God continues to do beautiful things in and through the Northgate community. We’re grateful for the ways our church family is growing. We're seeing people deepen their faith, new families find connection, and more and more people find purpose as they begin to follow Jesus. As our church continues to grow, we’re thankful for wise and faithful leadership to help guide us into the future. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Nick Gervais as the newest member of the Northgate Church Board. Many in our congregation already know him through the million ways he’s served over the past several years. Honestly, if there’s a volunteer list somewhere at Northgate, there’s a pretty good chance his name is already on it. He has been a committed member of the Northgate community, investing in people, mentoring others, and participating in ministries across the life of our church. Now, he will bring that same heart for the church (along with his wisdom, discernment, and kindness) into this role of helping steward decisions that shape our future. And, while they seriously look like they could be stock photography models hired to depict "joyful Christian family", Nick and his wife, Riley, are the real deal -- and just about as humble as can be. We're grateful they've landed here with all of us.
ONE HOPE Day 1 “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God sent His Son for us. We were enemies of God, and yet He loved us to the point of death. Who does this? Who dies so that their enemies can be saved? Only a God who embodies what it truly means to love. And it’s in His unending love where we find hope. And this is not a hope-so kind of hope; this is a hope that does not disappoint. This is a hope that endures, and is shaped and strengthened by experience. As we walk with God, empowered by the Spirit and living out our faith in Jesus, we learn to trust Him more fully. Turning from our old ways and choosing to live wholeheartedly for Him, we witness firsthand how God works in and through our circumstances. As we bring all our questions, doubts, worries, and concerns to Jesus, surrendering them into His care, we can stand firm in full assurance that He has reconciled us to Himself. Through Christ, we have been given a life that is full and abundant, and we are free to confidently proclaim the hope that is ours in Him. How does hearing others' faith stories encourage and inspire hope in you? What stories of God’s work in your life could you share with others? Additional Reading: Romans 5:1-11 Day 2 “May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 God desires and is committed to bringing wholeness and abundance into our lives as the source of all hope. This hope is meant to not only fill each of us, but overflow to others so they also may know the hope found in Jesus. While the world is marked by hardship, trials, persecution, and conflicts that contradict peace, and even seem hopeless, our faith in Jesus assures us these struggles are not the end of the story. God has faithfully confirmed His promises throughout history. The Old Testament prophets, inspired by the Spirit, pointed humanity toward Jesus and spoke of the grace to come, even if they didn’t see its fulfillment in their lifetime. This was for God’s glory and our benefit. All Scripture is inspired by God and prepares us to know Christ and serve others. By embracing the mind of Christ, the body of Christ becomes equipped for every good work. We may not know or see the results of all God has called us to do, but as we follow Christ and the promptings of His Spirit, pointing others to Jesus, we witness the fulfilling of His word in our time. We become people who truly overflow with hope. Think about the topics you talk about with confidence. What helped you gain that confidence? How can you become more confident when speaking about your hope in Jesus? Additional Reading: Romans 15:1-13 Day 3 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 God is faithful. Though we once stood guilty before Him, God, in His mercy, has provided a way for us to confidently enter His presence; no need to hang our head or tremble in fear of punishment. With a clear conscience and sincere heart, we can draw near to God through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus. When we come together—whether it’s to worship and listen to a message, study God’s Word, or simply do life together as we care for one another—we are instructed to encourage each other in the ways of Jesus. We help each other move the same direction while resisting the temptation to continue or fall back into our old ways, be influenced by the prevailing culture, or take for granted the sacrifice of Jesus made for us. Our personal connections provide opportunities to speak truthfully to one another in love. We support each other by persevering in faith and embracing what is good and true. Even when we struggle to be faithful, we are reminded that He who promised is always faithful. As one body, united in Christ, we are strengthened when we cling tightly to the hope we profess in Him. Consider the times when you experienced a sense of security or hopefulness in your faith. What activities were you engaged in during those times? In what ways does remembering God’s faithfulness strengthen your resolve to join with others as you pursue this new way of life? Additional Reading: Hebrews 10:19-39 Day 4 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 What can separate us from the love of God? Nothing. Who can condemn us? No one. What accusations or charges can change the mind of God toward us? There is not one single thing - no circumstance, person, or power - that can come between us and the love of God when Jesus is our Lord and Savior. It would be a mistake to think that all of life gets easier when we put our faith in Jesus. Choosing to follow Christ does not eliminate hardship; in fact, Jesus warned that trials, difficulties, and even persecution would come as a result of our loyalty to Him. Even today, the body of Christ throughout the world suffers for their faith. Yet we can take heart because Jesus has already achieved victory over sin and death. His love reaches every corner of the earth; there is no place too hidden, no situation too desperate, that can separate us from His presence. In Christ, we are made righteous and justified before God, and the Spirit of Jesus holds us securely in His unwavering love. What does it look like to stand with those in the body of Christ who suffer for their faith? How might you live out your faith if you were truly free from fear? Additional Reading: Romans 8:31-39 Day 5 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5 Jesus Christ is alive! Our hope is not placed in someone who is dead or in an uncertain future, but in the living, resurrected Son of God. Jesus rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of the Father, reigning with authority. Even today, we are already seated with Jesus in the heavenly realms. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have experienced new birth in Christ. We are given a fresh start and a new perspective. The way we respond to this living hope demonstrates the genuineness of our faith. The treasures of this world all fall short when compared to the riches of Christ’s love and eternal life with Him. We can trust the promises of God; our future is certain and secure in Christ. There is a coming day when Jesus will return, and God’s salvation will be revealed. On that day, our joy will never end, and our hope will be fully realized. In what ways does what we value reveal where our genuine hope is placed? How might placing your hope fully in Christ change the way you view and utilize the influence and resources God has given you? Additional Reading: 1 Peter: 1:3-12
Fear is a funny thing. It is something that can cripple you, or motivate you, though not a great motivator in my opinion, or something that can confuse you. One thing, though, that we tend to forget as Christians is that it separates us from God. When fear creeps in, we say in our hearts that God can’t or that He won’t, showing a lack of trust and faith in the One who created us. There are so many times in my life that I have been overtaken by fear. Fear has been my motivator to see myself as the center of the universe. It has been my kryptonite as I have delved into a spiral of terrible choices that led to being stuck in an abusive relationship with drugs and alcohol. Fear has been the parasitic entity that has kept me from investing in relationships that I was in fear of losing. What are the things that keep you awake at night? What fear is gripping your heart so tightly that it makes it difficult, to the point of impossible, to hear God’s voice through all of the noise? What are you afraid of losing, stepping into, stepping out of, missing out on, investing in, or changing? What is the fear in your life that you desperately need God to speak into with all wisdom and truth? For me, one of those driving fears that led me to step away from Him was the fear of losing my parents. When I was younger, at age seven, I had lost my grandfather, Carl, on my mother’s side. He was a kind man whom I admired deeply. Previous to his passing, I had lost my grandmother Mabel and grandfather Conrad before I could even have the chance of knowing them. That left my precious grandmother Sylvia, whom I loved dearly. Seeing many of my friends experience having all of their grandparents in their lives for a long time, some still even to this day, had me grieving the loss of having relationships with my grandparents. That grief helped to generate a fear of losing my parents as well. Not just for me losing my parents, but for my own future children not having the ability to get to know my parents as their grandparents. This fear drove me in many ways. I didn’t invest in the relationships that I feared losing, partly because of the pain of someday losing them that I had already been putting myself through. I resented those who had good relationships with their parents and grandparents. I played the victim over and over again in my head. I let that fear drive me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The truth is we are all going to pass away someday, and we do not have control over that. The fear of losing my parents in the future drove me to ignore the relationship I had with them at the moment. What I could somewhat control, that being me intentionally investing my time and effort into building a relationship with my mom and dad, I had given up and exchanged to be controlled by what I feared losing the most. But God... After a fierce time in my life, God brought healing and restoration to me as I learned to listen to His voice, to trust Him, and to be obedient to His will. I read through Scripture, holding onto promises that not only captured my heart, but my attention too. Scripture that told me that He is for me, not against me (Rom. 8:31). Scripture that teaches me not to fear because He is with me (Isa. 41:10). Verses that show fear is a trap (Prov. 29:25). And His Word that He hears us when we seek Him, and He will deliver us from our fears (Psalm 34:4). God’s Word reminds us that we do not need to fear, as God is with us. If you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, God is with you. His Holy Spirit is with you! “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT. God is fully capable of replacing the fears that grip us, imprison us, and drive us with power, with love, and with self-discipline. He is for us. He is for you! Though fear has this tendency to come creeping in, taking root in our hearts and minds, we can be assured that God can weed out even the deepest root that wants to cripple our lives. The enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus has come to give us life to the full (John 10:10). It took me a long time to realize that I do not need to be paralyzed by fear. The power of God’s Holy Spirit is real and is alive in me as a believer and follower of Christ. The same can be true for you.
