NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper: That’s What Christmas is All About

Lee Wilson on December 22, 2025

11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Luke 2:11-20 (NLT)

THAT’S WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT

One of the best things about Christmas, to me, is all of the tradition and pageantry that accompany it. The movies, the songs, the food, oh man, the food. All of those things that have become ingrained in our annual celebrations make the season so much more enriching and enjoyable.

One hallmark of the season for Deanna and me is A Charlie Brown Christmas. We may be old school, but the cartoon special and its iconic musical score give it a special place in our Christmas festivities.

I recently pulled it up and read the plot description listed for it, and it was interesting to me. It reads, “Feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang’s holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the ‘perfect’ tree, and discover the true meaning of Christmas?”

The commercialism of Christmas? And this is from 1965. But that last line, regarding the “true meaning of Christmas,” is what sticks out to me. This holiday means many things to many people, but what should it mean to us as followers of Christ?

In somewhat controversial fashion, the 60-year-old cartoon did not mince words about the meaning of Christmas. If you have never seen it, after a myriad of difficulties Charlie Brown is feeling sorry for himself. The play is not going well, leading him to say, “Everything I do turns into disaster. I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about. Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

Then his friend Linus says, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He then walks to the center of the stage and reads directly from the Bible, Luke 2:8–14:

“8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Linus picks up his blanket, which never once leaves his arm except for this moment, and says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

We have two young boys at home and are in a season of life where Christmas excitement is at a fever pitch. The thrill of it all, especially the gifts, pulses through our house. So let’s enjoy the music, the movies, and the food, but let’s never forget what Christmas is all about.

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

Digging Deeper – What is Expected of the Newborn?

David Griffith on December 19, 2025

And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of the great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:8-11 (NASB)

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE NEWBORN?

God sent His only Son (John 3:16), not to judge the world (John 3:17), but to save the nations from an eternity of separation from Him. This process is called being born again. So what does God the Father expect from His newborns? Is it perfection from day one? If the metaphor holds true (and it does), then the only thing God expects from His new creations is belief, and dirty diapers. Pretty simple, really. It is also pretty natural. I have never met anyone who did not believe that their father was actually their father and did not have a desire to please him. I have also not met anyone who did not mess up during the growing and maturing process and was not subjected to the loving correction of that good father. And good fathers love spending time with their children, just as children can’t wait to spend time with their fathers. It is the father and son, and daddy and daughter, relationship that continues to grow throughout our lives.

Another two-dollar word for this process of maturation is called progressive sanctification (okay, two two-dollar words).

It is no different in the spiritual realm of this Father and child relationship we now find ourselves in. Our Father wants to spend time with us so that He can impart His love and His wisdom and understanding into our lives. Why? So that we can impact a lost and dying world, so that the world we live in can see the Father in us. And as we spend more time with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we experience God’s loving care more and more deeply, and that makes us want to spend more and more time with Him. God loves when we do that, versus when we do spiritual stuff out of obligation or duty. He wants our presence, not our sacrifice. (Read Luke 10:38-42 about Mary and Martha.)

After we are born again, our lives are a long-term maturation process in which God is molding us into the image of His Son (read the first three chapters of Ephesians). We are literally becoming like Jesus. And we will mess up, just like all kids do. But my mistakes cannot outpace God’s mercy. His grace is always sufficient to overcome my sin. After all, God sent His Son into the world as a Savior of my soul… and yours too (John 3:17).

Have a glorious Christmas, Northstar Family!

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper – But How Does God Change the Heart of Man?

David Griffith on December 18, 2025

Luke 2:8-11 (NASB)

BUT HOW DOES GOD CHANGE THE HEART OF MAN?

