Nelson Newsletter - February 2026

 “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

 

Dear Followers of Christ,

Valentines is a popular event in February. The average amount spent on cards, gifts and meals is about $200. Wow! Is the love we receive proportional to the amount of money we spend on others? The lyrics in an old Beatles song seems apropos. “Money can’t buy me love,” One would think we must have figured it out what works by now! Unfortunately, our relationships show the opposite.  So what can bring us love? What is love and how do we find it? What can we learn from God about love. After all, “God is love.”

As followers of Christ, we realized that we were selfish and not able to love sacrificially as God loves. It was not within our nature. We asked God to save us from our selfishness in response to His loving us first in our helpless condition. See 1 John 4:19 above. God loved all sinners, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Now that we are His children, we have the Holy Spirit who empowers us to deny ourselves and put needs of others ahead of our own. “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 We can now practice this kind of love, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 This is real love! The kind of love that people are longing for! 

Atlanta House Church We continue to pray for God to give each of us a personal goal and how to live it out in practical ways. We are also sharing Christ with people in our community. It is the most loving thing we can do for others! Recently, I met DJ at LA Fitness. He was preparing to teach swimming lessons to his class. We had an open and honest discussion about how to be saved by grace and not by our good deeds. I expressed my desire to meet up soon for further discussion. He gave me his number, and I hope to see him soon to follow up!

Prayer & Praise

Carbondale Church Stephanie met a young woman who wants to visit their church. There is also a homeschool family who wants to come one Sunday. None of them are Christians yet.  

Springfield Church Mike’s father has health problems. Pray too for people to come to Christ.

Virginia Church Pray for Josh’s high blood pressure. A friend of Sarah’s, Ellie, just had a miscarriage. Pray for God’s comfort and care to be real to her and her husband.

Atlanta Church Pray for more opportunities to get with DJ, and that God would save him. Pray too for Grace and Ward’s two six-year-old son’s, Will and Fred, to come to know Jesus. Pray for some of our members’ adult children to seek the Lord wholeheartedly and follow Him.  Finally, several of our members have elderly parents with significant health needs. Pray for God’s wisdom and grace to love and serve them well.

Nick – He finished his testimony tract. Most importantly, his love for the lost has grown, and he has shared the gospel on his own initiative! Pray for Nick and his wife to keep fishing for men!

Yours in Christ’s sacrificial love,

Steve and Danelle    

  

  

        

www.reliant.org

11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832

Nelson blog: www.gcmnelson.com      

Nelson Newsletter - January 2026

 

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Dear Friends,

Each New Year is a new opportunity to seek first God and His Kingdom. Matthew 6:33-34. It is a time to evaluate what we are doing, why, and in what ways He wants to mature us. “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 Pray for God to motivate Danelle and I with the love of Christ to seek first His Kingdom in 2026 and help others to do the same. May God grow your faith as you too seek Him first!

Atlanta House Church We are taking this month to evaluate our lives and ask God to help us follow Matthew 6:33. We are asking God for a specific goal for each of us and how to live it out in practical ways. Here is a recent illustration of seeking His Kingdom first.

A few months ago, I went to see our dermatologist, Ann, for a checkup.  I had been going to her practice for several years and we had developed a friendship. She is single, so I had suggested she read my book, Secure In An Insecure World. During the exam she found a suspicious area on my ear and did a biopsy. She said they would call me immediately if there was anything serious. I left praying for her to come to know Jesus. 

After a few weeks without a call from the office, God put it on my heart to take a copy of my book to Ann. She was excited and thankful to receive the book. I said, “I guess I am okay since I never heard from you all?” She stopped, stared at me for a moment, and said, “No. I want you to see something.” She showed me on her iPad that I had cancer and needed Mohs surgery. Apparently, someone forgot to call me. I think, since I was seeking God and His kingdom, He was watching out for me. I had the surgery and all is good.  Lesson to learn: Always seek first God and His Kingdom and He will take care of you!

                                                                           After My Ear Surgery

Prayer & Praise

Carbondale Church They have been unable to meet due to illness. They are studying Thessalonians remotely until they get well. Ask God for their healing and for spiritual growth.  “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:145

Springfield Church Pray for people to get saved and to help them multiply disciples.

Virginia Church Pray for Sarah and Josh. She has started homeschooling their oldest twin boys. Pray too for Jeff. He has a new job that is physically challenging for his poor health.

Atlanta Church Pray for Daniel Moore. He is a young man I met a few weeks ago who made a profession of faith last year. Pray for his passion for God and His word to grow so he can overcome sinful habits. I met his mother, Mary, last week. She was excited to hear about my involvement in her son’s life.  Pray for me to be an effective mentor.                                                              

Nick – We have met a few times to discuss evangelism and how to write his testimony tract. Pray his love for the lost to grow so that he will boldly share Christ. Pray for his new marriage.                                              

Dr. Ann - Ask God to use my book to bring her to faith in Christ. I will see her in March.     

Finally, pray for our church to seek God in 2026 - to know His will and follow Him fully. Ask God to use us to bring many others to know Christ and to make faithful disciples.

Thanks for your support and prayers! We begin the year in a healthy financial place! Praise God!

Yours in Christ’s love,

Steve and Danelle    

        

www.reliant.org

11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832

Nelson blog: www.gcmnelson.com   

   

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