Nelson Newsletter - February 2025

 

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4

 

Dear Prayer Partners,

Paul warned the Corinthians about Satan, “So that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 Paul understood Satan’s scheme was to keep people separated from God.  If we do become a child of God, then Satan will tempt us to sin and live defeated lives. Then others will not see Jesus in us and turn to Him for eternal life. Are you ignorant of Satan’s schemes? Matthew 4 (see above) shows us how Jesus handled Satan’s lies, and how we too can resist temptation. Here is how you can avoid Satan’s “Big IF!”

1.     Jesus knew He was not alone. The Spirit was with Him. The Spirit is with you too!

2.     Know your weaknesses. Jesus was hungry. Identify your weaknesses to be prepared.  

3.     Satan wants us to doubt our identity. “IF You are the Son of God.” You are God’s child!

4.     Satan wants us to doubt God’s love. He lies, “God will not provide for your needs.”

5.     Jesus resisted the lies with truth! Read, memorize, and use Scripture to refute the lies.

 

Gustavo He is a young man from Brazil. We needed a plumber, and he came over to fix our dripping tub. He needed Jesus, so I shared Christ with him while he worked. He is getting married in June, so he was excited about reading my book about marriage, Secure In An Insecure World. He will hear my testimony and the gospel. I hope to meet with him again to follow up.

 

Mother Alice just had her pacemaker successfully replaced yesterday. She will be 99 next month! She is doing well and still enjoys chocolate, Costco hotdogs, and her weekly Bible study with Danelle and a friend. We praise God for His goodness to her and to her huge family!

Luke’s Surgery Eric and Sarah are members of Atlanta House Church. Their son, Luke, had an appendectomy this week. He is doing well. P raise God! We were reminded again of the value of the church in action – prayer, love, and support! Thank you for asking God to help us as imitate Christ!

 

 

 Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church Grace & Ward’s neighbor, Kevin (42), was being evicted along with his mother and brother. His brother died during this time. Suddenly his mother died a few weeks later. He really needs Jesus! Please pray for him to find Christ as he grieves and tries to move forward alone. Pray too for Gustavo, John, Bryce, Pam, and other friends to come to know Christ.

Portsmouth Church Surprisingly, one of the couples are now coming to our conference! The husband is not a believer – not yet. He did not want his wife to attend the local church gatherings. But recently he changed his mind and even agreed to come to our church conference in October! Miraculous! God answers prayer! Pray for him and others in Portsmouth to be saved!

Carbondale Church    Please keep praying for Jeffrey and Kerianna. They have problems with their extended family. Pray for Jeffrey to come to Christ along with others they have befriended.

Thank you for loving people!

Steve and Danelle

             

 

   

                                                                                                                                                                                    

wwww.reliant.org  

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

 www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - January 2025

 

Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news!
    He is bringing a message of peace. Nahum 1:15

Dear Partners,

Christmas is a special time for those of us who have peace with God through Jesus Christ! The world is filled with people desperate for peace. Jesus’s death made peace with God possible for all. Repentance and faith in Jesus made this peace happen for us!

Our family and our church were able to gather for several times of fellowship and worship. We had 32 Nelsons packed into our house after Christmas. Grace played the piano in our den as we sang to the Lord. Abundant food for the two meals made it necessary for us to get out and play in the afternoon. The adults barely beat the teens in basketball. That probably won’t last much longer. They are all growing way to fast!

Steve’s New Book Danelle and I give thanks continually for your support of our ministry. To express our appreciation, we are sending you a copy of Steve’s new book, Finding God, “Devotions For Life-Transformation.” You can purchase more copies here: https://tinyurl.com/5e2chfdf  We pray that is book will help you and your family hear from God daily and transform your lives! That is His area of expertise!

      

                                                                   Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church Pray for Will and Fred, Grace & Ward’s sons. They were accepted in the ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) program! But there are no openings yet. It could help them greatly! Pray for my doctor and his family to come to know Christ. His 19-year-old son took his life last January, but I just found out about the tragedy two weeks ago during my appointment.  We had a heartfelt conversation, and he asked prayer. I sent him a copy of my new book. Please pray it will    comfort and encourage him. Thank you for interceding!

Portsmouth Pray for the new family that has been coming lately because of their son’s interest in God. Pray for their hearts, and for others, to be open to the Good News and trust Jesus.

Carbondale God answered prayer with a new home for Jeffrey and Kerianna! Pray for Stephanie and the women’s Bible study she started on Monday nights.

Retreat A date has been confirmed for our house church retreat - October 31- November 2, in Knoxville, TN. Pray for God to bring everyone He wants, and to prepare our hearts.

Ministry Support Danelle and I sincerely appreciate your prayers and support in 2024. Your gifts have made it possible for us to start 2025 with peace about our financial needs.

Thank you for your heart to give and to pray!

Yours in God’s grace,

  Steve & Danelle   

              

    

            

 

 Danelle & Emilia Evans -  She is #22   

                                 

                    

Jasper, Julie, GG, Danelle, and Emilia Dewey

 

  

                                                                                                                                       

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

www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - December 2024

 

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Dear Friends,

God is the consummate Giver! He is Love, and love always involves giving. What has God given you? His best. His all. His Son! Please don’t wonder if you are important, valuable, or loved! God so loved you that He gave His Son to die on the cross to save you from judgement. He rescued you and made you His child! Praise Him! May your heart overflow with praise and thanks this Christmas season! Live loved! Live free! Live with the Prince of Peace!

Thank You Danelle and I are grateful for how you have given of yourselves for us and those we serve. Your prayers have changed lives. People have heard the Good News because of you. People have come to know Christ because of your prayers and financial support. The leaders and the churches we serve have been encouraged because of your faithfulness. Thank you!

Atlanta Church Our church has been able to help with the physical and spiritual needs of Ukrainians in 2024. Our gifts have helped local pastors minister to the widows and orphans of soldiers, to risk their lives to bring food and supplies to the heroes on the front lines, and to share the Good News of Jesus with many hurting people, including the soldiers.

Here is a recent example of how meeting a physical need opens hearts to Jesus. This letter is from Luba, a Ukrainian grandmother who cares for her grandson. Her own words were translated by Igor, a friend of our ministry.

Lyuba Anatolyevna

The family of Lyuba Anatolyevna is registered with the social services center of the Pereyaslav city council. This means that Lyuba is a grandmother who is in a difficult life situation, which has been recognized at the city level.

From time to time, social services try to help this family. But they cannot help with firewood, since it is expensive.

Lyubov is raising her grandson, Bogdan Mironovich, on her own. At the beginning of the war, Bogdan’s mother went abroad with her older son, leaving her younger son Bogdan with his father. Now the father has recently died. The family is in a very difficult financial situation and needs social support. It is very difficult to call the house where Bogdan lives with his grandmother a home. Everything looks very old and unusable.

The grandmother cannot give her grandson anything more than her care and love.

Lyuba is very grateful for such help, the purchase of solid fuel for the winter. For her, this is a great blessing and an unexpected gift.

 

 Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church, Please continue praying for Grace and Ward as they raise Will and Fred. They are enrolling them in an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) program. ABA will help them with anything from feeding themselves, to longer attention spans, to helping them regulate their emotions. Thank you to those of you reached out to them, letting them know you are praying!

Ukraine, Pray for the war to end with a fair and just settlement. Pray for God to meet the overwhelming physical, emotional, and spiritual needs for these people who have been battered and abused. They have needs that only the grace of God can meet. Pray for the soldiers to have resolve and courage especially during the harsh months of winter. Pray for many salvations!

Retreat In 2025 The house churches in Virginia, Illinois, Florida and Georgia are planning to meet for a retreat in 2025. Pray for God to bring everyone He wants and transform lives.

Ministry Support, Danelle and I are deeply grateful for your prayers and support in 2024 for our work. As the year comes to an end, would you please consider a special year-end gift, or becoming a monthly partner by visiting the Reliant website: https://reliant.org/steve.nelson.

Thank you for giving! 

Yours, because God gave us Jesus,

  Steve & Danelle                

 

  wwww.reliant.org 

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

www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - November 2024

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1

Dear friends,  

God anointed us to bring the good news to those who afflicted and broken because of sin. Jesus sets prisoners free today - just as He did for us! Here are some exciting mission efforts!  

Carbondale Church David (center of photo) and Stephanie continue loving people, sharing the good news of Jesus, and making disciples. Here is a photo of their recent meeting at Jeffrey and Kerianna’s house. They are truly grateful for your prayers!

Portsmouth Church VA. They are seeking God and building up one another’s faith. One couple just suffered a personal hardship. They appreciate the support of their friends in the church and value your prayers as well.   

Atlanta Church Recently, Danelle and I have been encouraged by the desire of our church members to grow in faith. Last week one of the brothers shared his request to change and be a more “effective doer of the word, not merely a hearer.” After his transparency, the Spirit of God led us in an edifying discussion. Many  people were open and vulnerable and some shared relevant Scriptures. The letter we included in this newsletter was read to us that morning by our daughter, Grace Bearden. Hopefully your heart will be touched and moved to pray for her and Ward as they raise their twin boys. I know they would greatly appreciate your intercession on their behalf.

                                                                            Ward, Will, Grace and Greg

 

 Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church Pray for Grace and Ward to trust God to supply love, strength, and wisdom to raise their sons. Pray for Will and Fred to come to know Jesus. Pray too for our church to boldly bring the good news to family, friends, and strangers over the holidays.  Pray for open hearts!!

Carbondale Church Pray for Stephanie and David to be anointed to “bind up the brokenhearted” that God leads them to. Pray for Kerianna and Jeffrey - they must find a new home and move unexpectedly.

Portsmouth Church Ask God to comfort those who in their church who are "afflicted," to increase their love for each other, and to use them to bring the good news of Christ to the “prisoners” of sin they know.

Jacksonville Church Please pray for my friends, Larry and Paul, who are leading a house church in Jacksonville. They need God’s love, wisdom, and courage to build His church and multiply disciples there. We have had several encouraging phone conversations recently, and plan to continue to minister to one another.  

Ministry Support Thank you to those of you who supported our work this past year! We are grateful for our prayers and gifts. If you want to give a special year-end gift, or to become a monthly supporter, please visit the Reliant website: https://reliant.org/steve.nelson. Thank you!

Thank you for interceding!

(Here is the letter that Grace read to our church a few weeks ago.)

Confident In Christ

By Grace Bearden

I always thought I was confident in my relationship with Christ. Through the years, however, it feels like it is constantly tested. From the economy tanking when my husband and I graduated and needed jobs, to the most difficult, struggling with infertility. I watched all 4 of my sisters get pregnant, and was THRILLED for them, but still struggled. “But why not me?”

We prayed about adopting, but that market seemed flooded and not for us. We prayed about fostering to adopt, but our friend let us know it usually takes 5 years to be placed. So, we chose the craziest of all - fostering whatever kind of placement they gave us. We received twin boys when they were 5 days old. Their mother was a drug addict. For 2 years, we met with their grandmother, and then the mother, not knowing what the outcome would be. Finally, we adopted Fred and Will in 2021.

You would think the ups and downs of adoption would be hard, but no. Raising my boys has been! I always knew their frontal lobes were underdeveloped and flight or fight would trigger. Fred has run across 3 lanes of traffic, scratched innocent children out of fear, doesn’t do large crowds, can go to the zoo to watch the railroad crossing arm for 1 hour, but he has no interest in looking at animals, breaks all the things including his own toys. 

Will struggles with HUGE emotions and even “hated” his best friend, Elijah, for about 6 months over a minor offense. When he is hurt, he REALLY hurts back. When embarrassed, it’s like the world hates him. 

It’s been incredibly lonely. Very few people want to be around children like mine/ours. At times, the struggle with parenting has completely shaken any confidence I used to have in Christ. Why me? Why these kids? How dare I even think that.

Fred was diagnosed with high functioning autism recently. I didn’t think that would shake me the way it did. I felt ALL the feelings (emotions?): Will was diagnosed as level 1 Autism and ADHD. Due to the number of prayers and support we have received; this news was only affirming. Affirmed (I’m not crazy!), scared (what does this mean?), a little offended (how dare they label my child), guilt (could I have done more?). We have signed the boys up for ABA and are hopeful they will get the help they need.

I’ve been praying for confidence and here is what God says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Heb. 4:16

“So, we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Heb. 13:6 

 

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Heb. 10:35-36 

That’s why, when I read “Take heart” means to be encouraged and confident I knew it was for me. 

Jesus saw the paralytic and called him son, saw the bleeding woman and called her daughter. He gave them a new title and told them to be encouraged and confident. 

I want to reclaim my title, to be restored, and reclaim my confidence in the Lord. 

I also found myself wanting to sing it over my boys. I want them to have that confidence. I want them to know they are not mistakenly made because they are different, but precious, beautiful and wonderfully made.

We hope this letter encourages you to pray for the Beardens to be confident in Christ  and to have compassion for others in similar situations.

Yours in Christ’s love,

  Steve & Danelle                

  

                                                                                                           

wwww.reliant.org 

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

 www.gcmnelson.com