Digging Deeper – Page 3 – NorthStar Church Blog

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.

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 – 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.

Digging Deeper: Linger

Minda Seagraves on January 31, 2025

⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

⁵“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:4-5 (NLT)

LINGER

If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a “word” person. I love digging into a word’s original meaning, tracing it back to how it was used in its original context, and discovering the richness behind what the writer was trying to convey.

Because of that, it might not surprise you that every year, instead of setting resolutions or goals, I choose a word. Well, actually, I don’t choose the word—I let the Lord do that. Around September or October each year, I start praying and listening, asking God to reveal what He wants me to focus on for the upcoming year.

For 2025, the word He gave me is linger.

At first, I thought, That’s an odd word. I even waited, thinking maybe something else would rise to the surface. But He kept pressing this idea into my heart: staying with Him, abiding in Him, and spending unrushed, intentional time at His feet.

It all clicked when this verse came up in our small group. It was one of those sacred moments where the world around you fades away, and it feels like God is speaking directly to your heart. I knew, without a doubt, that linger was my word for 2025.

So, naturally, I did what I always do—I dove into Scripture, searching for verses about lingering. I found plenty of cross-references about abiding, but nothing that used the word linger itself. That was a first for me. Usually, I have a handful of anchor verses to guide me, but this year felt different.

It’s almost as if, by giving me a word that’s not commonly found in Scripture, God is inviting me to lean in closer—to press into Him and His Word in a deeper, more personal way so He can reveal what linger truly means for my heart. It feels like He’s calling me into a season of tender submission, where I sit with Him longer and let Him shape me in the stillness.

Whether you’re a “word” person, a resolutions person, or a goals person, I believe God is calling all of us to linger with Him. And it’s not just important—it’s vital.

Lingering with the Lord is how we make it through the heavy, hard days. It’s how we find strength for tough conversations and challenging situations. It’s how we remember where our power comes from.

As we step into 2025, I pray for God’s blessings over you. But more than that, I pray you’ll take time to pause, to sit with Him, and to linger just a little longer.

Minda Seagraves has been married to her best friend, Russell, for 17 years and is mom to Carson and Maddie. She is also a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a chaplain to local female high school teams and supports 380 staff across four states in the U.S. and 20 countries in East Africa as the Regional Director of Talent Advancement with FCA. Minda and her family live in Acworth and have been attending NorthStar Church since 2020.

Digging Deeper: Serve Like Crazy

Minda Seagraves on January 30, 2025

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for
us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

SERVE LIKE CRAZY

I’ll admit it—I like to take credit for the good things I do. Maybe it’s because I naturally drift toward selfishness or pride, but when I go out of my way to help someone or do something kind, it feels pretty great.

And honestly, I think it’s supposed to feel that way. There’s joy in serving others because God’s Word tells us we reflect Him most clearly when we serve. When our actions align with Christ, there’s a deep, soul-level happiness that comes from knowing we’re walking in step with Him.

But here’s the humbling part: whenever I stop to think about it, any good I do has far less to do with me and everything to do with Him.

In Ephesians, Paul tells us we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. But he doesn’t stop there—he adds that these good works were prepared in advance for us. Every time I want to pat myself on the back for helping someone, I’m reminded of this verse. Yes, I feel joy and pride because I’m aligned with Christ in serving His creation, but even that opportunity, that desire to serve, comes from God.

It’s a mind-bender, really—any good we do is something God gave us so we could give it back to Him. It’s all about Him. Period.

So when we serve, let’s serve with our whole hearts. When we give, let’s give abundantly, knowing that every effort we make, every gift we offer, comes from the wellspring of God’s love and grace. Whether it’s something small or something monumental, God doesn’t measure our service by size. He only asks that we do it.

And here’s the catch: He calls us to serve everyone. Not just those who look like us, talk like us, or believe like us—but everyone. He calls us to love and serve with the same lavish, reckless abandon that He loves us with.

We’ll never be able to match the degree to which Christ served and loved us, but what if that was our aim? What if we woke up every day determined to serve others so radically that people around us thought we were absolutely crazy?

You know what? I’ll take it. I’ll gladly be called crazy for the way I love and serve others because isn’t that what they said about Jesus? Didn’t people judge and criticize Him for the way He lavishly loved and served?

That’s our example. That’s our goal—not to serve when it’s convenient or easy, but to step into the good works God prepared for us, even when they stretch us beyond our limits. And when that happens, we can tap into the Holy Spirit’s power to do what God has called us to do.

When we serve and love others like that, we’ll find ourselves waking up the next day ready to do it all over again—and the day after that, and the day after that.

Digging Deeper: Fall and Get Back Up

Minda Seagraves on January 29, 2025

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

FALL AND GET BACK UP

I recently read John Mark Comer’s book Practicing the Way, and there’s a part that really stuck with me. He shares a conversation with some monks who were asked what they do all day in the monastery. Their reply? “Fall and get back up, fall and get back up, fall and get back up.”

What a beautiful picture of what it means to be apprentices of Jesus!

