Nelson Newsletter - February 2019

Dear Friends,

Spring is coming soon to Georgia! With spring’s arrival, there is a reminder of new life and the resurrection power of God. He gives new life to anyone who calls on His Son! “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

  

Regional House Church Conference (January 25-27) Churches from Georgia, Florida, Maryland, and North Carolina enjoyed sharing this new life in Jesus at our annual retreat. Wayne Jacobsen (second row center), author of He Loves Me, and  Finding Church,  helped all of us evaluate the health of our relationship with God. He encouraged us to abide in Christ and His love and not succumb to the pressure to perform for God or live under fear. Thank you for praying for us! God answered our requests.                                                                                        

                                                    

   

Clemson Conference (February 1-2) Brian & Miriam Bridgeman (in the photo with their children) invited Danelle & I to lead a weekend retreat for Clemson students. Marketa, pictured here with Danelle, is one of those who attended. She is a grad student from the Czech Republic. She made a profession of faith this summer during our outreach. Danelle and I are continuing to Skype with her each week to help her grow in her new relationship with Christ.

St. Petersburg Church This month Danelle and I enjoyed another visit to help the church in St. Petersburg transition to open, participatory meetings and a more organic life together under Christ’s headship (leadership). We spent time with individuals, as well as with the entire church, praying, reading the word of God, worshipping the Lord, and becoming better friends. Robbie McAlister and Matt Gordon were also there one evening for a time of encouragement, as they were visiting some of the Florida churches.

                                                                                          

                                                                          

Prayer & Praise

1. Atlanta House Church Pray for us to apply the truth we heard at our conference about God’s love for us, so that we would be more satisfied and secure in Christ, resulting in our love others increasing. Praise God for the new jobs, homes, and friendships that He has provided recently!

2. Clemson Ministry Thank God for the students who attended the retreat and were serious about growing in faith! Please continue to ask God to use Brian, and the students he is working with, to get the Good News of Jesus to students, so they would come to know Him as their Lord.

3. St. Petersburg Church Pray for these saints to continue hearing from the Lord through His word and to be led by His Spirit with courage and confidence. Pray for Danelle & I to have insight into how to help the church grow. We will plan to return in April.

Praising God for you and your support,        

Steve & Danelle   

God is Never Surprised

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people. - Luke 22:1-2

Surprises can be good or bad, wanted or unwanted, pleasant or painful. We are surprised by an unexpected check in the mail, meeting a kind client, or a cheerful server at lunch on a rainy day. On the other hand, a change in the weather that ruins our plans or an unexpected illness or bill are surprises we wish we could avoid. How can we prepare for surprises and not become discouraged by the bad news—or feel prideful that our abilities made something good happen when things are unexpectedly positive?

Jesus was going to be betrayed, beaten beyond recognition, and then crucified. He was not surprised. He was never surprised because He was God and knew the future. He also knew there would be a victorious resurrection and the purchase of a Bride made from sinful people! Knowing the future gave Him courage to face the present trials, as well as the future betrayals and abandonment by His best friends.

You do not know the future. But then again, you actually do! If you are a Christian, you know that you will be raised to eternal life with Christ! You also know the One who knows everything about the future! You can live with consistent hope, courage, and optimism when difficult surprises come by trusting God, who knows your future and loves His children. You don’t have to be caught off guard or discouraged when nasty surprises come. Your God was not!

Remember, He holds you in the palm of His hand: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). Rest hopefully in His hand.