GrowthStarts

Digging Deeper ... Seasons of Change ... Sunday

GOVERNMENT: Today, Sunday, will be focused on our government leaders.

Write our president’s name at the top of this list. You can make the rest of this list as detailed as you desire. It could include all of the leaders that you vote for, including senators, congressmen, and state, county, and city officeholders.

Pray for them, but also pray for yourself to be a better citizen.

Look up the following Scriptures and come up with some bullet points to pray for:

Ezra 6:10 (NIV):

so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.

Proverbs 21:1 (NIV):

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; 
he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Romans 13:1 (NIV):

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Romans 13:5 (NIV):

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV):

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. [3] This is good, and pleases God our Savior, [4] who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Now spend the rest of your time today praying for your president and other government officials.

If you’ve made it this far, then you now have a weekly guide to aid you in praying for others. Feel free to continue adapting it to your use. And whether you use this guide or not, just pray!

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "Seasons of Change" or other messages.

Digging Deeper ... Seasons of Change ... Saturday

CHURCH: Today, Saturday, will be focused on your pastor and your church.

Write NorthStar Church and Mike’s name at the top of this list, as well as any other leaders you serve with.

You’ll be praying for them, but also for yourself to be a better member of Christ’s body, the church.

Look up the following Scriptures and come up with some bullet points to pray for:

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV):

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV):

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

2 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV):

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV):

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Now spend the rest of your time today praying for your pastor and your church.

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "Seasons of Change" or other messages.

Quotable Quote ... Carl Jung

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

HT: The Quotations Page

Digging Deeper ... Seasons of Change ... Friday

WORK: Today, Friday, will be focused on your boss and coworkers. Write their names at the top of this list.

You’ll be praying for them, but also for yourself to be a better employee.

Look up the following Scriptures and come up with some bullet points to pray for:

Ephesians 6:5-9 (NIV):

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. [6] Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. [7] Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, [8] because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

[9] And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Colossians 3:22-4:1 (NIV):

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. [3:23] Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, [3:24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. [3:25] Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

[4:1] Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 (NIV):

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. [2] Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.

Now spend the rest of your time today praying for your boss and coworkers.

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "Seasons of Change" or other messages.

Quotable Quote ... Edwin Schlossberg

The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think.

HT: The Quotations Page

Digging Deeper ... Seasons of Change ... Thursday

FRIENDS: Today, Thursday, will be focused on your friends.

Write down the names of several friends at the top of this list.

You’ll be praying for them, but also for yourself to be a better friend.

Look up the following Scriptures and come up with some bullet points to pray for:

Proverbs 16:28 (NIV):

A perverse man stirs up dissension,
   and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV):

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
   but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

John 15:15 (NIV):

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Acts 24:23 (NIV):

He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

Now spend the rest of your time today praying for your friends.

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "Seasons of Change" or other messages.

Quotable Quote ... Robert Benchley

I can't bring myself to say, 'Well, I guess I'll be toddling along.' It isn't that I can't toddle. It's just that I can't guess I'll toddle.

HT: The Quotations Page

Digging Deeper ... Seasons of Change ... Wednesday

FAMILY: Today, Wednesday, will be focused on your extended family.

We spent Monday and Tuesday on our spouses and children, but today is about whoever else in your family you want to lift up, depending on your situation. This could include parents, grandparents, siblings and their families, etc.—whoever you desire to pray for. Put their names at the top of this list.

You’ll be praying not only for them, but for yourself to be a better family member.

Look up the following Scriptures and come up with some bullet points to pray for:

Acts 16:34 (NIV):

The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV):

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 6:2-3 (NIV):

"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— [3] "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Now spend the rest of your time today praying for your extended family.

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "Seasons of Change" or other messages.

Previously @ NorthStar ... Seasons of Change

Labor Day weekend at NorthStarMike Linch shared the message "Seasons of Change" as we thought about how to make sense of the seasons of life, especially the difficult ones.

Miss Sunday's service? Click here to download audio of Mike's message or to view or print sermon notes.

Some bullet points from the day:

• The seasons of life are beyond my control (Daniel 2:21). And God requires no explanation. So let go.
• The seasons of life include both good and bad times (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). We would only choose good if we had the choice, but we are not in charge.
• The seasons of life are often confusing (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We have a limited perspective. We get discouraged, frustrated, upset. But God's timetable is different from ours.
• God has a purpose for every season of your life (Romans 8:28). We are defined by the tough times. God never wastes our experiences.
• What I sow in one season, I will reap in another season (Galatians 6:9). Always keep doing what's good and what's right. It's never wrong to do what's right and it's never right to do what's wrong.

How can I make the most of each season? Ask:

• What can I learn in this season of life? Don't ask "why?" but "what?"--"What are you trying to teach me, Lord?" (The problem is we don't really want to know "why?" We want to know "why me?")
• What can I enjoy right now in this season of my life? Don't wish your life away.
• What should be my priority right now in this season of my life?
• How can I help others right now in this season of my life? How can I give back in every season of life? (This helps me get through.)

This Week @ NorthStar

• NorthStar in the Community: Join us as we serve in our community at the following places this week: MUST Marietta laundry; MUST Smyrna pantry; concessions at North Cobb High School; the Great Locomotive Chase 5K; the Great Allatoona Lake Cleanup; and the Taste of Kennesaw. Volunteer online.
• The Clothesline: The Clothesline will be open to the community this Saturday, September 12, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Join us as we set up and sort clothes on Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Help for 30 minutes or as long as you can. We also need folks with pickup trucks to help us move the clothes from the trailer to the building on Thursday, September 10 beginning at 7 a.m. And we need people on Saturday, September 12 at 2 p.m. to help clean up and turn the building around for weekend services. Volunteer online.
• Communion: Drop in anytime from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the True North Auditorium this Friday, September 11 for prayer and communion.
• New Series: The new four-week series Honeymoon: When Marriage Meets Reality starts this Sunday, September 13 in all services: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 5 p.m.
• Game Day: This Sunday, September 13, wear your team colors and show your support! And stop by for a hot dog after the service courtesy of the Men of NorthStar!
• Membership Class: This Sunday, September 13, 9:30-11 a.m. in Center Court. Find out what being a member of NorthStar means. Register online.

More Upcoming

• Big Give: "Undie Sunday": September 20.
• Men's Fall Retreat: September 25-26.
• GrowthStarts Class: "LOVE DARE: Fireproof Your Marriage": Six-week study beginning Sunday, September 27.
• Baptism Service: Sunday, September 27.

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly  in your inbox, send your email address to randy.elster@northstarchurch.org  and request Previously @ NorthStar!

Quotable Quote ... Lord Samuel

Do not choose to be wrong for the sake of being different.

HT: Execupundit