GrowthStarts

Previously @ NorthStar ... Bring It: Smack Talk

Yesterday at NorthStar we continued the Bring It series with part 5, "Smack Talk," as Mike Linch talked about James 3:1-12.

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

Mike said that you can gauge your spiritual growth by the words coming from your mouth. A good Scripture to pray every day is Psalm 141:3 (NIV): "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips."

Three reasons to watch what I say:

1. My mouth directs where I go (James 3:3-4). How we use our mouths can alter the course of our lives.
2. My mouth can destroy what I have (James 3:5-8). Our mouths are so powerful, they can destroy our lives or the lives of others.
3. My mouth displays who I am (James 3:9-12). My mouth is the tattletale of my heart.

The problem: I don't have a mouth problem, I have a heart problem (Matthew 12:34; 15:18-19).

The solution: Give your heart to Jesus and ask Him to begin healing your mind, will, and emotions. This may take some time and usually involves some extra steps such as revealing your hurts to another and granting or requesting forgiveness.

A person who controls his words is a person who brings unity. A person who doesn't control his words is a person who brings war.

Don't Forget!

Just a friendly reminder...

• Digging Deeper: To get the most out of Sunday's message, use the "Digging Deeper" insert from your Navigator each day. Or go online to the GrowthStarts blog -- www.growthstarts.org -- for each day's installment.
• Membership Class: Sunday, July 12, 9:30-11 a.m., Center Court. Find out what it means to be a member of NorthStar with a no-pressure opportunity to join the church. Register HERE.
• LEAP: Our annual student missions camp tales place July 13-17. Deposit is due this Sunday, July 5.
• NorthStar at the Lake: Join us for our annual picnic and baptism at Lake Allatoona (at Dallas Landing) on Sunday, July 26. Picnic begins at 6 p.m. with baptism to follow. (There will be no 5:00 service that day.) Register online for baptism.

Have a great Independence Day weekend and we'll see you this Sunday, July 5 at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 5 p.m.!

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly in your inbox, send your email address to [email protected] request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Bring It: Work It Out

Last Sunday at NorthStar, we celebrated Father's Day and Mike Linch continued our series Bring It on the book of James with part 4, "Work It Out," on James 2:14-26.

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

The key verse of the day was verse 17 (NIV): "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Mike said that what we do reveals who we are. If you are planted in God, good works will naturally come out of your life.

What should I know about "real faith"?

1. Real faith is not just something I profess (James 2:14). Going to church is not enough. The question is: Do I have a relationship with His Son? I can't borrow it from someone else.
2. Real faith is not the same as emotions or feelings (James 2:15-16). It goes beyond emotion.
3. Real faith is not the mere belief that God exists (James 2:19). It should result in a changed life.
4. Real faith is not determined by what I do but is demonstrated by what I do. Two illustrations...two very different people: Abraham (vv. 20-24) and Rahab (v. 25).

Going to church is one thing but seeing a dad live it seven days a week is a different thing. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV).

Don't Forget!

Just a friendly reminder...

• Digging Deeper: To get the most out of Sunday's message, use the "Digging Deeper" insert from your Navigator each day. Or go online to the GrowthStarts blog -- www.growthstarts.org -- for each day's installment.
• Kenya Mission Team: The team departed NorthStar today and will return June 30. Keep them in your prayers!
• Membership Class: Sunday, July 12, 9:30-11 a.m., Center Court. Find out what it means to be a member of NorthStar with a no-pressure opportunity to join the church. Register HERE.
• LEAP: Our annual student missions camp tales place July 13-17. Deposit is due July 5.
• NorthStar at the Lake: Join us for our annual picnic and baptism at Lake Allatoona (at Dallas Landing) on Sunday, July 26. Picnic begins at 6 p.m. with baptism to follow. (There will be no 5:00 service that day.) Register online for baptism.
• NorthStar in the Community: Check out all the ways you can serve this summer with NorthStar in the community and show that "mercy triumphs over judgment"!

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly in your inbox, send your email address to [email protected] request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Bring It: Team Training

Yesterday at NorthStar, Ken Williams, lead pastor of West Cobb Church in Marietta, brought the message while Mike Linch preached at West Cobb Church. We continued our series Bring It with part 3, "Team Training," as we looked at James 2:1-13.

Miss Sunday's service? Click here to download audio of Ken's message or to view or print sermon notes. (You can click here to listen to Mike's message at West Cobb Church.)

How does James challenge us to "bring it" by treating people right?

