Digging Deeper – The First and the Last

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on July 31, 2026

 

“You must not have any other god but me.”

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

Exodus 20:3; 17 (NLT)


THE FIRST AND THE LAST

Let’s come back to something we talked about on day one: the first and last commandments.

I only recently noticed that the first and last commandments (you could call them the bread of the Ten Commandment sandwich) feel closely connected. All the other commandments have outward evidence that reveals whether or not you are obeying them. They also have tangible impacts on the people around you. If you create an idol, people can see it and might even be tempted to join you in worship. If you lie, murder, steal, or commit adultery, other people will eventually find out.

But putting God first and refusing to covet are different. You can claim to be obeying these commandments whether you actually are or not. Ultimately, observing these two commandments is between you and God.

We are called to put God first. When we covet, however, we place the things we desire ahead of Him. At its core, coveting reflects a lack of trust. Perhaps we believe God is holding out on us or giving others something better. I am not saying that having possessions—or even wanting them—is necessarily wrong. The problem comes when we want something more than we want God.

So, the first commandment can be summarized as, “Don’t put anyone above God,” and the last commandment as, “Don’t put anything before God.” God wants us to find our deepest and eternal satisfaction in Him instead of trying to fill our hearts with the things of this world.

I love this quote by John Piper from Living in the Light: “When the truth is suppressed, and the light is rejected, and the glory of God is disregarded, something always takes their place. The human heart hates a vacuum. We may never merely leave God because we value him little; we always exchange God for what we value more.”

Take a moment and consider your heart. Is there anyone or anything you are placing above God?

 

Chris Boggess is the Care + Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – One Command, or Two?

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on July 30, 2026

 

“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

7 “You must not have any other god but me.

8 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 9 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 10 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[b] who love me and obey my commands.

11 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your oxen and donkeys and other livestock, and any foreigners living among you. All your male and female servants must rest as you do. 15 Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.

16 “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

17 “You must not murder.

18 “You must not commit adultery.

19 “You must not steal.

20 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

21 “You must not covet your neighbor’s wife. You must not covet your neighbor’s house or land, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor. 

Deuteronomy 5:6-21 (NLT)


ONE COMMAND, OR TWO?

I grew up in church and always thought I knew the Ten Commandments. I mean, they’re right there on the page and seem pretty straightforward. So, I was surprised to learn from a Roman Catholic friend that my numbering wasn’t the same as his.

You see, this list, often referred to as the “Decalogue,” is important enough to God that it appears twice in Scripture.

Catholics use Augustine’s numbering, which is based on the Deuteronomy 5 account of the commandments rather than the Exodus 20 account that we’ve been studying on Sundays. In Augustine’s numbering, what we call the first and second commandments (“You shall have no other gods before Me” and “You shall not make for yourself a carved image”) are combined into a single commandment. Then, at the end of the list, coveting your neighbor’s wife is counted as the ninth commandment, while coveting your neighbor’s possessions is counted as the tenth—taking what Protestants count as one commandment and dividing it into two.

One more interesting fact: Judaism numbers the Ten Commandments differently from both Catholics and Protestants. The first commandment is Exodus 20:2: “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.” Then what Protestants number as the first and second commandments (Exodus 20:3–6) are combined into a single commandment.

So, is coveting one commandment or two? I would argue that it doesn’t matter whether you are coveting a person or a possession. They don’t need to be separated. In fact, we could say that coveting a person is a form of objectification. That person simply becomes something we want, while their humanity, personality, and desires are pushed aside.

Treating people like things is something God repeatedly speaks against through His prophets, and it certainly violates the second greatest commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Take a moment to evaluate your own heart. Are there people in your life whom you may not be coveting, but whom you are failing to treat with the dignity due to someone created in God’s image? Ask God to forgive you, and perhaps you also need to ask that person for forgiveness.

 

Chris Boggess is the Care + Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – Time for a Cartoon Break

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on July 29, 2026

 

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)


TIME FOR A CARTOON BREAK

I, like probably many of you, grew up on Saturday morning cartoons. At a time when there was no streaming—not even VHS tapes or DVDs—you had to get up early and stay planted in front of the TV until around noon to enjoy all the colorful goodness! Even getting up to grab a bowl of cereal or use the bathroom was a race to beat the end of the commercial break.

Even the commercials were pretty cool sometimes. In between episodes of Scooby-Doo or Super Friends, there were ads for Hot Wheels, Micronauts, and Stretch Armstrong. But we all knew they were just commercials, so it was okay if we missed a few while enjoying the main shows.

TV networks were also required to include educational programming during commercial breaks, and that’s where the classic Schoolhouse Rock! segments came in. Everyone of a certain age just started hearing “Conjunction Junction” playing on repeat in their heads…you’re welcome.

