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.

 

Digging Deeper: The Struggle

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on September 24, 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 12:18 (NIV)


THE STRUGGLE

 

Every week can feel like a juggling act—stretching dollars at the grocery store, keeping up with gas prices and spontaneous necessities, all while still trying to leave room for generosity. But Jesus reminds us that while planning and saving are good, they are not the ultimate goal. I can’t harvest peace from a spreadsheet. I can’t guarantee tomorrow, no matter how well I plan today. What I can do is be faithful: to steward what I have and trust that God will fill in the gaps everywhere else.

God isn’t asking for our leftovers; He wants to be part of the conversation from the start. He wants us to be wise and disciplined, yes—but also openhanded and trusting. Because at the end of the day, everything we manage is temporary. The only investments that last forever are the ones made in love, obedience, and generosity—impacting the lives of those around us and bringing others home to Jesus.

Prayer:
I pray today that if you feel the strain of tight budgets and growing needs, God would calm your anxious heart. That He would help you see His hand even in the small provisions. That He would make you a wise steward who trusts Him more than numbers. May your finances tell the story of a life surrendered to Him.

 

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.

 

Trusting God in Our Planning

Kevin Burrell on September 24, 2025

 

 

“The heart of man makes his plans, but the Lord determines his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9

 

TRUSTING GOD IN OUR PLANNING

Planning is a part of daily life. We make plans for almost everything: what career path to pursue, how to provide for our families, where to live, whom to marry, when to retire, even what meals to prepare for the week.

Parents plan their children’s education. Leaders plan their meetings. Teachers plan their lessons. Students plan their schedules. Couples plan their weddings. Families plan vacations months in advance. The list could go on. Planning is not only wise but necessary, as it reflects stewardship and responsibility. The reality is: if you fail to plan, then plan to fail.

Yet, as much as we plan, there is a truth we cannot ignore:

God Is Sovereign Over All Our Steps

Don’t miss that! We may carefully map out the course of our lives; however, the Lord alone sees the beginning from the end. He knows what is best for us, and He lovingly guides our path—sometimes in ways we would never expect.

This does not mean our planning is pointless. Instead, it reminds us that while planning is our responsibility, trust is our posture. We must hold our plans with open hands, willing to let God redirect when He knows a better way. The foolish action is to kick down doors that God has clearly shut. It is comforting to know that our lives are not left to chance, mistakes, or even our limited vision. They are in the hands of God, who sees our life from beginning to end.

Listen Closely

Doors close, plans change, and life takes unexpected turns. Yet you can rest in this truth: God is never surprised. He is never caught off guard. His wisdom is greater, His timing is perfect, and His purposes are good.

So as you plan your days, your months, your year, your future, and your goals, remember to pray over them. Commit your ways to the Lord. Trust that His determination of your steps is not to harm you but to lead you into His best. Offer this prayer to God:

Lord, thank You that You hold my life in Your hands. I make my plans, but I trust You to guide my steps. Help me not to get ahead of You, but to surrender my will to Yours, knowing that Your ways are higher and always better than mine. Teach me to walk by faith, not by sight, and to rest in Your perfect plan for my life. Amen.

Love God. Love people. Live sent.

Be Worth Being.

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: Bigger Barns

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on September 23, 2025

 

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.'”

 

Luke 12:18 (NIV)


BIGGER BARNS

 

It’s so easy to look around at what others are doing and feel behind—behind in saving for college, behind in buying the name-brand things, the new cars, behind in vacations and trips, and on and on. But I’ve realized that when I focus on what others have, I start building “bigger barns” in my mind—thinking if I just had more money, more time, or more resources, I’d finally feel secure.

Luke 12:18 tells the story of a man whose land produced an abundant harvest. A good thing, right? Yet instead of using the overflow to bless others or seek God’s wisdom, he decides to build bigger barns—to store more for himself and make life more comfortable. But it wasn’t the harvest that was the problem—it was his heart.

