Digging Deeper: Letter 310

Avatar photo Lee Wilson on October 8, 2025

 

“I thank my God in all my remeberance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of you partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,”

Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)


LETTER 310

 

Rayner Unwin was an English publisher, serving as the chairman of the publishing company George Allen & Unwin, founded by his father, Sir Stanley Unwin.

In 1936, the company was considering a manuscript written for a youthful audience. The senior Unwin believed in allowing children to read manuscripts before agreeing to publish them, as a way to gauge their potential for success. In this instance, he decided that his 10-year-old son Rayner was the man for the job and asked him to read it.

This manuscript in particular was from an unknown author, but Rayner immediately fell in love with it. In his written review to his father, Rayner highlighted the mythical landscape built by the author—featuring goblins, dragons, and wizards—saying, “With the help of maps, this book needs no illustrations and should appeal to all children aged 5 to 9.”

So, with the encouragement of his son, Stanley published the book, titled The Hobbit, which became a success and brought author J. R. R. Tolkien his first major recognition. Tolkien and the younger Unwin went on to develop a unique friendship, with Rayner eventually becoming a primary source of feedback for Tolkien’s later series, The Lord of the Rings.

Years later, Rayner, now the chairman of the company, had a daughter named Camilla who came home with an interesting school assignment. She ended up writing a letter to her father’s friend, Tolkien, seeking an answer to the question: “What is the purpose of life?”

A weighty question for anyone to answer, Tolkien took his time to respond to young Camilla but ultimately produced a beautifully written letter, known as “Letter 310” in the published Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, which highlights his correspondence with various people over the years. In that response, Tolkien posed deeply rich philosophical ideas around God and expressed his belief that true purpose can only exist through faith in Him.

Tolkien then wrote:
“So it may be said that the chief purpose of life, for any one of us, is to increase, according to our capacity, our knowledge of God by all means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks.”

We discussed thankfulness on different levels this past Sunday, and according to the famed author, our purpose for living is to be in constant praise and worship of our Creator, devoting everything we have to showing praise and thanks. What a beautifully humbling sentiment!

We each have much to be thankful for, so let us show it in praise to the only One worthy of it—making it our chief purpose today.

 

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

Digging Deeper: Intentional Thanks

Avatar photo Lee Wilson on October 7, 2025

 

“I thank my God in all my remeberance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of you partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,”

Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)


INTENTIONAL THANKS

 

You might not know it from the persistent Southern heat, but fall is upon us—college football, pumpkin-spiced everything, chili—all the things that come with it. It also means Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

Thanksgiving is a day in modern times when Americans come together to celebrate the majesty of football and turkey, two things you probably immediately thought of when considering the holiday. It also gives us an opportunity to settle down and intentionally reposition our thoughts to be grateful for the blessings we have, and to reflect on them with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving has its roots in colonial feasts in Plymouth, and it is mentioned by George Washington, yet it did not become an official U.S. holiday until 1863, in the throes of the Civil War.

In addition to the emotional and political tumult of the war, it robbed our nation of over 620,000 souls. Those lives were lost on battlefields all over our country, including some just down the road from our church at Kennesaw Mountain.

President Abraham Lincoln was known for his oratory prowess and ability to remain thoughtful and humble even amidst the most dire of circumstances. It was Lincoln, at the urging of editor and author Sarah Josepha Hale, who sought to make the day a permanent mainstay for the country. He did so hoping to encourage a measure of unity in a war-torn nation ravaged by battle.

In the middle of a relentlessly bloody war, our 16th president believed that intentional thankfulness could be a unifying force.

This past Sunday, we discussed Philippians and focused on different aspects of thankfulness. The letter was written by the apostle Paul, a man who—like Lincoln—was intimately familiar with pain and suffering. In fact, the letter was written while he was in a Roman jail cell.

The apostle expresses thanks to the people of Philippi amidst his suffering, setting a clear example for us to follow. If our focus is on Jesus Christ and we have a gracious heart, then we can be nothing short of thankful for every breath that fills our lungs.

Paul goes on to say in verses 12–13:
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.”

In the midst of great trial, Paul helps us refocus on what matters most—doing all we do for Christ, even when imprisoned. So, whether today you face joyous sunshine or a perilous storm, do so with a grateful heart, remembering that all we do is for Christ!

 

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

Digging Deeper: Gratefully Looking Ahead

Avatar photo Lee Wilson on October 6, 2025

 

“I thank my God in all my remeberance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of you partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,”

Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)


GRATEFULLY LOOKING AHEAD

 

Truly great athletes often have an aspirational drive that is baffling to regular people. People like Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and Kobe Bryant all had an insatiable drive to be the best.

In addition to winning countless games and championships, players like this also eventually get selected to the Hall of Fame in their respective sports. I used to love watching the videos of former NFL Hall of Fame CEO David Baker when he would “knock on the door” of former players over Super Bowl weekend. That knock would set off an eruption of joy from those inside as they knew good news was coming.