Then the FCC relaxed its rules about marketing to children, and in the 1980s, the lines between commercials and cartoons began to blur. Was He-Man a cartoon, or was it really a long-form advertisement? It seemed like every toy line had its own TV show designed to boost sales.

The goal of the advertising was to make kids see those toys as not merely things they wanted, but things they needed. Coveting was the objective. You would watch the show and then see a commercial featuring kids just like you playing with those toys in a bedroom or backyard that looked just like yours. You’d think, “That could be me,” or, even more intensely, “That should be me.”

So you begged your parents, wrote requests to Santa, or “accidentally” left birthday wish lists where your parents were sure to find them. But inevitably, when we finally got those toys, they never lived up to the promise of the commercials. Those things never satisfied the longing that the marketing had ignited.

Some of us may still have trouble shaking off the programming that was instilled by G.I. Joe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The world wants us to covet. Advertisers want us to look outward for satisfaction in things, but God wants us to look to Him. The “things” we believe we need will never truly satisfy us.

Take a moment to reread Paul’s words to the church at Philippi that are quoted at the beginning of this post. Where do you need to learn contentment? Where in your life are you more tuned in to the commercials playing around you than to the blessings you already have?

Chris Boggess is the Care + Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Make Every Day Count

Kevin Burrell on July 29, 2026

 

“Pay close attention to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time you have, because the days are evil.” 

Ephesians 5:15-16

 

MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT

Recently, I came across a powerful quote: “They can make more money—but they can’t make more time.”

One of the greatest reminders that tomorrow is never promised is the story of my own father and sister.

It was Easter Sunday morning in 2021. My father was doing exactly what he had done for countless years—getting ready to go to church and worship his risen Savior.

As he stepped into his car to drive to the Easter morning service, the Lord called him home. There was no warning. None of us knew that what seemed like an ordinary Sunday morning would become his entrance into eternity. He never made it to the church building, but by God’s grace, he arrived in the presence of the One he had faithfully worshiped every day.

Then, exactly one month later, my sister woke up like it was any other day. But by noon, she was gone, having passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.

Time is the one resource God gives equally to every person. Every morning we wake up with a fresh 24 hours—or 86,400 seconds—yet none of us are promised we’ll make it through the day.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians to “pay careful attention” to how we live. That phrase implies intentionality. It means we don’t drift through life—we direct it. We don’t waste our days—we steward them. We manage our time, or our time will manage us.

The world constantly competes for our attention. Endless distractions, entertainment, meetings, and busyness can consume our schedules while leaving our souls empty. It’s possible to be busy every day, yet accomplish nothing of eternal value. Paul says that wisdom is found in “making the best use of the time.”

Don’t miss that!

In other words, redeem every opportunity God places before you.

Live today as if there is no tomorrow—not with fear, but with purpose. Love your family well. Encourage someone who is discouraged. Share your faith. Forgive quickly. Serve generously. Invest in people rather than possessions.

The greatest legacy you will ever leave isn’t what you accumulated; it’s who you influenced for Christ.

One day, our careers will end. Our achievements will fade. Our names may even be forgotten. But every act of obedience to God, every soul impacted, every life encouraged, and every seed of faith planted will continue to bear fruit long after we’re gone. That’s the kind of life that outlives the grave.

Listen Closely: The greatest legacy isn’t how long you live, but how faithfully you live until God calls you home.

So ask yourself today:

If this were my last day, would I spend it the way I’m planning to?

Am I investing my time in things that matter for eternity, or merely things that matter for the moment?

Every day is a gift. Every moment is an opportunity. Every decision is an investment in eternity.

Choose to walk wisely, redeem the time you have, and live in such a way that when your race is finished, the impact of your life continues to point others to Jesus long after you’re gone.

Make Every Day Count!

 

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 45 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 – The Heart Lies

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on July 28, 2026

 

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
    and desperately wicked.
    Who really knows how bad it is?
10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts
    and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
    according to what their actions deserve.”

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT)


THE HEART LIES

Jeremiah 17:9 is a verse that I quoted many times during my years in student ministry. Adolescent brains develop from the back to the front; the parts of the brain that control feelings and desires mature before the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for reasoning and decision-making. In a sense, our “heart” is really in the middle of our brain. For a teenager, that “heart” is often the loudest voice in their head.

We have all lived through this stage of life, and we know that many of the decisions we made as teenagers were not especially well-reasoned or insightful. In fact, many of them were downright foolish. This is one reason I am so thankful my teenage years predated social media, so there isn’t a permanent record of all my bad decisions. The problem for many of us is that, like teenagers, we continue to trust our emotional hearts and rationalize their desires.

