Dec. 21, 2025

EP 54. Holiday Hope for You and Your Marriage (revisit EP 11 plus more) and for the New Year

The episode titled 'Holiday Hope for You and Your Marriage' serves as both a reminder and a call to action for couples to embrace hope, particularly during what can often be a tumultuous time of year. They emphasize that regardless of personal circumstances, such as financial struggles or health issues, hope is a vital component that can foster resilience and connection. By revisiting key themes from a previous episode, the hosts introduce new insights that resonate with the season's spirit of renewal and joy. They share personal anecdotes of their challenges and triumphs, reinforcing the idea that even in adversity, couples can find strength in their shared faith and commitment. The episode encourages listeners to not only seek hope for themselves but also to be a beacon of hope for others who may be facing discouragement during the holidays. With the core message being that Jesus came to offer life abundantly, the episode serves as a potent reminder of the transformative power of faith and love in nurturing relationships, particularly in the backdrop of the holiday season.

Takeaways:

  1. The holiday season is a time to renew hope in your marriage and family.
  2. Listening to our podcast offers valuable insights on maintaining a loving relationship.
  3. We emphasize the importance of faith and belief during trying times in our lives.
  4. Sharing your light and positivity can uplift others who may be struggling with despair.

Links referenced in this episode:

  1. www. marriedandloveit.com

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/LFxOu11

Website: www.marriedandloveit.com

Our email: marriedandloveit1977@gmail.com

Married and Love It phone number/voicemail/text 919-984-270-6062

Speaker A

Welcome to the Married and Lovett Podcast.

Speaker A

We are Greg and Linda Smith, your host from Raleigh, North Carolina.

Speaker A

It's great that you are taking time to invest into your marriage by listening to our weekly podcast.

Speaker B

The goal of our podcast is to provide you with a weekly dose of marriage teaching to help you stay focused on your marriage.

Speaker B

See it as freshening up your marriage, preventive maintenance, a marriage tune up or fan in the flames of romance, love and passion.

Speaker B

Well, you could even call it continuing education.

Speaker A

We will be covering everything that has to do with your marriage, including hot topics like sex, communication, love, and much, much more.

Speaker A

Our teachings are based on Christian principles plus over 47 years of marriage and ministry experience.

Speaker B

We want to help you make your marriage great by teaching you how to be married and love it.

Speaker A

It is an honor and privilege to have you.

Speaker B

Jo.

Speaker B

Hey, we're so glad you joined us today to get your weekly dose of Married and love it.

Speaker B

It's your marriage booster shop for the week and we're going to be talking today on Holiday Hope for you and your marriage and for the new year.

Speaker A

That's right.

Speaker A

And we're going to be revisiting episode 11 and we're going to put a little bit in the beginning of it and we're going to have a little bit of extra nuggets at the end.

Speaker A

So hang on all the way through because this is going to be a great episod to bring holiday hope for you and your marriage.

Speaker A

But also use this episode.

Speaker A

Even if you're not struggling, you're not discouraged, you don't feel like you need any hope.

Speaker A

Well, listen to it anyway, because it's just going to be like hearing and hearing the word that's going to produce faith in you for your holiday season.

Speaker A

And you know what?

Speaker A

God just might want to use you.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker A

And maybe your marriage to be a light to somebody who's discouraged and needs some holiday hope and uplifting.

Speaker B

You know, I was just thinking about that.

Speaker B

I'm so glad that you brought that up because I'm thinking a lot of times we don't realize what other people are going through.

Speaker B

They're quiet about it.

Speaker B

Yeah.

Speaker B

And so us shining our light for them and being there to encourage them could make their world right.

Speaker A

Because like you said, they may never say, you know what, I'm hurting.

Speaker B

Yeah, they're not gonna.

Speaker A

But by just watching your demeanor, your actions and how you and maybe your spouse respond and react to situations at a Christmas party, a family gathering, Christmas Day, or even New Year's, whatever you, you could impact them by just being new and allowing God to live through you.

Speaker B

That's it.

Speaker A

And you may never know till six months later.

Speaker A

They may come up to you and say, you know what?

Speaker A

When we were at Aunt Debbie's Christmas celebration a year, a year ago, six months ago, you did this, you acted this way.

Speaker A

And you know what?

Speaker A

It instilled into me the will to hang in there for whatever reason they're dealing with.

Speaker B

That's it.

Speaker A

So that's part of holiday hope.

Speaker A

So allow this even to be a blessing to you, to fuel you on.

Speaker A

All right, so let's.

Speaker A

Let's get on.

