NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper – Love Covers

Steve Roach on November 7, 2024

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)

LOVE COVERS

Peter promotes love as the primary trait we should display in our relationships with other believers. The reason, Peter explains, is that love covers a multitude of sins. This does not mean that love ignores, overlooks, or tries to hide sin. Instead, Peter probably was thinking back to his words in 4:1–2 that believers should live the rest of their lives according to God’s will and not human desires. As believers, they were “finished with sin.” The “covering of sins” is the believer’s ability to forgive one another because Christ has forgiven them. Remember Peter’s conversation with the Lord: “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?” “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22, CSB).

In the early days of television, there was a sitcom in which two characters discussed an acquaintance who had the annoying habit of slapping his friends across the chest whenever they met. “I’ve got a solution,” said one character to the other. “I put a stick of dynamite in my vest pocket, and the next time he slaps me, he is going to get his hand blown off.” He hadn’t bothered to think the dynamite would hurt him more than his friend.

Pastor and author David Jeremiah says, “An unforgiving spirit is like that. The Bible tells us to beware of the root of bitterness that can spring up and defile many. Jesus told us to be quick and frequent forgivers. His phrase ‘seventy times seven’ wasn’t intended to give us a literal count, but to convey an ongoing attitude.” Whenever someone hurts us, we can either hold on to the grudge or process it on our knees, releasing the bitterness and leaving the matter in God’s hands. In other words, don’t walk around with dynamite in your pocket. Are you withholding forgiveness from someone who has hurt you in some way? How do you speak about this person? Spend a few moments thinking about the benefits of forgiving someone and how that outweighs holding a grudge against someone. Praise God for being a God who forgives. Thank Him for forgiving you of all your sins – past, present, and future – through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton. He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper – Stay Ready

Steve Roach on November 6, 2024

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)

STAY READY

These early Christians who faced persecution took great comfort in the fact that their suffering would one day end and that the evil ways of the wicked would be judged. Peter, like the other apostles, was always aware that Christ could return at any moment (see Romans 13:11–12; 1 Corinthians 7:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:3; 1 John 2:18). Likewise, as believers, we need to be mindful that “the end of all things is near,” for Christ can come at any time. To be ready, Peter tells us to think clearly and restrain ourselves from sin as we lean on the Lord in prayer.

Pastor Rick Ezell writes: “George Tulloch led an expedition to the spot where the Titanic sank in 1912. He and his crew recovered numerous artifacts. Before leaving the site, Tulloch’s team set out to raise a 20-ton piece of iron. They successfully lifted it to the surface, but a storm blew in, the ropes broke, and the Atlantic reclaimed her treasure. Tulloch was forced to retreat and regroup. Before he left, he did something curious. He descended into the deep and, with the robotic arm of his submarine, attached a strip of metal to a section of the hull. On the metal, he’d written these words, ‘I will come back, George Tulloch.’”

Jesus uttered the exact words to His disciples: “I will come back.” Jesus made a promise He intends to keep. We just don’t know when He will come for us. In C.S. Lewis’s Voyage of the Dawn Treader, a conversation between Lucy and Aslan, the lion who is the Christ figure in the story, unfolds: “Do not look so sad. We shall meet soon again.” “Please, Aslan,” said Lucy, “What do you call soon?” “I call all times soon,” said Aslan; and instantly he was vanished away. James tells us that until we meet Jesus, we should strengthen our hearts and patiently endure, knowing it will all be worth it. Are you ready for His coming?

If today was your last day on earth, what undone “business” would you take care of? What is keeping you from acting on these things today? How does the assurance of Jesus’ return help you endure difficult times? Praise God for being a promise-keeping God. Thank Him for the hope and promise of Jesus’ second coming.

Busy Doing the Right Things

Kevin Burrell on November 6, 2024

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”

Matthew 25:35-36

BUSY DOING THE RIGHT THINGS

One day, a young woman was walking home from work when she saw a little girl standing on the street corner, begging. The girl’s clothes were ragged, torn, and dirty; her hair was matted and unclean; her feet were bare, and her cheeks were red from the cold.