In our culture today, we often place extra emphasis on those desires. We use phrases like, “My heart is set on it,” or, “The heart wants what it wants.” We justify our desires with sayings such as, “Follow your heart,” or, “Trust your heart.”

But Jeremiah encourages us to do the exact opposite! He warns us not to trust our hearts, reminding us that they can deceive us. What our hearts want is often not what God wants for us. At its core, coveting is choosing to trust our hearts more than we trust our God.

Trusting God is the opposite of trusting our hearts. I love what Jeremiah 17:10 tells us—that God examines our hearts and rewards us according to our ways and the fruit of our actions. It is important to note that God is not merely concerned with our outward behavior but also with our motives. Our relationship with God is not rooted simply in what we do but in what is in our hearts.

Just like yesterday, take a moment to examine your heart. Are you trusting your heart more than you are trusting God?

 

Chris Boggess is the Care + Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – The Heart of the Issue

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on July 27, 2026

 

“You must not have any other god but me.” 

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” “

Exodus 20:3; 17 (NLT)

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! 

 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

Matthew 5:21-22a; 27-28 (NLT)


THE HEART OF THE ISSUE

Years ago, I remember there being a big kerfuffle about whether the Ten Commandments should be displayed in courthouses. The pro-display crowd argued that the Ten Commandments were a legal document and therefore had a place in modern courthouses.

I always thought this argument was a little off. The Ten Commandments definitely give us a template for how to live in harmony with one another and with God, but as a legal document, they are severely lacking. They identify offenses but provide no indication of the punishments for violating them. Then they conclude with the unusual commandment, “Do not covet.”

Unlike stealing, murder, or adultery, coveting does not directly affect those around me. It is not an action but a thought. And last I checked, we do not make laws about thoughts.

At first glance, the commandment about coveting seems a bit out of place among the other nine. It stands out because it can be hidden away. It is a commandment that only you and God know whether you are keeping.

But there is one other commandment like it: the first commandment, to have no other gods before Jehovah. I believe these two commandments are the key to understanding what God is telling His people through the Ten Commandments.

I believe Jesus was helping His listeners understand what these commandments were truly teaching when He addressed two of the biggest ones on the list: adultery and murder. Instead of focusing only on the actions themselves, Jesus pointed out that these sinful actions begin in our thoughts—with the desires and impulses that come before the action.

Jesus addressed two commandments that are clearly tied to outward actions and explained that the actions themselves are not the root problem. Rather, they are symptoms of an issue within the heart.

Take a moment for some honest self-reflection. Is your heart aligned with God today? What have you allowed to come before Him in your life?

Surrender those things to Him. Get your heart right, and obedience to the other commands will follow.

 

Chris Boggess is the Care + Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper: The Heart Behind the Words

Avatar photo Larry Grays on July 24, 2026

 

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart.”

Matthew 12:35 (NLT)


THE HEART BEHIND THE WORDS

 

A little girl proudly announced to her mother, “I didn’t say anything mean to my brother today.” Her mom smiled and asked, “What were you thinking?” The little girl paused and replied, “Oh…I thought lots of mean things. I just didn’t say them.” Children have a wonderful way of reminding us that God cares about more than our behavior.

Throughout this week’s passages, we’ve discovered that the ninth commandment isn’t merely about telling the truth. It’s about becoming truthful people. That transformation begins in the heart. Jesus changes us from the inside out. As He reshapes our hearts, our speech changes naturally. We begin speaking with greater honesty, greater courage, greater kindness, and greater encouragement because His Spirit is producing new fruit within us.

The goal isn’t simply controlling our tongues through willpower. The goal is allowing Christ to transform our hearts. That’s the gift of the Gospel. We don’t become truthful people by trying harder. We become truthful people by staying closer to Jesus. As our hearts become more like His, our words increasingly overflow with His grace and truth. May people hear Jesus every time they hear us speak.

Reflection Questions

If someone listened to your conversations all week, what would they learn about your heart and God’s heart?

How is Jesus inviting you to grow in truth and grace?

Suggested Prayer

Lord Jesus, continue transforming my heart so that my words consistently point people to You. Let my speech be marked by truth, love, grace, and encouragement every day. Amen.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: Do My Words Build Up My Neighbor?

Avatar photo Larry Grays on July 23, 2026

 

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)


DO MY WORDS BUILD UP MY NEIGHBOR?

