A Leader with Lasting Impact

Kevin Burrell on August 20, 2025

 

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” A church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.

1 Timothy 3:1-2

 

A LEADER WITH LASTING IMPACT

We live in a culture that often measures leadership by competency: your talent, your skill level, how well you can perform, produce, and deliver results. Skill and talent are important; however, God’s blueprint for leadership begins somewhere entirely different.

Don’t miss this:

In 1 Timothy 3:1–2, Paul describes the qualifications for a church leader. Yet these same qualifications apply in coaching, scouting, and even to corporate CEOs. What’s striking is that the first several requirements in this passage have nothing to do with skill, talent, ability, or competence. Instead, they focus entirely on character and relationships.

• Character

“Above reproach,” “faithful,” “self-controlled,” “wise,” “good reputation.” These speak to who you are when no one is watching, how consistent your integrity is, and how well you steward the trust others place in you. Character is the foundation of influence. Without it, the platform collapses.

• Chemistry (Relationships)

“Enjoy having guests,” “faithful to his wife.” Leadership isn’t just about leading or managing people; it’s about liking people. It’s about loving people. It’s about genuinely caring for people. A leader who can’t connect with others will struggle to inspire them. They don’t prioritize getting to know their team members. They’re distant. They’re absent. Kindness, empathy, and genuine care for those you lead are non-negotiable.

• Finally, Competency

“Able to teach.” Skills matter, but they come after character and chemistry. A leader can have incredible ability, talent, and skill, but without integrity and relational trust, that ability will have no lasting impact.

  1. Character – Who you truly are before God.

  2. Chemistry – How you care for and connect with people.

  3. Competency – What you can do with excellence.

Listen closely: All leaders are different. There is diversity. However, all great leaders lead with character (who you are when no one is looking) and chemistry (relationships). Failure is inevitable, but when you build your leadership around character and chemistry, your leadership won’t just impress—it will endure, with lasting impact and sustained influence.

Character—Chemistry—Competency
Three qualifications that lead to lasting impact as a leader.

 

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: We are Committed to Building Bridges into Our Community

Avatar photo Larry Grays on August 20, 2025

 

“…all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.

Acts 2:47 (NLT)


WE ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING BRIDGES INTO OUR COMMUNITY


In a classic example of sportsmanship that went viral, a high school basketball team from Florida, following a hard-fought game against a rival, surprised their opponents with a gesture of kindness. After their victory, the winning team bought pizza and shared a meal with them. The act of bringing together two rival teams in a moment of post-game fellowship dissolved the competitive tension and left everyone feeling a little bit better. The early church had a similar gift for building goodwill—not just in a single moment, but as a consistent part of their lives.

Luke’s account in Acts tells us that the believers were “enjoying the goodwill of all the people.” This didn’t mean that everyone agreed with their message, but it did mean their lives were so full of love, integrity, and genuine concern for others that they earned the respect of their community. They were building bridges, not walls. Their devotion, fellowship, and generosity were not confined to their own group; they were visible to the watching world. This outward focus created fertile ground for the gospel to take root. People were drawn not only to the message they heard but to the beautiful, transformed lives they saw. This goodwill was a powerful testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Northstar is called to be a bridge-builder in our community, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways. When we are known for our kindness, generosity, and genuine care for our neighbors, we create opportunities to share the gospel with hearts that are more open to receiving it.

Reflection Questions:

  • How can you actively serve and bless someone in your community this week, expecting nothing in return?

  • What are some simple ways to build goodwill with neighbors or co-workers?

Prayer:
God, help me love my neighbors in practical ways. Use my life to build bridges so that others can see Your goodness and be drawn to You. Amen.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: We Never Want to Get Over What Jesus Did for Us

Avatar photo Larry Grays on August 19, 2025

 

They… shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God…

Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)


WE NEVER WANT TO GET OVER WHAT JESUS DID FOR US


In 2013, news anchor A.J. Clemente became an overnight sensation after his first on-air broadcast went viral—for all the wrong reasons. A series of verbal blunders and an inaudible expletive led to his immediate dismissal. While the moment was a disaster for him, it became a shared, cringeworthy source of humor for millions who watched the clip again and again. The joy of that memory, for viewers, was something they didn’t want to get over. The early church felt a similar—yet infinitely more profound—joy about their salvation.