This is perhaps the most misunderstood and controversial question in the “big C” Church. Whole denominations are started over this question. So where do we find the answer? One answer is found in John chapter 3. Yes, that John chapter 3 where verse 16 is found. But I submit to you that verses 1 through 15 and verse 17 are far more important and relevant to this question than the more famous verse 16. Let’s read some highlight verses:

Verse 3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This is the answer to the question that the teacher of the law, the Pharisee Nicodemus, has not even asked yet. Basically, Nicodemus was saying, “Jesus, I know you are God inspired, God sent, God something. But I can’t understand what is happening right now, and you scare me. Help me understand.”

So Jesus explains the unexplainable to a finite mind. “Nicodemus, you must be born again. New birth must be provided for you. You must be recreated, but not physically; spiritually. And the only way for this to happen is through a Savior who will bring about the rebirthing process so you can see the kingdom of God (Luke 2 passage above). This is good news, Nicodemus. You do not have the ability to birth yourself spiritually. You need Me. You need the Spirit to accomplish this for you. There is nothing for you to do. There is nothing that you can do. No different than a human birth. The baby has no role until after the birth is complete.”

And Nicodemus was amazed and confused. You see, he came from a world of do’s and don’ts. There had to be something for him to do. Why? Because in a world of accomplishment and hard work (sound familiar?), success in everything only comes from effort, including salvation and holiness. Jesus is telling him, no. Salvation only comes from a Savior. Saviors save. Victims get saved. It is simple and unknowable at the same time.

And then Jesus drives the point home in verse 17:
“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.”

The word “world” is the word used for “nations” or “people groups,” showing that this salvation was open to not just the Jews.

So how does God change the heart of man? He just does. Again, from yesterday: if you are struggling with Jesus, then the chances are good that you are being born again. It is not comfortable for the baby in the birth canal. But eventually the childbirth process completes itself and the baby comes out of the darkness of the womb and into the light of life. Do not struggle against the pressure being exerted on you. And do not be afraid. You are not being judged; you are being redeemed by the Savior.

Tomorrow we will look at what is expected of the newborn.

The Priority of Self-Control

Kevin Burrell on December 17, 2025

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

THE PRIORITY OF SELF-CONTROL

As adults, we experience different temptations. Like a heat-seeking missile, they come at us all day and every day. This is why the need for self-control is just as strong. Deep inside, we have a desire to obey God. Self-control keeps us from putting personal purchases on the company’s expense account. It applies the brakes when fleshly desires drive us to the wrong environments. It bites our tongue when we are just about to make a sarcastic comment. It gets us out of bed on time in the morning and prods us to press on when hardships pressure us to quit.

In fact, all nine fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 need self-control to function. Maybe that is the reason self-control is the final virtue; it fortifies the rest. Love may be the heart of the virtues, but self-control is the muscle.

Let’s lean in and take a closer look at this action-oriented fruit of the Spirit that helps us obey God and keeps our hand out of the cookie jar.

1) Self-Control in Our Morals

Moral self-control is not gritting our teeth and trying harder. It is learning to let the Holy Spirit strengthen our will and reshape our desires. Holiness becomes possible not because we are strong, but because He is.

Self-control in our morals looks like:

• Choosing purity when temptation whispers.
• Upholding integrity when compromise seems easier.
• Walking in obedience even when no one else sees.

2) Self-Control in Our Motives

Motives are the hidden engine of our actions. We can say and do the right things with motives rooted in pride, fear, or self-gain. The Holy Spirit invites us to surrender even the unseen places of our heart to Him.

Self-control in our motives means pausing long enough to ask:

• Why am I doing this?
• Is this for God’s glory or my own?
• Would I do this if no one ever noticed?

3) Self-Control in Our Mouth

Words can heal or wound, build up or tear down. Our tongue is often the hardest part of us to surrender, but it is also the clearest evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work.

Spirit-led self-control in our speech means:

• Pausing before responding.
• Refusing to participate in gossip.
• Speaking truth in love, not in harshness.
• Choosing silence when our mouth wants the last word.

Listen closely: Self-control is not a fruit we produce by self-effort; it is a fruit the Holy Spirit grows in us as we yield our will to God’s will. Every time we pause, pray, and choose obedience, we make room for Christ’s character to shine through us.

This week, may the Spirit of God cultivate in you a self-control that reflects Jesus: steady, humble, surrendered, and powerful in love.

Love God. Love people. Live sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 44 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper – Jesus Can Change Your Heart Right Now

David Griffith on December 17, 2025

Luke 2:8-11 (NASB)

JESUS CAN CHANGE YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW

Have you ever heard the comment, “Trust your heart”? Cute, isn’t it? It looks good on a coffee mug or in a picture frame in the den. But more deceitful words were never spoken, at least according to Scripture. Let’s look at some of the words of God, shall we?

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?

1 Corinthians 2:14
But a natural man (an unsaved man) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually appraised.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

You see, our hearts are not to be trusted when it comes to the big decisions of life. Why? Because the heart will lead us to do what feels good in the moment but is not good in light of eternity.

But God’s Spirit, which resides in our hearts after salvation, is to be trusted. I mean, let’s get real about the heart when it comes to decision making. Is it really the heart that makes decisions? I do not believe so. It is the mind that makes decisions, and those decisions are often influenced by hormones released in the moment. Dopamine or adrenaline makes us feel a certain way, which leads to choices that may or may not be productive.

But the Holy Spirit’s work in my saved heart is to be trusted. If you are not yet a believer but you are interested in finding out more about this Jesus fellow, or the church, or Christianity in general, that is probably the Holy Spirit drawing you to Jesus, changing your heart. And it may have been happening for quite some time in your life.

In our Luke passage, the shepherds were just going about their business. Shepherding sheep is a pretty mundane existence, after all. And who knows what consumed their thoughts on that night or any night. But suddenly the angel of the Lord appears and they are filled with fear and awe. I personally do not think it is possible not to be filled with some fear when the Holy Spirit comes into your life to reveal the truth about Jesus.

God can change your heart (your mind) right now, today.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart (your whole inner being, trust Him completely), and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

If God is drawing you through the power of His Spirit to embrace the truth of the Gospel, the Good News, please do not resist. Jesus loves you and paid the ultimate price to save you. Embrace Him!

Digging Deeper – Jesus Secures My Future

David Griffith on December 16, 2025

Luke 2:8-11 (NASB)

JESUS SECURES MY FUTURE

THE MESSIAH (Christ) HAS BEEN BORN TODAY.

Today we will be looking at how Jesus can secure our future.

Yesterday we looked at the doctrine of salvation through the lens of Jesus as our Savior. Today we look at Jesus as our Messiah, the Christ. After all, what makes Jesus worthy to save us? What gives Him the authority to redeem me as His own possession and to secure my everlasting life with Him in heaven? I am glad you asked. Here is another two-dollar word from the doctrine of Christ: Christology.

So here is the question: Is Jesus the Messiah? Is Jesus the Christ? If He is not, then He cannot be our Savior. But if He is (and He is!), then what kind of Christ would He be if He allowed those He came to save to perish in the future?

Again, let’s take a look at the Book and see what it has to say on the subject of eternal security.

Philippians 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Christ’s return).

Ephesians 2:4-6
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus…

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

John 10:27-30
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.

Here, at the end of this John passage, Jesus claims to be one with His Father. This is Christology.

So you see, God saved us through His Son, Jesus the Christ, because He has a plan for our lives. That plan cannot be thwarted by anyone. And Jesus is, in fact, worthy because He is one with the Father.

Once your life is changed by the love of Jesus, you are put on a collision course with eternity of the best kind: eternal life with Jesus. Do not let the enemy deceive you into thinking that God has forsaken you. When He is quiet in our lives, it is because He is working silently to make us (His workmanship) into who He wants us to be for His glory and our good. Jesus secures our future for His purposes. Walk in them!

Tomorrow we will look at God’s timing for our salvation.

Digging Deeper – Jesus Forgives My Past

David Griffith on December 15, 2025

Luke 2:8-11 (NASB)

JESUS FORGIVES MY PAST

THE SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN TODAY.

