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Got Life A newsletter about spiritual enrichment for the Body of Christ
A Monthly Newsletter God Is Faithful to the Faithful An address from the senior pastor.
The Word of God Page 2
What’s Going On The monthly calendar, birthdays and anniversaries, and Daniel’s Fast resource information. Page 3
February ‘10 Church Information NLTC ministry staff, service information and statement of faith. Page 6
Little Chocolate Boy Charles Ademolu’s monthly column Page 5
Page 2
I’ve never met a parent who enjoys watching their child 2 days after Christmas complain because they can’t have another new toy.
Can’t Appreciate If Complaining Exodus 15 and 16 tells an amazing account of the flawed human nature. We see the children of Israel singing and dancing because God has safely brought them across the Red Sea. Then three days later we “hear” them complaining because the water they had to drink was bitter. The Bible uses the word “murmured” to describe how the people dealt with the situation. In the following chapter once again the Bible said they “murmured” against Moses and Aaron. But later Jehovah tells Moses it’s not you they murmur against, but me. How we as people so quickly forget the victories that God gives and murmur against God. Most of the time, as Christians, we are too cowardly to complain directly to God...to tell Him how we feel about “our now situation” in
February
Yet, we do it all the time as Christians. How can we say that we appreciate the blessings when we spend more time complaining?
“How we as people so quickly forget the victories that God gives and murmur against God.” His face. Instead we speak against those who labor with us or who worship with us. Like the children of Israel, we often complain, murmur or backbite against one another because of our current feeling, neglecting the moment of gratitude for what God has done for us. Think about it, 3 days after they were delivered from their enemy, they began to “gnaw” on Moses and Aaron like ungrateful and unappreciative children.
How can I prepare myself for the next blessing if I have yet to appreciate the one that God has blessed me with. This year I want to learn how to thank God when it seems that my water is bitter. If I have a flat tire, I’ll thank God that it didn’t happen while I was going 60 miles an hour on a busy intersection with an 18 wheeler riding my tail. If we learn to thank God for the bitter water, He will make it sweet. After all, if He can make my Red Sea dry ground, then surely He can make my water sweet. Appreciate, not complain. -Mel A. Perry Mel A. Perry serves as Global Relations Director and Assistant Pastor of NLTC.
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IN OTHER WORDS I pray that the Daniel’s Fast was as much of an eye opener of what 2010 is meant to be in your life as it was for me.
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God Is Faithful to the Faithful By Bishop Brenda K. Perry
Deuteronomy 7:9 reads, “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” This promise, which was spoken Now I know you’re thinking, “why would to the children of Israel, we you write such negative words?” can say amen and amen because of Jesus Christ our Well, the only way to win in battle is to know Savior. In Genesis 3:15 your enemy’s plans. And if we know that the enemy is going to try to throw darts of God gave a promise to disobedient confusion, division, offenses, laziness, couples that brought calamity into the business, sickness, financial difficulties and so world, because God has an unfolding plan on and on, then we will know how to prepare for mankind. Through the history of the our MINDS for the fight. Bible, and even today, our God, our I don’t want to just know about the Father has shown Himself faithful to possibilities, I want to live the promises. The mankind. I believe that as a body, this is a year of great possibilities. Notice, I say possibilities. That’s because I believe that we will have to work and press for what we believe is ours. The enemy knows that this is a great year. His job is to ensure that we never see the completion of blessings.
enemy is not going to just let us have what is ours. But in our MINDS we must know that “greater is He that is in us...” and that God has already given us “possession of the land”. Know it is up to us to go and walk in it.
Likewise, Jesus requires us to be faithful to our heavenly Father, and to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. We are to love Him with our I would encourage you, at the start of each entire being - in every area of our lives month, to remind yourself of your God given with the enter man, as well as the outer promises. And as you see each blessing man. We may say that it may have been unfolding celebrate! easy back then, but then is today. I would I have made up in my mind that 2010 is not a totally disagree. Every dispensation of year of complaining, nor a year of being time carries its own distractions and lust stressed. Instead it is a year of celebration. For that would cause one to not follow and the most part, I have little control of many of the events that will happen. But I can control obey God. how I move through each one. My prayer is God strengthen me to celebrate in test and testimony, trial or blessing. Make it a blessed year!
Mel A. Perry 2
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the Giver of our blessings. Earthly possessions cause us many times to lose focus of our divine calling, and purpose in living in Christ. These material goods cause us to give more attention and protection than we should. And all of these things will perish before we leave this life. When we become faithful to God, He will help us to stay faithful in all our ways, which includes our marriages; raising our children, and making us the head on our job and not the tail or continue on page 4
The Work of God By Minister Isaac Bazile "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."--John 6:29 JOHN'S SIXTH CHAPTER opens abruptly at a scene many miles distant from Jerusalem. Jesus had responded at length to his angry persecutors in that city. He had come upon a man at the edge of the pool called Bethesda. The unnamed man had been seriously ill for 38 years. He obviously wanted to be cured--he came, as did others, to bathe in the pool after "the water is stirred up."-- John 5:5-9
Jesus asked him, "Do you wish to get well?" The man did not say yes, but he implied that he was too helpless to enter the water in time for a miracle to be performed. This vaguely positive Being faithful is an action mode that causes one to fight, and persevere for the response from a helpless man moved our Master to reply at once: "Arise, take up reward of being faithful to the author and your pallet, and walk." And the man did! finisher of our faith. When we rise each This miracle got both of them in trouble. morning, we must take the Word of God First, the Jews accused the man who had to heart. It tells us we must die daily, and been healed: "It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your that means not to cater to the flesh. We cannot allow our humanity to dictate to us pallet." When they later began to charge Jesus, He replied: "My Father is working in not being faithful. God’s desire and continue on page 4 pleasure is for His children to be blessed, and that wills out sorrow. Because of the weakness of the flesh, we so soon forget February
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Looking Ahead Please mark your calendars for the upcoming events for February and March
FEBRUARY 7 Sunday School Breakfast 8 Start of Senior Connection 9 Leadership Prayer 11 Gathering Place 20 TABC Certification (2pm) Super Sunday Seminar 24 Ministries Bible Class 25 Gathering Place 26 LOL Book Club 27 Leadership Prayer & Ministries Meeting 28 LOL & MOT Cookout Festival
MARCH 9 Leadership Prayer 11Gathering Place 19 Friday Night Life 24 Individual Ministry Bible Class 25 Gathering Place 26 LOL Book Club 27 Leadership Prayer & Ministries Meeting 28 Rodeo Sunday
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Birthdays & Anniversaries Monthly birthdays and anniversaries of NLTC members. If your birthday is not listed, email the church office.
February 01!
Brendolyn Adams
February 06!
Evan Bates!
February 07!
Billy Williams
February 07!
Nicolette Davila
February 14!
Deidra Conner
February 14!
Lonnie Cardwell
February 20!
David Bates
February 21!
Valicia Crayton
February 22!
Charles Ademolu
February 24!
Mother Ida Morgan
February 26!
LaRhonda Daniels
February 28!
Edna Johnson
ANNIVERSARIES Clayton & Denise Bates February 18 Enillor & Esstine Padgitt February 28
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Daniel’s Fast Resource Information Even thought the Daniel’s Fast is over, we will repost the information from last month’s newsletter for those of you who desire to continue in a healthier lifestyle of eating, as well as information for those who desire to continue in the Daniel Fast. Also, this is the opportunity to try dishes that you may not have been able to during the fast.
