Newsletter Archive

Dear North Point Family, 

You may say, “This last Sunday was unique, weird, long, stereophonic, confusing, enlightening”, or one of countless other adjectives, but I pray above all, it was challenging.

The process of maturity in Christ demands that our eyes move from our lives, to others, and how we can demonstrate Jesus to them.  When you “choose to give your life to Christ, you are saved.  But when you choose to live your life in Christ, you are invested and multiplied.”

This is the call of the church, to train up this generation (physically and spiritually) in order to honor Christ and to impact future GENERATIONS.  Ask yourself, “how do I want to invest my life”?  The right choice is for the honor of Christ which demands that we invest in the future of others.   At times I pray for my grandchildren to the 5th generation.  If my math skills are in the ballpark, and I have given myself a lot of room for error, that is approximately 1200-1800 people.  I ask God that all would embrace His grace, and in that commit their lives and energies to Jesus.

Let’s get our eyes off our belly button fuzz and onto serving people here and now for their sake and for those in the future.  Invest your time, energy, emotion, and finances for the sake of an eternal investment.  Granted, you need to embrace delayed gratification, but the future value of those items will be out of this world.

Please, for the name and glory of Jesus Christ, use what God is giving you, to impact many for His kingdom.  You will be blessed with a life without regret and a future without fear.

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

We have lots of room at duBois this Sunday (10-1130am) for you to invite as many people as you are called to.  Today you can INVEST IN THE NEWEST GENERATION.  You do your part, God will do His part, and I will seek to honor Him by doing my part.

Remember, we will have a “Good Friday” service this Friday evening from 6-7 pm.  It will be a somber and meaningful time, and we will celebrate communion together at the end of the service.

In Christ’s love and service,
Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,  

   So have you taken the time to evaluate your life in reference to Jesus saying “come follow me?”  Much of what we are called to is relatively easy and requires only subtle change.  However, there are times when Jesus goes to the right, and we flat out want to go to the left, making the ensuing decision, difficult, and a critical test of our faith in Christ.  Ask yourself, “do I follow Jesus out of a full on commitment, or does my life align with His mostly out of convenience and coincidence?”

   The area of forgiveness has three critical steps that we must participate in to purposefully follow Jesus:

• Vertically Forgiven:  Have we approached Jesus, as the woman in Luke 7:36-50, seeking His forgiveness and showing a relentless commitment to follow Him?  That’s what the embracing of vertical forgiveness looks like.
• Horizontally Forgiven:  Once forgiveness from above rules our lives, we need to seek forgiveness from those that we have offended.  Clearly Matthew 5:23-24 demonstrates Jesus’ seriousness about us seeking forgiveness horizontally.  When we don’t obey, I picture Sargent Carter yelling at Gomer Pyle, “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”  Jesus is telling us, don’t come and make an offering to Me until you are all forgiven by the one/s you have offended.
• Horizontally Gracious:  Some of you have been terribly sinned against, and in some cases, the pain, anger, and eventual bitterness has become a part of your existence.  Jesus is calling all of us to forgive.  Keep in mind this is the practice of releasing the offense to our perfectly just God and trusting Him to engage the person and the offense with His righteous character.  This forgiveness does not require reestablishing relationship in cases such as abuse, but without forgiveness we inhibit the beginning of the healing process.

   Oh to understand the spiritual battle that is being waged around us.  God wants to pour His forgiveness on us, and subsequently, enable us to receive and extend forgiveness in our broken relationships.  Satan and his cohorts on the other hand, want not only to cause relational disunity, but to deepen the chasm of broken relationships by promoting the cancer of the spirit, bitterness.

   God wants to protect each of us by carrying this burden that is unbearable by us.  Release it to Him.  In a church filled with the imperfect, two character traits work in tandem to build and display Christ-honoring unity, love and forgiveness.  Love fiercely, seek and apply forgiveness quickly, and live abundantly.  “Now that’s what I’m talkin about!”

   Three weeks left in our “Changed for GOOD” series.  This week, “Set Free to REJOICE,” walking with Jesus through tragedy.  Remember both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday will be at the DuBois auditorium on the NAU campus from 10-1130am.

   May the freedom of Jesus’ great forgiveness change your life and the lives of those you touch, amen.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

This past weekend we began our new sermon series, “Changed for GOOD!”  It is only when we come to Jesus Christ, that we change for the good, and changed for always.  It is such a privilege for me to tell you that in the last week, 7 people have given their life to Jesus and are “Changed for GOOD.”  Their lives have now been “Set Apart in Jesus” and their eternal destination is assured.  In addition to the 7+ (there may be more) that have come to Christ, at least 3 people have rededicated their lives to Jesus.  In addition, as many of you know, 8 of our folks were baptized at Sunday evening’s amazing service.  Also for your encouragement, a number of the folks that gave their lives to Jesus were young people in our youth ministry.

God is truly leading His great work here at North Point, and preparing many to embrace the changes that Jesus offers us when we come to His saving grace.

Being set apart in Jesus should give us great confidence, not just in our future, but in our present as well.  He really does make a difference in our lives.  Here is a reminder of the process we observed in Colossians 3:1-11.

• Live Your Reality – Go Vertical by seeking up, thinking up, and living up
• Leave Your Carnality – Depart Carnizontal by putting your earthly desires to death, by putting away the sinful part of our thought and speech life, and by putting off all deceit.
• Embrace Your Renewal – Hit Refresh.  Jesus does not just perfect our spirit and leave us until we die, but He is constantly renewing our knowledge to help us to think, act and look more like Him.

God is indeed pruning this fellowship, and as He is, we are already seeing the increase in fruitfulness.  Oh, God is not done making us look more like Jesus, but isn’t it worth it as we begin to see our spiritual nursery filling up with new believers?  The harvest of 2012 has begun and each of us must enter the field and be a part of bringing in those that are ripe to the Gospel.

Our next step this weekend is to discuss being “Set Apart ON PURPOSE.”  There is no game of chance with God.  As we walk in Christ, He has a very deliberate and purposeful process for our lives.  Be ready to engage Jesus personally about His plan for you.

We are deeply blessed.  I hope each of you have a great sense for what God is doing here.  On Thursday of last week a teenage girl gave her life to Jesus.  On Sunday her mom committed her life to Jesus and oh by the way that same day and service her grandmother recommitted her life to Jesus.  THREE GENERATIONS WERE SET APART IN JESUS!  If that doesn’t blow your hair back (or scalp), CHECK YOUR PULSE!!!

Rejoicing in Christ’s love and service,
Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,
We know that this letter might be a duplicate for some of you, but as we were having some email difficulties last week, many of you did not receive this letter.




Setting Our Sails – The Next Leg of Our Journey

Beloved Brothers and Sisters of North Point,

As leaders at NPF, we rejoice in the unity God has granted to our body as He leads us forward together.  As we embark on the Capital Campaign leg of our voyage together, we want each of you to have an understanding of how we expect the journey to unfold, so that you can plan, prepare, and pray appropriately.

We have engaged a consultant through the Evangelical Free Church of America to help guide us in our capital campaign and have been working to develop a process based on their experience to fit the unique characteristics and needs of our local body.  Our campaign will begin with a “firstfruits” offering to be gathered on the weekends of December 4 and 11 (explained in greater detail below).  The firstfruits offering gives us a chance to gain momentum for our campaign and raise funds needed early on to facilitate the preliminary design work, inspections, etc. that are necessary to ensure that if we purchase the properties located adjacent to the church and across the street as currently planned, they will meet our future needs and vision.  In January we will begin praying and working toward a specific date in late March when we will be asking for longer-term giving commitments above and beyond each person’s normal tithe to extend over the course of the next one to three years.

Those of you who attended one of our Town Hall meetings in August will recall that our campus expansion plan and vision consists of several phases which will allow us to grow our facilities in accordance with God’s timing in response to His work here at NPF and in a manner that ensures sound stewardship at every step of the process.  The first phase of this plan includes the foundational element of securing all of the property needed to enable the full vision to be achieved as God leads and directs.  We estimate that we will need to raise approximately $50,000 to complete all of the necessary work to evaluate the target properties and to obtain the necessary permits from the city ensuring that no governmental requirements will prevent us from being able to achieve the future vision for expansion.  From there we will need to raise approximately $600,000 to secure the purchase of the adjacent property (which will require an additional vote of our membership), while remaining within the limits we have set for a wise and prudent level of indebtedness.  Raising a total of about $2,000,000 would allow us to complete all of the Phase 1 expansion plan in a debt-free manner (wouldn’t that be cool!).  Along the way, we have pledged to designate 10% of all funds raised via the capital campaign toward Building His Church around the world.  We believe that this commitment honors God’s call on our body and will help all of us to keep our eyes focused on God’s greater purpose of Building His Church not only at North Point, but also in our Flagstaff community and to the ends of the earth.

As we move into the annual holiday season that begins with a celebration of God’s on-going provision for our physical and material needs (Thanksgiving) and closes with our praise for God’s perfect provision for our spiritual needs (Christmas), we have a great opportunity to get back to the real roots and reasons for celebrating the season: our good God and all-sufficient Savior.  This is why we have chosen to designate the first phase of our capital campaign as a Gathering of Firstfruits.

“Firstfruits” is a term that appears in many places throughout Scripture.  The firstfruits principle originates in Exodus 13 with God’s instructions to Israel that the firstborn males among all of their children and their animals are to be given to Him.  In Exodus 23, the principle is extended to include an offering of the “best of the firstfruits of your ground” to be made in association with each phase of the annual harvest cycle.  In each case, it is the first and the best that are to be brought to God as an offering – the fruit of the womb, the fruit of the flocks, and the fruit of the fields.  By bringing the first and the best, God’s people have the opportunity to honor Him, to express their gratitude for His gracious provision, and to demonstrate their trust that He will faithfully provide for their needs through the remainder of the harvest yet to be seen.

In the New Testament, we find Jesus referred to as the firstborn of all creation (Col. 1:15) and as the firstfruits of the dead (1 Cor. 15:20).  In these verses and others like them, we see the principle perfected as God offers His own Son as a firstfruits offering for sin and displays the risen Christ as the firstfruits of a great future harvest of righteousness.  As God has withheld no blessing, but has offered His first and best on our behalf to redeem us from slavery to sin and to crown us with an imperishable crown of righteousness, how can we not overflow toward Him with a continuing offering of our own firstfruits?

In that heart and spirit, we ask that each of you pray and consider what God might be asking you to offer to His church as a firstfruits offering this holiday season.  Remember, the widow’s mite was more precious in God’s sight than the rich man’s abundance because of the heart and sacrifice that it represented (Mark 12:41-43).  Our desire is for each of you to truly allow this initial campaign offering to be of your “first” and your “best”, offered freely in true gratitude and joy simply because of who He is and what He has done – for God loves a cheerful giver (1 Cor. 9:6-7)!

On to Where His Wind Blows!
Doug Gee (for the NPF Elders and Campaign Team)

Dear Loved Ones at North Point,

Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard from a number of our staff and ministry leaders, sharing with us their experiences as they honor Christ and serve this body in various ministries.  Each has expressed their insight of the need and benefit of a capital campaign that will lead the way for campus expansion.  I am deeply grateful to each of you that serve up close and personal in the trenches of ministries that demand increasing attention and excellence.

Clearly, one of the greatest ways our world is impacted for Christ is when they observe the unity that we have in Him (Jesus said, “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you have loved me” John 17:23).  While North Point is strongly unified, it has not happened by consensus or popular vote, but through godly leadership, the equipping of the saints, and the building up of the body in love.  The growth in unity and maturity is simple affirmation of God’s power and plan.   (Ephesians 4:11-16)

My heart is to share with you my commitment, together with the other elders, to walk in attention and obedience to God.  There must not be any casualness or ego attached to seeking the face of God for His church at North Point.  Clearly (1 Peter 5:1-5) God’s elders are tasked with shepherding His flock in a passionate, humble, strong, and selfless fashion.  As we survey the markers of God’s leading at North Point and seek to discern His will, we are fully convinced of His call to move forward with the capital campaign.  We understand that this is not the exercising of an option for us, but an act of obedience.