This “great joy” wasn’t a fleeting emotion tied to a single, powerful Sunday service; it was a constant, underlying reality of their lives. It was born from a deep, unshakable gratitude for what Jesus had done for them on the cross. They didn’t just remember the gospel; they lived in the reality of it every single day. The forgiveness of their sins, the hope of eternity, and the presence of the Holy Spirit were not distant concepts—they were present truths that filled their hearts with overflowing gladness. This joy, in turn, fueled their “generosity” and “praising God.”

When overwhelmed by the immensity of God’s love and grace, worship becomes a natural response, and sharing what one has with others ceases to feel like a loss. It becomes a joyful act of stewardship and love. The believers were so filled with gratitude for what Jesus had done that they couldn’t help but let it spill out into their community—a contagious joy that drew others to the source of their happiness.

Reflection Questions:

  • What can be done today to intentionally stir fresh gratitude in your heart for the cross?

  • When was the last time joy about Jesus felt contagious?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for saving me. Let me never lose the wonder of the gospel. Fill my heart with a joy that spills over into every part of my life. Amen.

Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: Day by Day

Avatar photo Larry Grays on August 18, 2025

 

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)


DAY BY DAY

The renowned marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge is famous not for a single, powerful race, but for his relentless consistency. While many marvel at his world-record-breaking times, his success is rooted in his steady, daily training regimen. He runs over 120 miles a week—every week—without fail. His approach is a powerful testament to the idea that greatness is achieved through disciplined, daily practice, not through an intense, all-at-once effort.

The early church in Acts exemplified this principle in their faith. Luke describes their devotion as a steady, day-by-day rhythm. The believers “worshiped together at the Temple each day” and also “met in homes for the Lord’s Supper and shared their meals.” Their faith wasn’t relegated to a single day of the week but was woven into the fabric of their daily lives. This daily faithfulness was the bedrock of their community. They didn’t just gather for a powerful service and then disappear; they lived life together, fostering the genuine community and generosity that Luke describes.

Spiritual growth, like physical fitness, is rarely the result of a single, powerful moment. Instead, it is the cumulative effect of small, consistent acts of obedience and devotion offered to God daily. The early church’s life was a testament to the power of a faith lived out consistently—moment by moment and step by step.

Reflection Questions:

  • What one spiritual practice can you commit to consistently this week, even for just a few minutes a day?

  • How can faith be intentionally woven into the normal, everyday rhythms of life?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk with You faithfully, day by day. Teach me to be steadfast in Your Word, committed to fellowship, and constant in prayer. Amen.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: Fruits of Your Labor

Avatar photo Phil Meade on August 15, 2025

 

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls . . . And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:41, 47b (ESV)


13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Romans 10:13-15 (ESV)

 


FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR

 

My goal in writing this week’s Digging Deeper was to encourage each of us to examine our own spiritual life. What areas in your life do you need to walk away from? Listen to the convicting voice of the Spirit, allowing His power to strengthen your faith. Build on that faith by digging deeper into God’s Word. Let that knowledge transform your heart to be more like Jesus every day.

Take your faith out for a walk—practice kindness, generosity, and love.
Finally, fortify your faith in community. Join a small group. Serve together. Worship together. There is strength in numbers—the body of Christ grows, and the faith of individual members deepens.

As Mike reminds us frequently, the Christian life is not meant to be a solo flight. If God’s only purpose in salvation was the act itself, you wouldn’t still be here on Earth reading this. As we see in the passages from Acts, at least three thousand souls were added to the early church in one day (v. 41), and many more were saved in the days that followed (v. 47b).

