“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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“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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“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

“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