Our call as North Point Fellowship is not to set hundreds of individual sails to catch the wind.  That looks pretty, but is inefficient, independent, and even counter-productive.  Rather, our call is to set the ship’s sails which drive the vessel in the direction that the Captain (God) desires.  When set at the pleasure of His will, the sails are unfurled in beauty, synchronization, and symphony.  Together they drive the ship at the pleasure and power of the Wind, His Holy Spirit.

Our biblical directive as a church is to move in unity under the direction of Jesus, through His appointed leaders.  Therefore, our upcoming vote should not be one simply of opinion, but rather an affirmation of our Holy God’s ability to lead His church through His elders, though we are imperfect. As we follow His lead and set the sails of North Point, may God’s Word and God’s will light our course, and may the yielding of our lives be a fragrant sacrifice of praise to Jesus. (Romans 12:1-2)

In submission to our Savior,
Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

I was sharing lunch today with a longtime friend and we began to speak about Scripture, its origins, and the struggles that people sometimes have with its validity or authority in our lives.  As he was sharing about a few friends of his that are non-believers, I was struck by the disconnect between how so many in our world see Jesus, and the true, Biblical view of Jesus.  As we continued to talk, my heart was grieved at the thought of these individuals having a distorted, twisted, and ultimately wrong view of Jesus!

Last Sunday we explored one of the most powerful and poignant passages in all of Scripture concerning Jesus.  I have to say that even now my mind is still spinning thinking about that passage, and more importantly, what Jesus did for us.  I don’t know about you, but I continue to be humbled by the Gospel.  I can’t stop thinking about Phil 2:6-7, “He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant.”  Jesus, a servant.  Jesus, a servant?  Jesus, a servant!

For the record, I have had more offers for coffee in the last 72 hours than I have had in the 30 years that led up to this past weekend.  Of course I have passed on them all, but the words and principle that lies behind that story continues to ring loud and clear in my mind: “In all the ways that Jesus Christ has served us, and you’re not willing to serve someone by drinking a stinking cup of coffee.”  Let me ask you, what petty or silly item in your life stands between you doing what Jesus has done for us; making yourself a servant?

This week we continue through Philippians, moving on to another great passage.  Join us this weekend as we get to talk about Working Hard for the Gospel, and the privilege that Jesus gives us to participate in His ministry.  We are SO loved!

For His Name,

Pastor Mike

Dear North Point Family,

I LOVE fall!  It’s such a great time of the year.  There are so many things to enjoy about it.  The leaves changing, mild temperatures, football, harvest (ok, I know this is kind of weird, but I totally dig gardening, and this is where all the hard work pays off…and it’s tasty too) and so much more.  But there is one element that I always find to be a little troublesome…winter’s coming.  What makes it so hard is that I know that there is nothing that I can do to stop it, it is inevitable.  Try as I may, before long the leaves will be gone, the days will be short, snow will likely be on the ground, and we will spend most of our time inside.

The inevitable change of seasons is similar to the Gospel and its advance.  No matter what I, or anyone else attempts to do, it can’t be stopped!  The seasons change.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ advances!  In fact, it is advancing even in the face of opposition, struggle and difficulty.  It even advances in winter! 

Last week the Apostle Paul laid out for us 3 areas where we see the Gospel advance regardless of what is happening there:

-          The Gospel advances regardless of circumstances.  Have you allowed your circumstances to dictate your attitude, or have you embraced the truth that by the power of the Spirit, you can have a Christ-honoring attitude, even in the midst of really crummy circumstances?

-          The Gospel advances regardless of motives.  The motives of the men that Paul dealt with were flat out wrong.  But that didn’t stop the Gospel.  The motives of those around you may be flat out wrong.  Has that stopped you?  Hopefully not by God’s grace.

-          The Gospel advance regardless of life or death.  This is a hard truth, if we only see it through a temporary lens.  But if we view this through the grid of eternity, this becomes much more realistic.  Have you seen the world through the lens of the temporal or eternal this week?

As we continue to wrestle with and embrace these truths, let’s rest in the fact that it is God who is ultimately responsible for this all.  This helps prepare us for this Sunday as we talk about “A Worthy Call.” The call that God gives to us as participants with Him, as He lays out our responsibility as citizens of heaven, and how that plays out this side of eternity.

For His Name,

Pastor Mike    

Dear North Point Family,

I still remember life lessons learned by exercising poor judgment, when making a couple of (distant past I’m glad to say) rather large purchases.  That beautiful Audi 100 LS (that’s a car) that seemed to have the right level of sophistication and coolness for a young man, coerced me to overlook the cancerous rust that the dealership had cleverly covered up with masking tape and black paint.  That fleshly impulse caused me to make a very wrong decision which was financially, quite costly.

Now, the above paragraph is not just for the cleansing of my foolish past, but to reinforce from Sunday, that we need to be moved away from our fleshly impulses, to a Godly influence.  Jesus is the only One equipped to move us from fleshly foolishness to living in the wisdom of the WORD and the word (bible).  I can hear some of your thoughts (admit it), “I can make some wise decisions without Jesus.”  No you can’t and neither can I.  We can only be changed by the WORD.

Isn’t it great that Jesus wants to change us!  He takes the initiative with us as He did with the woman at the well.

• Jesus moves near to us with the gift of life that is adequate to meet our every and eternal need.
• Jesus illuminates our lives, and in that, gives us the gentle leading to put away our sinfulness and to walk with a new “light”ness in our lives.
• Jesus shows His relevancy for our lives today.  Only the WORD can bring true relevance and significance to our lives.

That old Audi I bought was only a concept.  A mirage that wasn’t cool but costly.  And what about Jesus in your life?  Is He only a concept?  When desires and Jesus conflict, does He become a faint holographic image yielding to you being your ultimate reality?  Or is He all you can see and your reality is to please Him as King and Sustainer of all?

Our dear friend, the woman at the well “got it.”  May everything that influences and drives our lives fall in subjection to the reality of the greatness of the WORD, Jesus Christ!

As you embrace the truth of Jesus’ magnificence, you will then be prepared to apply the truth of this coming weekend as we are “Charged by the WORD.”  If we embrace and apply the truth of God’s word beyond last weekend, our personal lives and our church will never be the same.  May God be pleased as we obey Jesus.

In Christ’s love and service,
Pastor Paul

• Get armed with the “Mind of Christ” and focus as Jesus did, on life, joy, humility, and our value (because He says we have value).
• Get going using your “Gifts from God.”  Above all, keep loving, show hospitality, and serve one another with your gifting, even in suffering.
• Be facing the “Truth of Life in Christ.”  Mature in your faith and don’t keep playing the adult version of Jack-in-the–Box. Don’t be surprised by trials. Don’t be the cause of trials. Don’t be ashamed in trials.

Dear North Point Family,                        

Have you been picking up on the theme over the last several weeks?  The heart of a Christ-follower is a heart that is passionate about Jesus, about building His church, and about those matters that are on Jesus’ heart.              

We are all in process and therefore should be in constant interaction with Jesus and His word, producing a growing spirit in each of us.   Our hearts should grieve at sin, rejoice in justice and goodness, and long for His kingdom to come.  These are just some of the character traits of a healthy church.               

As I am searching God’s word, seeking God’s heart, and embracing God’s teaching, my longing is for us to be a church that God can bless.  This happens when and only when we live for Christ’s acclaim and not our own name.               

Our theme for this current ministry year is, “I Love His Church.”  There are many evidences here at North Point that we are “getting” this truth.  But truth must be lived out, so the natural follow on to loving His church is that we are “called to BUILD HIS CHURCH.”  As we embrace this truth and calling, we seek God’s leadership as to what exactly He is positioning us for.              

Well we know for sure, that we are to fund the building of a church in Tumsar, India, because God has affirmed that by already providing over 90% of the $20,000 for this project in just 2 weeks. If God has called you to be a part, it’s time, because this Sunday will be the last day for supporting this church build project. 

As God’s church at North Point, we will continue then to seek His face on the building of His church, not just for North Point, but in our city.  May He firmly lead us as we move by faith and courage in Him.          

In Christ’s love and service,  
Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,                        

Hey raise your hand if life attempts to distract your walk with Jesus.  Right, me too.  So many activities, needs, and flat out desires tug at us endlessly.  The short story, "The Tyranny of the Urgent" is precisely correct in saying the “urgent things attempt to crowd out the important.”               

The most important?  It’s that Jesus should be the absolute passion of our lives.  NORTH POINT IS PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS!  Here are a few reasons why:

• Jesus has accomplished all we need for life both here and for eternity
• Jesus aligns our lives with His, brings unity to the church, and grows us in His image
• Jesus lays out our highest priority, to bring glory to God
• Jesus lays out our individual calling, and empowers us to live it
• Jesus is the Head of the church              

Because we are passionate about Jesus, we make following His will our highest priority.  Jesus’ stated intention was to BUILD HIS CHURCH.  When accomplished, BUILDING HIS CHURCH glorifies God, honors Jesus, embraces the Holy Spirit, unifies and grows the Christ-follower, and touches lives with the Gospel from near to far.               

This Sunday we will speak about responding to our passion for Jesus by building His church.  Our call is not just for Flagstaff, but far beyond, and so I will communicate the specifics of the church we will be building in Tumsar, India which is led by Pastor Sachin Ramteke.  Please be asking God for what your part will be.  The campaign for Tumsar, India will be concluded on June 12th, so please begin to pray for how you will be a part.  How exciting to build His church in Tumsar before we commit to increase HIS church here in Flagstaff at North Point.               

God’s leading is clear, the heart of His people onboard, and now action is required.  May our faith in Christ’s provision to build His church be manifested in our prayers, consideration, and generosity for Tumsar, Flagstaff, and beyond.  

PASSIONATE FOR JESUS AND FOR BUILDING HIS CHURCH  

In Christ’s love and service,  
Pastor Paul

• The service begins at 10 am, please be there early.
• I am praying God fills each of the 800 seats, plus nurseries, please join me.  That would mean there would be several hundred visitors.  Be prepared to be God’s ambassador to those around you.
• Please pray for those seated around you during the service as well as be willing to pray with them if you see God working in their life.  Don’t be so anxious to run to friends, but seek to engage and pray for the needy around you.
• This is an enormous undertaking.  Please pray for each person serving and leading.
• Pray that God will use the cardboard testimonies for His glory and in touching our lives as well as building our faith.

• It is impossible to “desire” your way into the kingdom of God
• It is impossible to “do” your way into the kingdom of God
• It is impossible to “disobey” your way into the kingdom of God

• Exercise your spirit by prayer, fasting, seeking understanding, and being humble.  While difficult to begin, you will move from being a spiritual weakling, to growing strong in your faith and spirit.
• Know that Jesus is near.  As your spirit grows more like His, the presence of Jesus will become more obvious and the power of Jesus more tangible.
• Embrace and use the strength He gives you.  Just as you get stronger while trimming away the unnecessary fat by exercising, so as your spirit deepens in intimacy with Christ. The distractions, sins, and diversions (like a Carl’s double western bacon cheeseburger) become easier to ignore because Jesus is so BIG!
• Enter into the spiritual battle with confidence that Jesus has equipped you. We love to ignore the fact that we ARE in a spiritual battle.  May I say again, Satan hates you!  He will do anything in his limited power to devour you and ruin you.  Put on the entire armor of God (Eph 6:10-17) for you are already in the battle.

