Nelson Newsletter - August 2018

“But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.” (Acts 8:3-4)

Dear Fellow Ambassadors,     

Saul persecuted the early church – binding them and hauling them off to prison. How did they respond? Did they give up? Did they run away in fear? No! They continued to preach the good news about Jesus as He had commanded them. Everyone, not just the leaders, were active in spreading the word. They were all ambassadors! Their love for God and for lost souls drove them on, even in the face of death.

What effect does Christ’s love have on your relationships with unbelievers? How can you be more effective in evangelism? Here are some ways we have spread the gospel through our church and ministry…

Tworek Wedding Thank you for praying for the wedding of Danelle’s niece two weeks ago.  Kelsey and Eddie’s ceremony glorified Christ and the gospel was clearly presented. We also had many gospel conversations at the reception.  Please pray for this new couple to continue to seek God. Pray for them to follow up people who had spiritual interest sparked from their wedding.

Atlanta House Church We are excited to report that all three of Eric and Sarah Morris’s children (in photo below) have made professions of faith in Christ and want to be baptized. September 9^th we are going to lake for the baptism and a picnic to celebrate their new lives in Christ! “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

Trip to NYC & Massachusetts. Danelle and I leave this Saturday for New York to visit our daughter, Julie, and her family. We will take our granddaughters, Jasper and Emilia, to my brother’s cabin in Massachusetts for 5 days. Ask God to give us grace to show them Christ’s love.

                                                                                                                                        

                                     Prayer Requests

1. Eddie & Kelsey Ask God to help this new couple to find good fellowship, to grow in their faith, to strengthen their love for each other, and to have wisdom for raising Eddie’s two young sons.

2. Atlanta Pray for our church to be captivated with the Lord and His love for us. Pray that we would sincerely love unbelievers, build relationships with them, and boldly share Christ as often as possible. Pray too for the baptism, September 9^th, to be especially meaningful to the three Morris children.

3. NYC Family Pray for Danelle and I to have quality time with our daughter Julie and her family from August 25-September 1^st. We are taking our 2 granddaughters up to Massachusetts for 5 days during this time.  

Thank you for faithful support!         

Steve & Danelle   

  

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com     

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, painful or pleasant. We are surprised by an unexpected check in the mail, meeting a kind client, or a cheerful server 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 feeling prideful that our abilities made something good happen when things were 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 has you in the palm of His hands. “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