Category: Digging Deeper

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (CSB)

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EMPOWERED

 

If yesterday’s discussion on obedience left you feeling frustrated that you’re not further along, you’re not alone. Paul said it best when he confessed, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15)

 

So, where do we learn how to love and obey God? In the Bible alone. 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 

 

I often think, I could be a much better follower of Jesus if he walked around here with me. Wouldn’t that be something? Jesus knew this would be in all of us who follow Him. Just before his crucifixion, He comforted his disciples, saying, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26) 

 

We can’t overlook the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our ability to believe, obey, and ultimately be filled with joy, peace, and hope is the beautiful, empowering handiwork of the Holy Spirit. He is our source for all that God is calling us to.

 

As you begin this day, spend some time being honest about all you might be trying to accomplish in your own power. Now, begin to imagine what your life and your calling might begin to look like, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Friends, He can do abundantly more than you could ever dare to dream!

 

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to power that is at work with us, to Him be the glory …” Ephesians 3:20-21

 

PRAY: I need you, Holy Spirit. Empower me to glorify you in all that you ordain for me today. Amen.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (CSB)

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BELIEVE

 

During the Christmas season, the word “believe” is tossed around quite a bit. I immediately think of the scene near the end of the movie The Polar Express where the conductor frantically punches holes in the child’s ticket, and much to his surprise, it says, “Believe.”

 

The pages of scripture are filled with the call to believe. In John 6:47, Jesus tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” And for many of us, we would quickly say, “I do believe!”

 

Belief, by definition, is accepting something as true, and oftentimes, it begins and ends there. 

Yet, James 2:19 doesn’t mince words: You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shutter.

 

When it comes to Jesus, we can’t stop with just believing. He is the creator and sustainer of all things—including you and me. And He created us with one purpose—for His own glory (Isaiah 43:6-7). So, we must ask ourselves, “How do we glorify God?” By loving him and doing what he commands. Simply put—obedience to his word.

 

“For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.” James 2:26 AMP

 

You see, believing in Jesus reveals our greatest need—salvation. However, believing also spurs us on to become followers of Jesus and sacrificially living out His call on our lives. Through the act of obedience to his word, he faithfully fills us with joy and peace, and, ultimately, hope. 

 

As you begin this day, stop and think of where your life can begin to move from a simple belief in God to a hope-filled obedience to his word so that you might live for His glory. That’s where the beauty is. Don’t miss it!

 

PRAY: Jesus, you are our greatest need. Yes, for salvation—but we need you in all things at all times! Give us a hunger and thirst for your word so that we might move from being consumers of your word to doers of your word. Help us to love you more so that we might love others and live sent.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (CSB)

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SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

 

Yesterday, we talked about the God of all hope. And today, the question begs to be asked, “How does he fill us with joy and peace?” After all, that’s what we all long for in the chaos and pain of this life. But in a world of “you do you” and “do what makes you happy,” what would it look like to be filled with joy and peace? 

 

Psalms 43:4 says, “Then I will come to the altar of God, to God my greatest joy. I will praise you with the lyre, God, my God.”

 

The altar, by definition, is a place of sacrifice or surrendering, and this is the place where David finds his greatest joy. Why? Because it’s there he finds God.

 

Notice he doesn’t rattle off a list of things that would surely make his life easier, more significant, or more comfortable. He is saying that when he comes to God sacrificially, surrendering and praising—it’s there he finds His greatest joy.

 

Hebrews 13:15 tells us, “Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

 

The thing is, regardless of what this life brings our way—Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He is holy. He is faithful. And this life we live has always been to bring Him glory. The God of all hope will fill us with joy and peace when we sacrifice our wants, our will, and our way and surrender to His plans, purpose, and calling on our lives. 

 

When the focus of our lives becomes Him – His glory, and not our comfort – there we will overflow with peace and joy. Yes, there will be pain, but there will also be great blessings because we’re living like He’s risen. Will you dare to offer a sacrifice of praise today? 

 

PRAY: Jesus, you know we are living in a broken world. It’s so easy for us to fix our eyes on the things and circumstances of this world. And yet, when we dare to fix our eyes on you—the author and perfecter of our faith—we find peace and joy in it all. Lift our eyes today and pour into our hearts a song of praise. You are worthy of it all! We love you, Jesus. Amen.

 

*If you’re looking for a song to get you started, Worthy of My Song by Maverick City and Phil Wickham is a great one.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (ESV)

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THE GOD OF HOPE

 

Standing at the door to the church, they came one by one, stopping to hug me. “I loved your mother… Aren’t you so thankful for the hope of heaven?” Their eyes were filled with compassion as their love for her streamed down their faces.  