The young woman dropped a few coins into the begging cup, gave the girl a smile, and walked on. As she continued, she began to feel guilty. How could she go home to her warm house, stocked pantry, and well-supplied wardrobe while this little girl shivered on the street?

The young woman grew angry—angry with God—and she let her feelings be known in a prayer of protest: “God, how can you let these things happen? Why don’t you do something to help this girl?” And then, to her amazement, God answered. He said, “I did do something. I created you.”

In the busyness of our lives, we’re often driven by a sense of urgency: tasks to complete, schedules to maintain, places to go, people to see, and responsibilities to fulfill. However, as we go about our days, weeks, and months, it’s easy to forget who we are called to be—the hands, feet, and eyes of Jesus.

Being the hands of Jesus means serving others with love and compassion. Being the feet of Jesus means going where He leads, which requires stepping into the unknown and outside our comfort zones. It might mean visiting the sick, traveling to help the poor, or simply being present with someone who needs a listening ear. Jesus’ feet walked miles to bring good news and hope to the lost, and our feet, too, are meant to carry His message of love, compassion, and salvation to those around us.

Being the eyes of Jesus means seeing people as He sees them. When we walk through crowded places, do we see people as transactions or distractions—or as souls deeply loved by God? Jesus saw the brokenness and beauty in each person He encountered. He looked past outward appearances and into their hearts. He noticed the overlooked, loved the unloved, and brought light to the darkest places. We, too, are called to see people’s pain and meet it with His grace, to see their needs and respond with compassion.

My father reminded me often; he would say, “See a need, fill a need.” This is what it means to be the hands, feet, and eyes of Jesus. Yet sometimes our own busyness keeps us from seeing or responding. We are consumed by our phones and schedules, burdened by to-do lists, and focused on achieving our own goals. However, Jesus calls us to shift our priorities and focus on the right things, because if Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.

Listen closely: sometimes the most meaningful ministry happens when you slow down and choose to be present with others. In your busyness, ask yourself: Am I busy with the right things? Am I investing my time in what truly matters to God?

Be intentional today. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the needs of others around you. Maybe it’s the weary coach or coworker who could use some encouragement, the lonely neighbor or friend who has lost a spouse and could use a visit, or the homeless person standing by the stop sign who needs a meal. Whatever or whoever it is, open your eyes to the opportunities all around you, move your feet in obedience, and let your hands show God’s love in a practical way.

God provided a solution—He created you!

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 – Peer Pressure

Steve Roach on November 5, 2024

4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:4-5 (ESV)

PEER PRESSURE

When you begin to follow Jesus, you won’t desire the same worldly lifestyle that you used to enjoy. Your unbelieving friends may be surprised that you no longer want to do the same things or visit the usual places. Peter reminds us that these friends will not only be shocked at our changing desires and behavior, but they will malign us. They may take your avoidance as an insult. The word for “malign” in the Greek language means to “heap abuse on” or “slander.” Peter doesn’t want us to feel the pressure to garner their acceptance, so he reminds us that they will have to give account to God for their carnal lifestyle and choices one day.

How else can we stand against the pressure to conform? The principle in the following verse is critical to our pursuit of godliness. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV) says, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” There is power in numbers! We need positive peer pressure from other believers to encourage us to stay strong and fight well. Christianity is not a solo sport. It’s a team effort. You need other believers’ gifts, strength, and encouragement to keep you strong. And others need you. Who are your running partners? Who will be with you when the going gets tough?

When you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in a “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing that science has discovered why they fly that way. Research has revealed that as each bird flaps its wings, it uplifts the bird immediately behind it. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew independently. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go alone. It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the “V,” and another goose flies the point. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Even geese have learned the power of community! Ask the Lord to give encouraging friends who make you want to stay true to the Lord.

Digging Deeper – Resolve to Resist

Steve Roach on November 4, 2024

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

1 Peter 4:1-3 (ESV)

RESOLVE TO RESIST

In 1 Peter 4, the apostle Peter instructs his readers to arm themselves with the same resolve and way of thinking that Jesus Christ had so that they might abstain from the carnal desires that war against them. Peter reminded them that they had already spent enough time in their past doing the things that unbelievers (“Gentiles”) like to do. They have ceased to do such things because of their faithfulness to Christ. Why does Peter give them this reminder? There are times, as believers when we fail to have this resolve toward sin, and it gets the better of us.

Psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Grosz points to research that shows we usually don’t respond when a fire alarm rings. Instead of leaving the building immediately, we stand around and wait for more clues. But then, even with more information, we still won’t make a move—and sometimes that proves deadly. For instance, in 1985, 56 people were killed when a fire broke out in the stands of a soccer match in England. Close examination of television footage later showed that fans did not react immediately and continued to watch both the fire and the game, failing to move toward the exits. Grosz concludes: “After 25 years as a psychoanalyst, I can’t say that this surprises me. We resist change. Committing ourselves to a small change, even one that is unmistakably in our best interest is often more frightening than ignoring a dangerous situation.”

When God alarms us of sin and impurity in our lives, we are best served to exit that sin and run to God immediately. If we hesitate, procrastinate, or rationalize our behavior, we will endanger ourselves and those around us. God shows us our imperfections not to discourage us but to point us to grace and provide the power to overcome them.

How do you typically respond when facing the ugliness of your sin? Why is it more harmful to procrastinate when dealing with the habitual sin in our lives? Proverbs 28:13 (CSB) says, “The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” Give thanks to God for the grace that awaits you every time you turn away from a sinful attitude or behavior and turn toward Him in obedience. Ask Him for Christ’s resolve to battle the sinful desires waging war within you.

Digging Deeper – God’s Mysterious Ways

C.A. Phillips on November 1, 2024

Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

1 Peter 3:17 (NLT)

GOD’S MYSTERIOUS WAYS

There are quite a few head-scratchers in Scripture: questions about why certain events unfolded as they did, and why God allowed certain things to happen the way they were recorded. As I read and examine many of these incidents, I’m left with this question: why does God allow His people to suffer…for doing good?

We don’t have the time to delve into every aspect of this age-old mystery. However, we see countless examples in the Bible of people doing the right thing yet suffering as though they had committed a terrible crime. Why?

1 Peter 3:17, taken on its own, is challenging to understand. We need some context here to begin to grasp what Peter is trying to convey in this passage:

Peter is writing to new Christians—primarily Gentiles (non-Jews) who are being persecuted. They are being treated harshly, verbally abused, and discriminated against. Some have endured torture and death.
Peter urges them to keep their focus on the glory that awaits in eternity and to remember how Christ suffered on their behalf.
Peter, an Apostle, had seen, spoken with, and been restored by the risen Christ. He witnessed Christ’s suffering but also saw that Jesus rose to new life!
Peter wants readers to understand that we are blessed to share in the suffering of Christ. When we experience pain, mistreatment, agony, hardship, and torment, we identify with Him and gain greater intimacy with Him.

Here are a couple of Scripture passages that might help us reconcile 1 Peter 3:17:

“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” – Romans 8:17-18 (NLT)

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

The essence of Christianity is faith in who Jesus Christ is and trusting in Him as Lord and Savior. We must hold fast to the hope of the resurrection because this is why Jesus suffered in the first place—to redeem us with His body and blood so that we could share in the resurrection with Him!

Sin and suffering are intertwined and have been since humanity’s fall in the Garden of Eden. The best way to handle suffering—especially suffering for doing good—is to lean on the Lord, look forward to the eternal prize that awaits, and live righteously, so that those who see you suffering will notice there’s something different about you.

Nothing is wasted when we live for Christ.

C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

Digging Deeper – Getting the Finger, Lending a Hand

C.A. Phillips on October 31, 2024

Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

1 Peter 3:16b (NLT)

GETTING THE FINGER, LENDING A HAND

I’ve got two words for you: Road Rage.

