Digging Deeper: Humility Lightens Our Burden

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on November 20, 2024


“All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exact you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:6-7 (CSB)


HUMILITY LIGHTENS OUR BURDEN

 

Since 2020, I feel like we have been frogs in the pot of ever-increasing tensions among Americans. We certainly are not lacking for things to divide us. 

This passage from 1 Peter encourages us to embrace humility as both a garment we put on and a posture we take before God and others. To “clothe yourselves with humility” calls us to make humility a visible part of who we are. We are all image-bearers created to display God’s glory regardless of our circumstances. When we approach others with humility, we’re choosing to respect and value them, acknowledging that everyone is worthy of love and respect in God’s eyes. God honors this attitude by extending His grace toward us in ways we may not even expect.

God’s promise here is beautiful and freeing, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time.” This is not about looking down on ourselves or pretending to be less. It’s not about pretending at all. This call to humility is about real about who we are and our need for Jesus and surrendering our plans and purposes for our lives believing His are better. When we submit to His timing, we can rest knowing that He will lift us up and fulfill His purposes in our lives at just the right time.

Finally, Peter reminds us to “cast all your cares on him because he cares for you.” Early in our marriage, I distinctly felt the Lord telling me, “Sarah, before you complain about Curtis, just tell me.” What I have learned through bringing all of my concerns in marriage, parenting, work, and friendships to him is that most often, He’s inviting me to see Him more clearly and know Him more fully. Humility means recognizing that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone. When we let go of pride and self-sufficiency, we make room for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to strengthen and support us in all He’s calling us to, experiencing His care in a deeply personal way.

Peter’s warning about suffering, followed by casting our cares on the Lord, isn’t a coincidence. We are only able to suffer well when we allow the Lord to carry the heaviness of all that’s hard in our lives. As Christ-followers, we must develop our prayer life so that whether we are struggling in sin or weighed down by our circumstances, we run to our Father to tell him.

In his book Desiring God, John Piper wrote, “Prayer is not a task to be completed, but a relationship to be cultivated.” Today, let’s lean in and ask God to clothe us in humility, trusting His mighty hand and resting in His profound love for us. There’s a dying world that needs to experience our kindness and love for them in order to see the hope we have in Jesus.

 

Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders, and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

 

Go and Tell

Kevin Burrell on November 20, 2024

 

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” 

John 3:16-17

 

GO AND TELL

 

Some time ago, an 18-year-old girl from Washington State attended a church service in her local community. For the first time in her life, she heard the gospel message from John 3:16-17. The following week, the church received a letter from her. It read:

“Dear Church Members,
Last Sunday, I visited your church and listened to your preacher. He said that all people have sinned against God and, because of their sin, they all face eternal separation from Him. But then he said that God loves all people and sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world to redeem mankind from their sins. He explained that all who believe in Him by faith, confess their sins, and invite Jesus into their lives will go to heaven and live with God for eternity. That was encouraging to hear.

Sadly, my parents died last month. I know they did not believe in Jesus Christ. If what you believe is true, they are in hell today. This compels me to believe that you either don’t truly believe this message yourselves or that you don’t care. You see, we lived just one block from your church, and no one ever told us.”

Listen closely: this story must not happen.

As Christians, sharing the Good News of Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and redemption is not an optional part of your faith—it is your central calling. The Gospel, which means “Good News,” is the heart of the Christian message. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate demonstrations of God’s love for humanity, providing the only way to salvation and eternal life.

Life is uncertain, and you do not know how much time you have. This makes the message of Jesus urgent. As a follower of Christ, you are called to be His ambassador. It’s non-negotiable. Being an ambassador means representing Christ in your words, actions, and attitudes. It means living in such a way that others see Jesus in you and are drawn to Him. Sharing the Good News is not just about living a life that reflects the transformative power of God’s love—it’s also about speaking up, going out, and telling others about the Gospel.

Sharing the Good News of Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and redemption is both a responsibility and a privilege. It is the means through which God reaches the spiritually lost and brings them into His family. And He wants to use you!

If you’re a Christian, a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ, you are called to step out in faith, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide you, give you the words to speak, and prepare the hearts of those who need to hear.

You have Good News—share it. Don’t keep it to yourself. Be faithful in sharing the hope you have in Christ, knowing that through your obedience, God can use you to change lives for eternity.

Go and Tell!

 

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

Be Worth Being,

 

Kevin

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper: Humble Submission

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on November 19, 2024


“In the same way, you who are younger be subject to the elders.”

1 Peter 5:5 (CSB)


HUMBLE SUBMISSION

 

Peter opens the chapter by talking directly to those in leadership within the church and commanding them to shepherd the flock. That is to say, their jobs are to preserve and protect the sheep–that’s you and me. It could be easy to read a passage like this with a hand on our hips posture, looking at church leadership passive-aggressively to do just that. And there’s no denying this is within their job descriptions.