1. Change our actions. "Speak and act..." (James 2:12a NIV). Take the uncomfortable step to connect with someone you struggle with and start speaking and acting with love toward them.
2. Change our heart. "...as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom" (James 2:12b NIV). Develop a heart of gratitude.

Why choose mercy over judgment?

1. We'll find "training partners"--friends (James 2:6-7). If we stop showing favoritism, we may find friends in those we deem unimportant or irritating.
2. We'll develop strong spiritual muscles (James 2:8). Any time you're judging someone else, you're avoiding the conviction in your own life. God wants to disciple us via our relationships.
3. People will treat us better (James 2:13a; Luke 6:37-38).
4. Our world benefits (James 2:13b). People who have a knack for making friends are naturals at showing mercy to everyone.

Ken challenged us to do two things this week:

1. Speak and act with love towards people you consider unimportant or irritating. You may find some great training partners (friends) that way.
2. Spend five minutes each day in your quiet time this week in gratitude, thanking God for as many things as you can think of. People who are unsatisfied in life tend to also be ungrateful.

Digging Deeper

To get the most out of Sunday's message, use the "Digging Deeper" insert from your Navigator each day. Or go online to the GrowthStarts blog -- www.growthstarts.org -- for each day's installment.

Upcoming

Check out what's coming up at NorthStar!

• LEAP: Our annual student missions camp tales place July 13-17. Deposit is due July 5.
• NorthStar at the Lake: Join us for our annual picnic and baptism at Lake Allatoona (at Dallas Landing) on Sunday, July 26. Picnic begins at 6 p.m. with baptism to follow. (There will be no 5:00 service that day.) Register online for baptism.
• NorthStar in the Community: Check out all the ways you can serve this summer with NorthStar in the community and show that "mercy triumphs over judgment"!

See you this Sunday, June 21, as we celebrate Father's Day and continue the Bring It series with part 4, "Work It Out." Join us at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., or 5 p.m. in the Compass Centre. (Remember that our True North venue will go on a summer hiatus beginning this Sunday; True North returns August 9.)

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weeklyin your inbox, send your email address to [email protected]and request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Bring It: Re-hydrate

Yesterday at NorthStar we continued Bring It--our summer series on the book of James--with part 2, "Re-hydrate." Mike Linch read James 1:19-27 and talked about knowing and, more importantly, obeying, God's Word. Knowledge without application is useless. 

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

How can I get the most out of God's Word?

1. Drink it. "...accept the word planted in you..." (v. 21). The word "accept" means "welcome." Mike likened it to a baseball field that had been rained on all day, but still needed to be watered the next day because it was already getting dry and hard. So it it with our hearts; we need God's Word daily to keep our hearts from getting hard.

How should I prepare myself to receive God's Word?

• Stay focused--remove the distractions. "Be quick to listen, slow to speak..." (v. 19a). Do you spend your time asking questions of God, rather than asking God what He wants from you?
• Stay calm--be teachable. "...and slow to become angry..." (v. 19b). Anger hardens our hearts.
• Stay clean--confess any known sin. "Get rid of al moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent..." (v. 21a).
• Stay compliant--be willing to change. "...humbly accept the Word planted in you..." (v. 21b).

2. Digest it.

Three ways to let God's Word settle into our hearts (v. 25):

• Read and study it. "...the man who looks intently into the perfect law..."
• Make it a life habit. "...and continues to do so..."
• Remember it. "...not forgetting what he has heard..."

Two ideas: Journal it or memorize it.

3. Do it. "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (v. 22).

James give three examples of obeying the Word of God in verses 26-27:

• Control my mouth.
• Car for others.
• Stay pure.

Digging Deeper

To get the most out of Sunday's message, use the "Digging Deeper" insert from your Navigator each day. Or go online to the GrowthStarts blog--www.growthstarts.org--for each day's installment. And check out our new feature "Apply It" each day exclusively in the online version.

Adventure Week

See you tonight at NorthStar as we kick off Adventure Week 2009 with a family fun night from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. If you have not yet registered your child, you can do so on-site tonight or any night this week, June 8-11.

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly in your inbox, send your email address to [email protected] and request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Bring It: No Pain, No Gain

Yesterday at NorthStar we kicked off the new eight-week summer series, Bring It, a study through the book of James. Steve Roach brought the first message, "No Pain, No Gain," focusing on James 1:2-6, and also gave us some background and overview for the series.

James talks to us about trials and problems in our lives. What do I need to know about my problems ("Consider it pure joy...because you know...")?