If you’ve been behind the wheel of a car, you’ve seen it and almost certainly felt it. Traffic is infuriating, but inconsiderate, self-absorbed drivers take things to a new level. We all have our stories to share, but a friend of mine recently told one that left me in stunned silence.

He was simply driving to the grocery store, making his way through the parking lot. He spotted a vehicle backing out of a parking space ahead and turned on his blinker. He waited for the driver to pull out and even backed up his car to give the driver extra room. Just as he was about to turn into the vacant space, a young man came out of nowhere, cut him off, and pulled into the space ahead of him. My friend honked, but this fine young gentleman accompanied his selfish act with some hand gestures.

As my friend told me this story, my blood began to boil. I started thinking about what I would have said or how I would have responded, and none of them are found in the Sermon on the Mount.

But my friend remained calm and simply kept driving through the parking lot until he found another space—a couple of aisles over from where he had planned to park. He then proceeded to go into the grocery store, grabbed a few items, checked out, and walked back to his car. As he made his way through the lot, he spotted the guy who had cut him off. The young man was standing in front of his car with the hood propped open. My friend walked over and asked, “Is there any way I can help?”

By this point, my jaw had dropped, and I was feeling severely convicted—and I was just listening to the story!

The young man immediately realized who was offering to help him. He felt about an inch tall at that point, but my friend persisted. “Do you know what’s wrong?”

“My battery is dead,” the guy sheepishly replied. “My car won’t start.”

“Well, I’ve got some jumper cables in my car,” my buddy said. “I’m happy to grab them and see if I can help get your car started.”

Before the guy could decline the offer, my friend moved his car, retrieved the cables, connected them to the battery terminals in both vehicles, and successfully jump-started the guy’s battery. The young man was grateful but clearly ashamed of himself.

“If I had been you, I don’t think I would have helped,” he said.

“Well, that’s OK,” my friend replied. “Next time, you will.”

I will never forget this story. I still wonder: if my friend hadn’t offered to help, how would that decision have affected this young man’s life?

In His message known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offered these words to the thousands who had gathered to listen:

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45, NLT)

This is not easy to do on a good day, much less when we have been wronged. But we have Good News to share with a lost world. If we respond as the world would respond, we surrender our influence and squander an opportunity to put the goodness of God on display.

Digging Deeper – Will Anyone Ask?

C.A. Phillips on October 30, 2024

And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.

1 Peter 3:15b-16a (NLT)

WILL ANYONE ASK?

If you’ve been to a major sporting event or concert, you’ve encountered them. They are often holding large posters, wearing sandwich board signs, and almost always projecting their message through the famed bullhorn. They’re the so-called “hellfire and brimstone” evangelists.

Admittedly, I get upset each time I encounter them. Wrong message, wrong tactics. Am I disputing that sinners should repent and give their lives to the Lord? No! But instead of yelling that people are going to hell and centering their narrative around fear, perhaps they could examine the Scriptures and see how Jesus spoke to crowds.

These folks focus on shame. Jesus focused on forgiveness.
They speak with contempt. Jesus spoke with love.
They cast judgment. Jesus offered redemption.
They make assertions and blanket statements. Jesus asked questions.
They push people away. Jesus invited people in.

Whether or not you carry a bullhorn, you still share a message with everyone you encounter about who Jesus is to you—through your work ethic, how you speak to others, how you serve others, whether you are kind and considerate, how you drive in traffic, and even how far you’re willing to go to win a game. Whether you realize it or not, you are constantly communicating something to the people in your sphere of influence! What do you want to tell them about who Jesus is through your words and behavior?

Peter tells us we need to live our lives in such a way that people notice a difference (for the good) and may ask us about the joy and hope they see in our lives. When this door opens, we need to be ready (and eager) to share who Christ is and what He has done!

Are you living in such a way that someone would ask you that question? If not, you’ve got some self-examination and reflection ahead of you. If so, spend time thinking and praying about how you’ll respond when that day comes. People who aren’t believers don’t think and act like believers, so heed Peter’s words: be gentle and respectful. The only time they might see Jesus is through you!

