Women in Combat

All these, being men of war who could draw up in battle formation, came to Hebron with a perfect heart to make David king over all Israel.  – 1 Chronicles 12:38 A group of young men and one woman ran toward me along the trail. My first thought was how their pace was much faster than mine. Of course, I was probably 40 years older! My second thought was how the young lady must be fast to keep up with the men. I started thinking (you have a lot of time to think while running!) about how runners are separated into men’s and women’s groups at the Olympics and other races. They don’t compete with the opposite sex. Generally, men are faster than women. How does this difference in physical ability play out in the military? Should women serve in combat? Of course, there will be women who are stronger than some men and physically more qualified. But is there more? What about their emotional makeup? Why didn’t God require Jewish women to fight, as the passage above affirms? God created men to protect women. Adam was created to protect Eve. He failed, and the rest is our sad history. Men are uniquely gifted to protect women physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Men and women are equally valuable before God, but they are very different—uniquely special. Until men and women understand this design, there will be confusion, endangerment, and discord. When we understand, we will complement one another.  Men, let’s man up and lead and protect women with sacrificial love and servants’ hearts!

How Do You Receive Correction?

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla.”  – 2 Chronicles 18:7

I work with young, single men to help them grow up and mature, to learn how to make wise decisions and break free from generational family problems. The irresponsible behavior due to faulty thinking must be exposed and replaced. These men need loving correction, guidance, encouragement, and hope. I do my best to be their friend and be open about my own failures. My desire is to win their trust, as well as strengthening their faith in God and His Word.

There are various responses to this mentoring. Some are eager to learn and change. They all have their fears that they must face. Some will argue or have excuses why they can’t take steps of faith in the Lord to change and break free. Their family dysfunction can make it hard for them to gain freedom.

Ahab, the king of Israel, was such a man who rejected correction. He resisted the counsel of the prophet Micaiah because he never told him what he wanted to hear. Ahab simply wanted a “yes man” to go along with his schemes. He did not want to hear the truth.

Are you like Ahab, or is your heart tender and open to loving correction and wise counsel? Do you reject the truth and disavow the messenger because he or she doesn’t tell you what you want to hear? Are you open to the Spirit of God in others who care enough to challenge your thinking?

Are You Listening To God?

“Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord.  – 2 Chronicles 34:27

Listening to God makes all the difference in our lives. It can even save your life, as with King Josiah. Listening to God can save your marriage, your friendships, and your health! It is serious business! How well do you listen to God? Do you make the effort to read His Word daily?

King Josiah was a very godly king who brought all Israel back to God and celebrated the Passover again. As we read above, the king heard God’s Word and acted on it. But later in life King Josiah died in battle because he didn’t listen to the word of the Lord through the Egyptian king: “But Josiah did not turn back from him; he disguised himself for battle. He did not take seriously the words of Necho which he had received from God; he went to fight him in the Plain of Megiddo” (2 Chronicles 35:22 NET ).

You probably will not die in battle if you don’t take God’s Word seriously. But you will suffer in other ways. We must take God and His Word seriously—it impacts everything we do. Do you see your need to read His word and apply it to your life? Then you too will please God like King Josiah.

Nobody makes me read the Bible every day. I want to hear from God! He loves me and has made me holy in Christ; therefore I cherish my time with Him! I take His Word seriously. Do you?

Offended

“Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended.” Galatians 5:11 NLT

The problem with wanting others to like us is that the gospel of Christ is offensive to the human ego. Please don’t misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be liked, to have friends, or with being popular, until we cross the line and compromise the gospel.

The only way to never offend anyone is to take the cross out of the gospel. Paul knew that the cross of Christ was offensive to the prideful human desire to justify oneself before God. He was convinced that it was human nature to keep the law and boast in one’s accomplishments. That self-righteousness made the cross of Christ unnecessary.

Today we must be careful not to compromise the gospel by removing the cross of Christ. We always need to call people to turn (repentance, godly sorrow) from their selfish lives, self-effort, and self-righteousness. The cross is the place where helpless sinners turn from their pride and trust in the grace of God for cleansing and new life. It is offensive to our ego, but it is essential for salvation. It is beautiful when someone sincerely comes to grips with their selfishness before a holy God. It is the only way to freedom and to experience the love of God.

Take a moment and think and pray over how you present the gospel. Is the cross a vital part of your message? Have you compromised in any way? Has your fear of rejection or fear of losing a friend kept you from preaching salvation through the cross?

Nelson Newsletter

Merry Christmas Everyone!

What was the first Christmas all about? It was about the Creator’s love for His rebellious creation that motived Him to radical action. In Jesus’ words, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” His love was a self-sacrificial love that caused Him to leave heaven in pursuit of sinful men and women. Jesus came into this world through the supernatural birth of a virgin in the humble surroundings of a stable. He lived a sinless life of devotion to His Father, love for all mankind, and gave Himself on the cross to pay for our sins. Everyone who chooses to turn and surrender to Christ will be forgiven and found!!!

Jesus Christ is still seeking to save that which is lost today! Here are some recent stories of His pursuit of mankind.

Abel’s Story (Continued) God is still seeking to save Abel! Last week we meet Abel and his parents to explain the gospel (again) to them. They too were more attentive than ever after his recent accident. His mother said we were the answer to her prayers by spending time with her son and telling him about God’s love. This week Danelle bought copies of Grace Awakening in Spanish by Chuck Swindol to help them understand that salvation is by grace alone. Their Catholic background teaches them that salvation is earned by their good deeds. Pray for Abel, and his parents Francesca and Abel, to come to Christ soon -to be found!

Best Buy Miracle She was taken aback and speechless. I just asked the cashier at Best Buy, “Have you ever seen a miracle?” Most likely she was rarely asked such a deep question totally unrelated to purchasing an appliance or television.  I thought I should help her out, so I repeated the question to give her more time to think about her answer. "No, I haven't" she replied. "You are looking at one," I told her. By then I knew that I had her full attention. I went on to explain myself, as I handed her my personal testimony, "Here's my story. Please read it when you get a break and you will understand what I am talking about!"

The Christians with Atlanta House Church are seeking to reach the lost every day, in every way possible. The cashier at Best Buy is an example of the countless opportunities we have daily to love those in darkness. We are learning as a church to “Care Enough To Share!” We are learning to overcome our fears and “Care Enough To Seek” the lost like the Lord Jesus did. Pray for us as to grow in our love for our neighbors, co-workers, family, and strangers.

Faithwalkers Conference (Dec 27-Jan 2)  Danelle and I will join 700+ college & high school students in Asheville again this year for our annual conference. I will be teaching two seminars this year – Whole Health, and Secure In An Insecure World. Please pray for the students, for all the teachers, and for Danelle and I as we speak. Thank you.

Prayer Requests

1. Unbelievers in Atlanta Pray for those we are seeking to win to Christ in Atlanta -including Jairo, Daniel, Paul, Edwardo, Joel, Michael, Abel, Francesca, Abel, & Carolina.

2. Faithwalkers Conference Please ask the Lord to touch hearts and bring us all into a deeper relationship with Him resulting in a stronger love for others. Pray for our seminars too.

3. Our Support We are most grateful for your faithful support of our ministry in 2016! You all are amazing! Now we desire to enter 2017 with a strong account balance and make up for the present deficit. To accomplish this, please consider helping Danelle and I with a special gift. This will enable us to travel and teach churches in the Southeast and overseas.  If you choose to help, please visit the Reliant website below and click the Give tab. Of course you can always mail your gift for us at Reliant address below. Our account is #5951. Thank you so much!

It is our prayer for each of you to have a worship-filled Christmas holiday with your family and friends. Take time to reflect on God’s Gift of Jesus, His unfailing love for you, and His heart for a lost world all around you. May you also get some much-needed rest and be healthy in 2017.

                                           My mother, Maria & James Nelson

because Christ came seeking,                                                                       

         

We love you dearly, 

Steve and Danelle 

                       

                           

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