Digging Deeper: Clear Your Conscience

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on April 14, 2025

 

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Romans 3:23 (NLT)


CLEAR YOUR CONSCIENCE

 

Have you ever done something you definitely thought twice about—but did it anyway? A choice where your conscience immediately stepped in moments after you made the decision, and you instantly felt guilt? That’s how I imagine Pilate felt moments after he handed Jesus over to the Roman soldiers. He knew Jesus was innocent, yet he gave in to the peer pressure of the crowd and surrendered His life.

In our daily lives, we are all faced with choices—sometimes making the right decision, other times making slightly wrong ones.

Perhaps our decisions aren’t as momentous as Pilate’s, but often, we make choices knowing they go against what we believe and what we know to be true. We say things we know we shouldn’t. Instead of being peacemakers, we engage in gossip at work. Maybe the sin you’re struggling with feels heavier than gossip. Owning up to your guilt and asking for forgiveness is a powerful step toward healing, recognizing the truth in Romans 3:23: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

This verse reminds us that no one is perfect—we all make mistakes that separate us from God. Yet, in acknowledging where we fall short, we open the door to His grace and mercy. By humbling ourselves, seeking forgiveness, and sincerely repenting, we find peace and restoration. Forgiveness not only restores our relationship with God but also lifts the burden of guilt from our hearts.

I pray that as you begin your week, you continue an open dialogue with God—admitting your wrongs and walking in the truth that His forgiveness is real. I pray you’re reminded that through God’s love and grace, we don’t have to carry the weight of our failures alone. He offers us forgiveness and the chance to start over.

 

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: Rise and Walk

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on April 11, 2025


“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

Mark 2:11 (NLT)


RISE AND WALK

 

Jesus’ command to the paralyzed man was simple, yet life-changing. This man had spent his life dependent on others. He had no control over his situation. Then, in an instant, everything changed.

Can you imagine what that moment felt like? After years of being unable to walk, suddenly his legs were strong. He didn’t just stand—he jumped up! And as he picked up his mat and walked out in front of the amazed crowd, he carried with him a powerful testimony of Jesus’ healing.

But Jesus’ words weren’t just about physical healing; they carried a deeper message. Just as the paralyzed man was unable to move before Jesus spoke, many of us are stuck in spiritual paralysis. We remain in the same struggles, bound by fear, guilt, or past failures. Yet Jesus calls us to rise.

He doesn’t just forgive us—He empowers us to live differently. He calls us to walk in faith, leaving behind whatever has held us down. The mat that once carried the man became a symbol of his healing. Likewise, the burdens we once carried can become testimonies of God’s power in our lives.

What is Jesus asking you to get up and walk away from today? Is it fear? Doubt? A habit that holds you back? Jesus has the power to heal and restore, but we must respond in faith.

Take time today to reflect on areas where you feel stuck. Ask Jesus to speak into your situation. When He calls you to stand, trust Him—because His words bring life.

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 is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

 

Digging Deeper: The Power of Jesus’ Words

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on April 10, 2025


“Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?”

Mark 2:9 (NLT)


THE POWER OF JESUS’ WORDS

 

When Jesus looked at the paralyzed man, His first words were not what people expected. Instead of immediately healing his body, Jesus addressed his spiritual condition: “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

This statement shocked the religious leaders. They believed only God had the authority to forgive sins, and they considered Jesus’ words blasphemy. But Jesus was revealing something greater than physical healing—He was demonstrating His divine power to restore both the body and the soul.

We often come to Jesus with our external problems, asking Him to fix what we can see. But Jesus cares just as much—if not more—about what’s happening inside our hearts. The man’s greatest need was not just to walk; it was to be spiritually restored.

Then Jesus went even further. To prove that He had the authority to forgive sins, He also healed the man’s physical body. His words carried both power and proof. When Jesus speaks, things happen.

Are you trusting in the power of Jesus’ words? When He says you are forgiven, do you truly believe it? Sometimes we hold on to guilt and shame even after Jesus has declared us clean. But His words are not empty—they have the power to change our lives.

Spend time in Scripture, listening to the words of Jesus. Let them sink deep into your heart. Because He says you are forgiven, you are forgiven. Because He calls you to peace, you can trust that He will provide it. His words are true, effective, and life-giving.

 

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 is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

 

God Knows Your Direction

Kevin Burrell on April 9, 2025

 

“I go east, but God is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him. I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I look to the south, but He is concealed. “But God knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” 

Job 23:8-10

 

GOD KNOWS YOUR DIRECTION

 

Have you ever experienced a tragedy or painful loss in your life and cried out to God, only to be met with silence? Have you ever searched desperately for God’s will, not knowing which direction to turn or what to do, only to feel like you’re wandering in spiritual circles? I certainly have.

