Author: Larry Grays

In an article by The New York Times, it was noted that many prominent figures, from athletes to business leaders, maintain a dual life of public influence and private community. For example, a well-known CEO might lead a multi-billion-dollar company but finds their most meaningful connection and support in a small, private group that meets weekly. This duality is a powerful model for faith today, a balance that the early church, as described in Acts, understood completely.

The text says they “worshiped together at the Temple each day,” a very public and formal act, and they also “met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals.” This duality is a powerful model for faith. The corporate gathering at the Temple was a public declaration of their shared faith, a space for collective praise and teaching. It provided a sense of unity and strength in numbers. The intimate gatherings in homes, however, were where genuine community flourished. In these smaller settings, they could meet needs, share life, and truly encourage one another. This was where the “great joy and generosity” could be expressed in personal, tangible ways. The early church understood that both are vital for a healthy faith.

Public worship builds up and unifies believers as the body of Christ, while private fellowship and service connect them on a deeper, personal level. Faith needs to be visible in both the public square and the intimate spaces of life.

Reflection Questions:

• How can you more intentionally engage in both corporate worship and small-group fellowship at Northstar?
• What does it look like to bring the “spirit of gladness from Sunday worship” into your everyday life?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the church, both the public gathering and the intimate community. Help me to be a faithful member of Your family, connecting with others in both worship and fellowship. Amen.

The 2018 rescue of a youth soccer team trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand captivated the world. International experts and divers rushed to the scene because they understood that lives were at stake. No one suggested waiting until the water went down or taking their time—they acted immediately. They were driven by a single-minded purpose: to find the lost and bring them to safety. The early church in Acts lived with a similar holy urgency, understanding that they were part of God’s ultimate search-and-rescue mission.

Luke’s words, “And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved,” are a powerful reminder of this mission. The church wasn’t just a gathering of believers; it was a vibrant hub of gospel proclamation. They knew that people around them were spiritually lost and that they had a crucial part to play. Romans 10:14 makes it clear that people cannot call on Christ unless they have heard the good news, and they cannot hear unless someone tells them. This isn’t a suggestion—it’s a profound responsibility. The early church acted as God’s hands, feet, and voice, sharing the gospel with everyone they encountered. They understood that salvation is God’s work, but He delights to use His people as living testimonies.

The role of every believer is to speak, to love, and to go so that others can hear the life-giving message. The church must live with the same urgency as those rescuers, knowing that eternity is on the line for the people around them.

Reflection Questions:

• Who in your life needs to hear the gospel, and how can you tell them?

• What is one step you can take to live with greater urgency for lost people?

Prayer:
Lord, give me eyes to see those who are far from You. Give me courage to speak, compassion to care, and faith to trust You with the results as I share the good news. Amen.

In a classic example of sportsmanship that went viral, a high school basketball team from Florida, following a hard-fought game against a rival, surprised their opponents with a gesture of kindness. After their victory, the winning team bought pizza and shared a meal with them. The act of bringing together two rival teams in a moment of post-game fellowship dissolved the competitive tension and left everyone feeling a little bit better. The early church had a similar gift for building goodwill—not just in a single moment, but as a consistent part of their lives.

Luke’s account in Acts tells us that the believers were “enjoying the goodwill of all the people.” This didn’t mean that everyone agreed with their message, but it did mean their lives were so full of love, integrity, and genuine concern for others that they earned the respect of their community. They were building bridges, not walls. Their devotion, fellowship, and generosity were not confined to their own group; they were visible to the watching world. This outward focus created fertile ground for the gospel to take root. People were drawn not only to the message they heard but to the beautiful, transformed lives they saw. This goodwill was a powerful testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Northstar is called to be a bridge-builder in our community, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways. When we are known for our kindness, generosity, and genuine care for our neighbors, we create opportunities to share the gospel with hearts that are more open to receiving it.

Reflection Questions:

• How can you actively serve and bless someone in your community this week, expecting nothing in return?

• What are some simple ways to build goodwill with neighbors or co-workers?

Prayer:
God, help me love my neighbors in practical ways. Use my life to build bridges so that others can see Your goodness and be drawn to You. Amen.

In 2013, news anchor A.J. Clemente became an overnight sensation after his first on-air broadcast went viral—for all the wrong reasons. A series of verbal blunders and an inaudible expletive led to his immediate dismissal. While the moment was a disaster for him, it became a shared, cringeworthy source of humor for millions who watched the clip again and again. The joy of that memory, for viewers, was something they didn’t want to get over. The early church felt a similar—yet infinitely more profound—joy about their salvation.