Baker would address the players in an interesting way—by thanking them not only for all they had done for the game but also for all they were going to do—before officially welcoming them to the Hall of Fame. I always liked the idea behind this: while your achievements up to this point led you here, there is still work to be done now that you are here.

This past Sunday, we got to celebrate as a church family our renovations. The upgrades to the Compass building and the new additions are an answered prayer for many and provide us as a church family with an incredible opportunity to grow NorthStar’s impact and reach in the community.

It would, of course, be appropriate to overflow with gratitude and joy, marveling at what God has done for us! Famed pastor and theologian Charles Spurgeon once put it like this:

“Has the Lord been gracious to you and inclined His ear to the voice of your prayer? Then thank Him as long as you live. Let the ripe fruit fall upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Do not fail to sing in praise of Him who has answered your prayer and has given you the desire of your heart.”

So yes, we should be glad! But in the spirit of David Baker, we have reached a wonderful moment—with more work yet to do. So, absorb this welcome-home party and be grateful for how far the Lord has brought us and all He has accomplished. But as you think and pray about this new physical footprint, be hopeful and intentional about asking the Lord to increase and grow His spiritual footprint in our community!

 

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

Digging Deeper – We Need Each Other

Avatar photo David Griffith on October 3, 2025

 

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 11:19-30

 

WE NEED EACH OTHER

 

God did not intend for us to do life alone. That is why He sent His Son as our example. That is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give us power from on high (Acts 1:8). That is why the Holy Spirit formed us into congregations called churches and encouraged us to meet together often (Hebrews 10:25). That is why the Spirit assigned various gifts to each of us, so that no one person would be responsible for carrying the entire load of the church. We are one body with many parts, all working together to bring about God’s purpose of making Him known to a lost and dying world.

In this passage, we see the establishment of a new and dynamic church that was instrumental in sharing the gospel, discipling new believers, giving to the needs of others, and eventually becoming the launching pad for the spread of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. All of this was possible because the church members learned to—and were willing to—work together in partnership.

Evangelists (ordinary people who loved Jesus) spread the gospel. The Jerusalem church noticed and sent help through Barnabas, who in turn brought Paul to instill vision and passion in the church. Then Agabus delivered a word from the Lord about needs that could be met by a sister church. God’s plan does not work as a solo act—it works when everyone uses their spiritual gifts as instruments, playing in harmony with one another, writing songs of praise on the hearts of the lost. God intended us to be a choir, bringing forth worship and service before the throne of grace in love. Alone, we may be effective for a moment, but not for the marathon called life.

If you are a member of NSC and already playing your instrument in the worship band of the saints—bless you! Play on! If you have not yet begun to play (serve) at NorthStar, then discover which “instrument” we are missing (we’ve been waiting for you—we sound a little “tinny” without you) and plug in. You will be welcomed with open arms. I know there is much need in children’s ministry. Go make a kid’s day!

The church is born out of persecution, as it meets the needs around us. It takes people, in a place, with the proper perspective of purpose, working in partnership to accomplish God’s plan of glorifying His Son. We do this by Loving God, Loving People, and Living Sent!

 

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper – Are You Living on Mission?

Avatar photo David Griffith on October 2, 2025

 

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 11:19-30

 

ARE YOU LIVING ON MISSION?

 

PURPOSE! Everyone is searching for their purpose in life. What does God want me to do with my life? What is my purpose?

May I propose a perspective? God only has one purpose for all His children: to know Him and to make Him known. That’s it! Simple, though not always easy. With the demands of life, it can feel complicated, but the truth is clear: grow in your knowledge of God every day, and share Him with those He places in your path.

The believers who made up the church (see Tuesday’s devotional) understood this. They probably had different professions and family dynamics, but they all shared the same purpose: to know Jesus intimately and to make Him known—whether to unbelievers or to those who needed to know Him better.

When we live with clarity of purpose, it attracts both the Spirit and the body of Christ to come alongside us. That’s exactly what happened in Antioch:

  • “The Lord was with them” (v. 21).

  • “The news reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch” (v. 22).

The Spirit was present, the church rallied, and Barnabas brought Paul to help. The result? Antioch became one of the most effective congregations of the first century. They strengthened the church in Jerusalem, sent Paul and Barnabas on missionary journeys, and later supported both as they went out separately. Antioch thrived because its people knew their purpose.

Have you been wrestling with God’s purpose for your life? Struggle no more! Seasons change. Circumstances shift. But the overarching call remains the same: Know God, and make Him known.

Every decision in life can be viewed through this lens:

  • Marriage: Will this relationship deepen my walk with Jesus? Will we make Him known together?

  • Career: Will this job help me know Christ more and create opportunities to share Him?