Having strong faith is a gift, but as James writes, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). Works must accompany our faith. It does us no good to build, strengthen, and fortify our faith, only to leave it sitting on the mantle. If the new converts in the early church had departed that day and never shared their faith, where would the church be today?

One of my favorite passages in Scripture is the progression we find in Romans. I love the logical flow from “What shall we do?”—to calling on the name of the Lord—to Living Sent. Peter checked off every box in his sermon on that special day:
He lived sent—he preached the Gospel—people heard the good news—they believed—their cry of “What shall we do?” was answered—and they were saved!

We should all strive to be those “beautiful feet” that carry the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are crying out for an answer. Get on your feet, and take those new spiritual “muscles” out into the world. You may not save three thousand, but heaven rejoices with just one!


Digging Deeper (er):

Colossians 1:10; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Peter 1:5-9

 

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: Fortify My Faith

Avatar photo Phil Meade on August 14, 2025

 

42 And they devoted themselves to . . . the fellowship . . . 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common . . . and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people

Acts 2:42a, 44, 46b-47a (ESV)


FORTIFY MY FAITH

 

Forgive me for sounding like the “get off my lawn” blue-hair, but I believe what is severely lacking in society today is a sense of community. We leave our garage in the morning and return in the evening, shutting the door behind us. We communicate in short messages, post emojis on social media, or fail to interact with one another entirely.

I was on a layover years ago, enjoying a sunny walk through the campus of Vanderbilt University. I witnessed two college students walking closely side by side—heads down, buried in their phones. For all I knew, they were texting each other as they walked!

As mentioned yesterday, if the early church had exhibited the same attitude I observed on that campus, we would not be the body of Christ we are today. The early church came together, having “all things in common” (v. 44a). These were Jews from all over the region, in Jerusalem for Pentecost. Their heritage may have been the same, but they each brought with them pieces of the culture they lived in. They came for fellowship (v. 42a), communal meals, and to worship and praise God (vv. 46b–47a).

John Phillips comments:

The oneness of the early church was organic oneness, not organized oneness. There was a mutual caring and concern for other believers. There was a spontaneous coming together of like-minded believers—in love with the Lord, in love with each other, in love with lost souls.

Notice the common word in the last sentence—love! Love was the recurring theme that fortified the faith of those early believers. You and I are from different backgrounds, have unique stories, and may disagree on many things. The one thing we must share is our love for Jesus, our love for the body of Christ, and our love for those who need to hear the message of the Gospel.

As the writer of Ecclesiastes notes:

“Though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Webster’s defines fortify as: “to give physical strength, courage, or endurance; to add mental or moral strength; to protect or strengthen against attack.” Living in community will strengthen and fortify our faith, protecting us against the attacks of the enemy.

The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers to:

“Stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25, ESV).


Digging Deeper (er):

John 17:20-23 (High Priestly Prayer); 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Peter 3:8

 

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Measuring Growth

Kevin Burrell on August 13, 2025

 

Jesus grew in spiritual wisdom and in physical stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Luke 2:52

 

MEASURING GROWTH

 

Growth is important! Whether it’s physical, spiritual, relational, or occupational, growth matters. When I was a young boy, my mom had a specific wall in our home with marks on it where she would measure my physical growth from year to year. It was the same drill before the beginning of every school year—a reminder that growth should be natural.

When new parents have an infant, they make regular visits to the pediatrician. There are always two measurements the doctor checks: height and weight. If the child is not growing proportionally, something is physically wrong.

In a similar way, the same is true spiritually for a Christian. Case in point:

Watching my friend, Los Angeles Angels scout Brandon McArthur, grow spiritually has been nothing short of encouraging and inspiring. Week after week, month after month, and year after year, I’ve had a front-row seat to Brandon’s intentional pursuit of spiritual growth in Christ. He has consistently placed himself in environments that challenge and stretch his faith, choosing to be where growth can take root and flourish.

His commitment to spending time in God’s Word, in fellowship with other believers, and in prayer is evident—not just in his discipline, but in the transformation of his character and conduct. Aiming for progress, not perfection, I’ve watched him move from the simplicity of spiritual “baby food” to the richness and depth of spiritual “solid food,” feeding on the truths of Scripture in a way that strengthens him for life’s challenges.

Brandon’s journey is a living testimony that growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens through a willing, intentional heart and a faithful God.

Listen closely: God uses an infinite number of vehicles to help you grow. There is no “one-stop shop” environment that leads to instant spiritual maturity. I’ve never met anyone who became spiritually mature overnight. It’s a painstaking process that God takes you through over years—sifting, sanding, shaping, and molding your character and conduct to look more and more like Him. Often, these times include waiting, failing, falling, losing, and being misunderstood—each one calling for extra doses of perseverance. Unsure if it’s all worth it?

Just ask Brandon.

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: Exercise My Faith

Avatar photo Phil Meade on August 13, 2025

 

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together…

Acts 2:45-46a (ESV)

 


EXERCISE MY FAITH

 

Exercise! For some of you, this is a four-letter word! For others, it’s an obsession. Most of us fall somewhere in between those extremes. I think we can all agree that exercise is not only good for our physical bodies but also for our emotional well-being. Exercise builds strength, endurance, and discipline. But have you ever thought of your faith as something that needs to be exercised?

Paul often uses exercise metaphors when addressing the various churches he had planted. He reminds the church in Corinth:

“I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”
(1 Corinthians 9:26–27).

Paul also encourages his protégé Timothy to keep fighting, finish the race, and—through it all—keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Let’s look at how the members of the early church exercised their faith to bless not only one another, but also their surrounding community.

First, they sacrificed their worldly possessions for the cause (v. 45a).
Boice notes:

They shared their goods because they were generous, and they were generous because they had learned generosity from God. God had been generous with them. So because God had been generous with them, they were determined to be generous with one another.

Generosity is not one of the “easy” virtues in life. We are all born selfish, so generosity takes some serious discipline and exercise. Try it—you may find that joy is your reward!

Second, they looked for needs and fulfilled them (v. 45b).
How often in our daily lives do we miss opportunities to bless someone through our generosity? We must exercise our hearts and train them to be receptive to those in need.

Lastly, we must exercise our faith daily (v. 46a).
This may include serving, joining a small group, or attending worship services. The Christian life is not meant to be done alone. Jesus surrounded Himself with people and only isolated Himself for prayer and spiritual renewal. The early church would never have grown without community—a topic we’ll touch on more tomorrow.

Put down the remote, turn off your device, get off the couch, and get out there and exercise your faith! As Paul reminds Timothy:

“Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come”
(1 Timothy 4:7b–8).

Physical exercise is important—but spiritual exercise is eternal!

Digging Deeper (er):

1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Proverbs 24:5; Romans 12:1

 

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: Build Up Your Faith

Avatar photo Phil Meade on August 12, 2025

 

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…

Acts 2:42a (ESV)

 


BUILD UP YOUR FAITH

 

Yesterday we saw how the answer to one simple question changed the lives of countless people. Upon conversion, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the life of the believer. His role, as we noted yesterday, is not only to convict but also to enlighten. Jesus reminds His disciples that the Holy Spirit will come and “teach them all things” (John 14:26). To grow our faith, we must learn the things that form the foundation of our faith. There is no better place to find these building blocks than in God’s Word.

What is the one source you use to learn how to accomplish a new task? For most people, I’m guessing the answer would be YouTube. I’m not the most mechanically inclined, but I can do a few things around the house or under the hood. When my pickup needed a new starter, I was able to replace it with the help of a detailed video I found on YouTube. I used what I learned not only to get the job done, but also to build on my auto mechanic skills.

I like to equate getting to know Jesus with getting to know a romantic interest. When we meet someone who attracts us, we want to spend time with them, converse with them, learn their character, and ultimately trust them based on their actions and faithfulness. The same should be true of our relationship with Jesus.

Spending time with Jesus can take many forms. The important thing is to take the time—not out of obligation, but out of a desire to get to know Him better. Converse with Jesus in prayer and meditation. Learn God’s character by reading about His Son. We learn most about Jesus by studying the Word of God and listening to or reading the teachings of others. The more you learn about God, the more your faith will grow. You will trust Him, and you will know—unflinchingly—that He is faithful!

In the early days of the church, the believers were new to their faith. Many were Jewish converts who had a foundational knowledge (Old Testament) of God. Others—Gentiles—were coming from a pagan worldview. All new believers had to rely on the teaching of others to grow in their faith (v. 42). The same is true today, whether we are new to the faith or mature.

I have struggled at times with a disconnect between head and heart. I love to read, research, and ponder the breadth and depth of God. The eighteen months I spent earning my Master’s in Theological Studies was a grueling yet highly rewarding experience. I use the knowledge I gained during those studies in various endeavors, including writing what you are currently reading. My struggle occurs when I don’t take what I’ve learned and apply it in life’s various moments. Sometimes I feel like the “man in the mirror” from the book of James (1:22–25)—a “hearer,” and not a “doer.”

The early Christians started out as babes, surviving on milk alone. By learning about the character of God, they were soon able to eat solid food. Eventually, they used their strengthened faith to share the good news with others. They became doers!

Digging Deeper (er):

Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16

 

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

Digging Deeper: What Shall We Do?

Avatar photo Phil Meade on August 11, 2025

 

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place . . . 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.

Acts 2:1, 5 (ESV)

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself”

Acts 2:36-39 (ESV)


WHAT SHALL WE DO?

 

The Day of Pentecost has arrived. In the Old Testament, Pentecost—the Feast of Weeks, the Day of the Firstfruits—was celebrated 50 days after the Sabbath of Passover (see Leviticus 23). In the New Testament, Pentecost is synonymous with the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4). Peter, accompanied by the other eleven apostles, is speaking in Jerusalem to a group of believers—the original one hundred and twenty. At the sound of the events surrounding the coming of the Spirit, Jews from all nations living in Jerusalem gather to investigate (vv. 2:5–6).

Peter gives a sermon—quoting from the prophet Joel and King David—that stuns his audience (vv. 14–35). He ends his message by gently reminding the “House of Israel” that Jesus is both “Lord and Christ.” He then proceeds to not-so-gently remind them that they were the ones responsible for crucifying Jesus (v. 36). These words “cut to the heart” of the listeners and prompt them to ask a life-changing question: “What shall we do?” (v. 37).

When life hits rock bottom, the most common question we ask is, “What can I do?” I used to lead a divorce recovery group, and I heard that question more times than I can count. While I couldn’t give a specific answer to each situation, I could offer one that has worked for me on numerous occasions: when you hit rock bottom, look down to your “firm foundation”—the “rock” on which you stand. (I can hear your melodic voice, Seth!)

Peter answers his audience’s question with: “Repent and be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (v. 38). A simple question, answered by a seemingly straightforward response. Easy in theory—more difficult in practice. Enter the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has many roles. One of these is to transform (regenerate) the heart of a non-believer, allowing them access to the saving grace of Jesus—as is displayed in this narrative. Another role is conviction. The Spirit convicts us of our guilt, leading us to repentance. Repentance is simply turning the other way. David Guzik states, “You can’t turn towards God without turning from the things He is against.”

As we begin digging deeper into A World-Changing Faith, I challenge you to examine your own life. What areas are causing you to ask that simple question? The answer is just a prayer away. Change the world by allowing the Spirit to change you from within!

Digging Deeper (er):

Luke 3:8-14; Luke 10:25-37 (Good Samaritan); Mark 10:17-22

 

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.