This “great joy” wasn’t a fleeting emotion tied to a single, powerful Sunday service; it was a constant, underlying reality of their lives. It was born from a deep, unshakable gratitude for what Jesus had done for them on the cross. They didn’t just remember the gospel; they lived in the reality of it every single day. The forgiveness of their sins, the hope of eternity, and the presence of the Holy Spirit were not distant concepts—they were present truths that filled their hearts with overflowing gladness. This joy, in turn, fueled their “generosity” and “praising God.”

When overwhelmed by the immensity of God’s love and grace, worship becomes a natural response, and sharing what one has with others ceases to feel like a loss. It becomes a joyful act of stewardship and love. The believers were so filled with gratitude for what Jesus had done that they couldn’t help but let it spill out into their community—a contagious joy that drew others to the source of their happiness.

Reflection Questions:

• What can be done today to intentionally stir fresh gratitude in your heart for the cross?

• When was the last time joy about Jesus felt contagious?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for saving me. Let me never lose the wonder of the gospel. Fill my heart with a joy that spills over into every part of my life. Amen.

The renowned marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge is famous not for a single, powerful race, but for his relentless consistency. While many marvel at his world-record-breaking times, his success is rooted in his steady, daily training regimen. He runs over 120 miles a week—every week—without fail. His approach is a powerful testament to the idea that greatness is achieved through disciplined, daily practice, not through an intense, all-at-once effort.

The early church in Acts exemplified this principle in their faith. Luke describes their devotion as a steady, day-by-day rhythm. The believers “worshiped together at the Temple each day” and also “met in homes for the Lord’s Supper and shared their meals.” Their faith wasn’t relegated to a single day of the week but was woven into the fabric of their daily lives. This daily faithfulness was the bedrock of their community. They didn’t just gather for a powerful service and then disappear; they lived life together, fostering the genuine community and generosity that Luke describes.

Spiritual growth, like physical fitness, is rarely the result of a single, powerful moment. Instead, it is the cumulative effect of small, consistent acts of obedience and devotion offered to God daily. The early church’s life was a testament to the power of a faith lived out consistently—moment by moment and step by step.

Reflection Questions:

• What one spiritual practice can you commit to consistently this week, even for just a few minutes a day?

• How can faith be intentionally woven into the normal, everyday rhythms of life?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk with You faithfully, day by day. Teach me to be steadfast in Your Word, committed to fellowship, and constant in prayer. Amen.

In the late 1800s, Edward Kimball, a quiet Sunday School teacher, felt burdened to talk to a teenage boy in his class about Jesus. Nervously, he visited the young man at the shoe store where he worked. That simple, obedient conversation led to the boy’s salvation. His name? Dwight L. Moody became one of the most influential evangelists of the 19th century, preaching to over 100 million people. But the story didn’t stop there. Moody’s ministry influenced F.B. Meyer, who impacted Wilbur Chapman, who led Billy Sunday to Christ. Sunday’s preaching later influenced Mordecai Ham—who preached the message that brought Billy Graham to faith. One quiet act of obedience—by a forgotten shoe store visitor—set off a chain reaction that changed millions of lives (Culbertson, Moody: A Biography).

John 2:11 shows us how Jesus’ glory was revealed not through a loud sermon but through faithful obedience at a wedding. It was behind the scenes, in the shadows—but it led to belief. What you do may not look like a miracle. But when you obey, God uses your actions to point others to Him. It might be your kindness, your consistency, your courage, or your compassion. You never know who’s watching—or how God might use you to light someone’s path to Jesus.

Reflection Questions:

1. Is there someone around you who might see Jesus through your obedience?
   
   
2. How can you live with eternity in mind today?
   
   

Prayer:

Lord, help me remember that no act of faith is wasted. Use my life, my choices, and even my small steps to reveal Your glory and lead others to believe. Amen.

In 2000, Pastor Mark Batterson and a small team began praying around Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., asking God to open doors for ministry. They felt called to launch a church—but nothing seemed to move quickly. For months, they walked and prayed with no building, no congregation, and no budget. Years later, God led them to purchase and renovate a dilapidated 1930s movie theater called The Miracle Theatre. That location became the heart of National Community Church—one of the most influential churches in D.C. today. Batterson later wrote, “God’s delays are not His denials. They’re a test of our trust” (Draw the Circle).

