Friday, July 18, 2025

Nelson Newsletter - July 2025

 

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. 1 Peter 3:15

Dear Saints,

If you have developed a habit of doing a good deed, you will find yourself doing that good deed almost without even thinking. Over the years, Danelle and I have sought to develop the habit of sharing our testimony. Telling others how we came to faith in Christ comes much easier now.

It is important to understand that we are not talking about programs or methods as much as we are a heart for lost people. A passion to see others come to know Jesus through repentance and faith. Where does this passion originate? The love that motivates us comes from consistently sanctifying Jesus as Lord in our hearts. Sanctifying Jesus as Lord is a choice to trust Him in everything. It is giving Him control moment by moment. When we live deeply satisfied with our Lord’s love and forgiveness, we will be motivated to tell other sinners how they can know Him.

Here are some recent examples of our sharing Christ by using our personal testimonies.

A few weeks ago, our oldest son, Scott, and I had breakfast together. After we sat down, I offered Renata, one of the employees, my testimony tract. She was inquisitive and we had an open and honest conversation. She said she had left God after her mother passed away last year. Her comments and answers to our questions indicated that she was probably not saved. I offered to pray for her. When I finished praying, she said with tears in her eyes, “Can I give you a hug?” Pray for her to come to know our Lord and experience His love and comfort.

Carbondale Danelle and I went to visit David and Stephanie and the church in their home. It was a delight to meet Jeffrey and Kerianna (in the photo behind Danelle), the couple we have often prayed for, as well as some new members. The church met for lunch on Sunday. Then we sang, read God’s word, shared, and prayed together.


Another encouraging thing happened one evening when Danelle and I were sitting on the front porch with our grandsons, Nathaniel and Isaac. They asked Danelle how she became a Christian.
She briefly shared her testimony. Nathaniel then responded with, “I was six years old when I became a Christian. But I was still very, very selfish! It wasn’t until I was eight that I began to change!” Then Isaac told us how he had trusted Jesus and was baptized. It was a special moment we will cherish for years to come. It happened in part because we pray for them by name each day. And, like the verse above says, we are learning to sanctify Jesus as Lord in our hearts. This results in our giving an account for the hope that is in us to many others. Every believer has a personal testimony to share! Be ready to share yours!



Nashville Danelle and I stopped on the way home for two days to visit my sister and her new house church. We spent several hours with them sharing our testimonies and how God has used us to spread the gospel around the world. Several couples have worked overseas and saw God do beautiful things through them! God has given my sister a group of people who love God and care for her spiritual wellbeing. Recently, she asked me to help her print her personal testimony tract so that she can begin to pass it out.  Her heart for lost people is inspiring! Praise God!

 

Prayer & Praise

Carbondale & Nashville Churches Please pray for both churches to develop strong marriages and families. Ask God to empower them to be testimonies of the risen Christ. Finally, pray for all of their children to come to faith in Christ and become faithful disciples.  

Our Fall Conference Everyone in the Nashville church decided to come to our fall conference! Pray for God to bring all those He wants to attend, and that He would lead and bless the time.

Atlanta Church Pray for us to faithfully share our testimonies and for God to save people!

Yours to testify of Christ,

Steve and Danelle         

 

 

          


                                                                                                                                                                     

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11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    

www.gcmnelson.com

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