Speaker A

Before we get into episode 11, which we're going to revisit in just a few moments, a scripture we refer to in episode 11 is John 10:10.

Speaker A

And in it, Jesus said, I have come that you might have life and more abundantly.

Speaker A

This is Jesus birthday celebration.

Speaker A

Yes.

Speaker A

We have all the commercial stuff that goes on.

Speaker A

Hey, praise God that people are making money.

Speaker A

Jesus said that we can come and have life and life and abundantly because he came.

Speaker A

You know what?

Speaker A

At Christmas time, when all these businesses are making money, there's people getting bonuses, people have a job, they're making money.

Speaker A

People have money, more money to tithe or to give.

Speaker A

So that's a good thing.

Speaker A

So don't get caught up judging the world, doing all this stuff, because at the bottom line, it's all about Jesus.

Speaker A

So Jesus came that we can have life and have it more abundant.

Speaker A

He don't want you to settle for.

Speaker B

Right.

Speaker A

So if you're discouraged right now, realize that he died for you, for your salvation, and experience all the blessings that he has for you.

Speaker B

Yeah, he wants you to be blessed in your life right now, today.

Speaker B

And.

Speaker B

But you know what?

Speaker B

Like Greg said earlier, there's many people, especially this time of year, they're having struggles.

Speaker B

And it could be in their marriage or it could be in their finances or personal issues, could be in their health, and it could be with their children.

Speaker B

It could be a loss of a loved one.

Speaker B

There's so many areas that just go unsaid that people are struggling, and hopefully.

Speaker A

It'S not all of them at once.

Speaker A

Yeah, but that can happen.

Speaker A

You just don't ever know what people are going through.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker B

And we want to be sensitive to that.

Speaker A

So whatever situation you're in, know that Jesus came, that you can overcome and have life more abundantly.

Speaker A

And that's what his birthday's all about, because we're excited to have him here.

Speaker B

The reason for the season.

Speaker A

Yes, it's the season for miracles, and maybe this season is for you.

Speaker A

However, this season may be the birthing of a seed of a miracle that you may not realize maybe for next month, two or three months down the road, but the foundation you set in the next week or two from what we're going to talk about could change your future and set you up for an awesome new year.

Speaker A

Now talking about struggles, this last four months, three months since September, October, we've had some major health challenges try to still torment Linda and I in so many ways.

Speaker A

She's had like four different procedures to have to deal with.

Speaker A

That means they.

Speaker A

We were in a hospital and they were doing procedures on her regarding her health and her back or her heart issues and different things going in.

Speaker A

So that means one after another.

Speaker A

And that that puts a draw on her, on me as a caretaker.

Speaker A

But on top of that, I had some issues going on.

Speaker A

Still am having to deal with a couple things with some arteries going on.

Speaker A

And that hit about the same time we're dealing with her.

Speaker A

So we.

Speaker A

You could say, man, that's a marriage busters.

Speaker A

That's a magic busters come in.

Speaker A

Our marriage is doing good.

Speaker A

We're standing strong, we're serving one another.

Speaker A

But still that drains on you.

Speaker A

It is a drain.

Speaker A

But we have our trust in God.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker A

So you, your, your situations could be coming so many different ways, but God says he's got a future and a hope for you.

Speaker B

Yeah.

Speaker B

The Bible tells us about the thief that comes to steal.

Speaker B

He's going to kill and destroy.

Speaker B

Those are the marriage busters.

Speaker B

They're trying to rob you of your joy.

Speaker B

So don't let that happen.

Speaker B

Because Jesus said, be of good cheer.

Speaker B

I've overcome the world.

Speaker B

He says that he we can have life and life more abundantly, just like Jeremiah 29:11 says.

Speaker B

Read it, Timmy dear, for I know.

Speaker A

The plans that I have for you.

Speaker A

Plans for welfare and not for the calamity.

Speaker A

To give you a future and a hope.

Speaker B

Amen.

Speaker A

That's what God has for us.

Speaker A

So whatever you're facing, God's got a future and a hope.

Speaker A

Just like years ago when Linda and I were looked at separating or worse.

Speaker A

Linda will talk about that in episode 11.

Speaker A

I hung on to a hope and then she had to hang on to a hope.

Speaker A

And she'll talk about that.

Speaker A

But in our.

Speaker A

On our Christmas display this year, I reduced it down, but I still have the big sign.

Speaker A

It's about 7 to 8ft wide and about 3ft tall.

Speaker A

And it says, only believe in big red Letters.

Speaker A

Because when Jesus came, that's he's saying only believe.

