NorthStar Church Blog

 

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned to him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord.”

John 20:16-18 (NLT)

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JESUS CLEANSES US COMPLETELY

 

As I was this the Lord gave me a nudge. He reminded me of how personally special Easter is to me and asked me to share it with you, because maybe you’re where I was on Easter Sunday nine years ago.

I was walking with Jesus and doing the best I could to fully embrace my redemption, but the truth was I was completely shackled by the weight of shame from my past. I wasn’t walking in the sin that had held me captive for so long, but I still felt like I was living a lie. That if anyone really knew who I had been or the things I had done, they’d never talk to me or invite me back to “Godly” things. So I worked hard to avoid anyone from my past and focused on the future. I divided my life into two parts-  Before Jesus and After Jesus, and in no way could those two world collide.

 

I wonder if Mary Magdalene ever felt that way. I wonder if she ever worried that she’d see someone from her “before Jesus” life and they would not believe her transformation was real. Or, if she feared anyone from her “after Jesus” life would find out the deepest, ugliest secrets from her past.

 

I have to believe she battled those thoughts and fears just like I did, and like so many other believers do. But that’s why this Easter message is so special to me in such a personal way that could only be delivered by Jesus.

 

He revealed himself first to the one with the most scandalous past. Not only that, but she was the one he charged with telling the first ever complete Gospel story! Talk about a redemption! 

On Easter Sunday 2015, as I was dead smack in the middle of one of the hardest physical and emotional battles I have ever walked through, every single chain was broken as I fully understood, accepted, and embraced the forgiveness I had been given.

Just like Mary, I was not defined by my past, nor did it determine my future!

Friend, I don’t know where this finds you, but if you are like I was, struggling to break free of the weight of shame and guilt, I pray now in the mighty name of Jesus that every chain would be broken as you soak in the beauty and redemption of today’s passage!

PRAY

Jesus thank you that by your blood our sin and shame is paid in full! Father, thank you that we are forgiven and free and not defined by our past. Thank you for the cross, for bearing the weight of my punishment so that I can live a transformed live here and now as I await forever with you in Glory. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray- Amen

 

 

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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.

 

 

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NLT)

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TURN TO JESUS FIRST

 

Let’s be honest: when things get tough, most of us don’t seek the Lord first. I know my go-to first reaction when the hard rolls in is to freak out. I have a PhD in catastrophizing (insert faceplate emoji here). If it’s an unhappy email from a work colleague, a misunderstanding with someone in my family or abnormal test results from the doctor, the first thing my mind does is go straight to the worst-case scenario. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. 

 

Over the years, through lots of prayer and intentionality, I have gotten better at more quickly turning my thoughts to the One who will give peace and bring answers. I have given myself the grace to feel the feelings but quickly ask God what His truths are considering the circumstances. I have a routine each morning when I meet with Jesus that includes affirmations of who He says I am. When I am reminded each day that I am known, seen, loved, cherished, redeemed, held, enough, valued, wanted, called, anointed, appointed, and set apart it helps me to stand more firmly when the wind begins to blow. My mind more quickly shifts from catastrophizing to remembering –  who He is, who he says I am, all he has done for me – and I trust that He’s not going to stop now. When the hard hits, let’s be intentional about locking eyes with Jesus first, or at least more quickly, because he is our strength!

PRAY

Jesus thank you that you never tire of us not seeking you first. Thank you for your patience with us when we eventually come to you weary and worn down from the troubles we are facing. You meet us right there in the middle of it, and pick us up and carry us through. Help us to seek you first. Remove in us the tendency to panic or seek resolutions from anything other than you. Set our hearts on fire for more of you Jesus! In your name I pray- Amen

 

 

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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.

 

 

Mary was standing outside the tomb Crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.

John 20:11 (NLT)

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WEEP NO MORE: THE TOMB IS EMPTY

 

We all have those seasons when the hits just keep coming. Wave after wave, it’s all you can do to tread water and keep breathing. Whether it’s health, finances, or relationships there are limitless things in this world that threaten to steal our joy. When I answered the call into full time vocational ministry eight years ago, I distinctly remember a conversation with my new supervisor, who told me to “hold on because the attacks from the enemy were about to get bigger.” I was fully aware of the very real impact of spiritual warfare but didn’t see how I was now somehow more susceptible to it. It didn’t take long to realize he wasn’t kidding, and the arrows flew at my family and I at a seemingly never-ending pace. From little things like my car refusing to crank for no reason, to bigger things like scary diagnoses and funding hardships, the attacks were coming non-stop.

 

It wasn’t that my job or title as a missionary made me more of a threat to the enemy, but the fact that I was now 24/7 locked in on doing what we call here at NorthStar Church – “living sent.” I was being intentional about having Gospel conversations with coaches and athletes and discipling others to do the same, just like you are doing in all the places you do your daily life!

