- August/September 2008 Newsletter -

When God Doesn’t Answer

I’ve heard people call on God all my life. I’ve seen God answer immediately sometimes, and then I’ve seen God delay the answer from coming when the one praying thought He ought to. And then I’ve also seen God seemingly say “No”. I’ve sought the Lord about this for years. I’ve asked, how could a God who said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matt. 17:20), not answer prayer when we pray to Him faithfully for something seemingly good for us? I’ve wondered how I could minister to people who don’t receive what is seemingly something good for us, and surely God wants what‘s good for us, doesn’t He?

God took me to the scripture in II Corinthians 12:7-10…⁷ "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." ⁸ "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me."
⁹ "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ¹⁰ "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Why did God not take the Apostle Paul out of his affliction, something he sought the Lord desperately for? I believe God showed me that it was to build character in him! God’s will dictates that he is more interested in our “character” than He is our “comfort”. He knows that we’d never witness what He could really do unless we went through something we had to really trust Him for! A life without trials would be like being given a key to a new car, but never getting to hear the thing run, nor experience the thrill of driving it down the road. It does nothing positive for us.

As human beings, when we ask God for something, we want it NOW…or yesterday! We’ve all been through that. But instead of bringing him out, God said, “My grace is sufficient for thee”. So Paul decided in that case he would just “glory” in his infirmities… WHY? He said, “that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” In other words, going through trial brings God’s power upon us. Or, it builds our “character”. It makes us the powerful man or woman of God He intended for us to be!

This knowledge sparked a brand new attitude in the Apostle Paul! He said… “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ¹⁰ "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Paul realized that God has a divine plan for each of us and the things we’re going to have to go through in this world to make us into the men and women of God we’re destined to be.

This seems hard at times, but God, who declares the end from the beginning, knows what’s best for us all. Tragedies are sometimes allowed into our lives. Hard times and bad days are allowed to come to us all from time to time. But what we do with it will determine what our character is all about. True lovers and believers of Christ will praise Him through it all, and realize that He won’t put more on us that we can bear. That’s Our promise…because He loves us! And His promise in Him are “yea, and AMEN!” Hang in there Church…the best is yet to come! God Bless! Pastor Rick.

ARE YOU BEING PROMOTED?

It’s that time of year again…time for school to start and kids to move into a new grade with a new teacher.  But that doesn’t just automatically happen. It is the result of many hours of hard work and study last year.  If the student isn’t ready for the more difficult work, they don’t move to the higher grade.  There are many reasons that students have to repeat a grade…sickness, learning disabilities, lack of effort, not paying attention, and not turning in assignments.  Teachers, tutors, and parents take special time to work with those students to help them.  However, if a student is 18 years old and still in kindergarten, someone would be very concerned.
So, how about you?  Are you being promoted this year in your spiritual studies?  Did you study hard last year and complete all your assignments?  Did you learn your lessons well so that you can build on that knowledge in the coming year?  Or are you going to have to repeat some of the assignments before you learn your lesson?
Paul’s direction to young Timothy in II Timothy 2:15 was “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  He was encouraging Timothy, just as he is encouraging you, to study God’s word so that you won’t be ashamed and you can rightly know God’s will for your life.  We need to continue to grow and increase our knowledge of God’s word and God’s will for our lives.
In Hosea 4:6 we read, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that that shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”  God knows that if we don’t study His word, we won’t obey and follow His will for our lives.
In I Corinthians 3:1-2, the Corinthians were scolded by Paul who wanted to teach them more difficult topics, but they were not ready.  He said “I brethern could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.”  A baby is fed milk because they are unable to eat meat; but an adult is fed meat and potatoes and cannot survive on just milk.  Are you feasting on the knowledge that comes from God or are you barely surviving on milk?
Just as a student must learn their numbers before they can learn math, a new Christian must learn the basics before they can obtain the full knowledge of God’s truth.  But if you have been a Christian for a while, you should be doing “algebra” or “chemistry” level study of God’s word and not just “simple counting.”  Are you still in preschool or are you working on your “Master’s” degree?           Ginny Towe

CLOTHING AND FOOD PANTRY

Thank you to those who have brought food to restock our food pantry.  We are gearing up for the upcoming colder weather and holidays so remember to bring non-perishable food items for the pantry and men’s clothing and blankets for the Bridge Ministry.  If you would like to help with this outreach or know someone in need of assistanced, contact Steve and Mindy Derenberger at 740-446-4177.

Men’s Fellowship

The Men’s fellowship meets the first Saturday of each month for breakfast.  All men are invited to join us at 9am on August 2 and September 6 at Golden Coral in Gallipolis. You are also invited to help with the remodeling of our new building.  Call Pastor Towe at 304-593-1634. 

Seed of Faith Women’s Ministry

We will meet at the church August 5 & September 2 at 7pm for our monthly meeting.  We will be studying about Deborah.  Also we plan to get back to work on our cookbook.  If you have recipies you would like included, contact Mindy Derenberger at 740-446-4177.

Dates To Remember...

Gallia County Gospel Sing
August 22-23
Gallia County Fair Grounds

Annual Labor Day Gospel Celebration

September 1st
Begins at 3pm
Gavin Plant Employees Clubhouse
Bring your lawn chairs

Fall Harvest Gospel Jubilee
WV State Farm Museum
September 1st
Begins at 5:30 pm
Bring your lawn chairs

Purpose of the New Life Church of God

To seek God’s presence through prayer and worship.
To fellowship together in love and unity.
To educate and equip through discipleship.
To reach the lost with the gospel.
To help the hurting.

REGULAR SERVICE TIMES

Sunday...

Sunday School 10:00am for all ages
Worship & Preaching 11:00am

Worship & Preaching 6:00pm

Wednesday...

Family Training Hour 7:00pm

CHURCH INFO

Website: www.newlifecog.net
E-mail: newlifecog@suddenlink.net
off Airport Road in Gallipolis, Ohio behind the Car Quest Auto Parts Warehouse
(Soon to be on Route 7 at Route 35 across from Speedway and Holiday Inn)

PASTOR INFO...

Pastor Rick Towe
Website: www.ricktowe.com
E-Mail: ricktowe@suddenlink.net
Home Phone: 304-675-3538
Cell Phone: 304-593-1634
Toll Free 1-877-731-4468