You Are Not Alone With Debbie & Greg Gold
As a mother and son team, Debbie and Greg come together to talk about the realities and struggles we all face in today’s world. They cover a wide array of topics from mental health to current events to teaching on topics that will help you do life. As Christians, they know there is one thing that brings peace, hope, and encouragement to anything life throws our way, and that is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You don't know what you don't know, so come along on the ride. Your life and heart will be changed forever!
You Are Not Alone With Debbie & Greg Gold
Knock Knock! It's Jesus at Your Door (No Subscription Fee Required)
What does it really mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? In this heartfelt conversation, mother-son duo Debbie and Greg Gold strip away religious complexity to reveal the beautiful simplicity at Christianity's core.
Many people believe their past mistakes disqualify them from God's love, but as Debbie and Greg explain, this couldn't be further from the truth. The foundation of Christian faith isn't about earning your way to heaven through good deeds or religious rituals—it's about accepting a free gift of forgiveness that transforms your entire life.
The contrast between life with and without Jesus becomes strikingly clear when Debbie shares her powerful testimony. She describes her former self as anxious, self-centered, and unable to form deep connections before finding faith. "I didn't trust anybody, not even myself," she reveals, in a description that amazes even her son, who sees now a completely different person in his mother.
Greg adds his own perspective as someone baptized at age 12, emphasizing how important it was to make that decision at an age where he fully understood its significance. Together, they lead listeners through a simple salvation prayer for those ready to begin their own relationship with Christ.
Ready to experience this transformative relationship for yourself? Visit debbieandgreggold.com to download Debbie's Bible study "Crossing Over" and begin your journey toward a personal connection with Jesus that will change your heart, your mindset, and your life in ways you never imagined possible.
Hello, this is Debbie and Greg Gold mother and son team, and you are listening to the you Are Not Alone podcast, where we are going to navigate life together. Navigate life together. Welcome back everyone. Today, greg and I are going to be diving into what it really means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to walk you through that. We're going to be talking about three points, and the first one is that god wants a relationship with each of you and, um, you know, it doesn't matter what you've done in the past, or what you've done, who you are, who you are uh anything yeah I think like that's like the biggest misconception about religion is like I've done this, so I won't get accepted into this, this, this, and people will think hell and heaven.
Speaker 2:Right, exactly, I've done this, so I won't get accepted into this this, this, and people will think hell and heaven, you know because I've done this, I won't be able to be accepted into this, you know.
Speaker 1:So I know I talked to my sister one time, three, four years ago about this and she's like well, why, why are we even talking about this? She goes I already know I'm going to hell because of all the bad things.
Speaker 2:I've done I go.
Speaker 1:No, no, no, linda, it is not that way. It is not If you walk into a relationship with him.
Speaker 2:It's about forgiveness, yeah, or?
Speaker 1:accepting. You know you accept him into your heart.
Speaker 1:Jesus into your heart. That's all you really need to do, and anyway we can get more into that free gift that he gives us. But to continue with that, he wants a relationship with us. He wants that more than anything. He wants to know you intimately Well, he already knows you intimately. He wants you to know him intimately and to walk every day of your life with him, and he just wants you to open your heart and let him in. It's really simple and in the Bible, John 1, chapter 1, I'm sorry verse 12 says yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. That's it. You believe in his name, You're a child of God. It's a comforting feeling. It really is.
Speaker 2:And a relationship with him is there for the taking, but you just have to seek it. You gotta you gotta ask for it, you gotta want it you know Right. So revelations, uh three, 20. Jesus speaks. Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they will eat with me, which is referring to fellowship.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:So let this be your invitation Open that door. It's real simple.
Speaker 1:Yes, let this podcast today be your invitation to just knock on the door.
Speaker 2:It's free.
Speaker 1:It doesn't cost any money, no subscription fees nothing like that, and that, to me, is just such a.
Speaker 2:In the community you build off of it.
Speaker 1:It's nonjudgmental, it's unconditional, it's all of those things that we so in this world of ours and don't always experience we do experience a lot of judgment and condition and and all that and so that you know it warms my heart just to be talking about this because, I think a lot of people feel alone and and don't know where to go, and and Jesus is your answer.
Speaker 2:I've seen in my uh, I'm doing a small group with my church right now but I've actually seen I've met some people that are like, oh, this is my first time going to City Reach, the church that we go to and I was kind of nervous to walk in here originally, and then I went to the service and everyone was so like nice and opening and open-armed. And they were just inviting me into the space and I'm like that's what it's about, right there.
Speaker 2:It's about supporting other people on the journey towards having a relationship with Christ.
Speaker 1:So the support's insane. It truly is Pastor.
Speaker 2:Chris, you don't feel any negativity in that building at all. No or just in the community that you have. I mean, the guy came up to me today, my small group. He was like how you doing Greg?
Speaker 1:You remember my name yeah.