 

It can be easy in these seasons to do exactly what Mary did- stand outside the tomb and weep. Weep for the difficulty, for the loss, for the sheer exhaustion of it all. But don’t stop there! If we simply stand outside the proverbial tomb of our circumstances and weep, we miss out on the hope. Yes, Mary had a very real response to the tangible circumstances, but she didn’t stop where her feelings left her. She stooped down to look inside and found an empty tomb. She didn’t know what she was seeing at first, but soon her weeping turned into rejoicing.

 

No matter your season of life, know and trust that Jesus wastes NOTHING.  I tell my coaches and athletes all the time in the face of hardships that never has God said, “Well, I didn’t see that coming! Now what?” We serve a God who orders your steps and prepared good works for you in advance! Not only did He know what was coming but he knows the way through it and exactly how it will be worked for your good and His glory! The tomb is empty friends. Remember in the weeping to stop and look for Jesus.

PRAY

Jesus thank you for the empty tomb! Thank you for the reminder that it’s ok to weep and to feel all the feelings that come with the hard seasons – but we can’t stop there. Thank you that all our days have been ordered according to your plan and purpose for our lives, and that even in the moments we can hardly keep our head above water, you are there with us in the deep, making a way through to the other side. We love you Father and we ask you to help us to feel your nearness like never before! In Jesus’ name- Amen!

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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.

 

³² Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. ³³ And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine ³⁷ and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Luke 23:32-38 (ESV)

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WHY GOD BECAME MAN

 

In the late 11^th century St. Anselm the archbishop of Canterbury wrote a book entitled Cur Deus Homo (or, in English, Why God Became Man). In this theological masterpiece, he considers why it was necessary for the Incarnation to take place to redeem mankind. His reasoning goes something like this:

 

• Man’s sin rendered him indebted to God
• Man, being of lowly estate, cannot repay to God that which He is due
• Only God could be capable of paying such a debt, though it would not be fitting because it is not His debt to pay
• Therefore, only one who was truly man and truly God could redeem humanity

 

This reasoning is consistent with the Scriptures. In Colossians 1:19-20 Paul states, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” It is at the cross that this debt is paid in the person of Christ, making forgiveness possible for mankind. But the cross is more than just that. It is also victory. Just as Jesus came into the world “to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45), he also came to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). St. Anselm also puts it like this, “The devil, who defeated the man whom he beguiled through the taste of a tree, should himself similarly be defeated through tree-induced suffering, which he, the devil, inflicted.” When these things are considered, it is beautiful that our redemption should be procured in this way.

 

On this Good Friday, we stand in awe of the fact that God, in His grace, would offer us not only forgiveness, but also the victory anticipated in the resurrection of Easter morning.

 

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Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

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A PLAN THAT IS DEEPER STILL

 

In the final moments of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis unpacks the idea of the Atonement – that is, how the sacrifice of Christ on the cross makes us right with God. Edmund, the youngest brother of the four Pevensie children, betrays his siblings by delivering them to the White Witch. She presumptively declares her victory over the lion Aslan, stating:

 

Fool…do you think your master can rob me of my rights by mere force? He knows the Deep Magic better than that. He knows that unless I have blood as the Law says all Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water.

 

Lewis uses the moment to illustrate the human predicament of sin. For “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23) and “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb 9:22). In mythical analogy, the Law of Narnia allows that the life of a traitor is forfeit to the Witch: “You know that every traitor belongs to me as my lawful prey and that for every treachery I have a right to kill.”

 

In a twist, however, Aslan – the lion who portrays a Christ figure and the very Creator of Narnia – offers to give his life in place of Edmund. He explains:

 

Though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know. Her knowledge goes back only to the dawn of time. But if she could have looked a little further back into the stillness…before Time dawned…she would have known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead…Death itself would start working backward.

 

And so Aslan sacrifices himself and the Deeper Magic reverses the curse of death. The witch’s “victory” becomes her undoing. This is what is meant by Paul in 2 Cor 5:21, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Christ forgives our trespasses by the shedding of His blood at the cross – this is the Atonement.  On the eve of the crucifixion, the presumptive victory of the devil is undone by a plan that is deeper still.

 

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Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

²¹ Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

²³ “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶ So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. ³¹ When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³² Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. ³⁵ So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV)

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FORGIVENESS FROM THE HEART

 

One cannot be compelled to forgive, much in the same way that one cannot be compelled to love. To revoke the will would be to rob the act of its charity. And both love and forgiveness seem to be ongoing acts. For if I accept an apology in one instance, I am not forever exempt from drinking the bitter poison of unforgiveness. Likewise, love is chosen and practiced in the passage of time rather than in an instant. Both love and forgiveness must, therefore, be offered from the heart.

