183: Embracing Our Joy (Advent Series #3) with Rebekah Hargraves (Solo Episode #37)

This week we are kicking off week 3 of our  brand new solo podcast series, this one based on a book I wrote a few years back entitled "Good News for a Woman's Heart: An Advent Devotional Study".   Today we are focusing on week 3 of the study, which centers on embracing the joy we can have in Christ. What I Chat about in Today’s Episode: ~This season as one that can too often being really lacking in joy for many ~They enemy's conniving ways of stealing our joy right at the time of year when we should have joy the most ~Joy brought to a barren woman - Elizabeth ~An in-depth look at Elizabeth's life and the implications of what God did for her ~God's tender, caring, empathetic heart for Elizabeth ~Joy for the outcast ~Joy for the marginalized ~God's heart for those who have been cast aside and mistreated ~Two questions to ask yourself this Advent: "Who are the outcasts in your life?"  and "What can you do to serve them?" ~Truth to remember when you are the outcast ~The importance of befriending those who do not look, act, or believe the way we do - just as Jesus did (and just as the Pharisees complained about!); understanding that this is a crucial part of our Great Commission work ~The importance of having iron-that-sharpens-iron friendships with fellow believers as well as friendships with those who need to know the love and truth of the Savior ~Jesus' heart for another marginalized woman - the woman at the well in John 4 ~Our call as Christ-followers to welcome the outcast and include the marginalized - just as He did  ~Joy for the lost  ~Our ability to have joy no matter what our circumstances are - because of Who Christ is  ~Joy for the hopeless ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast