Episode 40: Christmas Special: Receiving the Gift of Hope

Episode 43: Christmas Continued: The Love of God

Is it cliche to say that God loves you? Some people would say so: but the truth is always worth repeating. In this episode, we are looking at the fourth and final theme of the advent season: love. The scriptures say that "God is love." Love begins and ends with him. He defines it, he embodies it. The love we feel in our mortal bodies is but a dim reflection of the love contained within the infinitude of God. In order to look at love, we must first look at God. In this episode we will be examining God's nature, but we will also look at human nature as a comparison. We will also look at God's response to our human nature and our response to God's mercy, grace, and judgement. In the scriptures, we learn that God's love is eternal for those who accept him and call upon his name. We also learn that his judgment is eternal for those who reject him, and both of these outcomes are justified within his great love. We are encouraged to "reason together" with God so that we may see our need for his great love, for "all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--each one--to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6) In the context of Christmas, we see God's great condescesion, how he made the first move towards us and how our response is a reaction to his initiation. But the choice is up to us. How will we respond to the message of Christmas? What will we do with this baby laying in the manger? Will we accept him as our king and receive forgiveness? Or will we mock and scorn him? The love of God has endured much mockery. He continues to pour out blessings on all of us, and many conntinue to hate and deny him. My hope for this podcast is that you gain new perspective on God's love and it drives you to love people the way that God loves us: while we were yet sinners. Thank you for listening to the Strengthened Hands Podcast! Don't forget to send comments to strengthenmyhands@gmail.com for comments, questions or future podcast ideas! Strengthened Hands Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2HzPSrQ2RzhCdhqBqsTwWg Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok: IG: @strengthenedhands FB: Strengthened Hands Tik Tok: @strengthened.hands Support us by checking out our Etsy Shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrengthenedHands

Episode 42: Christmas Continued: The Joy of the Lord

It is the New Year, 2026, and Christmas is is long over. But the themes of the Christmas season, hope, peace, joy, and love, ought to remain with us through the whole new year. In this episode we are looking at the joy of the Lord. In the book of Nehemiah, the people of God have just returned from exile in Babylon. Not only is Jerusalem, their holy city, in ruin, but the spirit of the people is in ruins as well. As Ezra the scribe, a leader of the people, reads the book of God's law, the people are filled with shame and repentance over their sin. It was their hardened hearts and their disobedience towards God that forced them into exile, and they knew it. They wept and they cried out to God. When sin is revealed in us, it is easy to wonder if the joy of the lord will ever be restored to us. We wonder if God will ever use or approve of us again. It is easy to see why the people cried and wailed, and would have continued to, if it had not been for a special revelation declared through Nehemiah and the leaders of the people. "And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.  Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10 The word of the Lord came to Nehemiah and he encouraged the people not to continue weeping, but instead to celebrate! To eat food and drink sweet wine, because the joy of the Lord ws their strength? What does this mean? Is he encouraging them in their disobedience? The Lord is joyful over the sincere repentance from sin. Luke 15:7 says, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." The joy of the Lord overflowed over his people. he knew that they were true in their repentance, and this is how He was able to encourage them to eat fat and drink wine and celebrate on this day. The joy of the Lord can be found wherever there is true repentance. In this new year, there will be moments when you don't measure up to the call that God has placed on your life. You will stumble and fall. Remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength. He remembers that you are but dust and his power is made perfect in your weakness. This is his encouragement to you, that he is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed. Let this reminder bring you the joy of the Lord today. Thank you for listening to the Strengthened Hands Podcast! Don't forget to send comments to strengthenmyhands@gmail.com for comments, questions or future podcast ideas! Strengthened Hands Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2HzPSrQ2RzhCdhqBqsTwWg Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok: IG: @strengthenedhands FB: Strengthened Hands Tik Tok: @strengthened.hands Support us by checking out our Etsy Shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrengthenedHands

Episode 41: Christmas Special: The Peace of Christ

In the last episode, we established that God is the God of hope. In Christ, we have the hope of eternal life, glorified bodies, and the permenant friendship of God. In this episode, we are looking at the God of Peace, and how we can find peace even amidst the chaotic busyness of the Christmas season. Though the holidays and the Christmas season is often seen as the merriest of seasons, there are plenty of stressful aspects that can quickly become overwhelming. People are rushing to meet deadlines. There are presents that need buying, wraping, and delivering. There are family get-togethers that may be awkward or frusturating or any assortment of unpleasant emotions. How, in light of all these things, can we live as Christ would have us live, full of peace? He is, after all, the Prince of Peace. The answer to this question is found in remembering Jesus Christ. Only he can give us lasting peace. There is no amount of effort that can carry us undisturbed through the turbulence of the holdiays, nor any tradition that will deflect all the stress that assails us. It is only through Christ, the little child of Bethlehem, who has come to give us peace on earth. More than just a helpless baby, Jesus is our powerful saviour. He can and will protect us from all real harm in this life. More than a frail, needy child, He is our great provider. In good times, in hard times, Jesus watches over us and will make sure we have all we need. We have no need to be afraid. Jesus Christ was the perfect gift. He gives us all we need. He is not short of gifts, as we will see in the next two weeks. He loves us. More than his own mother Mary loved him, Jesus loves us. He is the visible image of the invisible God, and He came to show us the love of the Father and to bring us peace. Let this podcast be an encouragement to you as you go through this Christmas season. Let the memory and truth of Christ be the source of your peace. He will keep you. He can comfort you. You have nothing to fear because your God is a God of power, and He loves you. Thank you for listening to the Strengthened Hands Podcast! Don't forget to send comments to strengthenmyhands@gmail.com for comments, questions or future podcast ideas! Strengthened Hands Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2HzPSrQ2RzhCdhqBqsTwWg Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok: IG: @strengthenedhands FB: Strengthened Hands Tik Tok: @strengthened.hands Support us by checking out our Etsy Shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrengthenedHands

Episode 40: Christmas Special: Receiving the Gift of Hope

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. " God is the God of hope. He desires to fill us up completely with hope, that we would abound with peaceful, joyful hope. In Christ, this is not just a fanciful wish, but a reality. The sentiments of hope are never closer in our minds than at Christmas. The birth of Christ is the basis of Christian hope. Jesus is the hope of our salvation, the hope of our bodily resurrection, the hope of redemption from our sins, the hope of eternal righteousness and eternal life. Not only is Christ the hope for our future, but he is the hope in our present. In every difficulty, every trial, Christ is there to provide our every need, for He said "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He is the hope of provision, the hope of healing, the hope of fulfillment. There are seasons of life where we feel full of hope, and there are seasons when hope seems a million miles away. Sometimes we feel like the Psalmist who said, "Why are you downcast, o my soul, and why are you in turmoil with me?" When we need hope, we must look to Jesus. In this episode, we will look at the nature of hope, the basis of our hope, what to do to regain our hope, and all of the benefits of hope. May this season and God's Word reveal God's desire for you to experience abundant hope. Thank you for listening to the Strengthened Hands Podcast! Don't forget to send comments to strengthenmyhands@gmail.com for comments, questions or future podcast ideas! Strengthened Hands Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2HzPSrQ2RzhCdhqBqsTwWg Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok: IG: @strengthenedhands FB: Strengthened Hands Tik Tok: @strengthened.hands Support us by checking out our Etsy Shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrengthenedHands

Episode 39: God's Loving Discipline

In this episode, we are looking at God's loving discipline for us. Sons of God must be disciplined by their Heavenly Father. "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. " - Hebrews 12:7-8 The purpose of his discipline is that we might share in his holiness and produce the peaceful fruit of rigtheousness. (12:11) The peaceful fruit of righteousness strives for holiness and peace with everyone, ensures that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up amongst the believers, that no one is sexually immoral or unholy, trading temporary pleasures for future blessings. (12:14-17) It is not easy to be disciplined, but there is no other way to experience the fullness of God's blessings. Imagine that living your life is akin to building a castle. Each step you take, every hard decision, every sacrifice you make for the Lord's sake is like placing another brick on the magnificent monument of your life. God wants your life to represent Him well, so we must strive to produce the most beautiful life we possibly can. This can only be done when we are disciplined. But God is gracious, and He transforms us into the people we are to become, if we only submit to Him. He will renew our minds by the Holy Spirit. He will give us opportunities to serve Him and bring glory to His name. He will give us the desires of our heart as our will aligns with His. I hope this episode encourages you to seek the Lord with even more passion and excitement! Thank you for listening to the Strengthened Hands Podcast! Don't forget to send comments to strengthenmyhands@gmail.com for comments, questions or future podcast ideas! Strengthened Hands Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2HzPSrQ2RzhCdhqBqsTwWg Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok: IG: @strengthenedhands FB: Strengthened Hands Tik Tok: @strengthened.hands Support us by checking out our Etsy Shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrengthenedHands