Christmas Episode: It's all about Jesus.

Merry Christmas!  This episode is all about the reason we do what we do, the reason for the season, the reason for hope-Jesus.  We hope you enjoy this special episode and we pray that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

Transcript

Phil Shuler: 0:00

HellO, and welcome to Renew, Restore, Rejoice, the Safe House Ministries podcast, where we share stories of the power of God to change lives through Safe House Ministries. Safe House Ministries is based out of Columbus, Georgia, and we are a ministry that exists to love and serve people who have been affected by addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. I'm your host, Phil Shuler, the Director of Development for Safe House Ministries here in Columbus, Georgia. Safe House serves over 1, 100 people each month as they transition back into our community. Safe House provides an abundance of services including 213 beds for homeless individuals and families, case management for obtaining job skills and long term employment. Over 300 hot meals every day, free clothing, and so much more. One of the most incredible services that Safe House provides is our free 9 12 month intensive outpatient substance abuse program, which is state licensed, CARF accredited, and has no wait list. Almost 100 percent of individuals staying in our shelters who follow our three phase program become fully employed within a few months. And 68 percent of individuals who stay at least one night with us End up finding work and moving into their own home. Thank you for being with us today and listening to our podcast. We hope you enjoy this week's episode.

1:13

Merry Christmas. Welcome to the Christmas episode of safe house ministries. Today. We want to praise the Lord for his goodness throughout this year and praise him, especially for the gift of Jesus whose birth 2000 years ago has changed the history of the world. And the lives of millions, possibly even billions of people who have trusted him as their savior. And seen firsthand his power to change their own lives, the safe house ministries podcast, episodes that you hear each and every week. Are just a few examples of how the power of Jesus changes lives. It was Jesus who saved Neil Richardson's life and redeemed him for the purpose of founding safe house ministries here in Columbus, Georgia. 15 years ago. It is Jesus who has worked miracle after miracle over the years to move mountains and continue to expand and support. The ever increasing scope of the work that safe house ministries continues to do each and every day. It is Jesus whose name you will hear praised time and time again on our podcast who continues to save and redeem people who have been caught up in the trap of the enemy and held in his clutches for so long. It's Jesus who deeply. And unconditionally loves every single person born into this world. No matter who they are. Where they are born or what they have, or don't have Jesus. Left the throne of heaven to be born of a Virgin as a little baby. He grew up poor. He lived homeless for most of his adult years. Of public ministry. And he chose to die at the age of 33 years old to give his sinless life's blood as the payment to redeem mankind from their sin. Jesus was buried in an empty tomb. And three days later, he broke the power of death by walking out of that tomb alive again. No other person has ever achieved such a thing. Luke chapter two verses one through 20 tells the Christmas story. About Jesus's birth. And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus. That all the worlds should be text. And this taxing was first made when was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife being great with child. And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished. That she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. And laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the end. And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field. Keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them. Are they not. For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. Which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be assigned to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace Goodwill toward men. And it came to pass. As the angels were gone away from them into heaven. The shepherds said one to another. Let us now go even unto Bethlehem to see this thing, which has come to pass, which the Lord I've made known unto us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. And when they had seen it. They made known abroad the same, which was told them concerning this child. And all they, that heard it wondered at those things, which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen. As it was told to them. This Jesus was the prophesied and promised savior not only for the nation of Israel, but for the entire world, forevermore. To all those who choose to believe in him and to receive and surrender him as their savior and Lord. Safe house ministries serves this Jesus. And strives to show the love of Jesus. To all of those in our community who are affected by addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. If you do not know this Jesus. Please reach out to us because we'd love to introduce you to him. If you do know this Jesus. Please prayerfully. Consider partnering with us here at safe house ministries. To do the work of Jesus and to show the love of Jesus. To so many in our community who are hurting. And in need. Here. All around us in Columbus, Georgia, and the broader surrounding area. We pray. God's greatest blessings. Through his son, Jesus, upon you, and we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. God bless you.

Phil Shuler: 6:25

We look forward to being with you again next week as we share another testimony about the power and the goodness of God to change lives through Safe House Ministries. if you are someone listening to this podcast that loves to hear these stories of the great things that God is doing in changing people's lives for the better, and if you would like to be a part of that work, please reach out to us You can reach us at 2101 Hamilton Road, Columbus, Georgia, 31,904. You can call us at seven oh six three two two. 3 7, 7 3, or you can email us at info@safehouse-ministries.com.

Microphone (Samson Q2U Microphone)-2: 7:03

Thank you so much for being with us this week for the renew restore and rejoice podcast of safe house ministries, we pray that God will bless you this week. And we look forward to having you back with us again next week for a new episode.