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It's never too early to prepare children's hearts for the truth of Christ. Today’s guest has a very special devotional you can use to invite them on a journey that impacts their eternity.

Welcome to Staying Real About Faith & Family. If you’re looking for a community where you can get real about life without resistance, you’re in the right place. I’m Linda Goldfarb. Each week, my co-host Heather Greer and I, along with our guests, offer personal insight to encourage transparent living from a biblical viewpoint with practical applications. Staying Real with the Holy Spirit’s leading is what we’re all about. We pray today’s episode blesses you.


Today’s guest is Marty Machowski. Marty is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for thirty years. Marty leads Promise Kingdom, the gospel-centered children’s ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is also the Executive Editor for Children’s Resources at New Growth Press. He is the author of several family devotionals, Sunday School curriculums (including the Gospel Story Curriculum), children’s books, and parenting titles. His latest releases include The Treasure, Angels on Your Side, and The Shadow and the Promise. Marty and his wife, Lois, have six children and several grandchildren. They reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

We’re happy to have Marty Machowski join our conversation as we discuss –Promises Made, Promises Kept – A Different Look at Christmas

Promises Made Promises Kept is for families to read together around Christmas. Tell us more about the unique format and how it is intended to be used.…

What are some of the promises of the Old Testament you share in the book that are kept in the New Testament? Ahaz promise

In addition to reading the devotional each day, what are ways to extend the conversation and go deeper, especially with older children?

Do you have any other tips for families trying to keep the focus on Jesus during the busy Christmas season?

Today’s thought Consideration – Studying the Christmas promises encourages us to treasure the true meaning of Christmas

LINKS

www.martymachowski.com

Facebook (@marty.machowski)

Instagram (@martymachowski)

Twitter (@MartyMachowski)

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Do you have confidence in yourself?

Let’s Journey Together and spend a Moment with Father. I’m Linda Goldfarb, and I want to encourage and inspire your walk with the Lord. For more encouragement, please visit LindaGoldfarb.com. I’m so glad you’re here.

As one familiar with speaking in front of an audience, I'm often asked, “Do you ever get nervous about being in front of so many people?”

My resounding reply is, “Absolutely.” I’ve not met anyone immune to bouts of nerves or feelings of inadequacy when giving their best to an audience.

What about you? Though you may not be a professional speaker, you are still called to be the best you daily.

Do you ever find your confidence fading? Be assured you are not alone.

Though the world crowds in with murmurs of unworthiness.

Stay the course.

Raise your head high.

Be reminded that it is for you alone that Christ went to the cross.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV).

No matter your circumstance—Hold tight to your confidence in God.

His promises are worthy of your perseverance.

He has you exactly where He needs you.

Take a moment and consider the lives you influence each day.

Whose eyes watch your movements, whose ears listen to your words, whose lives receive the benefit of your actions?

God created you for a purpose.

By design, you are who you are.

As others watch on, let them see Father through you.

Never give up. Never give in.

Always trust in Him to hold faithful to His promises.

Let's journey together.

Praise You, O God.

You set my feet on solid ground.

You give me a heart without fear.

You guide my path and make it straight.

Your Spirit is my Confidence Maker.

Praise You, O my Lord. Hallelujah.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves do what it says. James 1:22

May YHWH bless you, keep you, and guide you in all you do. Until next time, this is Linda Goldfarb. I’m so glad we are on this journey together with Father.

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Do you feel God's renewing power?

Let’s Journey Together and spend a Moment with Father. I’m Linda Goldfarb, and I want to encourage and inspire your walk with the Lord. For more encouragement, please visit LindaGoldfarb.com. I’m so glad you’re here.

Tis the season of renewal.

In your new season—Hope is at work.

A loved one passes, and a child is born.

A job is lost, and an unexpected opportunity opens.

Hardships hit home, and a chance to serve comes your way.

No matter the season, we can be assured of God's renewing in our lives.

Yet, if we're not alert, we may consider ourselves benched for a season without realizing that—HOPE arrives where your bench is located.

God isn't sitting you out of the game, my friend; He's at work in your waiting and repositioning you for His glory.

Look around.
Opportunity is waiting.

Let’s journey Together.

Praise You, O Lord, for Your mercies are new every morning.

Your wisdom is available for the asking.

You stand at the door and knock.

Give me the strength to open the door and receive You.

Thank You for filling me with Your Spirit so I may walk in Truth.

Hallelujah.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves; do what it says. James 1:22

May YHWH bless you, keep you, and guide you in all you do. Until next time, this is Linda Goldfarb, and I’m so glad we are on this journey together with Father.

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Are you ready to thirst no more?

Let’s Journey Together and spend a Moment with Father. I’m Linda Goldfarb, and I want to encourage and inspire your walk with the Lord. For more encouragement, please visit LindaGoldfarb.com. I’m so glad you’re here.

The temporary satisfaction of stream-fed water subsides with physical exertion.

To accomplish more, I must replenish my water intake.

Did you know 60-70% of the human body is made of water? Without additional water, my body would perish after three to four days. Kidneys start shutting down, internal organs begin to fail, and life ends.

Yet, the Creator of our bodies tells us that He supplies water from the wellspring of life itself for those who thirst for Him.

“He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty, I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” Revelation21:6NIV

If you've ever been thirsty to exhaustion, you know how it feels to sip in a taste of life-giving water. You can't get enough.

It's the same with Father God. When you are so parched by life and thirst for and find Him, your satisfaction is beyond words.

You are eternally satisfied at no cost—For Christ paid it all.

Let’s Journey Together.

Lord, thank You for Your Living Water, life beyond our physical boundaries, and the Truth that sets us free to know You more and never walk in fear.

Hallelujah.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves; do what it says. James 1:22

May YHWH bless you, keep you, and guide you in all you do. Until next time, this is Linda Goldfarb, and I’m so glad we are on this journey together with Father.

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Do you need a little encouragement?

Let’s Journey Together and spend a Moment with Father. I’m Linda Goldfarb, and I want to encourage and inspire your walk with the Lord. For more encouragement, please visit LindaGoldfarb.com. I’m so glad you’re here.

Have you experienced the kind of day when life hits from all sides, and you wonder why? That was my feeling not too long ago. I know many friends are experiencing similar hits right now.

As I leaned on Sam’s shoulder that night, his reassurance about God’s faithfulness made me smile.

I think we all can use reassurance right now.

Sing with me, or hum along.

In the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise. In the morning, when I rise, give me Je-sus.

I love the sense of peace these words bring. In the morning and all day, I only want and need Jesus.

My plans are not always His, and I’m okay with that.

When I rise, when I'm alone, when I hurt, when I laugh, when the world crashes in, when the skies open up, when my heart breaks, when my heart overflows—give me Jesus, friends, and a little frothed coffee.

"LORD, in the morning you will hear my voice; in the morning I will pray to you, and I will watch for your answer." Psalm 5:3 ISV

Whatever you’re experiencing, be encouraged.

• You are loved unconditionally.
• You are seen.
• You are heard.
• You are held.
• You are His.

Let’s journey together.

Oh, Abba, in the morning’s peace, fill my friend and me with Your Spirit.

Help us run our race today with Your peace in our spirits.

Infuse us with Your calm assurance of eternity to come.

As we lean into Your Truth, help us take one step at a time toward the goals You set before us.

All we need is You.

Praise You, Almighty One.

Hallelujah.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves; do what it says. James 1:22

May YHWH bless you, keep you, and guide you in all you do. Until next time, this is Linda Goldfarb, and I’m so glad we are on this journey together with Father.

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Who's in your boat?

Let’s Journey Together and spend a Moment with Father. I’m Linda Goldfarb, and I want to encourage and inspire your walk with the Lord. For more encouragement, please visit LindaGoldfarb.com. I’m so glad you’re here.

Does Water Refresh You?

There's something about being on the water that refreshes me. When I'm cruising along at a leisurely pace, the breeze and occasional water spray hitting my body feel good, whether it’s salt water or fresh.

Sam and I spent many hours cruising the Gulf of Mexico in our 23-foot center console, Sea Ox. Our goal was to go far enough out from the jetties to find the blue water changing color and big fish.

