Steve Roach – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper – Steward the Blessing with Gratitude

Steve Roach on May 16, 2025

“So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another.”

2 Kings 4:5 (NLT)

STEWARD THE BLESSING WITH GRATITUDE

After the widow gave Elisha a report on all the oil that God had provided, she received new instructions. Elisha told her what to do with it: pay off the debts, provide for her family, and use it wisely. The oil didn’t just solve her immediate crisis—it created a hopeful future for her and her sons.

The widow didn’t just receive a blessing; she stewarded it. That’s what gratitude looks like in action. Every blessing from God is a chance to demonstrate our trust in Him again. We’re not called to hoard what God gives us; we’re called to manage it in a way that honors Him and blesses others. We are blessed to be a blessing.

After receiving a large inheritance, a couple sat down and prayed before touching any of it. They didn’t rush to upgrade their lifestyle. Instead, they quietly helped cover the adoption fees for a family in their church, started a college fund for a niece, and generously gave to a ministry that had shaped their own marriage years before. They still took a vacation, but they saw the money not as a reward, but as a responsibility.

Has God recently provided for you in some way—whether financially, relationally, or spiritually? Take time today to ask how you can use that blessing to help others or advance His kingdom.

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.

Digging Deeper – Let the Next Generation Witness Your Faith

Steve Roach on May 15, 2025

“So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another.”

2 Kings 4:5 (NLT)

LET THE NEXT GENERATION WITNESS YOUR FAITH

This moment wasn’t just for the widow—it was for her sons. They didn’t hear about the miracle secondhand; they lived it. They helped collect the jars. They watched their mother obey and trust God in the middle of uncertainty. Their understanding of God was shaped by what they saw, not just what they heard.

Faith is never just about us. It leaves a trail for others to follow. When we live out our faith in front of others—especially our children and younger believers—we’re building their foundation as well as our own.

During the 2008 recession, a father of four unexpectedly lost his job. Instead of hiding his fear, he gathered his family each night and led simple prayers at the dinner table. He said, “We don’t know what’s coming, but we trust the God who’s already there.”

Months later, one of his teenage sons wrote him a note that said, “When I think about trusting God, I think about how you prayed even when we didn’t have enough.”

Who is learning from the way you respond to challenges? Let someone join you in your faith journey this week. Let them see your obedience, even when the outcome isn’t clear.

Digging Deeper – Prepare in Faith for What You Can’t Yet See

Steve Roach on May 14, 2025

“Elisha said, ‘Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors… Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars…’”

2 Kings 4:3-4 (NLT)

PREPARE IN FAITH FOR WHAT YOU CAN’T YET SEE

This was a test of obedience and faith for the widow. The oil hadn’t multiplied yet, but the prophet told her to collect jars as if it would. The miracle didn’t come until after she made space for it. That’s how faith works—it acts before the answer arrives. It moves forward confidently, even when there’s no visible reason to do so.

This widow’s story shows us that God often fills our jars of faith and obedience when we have no visible proof that He is working. We learn from her story that the oil would have stopped sooner if the widow had borrowed only a few jars. The size of her expectation shaped the size of the miracle.

A young woman dreamed of becoming a counselor but couldn’t afford graduate school. Still, she felt led to start the application process. She didn’t have the money or even a laptop. But she filled out every form by hand and prayed over each envelope before mailing it. She even cleared out a corner of her apartment and called it her “study space.”

Three weeks later, a scholarship offer arrived from a school she thought had already rejected her.

What jars do you need to gather in your own life? Where do you need to prepare even before you see the provision? Take one bold step today that says, “I believe God is going to move.”

Digging Deeper – Surrender the Little You Have

Steve Roach on May 13, 2025

“Elisha asked her, ‘What do you have in the house?’ ‘Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,’ she replied.”

2 Kings 4:2 (NLT)

SURRENDER THE LITTLE YOU HAVE

We tend to think God needs something big from us to do something big. But all throughout Scripture, God starts with what looks like almost nothing—a boy’s lunch, a shepherd’s staff, a mustard seed.

The widow thought she had nothing. Then she remembered a single flask of oil. It wasn’t much, but it was something. That’s what God uses. It’s not about what we wish we had; it’s about what we’re willing to surrender. You don’t have to have a lot—you just have to give what you have. Miracles don’t begin with abundance; they begin with availability.

An older man named Ben had retired after decades in construction. He physically couldn’t get around like he used to. He lived on a fixed income, just enough to pay the bills and meet his basic needs. At church, he heard about a single mom who needed basic home repairs and had been quoted prices she couldn’t afford. Ben offered to help. He spent a few Saturdays fixing broken windows and repairing steps.

A few months later, that young mother gave her life to Christ. She said, “I had stopped believing people cared. But someone I didn’t even know showed up with a hammer and proved me wrong.”

Ask God today, “What do I have that I can surrender?” Offer it to Him and trust that He can use even your smallest gift for something greater than you imagine.