Speaker A

It's believing in God's miracle power.

Speaker A

It's believing that the you have a future and a hope.

Speaker A

It's believing in those Christmas miracles.

Speaker A

And when you look around, you're going to see Christmas lights and displays.

Speaker A

Some of them are Santa Claus, some have the Grinch, some have penguins and all that, but they're usually a lot of lights around them and there's joy and different things happening and, and let these celebrations say, hey, we're celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Speaker A

And yeah, it's a penguin skating on a pond or whatever characters you are.

Speaker A

But you know what people are celebrating.

Speaker A

Some people don't know what they're celebrating.

Speaker A

They're just having a good time.

Speaker A

Well, bless God, have a good time.

Speaker A

Because there's still joy is a medicine.

Speaker A

Happiness is a medicine.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker A

So don't turn your nose up at that.

Speaker A

But also don't.

Speaker A

If you're going through some struggles and you go, I just cannot go outside and look at all the Christmas lights because it just brings back memories or I can't buy all the gifts I want to buy or, or nobody's buying me a gift, or I don't have a Christmas party to go to.

Speaker A

You know what?

Speaker A

Look at those lights and allow that to bring Jesus to light.

Speaker A

Because Jesus said in John 8:12, I am the light of the world.

Speaker A

Allow my light to shine on you.

Speaker A

So what happens is what's all around, what the people drive around town looking at walk.

Speaker A

They come over and walk through our, our little area.

Speaker A

Why?

Speaker A

To look at the Christmas lights.

Speaker A

Now our lights lead people to Jesus because we got a big sign that says, Jesus is the reason, so let that light.

Speaker A

Light is powerful.

Speaker A

And don't, don't see despair when you see the lights.

Speaker A

Don't see what you don't have.

Speaker A

Hey, that's Jesus telling me because of the, the blue lights, the green lights on the neighbor's house, the ones that have the computer lights that are playing and flashing realby.

Speaker A

That's Jesus like a big neon sign saying, I'm here for you.

Speaker A

I was born for you.

Speaker A

I died for you.

Speaker A

And let that be a big thing that you have a future.

Speaker A

You have a future.

Speaker A

You have a future.

Speaker A

Every, every light you go down the road, you, oh, that, oh, that house is awesome looking.

Speaker A

Whether they got one string of lights or whether they've got a whole house full.

Speaker A

That's Jesus saying through these people, I came for you.

Speaker A

I am the light of the world.

Speaker B

Yeah.

Speaker B

And There's a lot of churches, they do candlelight services and that if you think about it, it takes.

Speaker B

It usually starts with one candle.

Speaker A

Yep.

Speaker B

And then we're going to one tomorrow morning in our church tomorrow morning.

Speaker B

And then you take your one candle and you turn and you light the other person's candle.

Speaker B

And then all of a sudden it's all over the place.

Speaker B

Candles and the lights.

Speaker B

It's just incredible.

Speaker B

So that is a representation of the light of Jesus and the hope of Jesus.

Speaker B

So joining us as we revisit episode 11 and there's going to be some extra ending thoughts.

Speaker B

So hang in there all the way through it.

Speaker A

All right, so hang on.

Speaker A

Episode 11 coming up now, I want.

Speaker B

To talk about having hope during the holidays and all year long.

Speaker B

Well, we all know and have, we hear this all the time that the holiday season, the Christmas season is a time of miracles.

Speaker B

Right.

Speaker B

And I know it's just been so heavy on my heart that there's people today that are hopeless.

Speaker B

They do not have hope for their marriage.

Speaker B

They don't have hope for their family, their children.

Speaker B

Maybe it's the finances, maybe it's their health, maybe just everything going on in their life.

Speaker B

Do you have areas that you are feeling hopeless?

Speaker B

Well, let me encourage you.

Speaker B

Today you can have hope.

Speaker B

The word of God tells us Abraham, he was in a position that he had no hope.

Speaker B

But it's in Romans 4, 18:21, and it says in hope against hope.

Speaker B

Abraham believed in order that he might become a father of many nations.

Speaker B

According to that which had been spoken, so shall your descendants be.

Speaker B

And this was God talking to Abraham.

Speaker B

And without becoming weak in faith, Abraham contemplated his own body now as good as being dead.

Speaker B

Yeah, well, he was about a hundred years old.

Speaker B

And so he was looking at the fact that he was about 100 years old.

Speaker B

And Sarah, she had already gone through all of the menopausal stage and her womb was supposedly said it was dead.

Speaker B

Yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief.

Speaker B

But he grew strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully assured that what God had promised, he was also able to perform well when everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyways, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do, but on what God said he would do, what God would do for Abraham.

Speaker B

So God had promised Abraham a big family, regardless of the things that the natural world was saying to him.

Speaker B

And so I've just been feeling so strongly that there's people out there that they're looking at their family, they're looking at their marriage, they're looking at their spouse and saying, there's just no hope.

Speaker B

I can't, I just can't see where anything would become of this.

Speaker B

And maybe you've thrown your arms up and you say, I'm done with this.

Speaker B

It is hopeless.

Speaker B

I just don't see anything that can change anything that can make a difference.

Speaker B

But I'm here to tell you tonight, today that there is hope.

Speaker B

God promises us hope.

Speaker B

God promises in his word that in Ephesians 3.

Speaker B

I love this scripture, talks about.

Speaker B

I'm just going to read it to you.

Speaker B

And this is out of the Passion translation.

Speaker B

Never doubt God's mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this.

Speaker B

He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream and exceed your wildest imagination.

Speaker B

He will outdo them all.

Speaker B

For his miraculous power is constantly energizing you.

Speaker B

So there's a few things that I can pull out of that scripture that's talking about.

Speaker B

God's going to take the things that you've been hoping for, the things that you've been dreaming for, the things that is just beyond your wildest imagination.

Speaker B

And God's going to go above and beyond all of that.

Speaker B

He's going to outdo all of that.

Speaker B

And in the middle of all that, he's going to energize you.

Speaker B

So that tells me that you, I, we, we have a part in making all of this happen.

Speaker B

And if you've been listening to our podcast, you have picked up on some of the things that you can do to help out.

Speaker B

But even in the midst of all of that, and you're, maybe you have been doing some of the action steps that we talk about.

Speaker B

Well, maybe you have just felt hopeless regardless, because maybe you're not seeing a quick response to the things you've been doing or maybe you just are feeling like there's no reason to keep pushing on.

Speaker B

Or maybe you feel like you, you just don't have any energy left to, to be a part of all of this.

Speaker B

But right here it's telling us in Ephesians that God himself, if you'll call on God, if you'll call on him, let him energize you, let him be the one to work in and through you and then just, just maybe put this little scripture up on a three by five card that God, God said that he would do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond all you could think or ask, let him do it.

Speaker B

So if you are feeling really Hopeless right now.

Speaker B

Just lay it all down before the father's feet.

Speaker B

Lay it all down and know that he wants to work in you.

Speaker B

He wants to work in your marriage, he wants to work in your family.

Speaker B

Maybe it's your children that are acting up and, you know, maybe it's grown children in your family that you're believing for or are seeing things happen in their life that is not exactly what you expected or hoping, you know, to see their life to turn out to be.

Speaker B

You've put your hope in something and you're not seeing results happening.

Speaker B

Just, just lay it down and bring that before our father God.

Speaker B

Bring that before our daddy God.

Speaker B

Bring that before Papa God, and just let him minister to you.

Speaker B

Let him love on you.

Speaker B

When this time of the year is so crazy, so busy, so spazzy, Everybody on the road is rush, rush, rush.

Speaker B

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

Speaker B

Take a few moments, sit down and quietly get before the Lord.

Speaker B

Take a deep breath and just sit in his presence.

Speaker B

You know, we talk a lot about the presence that we give.

Speaker B

We'll give God your presence.

Speaker B

Make that be a present that you give to God this year.

Speaker B

He wants to give what?

Speaker B

I just got to back up and say, you know, God, he came.

Speaker B

That you might have life and life more abundantly.

Speaker B

That is the present of God.

Speaker B

That is his present to all of us.

Speaker B

The whole wide world talks about the birth of Jesus, the present that God, our father God gave his one and only Son, that we might have life and life more abundantly.

Speaker B

So receive that gift this year.

Speaker B

Receive it if you've never received it before, receive that gift from God to you.

Speaker B

And then what happens when we give gifts to one another?

Speaker B

Usually we are like, oh, they gave me a gift.

Speaker B

I want to give them one back, right?

Speaker B

Well, then look at it like this.

Speaker B

You're giving yourself as a gift to God.

Speaker B

You're giving a gift to God back to him.

Speaker B

He wants to have that relationship with you.

Speaker B

He wants to have that time with you, by you sitting down anywhere in the day.

Speaker B

Maybe it's first thing.

Speaker B

Maybe it's in the middle of the day when the children may be napping or they're away at school.