I love the mental image this creates—someone praying, serving, and seeking God daily, even though they don’t always get it right. It’s a reminder that even the most devoted people stumble. But here’s the thing: we tend to be so much harder on ourselves than God ever is. When we fail to measure up, we need to ask: who set the standard? Spoiler alert—it’s probably not God.

The Lord’s standard for us is simple: turn to Him daily and seek His will. He knows we’re going to mess up. He knows we’ll fall short. He knows we’ll fail—again and again—and yet, He loves us. He loved us before we messed up, and He loves us no matter how big or small the mess.

As Psalm 73:26 reminds us: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” That’s not just a feel-good phrase or a motivational quote for a coffee mug. It’s a promise we can rely on. Yes, we’re going to fall, but our strength doesn’t come from us—it comes from God. He’s the one who gives us what we need to get back up, dust ourselves off, and keep going.

When failure happens (and it will), it’s not the time to throw in the towel. It’s the time to take a deep breath, learn from the mistake, and press forward. The scraped knees we get along the way? They’re not wasted. God uses even those to teach us, shape us, and remind us that He’s walking with us every step of the journey.

So, when you stumble, remember: fall and get back up, fall and get back up, fall and get back up. And keep moving forward with Him.

Digging Deeper: Great Passion

Minda Seagraves on January 28, 2025

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Romans 12:11

GREAT PASSION

The Oxford Dictionary defines passion as a “strong and barely controllable emotion.” You don’t have to look far to see passionate people. Whether it’s a sports team, a political movement, or even strong opinions about how people should drive in a roundabout, passion is everywhere. If there’s one thing we’re not short on, it’s enthusiasm.

But here’s the kicker: while we can easily get fired up about all kinds of things, many of us struggle to channel that same level of passion into our faith—the kind of passion Paul describes in Romans 12. We know what passion looks like in everyday life, but what does it mean to be passionate in following Jesus? Let’s break it down using Paul’s words.

First, Paul tells us to “never be lacking in zeal.” What’s zeal, exactly? Back to the Oxford Dictionary: it’s “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.”
Next, he says to “keep your spiritual fervor.” Fervor? That’s defined as “an intense and passionate feeling.”
Finally, Paul connects these ideas to serving the Lord.

When you put it all together, it sounds a little like that guy at the football game in subzero weather, completely decked out in body paint and screaming at the top of his lungs. That’s a visual, right? But it’s actually a great picture of what passion in pursuit of a cause can look like.

Now, imagine if we, as believers, harnessed that same energy and enthusiasm—not to be the person on the street corner with a megaphone, but to live out our faith with that level of excitement and commitment. What if we approached being an apprentice of Jesus with the same intensity as body paint guy does for his team?

Too often, we make faith look like a list of rules: the do’s, the don’ts, and the have-nots. Sure, there are boundaries to follow, but we don’t spend enough time highlighting the good that comes from them—the freedom those guardrails provide and the joy we get to experience as followers of Christ.

What if we shared the full picture of faith? The passion. The joy. The freedom. The incredible adventure of following Jesus. Because when we do, faith becomes irresistible—not just for us, but for everyone around us.

Digging Deeper: When Plans Change

Minda Seagraves on January 27, 2025

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

WHEN PLANS CHANGE

According to Google’s AI overview, Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most well-known scriptures about God’s plans for us—and honestly, I have to agree. But let’s be real: when life feels hard, disappointing, or just far from what we imagined it should be, it can be tough to hold on to the promise in these words. And yet, those moments are precisely when we need to cling to them—not because it feels easy, logical, or even natural, but because we know deep down they are true.

Looking back on my own life, I can think of plenty of times when my plans didn’t pan out. One that stands out, for whatever reason, is my early college experience. I was certain I was going to pharmacy school. I thought, This is the plan. All I need to do is work hard, and it’ll happen. In high school, I didn’t have to try too hard to get good grades, so I assumed college would be the same. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

College required more than just showing up and glancing over my notes. Before the drop/add period ended in my first semester, I found myself sitting in the registrar’s office, withdrawing from every single class. With that decision, my dreams, hopes, and vision for the future seemed to evaporate. It felt like failure on every level.

Peter’s story reminds me that I’m not alone in this. From what we know of his life, he had more than a few plans that didn’t go the way he expected. As a boy, he probably dreamed of becoming a rabbi but ended up taking on the family fishing business instead. Later, he followed Jesus, believing Him to be the Messiah, only to have that hope seemingly shattered at the crucifixion. And then, just as his world had turned upside down, the resurrected Jesus appeared to him, changing everything once again.

I imagine Peter often felt like he couldn’t figure out which way was up. He had plans—good plans, noble plans, exciting plans—but that’s the thing about plans: they rarely turn out how we expect.

There’s a saying I’ve always liked: Plan like it depends on you, and pray like it depends on God. It’s good advice because we’re not called to sit idly by, waiting for things to fall into place. God invites us to dream, plan, and act. The key, though, is making sure our plans align with His will—and being willing to let Him take the lead, even if it means abandoning our carefully laid-out path.

Like He did for Peter—and like He’s done for me—God often gives us a new course to follow. What feels like a detour or a derailment to us is never a surprise to Him. And in the way only He can, He takes those moments and turns them into something more beautiful and amazing than we could have ever imagined.