Latest / Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel / [E90] Couple’s Reflection on Christmas, Part 5: Anchor Your Marriage in the Hope of Christ

Transcript

[E90] Couple’s Reflection on Christmas, Part 5: Anchor Your Marriage in the Hope of Christ · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

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  What does it mean for you and your spouse to anchor your lives in the hope of Christ?
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  Welcome to the final part of our Couples Reflection on Christmas blog series.
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  In this episode, Ray and Annie reflect on the profound significance of Jesus'
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  birth and its implications for our lives and marriages.
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  Together, they will share practical applications derived from this week's biblical learnings.
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  Encouraging us all to embrace the true essence of the Christmas story and how
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  it relates to our relationships as couples. Here's the final part.
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  We all know that the birth of Jesus Christ is the greatest hope for us as humans.
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  Through his birth, our relationship with God is restored, and anchoring our
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  lives to him leads us to the fulfillment of God's promises.
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  This message is widely spread during this season.
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  Sadly, its true essence has been covered up by many exciting traditions.
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  Before we know it, we're back in our usual day-to-day lives,
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  which don't reflect how we should truly live, having Christ as our greatest hope.
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  Additionally, there is more we can learn from the other characters included in this great story.
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  Such is the wonder of this amazing narrative, as we can relate to the various
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  relationships that we have today.
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  Here at CJ Squared, we are focusing on the relationship between husband and
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  wife as it relates to the Christmas story.
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  During the prophecy, noted in Isaiah 7-9, we can refer to the responses of King
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  Ahaz as we take our own heart checks.
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  How do we respond to the signs of God's promises today?
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  Are we like Ahaz with evident hesitation? On the other hand,
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  even if we claim to be believers or followers of Christ, do we genuinely desire
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  to seek Him in every situation we face?
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  Are we truly seeking the light so we can finally take steps to move away from
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  darkness as noted in John 3 verse 19.
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  As married individuals or couples, are we learning from the responses of Joseph and Mary?
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  We may not have an encounter with an angel, as Joseph and Mary did.
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  And it is given that we, as humans, are not accustomed to receiving divine appointments
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  or instructions from God.
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  Our separation from Him due to sin has caused moral blindness and obscured our
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  understanding of the spiritual realm.
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  Despite the massive resources available today, we cannot start learning about
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  or experiencing the reality of Jesus Christ in our lives until we accept Him
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  as our personal Lord and Savior.
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  Matthew Henry made a profound comment regarding Joseph's obedience to the divine
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  precept, extraordinary direction like this we are not now to expect.
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  But God still has ways of making known His mind in doubtful cases,
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  by hints of providence, debates of conscience, and advice of faithful friends.
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  By each of these, applying the general rules of the written word,
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  we should, therefore, in all the steps of our lives, particularly at the significant
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  turning points, such as this one for Joseph and Mary.
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  Take direction from God, and we shall find it safe and comfortable to do as He bids us.
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  Our intentionality in viewing the significance of Jesus' birth in our lives
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  and marriage reflects how we respond to the message of the gospel.
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  His invitation to the gift of eternal life.
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  Furthermore, we will not experience His attributes and character if we are not
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  intentional in anchoring our lives and marriage to Him. A life and marriage
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  anchored to Jesus Christ is a redemptive journey through discipleship.
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  This intentional discipleship leads us to observe and experience His impact
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  in our minds and hearts, resulting in transformed ways of living.
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  May our Christmas celebrations be filled with significance so that we do not
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  miss the true essence and impact of Jesus in our lives.
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  Furthermore, may our day-to-day lives be anchored in the truth that we have
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  a living Savior, a redeemer and restorer.
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  Through Him, our relationship with God is restored, and we live a new life until
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  the time comes when we will embrace the gift of eternal life.
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  If this week's topic has spoken to you and impacted your heart and mind,
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  you can accept Jesus into your life by declaring the following prayer,
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  Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me.
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  I accept your gift of eternal life.
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  Forgive me for my sins and guide me as I follow you today and in the days ahead.
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  In Jesus' name, I pray, amen.
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  You can visit this link for more information on the declaration you just made.
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  CJ Square has curated resources from today's ministries, teachers,
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  authors, and preachers that will further explain the significance of having
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  Jesus Christ in your life.
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  Furthermore, CJ2 is here to journey alongside you and your spouse.
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  Have a wonderful Christmas celebration.
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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 family and friends.
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  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 impactful conclusion to Couples Reflection on Christmas.
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  Ray and Annie remind us that the hope found in Jesus Christ is vital for our
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  marriage and daily lives.
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  As we celebrate this season, let's commit to living with intention and allowing His light to guide us.
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  Stay tuned next week for another wonderful series designed specifically for
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  couples, where we will dive deeper into building and nurturing our relationships
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  together, wishing you a meaningful and joyous Christmas celebration.
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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 1 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 2 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.