Speaker B

Or maybe it's the end of the day when everybody's quietly snuggled in their beds waiting for Santa Claus to come, and you have a few moments to just take a deep breath, two, three minutes, and just quietly connect with your father, God, and thank him for giving his one and only son for you as a presentation.

Speaker B

But let's get back to the holiday.

Speaker B

Hope it doesn't have to just be during the holiday.

Speaker B

It can be all year long and that's what it should be.

Speaker B

But let me just inspire you to receive the promise of God that where you have felt hopeless, that there is hope to be found in the word of God.

Speaker B

This is a time of miracles.

Speaker B

You can believe God for a miracle for your home, for your family, for your marriage, whether it's with the finances in your home, maybe it's your health, maybe it's a loved one that you're believing for that miracle.

Speaker B

This is the time of miracles.

Speaker B

There is no limit that we can, that we could put on can be for all year long.

Speaker B

So just remember that Hope against all hope.

Speaker B

Abraham believed, Sarah got pregnant.

Speaker B

Isaiah was born, their baby was born.

Speaker B

And Abraham has been known in the Bible to be the father of many nations.

Speaker A

Now, Linda, what you shared some good stuff on hope, but I know that you've applied these principles ever since we've been married.

Speaker A

Can you just share maybe about when we got our marriage back together or during the health challenges that you've had and the things we face, how hopes impacted your life or a particular.

Speaker A

Oh, I know, because you're, you've lived what you're talking about.

Speaker B

Oh, goodness, I'd have to say.

Speaker B

And every day you, you know, it's something to hang onto the word of God.

Speaker B

I just have to say that the scripture Ephesians 3:20, that I talked about where God said he'd do exceedingly abundant, that was like the scripture I hung onto because when we were at the point of separation, near divorce, it was like I didn't want to hanging there.

Speaker B

I was done.

Speaker B

My heart was hard, my heart was hardened.

Speaker B

You know, I was done.

Speaker B

I didn't have love left in me to give to me.

Speaker B

There was just no hope.

Speaker B

After years of believing and hoping that our marriage could turn around.

Speaker B

And so at that point, you know, and it was then that, you know, God had said, okay, Linda, stay in this marriage.

Speaker B

And he promised me that he would do this exceedingly.

Speaker B

But I'd say it didn't happen overnight.

Speaker A

But on the other side of the coin, when you told me about wanting to separate and we're going to head back to Florida, when we were in Texas, I was putting on my hope.

Speaker B

Oh, yeah.

Speaker A

That you were going to stay up.

Speaker A

You were hoping I would change to be somebody to stay for.

Speaker A

And I was hoping that you would stay.

Speaker A

So we both had our hope going on, weren't we?

Speaker B

Yeah.

Speaker A

And I had to hope against hope and believe that God was going to work in your heart.

Speaker A

And you and God met us both.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker A

He did actually work on both of us.

Speaker B

Yeah.

Speaker A

And maybe you got something else on that.

Speaker A

But I also know that you're dealing with pain a lot from the different things going in your body.

Speaker A

And there's some days when it's hallelujah and some days it's hallelujah with a different type of attitude there.

Speaker B

Different.

Speaker A

How are you putting on hope on some of those days when it doesn't seem, I mean, what do you do do if you're struggling with that, having that hope and in your faith?

Speaker A

Because when we're going through a series, a time when we need hope.

Speaker A

Well, that's when we come in and we mix faith with it.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker A

To get us through that.

Speaker A

And.

Speaker A

And faith comes by hearing.

Speaker A

So what are some things maybe you've done through the years when that hope kind of gets tired or weary or maybe the circumstances are saying, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, it's not working.

Speaker A

And what do you do?

Speaker A

I know you crawl up in Jesus lap because I know where your chair is.

Speaker A

And I come in there when we pray and that's a powerful time.

Speaker A

But is there any other little nuggets or something?

Speaker B

I get in my prayer chair and I sit there and I do get in my daddy God's lap and I just cry out to him and I just lay before him.

Speaker B

I journal and I take notes, but I get the word on it.

Speaker B

I always come back to this scripture, God, you promised me you would do exceedingly.

Speaker B

But when I, you know, I just went through a few days of just feeling, I don't know, I guess I was having a pity party, you know.

Speaker A

Is that why we got the chocolate cake in the house?

Speaker B

That was kind of a comfort food?

Speaker B

Yeah, we kind of.

Speaker B

But you shared that with me, you know, we're a team, actually.

Speaker B

You went out and bought it then, you know, this one, I did all three pieces.

Speaker B

Oh, no, nobody's count.

Speaker B

Okay.

Speaker B

Nobody.

Speaker B

Who's counting?

Speaker B

Nobody.

Speaker B

Well, that went in the garbage today, right?

Speaker A

Yeah.

Speaker B

So the container.

Speaker B

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker B

I mean, you know, I, I was, I, I kind of got in the flesh, but I did get in the spirit to get through the, you know, believing for our provision, believing for time to have to do everything that's going on.

Speaker B

I guess I, you know, when we, let's get talking about spirit, soul and body, because we are right.

Speaker B

So we're going to talk about the body a little bit.

Speaker B

Okay.

Speaker B

So getting into the body part, when we eat sugar, we're running off of little bit of sleep.

Speaker B

We're not exercising like we ought to be.

Speaker B

We're not drinking the water that we are to do.

Speaker A

Maybe like you're meddling.

Speaker B

Ah, am I meddling?

Speaker B

Well, if the shoe fits, wear it.

Speaker B

But then we start getting touchy with each other in our marriage.

Speaker B

We start saying things that we ought not to be saying.

Speaker B

You know, we really got to practice putting on love.

Speaker B

You know, we got to call on Jesus help.

Speaker B

Right?

Speaker B

That's my main prayer help constantly.

Speaker B

And then the next thing would be to repent of the things that I should have, I should have zipped the lip and didn't, you know.

Speaker B

So yeah, I just have to say, you know, and add in whatever.

Speaker B

How do you overcome with me, living with me in the midst of all of that and still, you know, areas that I'm dealing with, health challenges or chronic pain and you, you know, wanting to be a pleasant person and not a, a bear, you know, with my.

Speaker A

Family members down, having hope and, and making a decision, standing on God's word and knowing that these things are temporal and that, that as we do our part, that God is going to do his part to come in and change things and, and even though some days, you know, things going to change, are you going to get through this?

Speaker A

What's going on in your body or what's going to happen?

Speaker A

Even with our ministry and podcasting and, you know, but it, we have to come back.

Speaker A

We have to have hope because what's it the Bible says Hope deferred makes the harp sick.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker A

You've got to have hope.

Speaker A

Get around this Christmas.

Speaker A

Don't, don't hang out with the negative Nancy's and the negative Normans.

Speaker A

Get around some positive people.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker A

Find out if you're at a church party or business party or with your family, find the positive people and hang around them.

Speaker A

Draw off there and get away.

Speaker A

Excuse yourself from the negative people or the people that are just negative.

Speaker A

I can't, I don't know a better word to say it, but.

Speaker A

Well, that's find good people to get around.

Speaker A

And then maybe during the day, listen to a good marriage podcast, but listen to an uplifting motivational.

Speaker A

Maybe it's a church service, something to encourage you.

Speaker A

So you've got to put stuff in to stir up your hope.

Speaker A

Read your Bible, you know, listen to your favorite speakers.

Speaker A

There's a lot of podcasts out there.

Speaker A

There's a lot of churches that are ministers that have things you can listen to on a lot of streaming services.

Speaker A

You have to build up Yourself.

Speaker B

Oh, and then how about get a.

Speaker A

Prayer partner, Maybe call up, yes.

Speaker A

One of your friends, somebody at church and say, hey, can you pray with me?

Speaker A

I'm struggling with hope right now.

Speaker A

Maybe they'll have a word for you.

Speaker A

I don't mean some word, but a positive, encouraging word to uplift your spirit.

Speaker A

And who knows, you maybe uplift them.

Speaker A

You know, that's true.

Speaker A

But find people that are like minded in the positive side, step out.

Speaker A

Maybe.

Speaker A

Maybe the enemy says, oh, don't go to that party.

Speaker A

Don't go to this activity this week.

Speaker A

Don't go to the church.

Speaker B

Also, there's so many, like helping to pass out food, to do the toy donations and to serve a meal or to serve a family.

Speaker B

Somehow when you're feeling down and out, what is such a better way is to do for somebody else?

Speaker B

Go find somebody else.

Speaker B

Oh, get this.

Speaker B

I love this.

Speaker B

I love it when I can go into the grocery store and there's a mom and two little babies with her and she's got a full load of groceries and I can say to her, I'm gonna be covering the whole grocery bill right there for you.

Speaker B

What kind of hope and message does that, of love?

Speaker B

Does that give to that family?

Speaker A

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker B

I mean, that's something to do.

Speaker A

Yeah.

Speaker B

To give.

Speaker A

Find some way to.

Speaker A

Don't allow the enemy to isolate you.

