Podcast

 

Do your inside match your outside? What role do garments play in scripture? What is the fear of the Lord? How do we approach complex scripture that doesn't seem to make sense to us? Don't give up. The Holy Spirit is here to help! Join us in this podcast to live a Praiseworthy Life to God! Do we understand the fear of the Lord? What if the fear of the Lord is the fear to offend our Creator? We are made by God to serve Him and Him only. Exodus 29 begins with the garments given for the "call" of Aaron and his sons to serve the Lord in the tabernacle. The Lord gave Moses special instructions for the garments of Aaron and his sons. There was specific detail the skillful workers were required to follow. The garments in this chapter hold symbols for our own bodies. Each area of clothing, for example, our minds, are to be crowned with “holiness to the Lord”. (Eph 6) Everything we think about should become captive to Christ according to Paul. Our heart-life will be affected if our thought-life is not under the control of Christ and His Word (2 Cor 10:5). Does our inside match our outside (garments)? Christ said to follow me. He gave us His Word to obey. Follow Him means we do what He did which was subject Himself to the will of His Father. Will we obey like this? When we do, it shows faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Will we have a fear to offend Him? Wouldn't that begin a journey of wisdom if we approached all areas of life with "fear to offend" Him? And decided all areas of our life will be “in service” to Him and Him alone? Join us for our Podcast for Pewsitters, Fear to offend and does our inside match our outside?

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We are studying the Bible in Exodus 28:36-41 where the pattern for the priestly garments was being discussed and came on the verses that were about Aaron's head coverings. The description had a symbolic detail that not only pointed to Christ but how we, as priests, were to focus our minds. We will serve what we think about. (Phil 4:6-8) Romans 12:1-2 1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” These verses show Aaron’s focus as a priest. Each piece of the garment is a spiritual principle that, if we obey, will lead us to a praiseworthy life to God. Are we Kingdom people? Who are they and what do they do? The first clue is obedience to God’s word which Moses was doing by responding to the pattern that God was showing him precisely as God revealed. Next God is teaching us symbolism in the priestly garments of how Christ would act and how we must follow Him too. This is important because Colossians 3:2 says; “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” His agenda is for our minds. We will eventually serve our thoughts. The gold plate with the "seal" of the ‘Holiness to the Lord’ is a powerful reminder of where our minds must be set because our hearts will soon follow. I struggle with reading the news and how bad things are getting. Meaning that it is almost scary where the entire world is headed in opposition to God’s principles. It truly is the ‘Days of Noah’ as Christ shared. And this worldly thinking causes some fear. I gently hear in these Scriptures; “get back to focus on Me and My Kingdom there is much to learn…let’s go and get walking!” Right. This is being a Kingdom person! These garment patterns will give us a clue of what our focus must be while we minister to the Lord and then how He ministers to the world. If we are ready for Him, He can use us. What if we have doubts? What if we are in the midst of trials? Where do we turn? Join us for Podcast for Pewsitters with Ric and Mary Joyner to discuss how to be a Kingdom person!

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Podcast For Pewsitters: We are discussing the priestly garments and how they point to Christ. What happened between Exodus 19 where God told Moses He wanted a Kingdom of priests and Exodus 28 where only Aaron was the High Priest? Something drastic changed. If God loves us the way we are, as some say, then we need to love Him for the way He is. This is His world and we are His servants. But, do we act the way we were made? Did you know we were not created to serve ourselves and our happiness?

Did you know our purpose is to minister to God? Could what we desire be to our detriment unless it lines up with God's Will? Do we want to walk with Him and experience joy and peace and satisfaction in this rough, tumble and a hurtful world even if our life is crumbling? Yes! Why were the priestly garments even needed? What is God calling us to in Christ? Why did He suffer for us and die for us? Could it be we are criminals? Christ died a criminals death. Was this a picture to show us how evil sin is? Yes! No one likes this thought, but we do need to look in the mirror of our heart called the 10 commandments to see where we stack up. These are the 10 expectations of God. The "follow your feelings" society just doesn't cut it in the Kingdom of God. People are left hungry, empty and broken. But God is our Creator, and He can make way for us. What is it?

We ask questions like why did Aaron get priestly garments and not Moses? Perhaps Moses was a model priest already? Moses heard God's voice and carried it out correctly. That is what priests did in the Old Testament, and disciples do in the New. He was truly a servant of God. We have God's Word, and we can be the same. We can say Moses was trained by God. We have the same opportunity. Will we take it?

What is God trying to say to us with the tinkling bells and pomegranates? Where does all of this show up in the new testament? Why is there so much symbolism in the old testaments? Why can't people see the connection to symbolism? Could the gospels be a parallel picture of the Exodus? The Hebrews in the desert saw the pillar of fire and the cloud and how God miraculously provided for them and healed them, yet it says they did not believe! (Hebrews 3) WHAT! The people in the new testament saw the miracles and the Words of Christ as He spoke to them, yet many did not believe! Even some of the disciples doubted! (Matthew 28) What shall we do? Could obeying God produce faith? YES! One step toward Him, even if we are confused and unsure is an act of faith. It will even produce more faith! You will start to grow up in God. Let God help you with your pain, hurt and confusion. We asked a lot of questions, and this is exactly what we should do every time we approach scripture. "What is Your agenda, Lord and how may we carry it out?" Join Ric and Mary Joyner for Podcast for Pew Sitters!

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We explore the area where Jesus had His ministry in the northern areas of Israel. But we head down to Jerusalem and explore biblical sites. We explore David's tomb, the valleys around Jerusalem and Dr. Baruch's teaching. We realize that the Bible is real history and God has an agenda which He will share with us if we are interested. We saw David's tomb, the pool of Bethesda, and the actual place where Pontius Pilate rendered judgment on Christ. There was not a dry eye in the place. Very moving emotionally. He died a criminal’s death because we are criminals before God because this world is His Creation and we are His creation and we break His law. We are made to serve Him. We sin, and He saves us! Dr. Baruch showed various places in Jerusalem where the Gospel stories happened and the lessons they have to teach us. Will we learn? Join us for Podcast for Pewsitters! See full post & comments

In this episode, Ric and Mary Joyner of Bible Study Company discuss why they went to Israel. What did they see? And did how Israel and the tour touched them? Ric said: "It is fair to say that we left our hearts in Israel. We see why this country has been through so much as it literally is in the center of the world and where the trade routes went through for the entire known world. Was this an accident? Or does God have plans for lands, peoples and us? Psalm 24: 1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers. As always we want to line up with His agenda not our own. This is why we study the bible. We are His creation and therefore we can choose to serve Him or ourselves. Which will it be?"

Going to Israel was fraught with anxiety and safety concerns but we discovered that this was a false narrative. We went on tour with Dr. Baruch and Rivka Korman of loveisrael.org. This was a teaching tour. Meaning, that we would include tourist areas but also spend time teaching at specific spots to relate the Bible and God's agenda to the land. It was over the top good. Loveisrael.org is having another tour in 2019. Their website has details. So join us for a time of discussion in this podcast about our trip for part 1. Two pew-sitters who are studying the Bible using principles Dr. Korman taught us and we went to actually see the Holy Land! WOW!

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Our mission is to obey the Word of God which is the Bible. To be a disciple of Christ, we are to follow Him. The Lord has just given the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5, which is how we should respond to the ten commandments if we want to live a praiseworthy life to God. Christ gives a picture of a person’s heart who is convicted of sin by encountering the ten commandments and is now asking for God’s help to change. In chapter 6, the Lord is showing us, now what our responding to His call looks like in daily life as we live out His words. Then He shows us how to pray. In Verse 7, He starts out by saying:

7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "So do not be like them; for your, Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (NASB)

So we asked ourselves why do we pray the Lord’s prayer as meaningless repetition? Is there more to this prayer than how we were taught in church? We believe yes, and thus could it be an outline for us to follow? For years we have broken this prayer down and spent time walking outside or praying in a quiet place to spend time on each part of the outline. As a couple, we will use this as an outline when we pray together. Great relationship building with the Lord has occurred. We want to caution that this is no formula because this is how Christ said to pray. Faith is acting on God’s word. And if you look closely at the whole prayer, it is indeed an outline, and each part of it takes time. Join Ric and Mary Joyner in their podcast for Pewsitters spending time on each part of this prayer. Let us know what you think.

Open Matthew 6:9 and read along with us.

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We are home from Israel after being on a study tour with Dr. Baruch Korman of Loveisrael.org.  The tour was a treasure of experiences causing the Bible to come alive. We felt we were in "God's home" and we could literally see prophecy fulfilled.

We were able to experience the peoples' daily lives and how God cared for them. But "daily circumstances" invaded our lives too once we returned home.  This podcast is about why there were no podcasts to continue our study of Exodus and what "other things" happened in our life. Grab your favorite beverage and join us for an update.

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Our podcast and Exodus Chapter 2 has several moving parts. Since Exodus is a factual narrative, we need to “read” between the lines, so to speak, to find out what God is asking us to “see” so that we may act appropriately. What are the lessons? Why did the Israelites go into slavery in Egypt? Mary and I believe this question is highly important and relevant to today’s Christianity. The answer lies in Jeremiah 2. We can go into slavery as God’s people by not living according to His Word. One of the themes of Exodus is dependence on God. So how do we get into bondage in this modern world? And that is the biblical study principle of application. How does God want us to look at the story and get the lessons within it for our lives? 
We are in Exodus 2 Part 3 where Moses is now older and is deciding there is another call on his life. He makes some choices that cause an irrevocable decision. Moses, although acting on the promises of God to Abraham, takes the situation into his own hands rather than waiting on God and is forced to flee. 
But there is much more going on in this story. Through word studies, we will see the lessons God wishes to teach us, and we will see that symbolism in the old testament foreshadows Christ! Please listen and comment below.

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Have you ever wondered why Exodus is a picture of our Christian walk with Christ? Or why this incredible story is a part of the Jewish nation's history? Could it be about people acting in faith? We need faith to believe in God. Or do we? Is there more to faith than just believing? What if actions play a role? What is biblical faith and why does it matter? There are two undercurrents in the storyline that God wants to reveal to us. One has to do with faith and the other being Kingdom minded. 

In this Podcast called “Faith and Kingdom people," we will see men and women operating for God or against His agenda. What type of people will WE be? Join Ric and Mary Joyner in studying Exodus to live a praiseworthy life to God. HIS AGENDA HIS WAY!

Resources: Paul Washer “Shocking Video”,

Here is the youtube version of our podcast Exodus Chap 2 Part 2 Faith and Kingdom People. 

 

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We are still in Chapter 1 and reading about some very brave Hebrew midwives who were told by Pharaoh to kill the Hebrew children. They disobey Pharaoh. WHOA, drama and tension heat up the story! They are called to provide an explanation to Pharaoh! Have you ever faced a fear that could end your life? The midwives did. But they chose the fear of the Lord over the fear of Pharaoh. They let God handle the outcome. At Biblestudycompany.com we feel it is easy to understand the fear of the Lord. It is not a cowering fear; it is the “fear to offend Him”. In this case, the midwives were protecting God’s Children from a wicked man. When things look the darkest, God is in control and we can learn either to complain, blame or turn and worship God for His future outcome. We want to live a praiseworthy life, so we respond by choosing the fear of the Lord and worship Him with thanksgiving in the midst of our fears and trials. We are also exploring the sufferings of the Hebrews and how they got into slavery.

We finish Exodus Chapter 1 with Pharaoh brutalizing the Hebrews. In addition, we are starting to look at several tools in our approach to scripture. A tool we love to use is immersion. Simply stated, we are immersing ourselves in the lives of the Hebrews. They will react like we would if we were threatened, for example. We are no longer viewing some of the Bible as stories for children, but as real people in extraordinary situations for our instruction. By taking this approach the Bible now comes alive with richness, drama, and depth. Join us and tell us what you think in the blog or on Facebook.

Notice another interesting phenomenon. There were many silent years in the bible and then prophecy is being fulfilled by an amazing series of events converging to an outcome. This outcome was the destruction of Egypt (Genesis 15:13-15) and another was Christ coming. 

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