In this episode of A Woman’s Heart, we continue our Christmas series, The Promises of Christmas, by exploring “Christ in the Fire” with Pastor Dean Woodward, lead pastor of Eastside Church in Williamsburg. Dean helps us revisit the powerful story of the three men in the fiery furnace from Daniel 3—and how Jesus met them in the fire. Their courage didn’t come from sheer willpower but from a deeper, truer worship. As Dean says, “The reason they wouldn’t bow was because they already had something in that place. They were already worshipping something so much more wonderful.” We talk about how these men lived in a world surrounded by idols, temptations, and cultural pressure—much like the world we live in today. And yet, their steadfast love for God preserved them. Dean reminds us, “We live in the midst of a place where we need Jesus to preserve us.” Together, we explore what it means to walk through our own “fiery trials” with Jesus right beside us: “I remember when there used to be that fire… and Jesus, you walked with me then.” And how God can redeem what feels destructive: “He turns a fire that could destroy you, into a fire that could warm you.” You’ll be encouraged to love Jesus above all else because, as Dean puts it, “God is that good. He’s better than our life. He is the best, so we should love Him the most.” “Jesus is so good. He’s worth dying for.” We also discuss how God works uniquely within each of our lives— “God deals with us all differently. The results should be similar… but not the experience.” This conversation will strengthen your faith, deepen your love for Jesus, and remind you of the promise that He is always with us—even in the fire. About Pastor Dean Woodward Dean Woodward has been a pastor for 38 years and currently serves as the lead pastor of Eastside Church in Williamsburg. He and his wife, Lynn, have been married for 42 years and have three children and seven grandchildren. Learn more or connect with Eastside Church at eastsidechurchwmbg.org . Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

In this Christmas series, The Promises of Christmas, we continue exploring the ways Jesus is revealed throughout the Old Testament. In this episode, Pastor Hunter Ruch helps us look deeply at Christ in the Tabernacle—the sacred place where God dwelt with His people in the wilderness. Hunter explains the purpose and design of the Tabernacle, how it represented God’s desire to be present with His people, and how every part of it ultimately points to Jesus. We reflect on the truth that God’s heart has always been to dwell with us, and that Christ fulfills every promise of God’s presence. Key Themes & Highlights • The Tabernacle as a dwelling place for God among the Israelites—and a foreshadowing of Jesus. • God’s consistent heart across Scripture: “That’s always been His heart. To dwell with His people.” • Jesus as the fulfillment of every Old Testament symbol and promise: “Jesus Christ is better. He is the better priest, and the better King, who brings better promises.” • The challenge and beauty of living humbly: “Humility is the most important virtue in the Christian life, but the least practiced because it’s hard.” • The incredible reality of God’s nearness today: “The person of the Holy Spirit, God is personally present within each of us.” • The message of Emmanuel—God with us at Christmas and always: “God with us. That’s the beauty of Emmanuel and the season of Christmas, but all the time as well.” • Hunter’s three simple, powerful truths for believers: “Jesus loves you. Jesus is with you. Jesus is the King.” • A reminder to stay rooted in Scripture: “If you want to get to know the heart of the Father, read His love letter to us. Read the Scriptures.” About Pastor Hunter Ruch Hunter Ruch is the Associate Pastor of Care and Connection at Williamsburg Community Chapel, where he serves alongside a dedicated team helping people grow as disciples of Jesus Christ by connecting them to God’s Word and His body. He holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Dallas Theological Seminary. Hunter and his wife of over 25 years are parents to four children and the owners of a very energetic golden doodle. Connect with Williamsburg Community Chapel • Website: https://wcchapel.org/ • The Chapel Institute: https://wcchapel.org/resources/the-chapel-institute// Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

In this episode of A Woman’s Heart, we continue our Christmas series, The Promises of Christmas, by looking back into the Old Testament to see how Christ’s coming was woven into God’s story from the very beginning. My guest, Colin Curtis of Coastal Church, helps us uncover the history and significance of Passover—and how it points directly to Jesus.

Colin explains how God’s pattern of salvation is revealed through it. As he shares, “God in instituting the Passover is laying out for us His pattern of salvation.” We talk about Christ as our Passover Lamb, the meaning of the blood, the role of a substitute, and God’s desire to bring His people out of bondage.

Colin reminds us that:

• “God saves through a substitute, through the shedding of blood, and by bringing us out of bondage.”
• “Jesus has come to be the ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’…to every single one of the promises.”
• “Our salvation is not dependent on the strength of our faith, it’s dependent on the object of our faith.”

Colin encourages us to faithfully steward the gifts God has given us—without letting our gifts take priority over Jesus Himself: “God has wired us up differently…our job is to steward those giftings for His glory.” “We don’t pursue our passions or our giftings more than we pursue Jesus himself.”

To find out more about Colin and Coastal Church: https://gocoastal.org/williamsburg/

Show notes and links can be found at: www.lisagranger.com