Speaker 2:I haven't been there for two weeks and you remember my name so it's like that means a lot to me. It builds a community.
Speaker 1:It does. It's a great place build your community, but you know pc pastor chris he said you know he started this church and it was like come as you are and I have to tell you in in serving in that church and being in that church I mean everyone is so happy. I mean everyone, the the people that serve, the people that work there, the people, the people that come to hear pastor chris talk.
Speaker 2:I've come as you are. It's nonjudgmental. I've seen every type of culture, religion, race, I mean it's insane. I've seen people with hijabs on in the service. I'm like whoa, it's insane.
Speaker 1:And it's growing and growing.
Speaker 2:So big and exponentially. They have to build a new church.
Speaker 1:They are they're in the process of that. But we got all sidetracked there. But if you're in the Austin area and you're listening, I encourage you to check out City Reach. Right now it's on Hatch Road, technically in Cedar Park, because it's on 620 and it's on that side where it's Cedar Park.
Speaker 2:And it's just amazing, amazing, lots of services and the effort they put into their services really, really detailed highly standard, high standards, as you said earlier, everything they do, everything is high standards. They don't. They don't cheap out on anything.
Speaker 1:So it's amazing, All right. Well, let's move on to the second point, which is God's promise and his free gift.
Speaker 2:So you know, we were some.
Speaker 1:I didn't, I guess we didn't really talk about this kind of did A little, but I want to just emphasize that some religions teach that you have to earn your way into heaven. Right, but as Christians, christianity believes that all you need is a relationship with God through his son, jesus Christ, and that relationship promises you forgiveness of your sins and eternal life in heaven. That is it, pretty simple, you know it's not.
Speaker 2:I've done this, so I can't go this or can't get into here.
Speaker 1:No, no it's, it's all. You are just forgiven and God just wants that relationship with you.
Speaker 2:It's one of the main points of Christianity.
Speaker 1:I think, is forgiveness so right, and this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for the many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Speaker 2:And then one of the most famous verses, I think, of all time, one of the most well-known verses, supports this by saying John 3, 16,. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Yeah, which is important, because it says that whoever believes in him, it's not. It's not you have to do a physical act, you have to sacrifice something, something you just you have to believe in him. Read the word. It's very simple no-transcript.
Speaker 2:Or not going anywhere, or being wherever I don't know, stuck somewhere, stuck, I don't know exactly.
Speaker 1:But yeah, pretty awesome and yeah. So this is all he really wants from us in exchange for sacrificing his son on the cross when he was 33 years old. And so let's go on to point number three, greg, why choose a relationship with Jesus, you know? Besides, you know, why should we so, besides the fact that you know God wants a relationship with us and that God has this amazing free gift, what do you think?
Speaker 2:It'll change your life. I think It'll change who you are. It'll change your mindset. It'll change your heart in ways that you never imagined. I've lived my life both with and without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and there's no doubt in my mind that living life having a personal relationship with Jesus is far better, because I was baptized when I was 12 years old. Thinking about it, 10 years ago, february 12, 2012. I remember the date.
Speaker 1:I love it. I love it. That was a really proud moment for me.
Speaker 2:And I remember that moment like every second, which is crazy.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I remember getting the towel standing in the hallway and just waiting to get in the directions. Okay, you're going to go here and here lining up and all that, and I was just so excited so yeah, nervous and excited at the same time?
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure so, but um, that's when I took my next step and that's when I committed so yeah, and I have to say for me too and I'm going to read my testimony in just a little bit for you all, just a brief intro of it but I can say that too, I lived my life without Jesus and I lived my life without.
Speaker 1:Jesus and I lived my life walking with him for the last 20 years and I grew up in a home where it was Presbyterian church and my parents didn't go and would drop my sister and I off at church for Sunday school and then her and I would have to go or would go to church following that and they would pick us up after, and I really don't understand that. I'm not sure what that was all about, um, I know my parents worked a lot at that time, um, and that maybe that was part of it and they just wanted us to have that upbringing. But you know, we just never talked about anything, it wasn't carried on into the home, it was just a thing like going to school and you know that was it. Come home, so, um, yeah anyway.
Speaker 1:So I guess, uh, I kind of did a little diversion there, but that was my experience too and I really didn't want Greg to grow up that way and so I had left, you know, my faith or my church and really started looking for just a Bible church that talked about just the Bible and that really is what Christianity is. And so Greg was raised with that. At the age of about two or three, started that going to church and Sunday school and all that stuff.
Speaker 2:And then committed when I was 12.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2:And I wish I did it earlier. But I'm glad I did it at the age where I knew what it was.
Speaker 1:Yeah, where you understood it? I understood it. Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2:It wasn't like oh, I get dunked in water yay.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm going. It was like I don't, oh, I get dunked in water.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm going. It was like I don't know. I know I want to commit my life to Jesus. Yeah, that's what it's all about, and solidify it.