 

In the throes of unexpected grief, I often asked myself, “What is this hope I’m supposed to be grateful for?” After all, we owned funeral clothes now. Just eight months before my mother passed away, my mother-in-law went to be with Jesus, and a year before that, my husband’s best friend. 

 

Webster’s Dictionary defines HOPE as “to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to be true.” That’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? The thing is, if we look to the things of this world to define the God of this world, we’ll come up short every time. 

 

If, like me, the suffering of this life has caused you to question the greatness of this hope, I want you to know the pages of scripture are filled with people like you and me wrestling out all we say we believe. Perhaps we’ve been asking the wrong question in, “What is this hope?” Maybe we should be asking, “Where have I placed my hope?”

 

The truth is, our only hope in life and death is Jesus Christ. Our hope certainly isn’t found in the circumstances of this life. It’s not in people or relationships, how successful we are, the status of our 401k, our debt-to-income ratio, or how we choose to school our children. 

 

Unlike the dictionary, we don’t have to “want it to be true.” Our hope is sure and true because Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection secure it. And God has sworn by Himself (Isaiah 43:23) that it is only through Him that we are saved. And without the promises of His word, we wouldn’t have anything to build our lives upon. 

 

Ultimately, I’m learning that when I dare to stare into the hardest, most painful events of this life, I find that Jesus really is working all things together for my good and His glory. And as I lean in and surrender more, there is joy and peace that only He can give. That’s our hope! Won’t you lean into Him today?

 

PRAY: Jesus, this life can be so hard. But you make all things beautiful. Give us eyes to see you more in this season, to trust you more in our pain, and to love you more deeply in our longing. You are our only hope. We love you, and we need you. Come, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)

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THE WAY HOME TO THE FATHER

 

Anonymous writer, about an American tourist’s visit to the 19th-century Polish rabbi Hofetz Chaim: Astonished to see that the rabbi’s home was only a simple room filled with books, plus a table and a bench, the tourist asked, “Rabbi, where is your furniture?” “Where is yours?” replied the rabbi. “Mine?” asked the puzzled American. “But I’m a visitor here. I’m only passing through.” “So am I,” said Hofetz Chaim. (Christopher News Notes)

 

Jesus told the disciples that He was going to prepare a home in heaven with God the Father for all of His followers. This world is not the final destination for Christians. We are simply passing through. To “come to the Father” is to finally enter God’s heavenly kingdom.

 

Reflection

The Message paraphrases John 14:2 and says, “There is plenty of room for you in My Father’s home.” Is there anything that would change in your life if you treated this life as your temporary residence and heaven as your true home?

 

Prayer

Thank God for inviting you into His home in heaven. Ask God to show you areas of your life where you may be clinging too much to this world.

 

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Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)

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THE WAY TO LIFE

 

Deep inside every person, there is a yearning for something more. In Greek mythology, King Tantalus was punished in the underworld by being chained in a lake. Its waters reached to his chin but receded whenever he bent down to satisfy his burning thirst. Over his head were branches laden with choice fruit, but they immediately withdrew whenever he reached upward to satisfy his hunger. A symbol of utter frustration, his name is immortalized in the English word “tantalize.” King Tantalus is the perfect illustration of the way people feel about life apart from Christ. We all feel like happiness, satisfaction, peace, joy, and acceptance is so close, but we can never seem to reach it. (Bruce Goettsche)

 

Just as spiritual death leads to separation from God, so spiritual life implies connection with Him. We are spiritually dead without Jesus. We become alive when we surrender ourselves to Jesus. John 5:24 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

 

Reflection

Jesus did not come to make bad men good. Jesus came to make dead men alive. When do you think you went from being spiritually dead to spiritually alive in Christ?

 

Prayer

Thank God for giving you spiritual life and eternal life in heaven through Jesus. Ask God to help you experience the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10.

 

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Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)

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THE WAY TO THE TRUTH

 

Do you remember that scene from A Few Good Men when Tom Cruise told Jack Nicholson he wanted the truth? Jack Nicholson responded to Tom Cruise by saying, “You can’t handle the truth!”

In John 14, the disciples wanted to know the truth. Jesus tells them that He is the truth. In this context, He means not only that He is dependable, but also that He Himself is the only true way of salvation (Leon Morris). Truth is a representation of things as they are. The life, the purity, and the teaching of Jesus Christ was the most complete and perfect representation of the things of the eternal world that has been or can be presented to man.