Dear North Point Family,

If you’re like most people, this time of year is accompanied with a host of hope, anticipation, and excitement.  There is so much to be expectant of.  Particularly for us, as followers of Jesus, there is much for us to hope in and for.

But the question that begs to be asked is what specifically are we anticipating?  What is it that you’re excited about this time of year?  It’s certainly not wrong to be excited about spending time with family and friends.  It’s not wrong to hope for certain presents (my twins have made that very clear to me this past week).  But are you looking forward to the coming King?  2,000 years ago, Jesus came as a baby with the express purpose of offering salvation to all of mankind.  He is truly a Savior for all!  Literally as I was writing this, I was interrupted to come witness God usher a couple into the kingdom - to save them from what we all justly deserve, and deliver them into eternal relationship with God.  I’m telling you, HE IS THE SAVIOR TO ALL!

He’s not only the Savior, but also the King.  He will reign and rule forever.  His rule will continue throughout all of eternity!  While the people in ancient Palestine watched and waited expectantly for the coming Messiah, you and I today watch and wait for the coming King.  This week as we move towards Christmas and celebrate his arrival 2 millennia ago, let us also celebrate his arrival which is yet to come.  Let us look forward to the coming King, OUR King, who will one day return for his people.

We encourage you to join us this Friday for one of our Christmas Eve Services to celebrate God’s gift to us, Jesus.  There are two services, one from 6-7pm and one from 11pm-midnight.  We look forward to celebrating His arrival with you.

For His Name and His Glory,

Pastor Mike

Dear North Point Family,

Have you ever been around someone (or been someone) that makes promises easily but has a difficult time keeping them?  I think you would agree that is not a formula for a healthy relationship, especially if the thing promised was desperately needed.              

God knew our sin dilemma from before we ever breathed our first.  Because of His great love for us, He gave His word, His promise, to send us a Rescuer that He describes through the prophet Isaiah (9:6-7).  Do you know Him?  This is what He looks like:

• A Son – that draws us close in relationship
• A Savior – that rescues us from our sin
• A Sovereign – that provides us a place of eternal safety
• A Servant – that demonstrates to depth of His love and nurturing care   

The promise of God is the provision of salvation in Jesus Christ.  God really “so loves the world.”  His promise is for you, your loved ones, and those with whom you relate.  What can you do to bring the good news of God’s promise to those around you?  This IS a great time to share the story of Jesus with the spiritually needy.              

Remember, this Sunday in all three services our children will perform, “The big, BIG STORY.”  Please invite your family and friends to join use for this special play and the gospel message that follows.              

Finally, have you been asking God what He would call you to do in serving the needy this Christmas?  The window of opportunity for special giving and serving is small, so ask Him now what part you should play.  We are committed to showing His love and kindness to our body and neighborhood.              

In Christ’s love & service,  
Pastor Paul

• A place of belonging
• A place of safety
• A place of fulfillment
• A place of hope
• A place of purpose, calling, and victory

Dear North Point Family,

Being “Fired Up for Worship” is a reflection of our understanding of just Who God is.  It is in fact a response to His character, His kindness, His provision, His power.  But here’s the truth, without practicing worship that is guided by the Bible, we are immature in our attempts to be worshipful.  God is pleased with our simple worship, but also expects us to become more intimately acquainted with Him.              

That being said, over the next week (except on Sunday) I will be sending you small portions of Psalm 145.  This incredibly worshipful prose will help to usher you into the safe and holy place of worship.  This morning the elders and I prayed through the entire psalm and it was an amazing time of experiencing God’s presence.              

Remember the results we observed in the lives of Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah).  They were fired up for worship and reflected that by being:

• Fired Up to Stand Up
• Fired Up to Speak Up
• Fired Up to Show Up and
• Fired Up to Worship 

The heartfelt worship of our great God drives us to point to His greatness and none other.              

Today’s Passage:  Psalm 145:1-3   “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.  Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.  Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”               

Our psalm of worship begins by focusing on the great name of God.  He has many names, but the two that have the most powerful significance are “I AM” (Ex 3:14), and Jesus (Acts 4:12, Phil 2:9-10).  In great clarity and priority these verses speak of God’s exclusive position in all of creation.  After looking at these passages, spend the next few minutes worshiping God for His unsearchable greatness.               

Through the course of this next week I would love to have you respond with your worship experiences.  With your permission, we may anonymously share them on our website.              

May you draw close to God in worship, experiencing the security of His grace and love.                                          

In Christ’s love & service,  
Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

 
            We, who are committed to honoring Christ at North Point Fellowship, are a part of something larger than ourselves.  As we inaugurated our remodeled sanctuary this last Sunday, we also experienced the largest Sunday attendance ever (apart from Easter & the Square) at North Point. 

 
            Make no mistake; this is about God’s pleasure and glory, not our cleverness in growing a bigger, more hip church.  As we desire to become more submitted to Christ, He is honored in the choices we make and the lifestyles we live.  But this is not an accidental process or a place our Christian lives naturally default to.  It is clear that Jesus calls His followers to purposeful living (Mt. 16:24) indicated by the many times He says, “follow me” and includes instructions of how to do that.

 
            It is a great exercise to ask yourself; “am I living my life in Christ on purpose, or in reaction?”  “Am I becoming a disciple on purpose, or just hoping that the bible on my desk will jump into my head and heart by osmosis?”  “Am I taking initiative to serve, or waiting for someone to recognize my amazing gifts and approach me out of their need for me?”

 
God through His Word and specifically 1^st Corinthians calls us to action. 

• Embrace the Gospel with Gratitude
• Express the Gospel by your Behavior
• Enjoy the Gospel through Serving
• Elevate the Gospel with Courage
  

            You have chosen to live on purpose…the question is whether it is for Christ or yourself.  The body of Christ at North Point is committed to “Christ Centered Direction for Real Life.”  This truly is a vision statement that calls us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.  So make a choice to follow Him in humility, submission, and service.  Your vision will improve greatly as you observe the hand of God moving in a magnificent way.

