Nelson Newsletter - November 2016

                    Happy Thanksgiving! 

      

                     

Regional House Church Conference (Oct 28-30)

   

We enjoyed being back together for the 3^rd year with Christians from the churches in Raleigh, Gainesville, and Atlanta for our annual conference. Todd Watkins, from Austin, Texas, did a fine job teaching and leading our discussion groups. Todd is a practitioner. He has seen God lead his team to find people of peace (people who are receptive to Christ), help them trust Christ, and then reach their families and neighbors. He challenged us to have unbelievers on our hearts, to pray regularly for them, and to use us to bring them to know the Lord Jesus.

 

University of Georgia Outreach

Last week I joined my good friend, Rich Suplita, and his team with Tom Short Ministries at the University of Georgia for an outreach. I was surprised that I was able to preach for about 90 minutes, since it had been a long time and my voice was not used to it. J Students asked sincere questions, Hanna and Jennifer in particular. Later that afternoon I met with a student named Abel, whom we met several years ago in Atlanta through his parents. Many members of our church have shared the gospel with his mother and father in their home. Abel has had some difficult times lately and he really wanted to talk with me about it. We had a fantastic discussion and I was able to go over the gospel again urging him to surrender his life to Christ. We both agreed that God was trying to get his attention. Please pray for Abel and all the students we met who heard the good news.

Prayer Requests

1. Our Supporters Please pray for everyone on our support team, including yourself, to have an amazing Thanksgiving holiday praising the Giver of all good gifts! James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”

2. UGA Students The students we met to come to Christ - including Abel, Hanna, and Jennifer. 

3. Our Support Please ask God to provide for our needs so that we can continue this vital work of raising up an army of committed Christians who are sold out to wining the lost and making disciples of all the nations. Please consider a special year-end gift that will put in a strong financial place. Danelle and I are planning to return to Ukraine next year for a few weeks, and your gifts can make it happen. If you wish to give, please visit the Reliant website below and click the Give tab. Of course you can always mail a gift for us at Reliant address below. Our account is #5951. Thank you so much!

This Thanksgiving we thank God for you, your love for Jesus, and your love for people. We are also deeply grateful for your support and prayers!                                

         

Steve and Danelle 

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

What Do Voting and Dating Have In Common?

So then, you will know them by their fruits.  – Matthew 7:20

This may sound odd, but dating and voting have important characteristics in common. They both involve making a decision: which partner to marry or which candidate you want. How does one make a wise decision, one you can live with for four or more years in the case of a politician, or the rest of your life in the case of a spouse?

Wise counsel will tell you to vet your candidates, either for your elected official or your life partner. To jump in without thinking it through, without knowing the person and what they stand for, has gotten a lot of folks into trouble. We have seen the fallout in politics with the many disappointed and angry voters. Similarly, the lack of caution and discernment in choosing a marriage partner has led to a large number of divorces. How can you avoid the disappointment and heartache?

Vetting—a thoughtful examination of the person's history—is how you protect yourself. It is wise to carefully and critically evaluate your choices. When emotions and rhetoric are the only criteria for evaluation, you will surely be misled. Remember, words are cheap. Look at their fruit! The fruit of honesty, integrity, being a team player, and self-control must be evident.

Please read God’s Word and believe it to protect yourself from bad relationships and candidates! Become secure in Christ to the point that you are not looking for a mate because you are lonely, insecure, and unhappy. Learn when you are depending on your emotions more than God’s truth when evaluating your candidates. Ask God for wisdom and discernment to inspect their fruit!

Nelson Newsletter - October

Greetings dear Friends!

Fall is a beautiful season of change. It’s the time of the year again when the temperatures drop, the leaves change into an array of eye-catching colors, and football fans get excited about cheering for their team. It is also a season of opportunity to bring change (new life) to those who don’t know Christ yet. What an honor for us to be ambassadors for 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

Here’s how we have brought new life to unbelievers and growth to those who belong to Christ.

Clemson University Outreach I met with campus minister, Brian Bridgeman, a day before our Southeast regional. We had some quality time together discussing the current needs of the student ministry, as well as his personal prayer requests. Then we shared the gospel with Clemson students. William, pictured in the middle, is a freshman who is excited about learning how to tell his story and God’s story with fellow classmates. The young man seated is Zander, who is the coach of the men’s hockey team. Please pray for him, and many others we met with that day, to want to begin a personal relationship with God. Pray for their retreat this weekend, October 28^th, to inspire the students with God’s vision for their lives.

During the regional meeting we spoke about our current church status, shared our personal highs and lows and prayed for each other. We also discussed how to allow God to help us be more fruitful in disciple making and church planting. I stayed with our dear friends, Fred and Christine Custer, who are always a tremendous blessing to my faith. All the families in the Clemson church are an inspiration!

Atlanta House Church

Here are Julia and Danelle studying the Bible in our home using the Life Now Bible studies. Julia is a new Christ-follower who is eager to learn, and it’s a joy to watch her faith grow. Please pray with her for her family in Malaysia to come to know the Lord too.

Our Regional House Church Conference will be this weekend (Oct 28-30) in Charleston, SC. The churches in Raleigh, Gainesville, and Atlanta will attend and Todd Watkins is coming to speak. Please pray for us to encourage one another, love one another, and build one another’s faith in Christ while there.

Prayer Requests

1. Clemson Student Ministry Pray for the students we spoke with to come to Christ.  Pray for Brian as he makes disciples. Pray for their conference this Saturday to challenge and inspire all. Pray for many students to attend the Faithwalkers conference Dec. 29 - Jan 1 in Asheville.

2. Regional House Church Conference (October 28-30) Please pray for the saints in these churches to seek God and apply truth to their lives. Pray for Todd to be filled with the Holy Spirit and discernment to meet needs as he teaches. Pray for all to return with a renewed devotion to Christ, each other, and those who don’t have new life yet in our cities.

Thank you for partnering with us to bring new life to others!                                

         

Steve and Danelle 

Hunting

Everything that lives and moves will be food for you.  – Genesis 9:3 NIV

I was once asked by a young man in a class of Russian students how I could hunt and be a Christian. I had just shown them some pictures of our family and some of me with a deer I had shot with my son that fall. “Good question,” I said.

The Bible teaches that God has given us all the animals for our food. If it is a cow that ends up as a Big Mac at McDonald’s or on your grill, or a wild deer that you bring home, these are some of the ways that God said He would provide food for us.

My good friend Richard with a buck he harvested with me.

It is not a sin to hunt or fish. I told the young Russian man that it is not right to waste animals or to kill just to kill. My family enjoys eating the venison and the fish that I bring home. They are both healthy foods. I told them that I am also conservationist and a firm believer in protecting our environment and managing our resources now and for our grandchildren.

I think it is wise to teach our children these principles. “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, men who... advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:1‑5).

God has “richly supplied us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). Therefore, enjoy!

Nelson Newsletter - September 2016

Greetings in Jesus’ name!

Like many of you, summer is a special time for family. Here are some of our family highlights and prayer requests, as well as news from our spiritual family. Enjoy!

PA and NY Trip Danelle and I traveled almost 3,000 miles to be with our family in August. We had a fantastic trip. One highlight in Pittsburgh was a special dinner and outdoor showing of their childhood movie, “Bold World!” The kids in their neighborhood used a Super 8 Camera to film a movie they stared in. It was the 50^th anniversary, and many cast members showed up for the celebration. Danelle’s brother Danny, and his wife Kerry, went all out collecting old movie props and providing movie snacks from that time period. We enjoyed many laughs and a few tears during the evening. The entire weekend was encouraging, including several spiritual conversations. God answered your prayers (again) for Danelle’s family.

Then we drove to NYC and picked up our granddaughters, Jasper and Dewey. My brother graciously allowed us to use his cabin in Northfield, Mass for the week. Dewey learned to ride a bike! We read & discussed the book of Esther with Jasper (she’s 9 going on 19!), and had fun hiking, eating ice cream, and swimming. Thank you Kurt! Thank you Lord!!! He answered your prayers again!

“Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”      1 Peter 2:17

Tampa Conference Timmy Powers and I attended a conference in August on discipleship in Tampa sponsored by Big Life Ministries. Our good friend Forrest Head invited us to this week of intense training. We also enjoyed fellowship with the Pavel Vopalecký family and their team from the Czech Republic. Timmy and others have worked with them over there. It was cool to meet those that our house church had fervently prayed for! Lord willing, we may see them next year in their country to spread the gospel!

Atlanta House Church Our church in Atlanta has been asking God to reveal Himself to our families and friends. We’ve been praying for all of them, including our grandchildren, to come to know their need for the Lord Jesus and come to know Him personally. Would you please join us?

Prayer Requests

1. Timmy Serving in Europe. Timmy will be in Europe the next 5 weeks, & his wife Kenyon will join him for 2 of those weeks. Pray for hearts to be open as they teach & train nationals. Pray for God to make more disciples who will start more spiritual families (churches).

2. Pittsburgh & NYC Family Pray for God’s mighty work in our family in Pittsburgh & New York to bless and to transform their lives!

3. Clemson Outreach & Regional (October 20-22) I will join Brian Bridgeman for a few days of outreach to Clemson students. Then Friday & Saturday is our regional leadership meeting. Pray for students to be open to the Lord. Pray for God to lead our leaders meeting as well.

4. Regional House Church Conference (October 28-30) Please pray for the churches from Raleigh, Atlanta, and Gainesville as we gather in Charleston, SC to hear from God and apply truth to our lives. Pray too for Todd Watkins, our conference speaker, to be filled with the Spirit and wisdom. We want to grow in our love for the Lord Jesus which will overflow in our love for each other and those who aren’t in the family of God.

Thank you so much for being part of our family!                                

         

Steve and Danelle 

  

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

A Difficult Issue

Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and the called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” Genesis 19:4, 5

Homosexuality, or sodomy - named after the city where Lot lived, is a controversial subject. Christians are often unprepared and fearful of addressing this issue. This devotional is not intended to be an exhaustive writing on the subject. It is a simple appeal to your compassion and reason. Christians are often falsely accused of hatred, or “homophobia,” for their stand. Most Christians that I know only feel compassion for homosexuals. Why? Because they are acutely aware of their own sordid past and the mercy that God extended to them.

We chose our son’s middle name after our friend Cameron. He was a former homosexual who had become a follower of Christ. Cam, as we called him, was known as a kind and generous person, always eager to help others. After years of living for Jesus Christ, he returned to his former lifestyle. He contracted AIDS and died within a few years. His Christian friends were shocked and heartbroken when they heard the news. But, before Cam died and went to heaven, he turned from his sin. He visited churches and spoke openly about the dangers of homosexuality. People listened!

The arguments for homosexuality often follow these lines. It is genetic, and therefore the individual has no control over their desires. They say homosexuality is no different than someone having red hair or green eyes. Then there is the argument that it is a private matter. “If they choose to be a homosexual, who do you think you are imposing your morals on others? Why can’t you just accept others for being different?”

While there are scientific attempts to prove that homosexuality is inherited, there is no irrefutable evidence. I believe there is no solid genetic evidence because homosexuality is a choice. There may be common circumstances that foster this lifestyle, but nothing to indicate it is beyond one’s control. The “I just can’t help myself!” attitude is an excuse that does not hold up. It is no different than the person who rationalizes when they get angry, steal, lie, commit adultery, or become addicted to drugs or alcohol. God says that all these actions are sin - wrong choices we make with harmful consequences we have to face. Sadly, AIDS is one consequence of homosexuality that is life threatening.

Homosexuality is a sin, but it’s not any worse than adultery, lying, pride or greed. We should dislike all sins equally, especially our own. Jesus died to offer forgiveness to everyone, for every sin. Jesus loves homosexuals and died for them. How can you love them? 

Another View Of Jesus

“For I know the plans that I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will come to Me and pray to Me and I will listen to you declares the Lord.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

I went deer hunting a few weeks ago and climbed up a pine tree about 15 feet. I wear camouflage and even cover my face so the only part of my body showing is my eyes. It was early in the morning before full light and this little brown bird landed in a tree only five feet from me. He was trying to figure out what this huge thing was up in one of his trees. How did he do it? He would quickly turn 180 degrees on the same limb and look at me from a different angle. He would then fly to another limb and repeat the process. Finally, he flew to another nearby tree and continued to flit and turn, constantly looking at me in an effort to see if I was dangerous animal or a large harmless limb. He kept getting another view.

You can experience God and know His plan for your life if you will seek the truth with a sincere heart. You must make the effort. The little brown bird was seeking the truth. “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” God is never found by the apathetic. How does God reveal Himself to us?

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and disclose Myself to him.” John 14:21

If you look at someone from a certain angle they will look different if you move to another position. like the little bird who tried to understand me that morning. You will get a different view and see something you did not see before. Then, if you speak with them, you will learn more about them. If you talk to others who have been with them you will learn even more. With each "new view" of the person we gain a better understanding of who the person really is.

Do not expect to understand Jesus Christ only through your eyes. Why do you think there are four gospels? There were four men who all wrote about the same person, Jesus Christ, and they each noticed different things. The Bible is one means to see different views of Jesus to give us a more complete picture of Him.

We also need other Christians and their views of Jesus to understand Him accurately. Observe the lives of those that act like the Jesus of the Bible and imitate their faith and love.

A third way to view Jesus is to notice, study and meditate on His creation; the little brown bird, the stars, the sunset or your children all reveal different facets of His power, wisdom, and beauty. 

A final way is through your conscience. Obey God and His commandments and He will reveal Himself to you. You will not find God if you continue to willfully sin and violate your conscience. Sin is the roadblock on the highway to knowing God. Live a holy life of obedience and you will experience many views of your precious Savior resulting in a growing faith.