In this haunting passage from Job 23, we meet a man who knows that feeling all too well. Job’s world has shattered—and it happened in one day. All his children and servants are suddenly killed, all his wealth wiped out, all his livestock gone, and his health in ruins. He searches in every direction for God but finds only absence. Still, with amazing faith, he declares:

“But God knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”

This is the tension of the Christian life: walking through the fire and still choosing to believe in God’s refining work. Let’s be honest—when we suffer, it’s easy to project our human logic onto God. We imagine He must be angry with us, distant, or indifferent. We think in terms of cause and effect: if life is falling apart, we must have done something wrong. However, that isn’t the case at all. God is not like us. His thoughts are much higher. His ways are far greater. His love is not based on our performance. His presence is not proven by our prosperity.

Job’s friends made this mistake. They tried to explain his suffering with shallow theology, assuming “sin” must be the cause of Job’s calamity. However, Job knew better. He didn’t understand what God was doing, but he trusted that God knew. And that trust was his rock-solid anchor.

Trials are not the evidence of God’s absence; they are often the training ground of our faith. Hardships strip us of our illusions and drive us to the core of who we truly are—and, more importantly, whose we are.

God doesn’t always reveal His will in ways that make immediate sense to us. Sometimes, like Job, we look in every direction for God and see only shadows. However, while we’re searching, God is shaping. He is working. He is not playing hide and seek—He is purifying, preparing, shaping, and refining. Because God has one goal: to shape you and mold you into the image of His Son, Jesus. And He uses whatever means necessary to accomplish it.

Listen closely: Imagine for a moment standing where Job stood: everything you have is wiped out in one day. No family, no resources, no home, no income—and your body is ravaged with oozing boils and mangy disease. However, in that unimaginable darkness, Job clings to this profound truth:

“But God knows where I am going.”

Wow. Don’t miss that. That is not capitulation—it is confidence. God sees what you cannot. And when the testing is complete, you will shine like gold.

Are you in a season where God feels distant? Are you facing trials that seem to have no reason? Don’t let God’s silence shake your faith. Let it strengthen you. Remember:

God is not missing. He is molding.
God is not absent. He is active.
God is not punishing. He is purifying.

Gold isn’t made in comfort—it is made in fire. God will walk through the fire with you. Trust Him today.

Be Worth Being.

Love God.  Love People.  Live Sent.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 44 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper: Faith that Moves Obstacles

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on April 9, 2025


“They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head.”

Mark 2:4 (NLT)


FAITH THAT MOVES OBSTACLES

 

The scene in this passage is one of desperation, determination, and deep faith. A paralyzed man needed healing, and his four friends were convinced that Jesus was the answer. But when they arrived at the house where Jesus was teaching, the crowd was so large that they couldn’t even get near the door.

Many people might have given up at that point. They could have said, “Maybe next time,” or “We tried, but it’s too difficult.” But these men refused to let obstacles stop them. Instead of turning away, they found another way—by climbing onto the roof, tearing through it, and lowering their friend directly in front of Jesus.

This is the kind of faith that moves mountains. It’s a faith that doesn’t quit when things get hard. These friends didn’t just believe Jesus could heal—they acted on that belief with bold determination.

How do you respond when you face obstacles in your spiritual life? Do you press forward in faith, or do you get discouraged and give up? Just like these friends, we are called to be persistent in seeking Jesus, even when challenges arise.

T.B. LaBerge wrote, “The greatest tragedy in humanity is when we do not wrestle with God. When we become so apathetic that we are but a limp rag doll in the hands of a mighty lover who wishes that we fight back; that we embrace Him and choose to find truth.”

Think about the people in your life who need Jesus. Are you willing to bring them to Him, even if it requires effort and creativity? Faith is not just about believing—it’s wrestling to put faith into action, trusting that Jesus is the answer.

 

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 is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

 

Digging Deeper: Jesus Sees Our Faith

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on April 8, 2025


“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’”

Mark 2:5 (NLT)


JESUS SEES OUR FAITH

 

This passage is unique because Jesus doesn’t respond to the faith of the paralyzed man—He responds to the faith of his friends. Their belief, determination, and action led to their friend’s life-changing encounter with Jesus.