 
            See you at Heritage Square this Sunday at 10 a.m. Let the joy of the Lord shine through you to the people of North Point and the many guests that join us.  It is the image of Jesus in you that is irresistible to many.

In Christ’s love & service,

Pastor Paul

 


Dear North Point Family,                

WOW is there a lot going on!               

As we “GETAWAY” this weekend, our focus will be how to please God, not on an individual basis, but as His church.  We cannot be virtuoso musicians playing different pieces of music because that would be chaotic and really irritating.  We are called to take the individual, Spirit-powered gift that God has placed in us and use it as His body to accomplish His will in harmony with others.              

Each of you understands the simple concept from Ecclesiastes 4 that states, “two are better than one and a cord of three strands is not easily broken.”  God calls us to operate in the unity of the body under Jesus our Head.              

It is to this end I call on each of you to join us this weekend, whether in part or in its entirety.  The leadership and the body of North Point Fellowship are committed to honoring Christ as our Head in obedience to His leading.              

You may still register, but please do it immediately.  We anticipate a wonderful time of worship as a body in a single worship service Sunday morning at 10 am at Lost Canyon.  I wouldn’t miss it!  

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16                            

In Christ’s love & service,  
Pastor Paul              


Click Here to Read More, Register, or Print a Map to Getaway

Please call Elizabeth Wallace 928-221-1368 if you have any questions about Getaway!!

Dear North Point Family,

I know this statement, “the life of a Christ-follower is not a quest for perfection, but the practice of pleasing” rubbed some of you the wrong way.

This issue is a great struggle in the church, even the one that truly longs to please God. Often it is pictured as the battle of “Paul the Apostle” vs. “James the Less” (half-brother of Jesus), AKA, the Grace Guy vs. Works Willie.  Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.  Both Paul and James perfectly stated our calling in Christ.  It is that healthy tension of being perfected in Jesus and then living to please Him.

The foundation Paul set in the first 9 verses of 1^st Corinthians brings great relief to our lives, so often defined by what we accomplish.  I have a great sense of gratitude to Jesus for perfecting my spirit without even a breath of help from me.

Embrace this truth, for this week and in the weeks to come we engage the life and art of pleasing God.  There will be no victory without complete dependence on the unfailing work of God’s Holy Spirit.

Join us Sunday for part 2 in our new series, “Cultured for the Kingdom.”  This week we declare as individuals and a church, “We Follow Jesus.”

May God grant you an enjoyable Saturday as the weather turns warm(er) and dry.

In Christ’s love & service,

Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

Jesus takes very seriously the state and condition of His church.  Paul calls the church, the “Bride of Christ,” and it is also referred to as the “Body of Christ.” Of course, both of these refer to the church “universal”...all those that follow Jesus.

Tomorrow we will report, evaluate, and envision what part North Point Fellowship has and will be playing in honoring Jesus as a portion of His body here in Flagstaff.

I would ask that you seek God’s Holy Spirit to understand correctly His view of your participation in the body at NPF.  This is not a time to pat ourselves on our corporate or individual backs, although I am so grateful to those of you that serve, but to receive God’s marching orders for the coming year.

It has pleased God to use North Point Fellowship in a powerful way this past year.  That is worth celebrating!  Now, let’s approach the throne of God and ask Him to reveal HIS heart for the ministry of this body in 2010 and beyond.  It is a great honor to serve our King!

We will have a significant time of worship and celebration tomorrow evening (6 pm) as we baptize 9 or so individuals.  If you have given your life to Christ and have not been baptized, please contact me so we can meet prior to the evening service and you can experience the amazing blessing of obedience in baptism.

In Christ’s love & service,

Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

It was just a year ago that we were in the book of Acts having entitled it, “Church on the Rise.”  The church of Jesus Christ is “Unstoppable” and should bear the mark of Jesus’ love and truth for all who will hear.  North Point Fellowship is a church on the rise.  Not because of a pastor, worship team, or ministry, but as a proof of God’s empowerment and blessing on a people whose hearts are after His own.

We will rise up!  Not in our own power, wisdom, clever planning, or good looks.  We will rise up as a testament to the love of the Father, in the name of the Son, and the power & filling of the Holy Spirit.

There is a lot to talk about this weekend in our North Point Fellowship, State of the Church Address.

      ~ The successes and failures of 2009
      ~ Jesus’ heart for the church universal and North Point Fellowship
      ~ The hope of a Christ-honoring year in 2010 for North Point

Please make an effort in spite of the weather to be at one of our services this Sunday.  It will be Christ-centered and a most encouraging vision oriented time.

We ARE having church unless it is posted on our website ( www.northpnt.org ) to the contrary.  That will happen by noon on Saturday at the latest.  Job 38:22 says “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail...” The implication is God has.  He knows what to do with the snow this weekend and we do trust Him.

Finally, this weekend our new membership class begins during second service.  The scheduling on Sunday is for the purpose of allowing you to have child care at church if needed and to be able to attend the other service.  Call the office to register and get the rest of the details.  The class is off campus but near the church.

It is a gift from God to have a church body that serves Him in unity.  May He be glorified!  Who will rise up?  We will respond!

In thankfulness to our Lord, Jesus Christ,

Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

My dad was a truck driver and I often traveled with him in the summer.  As we were making our way over a back road in the Midwest, a rather severe storm came up.  I said to dad, “I’ve never seen a lightning bolt strike close by.”  Yeh, you guessed it.  Barely had those words exited my lips and KAPOW!!!  A bolt hit right next to my side of that 18 wheeler.  I can still see the look on my father’s face that communicated without a word, “don’t you ever say that again.”  Of course I didn’t need to, it was no longer true.

Enough of our walk down memory lane…there is a point.  When the power of lightning strikes anything, it changes it dramatically, either destroying it, or if it is properly grounded, passing through it with little or no damage.  Whatever the case, there is a severe and unstoppable interruption.

