it DOES matter

“And He (God) is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” {Colossians 1:17}

 **We hear a lot about God, but in reality, why should a person even care if there is a God?  **Who created God?   ** Why do Christians, those who are followers of the God of the Bible, say there is only one God?   **Does God exist outside of time?  

These questions and more will be answered as our friend Collin Pearson is back with us in this episode as we talk about the existence of God.  Collin is a diligent student of the Bible and without apology wants others to know who God is.  “it DOES matter” what you believe.  

Search the Bible: Revelation 22:13; 10:6;  Genesis 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Kings 18; Matthew 7:13-14; John 10:20 and following; John 10:31; Matthew 16:6; 2 Peter 1:15,16  

For further study, listen to episode 23

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1051165/5715232-is-the-bible-credible-with-collin-pearson

It's great to have Daniel and Bonnie joining us today.  We're grateful for their US Air Force military service as family.  

Proverbs 16:9 say, “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”  

Oftentimes we have a plan for our lives and hope it turns out that way, and yet our Sovereign Lord and Commander in Chief ultimately carries out the plan He wants to accomplish in our lives.  The Vidrine family has an amazing story to share about the faithful God who has carried them through military life. 

Today we are going back to some basics of our Christian faith in God.  Perhaps over time you have heard the words “salvation….saved….faith….grace….sin….Savior”  what do these words mean and Who do they refer to?  To know the truthful meaning of these words, we need to go to the Bible which is God’s Word, His love letter and His message of hope for all the world. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Admit you are a sinner
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
Confess your sins to Jesus

Genesis 1:1; 1 John 4:16; John 3:36; Romans 5:12, 17-20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 15:13; Micah 7:19; Psalm 103:12; James 2:10; Hebrews 9:22; Ephesians 2:8,9; 1 John 1:9; Romans 10:10-13; John 14:6; 2 Peter 3:18 2 Corinthians; Revelation 22:17, 20, 21.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/what-must-i-do-to-be-saved/

It’s been said that a grandparent’s love will never grow old.  The influences that grandparents have on their grandchildren can be very rewarding.  
It’s really great to have Don joining us today.  The path of life that God is leading him through is very interesting and we are excited for him to share about that journey with us.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

“Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you.” I Samuel 12:24

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9,10

Shaney and her family are missionaries, so we are truly honored to have her share about their journey of following the Lord which led to Brazil.

Complain less and contemplate more on those who have harder times than we do.  Ever felt like life was difficult in your part of the world?  You will laugh, cry, and even empathize with Shaney as she shares about the challenges and successes of living in a country other than her homeland. 

Prayer Points: *Portuguese language learning; *safety while traveling on furlough around the states; *when returning back to Brazil in May of 2021, navigation of covid regulation will be minimal; *hoping to fly back to Brazil via Colombia; *wisdom in future ministry locations; *continued ministry opportunities to reach indigenous people; *travel safety on Amazon River; *grace with the pace of food prep; *family adjustments with children

POC: [email protected]

INFLUENCER: a person who has the power to affect others through behavior, development or words.  Everyone is an influencer in some way or another, whether positively or negatively.  How do you influence people or situations in your life?

Some of you might really get into setting resolutions or goals.  And others of you may have an attitude of “c’est la vie”..…more of an attitude of “that’s just life”.  But I really believe that as children of the Most High God, He desires more from us than just an attitude of “whatever.”  God intentionally created each and every person to be an INFLUENCER.  And whatever our sphere of influence, we do influence whether it’s done intentionally or unintentionally. 

 “....That in all things He {Christ} might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18

Pretty amazing that we are recording our final podcast episode for this year of 2020!  Today we would like to reflect back on some highlights of this past year and then move forward with some intentional goals that we may have for 2021.
“But the liberal (noble, generous, honourable) deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.  And the work of righteousness (goodness, decency, integrity, virtue)shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance (security, confidence) for ever.” (Isaiah 32:8, 17)

Refuge For The Heart podcast with Cindy and Carolyn https://www.buzzsprout.com/1379854/7036888

Those who have been with us long, have “met” several special people; however, today we want to introduce you to the GREATEST Person ever born….our Savior Jesus Christ. Though we know that December 25th isn’t the actual day in which Christ was born, it is the day that we remember and celebrate His birth. Kind of like when you have a Tuesday birthday and you have the big celebration the following Saturday. 

So today we are simply going to read you reason for the season through the Scriptures.

Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:13, 14; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke :2:1-20; Matthew 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21

The greatest gift you gave give Jesus is a heart that is trusting in and surrendered to Him. 

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Pray today and invite Jesus to be your Savior from your sins.  Merry CHRISTmas!!

THANK YOU, Paula, for writing this week's script!  Thank you also to Francine, Lori, Michelle, Mary, and Michelle for sharing memories about your Christmas traditions.  Thank you to the 2 little voices who also joined in our special birthday celebration for JESUS.  

This time of year we are not only wrapping presents to put under Christmas trees, but we are also wrapping up another year of our lives.  Looking back over this eventful year, we want to encourage all of our listeners to finish strong and start the next year even stronger in following hard after Jesus.     

We are delighted to have Wendy Speake joining our podcast today.  She has been following hard after the Lord for many years and we are excited to hear what God has been doing in her life.  Wendy is an actress, Bible teacher, author, and a speaker so we are really looking forward to hearing more from her today. 

Beginning January 4, 2021 you have the great opportunity to begin a 40-day sugar fast that will radically change not only eating habits physically, but you will truly "O, taste and see that the LORD is good." {Psalm 34:8}

Solomon's prayer for wisdom: "'Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?'  And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing." {1 Kings 3}

https://www.wendyspeake.com/
https://www.amazon.com/40-Day-Sugar-Fast-Spiritual-Transformation/dp/0801094577
https://www.facebook.com/WendyJSpeake/
https://www.instagram.com/wendy_speake/?hl=en