Imagine the love and commitment these friends had. They carried him through the streets, struggled through the crowd, and even broke through the roof just to place him before Jesus. They didn’t just believe in Jesus’ power—they acted on it. Their faith wasn’t passive; it was bold and persistent.

What does this tell us about the nature of faith? Faith isn’t just about believing for ourselves; it’s also about interceding for others. Sometimes, people in our lives are too weak, broken, or discouraged to seek Jesus on their own. In those moments, our faith can help carry them to Him.

Who in your life needs to be brought to Jesus? Maybe it’s a friend struggling with doubt, a family member going through hardship, or someone who feels distant from God. Your prayers, encouragement, and actions can help bring them closer to Him.

Just as the paralyzed man’s healing began with his friends’ faith, God can use your faith to impact others. Be persistent in prayer, in love, and in bringing others to Jesus—no matter the obstacles.

 

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 is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

 

Digging Deeper: Making Use of the Time

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on April 7, 2025


“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:15-16


MAKING USE OF THE TIME

 

I have the pleasure of teaching 10th-grade World Literature. In our devotions, we have been reading the book Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee. At the young age of 17, Watchman Nee was radically saved. Just two years later, he began his ministry—sharing the gospel, teaching the Bible, and writing about our Jesus. From 1922 to 1950, he wrote 62 volumes.

What’s worth noting is that Watchman Nee didn’t do all of this in the kind of environment we live in today. He was sharing the gospel in China, where it was against the law to speak about Jesus. Eventually, in 1952, he was imprisoned for doing so, and he would later die in prison.

During one of these devotion times, a student asked me, “Mrs. Jefferson, do you think it’s harder to be a Christian in a Christian school or a public school?” While many of you reading this may not be wrestling with that particular question, it’s certainly one worth sitting with. If we broaden it, perhaps the deeper question is: Is it easier to be a Christian here in the United States compared to other places in the world? Is it easier in the South, or even in the Acworth/Kennesaw area?

The more I’ve thought about this, the more I believe the real question we should be asking is, “What are we doing with this great opportunity we’ve been given?” Ephesians 5:15–16 implores us: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

If we belong to the Lord, then through the work of His Spirit in sanctification, He will bring every area of our lives under His authority. It may be a slow process, but as 2 Corinthians 3:18 reminds us: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Let’s aim to impact this world for Christ, understanding that how we live truly matters. We are not aiming for perfection, but we should look different today than we did yesterday, last month, or even last year.

 

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 is a high school English teacher Mt. Paran Christian School. When she’s not teaching, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

 

Sermon Based Study Guide – April 6, 2025

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on April 5, 2025

Week of April 6-12, 2025

QUICK REVIEW: Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s message, what part of the message had your name on it? What encouraged you? What challenged you?


LET’S GO DEEPER

 

  1. Read Mark 2:1-12. Describe the faith of the friends carrying the paralytic. What did they believe about Jesus?

 

  1. The paralyzed man’s friends went to great lengths to bring him to Jesus. What does this teach us about the kind of friends we should surround ourselves with?

 

  1. Consider the impact your closest friends have on you. Do your closest friends bring you closer to Jesus or take you further from Jesus? Is there anything you need to change about who you spend the most time with?

 

  1. The friends didn’t let the crowd stop them. Instead, they got creative and found another way to bring their friend to Jesus. What obstacles sometimes keep us from seeking Jesus for ourselves or helping others come to Him?

 

  1. What did the friends see as the paralytic’s greatest need? What did Jesus see as his greatest need? How should this guide our prayers and response to people in need?

 

  1. We may not carry physical mats for our friends today. But how can we still be “mat carriers” for others?


CHALLENGE

Think of one person in your life who needs encouragement or to experience Jesus’ love. This week, take an intentional step—whether through prayer, an act of kindness, or sharing your faith—to help bring them closer to Jesus.

 

PRAY

Close in prayer, thanking God for the friends, faith, and forgiveness He provides. Ask Him to help you be bold in overcoming obstacles and bringing others to Him.

Digging Deeper: Getting Uncomfortable

Avatar photo Lee Wilson on April 4, 2025

 

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)


GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE

If you grew up in Atlanta in the early 2000s, you probably heard the name “Chipper Jones” a lot. The Hall of Fame third baseman spent his entire 18-year career in a Braves uniform and was beloved by fans.

He helped the Braves win their first World Championship in 1995, won the NL MVP in 1999, earned two Silver Sluggers and a batting title, and boasted a career batting average over .300. While his career was filled with accomplishments, one thing he missed out on was Rookie of the Year, losing that honor to Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo.

