Nelson Newsletter March 2017

Raleigh Church Danelle and I took a road trip a few weeks ago to visit Barry and Kris and the church meeting in their home. What a pleasure it was to see what God is doing with them and to enjoy rich fellowship. They are reaching out to internationals in the area. Meeting the physical needs of unbelievers has opened many doors to share the good news of Jesus. Their Christ-centered family is attractive and speaks powerfully to unbelievers. Danelle and I were thrilled to meet one family who recently decided to trust Christ as their Savior. They prayed out loud with Danelle and I and told us that was their first time to do so! Please pray for God to continue His beautiful work of transforming lives with these saints in Raleigh.

UGA Outreach & Abel  Eric Morris, a member of our Atlanta House Church, and I went to Athens to  speak with the college students about knowing God. We met Chet Boyd and Edwardo Gomez, friends with One Hope Church, to have lunch with Abel. Edwardo shared with Abel how he came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He said Jesus changed his selfish life to one who sincere loves others. Abel soaked it in and openly shared his struggle with doubt and letting God take control of his life. Keep praying for Abel and his family! Eric and I had several good conversations later that afternoon with students, including Vieda, a coed from India. We also met Mason, who just gave his heart to Christ in January, after his friends showed him how. God is alive and saving lives!!! It is an honor to play a part!

Chet and Edwardo sharing the gospel with Abel  

Local Outreach Update I went to the car wash this week and had an excellent conversation with Jairo! We spoke for over an hour about spiritual matters. God is drawing him to Christ! Danelle and I met with Christian & his wife, Maria, from Ecuador. They invited us over to their apartment where we enjoyed getting to know one other and explaining the gospel. They both seem to know the Lord, but they lack assurance. Tim, our lifeguard, is reading my book! We had a meaningful conversation today about salvation by grace, peer influence, and marriage. Tim and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in July.

Ukraine Mission Trip (May 9-22) Plans for our trip to Ukraine are materializing as God answers your prayers. Please continue to pray for Danelle and I as we prepare to teach conferences, and for those who attend to have hearts willing to trust and obey all that God shows them. Your prayers make the difference!

   

Prayer Requests

1. Unbelievers in Atlanta Pray for those we are seeking to win to Christ in Atlanta -including Jairo, Paul, Michael, Abel, Francesca & her husband Abel, Carolina, Austin, and Maria & Christian.

2. Pastors –Wives Retreat (March 31- April 1) Pray for John & Sandy Hopler who will be leading us.

3. Ukraine Mission Trip (May 9-22) Ask God to show us what He wants us to teach in Kiev and Odessa. Pray for us to be filled with the Spirit as we teach, love, and serve the believers. Thank you to everyone who has given to make this trip possible! 

Yours on mission with Jesus Christ,

                                                                                                                                                              

Steve and Danelle  

PS.  I just found out from my DNA that I am 7% Irish! J

FOMO

“The eyes of man never satisfied.” Proverbs 27:20

“He has FOMO,” my sister said. “What is that? I replied with a puzzled look on my face. “It is the fear of missing out,” she answered. “He doesn’t want to miss out on anything.”

I could relate, and I’m sure you have felt that way too. We see others having a good time doing something, and we want to follow suit. We are afraid we may miss out on all the fun. Who wants to be left out? What is going on in our heads that sometimes makes us desperate to have something others have, or experience something they are doing?

I know my underlying discontent within my heart creates a vulnerability to these feelings. My eyes are not satisfied with what I have, with who I am, or with my lot in life. This discontent causes me to look for the latest and greatest, the new and interesting - instead of enjoying God and who He has made me in Christ. When there is a deep seated discontentment in our lives, what happens when we get the new thing we desire?

The new thing or new experience that we saw making others happy eventually runs out and we must move on to the next object, gadget, or adventure. All the while the voice of God is calling us to satisfaction in Him, “Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved.” Isaiah 30:15. Will you resist the sugary sweet voices calling you to their false nourishment for your soul? Nourish your soul the truth of God goodness and His love for you and He will set you free from the constant fear of missing out. 

JUST DO SOMETHING!

We have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.  – 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Consciously or unconsciously, we often want to look good in the eyes of our Christian leaders or friends, so we feel like we must be busy, or at least look busy. How can we avoid this trap?

I like what Wayne Jacobsen said in Finding Church: “The urge to ‘do something’ when we feel insecure is the driving force behind much of our fruitless busyness. We sincerely want to do something for God, but we are frequently motivated by fear or obligation, and believe that being busy is God’s will.”

When I was a college student I worked for IBM one summer at their plant. I often finished all my work ahead of time and felt compelled to excessively clean and organize just to look busy for my boss. Another busy person was Martha. She and her sister invited the Lord into their home. Martha was busy getting a meal ready for Jesus, but she was critical of her sister—and Jesus! “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” She was busy, busy serving in her strength and for her recognition.

A friend reminded me recently that Jesus was pleasing to the Father before His public ministry: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Serving God does not make you any more pleasing to the Father! Serving God should flow from our security in Him and His love. What is your motive? Are you doing some-thing to appear spiritual or important in the eyes of man?