 

However, there is an important aspect worth considering. Are we willing to follow? You see, church leaders can only lead to the degree to which their sheep are willing to follow. While some may consider submission a four-letter word, Jesus’ life and ministry modeled a life of humble submission, ultimately calling us to the same. So, what does humble submission look like for those of us who are members of this body of believers at NorthStar?

 

A willingness to be known. 

In a world of perfectly filtered squares, social media has led us to believe highlight reels are real life. The truth is, there are no perfect churches, marriages, children, schools, and the list goes on. But as we struggle in those areas, we must be willing to be real so that church leaders can come alongside to love and lead us. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This is how we love one another and spur each other on to the deeper things God is calling us to.

 

A teachable spirit.

Being known isn’t the answer to this humble, submissive spirit if we aren’t also willing to be teachable. This isn’t easy. Yet, Proverbs 12:1 tells us plainly, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.” As we grow in our knowledge of God’s word, we allow sanctification to have its way in our lives as we allow others to encourage us to love and respect our spouses, to parent our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to view our time, talents and treasures in a way that glorifies the Lord. 

 

A posture of prayer. 

We are undoubtedly living in times when we are seeing Christian leaders, in their humanity, fall short of God’s call on their lives. In one story, a pastor admitted he was leading from an empty place. Are we praying intently for our leaders that they would be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and that God would give them a hunger and thirst for His word? Are we asking for an extra measure of boldness to preach all of God’s word, even when it steps on our toes? Are we covering their marriages and families, asking that God might protect them and be glorified in their lives? 

 

Yes, Peter is calling our church leaders up, but he is calling us up, too. God’s created order within the church gives us the freedom to love God, love others, and live sent in a world that desperately needs the hope we have in Jesus.

 

Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders, and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

 

Digging Deeper: Christ’s Grace Shaped Peter’s Leadership

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on November 18, 2024


“Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

1 Peter 5:2-3 (CSB)


CHRIST’S GRACE SHAPED PETER’S LEADERSHIP

 

Peter doesn’t mince words when he speaks to leaders within the church. He calls them to shepherd but clarifies that they should do so willingly and set an example for those they lead. But why would he place so much emphasis on the way they shepherd?

 

Perhaps his own failures lurked as a not-too-distant memory. He was the disciple who walked on water with Jesus, yet all too quickly rushed to defend Jesus in the garden. In John 6, when some of His disciples found it hard to follow and accept His teachings, Jesus asked the remaining disciples if they wanted to go away too. And Peter replies so authentically, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Later, he would deny three times even knowing Jesus.

 

However, I believe Jesus’ words and example had a far more lasting impact on his ministry than any of his failures. During the Last Supper, Jesus says, “Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).

 

Jesus isn’t simply telling Peter of a specific sin he will commit but ultimately speaking of a life of suffering to come for the sake of Jesus’ call on his life. In his kindness, Jesus adds his prayer that his faith would not fail so that he might strengthen his brothers. 

 

Fallible as he was, Peter was a pivotal leader in building the church. In Matthew 16, Jesus told him, “On this rock, I will build my church.” Peter made mistakes, but God’s plans and purposes prevailed, and even the powers of hell could not overcome them. And Peter is now imploring fellow leaders to understand and walk out the high calling of leading God’s chosen people.  

 

This is convicting in a time when churchgoers often take the posture of consumers, looking to pastors and leaders to perform, entertain, and lead perfect lives without sin or struggle. Yet Peter’s life shows us that pastors and leaders within the church can deeply love the Lord, be eager to serve, and still show their humanity. 

 

Paul encourages church leaders in Titus 1 to “Hold to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able to both encourage with sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.” As our campus transitions through the Whatever It Takes campaign, it will be easy to focus on minor inconveniences. Yet we have this glorious opportunity to model Jesus by praying for our church leaders that their faith would not fail, that their work might strengthen the members, and that they might hold fast to God’s word. That’s doing whatever it takes. That’s the foundation God uses to build eternity in the hearts of those who still need Jesus.

 

Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders, and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

 

Digging Deeper – The Thick of It

Avatar photo Courtney Miller on November 15, 2024

 

So, if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)


THE THICK OF IT

 

When we are in the thick of suffering or trials, it can be so hard to feel God’s presence. Our pain and suffering can easily overtake us if we allow it, following us through every moment, tapping on our shoulder. It’s in these moments—at our breaking points—that we must make a choice. Do we succumb to our emotions and circumstances, or do we lean into the only One who can sustain us?