While Nomo had a good career, he certainly did not experience the same degree of success as Chipper. However, he did have one notable advantage over the Braves’ third baseman—he dominated him at the plate. Chipper faced Nomo 42 times, managing just two hits—both singles—for a .057 batting average against the right-hander. Needless to say, Chipper never felt comfortable in the batter’s box against Nomo.

This week, we have been studying Luke 5:1-11. When preaching on this passage, the great R.C. Sproul commented on Peter’s reaction to the miraculous catch of fish. As Peter fell to his knees in fear, he pleaded with Jesus to leave him because of the shame he felt for his sins (Luke 5:8). Sproul emphasized that Peter’s reaction was one of feeling uncomfortable in his sin in the presence of Jesus.

Peter’s humble and fearful response is understandable. If you came face to face with Jesus, you, too, would likely fall to your knees in shame and wonder, just as he did. But Sproul also made an interesting observation—one that might be harder for us to grasp. As Christians, we, too, might make people feel uncomfortable because of our faith.

We are not holy in and of ourselves (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8; Ephesians 2:1-2), but as Christians, we represent the Most Holy—Jesus (Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 4:6-10). When we walk as believers, those around us who do not share our faith may feel uneasy. This can create friction and even strain relationships.

For me, I have a brother who isn’t a believer. I pray for him every morning. When we spend time with him and his wife, it’s good, quality time. We have a strong relationship, and I want his influence in my life and my children’s lives. But when I bring up Jesus, he shuts down—he gets uncomfortable.

I’m sure you have people in your life whom you care about who aren’t believers. And, like me, I’m sure you’ve struggled to find the right moments or the right words when you do get the chance to bring up Jesus. But Jesus came to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus’ power on the boat that day, and it changed the course of their lives. Someone might see Jesus in a word you say or a deed you do, and it could change their eternity. That’s why persistence matters.

Theologian and pastor Charles Spurgeon said it like this:
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”

You might be the only image of Jesus someone ever sees. Take that responsibility seriously, and pray that God will use you to be a “fisher of men.”

 

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: The Catch

Avatar photo Lee Wilson on April 3, 2025

 

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)


THE CATCH

In July of 1992, the Atlanta Braves hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates for a mid-summer matchup that ended up previewing that year’s National League Championship Series. In the ninth inning, with the Braves clinging to a 1-0 lead, Alejandro Peña faced Andy Van Slyke with a runner on first and the game on the line.

Then, Van Slyke connected. He sent a deep drive to center field, sending Braves center fielder Otis Nixon racing back to the wall. As he neared it, he slowed his pace, then leaped forward. His left foot hit the wall, and he catapulted himself upward, sticking his glove over the fence and snatching the ball back from the abyss. He landed and fired it back in—to the amazement of everyone watching.

“He caught the ball! He caught the ball! I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Braves announcer Skip Caray. The Braves held on to win the game 1-0, thanks in no small part to Nixon’s miraculous catch.

This week, we discussed a miraculous catch of a different kind—the overwhelming haul of fish that Jesus brought to the fishermen-turned-disciples Simon Peter, James, and John.

Simon Peter had previously met Jesus when he came to his home and healed his mother-in-law of a high fever (Luke 4:38-41). So when Jesus asked to use his boat to continue teaching, it made sense that Peter willingly let him do so.

Up to this point, Peter seemed to view Jesus as a respected teacher, but he had not yet fully grasped that he was the Messiah. At the end of his teaching, Jesus commanded them to take the boat out into deeper water. In spite of their doubts, they obeyed—and were met with an overwhelming catch. They had to call for help to bring in all the fish before the boat began to sink (Luke 5:7).

Despite witnessing the healing of his mother-in-law, it wasn’t until this miraculous catch that Simon Peter fully realized who Jesus was. Overcome, he fell to his knees and begged Jesus to leave him, confessing that he was a sinful man (Luke 5:8). In that moment, the weight of Jesus’ true identity was felt by all on board. From that point on, Simon Peter, John, and James left everything behind and followed him (Luke 5:11).

Jesus used the catch to get their attention—a shocking display that made it clear he was more than just a teacher. He used a physical sign to emphasize his message. And once he had their attention, he simply said, “Follow me.” The disciples’ response was immediate and obedient—they left everything behind to follow him.

So be grateful on the days when your net is overflowing with fish, but always recognize the one who fills the nets. The disciples didn’t stay on the boat and ask Jesus to help them catch more fish to grow their fishing business—they followed him to a calling of far greater importance.

Pray that your heart stays focused on the right kind of fishing each day.

 

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.