Growing Is For Everyone

Growing is for Everyone

My daughter and I have been observing the baby geese (goslings) along the river where we run. There are various sizes, from the new born, fuzzy softball size, to the football sized teenage version. One thing they all have in common, they are all growing quickly, because they love to eat! Why were they different sizes? Some were older and had eaten more bugs and worms.

What can we learn from these creatures? We should all be growing in Christ! To grow spiritually, we must eat. Do you love to eat like the goslings? No, not bugs and worms, and not pizza or scrambled eggs either. Christians grow by reading the word of God and acting on it.

We too are commanded to grow. “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3. Every believer should be making progress in their relationship with God, in their faith, “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.”1 Timothy 4:15.

In Ephesians 4:14-16 we read about each member of the body of Christ show grow and mature, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Growth is not only for goslings. Growth is not only for pastors, leaders, or professional Christians. It is for all of us!

You Can Know What God Wants

Just read this from a doctor who will remain anonymous,

As I see it, very little truth of any kind comes out of churches, local or global. How could it? The central business of churches, religious guidance, is based on the mass delusion that the church knows what "God" wants. But how can anyone possibly know what "God" wants or doesn't want? To repeat: how can any human person possibly know what "God" wants or doesn't want?

And is it not the height of egotism for one human being to imagine that he or she knows the rules of the universe (if there even are such rules) and so can explain them to others? What nonsense!

And, if there really is a God who hears prayers and answers questions by speaking to my small, still self, why would I not want to find Him/Her myself, apart from what anyone else might believe? Why would I not want to find out for myself what "God" thinks is right and wrong?

While there are many churches which have little or no truth, there are many that do. It depends on the specific church, the pastor, priest, and the people in the church.

The real question though is, can anyone know what God wants? Absolutely! God has revealed Himself (truth) through the prophets, the Bible and through His Son Jesus Christ.

"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." Hebrews 1:1-3

Jesus claimed to be Truth, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6

The good doctor was right, God wants you to find the truth for yourself. If you sincerely look for the truth, you will find it. Jesus promised this when He was accused of having His own teaching that was not from God,

"If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." John 7:17-18

Are you willing to do His will? If not, you will never know the truth!

God wants you to find the truth! He loves you and wants you to find Him!

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Controversial Issues

­­­

It seems like we love a good argument! At least some of us do. Talk shows and television thrive on endless debate over controversial issues. But, it really does not matter what I think about any controversial issue. It does not matter what your opinion is either. It only matters what God says!

King David wrote this, “Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:128 Only God is Love, the Creator, Omniscient, Omnipotent, and perfect in all of His ways! He alone is Truth, and         right in all of His judgments. We would do well to let Him have the final word!

King Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 Wisdom begins with a healthy respect (fear) for the Lord.

Nelson Newsletter April 2013

­­­

Dear ­Friends, ­­­­­­­­­­­

Pastors – Wives Conference Danelle and I attended the Southeast regional pastors/wives conference this month. It was a joy to hear Herschel and Mardean Martindale speak about marriage. They have been happily married for 60 years, and their love for Jesus, one another, and people is an inspiration to all. They also exemplify devotion to Jesus Christ and His mission.

House Church News I have been greatly encouraged recently as a number of us have printed our testimony tracts, and built relationships with unbelievers. Recently we have shared the gospel with several people who we prayed for this past year. God granted us boldness to ask them these thought provoking questions about eternal life, “If you were to die today, would you go to heaven?” And, “If you were to stand before God, and He were to ask you, “Why should I let you into heaven?” what would you say?” Over 40 years ago I was asked these same questions by students at Clemson. It helped me understand I was going to hell, and needed Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. I realized that doing good deeds was not going to save me. Praise God! Now we are using these same questions to reach people in Atlanta with the gospel of grace.

Publishing Steve’s Book in Spanish Most of you are aware how many Hispanics live in America and many don’t understand that salvation is­­­­­­­­ by grace through faith in Christ. They also need help with relationships and marriage. Recently, we have an opportunity to help meet this need. We found someone who is willing to translate Secure In An Insecure World into Spanish at for a very reasonable rate. Please join us in prayer for God to provide the funds necessary to get it translated and published. You may know some Hispanics who would benefit from reading it.

Family News We have had 5 grandchildren born in the past 10 months, with Sophie Alice Nelson the most recent addition to Scott and Maria’s family. We thank God for all these gifts! (Psalm 127:4) Our youngest daughter, Meredith, will finish her job with Habitat for Humanity in July and is looking for a new job. Please remember her before God.

 

 

Prayer Requests

1. Please pray for the people in Atlanta, with whom we shared Christ, to understand their need and turn to Him.
2. Pray for the funds for translating and printing Secure In An Insecure World into Spanish.
3. Pray for our house church conference in Columbia, May 3-4. Steve and others will teach.
4. Pray for God to provide a job for our daughter Merry where He wants her.
5. Pray for our financial support.

Thankful for your prayers and partnership!

Steve and Danelle

34 Years Ago Today

34 years ago on this date I was ordained as a pastor with Great Commission Churches. Herschel Martindale recognized me as a pastor/elder of the church in Clemson, South Carolina. I was a mature 26 years old at the time. Ha! God’s grace has been sufficient all these years. “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”  1 Peter 2:6 Thank you Lord Jesus!

The Power of a Testimony

My son and I were working on writing his testimony today. In his spiritual story he reminded me that it was I who shared the gospel with him using the bridge diagram while sitting on the steps in our garage. He was about 7 years old at the time he gave his life to Christ. I rejoiced again hearing about his spiritual birthday. Sharing the gospel has a profound effect on us, as well as those we share with!

I pray that you will be active in sharing what you believe. Then you will completely understand every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon 1:6 NIV (Readers)

If you don't understand every good thing you have in Christ, what is one thing that could be missing?

Nelson Newsletter – February 2013

Climbing The Berlin Wall

Dear Christian ­Friends, ­­­­­­­­­­­

God is working everywhere, and if we look, we will see it! When we see it, then we can join Him in transforming lives for eternity. Once Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman who was transformed, and then she went and told her city about Jesus. The disciples had gone to get lunch, and when they returned, they were amazed that Jesus was speaking to a woman, and a Samaritan one at that! “Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.”” (John 4:35) What harvest? The Samaritan woman! Why did Jesus tell the disciples to “lift up your eyes?” Because they missed the harvest right there in front of them! God was working, but they had failed to see it, or participate in it. Let’s lift up our eyes and look on the harvest of thirsty souls around us, and join God in His work.

In Berlin with Dieter and Lucy Schade

Germany Mission Trip Danelle and I were able to join God in His work in Berlin, Cologne, and Dusseldorf, Germany this month to build into the churches. I taught on lifestyle evangelism in Berlin, and the pastors said they had been talking about writing their testimony tracts, so my message was a good reminder to finish the task. The Lord surprised us by giving us many open and transparent conversations and the wisdom to help meet the needs. We know He was leading and answering your prayers! Thank you! After 5 days we left to visit Daniel and Lori Goering and the church in Cologne. One special gift was getting to spend the day with Sarah Bedi, a dear sister from Columbia, SC, who is temporarily in Cologne on her way to minister in Sweden. We taught my seminar on  relationships most of Saturday to an enthusiastic group. As is often the case, after hearing God’s word and embracing His love, several decided to change or end unhealthy relationships.

Dusseldorf church. Daniel and Lori (far right) joined us

Next we went to encourage our friends in Dusseldorf. They were amazed that we came all that way to support them during their difficult times. Like John Maisel (former president of East-West Ministries) says, “90% of ministry is just showing up!” We are so thankful we showed up! God knew they needed encouragement and a listening ear.

Prayer Requests

Germany: Pray for the believers to apply the truth they heard, to share Christ, and for God to save more people.

Atlanta: Pray for Mohamed whom we just met, and others to come to Christ. Danelle recently printed her testimony tract for the first time. Pray for God to use her and everyone in our house church to reach the lost we see each day.

Emory: Pray for the students to grow in Christ-likeness, their outreach to unbelievers. Pray for them to put God first.

 

Grace and Peace to you,

 

Steve and Danelle