1. Problems are part of life ("...whenever you face trials of many kinds..."). Christians aren't immune to problems. It's not an elective; it's a required course. When you start living for Christ in this world; it might bring on more problems.
2. Problems are purposeful. They purify my faith ("You know that the testing of your faith..."); they develop my patience ("...the testing...develops perseverance..."); and they grow my character ("so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything!"). According to Romans 8:28-29, God's number one goal in my life is to develop my character, not my comfort.

How should I handle my problems?

1. Choose to rejoice ("Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials..."). The choice is in my hand. My problem is how I respond to my problems. Don't thank God for the trial, but thank God in the trial.
2. Ask God for wisdom ("If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."). Ask for a different perspective on your problems.
3. Keep trusting God ("When he asks he must believe and not doubt."). Just hang on. Don't give up. What do you do in the dark? The same thing you were doing in the light.

The Result:  “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”  (James 1:12 NIV).

Digging Deeper

For the Bring It series on the book of James, Digging Deeper will take James' letter verse by verse. Plus we have expanded to seven days a week, with Sunday being a time of review (or catch-up if you're behind!). Use Digging Deeper in Sunday's Navigatoror online daily at www.growthstarts.org to apply Sunday's message and develop--or strengthen--a daily quiet time.

Take the Bring It Challenge

Paul says that physical training is of some value, but spiritual training gets us fit both for now and for heaven (1 Timothy 4:8). We need a plan and accountability to get physically fit, and it's no different for our spiritual fitness. The Bring It Challenge involves a commitment to a daily appointment with God and weekly living out our faith. Download the Bring It Challenge Chart.

Living It Out

One way to live out our faith the way James calls us to do is to volunteer for Adventure Week, which starts one week from today. You can have an impact on a child's life. Click hereto see how you can volunteer. Also you can register your child online through Wednesday, June 3, or onsite Monday, June 8.

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

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weeklyin your inbox, send your email address to [email protected]and request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Honor: How to Be a Real Hero

Sunday at NorthStar we concluded the Honor series with part 3, "How to Be Real Hero," and celebrated Memorial Day weekend by honoring those who gave their lives for ours. And we honored our Ultimate Hero, Jesus Christ, as we celebrated Communion and recalled the sacrifice of Christ's life so that we might live.

Mike Linch briefly shared John 15:13 (NIV): "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Jesus knew from the beginning that it would cost Him His life to rescue you. He gave His life because He wanted to, not because He had to. His mission was you.

Check out Digging Deeperthis week online at www.growthstarts.org and follow along as we learn what it takes to become a real hero.

Be a hero to a child by serving in Adventure Week June 8-11 at NorthStar. It takes many, many volunteers to pull off Adventure Week (our annual amped-up Vacation Bible School) for hundreds of kids. Each evening they'll be exploring our "Night at the Museum" theme as they find their place in the HIStory of grace! You can find more info, register your child, or volunteer to serve HERE.

Join us this Sunday, May 31, as we begin the eight-week series Bring It: Exercising Your Faith. We'll study through the book of James and discover how to live out our faith. It's time to stop playing around and talking a big game...it's time to Bring It!

More Upcoming

Check out what's coming up at NorthStar!

• MUST Summer Lunch Program: We're helping MUST feed hundreds of needy children this summer, and you can help! Provide food, help deliver, or serve in some other way. Find out how you can show God's love and be a part of NorthStar in the Community. Click HERE.
• NorthStar at the Lake: Mark your calendar now to join us for our annual picnic and baptism at Lake Allatoona on Sunday, July 26 at Dallas Landing. Our picnic will begin at 6 p.m. followed by baptism. Register HERE for baptism.

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

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly in your inbox, send your email address to [email protected] and request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Honor: How to Finish Well

Yesterday at NorthStar we continued the Honor series as we celebrated graduation day with the message "How to Finish Well." We recognized the recent Stephen Ministry "graduates" in the 9:30 Compass service and prayed for them as they began their ministry of helping others. We recognized high school and college graduates in the 11:00 Compass service. And we honored some who have stepped into new life in Christ as we observed baptism at the end of the 5:00 service.

Mike Linch (9:30 & 11:00) and Nick Person (5:00) shared with us some thoughts on how to finish well from Hebrews 12:1; 2 Timothy 4:7; and 2 Corinthians 4:2-18.