For me, in these challenging seasons I’ve walked through, choosing to lean into God is truly just that—a choice. Sometimes I find myself lacking the genuine desire to seek Him. It can feel like too much work, and selfishly, I’d sometimes rather wallow in self-pity and despair. It just feels easier. But we serve a God who is for us. The very purpose of His Spirit is to guide us through life—our Helper.

In these heavy seasons, seeking Him may initially feel like a checklist: just do what you need to get it done. But I promise, anyone who has ever chosen to truly seek Christ finds Him, just as it says in 1 Chronicles 28:9. In every trial I have faced, God has made Himself known. It may not happen immediately, but He reveals Himself through the dedication of spending time with Him each day. Looking back, these are some of the most spiritually rich seasons of my life. When everything else seems stripped away, only Christ remains. He will strengthen you for the journey, and you will find joy amidst your trial.

 

Courtney Miller is the Special Needs ministry Director at NorthStar Church. She was born a Texas girl, but has lived in Georgia the majority of her life (Go Dawgs!). She married her husband, Chris, in 2012. They have two children with a third on the way. 

Digging Deeper – Searching for Peace in Our Suffering

Avatar photo Courtney Miller on November 14, 2024

 

Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:13 (NLT)


SEARCHING FOR PEACE IN OUR SUFFERING

 

In February 2018, I had a miscarriage at ten weeks. It was devastating, and the circumstances surrounding it made the experience even harder. About a month later, I went to a monastery for a silent retreat. When we truly tune in to what God is saying in the silence, when we quiet the noise even for a few moments, He will make His presence known and speak to our hearts in just the way we need. He longs to spend time with us, revealing Himself in many ways—through visions, thoughts, and situations. Often, He speaks to me through situations and experiences.

One night during the silent retreat, I made myself a cup of jasmine tea and sat reflecting on God and how He was beginning to heal my hurting heart. As I drank my tea, He began to speak to my heart, and I journaled the thoughts He was giving me:

“Steep yourself in Me. Smell My sweet aroma. Breathe it in. Feel My presence. I am with you. Picture My field of flowers. Spring is coming. Beauty lies ahead. Walk with Me into the meadow. The sweet smell of jasmine is all around you. Let it bring joy to your heart. Let the dark, cold winter be over by just breathing Me in, for I am with you. I have always been here. Let Me fill you with My warmth. I will thaw out your cold, dry bones.”

I love that we can find God in every moment—like drinking a cup of tea—when we are truly listening. What a wonderful reminder that, whatever season of life we are walking through, He is there to meet us if only we listen. He gently reminded me, “Find Me in the nuances of your day. I am in all things. I will reveal Myself to you in all things. Simply tune in to Me.”

Our peace is found in God alone, even through trials and suffering. We simply must seek Him.

To tie a bow on my search for peace, one year later, in February 2019, our daughter was born. The Lord very clearly revealed her name to me in a prayer of thankfulness: she would be named Everly. Since names hold great significance to me, I looked up its origins. Everly means “from the boar meadow.” Little did I know, when He spoke those words to me during the retreat, that in bringing peace to my suffering, God was also giving me the promise of new life through my precious daughter, Everly.

1 Peter 4:13 tells us, “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” Through suffering, His glory has been revealed in the wonderful joy of my daughter Everly’s precious life.

 

Courtney Miller is the Special Needs ministry Director at NorthStar Church. She was born a Texas girl, but has lived in Georgia the majority of her life (Go Dawgs!). She married her husband, Chris, in 2012. They have two children with a third on the way. 

Digging Deeper – When Will My Suffering End?

Avatar photo Courtney Miller on November 13, 2024

 

Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:13 (NLT)


WHEN WILL MY SUFFERING END?

 

Suffering is hard. No one desires it, and when we are in it, we are desperate for it to end. God cares about our suffering, so why does it sometimes seem to last forever?

While we know that God loves and cares for us, this does not always mean He intervenes immediately at our request. We are not spared the troubles of life simply because we are His children. In fact, Jesus told us that those who follow Him will suffer. Yet, Jesus also told us to take heart, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Only God determines the timing of His intervention. We have to trust in His timing, which is always perfect. His intervention may come in this life—after weeks, months, or even years. Or, His rescue from our suffering may not come until we meet Him face to face.

In his book Abide in Christ: The Joy of Being in God’s Presence, Andrew Murray writes, “The Christian wants to conquer his weakness and to be freed from it; God wants us to rest and even rejoice in it. The Christian mourns over his weakness; Christ teaches His servant to say, ‘I take pleasure in infirmities; most gladly will I glory in my infirmities.’ The Christian thinks his weakness his greatest hindrance in the life and service of God; God tells us that it is the secret of strength and success. It is our weakness, heartily accepted and continually realized, that gives us our claim and access to the strength of Him who has said, ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness.’”