Jesus told Mary His time had not yet come. To us, that might sound like a “no.” But it wasn’t a refusal—it was a reminder that the when matters as much as the what. We often want a microwave miracle, but God is more of a slow-roast Savior. His timing is tied to His glory.

You may be waiting on an answer, a breakthrough, or direction. Take heart: God’s clock is never late. He’s always working behind the scenes—even when it feels like He’s holding back. God’s best comes in God’s time.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one area where you’re struggling to wait on God?

2. How can you stay faithful while you wait?

Prayer:
Father, teach me to trust Your timing. Even when I don’t see progress, help me believe You’re preparing the best. I surrender my schedule to Your sovereignty. Amen.

Have you ever tried to bake cookies without following the recipe? “Flour, sugar, eggs… what could go wrong?” But what if you forget the sugar? The result? Chocolate chip biscuits that taste like drywall. The right outcome requires the right obedience!

In John 2, Jesus gives the servants a curious command: fill the jars with water. Not wine. Not grape juice concentrate. Just plain water. But here’s the key—they did it anyway. They didn’t argue. They didn’t ask for a better plan. They followed His instructions, even when it didn’t make sense.

Obedience is where many of us get stuck. We want Jesus to work, but we hesitate to obey. We want the wine without the water jars. But faith doesn’t work that way. God often asks for our obedience before He reveals the outcome. The servants filled the jars—and filled them to the brim. That’s not halfway obedience. That’s all in. And what came next? Transformation. The water turned to wine. The ordinary became a blessing.

God’s not looking for perfect people. He’s looking for obedient ones. When we trust Him enough to do the simple thing—go, serve, forgive, give, pray—He shows up with supernatural power.

Reflection Questions:

1. Is there a simple act of obedience you’ve been putting off?

2. How can you obey God wholeheartedly, not halfway?

Prayer:
Lord, help me trust You even when I don’t understand. Give me the faith to obey, even in the small things, knowing You bring the transformation. Amen.

A guy once tried to fix his garbage disposal using advice from the internet. He jammed a wooden spoon in the drain and blew a fuse in the whole house. Why? Because he followed some instructions—but not the right ones. Listening matters!

This story of Jesus at the wedding reveals another layer of His character. Not only is He present, but He is speaking. Mary, His mother, understood this. She didn’t panic. She didn’t call Costco. She turned to the only One who could solve the problem and simply said, “Do whatever He tells you.”

It’s one thing to want to hear from God. It’s another to be willing to do what He says. And often, the real issue isn’t that God is silent—the problem is that we’re not listening, or at least not listening with a willingness to obey.

When Jesus says, “My time has not yet come,” He’s reminding Mary—and us—that He operates on a divine timeline. But that didn’t stop Mary from trusting that something good was about to happen. She gave the servants the best wedding advice anyone could give: “Do whatever He tells you.”

Are you willing to take that same advice today? Sometimes, God’s instructions don’t make sense at first glance. They may sound inconvenient, uncomfortable, or even illogical. But obedience always precedes the blessing.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you been ignoring any prompts from God lately?

2. What would doing “whatever He tells you” look like this week?

Prayer:
Father, I want to be a better listener. Give me ears to hear and a heart ready to obey. Help me trust that Your instructions lead to life. Amen.

At first glance, this passage feels like a simple RSVP—Jesus attended a wedding. But tucked inside these two verses is a profound truth: God cares about the everyday moments of our lives. He doesn’t just show up in crises, but at celebrations, dinners, soccer games, and graduation parties.

There is something deeply comforting about knowing Jesus didn’t distance Himself from community. He wasn’t just about miracles and messages—He was about moments. And this moment at Cana reminds us that He isn’t limited to the sacred. He steps into the social.

Jesus’ presence at the wedding redefines how we see God. He’s not distant. He’s not disengaged. He’s invited. But here’s the catch—He doesn’t crash the party. You’ve got to invite Him in.

You and I often compartmentalize faith: “This is church time. This is work time. This is family time.” But Jesus doesn’t work within our categories. He wants access to all of it. Whether you’re planning a wedding or folding laundry, His presence makes the ordinary extraordinary. If He showed up in Cana, He can show up in Acworth. The question isn’t whether He’s willing—it’s whether we invite Him into the details.

Reflection Questions:

1. Where in your daily routine have you unintentionally left Jesus out?

2. What’s one area you can intentionally invite Him into this week?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for showing up in ordinary places. Remind me that You care about the details of my life. Help me to see You in my everyday, and give me the courage to invite You into every part of my story. Amen.