Christmas is the brightest, most powerful, pinpoint accurate, and long lasting interruption EVER!  Jesus arrived to change the world dramatically and permanently, and so He did.  His sovereign will affects our lives constantly and should have our focused attention.  Where’s your attention today these few days from Christmas?  For me, I just had another interruption that gives me the opportunity to bring glory to the baby Jesus.  May I faithfully do that.

May the “Light of Christmas” illuminate your path and interrupt your movement to direct you precisely to the manger where the Christ Child changes your life.  See you Christmas Eve at 6 pm.

Merry Christmas!

Celebrating Jesus’ arrival with you,
Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

Have you ever been to the circus?  One of the circus acts that always amazed me was the clown being shot out of a canon.  That daredevil activity seemed more than a bit risky, not knowing whether it would be a dud and the clown would just dribble out of the canon, or blow them right through the ceiling of the ole big top.  Somehow they always landed in the waiting safety net.  AMAZING - Another cotton candy to celebrate success!

I don’t know what propellant they used to launch the clown, but I do know the propellant God uses to move the Christ-follower into His security net, and that is JOY.  As we addressed joy on Sunday it became obvious that it not only empowers (Neh. 8:9) our movement in our life in Jesus, but also gives direction and distance to our course (Heb 12:1-2).

There is a common misunderstanding about joy…that it is the result.  But joy is the cause.  As God’s joy permeates our lives, it is revealed by genuine laughter, proper grieving, and quiet strength.  The character of joy inside - manifests proper reaction to need, a godly response to difficulty or criticism, and a peaceful countenance in the face of the unknown.  Joy increases as faith matures.  Joy will well up, even when life blows up, because joy is from the One Who is over all.  Joy is the fact of God, not the evidence of circumstance.

Many who read this are unsettled in life, relationship, or security.  In placing your trust in Christ, He promises to care for, strengthen, and lead you.  That place of promise and security should bring a deep seated joy in your life making you strong.  For, “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”  May God help you to apply the truth of His love in you.

Just a couple of other items:

      First, thank you for giving to the apple fund for Sunshine’s Thanksgiving food box drive.  We have met and exceeded our goal of $1300.

      Second, if you have given your life to Jesus but have not been baptized since that time, please call the office to speak with Pastor Mike or myself so you can be baptized this Sunday evening.  It is a great opportunity to be obedient to God’s word and take a stand to follow Jesus.

Join us this Sunday as Pastor Mike continues in our series, “6 Keys to Living Your Life to its Fullest” with “Celebrate Wonder.”

May Jesus use the joy He has implanted in you to launch you into a life of dramatic service for him.  Enjoy!

In Christ’s love and service,
Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

The Message last Sunday from Habakkuk 2:6-20 was admittedly stretching.  It called for (as every week does) the careful study of the context, intent, & application.  Remember we said that the book of Habakkuk is one that shows the process of a maturing believer.  My goal is always to discern the truth that God has revealed to the author, bringing it forward to our lives today, without distortion, for the purpose of helping us mature in Christ.

As God addressed the wicked, He delivered comfort to the righteous.  There should be great peace for each of us that dwell in Jesus Christ.  But that dwelling or “abiding” as John 15 calls it, demands conforming to the image of Christ.  That demand cannot come from me or anyone else, but only from Jesus, Who is the Word.  Let’s listen to His voice and witness His life as Jesus addressed Himself to the issues of living our lives and claiming our rights, here in this world.

Luke 9:23-25  And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him ?deny himself and ?take up his cross ?daily and follow me. For ?whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ?For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”

Philippians 2:5-11   ?“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ?who, though he was in ?the form of God, did not count equality with God ?a thing to be grasped, but ?made himself nothing, taking the form of a ?servant, ?being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by ?becoming obedient to the point of death, ?even death on a cross. ?Therefore ?God has ?highly exalted him and bestowed on him ?the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus ?every knee should bow, ?in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and ?every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is ?Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

In these two amazing passages we see Jesus’ comprehensive call on our lives.  We also observe His value comparison of soul vs. stuff, and His take on personal rights when it comes to caring for others.  This is the life of a maturing Christ-follower.  It is the most fulfilling and demanding life that can ever be lived on this earth.

We have two messages remaining in Habakkuk.  The powerful conclusion of this book demonstrates God’s awesomeness and Habakkuk’s growing faith.  I love this man!  He brings great hope to my life that I can ask God the difficult and painful questions and simultaneously explode in my unrestrained trust of God’s eternal, sovereign will.

Let’s grow together in Jesus,
Pastor Paul

PS.  Thank you for your faithful giving - we made our September budget.  Let’s continue to commit ourselves to prayer as it relates to our stewardship.  God is honored!

Catherine had some tests done yesterday in order to determine why the baby appeared to have fluid around the heart and in the abdomen. The echo cardio gram showed that there was only trace amounts of fluid around the heart which is not of concern. Catherine also had an amniocentesis done showing that there was no infection. They are still waiting to hear more results for the amniocentesis, but all the preliminary results have been good. Catherine and baby are still doing well and there is still an ample amount of amniotic fluid left. The goal is to make it to 32 weeks, as long as no sign of infection develops.

Pray that the baby’s lungs will develop and Catherine and baby will not develop an infection due to Catherine’s water breaking.

Dear North Point Family,

Please continue to pray for the Ewing family.  Specifically, Catherine's water broke last night.  When she went into FMC, they noticed fluid in a couple areas of the baby that gave come concern so they air evac'd Catherine down to St. Joe's in Phoenix.  Steve dropped the kids off at a friends and drove down. 
Catherine is doing well and the situation is stable.  They have given her medicine to stop the contractions for now.  Today will be a day of testing for the baby that Catherine carries to see if there are any other concerns apart from being so premature.
Take our dear family to Jesus often today and I will update you as soon as we get additional information.
We are family in Christ and we care for one another no matter what it takes.  This is honoring to our Lord and King.

in Christ's love,
paul

When I was in Iraq in February, I found the people to be very kind and accommodating.  Perhaps part of the reason was they knew I was not from Kurdistan or any other part of Iraq.  My physical features, the way I dressed, and the fact that I could only speak English and not Sarani gave me away.  I could not hide my foreigner status.  There was no doubt in their mind that I was a citizen of another country. They even figured out pretty quickly I was an American.