Digging Deeper – When You Feel Desperate, Cry Out

Steve Roach on May 12, 2025

One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead… and now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.”

2 Kings 4:1 (NLT)

WHEN YOU FEEL DESPERATE, CRY OUT

Desperation can be the very place where we meet God. It doesn’t feel holy in the moment. It feels like panic, grief, and pressure. Yet, desperation often clears away the noise and reveals the truth: we cannot fix this on our own.

The widow had nothing left. Her husband was gone, and her sons were about to be taken as slaves. And yet, she still had a voice. She used it to cry out. Crying out to God doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you believe He is strong enough to help. Sometimes the most courageous prayer is the most honest one. This woman’s cry was not the end of her faith; it was the beginning of her miracle.

Late one night, a nurse sat alone in her car after a long shift. Her marriage was falling apart, her mother was sick, and her son had started acting out in school. She couldn’t hold it together anymore. She slammed her hands against the steering wheel and shouted, “God, I can’t do this!” It wasn’t rehearsed or reverent—it was real. She cried for fifteen minutes in the hospital parking lot. Later, she said, “That night changed me. Nothing outside me changed immediately, but something inside me shifted. I knew God was with me in the chaos.”

What have you been holding in that needs to be lifted up? Pray out loud today—honestly and simply. God meets us at our most vulnerable.

Digging Deeper – No Failure is Final

Steve Roach on February 7, 2025

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

NO FAILURE IS FINAL

Have you ever faced a setback so big that you thought it was the end? Maybe you’ve made a mistake so huge that it feels like there’s no way forward. In those moments, it’s easy to think that our failures define us, that we’ve reached a point of no return. But with Jesus, no failure is fatal.

In our devotionals this week, we’ve looked at the journey of Peter, who denied Jesus three times during the most crucial moments of Jesus’ life. After that failure, Peter could have given up. He could have believed that his mistake disqualified him from serving God. Instead, Jesus met Peter with grace and restoration. After His resurrection, Jesus didn’t cast Peter aside; He restored him and gave him a new mission. Peter went on to become one of the most influential leaders in the early church, showing us that failure is never the end when Jesus is involved.

This is the message for you today: Don’t give up. God isn’t finished with you! Failure may feel overwhelming, but it’s never the end of the story. Just as Jesus restored Peter, He wants to restore you. God’s plan for your life is bigger than any mistake you’ve made, and He is committed to carrying His work in you to completion.

Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God is at work in us, and He will continue His work until it is finished. His plans for us are not interrupted by our failures; they are refined and shaped through them. Failure might slow us down or redirect us, but with God, it is never the end. He uses our mistakes as part of His beautiful redemption story.

So, if you’re feeling like you’ve hit a wall or that your failure has defined you, remember: God is still writing your story. His grace is bigger than your failure, and His love is deeper than your mistakes. With Jesus, you can always get back up. Keep trusting, keep pressing forward, and know that God isn’t finished with you. He is still at work, and your best days are ahead.

Digging Deeper – God Uses Failures

Steve Roach on February 6, 2025

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

Acts 2:38-41 (NLT)

GOD USES FAILURES

One of the most remarkable stories in history is that of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the electric light bulb. Edison faced countless failures in his quest to create a practical light bulb. In fact, he famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Each failure brought him closer to the success that would change the world.

Edison’s perseverance in the face of failure mirrors a lesson we can find in the life of Peter. Peter’s biggest failure came when he denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus had predicted. At that moment, it seemed like Peter’s failure could disqualify him from any future role in God’s plan. He was broken and ashamed, thinking he had lost his chance to serve God.

But just like Edison’s failures were stepping stones to success, Peter’s failure was not the end of his journey. After the resurrection, Jesus met Peter on the shore, offering him restoration and a new purpose. In Acts 2, Peter boldly stands before the crowd, proclaiming the message of repentance and forgiveness. The same Peter who had failed was now the one delivering the message of hope, inviting others into a new life in Christ.

Edison’s failures didn’t prevent him from inventing the light bulb; instead, they shaped his understanding and approach. Similarly, God doesn’t discard us after we fail. He uses our mistakes and weaknesses to refine us, build our faith, and prepare us for greater works. Peter’s failure became part of his testimony, giving him the compassion and authority to lead others to repentance and salvation.

If you’re facing failure today, remember that God isn’t done with you. He can use your mistakes for His purpose—just as He used Peter’s. Will you trust Him to redeem your failures and use them for His glory?

Digging Deeper – A God of Second Chances

Steve Roach on February 5, 2025

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17 (NLT)

A GOD OF SECOND CHANCES

Imagine a potter working with clay. As the potter shapes the clay, sometimes the form doesn’t turn out as intended. Perhaps the clay cracks or loses its shape in the process. In those moments, the potter doesn’t throw the clay away. Instead, the potter gently softens it, kneads it back into a new shape, and begins again.

This is what we see in Jesus’ restoration of Peter. After Peter’s three denials of Jesus, he must have felt like that broken clay—unworthy and irreparably flawed. His failure felt final. But in John 21, Jesus met him on the shore after the resurrection and offered Peter a second chance. Not only did Jesus forgive him, but He also gave him a new purpose: “Feed my lambs,” He said, giving Peter the responsibility to care for His people.

Peter’s story reminds us that God doesn’t discard us after we fail. He offers second chances. Peter’s denials didn’t disqualify him from God’s purpose; instead, they became a part of his redemption story. Jesus used Peter’s weakness to show His grace and to build His church through him.

Like the potter with the clay, God isn’t surprised by our failures. He doesn’t give up on us when we stumble. Instead, He gently shapes us, offers forgiveness, and calls us to a renewed purpose. Peter, who once denied Jesus, became a bold leader, preaching the gospel on the church’s first day at Pentecost.

Think about the areas in your life where you’ve stumbled. Have you allowed those mistakes to define you? Remember that God is in the business of restoration. No matter how many times we fall, He’s there to offer forgiveness and a fresh start.

Jesus isn’t done with you. Just as He restored Peter, He offers you a second chance today. Will you accept His forgiveness, trust His grace, and step into the new purpose He has for you? Like the potter with the clay, He can make something beautiful out of your life, no matter the brokenness. God is ready to give you a second chance. Will you accept it?

Digging Deeper – The Testing of Our Faith

Steve Roach on February 4, 2025

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Matthew 14:28-31 (NLT)

THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH

Imagine a tightrope stretched across a deep canyon. A skilled tightrope walker balances confidently, crossing back and forth as the crowd watches in awe. The performer then asks, “Do you believe I can carry someone across on my back?” The crowd cheers, “Yes!” But when he asks for a volunteer, silence falls. Believing in theory is easy; stepping onto the rope requires trust. Peter faced a similar test of faith. As he stepped out of the boat during a storm, his initial focus was on Jesus. Miraculously, he walked on water. But as soon as he noticed the wind and waves, fear overwhelmed him, and he began to sink.

This story reminds us that faith is more than belief—it’s trust in action. It’s stepping onto the “tightrope” of life’s challenges, even when the winds howl and the waves rise. Testing our faith often means leaving the safety of the boat and walking into the unknown, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. The key to Peter’s moment of triumph—and failure—was his focus. While his eyes were on Jesus, he accomplished the impossible. When he focused on the storm, he faltered. Like Peter, we often start with bold faith, but the pressures of life—uncertainty, fear, or doubt—can shift our gaze away from Christ.

The good news is that even when Peter began to sink, Jesus didn’t let him drown. Instead, He immediately reached out His hand and pulled him to safety. Testing our faith isn’t about never faltering; it’s about learning to cry out, “Lord, save me!” and trusting that He will respond.

In life, storms will come, and our faith will be tested. The question is, will we focus on the chaos or the One who has authority over it? Like the crowd at the canyon, it’s not enough to cheer from the sidelines; we must step out in trust, even when it feels risky.

Take a moment to reflect: What “storm” are you facing today? What step of faith is God asking you to take? Fix your eyes on Jesus, the One who calls you to trust Him. And when your faith falters, remember His hand is always there to lift you up.

With Jesus, you can walk on water—even in the storm.

Digging Deeper – The Call to Leave the Shore

Steve Roach on February 3, 2025

18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

THE CALL TO LEAVE THE SHORE

Picture a small sailboat tied to a dock. The boat is sturdy and safe, anchored in the harbor. But boats weren’t made to sit idle—they’re meant to explore open waters, braving winds and waves. Yet, cutting the rope to leave the dock feels risky. What if the storms are too strong? What if the boat capsizes?

Simon Peter and Andrew faced a similar choice when Jesus called them. They were fishermen, anchored in their daily routines and the security of their trade. Their nets symbolized their livelihood and identity. But when Jesus said, “Come, follow me,” they didn’t hesitate. They cut the ropes, left their nets, and stepped into the unknown with Him. Jesus wasn’t just calling them away from something—He was calling them toward something greater: a life of eternal significance. He promised to transform their skills and experiences, making them “fishers of people.” It wasn’t about abandoning who they were but repurposing their lives for His kingdom.

Like the boat tied to the dock, we often cling to what feels safe—our “nets.” These could be jobs, relationships, habits, or even fears that keep us anchored. But Jesus calls us to trust Him, to let go of the familiar, and to follow Him into the open waters of faith. Leaving the shore isn’t easy. The winds of uncertainty and waves of doubt can feel overwhelming. But just as Simon and Andrew discovered, Jesus is trustworthy. He doesn’t promise calm seas, but He does promise to be with us and to lead us to a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Take a moment to ask yourself: What is your “net”? What are you holding onto that might be keeping you from fully following Jesus? He’s calling you to leave the dock, to trust Him, and to step into His plans for your life. When Simon and Andrew let go of their nets, they stepped into a story far greater than they could have imagined—a story that is still impacting the world today. The same invitation is extended to you. Will you trust Him, leave your nets behind, and follow? The open waters await.