Author: Steve Roach

 

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives…

Acts 1:12 (NLT)

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FOCUS FORWARD WITH OBEDIENCE

After everything they had seen and heard, the disciples did what Jesus said. They returned to Jerusalem. They obeyed. It may have seemed anticlimactic, but it was crucial. Their obedience positioned them for what God would do next.

Obedience may not feel exciting, but it is always essential. Sometimes it looks like showing up again, staying faithful in your work, loving difficult people, or forgiving even when it still hurts. Obedience creates space for God’s power to work.

A single mom named Denise felt God prompting her to invite her estranged father to church. They hadn’t spoken in years. She resisted the idea for months, but the conviction wouldn’t go away. Finally, she sent the text. To her shock, he came. That morning, he gave his life to Christ.

Weeks later, he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer and passed away within the year. Denise said, “If I hadn’t obeyed, I would have missed the miracle.”

Where is God asking you to return, obey, or remain faithful today? Write it down, and commit to walk it out.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth 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.

 

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer…

Acts 1:14 (NLT)

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STAY DEVOTED TO PRAYER AND COMMUNITY

Before preaching, before miracles, before the early church exploded in growth, the disciples gathered to pray. They did not isolate. They did not try to figure things out alone. They stayed in community, devoted to prayer. There is power when God’s people pray together. Prayer aligns us with God’s will, strengthens our unity, and invites the Spirit to move. Community reminds us we are not alone. The early church understood they needed each other to stay faithful.

One of the most inspiring historical examples of the power of prayer and community comes from George Müller, who ran orphanages in 19th-century England. He cared for over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime, never once asking people for money. Instead, he prayed and trusted God for every need.

On one famous morning, the orphanage had no food. Yet Müller led the children in giving thanks anyway. Moments later, a baker knocked on the door. He had woken up at 2 a.m., sensing God wanted him to bake bread for the children. Soon after, a milk cart broke down right outside, and the milkman offered all the milk before it spoiled. Müller’s faith and community of prayer became a global testimony of God’s provision.

Who are you praying for today? Who are you joining in prayer with to ask God for answers?

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth 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.

 

As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return…”

Acts 1:10-11 (NLT)

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DON’T GET DISTRACTED FROM THE MISSION

The disciples were understandably amazed by Jesus’ ascension. But then the angels appeared and asked a powerful question: “Why are you standing here?” In other words, do not just admire the moment—go live the mission.

We can easily become stuck in our walk with Jesus because we are staring, stalling, or spectating. Distractions come in many forms: fear, comfort, entertainment, or even routine. We can be so caught up in consuming Christian content that we forget to live it out.

A college student once felt a strong call to start a Bible study in his dorm. But weeks passed, and he kept putting it off—too busy, too nervous, too distracted. Then one day, a classmate overdosed in the room across the hall. The student sensed that this was the moment God wanted him to begin the study, especially with so many students struggling with what had happened. He launched the study the following week. Today, three of those original students are in full-time ministry.

What is distracting you from fully engaging in the mission?

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth 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.

 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

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EMPOWERED TO LIVE SENT

Jesus does not just call us to a mission; He also gives us the power to fulfill it. When we think about sharing our faith, serving others, or making disciples, it can feel overwhelming. But God never intended for us to do this in our own strength.

To “live sent” means understanding that our daily lives are integral to God’s greater plan. Every relationship, every responsibility, and every place we go is a mission field. The power of the Holy Spirit enables ordinary people to live with extraordinary purpose.

Years ago, a UPS driver in Texas delivered packages in the same neighborhood for over a decade. One day, he stopped to help a woman whose groceries had spilled in the street. That small act led to a conversation. Over time, neighbors came to trust him with their struggles. Eventually, he began praying with people on his route and even led two neighbors to Christ. His delivery truck became a mobile mission field.

How can you “live sent” today, right where you are? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you with boldness, compassion, and clarity.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth 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.

 

Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised… In just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:4-5 (NLT)

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WAITING ON GOD

Jesus had just risen from the dead. The disciples were eager. The world was in need. But Jesus said, “Wait.”

That may sound surprising. Why wait when you have the greatest news in history? Because Jesus knew the mission was impossible without the Spirit. The gospel cannot be lived out or shared effectively without God’s power.

Waiting on God is not about inactivity; it is about preparation. It is about learning to trust God’s timing more than our impulses or feelings. The temptation we face is to rush into decisions, relationships, or conversations without seeking God’s direction. But Jesus modeled a different way of living. He made sure to include time alone with His Father in prayer. He was never in a hurry. In fact, He even delayed a day when His friend Lazarus was close to death. Jesus never made a move without considering His Father’s will.

During World War II, General George Patton was told to wait before advancing his troops. Instead of pushing forward out of impatience, he followed orders. Days later, he learned that his delay had prevented his men from walking into a deadly ambush. What looked like wasted time turned out to be divine protection.

Waiting isn’t weakness when it’s obedience. Where do you need to slow down and wait on the Spirit before moving forward? Ask God to prepare your heart and equip you as you wait.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth 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.

 

“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)

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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.

 

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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.

 

“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)

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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.

 

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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.

 

“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)

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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.”

 

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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.

 

“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)

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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.

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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.

 

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)

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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.

 

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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.