Speaker B

Yes, that's exactly.

Speaker A

He would love to get you to stay home from the church services.

Speaker B

Yeah.

Speaker A

Maybe a candlelight service.

Speaker A

I mean that's during the holidays or any time of the year.

Speaker A

But don't allow the enemy to isolate you.

Speaker A

And like Linda just said, give.

Speaker A

It doesn't have to be money, but give to the different activities.

Speaker A

Serve somebody.

Speaker A

Get out of yourself, but just build up that hope.

Speaker A

Because God's got good things for you.

Speaker A

He's got a future and a hope for you.

Speaker A

Jeremiah 29:11.

Speaker A

So did you have anything else?

Speaker B

No, I just feel the strongness to, you know, I've just have felt that there is somebody out there.

Speaker B

I'd like to pray.

Speaker A

Okay.

Speaker B

Because I feel like there's someone that is really needing to be filled with hope.

Speaker A

Yeah.

Speaker A

You know, we used to have a sing a song years ago.

Speaker A

It says no matter what the circumstances, what I seal or feel, feel or see, God's word is working mightily in me.

Speaker A

And that's the only solo you're going to get.

Speaker B

Yay.

Speaker A

So do you want to pray?

Speaker B

I'm gonna let you pray.

Speaker A

Oh, okay.

Speaker B

Because you know how to power punch the devil.

Speaker A

All right.

Speaker B

I might say A word after you get done, but go ahead.

Speaker A

You know, I do a big Christmas display.

Speaker B

Oh my word.

Speaker A

And out by the street I have about a seven or eight foot sign that says only believe.

Speaker A

And that's my word to you.

Speaker A

Only believe.

Speaker A

Of course, we're talking about believing in Jesus and believing in the power of miracles working in your life.

Speaker B

And we know that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Speaker A

Yes.

Speaker B

So we always keep that before us.

Speaker B

And, and we know that love.

Speaker A

Hope.

Speaker B

Faith and love is part of the season.

Speaker A

Yes.

Speaker B

And always going to be presented there.

Speaker B

So hope today.

Speaker A

Yes.

Speaker A

So Father, right now I just lift up everybody who's listening.

Speaker A

No matter if it's yes now or in six months down the road, whenever it is, your power is good at all times.

Speaker A

So in particular, I just pray for anybody right now.

Speaker A

That is strength.

Speaker A

Struggling with a lack of hope, with despair, with depression.

Speaker A

There may be their marriage is falling apart, they've given up or they're on the verge of giving up.

Speaker A

Maybe it's finances, physical situations going on or lost loved ones or whatever it is, or all the above.

Speaker A

Your word is working.

Speaker A

So we just right now ask that as people are saying, yes, I need a dose of hope.

Speaker A

I need some hope.

Speaker A

Lord, I just speak to these people's lives tonight or whenever they're listening to this.

Speaker A

That you would just bring hope their way.

Speaker A

Send somebody by.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker A

Have a song on the radio, a friend, somebody in the grocery store that they know or don't know.

Speaker A

It comes up and encourages them.

Speaker A

We ask for your anointing of hope to come upon each individual.

Speaker A

To that wife who's crying out to that husband is saying, I don't know what to do.

Speaker A

Help me to change or help help my wife to.

Speaker A

To change.

Speaker A

It's kids that are rebellious or there's looking at major financial setbacks going on that straining things.

Speaker A

Lord, we just ask for miracles.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker B

And I want to speak hope into somebody's life.

Speaker B

I want to speak hope into your life.

Speaker B

If you're listening to this podcast, just receive that right now.

Speaker B

I just feel real strongly that there's someone that this is a lifeline for you.

Speaker B

I speak hope into your life right now in the name of Jesus.

Speaker A

Yes.

Speaker A

It's not over.

Speaker A

God has a future and a hope for you.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker B

Jeremiah 29:11, only believe.

Speaker A

And maybe today you get feel good and tomorrow it's back on.

Speaker A

But you know what?

Speaker A

Don't give up.

Speaker A

Yes, it's going to get stronger and stronger every day.

Speaker A

Live.

Speaker A

God's word says live each day one Day at a time.

Speaker A

Get through this day.

Speaker A

Believe.

Speaker A

Get up in the morning.

Speaker A

As Oral Roberts used to say, something good is going to happen to me this day, this very day.

Speaker A

Base your hope.

Speaker A

Getting up and say, God has something good for me today.

Speaker A

And listen to his voice.

Speaker A

He may give you some specific instructions.

Speaker A

He might what to say to your situation directly to the.