Digging Deeper – An Antidote to Worry and Fear

C.A. Phillips on October 29, 2024

So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.

1 Peter 3:14b-15 (NLT)

AN ANTIDOTE TO WORRY AND FEAR

When I read Peter’s letters, this thought occasionally occurs to me: “He makes it sound so easy!”

The phrase “fear not” appears more than 70 times in Scripture, with the words “fear” or “afraid” appearing more than 200 times. This apparently was—and continues to be—a topic that bears repeating for all of us. We need constant reminders that our enemy is at work to discourage us, but that we have no true reason to fear when we are living in fellowship with the Lord.

In Peter’s first letter, he implores early Christians under persecution to continue to fight the good fight, do good amid suffering, and remember Christ in everything. But even when we persevere and put on our game face, worry can creep in—especially when your life is being threatened for your faith!

In America, we rarely, if ever, face the type of persecution these early believers suffered. But we still face threats—very real ones. And it’s so easy to focus on the “what ifs” and prematurely fill in the blanks on a story God hasn’t finished yet, instead of fixing our gaze on Jesus—the One who holds us in His hands.

The Apostle Paul wrote several letters to early churches to remind them who they were in Christ. In Philippians, he encouraged believers to combat worry through prayer:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)

While it makes perfect sense to PRAY instead of WORRYING, it’s tough to let go of worry altogether. Perhaps that’s why Peter offers us another antidote to worry and fear: he tells us to WORSHIP Christ instead of focusing on the threats against us. When Christ becomes the object of our affection and attention, worry, doubt, anxiety, and fear begin to fade away. By baring our soul to the Lord through worship, we lay our problems at His feet and surrender control to Him. This breaks the chains of discouragement and gives us freedom from the emotional prison we’ve been locked in!

Digging Deeper – God Meant it for Good

C.A. Phillips on October 28, 2024

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.

1 Peter 3:13 (NLT)

GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD

Have you ever read the story of Joseph in Genesis? If not, perhaps you’ve seen the Broadway musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. If you’re not familiar with this epic story, it’s worth your time to read Genesis 37-50.

In a nutshell, Joseph was the favored son of Jacob (whom God renamed Israel after Jacob wrestled with Him all night and didn’t relent). Joseph had 11 brothers, 10 of whom were older than him—and nine of those brothers made the decision to sell Joseph to foreigners as a slave. They then told Jacob that Joseph had been mauled by a wild animal.

Meanwhile, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, the captain of the Egyptian guard. Joseph served Potiphar well and honored the Lord in how he handled his responsibilities. As a result, Potiphar’s household thrived—that is, until Potiphar’s wife began to lust after Joseph. He refused her numerous advances, and she became so offended that she accused him of raping her. Potiphar threw Joseph in prison, where he remained for years.

Yet the Lord was with Joseph in prison. He was a model inmate, and because of God’s favor, the prison warden came to fully trust Joseph and ultimately put him in charge of all the prisoners. There, Joseph met two men who were also imprisoned: one was Pharaoh’s cupbearer, and the other was the chief baker. Both had dreams and needed help understanding their meanings. Joseph interpreted their dreams and asked them to remember him when they were released. They didn’t—at least, not for two years, until Pharaoh himself began having dreams that no one could interpret.

To make a long story short, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, became second in command over all of Egypt, saved the country (and perhaps the world) from a seven-year famine, and increased Egypt’s wealth. Among those he saved were his brothers—the very ones who had sold him into slavery 13 years earlier! The brothers didn’t recognize Joseph when they came to buy grain, but he remembered them. Eventually, Joseph revealed his identity to them, and they were terrified for their lives. They schemed and manipulated some details for self-preservation, but Joseph responded with kindness and grace:

“Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (Genesis 50:19-20, NLT)

What’s the lesson? Keep doing good. Keep honoring the Lord, no matter what harm others may try to do to you, and regardless of your circumstances. In the end, trust that God is working all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

God meant it for good with Joseph, and it’s the same for you and me when we honor Him with our words and actions.