*Daniel Fast Cook Book - Information on the Daniel Fast, recipes http:// danielsfastcookbook.com/ *Daniel-Fast.Com - Online recipes ideas, as well as other resourceful information http:// daniel-fast.com/recipes.html * Smoothie Web - Great smoothie recipes to add a little variety to the usual list. http:// www.smoothieweb.com/ * 101 Simple Salads - New York Times list of easy to make salads, and dressings. http://www.nytimes.com/ 2009/07/22/dining/22mlist.html * Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet - A Houston restaurant chain that prepares fresh healthy foods. http:// dimassisbuffet.com/ * Fadi’s Mediterranean Buffet - A regional restaurant chain that serves a variety of fresh dishes. http://www.fadiscuisine.com/ to-go-menu.htm * Quan Yin - An Asian vegetarian restaurant . http:// www.quanyinvegetarian.com/ * Udipi Cafe - A Houston Indian chain with 3 local restaurants. 281-997-6991
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Choose from page 2
beneath. Those things that we should be faithful to are those we say we love and cherish. God want us to have a good marriage, and to have our children to know Him and raised up believing and serving Him. This represents His goodness and mercy.
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The Christ from page 2
until now, and I Myself am working." --John 5:10, 17. Are you doing the work of God?
Our Master's assurance suggests an important principle. God may have rested from His creative work, but He never ceases dispensing mercy (Exod. 34:6, 7). The Jews did not understand Yes, being faithful is a battle ground, this idea. They sought all the more to yet rewarding in this life and the life to kill Him. In their eyes, Jesus not only come. Many of us, at the beginning of the broke the Sabbath, but also He "was calling God His own Father, making year, had gone on some type of fast to Himself equal with God"--or so they rededicate our self back to God. During reasoned. Many Bible passages the fast between you and your Savior describe God's mercy towards Israel something was said, or some type of and the nations. He communicated His promise or promises were made. How purposes through prophets and judges, faithful will you see that promise or through kings and priests. His greatest promises through? act of mercy was the sending of His There is a song I love to sing when I only Son. Such was essential to God's need encouragement for a situation, or for program for mankind's rescue (Heb. something to come to pass. “Great is thy 2:16). Not only was His Son's ministry necessary, so also was His Faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! death. And that dying was "the work Morning by morning new mercies I see; of God," for it assured the purchase of all I have needed, thy hand hath provided; all mankind and enabled the Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.” redemption of all.--Eph. 1:14 The verse of the song is not often song, but it stands out to me. “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand be side.”
Your work in ministry is necessary to advance the Kingdom of God. Jesus purposed to die. His baptism in water spoke to that intention. He worked "the work of God" during His 3-1/2-year journey to Calvary: reasoning, teaching, affirming, Remember what you said to the Lord encouraging, exampling...always seeking the attention of listeners so the beginning of the year? He was faithful they might understand and believe. So in hearing you, so I’m reminding you that now He would say, and say again: He’s a God of covenant. It’s His greatest delight in giving to the faithful their heart’s desire. Jesus said in the gospel of John 15:7-8, “If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
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"I am the bread that came down out of heaven." 'This is the work of God...' "I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life." 'This is the work of God...'
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eat of it and not die." 'This is the work of God...' "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." 'This is the work of God...' "I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves." 'This is the work of God...' "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." 'This is the work of God...' "My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink." 'This is the work of God...' "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." 'This is the work of God...' "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me." 'This is the work of God...' "This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate, and died, he who eats this bread shall live forever" (John 6:41-58). 'This is the work of God...' Jesus labored faithfully. He died as He intended. And we believe. "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." Are you doing the work of God?
Minister Isaac J. Bazile is the Director of Men of the Tower Ministry at New Life Temple Church, as well as a staff writer for Got Life.
"This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may February
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BoY As I sat at my computer, I wondered what mood I should dive into and I choose humor. If
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c. Wait till McDonalds serves the desired nugget taste d. Pray for a peace of mind if your morning did not start as well as you wanted When things are not going our
you did not know, a woman from
way, we should immediately
East Toledo became so infuriated
assume that God has everything in
that she punched thru a McDonald's
place. Even if we cannot see things
drive-thru window. That is normal,
by sight, let us see them by faith.
right? This story gets even more
Besides, we are to lean on the
bizarre because of the reason why
understanding of God when we do
she did it: there were no chicken
not understand why things are
nuggets available at this particular
going the way they are. When bills
McDonalds. Why were there not any
are piling up, when our boss or co-
chicken nuggets left though?