  • Education: Will this choice of college or training strengthen my faith and platform for ministry?

Too often, we make decisions based on temporal knowledge rather than eternal outcomes:

  • “This job offers more money and perks—surely it must be God’s will! Yes, it means constant travel and less time with family, but think of the benefits…”

  • “He treats me so well. He’s not a believer yet, but maybe one day…”

  • “All my friends are going to this university—I’ll find a ministry there… eventually.”

God’s call remains steady: PURPOSE—Know Him and make Him known! Simple.

Tomorrow we’ll look at the last essential element: Partnership.

 

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper – The Church is a Place of Refuge

Avatar photo David Griffith on October 1, 2025

 

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 11:19-30

 

THE CHURCH IS A PLACE OF REFUGE

 

We all know that the church is not a building, but is made up of the body of believers who may gather in that building. I am not even sure whether the church at Antioch had a physical building or whether it met house to house in small groups. What I do know is that in this passage, Luke calls it “the church at Antioch” (v. 26).

What was the significance of the church at Antioch?

  1. It was shelter from the storms of life—“a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord” (v. 21).

  2. It was a place to be encouraged to keep Jesus the main thing (v. 23).

  3. It was a place to be taught and to grow as disciples (v. 26).

  4. It was a place to gain an identity that set them apart from the world (v. 26b).

  5. It was a place to learn to give and to meet the needs of others (vv. 29–30).

An “Antioch-style” church is one that becomes a place of refuge when we, and those around us, are battered by the tempests of life. NorthStar Church is used by our community more than 250 times a year for things that have nothing to do with “church.” NorthStar exists to be an answer to people’s problems and needs. We are a refuge in the storms of everyday life.

But let’s remember what the church is—and what it is not. The church is the people. It is you and it is me! It is not just the leadership or staff—it is the congregation who become the refuge.

When we see a couple in our neighborhood struggling with a difficult trial, it is up to us to come alongside them first, and then involve other, more gifted members of the body if necessary to help them secure their boat during the storm. When the church building is made available to the community, we point them to Jesus not only through the facility itself but also through the loving hearts that serve them during their events.

Why? Because the storms of life will come. And when they do, people will remember who stood by them during calm seas. Our hope is that they will turn to our “port” for help and safety when that time arrives. Then, we can continue to serve them in the very purpose for which we were created (see #1–5 above).

The new improvements to our campus are almost complete. On October 5, we will be able to “launch” our newer, more seaworthy vessel into the sea of humanity that surrounds us here in NW Atlanta. It will be ALL HANDS ON DECK as we set sail on our mission of mercy to a lost and dying world. May we man our positions with joy and resolve to do all that God has created us to do (see Ephesians 2:10).

Tomorrow we will look at the 4th necessary element: Perspective.

 

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper – Everyone Has a Role

Avatar photo David Griffith on September 30, 2025

 

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 11:19-30

 

EVERYONE HAS A ROLE

 

In this passage, we are introduced to the “characters” in the story of the birth of the church at Antioch. They include:

  • Christians who were scattered and preached Jesus

  • Jews and Greeks who received the Lord as a result of that preaching

  • The church in Jerusalem

  • Barnabas

  • A considerable number of new believers

  • Saul (Paul)

  • Prophets (specifically Agabus)

  • The brethren living in Judea

Now that we know the cast, what role did each play in establishing the church?

First, it takes evangelists to share the truth about our Savior! Apart from those saints who are willing to share the love of Christ with a lost and hurting world, there would be no church; there would be no NorthStar.

Second, it takes those who receive the good news and become disciples of Jesus Christ. The word “disciple” in Greek means student. In verse 29, the word “believers” is also translated “disciples” in other versions. These disciples—students of the Word—sent a gift back to Judea.

Third, an established church needs a Barnabas, doesn’t it? Someone who is a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. Someone who can preach and teach, but who also has the wisdom to see what the church needs beyond his own strengths. A servant-leader marked by discernment.

Fourth, the modern-day “Antioch” church needs a Paul. A zealot. A visionary who is undeterred by obstacles, fully committed to the mission God has entrusted to them.

Fifth, the church needs prophets—those who hear from the Lord and help move the body into action on behalf of the church and the world.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of the gifts in the church, but it is a pretty effective one for a Christ-honoring body. So, the question is: Who are you?

  • Are you an evangelist, passionate about making Jesus known? Amen!

  • Are you new in your faith, sitting at His feet as a disciple, eager to learn your role in His kingdom? Amen!

  • Are you a Barnabas, a servant-leader who encourages and strengthens others? Amen!

  • Are you a Paul, brimming with vision and drive to expand the church’s influence? Amen!

  • Are you an Agabus, attuned to the needs of the church and calling others to action? Amen!

The primary truth is this: God uses everyone in the church to grow the church. Each of us has been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s purpose—to know Him, and to make Him known.

