>>The Right Focus

Focusing with the right perspective. That sounds easy enough but sometimes it is not as easy as it sounds. Keeping our eyes on Christ is where fulfillment truly lies but how do we find ourselves looking to other things instead? There is a pull on our lives toward the busy schedules, responsibilities and challenges this life offers. This does not necessarily mean that these are evil things. In fact, hopefully they are important things in our lives rather than burdens. You may add to this list as you wish. All of the things that pull us or compete for our time must be synced with the necessary relationship with God. No schedule, ambition, or desire should take the place of our walk with Christ. Often the things that take our time are good things. The question is, “are they the best things?”. It is when we keep our relationship with God in check that we can function properly and focus with the proper perspective.
Speaking of focusing with the right perspective, one of the things that we are focusing on here at NSC is people. We want to love the things that God loves and God loves people. It is our focus and desire at NSC to show God’s love to people. We want to show His love in such a way that people exchange ordinary living for the extraordinary through the power of Jesus Christ. As you read this, think of someone who needs His love. As you face the challenges and demands of a busy week, be sure to keep Christ in His rightful place in your life and share His love with others. He has what we need and He has what others need.

>>Sweet

I keep telling people who ask about NSC, a subject I love to talk about, God is making a difference in the lives of the people who attend NorthStar. I am quick to tell them we are not taking ANY credit for the good stuff that is happening here. It is all about Him. It is all about what God is doing. Those of us leading, attending, watching, serving, and worshiping are just a by-product of the supernatural work God is performing in this place. I am humbled by the way God continues to add to His kingdom, change lives for His glory, give hope to the hopeless, encouragement to the discouraged, future to the future-less, joy to the joyless, and salvation to the lost. NorthStar is a place where we seek to express God's love in such a way that people will exchange ordinary living for the extraordinary by the power of Jesus Christ. We are Real People at a relevant church who connect people to a growing relationship with Christ and others to fulfill their life purpose. Just checking us out? Come on and see what it is about. Been coming for a while? Plunge on in and get involved. Though we are far from perfect, it is encouraging to hear from one of our attenders who simply said: " Sweet !"

>>Upside Down

What difference can one or two people make in changing the world for the better? Have you ever said: “I am just one person. What I do will not really make that much difference.”? When considering an election, we usually hear people say, “Every vote counts.” In church, we often say how important every person is in the body. The real deal is we can make a difference. In the early days of Christianity, we see some of the believers being accused and abused for doing what was right before God. They were persecuted for telling people about Christ. Their message of hope and forgiveness somehow threatened the religious leaders of the day. One place, in the Bible, they were making such a difference in the way people thought and lived, they the were branded as ones who were turning the world upside down. Notice what the Bible says about these guys.

5 But the Jews became jealous, and when they had brought together some scoundrels from the marketplace and formed a mob, they set the city in an uproar. Attacking Jason's house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. 6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, Acts 17:5-6 (HCSB)

Wow! How awesome is that? Wouldn't it be something if that could be said about us here at NSC? In many ways ,we are making a difference in our community and region. I see so many willing people stepping up to the plate saying, “ I am willing to do whatever it takes to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.” With our words, attitude, willingness, activity, prayer, worship, fellowship, maturity, ministry, and missions, we share the love of Christ with the world. When it is all said and done, we want the world to know that we loved them with the love of Christ and we want Christ to say to us, “well done.”

23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

Keep on turning the world upside down!

>>Our Passion

Doing whatever it takes to please and honor God should be our life goal. God created us for His pleasure. He created us because He loves us. Sometimes we are so busy trying to please everyone else, we forget we are to please God. It is so rewarding to find that when we please God, other relationships begin to fall into place. In other words, when we get our relationship with God where it needs to be, our relationships with others take on new shape and meaning. We certainly want to please Him. Hopefully, on this journey called life, we learn to love what God loves. God loves people. Isn't it interesting, everywhere Jesus went, He was loving people. Sometimes He would reprove them and at other times He would admonish them, but He always loved them with unconditional love. It is easy to get so busy doing good things that we fail to do the best things. We can serve on teams, lead others, and even actively attend church and still forget to reach out to those who do not have a personal relationship with God. I have been guilty of this very problem. As a pastor, I must make sure I keep my focus on the reason I am doing what I am doing. He has called all of us, as believers, to carry out the work of the ministry. Weare to love what Jesus loves, and Jesus loves the church. I love NorthStar Church. I love doing His work and sharing the good news. I am thankful for all those who have come beside me to share in the work. I am thankful for a loving church family who truly has a vision to reach people for Christ. My challenge for today is to make a difference with your life.