John 3:16 Wow!

A Collection of Christmas Podcasts, Marathon Faith, December 2020

Isaiah 9:6 (New International Version)

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Join us as we Celebrate Christmas!

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Episode 146- The Christmas Covenant

Episode 147 - Christmas as Defined by Others

Episode 148 - Should Christmas be about Giving

Episode 149 - Christmas, What can you Give, Part 1

Episode 150 - What can you Give, Part 2

Christ the Savior is born!

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Christmas Countdown

A Soldier’s Christmas

By Clement Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live. I looked all about a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary, I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I'd heard stories about them; I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone, curled up on the floor
in his one bedroom home.

His face so gentle, his room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon 'round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay
alone on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,

"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice.

I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my Country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep.
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and I covered this soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him on that cold dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
"Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,

Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!

About the Authors

Clement Moore first wrote "Twas the Night Before Christmas" for his children in 1822.
Master Sgt. Noah Brazos Ross, a U.S. Army 18th Field Artillery survivor of Utah Beach, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Battle for the Ardennes, Deutschland, wrote "Daddy's Christmas" (Soldier's Christmas) as a Bonita, Montague County, Texas, high school exercise in 1937. ) "The Soldier's Night Before Christmas."

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Thanksgiving Victory - Part 1

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Episode 38

by George Bridges

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Day 31 - 31 Days of Prayer, Vision for America

Day 31 - 31 Days of Prayer

Vision

Where there is no vision, the people perish: Jeremiah 29:18

The Vision 

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

To the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:

We thank You Lord, that in You America is a city set upon a hill. We are your beacon to the world. You love the USA and the USA loves You, Father, and we put this nation in Your hands because You know what to do with it.

The word of God says in 1 Peter 5:6 and 7 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” So, we cast the care of our country upon You, our loving Heavenly Father, because You care for us.

And in casting our care upon you, we will stand upon our watch, even on my prayer tower, and will watch to see what You will say to us concerning this nation. Then we will pray the words You give us to pray.

We thank You, Father, for the vision of this nation as written in the Constitution of the United States. It is written and made plain. And we thank You that we are living that vision out according to the way You intended.

May the American Constitution be forever embedded in our hearts and minds. Moreover, may we be enveloped in the word of God so that we may always be able to pray for this great nation.


In Jesus name we pray. Amen. So be it.

Scripture References:

Habakuk 2:1-4

Matthew 5:14-16

Day 28 - 31 Days of Prayer, International Relations

Day 28

International Relations

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. Proverbs 9:10-11

We pray to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Our prayer for the president, his appointees, and all other elected officials with reference to international relations, that the eyes of their heart be flooded with light that they may know the hope to which God has called them, and that they may know the hope for this nation.  We ask You, Father, to surround them with people who have skillful and godly wisdom to lead them in the way this nation should go. 

Also, for those Christian leaders in government, may You grant them out of the rich treasury of Your glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit Himself indwelling their innermost being and personality. May Christ through their faith actually dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in their hearts! May they be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That they may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints the experience of that love, and to know what is the breadth, length, height, and depth of it.
We pray that they may really come to know (practically, through experience for themselves) the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge without experience; that they may be filled through all their being unto all the fullness of God.  Further, we pray that they may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself!

Therefore, may they not be wise in their own eyes, but they fear You and lean to Your understanding concerning international relations.  In all their ways they acknowledge You, and You direct their paths.
Now to Him Who, by the power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose for the United States of America and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams--To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Scripture References

Ephesians 3:16-21

Proverbs 3:5-6