During one trip, as we approached the perfect spot, Sam pointed to the horizon, “Hold on, we're turning back.”

Do Rough Seas Cause You to Panic?

A thunderhead was closing in fast. My joy turned to fear.

Reflecting on Sam’s and my experience gives me empathy for the disciples when a storm came upon them while they were in a boat. We read about it in Mark 4:38-40 ESV.

“But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’”

Where's Your Safe Harbor?

The kids and I held tight to our seats, life vests on and eyes focused on the shoreline. We aimed to stay ahead of the storm and find a safe harbor.

The disciples panicked, unaware that their Safe Harbor was already in the boat. This is true for us today. We can panic when storms rise unexpectedly. Yet, remembering that Jesus is our Safe Harbor calms our seas of despair, storms of doubt, and whirlpools of chaos. He is with us. His Spirit is in our boat, not on shore.

What storms are you facing?

During these stormy times, we can rest in the Truth of who He is, release our fears to Him, and relax as He carries us through.

Let’s journey together.

Praise You, Lord.
You are merciful.
You calm the seas.
You make a way.
You are my Strong Tower.
I rest in Your truth, release my fears, and relax, knowing You've got this.
Hallelujah.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves; do what it says. James 1:22

May YHWH bless you, keep you, and guide you in all you do. Until next time, this is Linda Goldfarb, and I’m so glad we are on this journey together with Father.

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Reading clean fiction can help improve your relationships.

Welcome to Staying Real About Faith & Family. If you’re looking for a community where you can get real about life without resistance, you’re in the right place. I’m Linda Goldfarb. Each week, Heather Greer, our guests, and I offer personal insight to encourage transparent living from a biblical viewpoint with practical applications. Staying Real with the Holy Spirit’s leading is what we’re all about - we pray today’s episode blesses you.

Today’s guest is Cindy K. Sproles. Cindy is a novelist, speaker, and teacher who’s proud of her Appalachian heritage. Her heart’s desire is to share the rich and deep culture of the Appalachian mountains and her people. Cindy is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference.

Today’s thought Consideration: Fiction provides the Means to Share Truth in a Loving Way.

Join our website conversation. Leave a comment on Cindy's episode before September 28, 2024, to be in a drawing to win your copy of Coal Black Lies.

LINKS
Coal Black Lies - get your paperback copy
Coal Black Lies - get your audiobook copy
Cindy Sproles Books
Cindy Sproles

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Do You Long for Perfect Peace?

Let’s Journey Together and spend a Moment with Father. I’m Linda Goldfarb, and I want to encourage and inspire your walk with the Lord. For more encouragement, please visit LindaGoldfarb.com. I’m so glad you’re here.

We're told that God will keep those who trust Him in perfect peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You” (Isaiah 26:3)

Trust?

How's trust working for you these days?

Trusting others can be a challenge.

When someone violates our trust, we feel dishonored and vulnerable —violated trust can cripple our thoughts about future relationships, "What was I thinking? I'll never trust anyone again!"

Yet, trust is a must if we are to live in perfect peace —consider a different perspective.

I’ll never have peace if I base my trust on imperfect people.

If, instead, I firmly believe in the reliability of my perfect Father, trust is no longer a gamble; it's a given.

The world will fail us.
We will fail the world.

People will fail us.
We will fail people.

Loved ones will fail us.
We will fail loved ones.

God never fails —His Spirit in us is trustworthy.
And with this truth, we can walk in peace.

Let’s journey together.

Oh Lord, my unfailing Father, hollowed be thy name. You lift me on wings of mercy. I trust in Your strength and provision. Your peace overcomes me, and my heart desires nothing more than to rest in Your arms. The world is stressful, and people can be untrustworthy. Help me rely on You, not on fallible human hearts. Guide me to Your truth. Help my lack of understanding. Increase my willingness to rely entirely on You. Give me Your perfect peace. Your peace is what I seek. Hallelujah.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves; do what it says. James 1:22

May YHWH bless you, keep you, and guide you in all you do. Until next time, this is Linda Goldfarb, and I’m so glad we are on this journey together with Father.

Staying Real Just Got Easier!
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