Digging Deeper: Believe

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on December 20, 2023

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

Romans 15:13 (CSB)


BELIEVE

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Merry Christmas – You’re Outta Here!

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on December 20, 2023


…obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due.

Romans 13:7b (TLB)

 

It was a crisp late October evening. The 12u season-ending fall rec tournament was underway. I had the honor of working behind the plate in our two-man umpire team. The first two batters were retired in uneventful fashion in the top of the first, bringing up the three-hole hitter. He was the team’s best player: No. 13. With the count even at 2-2, the pitcher painted the outside corner with a thigh-high fastball, and the hitter just watched it go by, leaving his Demarini bat on his shoulder.

“Strike three!” I exclaimed, ending the top of the first.

The batter two two steps out of the box, then stopped suddenly and turned back to me.

“You’ve GOT to be kidding me!!” he objected, before resuming his walk back to the dugout.

I stood there stunned for a moment, then said to myself, “Nope. He’s not getting away with that.”

I followed the batter for a few steps, and as I approached the dugout, I announced in front of the families in the visiting stands, “Number 13 is out of this ball game! Number 1-3 is out of the game and will not return!”

Gasps were audible from the parents and siblings, and several immediately questioned: “Why?!?!” I said, “Because he was disrespectful – that’s why!”

About an inning later, the opposing coach came over to me between innings. He said, “You know, I’m okay with it if you want to allow him back in the game.”

I said, “Well, you might be OK with it, but I’m not! If I let him back into the game, he won’t learn a thing! I’m thinking about this young man’s future. If he comes back in the game, then nothing will change.”

I don’t know of another umpire in my organization who has ejected an 11 year old kid. Perhaps I am the only one who has – but I stand behind my decision! It seems with each passing day society’s collective respect for authority diminishes. People (even kids) project an air of superiority and entitlement, as opposed to what scripture teaches regarding honoring others and showing them respect – even when we feel it’s not deserved.

The Apostle Paul continues in Chapter 13 by writing, All ten [Commandments] are wrapped up in this one, to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone. That’s why it fully satisfies all of God’s requirements. It is the only law you need. Romans 13:9b-10

Respecting authority – including umpires – is a way to “love your neighbor.” It’s tough to think in those terms, especially when we are certain that we were wronged. And, let’s face it – umpires do get it wrong (even me sometimes). But, let’s remember that when we’re respectful, we honor the Lord, and he rewards us for it.

Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn’t hard at all; for every child of God can obey him, defeating sin and evil pleasure by trusting Christ to help him. 1 John 5:3 

C.A. Phillips has served on staff at NorthStar Church since 2004, and has more than 35 years of baseball experience as a player, coach, and umpire. He and his wife, Amy, have two adult sons and live in Kennesaw with their German Shepherd, Abby.

Digging Deeper: Sacrifice of Praise

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on December 19, 2023

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

Romans 15:13 (CSB)


SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Digging Deeper: The God of Hope

Avatar photo Sarah Jefferson on December 18, 2023

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

Romans 15:13 (ESV)


THE GOD OF HOPE

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Digging Deeper: The Way Home to the Father

Avatar photo Larry Grays on December 15, 2023

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)


THE WAY HOME TO THE FATHER

 

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

 

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

 

Reflection

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

 

Prayer

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

 

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

Digging Deeper: The Way to Life

Avatar photo Larry Grays on December 14, 2023

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)


THE WAY TO LIFE

 

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

 

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

 

Reflection

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

 

Prayer

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

 

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

What Is Your ‘PCR’ Report?

Kevin Burrell on December 13, 2023


“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
Luke 6:40

 

What is Your “PCR” Report?

For nearly eight years our son, Zach, has been a licensed Paramedic in the State of Georgia and is also a Nationally Certified Paramedic.  One of his important job responsibilities is to write and maintain accurate, high-quality and detailed documentation regarding the patients he cares for on his EMS calls.  These are referred to as “PCR” reports (patient care reports).  At a minimum, there are seven marks or key elements that are identified as essentials for documenting a well written and complete “PCR” narrative:

  • Dispatch and Response Summery
  • Scene Summary
  • Patient Physical Exam Summary
  • Interventions Summary
  • Status Change Summary
  • Safety Summary
  • Disposition Summary

Yes, Paramedics (and all Healthcare Providers) have a responsibility to provide high-quality, accurate and detailed summaries of all patient encounters.  These components and indicators are vital in evaluating a quality “PCR” report.

In a similar way, there are seven vital key components or indicators of a “Fully Trained” disciple of Christ who is replicating the “Conduct” of Christ in their daily life.  Observe closely:

  • Member – Do I belong to a local church by being in a large group weekend environment and prioritizing a small group environment?
  • Magnifier – Am I spending time worshipping God in private when I’m alone, and in public in my local church?
  • Minister – Am I meeting the needs of people in my local community, in my occupation, and in my local church?
  • Maturing – Am I spending time alone with God, growing in my Fellowship and Faith with Him through reading, studying His Word, and prayer?
  • Manager – Am I managing my time, my calendar, my talents, my relationships, my treasure and my body in a God honoring way?
  • Messenger – Am I actively seeking out opportunities to share God’s message of love and salvation with others, inviting someone to church, small group, or discipleship group?
  • Multiplier – Am I leveraging my influence by reproducing and multiplying more disciples with the life and time I’ve been given here on earth, am I making disciples that make disciples?

Listen closely:  If your target is to become a fully trained disciple, then all seven marks of Christ should be present in your life.  These seven marks may not be all the marks of a fully trained disciple, however all seven marks are evident in Jesus’s life, evident in the disciples’ lives, and evident in the life of the Church.  Not one time in the past 2000 years has being a disciple not included these seven marks of Christ’s life.  That should give you the motivation to want those marks present in your life.

What does your “PCR” report indicate about your life as a “Fully Trained” disciple?

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 43 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: The Way to the Truth

Avatar photo Larry Grays on December 13, 2023

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)


THE WAY TO THE TRUTH

 

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

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

 

Reflection

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

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

2) God grades on a curve.

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

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

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

 

Prayer

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

 

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

Digging Deeper – December 12, 2023

Avatar photo Larry Grays on December 12, 2023

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (ESV)


THE WAY HOME

 

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

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

 

Reflection

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

 

Prayer

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

 

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

Digging Deeper – December 11, 2023

Avatar photo Larry Grays on December 11, 2023

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

John 14:5 (ESV)


THE WAY HOME: A GOOD QUESTION

 

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

 

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

 

Reflection

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

 

Prayer

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

 

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