First, let’s take a minute to talk about the doctrine of soteriology. This is a two-dollar word that simply means the doctrine of salvation. There are many opinions on how we are saved, all thoroughly reasoned from Scripture, and we won’t get into them here. But something supernatural has to happen in the heart of God’s human creation for them to be able to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, and is even able to save in the first place (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Romans 3:23 tells us that all of human creation has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. In Romans 6:23 Paul tells us that because of our sinful nature we deserve to die (spiritually die). And then in Romans 5:8 Paul gives us the good news that Jesus chose to come to earth in the form of a dependent baby, grow up, live a sinless life, and die on a cross to pay the penalty for that sinful life we lived.

This is the doctrine of another two-dollar word called propitiation. It means to substitute on behalf of another. In this case, Jesus’ substitutionary death at Calvary was sufficient for the sins of the whole world, including mine… and including yours.

Don’t believe me? Do you think you have done too many bad things for God to forgive you?

God forgave King David. Murderer! Adulterer! Horrible father! But God called David a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14).

God forgave the Apostle Paul. Killer and persecutor of Christians. Paul called himself the worst of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15-16). God saved Paul after he was responsible for the deaths of countless Christians throughout Jerusalem, Samaria, and the Middle East.

Still don’t believe me? Let’s look at God’s Word for proof texts, shall we?

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:12
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (read on through verse 21).

Romans 3:25
…this (Jesus’ death) was to demonstrate His righteousness because in the forbearance of God He passed over (laid aside, disregarded, bypassed) the sins previously committed.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

There are so many more, but I believe that is enough. Jesus paid a price that we could not pay, for a debt that He did not owe, in order to redeem the very people He created for His own possession. Rest in that truth, will you? Your Savior was born to pay your debt… and mine!

Tomorrow we will look at how Jesus secures our future!

Digging Deeper: Simple Faithfulness

Kelly Skelton on December 12, 2025

SIMPLE FAITHFULNESS

Joseph obeyed. Mary obeyed. They simply did what God asked: travel, trust, keep going. Through their willingness, our Savior entered the world.
God often works through the quiet, unseen acts of obedience in our everyday lives:
• the prayers whispered in the dark
• the meals prepared
• the patience shown
• the love offered in exhaustion

These small acts of faithfulness create space for Jesus, the Light, to shine in our families and communities. Your obedience matters, even if it feels small.

I pray that as you end your week, God would help you trust that He is working through your daily faithfulness. Let your small acts of obedience make room for His light to shine.

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea. She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders. She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan. She stays active in the Dallas area as a photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

Digging Deeper: Obedience Even When You’re Weary

Kelly Skelton on December 11, 2025

OBEDIENCE EVEN WHEN YOU’RE WEARY

Imagine Mary, tired, sore, far from home, and about to give birth. Yet she kept going—not because she had strength, but because she had purpose. As a parent, I feel that we often move forward even when we are emotionally drained and physically tired. The call of obedience can feel heavy at times, but God never asks us to carry it alone. I have heard it said that the cost of obedience is great, but so is the cost of disobedience. Just as Mary’s strength was not her own, neither is ours. I firmly believe that God strengthens us for what He calls us to carry, and when our strength runs out, His begins.

I pray today that if you feel weary, He would renew your strength. Lord, help us to walk in obedience not by our own power, but by Yours alone.

Digging Deeper: Light in the Journey

Kelly Skelton on December 10, 2025

LIGHT IN THE JOURNEY

Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem was physically exhausting and emotionally draining. Yet each step was leading them closer to the arrival of Light itself, Jesus. Sometimes the hardest seasons we walk through are the very ones where God is bringing us something new and something radiant. When the path feels dark, whether parenting challenges, emotional burdens, or fear of the future, be reminded that Jesus is already on His way. He sees the big picture, not just the trial that lies in front of you.

I pray today that you would shine your light into every building, school, community center, and office space you come into contact with. May we be reminded that, although we cannot see the full picture, the small part we are walking through will be used for His glory.