So, whether our suffering ends quickly or lasts until we meet Him face to face, we know that in our weakness and suffering, God is glorified.

 

Courtney Miller is the Special Needs ministry Director at NorthStar Church. She was born a Texas girl, but has lived in Georgia the majority of her life (Go Dawgs!). She married her husband, Chris, in 2012. They have two children with a third on the way. 

Digging Deeper – Finding Joy Amid Suffering

Avatar photo Courtney Miller on November 12, 2024

 

Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:13 (NLT)


FINDING JOY AMID SUFFERING

 

How do we begin to find joy in our suffering? I believe it can start very simply. Each day, find something to thank God for. You may not feel thankful; you may even feel like a hypocrite, but thank Him anyway. We have to start somewhere. One of the keys to experiencing joy is cultivating a habit of thankfulness. And we must remember that every breath we take on this earth is a gift to be grateful for, given to us because our purpose here is not yet complete.

Another step in finding joy is releasing control. We can never have full control over our circumstances. God is the author of our paths, and we must learn to let go of the desire to direct our own destiny. We need to trust that He works all things together for His good, as it says in Romans 8:28. When we release control, we begin to find rest. Joy is not found in turmoil and stress; it is found in rest and release. God urges us to come to Him for rest, and He will not fail us.

Reflection: Take time today to note everything you have to be thankful for. Ask God to help you release control over your circumstances and to find rest in His presence.

 

Courtney Miller is the Special Needs ministry Director at NorthStar Church. She was born a Texas girl, but has lived in Georgia the majority of her life (Go Dawgs!). She married her husband, Chris, in 2012. They have two children with a third on the way. 

Digging Deeper – Why Me?

Avatar photo Courtney Miller on November 11, 2024

 

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

1 Peter 4:12 (NLT)


WHY ME?

 

“Why me?” This is likely the first question many of us ask when we face hardships. On this side of Heaven, we may never fully understand the answer. Yet, we are called to trust and hold on to our faith. Scripture reveals that suffering can shape and mold us into more devoted followers of Christ.

God does not cause suffering, but He allows it. The Fall of man introduced suffering into the world. Though painful, suffering matures us and refines our character, making us more effective servants for Christ. As Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Through suffering, our patience grows, our empathy deepens, and our courage to support others in their trials is strengthened. All of these qualities develop as we endure physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles. In the process, we gain new perspectives, and often, we discover a profound love for Christ amid our suffering. God is refining you through your trials.

 

Courtney Miller is the Special Needs ministry Director at NorthStar Church. She was born a Texas girl, but has lived in Georgia the majority of her life (Go Dawgs!). She married her husband, Chris, in 2012. They have two children with a third on the way. 

Digging Deeper – For God

Avatar photo Steve Roach on November 8, 2024

 

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)

 

FOR GOD

Peter concludes this section of his letter by urging believers to serve one another. The problem we all battle is that we are all fundamentally bent toward seeking our glory. Notice how Peter says the focus should be on God and not ourselves. He reminds us that God is the gift giver, and we are the stewards of those gifts. When we speak and teach, we are not giving our ideas and opinions but rather the word of God. When we serve, we don’t do it in the flesh but with the strength that God supplies. We do these things “in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” The point is clear. There is no room in the body of Christ for selfish servants who seek their own glory. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:16 that we were created “for Him.” We are made for God. God designed us for His purposes. Why were all things created for Jesus? As one theologian explained, “Did he need another waterfall, an extra million stars, or a thundering herd of buffalo storming across an empty continent? No, the purpose of Creation is to point to Jesus. All of it, in its created glory, is a testimony to the power, the wonder, and the incredible beauty of our Savior.” Pastor and Theologian John Piper said, “Our salvation is for God’s sake. He created us to display his glory.” First Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) says: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

During the 1920s, a running back for Notre Dame kept a scrapbook of newspaper clippings of his highlights and achievements on the football field. He was particularly obnoxious about how great a football player he was and his ability to get free and score. One Monday morning, after a particularly good game, he bragged about how great he was. During the first play of practice, the team lined up to run a play. When the ball was snapped, the offensive line, which typically blocked for him, stood aside and let the defense in. The defense buried him for a loss. His blockers on the offensive line shouted, “They can’t do that! Show them your newspaper clippings!” That self-centered player may be why Notre Dame football players don’t have names on the back of their jerseys to this day. The idea is that no player plays for himself but rather for the good and success of the team. It’s not about the player’s name on the back of the jersey but the team’s name on the front.

In the same way, God did not create us to lead self-centered lives that are all about us. That is not why He created us. He created us to make much of His name and to fulfill His purposes. Ask God to help you make your life more about Him and others than yourself.

 

Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.