The secrets of finishing well:

1. Guard my integrity (2 Corinthians 4:2). God never takes His eyes off of me. Integrity is when your private life is consistent with your public image. How to guard your integrity: (a) realize you're always being watched; and (b) remember: your reap what you sow.
2. Live with humility (2 Corinthians 4:5, 7). It's not about me. I have to make myself less so God can become more. Be a cheerleader and leave the coaching to the coaches. Be able to laugh at yourself.
3. Let God renew my spirit every day (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16). If you get knocked down, get up and keep walking. Don't quit. How I renew my spirit: (a) through God's Word; and (b) through God's people--being connected with other believers.
4. Remain focused on eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18). We treat life like high school--like we'll be there forever--but we won't. We need to keep our eyes on the prize. We want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Upcoming

Check out what's coming up at NorthStar!

• Honor, Part 3: "How to Be a Real Hero": We celebrate Memorial Day and honor our heroes this Sunday, May 24 as we partake of Communion.
• Adventure Week 2009: Night at the Museum: June 8-11. Register online now.
• NorthStar in the Community: Help MUST feed 1,200 lunches a day to children on the free-lunch program in school. Check out these opportunities to serve and others online.

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

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly in your inbox, send your email address to [email protected] and request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Honor: How to Build a Godly Home

Last Sunday at NorthStar, we began the new three-week series Honor as we celebrate Mother's Day, Graduation Day, and Memorial Day. Mike Linch brought the Mother's Day message "How to Build a Godly Home" and each mom in attendance received a lovely rose as well as our appluase for being those special women in our lives.

We looked at Proverbs 31:10-31 and lessons from the virtuous woman on how to build a godly home:

1. When I teach, I should model it in my own life first (Proverbs 31:10; Titus 2:10). The right words combined with the right life is powerful. It's good when people say great things about us, but better when our family says it.
2. When I act, I should consider the needs of others first (Proverbs 31:15, 12). The greatest act of spiritual maturity is when we're about others, not ourselves. The biggest sins we'll battle are selfishness and pride.
3. When I talk of God's love, I need to be sure to show God's love first (Proverbs 31:20; Luke 6:36). It's caught, not taught. If you can't show it, don't say it.
4. When I speak, I need to make sure my words will benefit others first (Proverbs 31:26; Ephesians 4:29).

Apply It

Here are some ideas on how to apply Sunday's message to your life:

• Lead your family to show God's love. Go to the In the Community page and check out ways you and your family can sign up to serve together. Show God's love by participating in our May "Big Give" by getting packs of school supplies for Kenya or serving at MUST. Or come up with your own ways that you family can serve those around them and show God's love.
• Consider others' needs and serve. Check out ways you can serve during Adventure Week. Or find ways to serve throughout the year in one of our ministries. Selflessly serving the needs of others is an incredible way ot grow spiritually.

Upcoming

Check out what's coming up at NorthStar!

• Honor Part 2: "How to Finish Well": We honor our graduates this Sunday, May 17.
• GrowthStarts Seminar: "BIBLE STUDY: How to Mine the Riches of God's Word": This Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Center Court, Compass Building. Learn the secrets of how to study the Scriptures on your own in such a way that you grow spiritually as a Christian and can fight Satan, your Villain. Emphasis will be placed on applying Scripture to your everyday life rather than just accumulating facts and figures about the Bible. Register HERE.
• NorthStar's Annual Summer Picnic & Baptism: Sunday, July 26, 6 p.m., Dallas Landing at Lake Allatoona. Save the date!

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

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly in your inbox, send your email address to [email protected] request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Villain: Under Armor

Yesterday at NorthStar we concluded the Villain series with "Under Armor" as Mike Linch looked at the attitudes we need to protect us from Satan's temptations.

We looked again at the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, but from another gospel writer's perspective in Matthew 4:1-11.

Three attitudes we must have to protect our hearts and overcome temptation:

1. An attitude of trust: "I will trust God to meet my legitimate needs His way." This requires that I know God's Word and obey it (Matthew 1:1-4). The enemy always makes us question God. We'd better get to know God's Word inside and out.
2. An attitude of vigilance: "I will not live carelessly or foolishly and expect God to bail me out." This requires that I keep a close watch over every part of my life (Matthew 4:5-7). I trust my Father at all times and I do not doubt. The enemy is persistent. He says, "Do what you want. God will forgive you." But the enemy never tells you about the consequences, the payment plan. Sometimes we get too comfortable with God and we forget that He is a holy God and that He hates sin.
3. An attitude of worship: "I will put God first in every area of my life and serve Him only." This requires that I love and treasure God more than anything this world offers (Matthew 4:8-11). The devil whispers, "Don't wait. Get it now." You will work for what you worship.