 

In 1854, a young Thomas Edison was sent home from school with a sealed note for his mother, Nancy Edison. The teacher’s note stated that Thomas was “addled,” intellectually deficient, and could no longer be taught at the school. Nancy, however, chose not to repeat the teacher’s cruel assessment. Instead, she read the note aloud to her son, telling him, “Your teacher says you are too smart for this school and should be homeschooled.” She chose to frame his differences as signs of genius rather than failure. Decades later, after finding that very note among his mother’s papers, Edison wrote, “Thomas A. Edison was an addled child that, by a hero mother, became the genius of the century.” Her words didn’t just build him up; they literally redirected the course of his life—and, arguably, modern history.

Paul tells believers in Ephesians 4:29 to “let everything you say be good and helpful.” This is a mandate to filter our speech through the lens of grace. Notice that Paul doesn’t stop with truth; he instructs us to communicate in a way that provides “encouragement to those who hear.” Truth without love can be harsh, and love without truth can be empty. Biblical communication always brings both together.

Every conversation is an opportunity either to strengthen someone’s faith or weaken their spirit. Our words can heal or wound, encourage or discourage. We have a unique calling to intentionally use our speech to build others up. Imagine what would happen if every conversation at home, at work, at school, and at church became an intentional act of grace.

Reflection Questions

  • Who in your life needs an encouraging word from you today?
  • How can you make your conversations more intentional this week by focusing on “building up” rather than simply “speaking”?

Suggested Prayer

Father, thank You for the power of words. Let my mouth become an instrument of Your grace so that everything I say is helpful and an encouragement to everyone I meet. Amen.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: Do My Words Reveal that I Trust God?

Avatar photo Larry Grays on July 22, 2026

 

“But Peter denied it…”

Matthew 26:70 (NLT)


DO MY WORDS REVEAL THAT I TRUST GOD?

 

A pastor laughed while telling the story of accidentally sending a text message complaining about a meeting—to the very person he was complaining about. After a moment of panic, he apologized immediately. Later, he joked, “Apparently the Lord wanted me to practice confession much sooner than I planned.”

Most of us have experienced moments when fear causes us to say things we later regret. Peter certainly did. In Matthew 26, Peter had boldly promised he would never deny Jesus. Yet only hours later, standing beside a charcoal fire, he denied knowing Christ three separate times. Why? Fear.

Peter feared what people might do more than he trusted what God could do. His words exposed the battle taking place in his heart. Thankfully, Peter’s story doesn’t end in failure. After the resurrection, Jesus lovingly restored him and used him to boldly proclaim the Gospel. That’s wonderful news for us: our failures don’t have to become our identity.

Trusting God often becomes most visible in ordinary conversations. We may not deny Jesus with our lips, but sometimes we remain silent when we should speak, compromise the truth to gain approval, or soften our convictions because we’re afraid of rejection. Courage grows when trust in God becomes greater than the fear of people.

Reflection Questions

  • What fears most often influence your words?
  • Where is God asking you to speak the truth with courage?

Suggested Prayer

Lord, strengthen my faith so that my words reveal confidence in You rather than fear of others. Amen.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

A Heart That Speaks

Kevin Burrell on July 22, 2026

 

“What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Luke 6:45

 

A HEART THAT SPEAKS

Have you ever squeezed an orange? No matter how hard you squeeze it, orange juice comes out because that’s what’s inside.

The same is true of us. When life puts pressure on us—through stress, persecution, disappointment, defeat, or relational conflict—what comes out of our mouths reveals what’s truly in our hearts.

Words That Tear People Down

“You’ll never measure up.”

“I don’t believe in you.”

“You’re a disappointment.”

“You’re bringing our team down.”

“You’re worthless.”

Words That Build People Up

“God has a purpose for your life.”

“I believe in you.”

“You’re valuable to our team.”

“I believe God is working in you.”

“You’re deeply appreciated.”

Jesus said, “What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Our words are not just sounds; they are the overflow of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with anger, bitterness, pride, jealousy, or unforgiveness, those things will eventually come out in our speech.

But if our hearts have been transformed by Christ and filled with His love, joy, peace, grace, and truth, our words will reflect His character.

Proverbs 18:21 says:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

Don’t miss that!

Listen closely: Every day you have a choice. You can speak words that wound or words that heal. You can criticize or encourage. You can tear someone down or remind them of who they are in Christ.

I’m often reminded:

“Hurt people hurt people.”

The good news is that Jesus doesn’t just tell us to control our tongues—He changes our hearts.

Spend time with God by reading His Word, praying, and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape you so that your heart becomes more like His.

Because when your heart changes, your words begin to change too.

Today, before you speak, text, or email, ask yourself:

  • Are my words bringing life?
  • Do they reflect the heart of Christ?

Choose to be a person whose words encourage, build up, strengthen, forgive, and speak hope.

Progress, Not Perfection!

After all, what flows from a redeemed heart will always point others to the One who redeemed it.

 

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 45 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.