 

Reflection

Many people today can’t handle the truth. Mike shared four falsehoods some believe about God and Heaven:

1) Everyone goes to a better place when they die.

2) God grades on a curve.

3) As long as we are sincere, any spiritual path works.

4) A God of love wouldn’t keep anyone out of Heaven.

Which of these falsehoods have you been tempted to believe? What did Mike share that answered that falsehood?

 

Prayer

Thank God for opening your eyes to see the truth of God revealed in His Son Jesus. Pray for God to open the eyes of people in your life who are still believing lies about God.

 

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Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)

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THE WAY HOME

 

A missionary hired a guide to take him across a vast desert. When they arrived at the edge of the desert, the missionary saw trackless sands without a single footprint or road of any kind before him. He asked his guide with a tone of surprise, “Where is the road?” With a reproving glance, the guide replied, “I am the road.” Jesus is the way to heaven. We must trust Him to take us there.

The word “way” is emphasized by being repeated in John 14:4, 5, and 6; it refers to the way to heaven and the Father. Significantly, Jesus doesn’t say, “I know the way to heaven and can point you to it.” Rather, He says, “I am the way.” Jesus makes plain that He, and He alone, is the path to God. One must travel the road named Jesus to find their way to God. Jesus is the access to the Father, the highway to heaven.

 

Reflection

What were you taught growing up was the way to heaven? When did you first realize that Jesus is the only way to heaven?

 

Prayer

Thank God for showing you the way to heaven through Jesus. Pray for your friends and family members who have yet to accept Jesus as the way to heaven to be saved.

 

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Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

John 14:5 (ESV)

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THE WAY HOME: A GOOD QUESTION

 

Billy Graham once told about a time in a small town when he asked a boy how to get to the post office. After getting directions, Mr. Graham invited him to come to his Crusade that evening. “You can hear me telling everyone how to get to heaven,” he told the boy. The boy’s response? “I don’t think I’ll be there. You don’t even know your way to the post office.” (The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham by Harold Myra)

 

In John 14, Jesus has just told the disciples that He was going home to heaven to prepare a place for them. The disciple Thomas asks a good question. Thomas asked how they could know the way home to heaven. It’s a question that most of us have asked at one time or another. In a very short time, life for the disciples would fall in. Their world was going to collapse in chaos around them. Jesus knew the answer to that question was going to be a vital source of hope for them in the near future.

 

Reflection

If someone were to ask you how can you know you are going to heaven when you die, how would you respond?

 

Prayer

Thank God that Christmas is about Jesus answering the question of how we can get home to heaven. Ask God to help you share the hope of Christmas with someone who needs to hear.

 

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Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, ²⁶ and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

²⁸ “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, ²⁹ but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. ³⁰ Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

³¹ “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. ³² We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Luke 15:25-32 (NLT)

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THE PERFECT OLDER BROTHER

 

The older brother in the gospel of Luke is far from perfect. As mentioned earlier this week, we see that he, too, is blinded by the desire for wealth and standing through commitment to extreme morality. But when we look at the whole gospel, we realize the reason our Heavenly Father is able to welcome us home is because of the Perfect Older Brother that He sent down to us. The grace God freely gives us came with a cost.

The prodigal son’s grace from his earthly father came at a cost to his older brother as well. It cost him much of the wealth he would have received had his younger brother waited, as was tradition, until the father passed. Now the older brother in the story would receive even less than the younger son had squandered upon his return and welcoming back into the family and back into the blessing of his inheritance. This older brother was unwilling to join in his father’s celebration.

Our true older brother in Christ not only shares in the celebration of our return, but is the reason we are able to be welcomed home with grace freely given. He paid the cost of this return with His life. We cannot return to the Father by ourselves. The Son of God was born into this world to die for us that we may be given this free grace.

I think it’s important to remember that both the younger brother and the older brother in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son needed this same grace. The younger brother comes home and must repent of his past. But the older brother must realize that his moral goodness does not make him righteous for his father’s blessing. We see the full picture in this parable of why a Savior is necessary. As we come into the season of Christmas where we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I challenge you to dig into which brother you might relate more to. Begin challenging your thinking as it relates to this story. May you remember not only the grace you are FREELY given, but also the price that was paid for it. Let us rejoice in this holiday season for a Heavenly Father who RUNS to us through the gift of His Son. 

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Courtney Miller is the Special Needs ministry Director at NorthStar Church. She was born a Texas girl, but has lived in Georgia the majority of her life (Go Dawgs!). She married her husband, Chris, in 2012. They have two children with a third on the way.