Apply It

Here are some ideas on how to apply Sunday's message to your life:

• Get to know God's Word. Read it every day. Study it and use it in your prayers back to God. Take advantage of the upcoming GrowthStarts Seminar on "BIBLE STUDY" (see below). Take advantage of "Digging Deeper" (on the back side of your sermon notes and also posted daily on www.growthstarts.org). Join a small group that studies the Bible.
• Use worship to battle the enemy. Worship reminds you, the devil, and God about whom you worship. Use the NorthStar worship CDs or other Christian worship music, or just pray aloud in worship and adoration of God when temptation comes.

Next Steps

Is it time to take one of these next steps along the road of your spiritual journey?

• GrowthStarts Seminar: "BIBLE STUDY: How to Mine the Riches of God's Word": Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Center Court, Compass Building. Learn the secrets of how to study the Scriptures on your own in such a way that you grow spiritually as a Christian and can fight Satan, your Villain. Emphasis will be placed on applying Scripture to your everyday life rather than just accumulating facts and figures about the Bible. Register HERE.
• Baptism: Sunday, May 17, following the 5 p.m. service, Compass Centre. New Christian? Take that first step of obedience and show the world your allegiance to Christ! Register HERE.
• Volunteer to serve in a ministry at NorthStar: Use your talents and abilities to serve others and "show God's love." Click HERE for some ideas.

Join us this Sunday, May 10 for the beginning of the new three-week series Honor as we celebrate Mother's Day, Graduation Day, and Memorial Day.

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

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly in your inbox, send your email address to [email protected]and request Previously @ NorthStar!

Previously @ NorthStar ... Villain: Lie to Me

Yesterday at NorthStar we continued the Villain series as Mike Linch talked about the enemy's three lies to us in the message "Lie to Me."

We looked at Satan's temptation of Christ in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-14 and Mike said that to tempt means to search. He said that the three ways Satan used to tempt Christ are the same three approaches he uses today. He only has three "knocks" to try to get into our lives.

What should we know about temptation?

1. It's part of the divine plan for our lives. A faith not tempted or tested is worthless.
2. It often comes to us after our greatest spiritual experience, when our guard is down.
3. It many times attacks us at our strongest points.
4. We're never finished with temptation.
5. It prepares us for service. The greater the test, the greater God's plan for us.

The three knocks of the enemy:

1. He appeals to my physical appetites--my DESIRE (Luke 4:3-4). Here's the temptation: I will seek to satisfy my appetites without any thought as to what God would want me to do (meet a godly desire in an ungodly way).
2. He attacks our spiritual allegiances--my DOUBT (Luke 4:9-12). He wants you to doubt that God's got your back. Here's the temptation: My faith will require that I have to have God prove Himself to me. Satan was saying that if God leaves a question of life unanswered, He must not be God or He must not be good.
3. He appeals to my personal ambition--my DRIVE (Luke 4:5-8). The enemy always wants you to be in a hurry. Here's the temptation: I will comrpomise to get what I want. Satan was not asking Jesus to abandon His mission. He was asking Jesus to fulfill His mission his way.

Jesus used two things to overcome the temptations of Satan:

1. The Spirit of God
2. The Word of God

Digging Deeper

"Digging Deeper" is designed to help you apply Sunday's message and develop a daily quiet time. These daily devotions can be found as an insert in each week's Navigator. They are also posted each day on the GrowthStarts blog (www.growthstarts.org). Use them to establish or strengthen your daily appointment with God and to further apply the truths of Sunday's message.

Next Steps

Is it time to take one of these next steps along the road of your spiritual journey?

• Membership Class: This Sunday, May 3, 9:30-10:50 a.m., Center Court. Find out what it means to be a member of NorthStar with a no-pressure opportunity to join the church. Register HERE.
• GrowthStarts Seminar: "BIBLE STUDY: How to Mine the Riches of God's Word": Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Center Court, Compass Building. Learn the secrets of how to study the Scriptures on your own in such a way that you grow spiritually as a Christian and can fight Satan, your Villain. Emphasis will be placed on applying Scripture to your everyday life rather than just accumulating facts and figures about the Bible. Register HERE.
• Baptism: Sunday, May 17, following the 5 p.m. service, Compass Centre. New Christian? Take that first step of obedience and show the world your allegiance to Christ! Register HERE.

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

To receive Previously @ NorthStar weekly in your inbox, send your email address to [email protected] and request Previously @ NorthStar!