using my suffering to become more like Jesus

Jesus is holding everything together when it seems everything is falling apart

eagerly, giving as I understand, and experienced the good things I have received in Christ

avoiding arguments with a readiness to yield in genuine humility

longing to be with Jesus and learning to pursue Him

helped to live a devout and disciplined life that shapes me to love what is good

Northstar Church celebrating Christmas 2023

desiring to see Jesus so eagerly that my lesser desires cannot drive me

given a longing to be satisfied in God that surpasses my longings for worldly pleasures

cleansed and ready for the good works God has prepared for me today.

drawing on God’s resources to reignite my gift to advance His kingdom

fixing my Hope on the magnificent excellences of God that will never disappoint

 hoping in God to avoid the spiritual deafness that results from living to please myself

struggling to train myself to be nourished by and follow God‘s message of faith

seeking leadership to serve others rather than myself

Description: If you are feeling the weight of hopelessness or know someone who is, it's a good time to be reminded of the hope we have been gifted through Christ. Today's message unwraps the gift of eternal hope we have been given through Jesus!

praying for each person I encounter today

an example of God‘s great mercy by giving a failure like me the strength to do his work

giving up my rights to be an example of following Jesus

comforted and strengthened for every deed and word

grieving when I try to find my pleasures satisfied in the world

praying and giving thanks constantly

always growing in love

Description: As believers we are called to "always be joyful.” That may be an easy thing to say, but life is tough! How can we possibly be joyful all the time? Join us today as we unwrap the gift of awesome joy!

becoming more like Jesus, as I trust him to love others through me

undisturbed by the judgments of others, because I am seeking only to please God

empowered to turn away from idols to the beauty and worth of Jesus

 intensely focused on accomplishing what God gives me to do today

 doing everything wholeheartedly for God today

 looking to Jesus to nourish me, not the disciplines that help me to look to him

struggling to work, but relying on God’s power

Description: How can I be filled with peace when everything around me is falling apart? Today's message unwraps the gift of true peace and how we can access it.

content whether I get what I want or not

experiencing God, and knowing Jesus by dying to my appetites