As Christians we are citizens of another kingdom, the kingdom of Heaven.  I wish it was as easy for people to figure out I am a Christ follower as the Kurds discovered I was an American.  Truth is we get pretty good at looking like we are natives of earth when our citizenship is due North.

We are called to seek God’s kingdom first (Mt. 6:33) even when we are living as aliens.  There should be a clear difference in our language, dress, priorities, and interactions, that reveal where our citizenship lies.  God has placed a kingdom call on our lives and our only correct choice is to seek:

• His Kingdom – the Presence of the King
• His Righteousness – the Purity of the King
• & enjoy His Sufficiency – the Provision of the King

Here’s the question to ask to see if you are living in the kingdom of Heaven.  Does this part of my life please the King?  The answer will yield glory or demand change.

Part of kingdom living is using the resources of the King for His glory.  I am so grateful for your faithful giving and would ask that you seek God’s guidance in supporting the ministries of North Point Fellowship in a greater way. Thank you.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, at North Point and in Flagstaff as it is in Heaven.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,

            Ever felt like you just don’t measure up or you can’t do anything right?  Ok, so sometimes it is true…but most of the time that happens because someone has judged us to be deficient.  Those are folks we tend to run from.  I have a lot easier time remembering when someone has “judged” me as opposed to when I have “judged” someone else.

            Here’s the point: remember what Dr. Wegner taught us out of Matthew chapter 7 last Sunday. 

 +    Don’t judge – but if you must

 +    Judge after removing the log from your own eye

 +    Always judge exercising Grace & Mercy.

 +    (I would add) Speak the truth only in love

            
            When we engage each other in this kind of love, the world looks on and says, “my, how they love one another.”  Jesus is honored in that loving relationship.

        Please be sure to join us at Brent & Cheryl Hulls’ house on Sunday at 4pm for our baptismal service.  Don’t forget to bring a side dish to share and something to throw on the grill as we enjoy a time of fellowship after the baptisms.

        I must acknowledge our NPF folks that are taking the time to invest their lives in those that have recently come to Jesus, or made a renewed commitment to Him.  God is doing a mighty work at NPF and we are asking Him to draw many more to Himself, so be ready to grow and serve.

        It is a great privilege to be at a church where Jesus is truly lifted up.  May God lead and protect this body for His glory.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Paul

Hey North Point,

I have never thought of myself as a perfectionist, but there are certain things you want to be sure to get right.  As an airline pilot, I always wanted to get my landings right:  right runway, right airport, right side up.  It’s a sure bet that the passengers were always thankful that our crew got those things right.

It’s not just the right action, but the right order. Frankly, it does not make much sense to land an airplane and then put the landing gear down.  The “right” choice is to put the wheels down to land on. I really hate the sound of scraping aluminum on concrete.

Thus this last weekend’s series of messages on “God’s Plan Stands:”

• His plan is that there is “No Other Name” than Jesus by which men must be saved.  That plan draws us into an intimate, life-changing relationship, acknowledging the sacrifice, salvation, and sweetness of Jesus.
• His plan then leads us to “No Greater Power” than His Holy Spirit.  We are weak, insufficient, and misguided without the Spirit of God actively leading our lives.
• Finally, His plan is to lift high the name of Jesus and show the power of His Spirit through “Nothing but the Church.” Remember, no Lone Rangers, Armies of One, or Road Runners.  The design, God’s design, is for us to function in unity of body and diversity of giftedness to His glory and for the blessing of His people.
  

In these United States we have learned to be fiercely independent, ferociously aggressive, intensely selfish, and purposefully unaware.  That will not do North Point.  When we live with the proper order and items, Jesus is preeminent, the Holy Spirit’s power is prominent, and the church is relevant.  There are changes each of us as individuals need to make. Let’s get to it.  I can tell you as your senior pastor, we are engaging these very issues to assure that North Point Fellowship is honoring God as a part of His local body.

In the unmatchable name of Jesus,

Pastor Paul

Dear North Point Family,             

Sunday seemed special enough...after all, it isn’t everyday you celebrate the Savior’s blasting out of the tomb, defeating death, and basically serving notice to Satan that his reign of death & destruction is coming to an end.  Oh really?              

Two truths:  Number one, it isn’t every day. Number two, IT SHOULD BE!              

I loved our Easter Celebration on Sunday.  It was a landmark event in the short history of North Point Fellowship.  But the significance of Easter, of our Savior’s victory that brings hope for all people, tribes & tongues, should impact our lives on a daily basis.  If you are sharing the hope of Jesus regularly, way to go!  We had one guest on Sunday that called himself a “Chreaster.”  That means he just goes to church on Christmas and Easter.  Funny huh?  Are some of us “Chreasters” when it comes to sharing Jesus with those around us…only saying the name at the appropriate season?  Many of us have an issue with people taking Christ out of Christmas, but my issue is, let’s put Him back into the rest of the year!              

So many of you took advantage of the opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to our service at Du Bois; don’t stop. We long to honor Jesus by seeing many come to Him as their Savior and Lord. What’s the date of our next Resurrection Celebration?  Well, it’s this coming Saturday and Sunday!              

Please note a couple of special upcoming events:

• Baby Dedications: April 25th & 26th.  Call the office to set up an appointment.
• All Worship Service:  May 3rd. We may offer a Baptismal Service that evening as well, if any desire to be baptized. Again, call the office. 

“Christ Centered Direction for Real Life” is a vision statement that we continually ask God to help us fulfill.  May God call each of us to live lives that affirm Jesus is at the very core of our church and existence.  

In celebration of Jesus’ victory for us,    
Pastor Paul