Speaker A

To people in your lives that's a disappointment.

Speaker A

Or to your husband or to your wife that he may tell you something to do.

Speaker A

You're going, you want me to do that?

Speaker A

And he's going to go, yep, I want you to do that.

Speaker B

Yeah.

Speaker A

And that can be a no telling.

Speaker A

That could open the door for a miracle.

Speaker B

It might just be something really minor and silly.

Speaker B

You might think it's silly.

Speaker A

Yes.

Speaker B

But it's not.

Speaker A

No.

Speaker B

You know, nothing is too silly when you're walking in love toward your spouse, when you're walking in love to your children and the people around you.

Speaker B

It's not silly.

Speaker B

Love, Love, love, love.

Speaker B

Put on love.

Speaker A

Yep.

Speaker A

Put on love.

Speaker A

Put on God's love.

Speaker B

God's love.

Speaker B

I hope you enjoyed listening to that episode again like I did.

Speaker B

Now, a key to experiencing this holodo Hope is John 15, 7 and it talks about abiding in him.

Speaker B

So take the time and plug into the power, the power of the Lord.

Speaker B

Taking the time.

Speaker B

He's the vine.

Speaker B

We are the branch.

Speaker A

Interrupt here is maybe when she said abiding in the vine, it makes me think when Linda talked about just getting in her chair and spending time with her bad daddy, God that's abiding in him.

Speaker A

You could be riding around and looking at the Christmas lights and just saying, jesus, I just thank you for meeting every need I have.

Speaker A

I thank you for healing my family.

Speaker A

I thank you, Lord God, for.

Speaker A

For using me this week to be a blessing.

Speaker A

Who can I give some money to this Lord?

Speaker A

Or who can I do a service to during the holiday season?

Speaker A

It you don't have to be sitting down in.

Speaker A

In a chair.

Speaker A

It can just you be walking around and praying while you're doing your things and talking to God with your desires or your needs or your pray.

Speaker A

So that's abiding in him because abiding in divine says when we do that, that opens the doors for his power to come into our lives.

Speaker B

Yes.

Speaker B

And we want to enjoy the holiday season.

Speaker B

So he's the whole reason for this season.

Speaker A

That's right.

Speaker B

Be intentional.

Speaker B

Enjoy.

Speaker B

Also, I just want to mention that we talked about holiday romance on episode 53.

Speaker B

That's another good one.

Speaker B

To go back to and listen to.

Speaker A

It's not too late because there's still two weeks if you listen to this.

Speaker B

That's right.

Speaker A

As soon as we release this countdown to get through the new year.

Speaker A

That'll help you get ready for the New Year's Eve kiss.

Speaker B

There you go.

Speaker B

Allow this Christmas season.

Speaker B

It's a season of miracles.

Speaker B

We hear about it all over the place.

Speaker B

To see set your expectations for the new year.

Speaker B

That'll be your starting point.

Speaker B

So let's talk about a few little honeydews.

Speaker B

So like we talked about, take some time to abide in the vine and give yourself hope, to rest, to relax, to just settle in, get out of the rush and hustle and bustle.

Speaker B

Listen.

Speaker B

Dug in like I mentioned, holiday romance episode 53 and what's the what's another honeydew?

Speaker A

It's the 10 second kiss.

Speaker A

Imagine that every morning if that that works good for you to find your honey and just grab them and say hey Siri, set my timer for 10 seconds and get a good 10 second kiss on them.

Speaker A

But this time of the year you can do it more than that.

Speaker A

Look for the, look for the mistletoe and listen to the holiday romance because I think it will impact your your life in a major way.

Speaker A

And then you could call it all parts practice for the New Year's Eve Christmas ball drop and then when everybody hits zero, they get that kiss.

Speaker A

So you'll be ready and know exactly what to do.

Speaker B

That's a good one.

Speaker B

Well, I hope you've been inspired by today's message and if you know anyone that could benefit from these podcasts, well, tell them about it.

Speaker B

Pass the word along to them and we're going to see you next week.

Speaker B

And until then, remember, you can be married and love it on purpose.

Speaker A

Thank you for investing into your marriage by listening to the Married and Love it podcast.

Speaker A

Be sure to be a part of the ripple effect of making marriage great by sharing this podcast with other couples.

Speaker A

Also subscribe to and follow us on your favorite platform and be sure to check out our website at www.marriedandlovet.com where you can learn more about Married and Love it and contact us with with any questions or comments that you may have.

Speaker A

And remember with God that you have a future and a hope and you can be married and love it on purpose.