Listen to Your Conscience

It is rather easy and painless to ignore or silence the little voice within us, our conscience. It is our conscience where God speaks to us about right and wrong, good and evil, and what is loving or selfish. John Stott said of our conscience, “It was your great American wit, Mark Twain, who once said, "Man is the only animal that blushes, and the only animal that needs to." We are ashamed, are we not, of things we've done in the past? Nobody is free who is unforgiven. Instead of being able to look God in the face or to look one another in the face, we want to run away and hide when our conscience troubles us.”

Let us all determine to listen to God when He speaks to our hearts through our conscience and obey all that He tells us. If we have sinned, may we be quick to respond to the Spirit of God speaking through our conscience and repent. Godly sorry finds forgiveness from God and the grace to change. Paul determined to please God with a blameless conscience, “There shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.” Acts 24:15-16 What motivated Paul to always maintain a blameless conscience? The resurrection - his resurrection! He knew he would see God, and His love for Jesus Christ motivated him to please God with a blameless conscience.

You will see Jesus too! Are you keenly aware of that fact? Are you living your life with a blameless conscience? Ask God for the grace to do so. Ask others for their prayer and support to follow the little voice of the Holy Spirit.

Christianity is like a Marathon

Encouragement

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1

We are going to learn how the Christian life is similar to running a marathon (26.2 miles/42 kilometers). It is a long race, not a sprint. It is a lifetime spiritual journey that is compared to a physical race.

First of all, are you aware that you are in the race? You are not in the stands watching. You were entered the moment you gave your life to Jesus Christ. You may not be doing well in the race because you did not know you were in it! The race is not just for the pastor, professional or paid staff. It is for all believers! There are NO spectators!

Our instruction for running a good race for God begins with the crowd. There is a crowd of spectators in heaven watching you. Jesus, the Father, Moses, Sarah, Abraham, Paul, David, Mary and thousands of others are watching you run this race. They are not watching passively. They know this is a matter of eternal consequences. Lives are in the balance. They are cheering for you! Jesus Christ is praying for you constantly! “He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

When I run a race it makes a huge difference to have people cheering for me! There are many times I have wanted to quit and someone on the sidelines has said an encouraging word, offered a cup of water or clapped. It is hard when you are alone. The crowd can play a significant role. In football they can be the 12^th man, in basketball they can be the 6^th player and in running they are your teammates! Know that you are not alone. God is with you all the time. (Hebrews 13:5,6) There are thousands encouraging you here and from heaven. Look up and see them cheering for you and you will keep running to win for Christ!

What Do You Want For Lunch?

But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." John 4:32

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 whom He transformed, and then she left to tell 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.

Jesus informed His disciples as to the source of His energy: "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work." The work, in the context, was leading the Samarian woman to salvation. Jesus was energized by showing her respect, speaking the truth in love, and meeting her deepest need.

Lift up your eyes and look on the harvest of thirsty souls around you, and join God in His work. Get your eyes off yourself, your problems, and your needs by trusting God with them. Then look and notice the lives around you-prayerfully enter their world, listen to their anxious thoughts, and point them to the Living Water, who alone can satisfy their thirsty soul.

Nelson Newsletter–July 2013

The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.' - Billy Graham

Dear Praying ­Friends, ­­­­­­­­­­­

We thank God for friends like you who know God personally and understand that life is not a constant high, but rather filled with challenges to our faith, our emotions, and our hearts. Your prayers sustain us and keep us encouraged. You are making a difference!

Couples Conference Danelle and I had an excellent time teaching a marriage seminar in Columbia, SC in June. We stayed with our good friends Russ and Kim Humphries and met with their home group. Their openness and hunger for God’s truth about relationships and raising children made it a pleasure for us to lead. The photo is from our Saturday morning session.

GCC Pastor’s Conference Steve always enjoys the GCC national Pastor’s Conference teaching, and time to catch up with fellow pastors. The theme, “Just Sow It” - training every church member to sow the gospel daily, is what our house church has been trying to practice for months. It reinvigorated some of us to complete our testimony tracts and others to keep on being faithful in the gospel.

LINC in St. Petersburg, Florida Danelle and I saw God answer your prayers for us and the college students at LINC in St. Petersburg. God gave Steve grace to teach relevant and helpful seminars. We also joined in the outreach on a local college and in the city. The photo below is of Jean Wan from Clemson (Go Tigers! ), and Steve. They were able to share the gospel with many students; one of them has met with Jean since then for discipleship. Every day we had individual meetings with the interns as well as counseling sessions - it was a rewarding and meaningful time!

House Church Outreach We will have an outreach July 27^th at several apartment complexes here in Atlanta. Some believers from Columbia, SC are coming over to share the gospel with us. Please pray for boldness and for the Spirit to bring conviction to those we meet.

                                                                                              Some of our grand children at our house –July 4th. All 25 members of our family were able to be together! 

Prayer Requests

1. Outreach July 27^th – pray for an effective and fruitful time in us and unbelievers we meet.

2. The finances to print Secure In An Insecure World in Spanish and reprint it in English.

Thankful for your faithful partnership! ­­

Steve and Danelle

A Clean Conscience

I love to have a blameless conscience, don't you? Some of you may have never had one and wonder if it is even possible.

What keeps us from having a clean conscience? We rename our sinful thoughts and actions. We rationalize our greed, jealousy, and lust. We justify our anger. “They deserved it!” And one of the most common ways of evading our conscience, we blame others for our mistakes and poor decisions. Oh, and finally, we try to conceal it. Besides, what we do in the privacy of our bedrooms is seen by God and does effect others. None of these actions will remove our guilt and the harmful consequences. But, this does...

"People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,
but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble."
Proverbs 28:13, 14 NLT

Confessing our sins, or agreeing with God that they are wrong, will allow us to receive His love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! It is so simple, but we must humble ourselves, and admit our failure. God will graciously clean our conscience.

"There shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men."
Acts 24:15-16 NASB

Columbia, SC Marriage Conference

We had a very productive conference June  7-8 with Russ and Kim Humphries and the folks from their home group. Most of those attending were couples, but we were also very happy to have 5 singles join in. It was a joy to see their hunger to learn.

“How blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Jesus, from Matthew 5.

God reminded us that in the same way that HE began a good work in us at salvation, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns,” Philippians 1:6, that HE began our marriages and would complete them! “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Matthew 19:6 It was encouraging to be reminded that our marriages were His idea, have His blessing, and His strong support.

We simply need to align ourselves under His Spirit and His leadership to help complete this beautiful work. We looked at Ephesians 5:15-33 and noticed that we can not love our wives, or be subject to our husbands (respect), without first being filled with the Spirit. We also discussed 1 Peter 2 and 3 about how all of us are called to be humble; to be subject to one another, just as Jesus Christ was subject to His Father, and suffered to do so. Saturday morning Danelle spoke about how to be godly wives, and how to raise children who love God. (photo of the Saturday morning session)

Thank you all for your prayers for this time! Please pray for the saints who attended to apply the truths they heard. God knows Columbia and South Carolina need to see Jesus alive in our marriages and families! Marriages where Jesus is seen and love is abounding are a powerful testimony of His grace!

Nelson Newsletter June 2013

I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2

Dear ­Friends, ­­­­­­­­­­­

­­­­­­­­­ Danelle and I understand more and more how this ministry is totally dependent on God’s grace. Thank you for praying for us and believing that God hears our supplications. God promises in James 5:16, “The effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much!” Here are some of God’s recent accomplishments and plans for us.

Spanish Translation Steve’s book about relationships and marriage, Secure In An Insecure World, is currently being translated into Spanish! God provided the necessary funds in an answer to our prayers. Praise Him! Now pray for the funds to print it. Thank you!

House Church Another specific request of God was for the house church conference “How to Hear from God,” in Columbia, SC. Several members of our house church traveled to Columbia to hear these relevant teachings – “Abiding in Christ,” “How to Hear from God with Our Unique Personalities,” and, “How to Hear God (through His Word and personal application).” Please pray as we plan to do some outreach together later this summer here in Atlanta.

Couples Conference Danelle and I have been invited to teach a marriage conference in Columbia, SC this weekend, June 7^th and 8^th. Russ and Kim Humphries and their home group have invited us to speak using materials from Steve’s book, and to address other issues for couples and raising children. Please pray for God’s leading and for life transformation.

GCC Pastor’s Conference Steve will attend the GCC national Pastor’s Conference in Kansas City June 17-19. Please pray for our faith to grow, meaningful fellowship, and a renewed love for the lost. The theme is “Just Sow It,” training every church member to sow the gospel daily.

LINC in St. Petersburg, Florida Danelle and I will return to Florida to teach college students again this summer. We have been asked to speak on the family, and about how to control our thoughts. We covet your intercession for June 24-29. Pray for open hearts and minds. Also, please pray for our evangelistic outreach in the city.

Prayer Requests

1. Please pray for quality translation into Spanish of Secure In An Insecure World.

2. Pray for our financial support to increase to keep up with the cost of living, and the book printing.

3. Pray for the marriage conference in Columbia this weekend, June 7-8

4. Pray for God to refresh and motivate Steve and the pastors in Kansas City June 17-19.

5. Pray for Steve and Danelle’s teaching and outreach in St. Petersburg at the LINC program June 24-28.

Thankful for your faithful partnership!

­­Steve and Danelle