As a mom, I know we carry deep responsibilities. Our instincts often push us toward control and self-sufficiency. But the message in this verse is sobering: abundance without purpose is empty. The rich man was so focused on securing his future that he missed the present. He forgot that the harvest came from God’s hands in the first place.

You may not have overflowing barns, but you might have hungry mouths, unexpected bills, and a fierce desire for a sense of security. Whether we’re stretching leftovers or stretching a paycheck, our comfort isn’t in how much we have, but in who holds us together. God doesn’t ask us to build bigger barns—He asks us to build a bigger faith.

I pray as you go through this day that you’re reminded your worth isn’t found in bigger barns, a magical bank account balance, or in material things. Take a moment to reflect on all that God has blessed you with, and shine that light in your workplace, your schools, and your community.

 

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: More Than Enough

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on September 22, 2025

 

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

 

Luke 12:15 (NIV)


MORE THAN ENOUGH

 

You know the scene: it’s the end of the month, and the kitchen table is covered in bills, scattered like a battlefield. Receipts are tossed from one end to the other—groceries, gas, sports, fast food, the broken dryer. You’re trying to make too little stretch too far. I’m sure we’ve all felt it at some point—that wave of defeat, frustration, and exhaustion. In that moment, it’s easy to wish the month had turned out differently.

Look at Luke, chapter 12. A man in the crowd asks Jesus to settle a financial dispute, but Jesus responds with a warning: “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” He then tells a parable about a rich man who stores up wealth for himself, only to lose it all overnight. He had everything—except what mattered most: a heart rich toward God.

I don’t know about you, but that hits hard for me. Not because I’m hoarding wealth, but because I’ve been tempted to believe that peace comes from having “enough.” As if security is found in a full fridge or a padded savings account. And when those aren’t there, fear creeps in and panic sets up shop. But Jesus reminds us: life is not found in abundance—life is found in Him.

Being “rich toward God” means trusting Him in the stretch and worshiping Him in the lack. It means finding peace not in a perfect number in my bank account, but in my Provider. It’s choosing to believe that even when things are tight, God’s hand is not.

I pray as you start this week that you are reminded life is not found in what you have, but in whose you are. Lord, help us to be rich in faith, generous in spirit, and anchored in Your provision. I pray you can release the weight of feeling like you don’t have enough and realize that He is more than enough.

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: Trust God

Avatar photo Sellers Hickman on September 19, 2025

 

1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:1-6 (ESV)


TRUST GOD

 

The passage we have studied this week all culminates at the end of verse 6.
Why should we remember, wait on, ask, and obey God? Because we do not want to be tossed around by the doubts that creep in. Doubt can do a number on us if we allow ourselves to sit in it, but each of our topics this week has been fuel to help us stand firm when doubts and the pressures of life come our way.

James ends with the picture of a wave being tossed back and forth by the wind. Without trusting God, we become unstable and are pulled in every direction by circumstances and emotions. But trust anchors us. It doesn’t remove the storm, but it keeps us steady in the middle of it.

We all wrestle with doubt at times. We wonder if God is listening, if He cares, if He’ll come through. Doubt isn’t unusual—we all face it. The danger comes when we allow doubt to define us and leave us spiritually adrift. Trust isn’t the absence of doubt or questions; it’s the choice to believe God’s character even when we don’t see His plan. That’s why James urges us to ask in faith, not wavering. Faith doesn’t mean blind optimism; it means steady confidence in the God who has proven Himself faithful time and time again.

This picture of an anchor is such a helpful example of our faith. An anchor keeps us tethered and steady. It does not remove the waves, but it allows us to stand firm through them by holding us to something greater than the storm. Without an anchor, a boat drifts wherever the current takes it. With an anchor, even though the wind blows and the current pulls, the boat stays secure. That’s the difference between a life built on trust in God and a life built on our own strength.

