Nelson Newsletter - February 2016

Good News! “Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.”  Proverbs 25:25 

We are bombarded with bad economic, social, and political news daily. It’s depressing and gets old doesn’t it? We have some good news for you that will refresh your soul!

Atlanta House Church Jesus told us to “love one another.” That is exactly what Rebecca Scott from Walnut Creek Church in Des Moines, Iowa did when she told us that Julia Yap needed fellowship. Julia is from Malaysia and was a part of their church in Iowa. After she graduated from Drake University, she got a job in Atlanta. Rebecca contacted us and we contacted Julia. She attended the first time about a month ago and has “jumped in with both feet.” As a matter of fact, I overheard her ask our daughter, Grace, if she could use those feet to go rock climbing with them this week! J Pray for her to growth in Christ, and for her two roommates to come to know Jesus too.

Our fall Regional House Church Conference is going to be October 28-30 in Charleston, SC. We are excited that Todd Watkins, from Austin, Texas, will be our speaker. Todd has a heart for going to the lost with the gospel, starting new groups from those who are interested, leading them to faith in Christ, and then teaching them to reproduce. If you want to attend our conference, please contact us and we will be happy to send you the details.

Clemson Conference February 11-12^th  Danelle and I always love to return to Clemson where we served the church from 1973 to 1986. We share so many fond memories of what God did with a group of young college students willing to follow Christ. We both came to know Christ personally when we were students. We met each other while serving together, and got married in 1975. Five of our seven children were born while living in Tiger Town! From Clemson the churches in Raleigh, Columbia, and Atlanta were started- all of which provided many sweet memories with dear friends, including some of you who are reading this letter!

This time we were invited by Brian and Miriam Bridgeman to speak with the Clemson students about a Christ-centered family. God gave us another sweet memory to add to the big pile of others.  One young student described the time together after our last session as, “Awesome!”  It was encouraging to see one former student drive up from Columbia, SC just to be a part of our time. Thank You Lord!

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!””  Isaiah 52:7

Missions Conference Last weekend I had the pleasure of teaching at the One Hope Church Missions Conference in Athens, GA. It’s always satisfying to speak to those who are seeking to grow in their faith and want to change. I spoke on two subjects that I am passionate about, “Lifestyle Evangelism,” & “Discipleship Is For Everyone.”  It was exciting to seek God together on these all-important issues. Below is Chet Boyd, the pastor of One Hope, and long-time friend. We enjoyed fellowship over lunch, especially hanging out with the little people. J They too are growing up with God!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                             Prayer Requests   

1. Conferences Pray for everyone at both conferences to apply what God showed them.                                                                                                                                  

2. Atlanta House Church Ask God to reveal Himself to Jairo, Michael, Edwardo, Able, Carolina, and others we are spending time with in hopes of helping them finding the good news.

3. Pat Nelson Please pray for our sister-in-law’s health. She remains at the Mayo Clinic for intensive testing related to her inability to swallow. It has been a long ordeal, and she and her husband, my brother Kurt, need our prayer support. They could use some good news.

We appreciate you!

Steve and Danelle

Courage

Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  – Joshua 1:6

The Lord gave this charge to Joshua after Moses died and before he was to lead Israel into the Promised Land. The land was not empty. Nor were the inhabitants cheering and hanging out the “Welcome, Israel!” signs on their city gates. The land was filled with hostiles—enemies who served other gods and practiced evil! Why did the Lord command Joshua three times not to be afraid but to be courageous instead? Joshua didn’t have Moses to follow, and the enemy was formidable!

Being courageous is doing something difficult in the face of opposition. Most people look within themselves to come up with the strength to overcome the difficulty or attempt the impossible. God says courage must come from faith in Him, not from within ourselves.

Here is what the Lord told Joshua about the source of courage: “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go” (1:7).

The Word of God is the source of our inspiration to be courageous. Believing in and acting on His Word helps us trust Him for courage. “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (1:5).

What fear has kept you from doing God’s will? What person makes you anxious? Make the Lord the source of your courage by reading, believing, and obeying His word.

Don't Doubt Me

Don't Doubt Me 

God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19

King Balak requested the prophet Balaam to come to him and curse the invading Israelites. After he met with God, Balaam informed the king that God would not allow him to come and proclaim any harm on His people Israel.

"Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished" to bribe the prophet with riches to get him to return to God and ask for judgment on his enemies. Balaam doubted God and caved, and he went to God a second time to see if God would change His mind – repent. He doubted God and His word.

The first time Balaam listened to the Lord and obeyed – not going to Balak. The second time, when tempted to compromise, he questioned God's initial command and doubted. Balaam confessed his sin of unbelief to God and told the king, "Behold, I have received a command to bless; when He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it" (23:20). Balaam was learning that when God said He was going to do something, you could always count on Him to do it! How do you respond when you hear from God?

Learn from Balaam's example and don't doubt God when He speaks to you through His Word, even when you are pressured by people. Be quick to confess your unbelief to God when you doubt, and ask Him to strengthen your faith. All of us have lied at one point in time, but God has never lied. Everything He says He will do He does. Don't doubt Him!