Welcome to Northgate Community Church. We are a non-denominational, Spirit-filled community church located in Montgomery Village, Maryland, ready to serve you and your family as you join us in the worship of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Come and join us in celebrating the presence and glory of our Lord!

Our Mission is to advance the Kingdom of God by making disciples who are devoted and developing followers of Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Worship is an outpouring of our hearts to God, not only in gratitude for all He has provided for our lives, but for who He is. As we offer up all that we have to Him in praise, He offers all that He has to us in love.

Upcoming Events

• March 31st, 7:30 pm
  Ice Cream Social – “Bring a Friend! Bring a Topping!”
• Friday, April 2nd, 7:30 pm
  Good Friday Candlelight Communion Worship Service
• April 4th, 10:00 am
  Resurrection Sunday Worship Service

Calendar
March 2010

Ram's Horn Feature

The Shepherd’s Corner
By Pastor Rick Brown

The Character of God

Webster defines character as “one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual.”

Over the past few months during my quiet times early in the morning, the Lord has laid it on my heart to reflect on the character of God Himself. I look at Webster’s definition above and realize that my human mind cannot fully comprehend the attributes or features of God Himself. They are too numerous and too deep. Only through the Spirit during my time in prayer can I really grasp a glimpse of His character. During these times, the Spirit laid on my heart the Word Father. Using each letter of this word, He helped me understand the true character of God. I hope it encourages you in your prayer time.

The first letter of Father “F” reveals two words:
Faithfulness Our God is faithful in everything—Lamentations 3:22-23—“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Dwell each day on God’s faithfulness in your life. Ask the question some day. Where would I be without Him in my Life?

Forgiving Our God is a forgiving God—I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” No matter what our life has been like, we have a God who is able to forgive. Not only does he forgive, but he forgets our sin as indicated

in Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgression, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Our Lord’s passion is to forgive us when we come to him and confess our sin.

The second letter of Father “A” reveals the word:
Almighty Again in Webster’s, the definition of Almighty is just GOD. No other definition is given because that is all we need to know. He is God. So when I think about this word, I just focus on God and how great He is. Isaiah 44:8 says: “This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and the last; apart from me there is no God.”

The third letter of Father “T” reveals the word:
Truth John 14:6 says: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father, except through Me.” One of the unique characteristics of this word Truth is how liberating it can be in someone’s life. The word says that the Truth will set you free. When we have burdens and fail to go to the Father, we get depressed because we are afraid of what He might do. However, God’s character is not like that. He is Truth and wants to set you and me free. Galatians 5:1 says: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” What are you a slave to today—work, finances, relationship, even yourself? The Father’s character is to set us free through Jesus Christ who is the truth revealed.

The fourth letter of Father “H” reveals two words:
Holy God’s character is that He is holy and his command to each of us is that we are to be holy as He is holy. As I pondered that verse, I wondered how I could be holy. I am a sinner. Then, God revealed to me (and continues to do so), that I can only be holy when I am in an intimate relationship with Him. I need for Him to be in complete control of my life. I am able to accomplish this when I spend time with Him and just relax in his presence. It was said of Martin Luther that when he had a busy day that instead of spending an hour with the Lord (which he did on a daily basis), he would spend two hours. He knew that He needed to be anointed with the holiness of God before He faced whatever the world presented. That is God’s character. He wants to anoint you and me with His holiness.

Healing By His stripes, we are healed. God’s character is that He wants everyone to be healed in three areas—spiritual, emotional and physical. This is his desire . . . a great attribute of the Father.

The fifth letter of Father “E” reveals the word:
Eternal The Word says that God is the Alpha and the Omega. He is and was and always will be. We have the assurance that God is not going anywhere. It is we that sometimes abandon God, but He will never abandon us no matter where we have been. The Word says that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. The measure of character is that a friend does not abandon you when the going gets tough. He sticks with you through and through. God reveals His character in that He will never abandon you. He is that trusted friend.

The sixth letter of Father “R” reveals the word:
Restorer A true person of character looks to build someone up and not tear them down. This is God’s nature. He is in the business of restoration. He, as the potter, wants to take the clay (you) and mold you into a beautiful person in the Kingdom of God on the foundation of Jesus Christ. He is not concerned where you have been. He is only concerned on your becoming the person God created for His Kingdom.

In conclusion, I know that there are many more words you can probably think of when it comes to the word father. I hope and pray that when you go to the Father in prayer that you dwell on each letter and word(s) and appreciate the character of the Father and His wonderful attributes.

Verse of the day:

Sunday Morning:

•   9:45 am: Prayer
• 10:00 am: Celebration
  of Prophetic Worship

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