There are countless stories in God’s Word of people who trusted Him when it didn’t make sense—Noah building an ark before there was rain, Daniel praying despite the threat of the lion’s den, Paul proclaiming the gospel while awaiting trial. None of these men (or the many other examples) were confident in their own determination. They were tethered to something greater than the storms they faced. Their stability wasn’t in circumstances but in God’s unshakable promises.

Trust is not passive; it’s active. It looks like choosing prayer over panic, Scripture over spiraling thoughts, and worship over worry. Trust is strengthened not by avoiding storms but by walking with God through them. Every storm we endure with Him becomes a testimony for the next time the waves rise in our lives.

It all comes back to trust. Trust produces stability. Instead of being tossed by every wave of fear, we stand firm on God’s promises. Instead of spiraling in anxiety, we rest in His presence. Trust transforms storms into shelters where God’s faithfulness is revealed.

So let me ask you again: what area of your life feels most unstable right now? Name it. In that place, choose to trust God today despite the waves that seem to be crashing around you. Don’t let doubt write the story. Anchor your heart in the One who never changes.

When you do, you’ll find that the waves that once terrified you are no longer pulling you under. Instead, they are drawing you closer to the God who holds you fast. And in that closeness, you’ll discover a peace the storm cannot shake and a hope the wind cannot steal.

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.

 

Digging Deeper: Obey God

Avatar photo Sellers Hickman on September 18, 2025

 

6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:6 (ESV)


OBEY GOD

 

It’s one thing to ask God for wisdom, but it’s another to act when He grants it.
In this passage, James connects asking with believing, because true asking assumes obedience. If you’re unwilling to obey, then your asking is just lip service. Obedience stretches our faith because it requires trust. It’s easy to agree with God in theory. It’s much harder to put His Word into practice—especially when it challenges our comfort zones or calls us to give up control.

Obedience costs us. Forgiving someone means releasing bitterness. Serving others means sacrificing time and energy. Speaking truth means risking rejection. Saying no to temptation means denying desire. But true obedience is where faith becomes real. It’s the bridge between hearing and living, between belief and practice. Without it, faith is just an idea that never leaves our heads.

Think back to Peter stepping out of the boat in Matthew 14. Peter asked Jesus to call him. We don’t know his true intention—maybe he was just testing Jesus, trying to sound more spiritual than the other disciples. Regardless, Jesus responded to Peter’s request and told him to come out on the water. Peter then had a choice to make. He might have believed that Jesus could enable him to walk on water, but there was a moment where he had to act on that belief and climb out of the boat. That one step turned belief into obedience.

Sometimes we imagine obedience only in big, dramatic decisions. But often it’s the small, daily steps of obedience that stretch our faith the most. It stretches us to be honest at work when it will cost us. It stretches us to show kindness to a neighbor when it’s inconvenient. It stretches us to be faithful in prayer when life feels busy. See, obedience is a posture of the heart that shows up in the details of life.

How can you grow in obedience today?

  1. Start with what you know — God has made His Word clear. It won’t necessarily answer every decision you face, but there is enough in Scripture to guide you to love God, love people, and live sent.

  2. Obey quickly — You know as well as I do: the longer you wait to obey, the harder it gets. We rationalize disobedience the more we put it off.

  3. Obey fully — I’ve heard it said before: partial obedience is disobedience. God’s call on our lives is not to pick and choose the parts we like or find easy. He calls us to total surrender.

  4. Obey joyfully — If I haven’t lost you yet, this is the most important part. These four steps get harder as they go, but this last one is often the most difficult. It requires a shift in perspective to see that obedience isn’t a burden but an opportunity to honor God.

Let me remind you: obedience feels costly in the moment, but it always leads to blessing in the long run. This blessing may not be material or immediate, but obedience brings peace, intimacy with God, and freedom from guilt.

So where has God been clearly calling you—and where have you been putting Him off? How can you take a step toward obedience today? Don’t just ask for wisdom. Act on it. That’s where faith becomes sight.

 

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.