with our problems to earnestly seek him. We can be assured that we can take refuge in him during our traumatic events. 
 
Heavenly Father, when I see no way out of my situation and feel like it is unbearable lord, I thank you that I can turn to you and know that I am loved by you. May I continue to seek you in my situation and find refuge in you.
 
Praying,
Stacy Watkins

0 Comments

He is Without Integrity

8/4/2024

0 Comments

 
“Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity. But the righteous one will live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:2)

He is without integrity. A person’s character tells us a lot about them. There are several characteristics that people consider someone of integrity if they are honest, trustworthy, respectful, patient, and are responsible. We all know someone who we question their integrity. Sometimes we question someone’s integrity based on how they dress without even knowing the person. Our egos can change our character values. When we want to look impressive to someone, we might talk ourselves up. It might be a little lie, and no one got hurt from it, but a lie is still a lie, and we should always tell the truth.  

We may tell ourselves there are acceptable reasons to lie such as when we are being interviewed, we do not fully know the person, or even that it is hard for you to trust other people. However, you are denying yourself the opportunity to be a trustworthy and honest person. The excuse you do not know the person does not allow you the opportunity to get to know someone. You cannot know another person until you take the time to be vulnerable and share with another person. The idea that it is hard for you trust people does not have to do with the other person but with yourself. You can seek help from mental health professionals to learn to build trust within yourself and others.

The righteous will live by faith when we have faith, we take a chance on vulnerability and allow the opportunity for another person to see us with all our emotional baggage that we bring into the relationship. Living by faith allows us to open our hearts to trust someone by creating new positive experiences together. It is through the help of Jesus that we can change our character from someone without integrity to someone who is called righteous and just.
 
Praying,
Stacy Watkins
0 Comments

An Avenging God

7/21/2024

0 Comments

 
“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is fierce in wrath. The Lord takes vengeance against his foes; he is furious with his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished.” (Nahum 1:2-3)
 
This verse can be kind of daunting the beginning is all about how God is a jealous God and will take vengeance on his enemies. However, if we believe in Jesus, we can look at this verse in a different light we can have comfort that God will avenge us.

When I was in high school someone did something that was very hurtful and did not sit well with me. I have thought of all the ways I could hurt this person and get vengeance. I wanted this person to suffer as much as I had and buried eight feet under. The only thing I wanted to focus on is hurting them because of what they had done. This kind of thinking is not healthy and not helpful. The Bible constantly reminds us that vengeance does not belong to us but God. God says “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay. In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” (Deuteronomy 32:35) God will not leave the guilty unpunished for their crimes. Instead of seeking vengeance for those who have hurt us we can pray for them to make better choices, know Jesus, and even work towards reconciliation if possible.

God knows all and sees all. True justice comes from him since he knows what is just and fair. If you have been harmed by someone pray for them. Trust God has seen what has happened and will act on it how he seems fit. He will enact justice in his perfect timing. Keep doing what is right and do not take vengeance in your own hands.
 
Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins
0 Comments

If You but Trust

6/16/2024

0 Comments

 
This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true plumb, with a plumb line in his hand.
 
A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to ensure a structure is centered. It is used to make sure that everything is right, centered, and justified. It does this by finding the vertical axis pointing to the center of gravity.

Everyone has their own concept of what is just, right, and even true. So many of us are quick to seek out justice ourselves when things do not go our way. We get angry and shout, break things, and even hurt people thinking that this is a right response. Today’s culture has a lot to say on what is right. The only problem with this is what was right at one time may no longer be considered right. Our concept changes over time when it comes to justice. Many laws are written by groups of people with different beliefs, backgrounds, educational degrees. Many of us are taught right from wrong but, it is based on how we each grew up, from mentors, parental figures, and those who influenced us.

George Neumark wrote “If you but trust in God to guide you and place your confidence in Him, you’ll find Him always there beside you to give you hope and strength within; for those who trust God’s changeless love build on the rock that will not move” from the song If you but trust in God to Guide You. There are many different things today that we can look to for guidance for on what is right and even just. However, it is not true justice it wavers from time to time. God’s justice scale is true and perfect for he knows exactly what justice is, he knows people’s circumstances, their hearts, and his love never changes towards us. Though you may want to seek out justice for whatever wrong that has happened to you trust in God to continue to guide you through your situation.
​
Praying,
Stacy Watt
0 Comments
Forward>>

    Authors

    Pastor Matt Huff leads Portland Central Nazarene Church. He loves being in ministry and seeing lives transformed by the power of Christ.  

    Stacy Watkins is the Director of Discipleship Ministries and also works in our transitional housing community, Agape Village, helping people get off the streets.  

    Archives

    November 2025
    October 2025
    September 2025
    August 2025
    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    October 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

    Categories

    All
    Blessed
    Boldness
    Character
    Daniel
    Discernment
    Easter
    Faith Building
    Generosity
    God Is King
    Gospel Story
    Grit
    Holy Spirit
    Hope
    Jesus
    Jonah
    Joshua
    Joy
    Light
    Listen
    Love
    Mercy
    Nehemiah
    Obedience
    Outreach
    Peace
    Praise
    Prayer
    Relationships
    Romans
    Sermon On The Mount
    Stewardship
    Thankful
    The Cross
    The Jesus Strategy
    Trust
    VBS 2021
    Wisdom

    RSS Feed

9715 SE Powell Blvd.
Portland, OR 97266
Directions
Phone: 503-760-6272

Service Time: Sunday, 10:00 am
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Prayer
    • Discipleship >
      • Groups
    • Engagement
    • Service
  • Church Online
  • Give
  • Messages
    • Recent Messages
    • Weekly Devotions Blog
  • About Us
    • Locations
    • Vision, Mission, Values & Beliefs
    • Meet The Team
    • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Ministries
    • Children's Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • Agape Village
    • Reach PDX
    • Spanish Ministry