workers are acting bipolar, when we
Another piece to the puzzle is that
can’t seem to find a way in that
the enraged women requested
dark cave, look unto the hills
those glorious prominent nuggets
which cometh all of our help. God
on a Friday "MORNING". After the
surely works in mysterious ways,
drive-thru clerk simply told her
and you would be surprised to
that McDonalds was only serving
find out what different obstacles
breakfast food, and the wanted
God would place before you to see
nuggets were not available at the
how you would react. Pray and
time, the angry woman reaches
seek his guidance because he will
through the window and punches
never place any situation to heavy
the attendant in the mouth. Please
for us to bear, and that is a fact.
wait though, there is more. After a manager comes to the aid of the Me. me. me...!
employee, the woman begins to swing at the manager. DOES SHE STOP? Of course, she does not. The manager then pulls the women by her hair, but when she was released, she punches her fleshly hand into the drive-thru window out of more anger and rage. Appalling and unbelievable but the unexpected always has a tendency to occur. Now if we look at this situation, there are myriad ways this could have been resolved. Let us look at some of the choices: a. Just leave since there are no chicken nuggets b. Order some breakfast instead
February
The
Lite
Side
e.. “iLiv
.”
When we are born, the world exist to serve “me”. The concept of “we” or “us” is a hard concept for us to grasp.
I mean, look at our world today. There is the beloved Apple, and no I’m not here to try and sell you any Mac’s or the latest dream toy of mine which shell remain nameless. However, they have come up with a brilliant idea. A selling point that has become the greatest marketing phenomenon ever. Appeal to the “I” in everyone. There is something personal about my iPod, my iPhone, my iTunes and the list continues to grow. In their conceit, if I may
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push the envelope that far, they have maintained their product (ego) as the important factor, but allowed the buyer to own a piece of the self preserving egotistical concept of “i” everything. Then there is the extremely self promoting product, Wii. “I” am double important. LOL! Of course I’m sure my gross exaggeration is may be the furthest thing from either company’s mind. But when we look at these products we see how they allow us to escape the real world, and enter into one in which we control and give permission as to who enters and who is denied access into our iLives. Our world has become so shallow and impersonal, because everything is about “i”. And every thing promotes this thinking. But what if the church took this concept of “i” to another level. What if the “i” signified our insignificance as selfish individuals, but importance as a united body. You see “u” comes before “i” in unity. You and I are needed to make the body of Christ function as a whole. I like the song that says “ I live to worship you...”. But would happen if each day we woke with the thought “i Live to worship YOU”? How much more effective would our ministries be? How many fewer church conflicts and battles would we experience? If only we could learn to make “i” less important than “u”. We have to take this concept beyond our need for one another. Because to truly understand my need for you, I have to understand my need for YOU - God. If iLive to worship, if iLive to give of myself, if iLive...I must learn to surrender the “I” for “i” which means that what follows is more important. iWorship God! Worshiping God is what’s important, i am just privileged that God would allow me to “enter in” to His presence. And if i ever try to be iGod...well, I think you can see how crazy that looks.
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Chili Cook-Off Free Admission
Family, Food & Fun
Cook-off Entry Fee: $25 Competing Events: BBQ Ribs, Brisket & Chili
3ON3 $7 per team Member Male & Female Teams Join us for a special Sunday service on February 28 @ 12:00 pm
Host Church: New Life Temple Church 4828 Almeda Genoa, Houston, TX 77048 713-991-5972
February 28 @ 3:00 pm - 7:30 pm
& 3 0n 3 Basketball Tournament
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New Life Temple Ministries Words from our ministries
Ladies Ministry
“A
CrossWalk
LITTLE FOOD FOR THOUGHT”
I heard someone say one of their goals for 2010 was to get to know the Lord better, and just not learn about him. Well this statement sounds good, but that means you will need to take time in the word of God, prayer and even a little fasting too. I remember last year saying some of the same words, I need to commit more time to God’s word. That meant I had to read and study a little more than what I was doing. When I didn’t understand something I would pray, and it seemed like every time clarity would come across the pulpit. God would confirm what I read, and bring a clear understanding to me of what He was saying. When we spend time with God, we can connect with him for clear direction. This will help us become more focused on what we should be doing, and not so much on what’s going on around us - plus stuff we can’t control.