Read 1 Corinthians 12 in its entirety to discern your spiritual gift. You’ll recognize it as the gift that comes most naturally to you. Then, look for ways to exercise that gift within the body of Christ—within NorthStar. The church cannot operate effectively without you!

Tomorrow we will look at the third necessary element: Place.

 

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper – Persecution in the Suburbs

Avatar photo David Griffith on September 29, 2025

 

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 11:19-30

 

PERSECUTION IN THE SUBURBS

 

North Star is experiencing some pretty impressive growth at the moment. In many ways, NSC mirrors the church at Antioch we just read about. For a church to grow—and not just numerically—it must have several key elements fueling that growth. This week, let’s take a look at what, and who, it takes to sustain a healthy “Antioch-like” church.

These elements include: Persecution (or trials), People, Place, Perspective, and Partnership.

Today’s Focus: Persecution

In the NW Cobb area of Atlanta, we do not experience the kind of persecution described in Acts 11—at least not yet. There has not been an all-out attack on Christians like the one that followed Stephen’s stoning. But that doesn’t mean our neighbors aren’t feeling the weight of life in ways that can feel like persecution.

Whether it’s job difficulties, marriage stress, physical infirmities, or psychological struggles, we live in a world filled with detours and difficulties. In reality, many in our own church family are walking through these very trials.

What did the believers who fled persecution do? They fled—and they shared. They sought safety, but they also shared the good news of Jesus wherever they went.

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet we know it’s not always possible—or even biblical—to escape the heat of a fiery trial. More often than not, God’s will is for us to walk through the fire so our souls may be purified. Jesus promised we would have peace in trials because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Even so, we can flee spiritually. We can run to Jesus, our refuge, who offers rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28–30). But that rest is not an escape from mission. Those who fled Jerusalem went on to share the message of Christ. Some even crossed cultural lines, speaking to the Greeks—and revival broke out.

These persecuted believers didn’t hunker down in safety. They shared the hope within them—and God showed up.

So, when trials come, when persecution persists:

  • Flee to the One who is our peace.

  • Persevere through the storm.

  • When you see others suffering, come alongside them and point them to Jesus.

That is why we are in our own “Antioch” today.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at the second necessary element: People!

 

 

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper: Leaving a Legacy

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on September 26, 2025

 

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’”

Luke 12:21 (NIV)


LEAVING A LEGACY

 

I think about legacy more than I used to. Maybe it’s because our oldest just left for college and I know our youngest isn’t far behind…but I find myself wondering what they’ll remember from their childhood seasons. It’s easy to assume legacy is about what we leave for people—money, a house, heirlooms. But in Luke 12:21, Jesus warns that it’s possible to leave behind plenty of things and still have nothing that matters. The man in His parable had wealth stored up, barns full, and a future planned—but he was poor in the one thing that lasts: a relationship with God. That truth is unsettling.

As a mom—and as a parent—we often carry the heartbeat of our homes. But in the chaos of daily life, it’s easy to focus on providing for our families and forget to pass on what truly anchors us. Yes, I want my children to have wisdom, provision, even special family recipes and stories. But more than anything, I want them to have a deep relationship with God. I want them to remember how we prayed when times felt uncertain—that I opened my Bible more than I opened my Amazon cart.

Being “rich toward God” means walking with Him daily—trusting Him, talking to Him, and prioritizing His kingdom over our comfort. And when we do that, we’re planting seeds in the hearts of those around us. Seeds that don’t just grow in this life, but prayerfully in the one to come. Someday, our bank accounts will be forgotten. But the way we loved Jesus in front of our children, our families, and our community? That could shape generations.

Prayer:
I pray as you close out this week, you’re reminded of the impact you can make right where you’re planted. That your life—no matter what possessions you have—would be a life that points others to Him. Lord, help us be rich in You and not in this world, so that we can help shape eternity.

 

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea.  She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders.  She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan.  She stays active in the Dallas area as a  photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

 

Digging Deeper: Open Hands

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on September 25, 2025

 

                     “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but it not rich toward God.”

 

Luke 12:21 (NIV)


OPEN HANDS

 

As a mom and teacher, I feel like I’m constantly giving—my time, energy, even my sleep. Sometimes it feels like there’s nothing left. Yet when it comes to generosity—whether helping a friend in need, giving, or making time for someone else—I sometimes find myself hesitating, overthinking: “But do we have that to spare?”

But God doesn’t ask us to give from abundance; He asks us to give with faith. Being rich toward God means living with open hands, even when we feel we don’t have much to offer.

Prayer:
Today I pray that God would make us rich toward Him. Loosen our grip on time, money, and comfort. Help us model generosity, not scarcity. Let our homes be known as places of giving—not just to our own, but to others in need.

 

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea.  She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders.  She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan.  She stays active in the Dallas area as a  photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.