Speaker 1:So, anyway, I think if you're not happy with your life or who you are and what's going on in your world, we really urge you to take this next step by accepting Christ in your heart. And we're going to tell you about that in just a little bit, but first I have written my testimony in order to share my story of salvation and my story of how I was rescued. Really and I don't want to go into it all today, but I just want to share a little piece of it so that you really get a sense about I don't know how I was and how God really was able to change my life. So let me go ahead and read that.
Speaker 1:What I experienced in childhood had lasting effects on me as an adult. I avoided conflict. I was filled with anxiety. I felt the need to be in control of everything around me and had trouble identifying my feelings. The only feelings I knew were happiness and anger. All of their feelings were foreign to me. I didn't trust anybody, not even myself. I had friends, but few of the relationships were deep like I longed for them to be. Mike and I struggled. My husband and I struggled in our marriage and it was far from loving and supportive and connected. I was self-centered and cared only about me. My focus was on what everyone around me had and what I didn't have. I lacked confidence and inside I was scared and miserable.
Speaker 2:Damn. Yeah, that's deep.
Speaker 1:And that is the truth, and that's when I look back at that, I go.
Speaker 2:Complete opposite of who you are.
Speaker 1:Thank you, yes, yeah, I know, and I almost go really. I was but really Like.
Speaker 2:Anti-social, the heck no.
Speaker 1:I don't see that.
Speaker 2:Foot of conflict. No, you take it head on. Let's talk there's no, there's no comparison about that, you know.
Speaker 1:There's no comparison about that. It really truly is amazing.
Speaker 2:I didn't know you before you knew Christ and hearing that it's like a completely different person. Wait, no, who is this? Not my mom, yeah.
Speaker 1:So he's amazing. God is truly amazing. Like we said, he'll change your heart, he'll change your life and it's all really good.
Speaker 2:I want us to say, I mean, and at City Reach, our church that we go to every Sunday, our pastor, pastor Chris, he says a prayer, a salvation prayer, to bring new people to Christ, and it's a simple thing and it's a simple prayer, but it's a beautiful prayer. He asks everyone to close their eyes, bow their heads, and then the people that are first comers or might not be connected to Christ yet, they raise their hand and then, once you raise your hand, put your hand on your heart and say this prayer. So we're going to say this prayer nice and slow, so you guys can read it back if you'd love, if you'd like, which I love. Yes, if you're ready to take the next step of living your life with Jesus, place your hand on your heart and say the salvation prayer with us.
Speaker 2:Father God, I love you and I want to get to know you better and live by your ways. Thank you, jesus, for dying on the cross so that I can be forgiven of my sins and have eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins, come into my heart. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ. I pray Amen. So if you said this prayer and accepted Jesus into your heart. Congratulations, I'm proud of you and we're proud of you.
Speaker 1:We are so proud of you. We are so proud of you. It will be the best decision of your life. Life changing yes um special mention yeah, I kind of have a special mention.
Speaker 1:It is a special mention, no so I also want to just mention that, um, I have written my first bible study and it's been a, it's been a work in progress for a while and, um, it is called crossing over and it is available on our website in digital download. The study is for Christians who really want to start on that life-changing journey toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And yeah, I hope you check out our website. It is debbieandgreggoldcom. We've been doing some updating and making it look better and hoping it's navigational and I think it is Um, but anyways, go out there. Go there and check it out. It's Debbie and that's D E, b, b I, e and Greg goldcom. Um, and I think that is our show for today. Unless you have something else, greg, what anything on your heart that you want to share?
Speaker 2:Really, that's show for today, unless you have something else, greg, what anything on your heart that you want to share? Well, really, that's all I got. Yeah, we've been seeing the support, uh, ever since we took a little break or a big break, yeah, and we just want to say thank you guys for the support and keep downloading, keep listening and visit the website yeah, yeah, definitely it's been wonderful we're trying to grow this thing as, however, we can.
Speaker 1:Well, we are trying to. Our mission is to get people to come to Jesus, because that is what that's the end goal, yeah. That is what Jesus. That's just one thing that he wants all his believers to do is to get other people to come to Christ, because and by growing this, the more we can do that. Absolutely so. That really is our mission.
Speaker 2:Thank you guys for your support. It means a lot, absolutely so. Thank you guys for your support.
Speaker 1:It means a lot, yes for sure. So again, bible study is called Crossing Over. It's available for digital download and then also check out our website. We'll see you back here next week. We are going to talk more about having a personal relationship with Jesus, and we always, you know, god is. He's in our presence right now, in our, in this room where we're recording this. He is in your presence right now, wherever you are. And, um, I really want you to start believing that and feeling his presence. And um just want to thank you, god, for this episode and the words that you have given to us to present to our listeners. And you know, we love you all and we love God.
Speaker 2:Make it a great day.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And thank you all for listening.