Sis. Donna Stephens, Co-Director Ladies’ of the Light Ministry
Young People On Fire
W H AT A R E Y O U D O I N G ? Pastor has been on a kick for the last few Sundays about "telling them". Some may wonder what that means. I have personally been moved by this series, and really appreciate it. She has been hitting on the fact that as believers we have, for the most part, gotten away from telling others about Jesus and what he did for us. While reading the Bible on Monday morning, I read Luke 13:6-9 where Jesus talked about a fig tree that was not producing fruit after 3 years. The owner wanted it cut down, but the gardener insisted to give it at least another year to produce fruit, and if not they would cut it down. This made me think a lot about our lives. Just like that fig tree, God has given many of us everything we need to produce fruit in our everyday lives on more than one level. This is naturally and more importantly spiritually. If you will go with me just for a second and imagine that after all these years of living and being fed the Word of God, you have no or very little fruit to your credit. Now just imagine that Jesus is that gardener that is covering you and making it possible for you to have another year to produce some fruit before you are ultimately deemed useless. What do you plan on doing with this great gift? Please just think on that for a moment....don't allow yourself to be useless because you refuse to "tell them". Now don't for one second think this does not apply to your natural life as well. I'll give it to you like my dad gave it to me one day....he said "Son, don't allow your brilliant mind to go to waste". Simple words, but it is so profound how many people use their brilliance to try to figure out ways to not have to do anything? Don't let this stop you from bearing the fruit God intended for you in this life!
ACQUIRE THE FIRE REVISITED 2010
Thomas Clark, Director of CrossWalk February
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The purpose of New Life Temple Church is to instill the faith of Jesus Christ into the lives of all people, bringing them into spiritual perfection with a spirit of excellence.
Weekly Service Schedule
NLTC Ministry Leaders
Bishop Brenda K. Perry, Senior Pastor pastor@newlifetemplechurch.com
Sunday Sunday School! !
Pastor Steve Stephens, Associate Pastor Sunday Worship ! sstep72508@sbcglobal.net
Pastor Elmer Powell, Associate Pastor elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net
Donna Ross-Powell, Administrator
Statement of Faith
!
9:00am
!
10:00am
Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study!
!
7:30pm
Young People On Fire! !
7:30pm
donna.ross@newlifetemplechurch.com
Lela Chambers, Financial Manager office@newlifetemplechurch.com
Thursday Music Ministry! !
!
7:30pm
Mel A. Perry, Global Relations Director global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.com
Saturday!
Roy & Veronica Seivwright, Head Deacons rs5587@att.com
Intercessory Prayer!
!
9:00am
Pastor Elmer & Cathy Powell, Marriage Min. elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net Isaac Bazile, Men of the Tower lawfalcon@aol.com
raymondwright24@yahoo.com
dwbates@msn.com 8
We believe in being born again of waterby immersion in the name of the Lord “Jesus� Christ for the remission of sins, and in Spirit baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
We believe in presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.
Pastor Raymond & Capricious Wright, Young People On Fire
David Bates, Outreach
We believe that - in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.
We believe in divine healing, communion and foot washing.
Donna Stephens & Mary Colemon, Ladies of the Light dmstep2003@yahoo.com
Towanna Thompson, Perfecting Light Ministry towanna10@sbcglobal.net
We believe this one true God, who revealed Himself as Father in Creation, as Son in redemption, and as Holy Ghost in regeneration.
We believe in the death, burial and resurrection.
! !
We believe in one eternal God; infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, as well as omniscient and omnipresent.
New Life Temple Church 4828 Almeda Genoa Houston, TX 77048
We believe in expressions of praise with lifted hands, hand clapping, playing of musical instruments, voice of praise and dancing.
713.991.5972 www.newlifetemplechurch.com
February
Published on Feb 10, 2010
A newsletter about spiritual enrichment for the Body of Christ