 

In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus tells the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor to show the importance of forgiving from the heart. The King calls his debtors to settle their accounts and a servant with an large sum begs his master to forgive his enormous debt. Being moved with compassion, the king complies and releases him. The forgiven servant, however, acts cruelly toward one of his own debtors and has him thrown in prison, scorning the opportunity to display the mercy he himself was shown.  Hearing of this, the king becomes angry and has the man thrown in prison and his debt reinstated. Jesus closes the story by stating, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Mt. 18:35).

 

This last phrase “from the heart” is indicative of the fact that mere verbal forgiveness is not sufficient for righteousness. This is not always easy. Nor is it instantaneous or forced. Like repentance, it is willful and ongoing. Forgiveness from the heart must be sincere, seeking no further recompense and begrudging not. Paul reinforces this idea, telling the Ephesians “[forgive] one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Eph. 5:32).

 

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Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)

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MAKING AMENDS

 

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stresses the importance of reconciliation over acts of devotion. This is not exclusive to the New Testament, although the Jews in the crowd, overlooking the spiritual principles of the Law, would have though this idea revolutionary. The Psalter likewise states, “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering; the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; and broken and contrite heart you will not despise” (Psa 51:16-17). God calls us to take a moral inventory and take action where the Holy Spirit points out we are coming up short. Making amends is important for the people of God.

 

Not coincidentally, this spiritual principle has been embraced by twelve-step programs as of the utmost importance. Step Five of A.A. (and also of Celebrate Recovery – a Christ centered program) both state, “We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to others the exact nature of our wrongs.” When we are honest with another person it confirms we have been honest with ourselves and with God. Step Nine then calls those in recovery to “make direct amends whenever possible” – a step that is itself based upon the above passage in Matthew’s Gospel.

 

Often reconciliation is possible, but sometimes it is not. Forgiveness does not guarantee that the relationship will be restored, but our responsibility before God is satisfied in the attempt.

 

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Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

⁹ Pray then like this:

¹⁴ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:9-15 (ESV)

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FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES

 

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…” It’s a phrase I’ve uttered thousands of times – mostly while holding the hands of alcoholics as we close out the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer. And never once has its repetition struck me as cursory. On the contrary, each time those words evoke a sense of great relief, due in part to the breadth of human experience covered in the short prayer – provision of daily necessities, submission to His will, deliverance from evil, and forgiveness.  The part about forgiveness, however, has a unique role.

 

First, it is the only part of the prayer that promises action on behalf of the speaker. In every other part, we entreat the Lord to take action. Give us (v.11), lead us not (v.13), and deliver us (v.13) all urge God to act. But in this singular petition about forgiveness, we are making a commitment by asking God to forgive us in like measure to the mercy we exercise toward others (“as we forgive those who trespass against us”). At face value, this is a startling admission. We want God’s pardon to be comprehensive – covering the totality of human sinfulness (which it undoubtedly does). But our Lord entreats us to consider His forgiveness in our treatment of others. This puts us in the role of both the forgiven and the forgiving, teaching us something about His mercy and our standing before Him and others.

 

Second, the fact that forgiveness is situated after sustenance speaks to its importance. After all, only three petitions are made after the opening of the Lord’s prayer: daily bread, the cancellation of debt, and deliverance. Forgiveness, then, is vital to the Christian life and commanded by our Savior. Today, take a moment to pray the Lord’s prayer (Mt.6:9-15), focusing on your role as forgiven and forgiving.

 

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Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

16 “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

 

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PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

 

The word “pray” (and other forms of the word) are found over three hundred times in Scripture. We are reminded again and again to take our cares and worries to the Lord in prayer. Nothing is too small and out of sight of our Creator. We are promised that “… whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matt 21:22). John also reminds us to have confidence, and “if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 John 5:14).

It is interesting to note how both of those two verses contain the tiny word “if.” It is a powerful word, and it reminds us that we must have faith when we approach the Lord in prayer. We also must ask “in God’s will” so that he can hear us. I have often heard the statement “God is not our cosmic bellhop” (source unknown). That means we cannot just ring the “bell of prayer” and He will cater to our every whim. We must approach the throne of grace with humility and reverence, asking in Jesus’ name, and God’s will be done.

As those of you who attend NorthStar know, we are in the beginning stages of a building campaign called “Whatever it Takes.” Don’t panic, I am not asking you for money (however if the Spirit is leading you in that direction, feel free to respond). I bring this up only as a reminder of what the power of prayer can do. Prayer has been an integral part throughout the history of NorthStar. Prayer got this church off the ground. Prayer has sustained NorthStar as we approach thirty years in existence. Prayer will see us through this next season.

Just like those three thousand souls that were saved at Pentecost, people will come, the Word will be heard, the Spirit will empower, and lives will be changed for eternity. As your week wraps up, take a moment to pray for God’s will to be revealed in your life. Thank Him for His many blessings, and pray for the Spirit to embolden you to walk strongly in the Lord. As Jesus reminds us, “13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).

 

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Phil Meade is a father of three, and grandfather of five. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NorthStar Church. He recently retired after 33 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines.