Latest / Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel / [E87] Couple’s Reflection on Christmas, Part 2: Seeing Emmanuel in the Midst of Struggle

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[E87] Couple’s Reflection on Christmas, Part 2: Seeing Emmanuel in the Midst of Struggle · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

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  What signs is God revealing in your life that you may be overlooking?
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  Welcome back to the Couple's Journey with Christ Jesus blog series.
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  As we continue in this week's series of The Christmas Story,
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  we hope you have taken a moment to reflect on the narrative found in Isaiah 7-9.
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  In today's episode, Ray and Annie will highlight two key points from Isaiah
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  7-9, the details surrounding the sign of the child's arrival and Ahaz's response to God's sign.
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  Together, let's dive into these reflections and discover their relevance for
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  our journeys as believers and couples. Here's part two.
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  We hope that you had a moment of reflection on the story noted in Isaiah 7-9.
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  If you haven't, you can pause reading this blog, open your Bible or Bible app,
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  and reflect on these three chapters of Isaiah.
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  It is crucial to have a good understanding of the story heading towards the
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  prophecy of the coming of Emmanuel, the birth of the child.
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  Today, two major points we want to highlight in our reflection on Isaiah 7-9 are. 1.
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  The details noted in the sign, the arrival of the child, and 2.
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  Ahaz's response to the sign that God provided. We know that we're very familiar
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  with how the child was defined in the story, but we take this opportunity to
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  remind ourselves of some important points.
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  This is not to disregard other significant aspects of the story,
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  but we find that these two points are particularly meaningful in our continuous
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  journey as believers or Christ followers.
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  The sign given is that the Messiah shall be born of a virgin.
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  We know this important detail and often equate this event as supernatural.
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  It is indeed supernatural for a child to be born of a virgin.
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  But another detail that is often overshadowed by this perception is that the
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  birth from a virgin was intended to be spotless, pure, and without any stain of sin.
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  Theologian Matthew Henry commented, Christ would be born, not of an empress
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  or queen, for he appeared not in outward pomp or splendor, but of a virgin to
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  teach us spiritual purity,
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  to die to all the delights of sense, and so to keep ourselves unspotted from
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  the world and the flesh, that we may be presented as chaste virgins to Christ.
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  The sign proves that He is the Son of God and the mediator between God and man.
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  He will be called by the name Emmanuel, which means God with us,
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  as noted in Matthew 1 verse 23.
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  We know that God is above us, but in the profound message of the gospel,
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  we see Him in this name as our Redeemer.
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  This name is tied to the identity and mission of Jesus Christ.
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  Jesus' saving of humanity stems from the fact that He is God present among us.
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  The arrival of Jesus and His gift of salvation consists of both reconciling
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  and connecting us to God in relationship with Him and vice versa.
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  The expected response in this divine connection, bringing us to be with God,
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  is described as our great duty from a changed heart.
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  Recognizing Jesus as Emmanuel compels us, believers, to live in a way that honors
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  and welcomes this relationship with God.
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  The dual aspects of Jesus' identity as both Emmanuel and Savior are intricately
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  intertwined, emphasizing that true salvation involves both divine presence and human response.
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  Surely Ahaz didn't know how Jesus would end up on the cross.
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  So this sign serves as a major encouragement that God would be with him during
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  this distressing period.
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  Despite the prophet Isaiah's efforts at encouragement, we saw Ahaz' refusal,
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  as noted in Isaiah 7 verses 10-16.
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  The sign would have given him light, yet he refused the light.
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  He already had a plan to depend on Assyria rather than on God,
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  as noted in 2 Kings 16 verse 7 and 2 Chronicles 28 verse 16.
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  Sadly, we can find great similarities between Ahaz' response and how we view
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  Jesus Christ, from His birth, His recorded works, and His act on the cross.
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  When we find ourselves in a critical situation, it may not be the same nature of war as it has.
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  But the distress brings similarities and see the impact on our marriage,
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  we may choose a different route for resolutions.
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  Worse still, when endurance is stretched to the extreme, many decide to call
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  it quits and seek comfort in divorce.
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  On the other hand, even if the couple equally declares their acceptance of the gospel,
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  the lack of intentionality in a life anchored in Christ tends to lead to the
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  temptation of losing focus and resorting to resolutions that we mistakenly think
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  align with His will and purpose.
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  The poor self-awareness and continued misunderstanding or soft-peddling of God's
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  truth fail to recognize that we are still journeying in the dark instead of
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  making progress toward the light that God has provided through His Word,
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  Jesus' modeling, and the convictions of the Holy Spirit.
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  As Jesus said, This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world.
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  And men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil.
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  John 3 verse 19. We surely need a Savior.
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  This need is not just a one-time declaration, but a continuous remembrance that
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  helps us stay focused on seeking His light, His ways.
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  May this attitude resonate with us not just during Christmas,
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  in remembrance of His birth, or during Holy Week, in remembrance of His act
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  on the cross, but in a day-to-day commitment to anchor our lives to Him,
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  our Savior and Redeemer.
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  Before we close, we want to invite you to engage with us and support the Couples
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  Journey blog series podcast.
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  By following this channel, leaving comments, and sharing episodes with your
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  family and friends, you're helping us in our mission to transform marriages today.
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  Your support encourages more couples to seek God's guidance and grow stronger together.
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  Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can make a difference.
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  Here's the final part of today's episode.
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  Thank you for joining us for this enlightening discussion in Part 2 of Couples
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  Reflection on Christmas.
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  Ray and Annie have shared vital insights that remind us of the significance
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  of recognizing God's signs in our lives and relationships.
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  We encourage you to carry these reflections into your daily life.
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  Don't forget to stay tuned tomorrow for Part 3 of our series,
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  where we will continue to uncover more meaningful insights together.
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  Did you know that the first book authored by Ray and Annie, titled Couples'
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  Journey, Restore, Relearn, Rejoice, has evolved into an inspiring three-book series?
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  From book one which they shared, the inspiring narrative reveals God's continuous
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  transforming work, showing how even the most broken paths can be made new and
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  deeply connected through His grace.
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  Book two is a comprehensive workbook that serves as a practical guide for understanding
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  and living out God's biblical blueprint for marriage.
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  Filled with engaging exercises, thought-provoking discussions,
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  and personal reflection tools, it empowers you and your spouse to actively engage
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  with divine design, transforming insights into actionable steps for every aspect of your relationship.
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  Book 3 is a 52-week devotional, your essential resource for cultivating a consistent
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  spiritual habit centered around biblical conversation, both as a couple and
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  within your small group.
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  Each week, through thoughtfully crafted reflections and the unique Drash method,
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  you'll be equipped to deepen your connection with Christ and each other,
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  turning your marital relationship into a lifelong journey of discipleship.
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  Are you ready to truly live out God's design for your marriage?
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  The Couples Journey series offers the wisdom, tools, and encouragement you need
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  to embark on this incredible path of restoration, relearning, and rejoicing.
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  You can get your book copies through Amazon or visit the website www.couplesjourney.org.