My Mornings with Jesus and Joe

Becoming Pillars of Truth in A World of Platforms   In this episode of 'My Mornings with Jesus and Joe,' Lori and Joe discuss the significant differences between platforms and pillars in the context of faith and community. They recount personal experiences, such as involvement in a successful fundraiser for their local pregnancy care center and spending time with grandchildren in the garden. The conversation pivots to a deep dive into the biblical concept of platforms—often seen as man-made and short-term—and pillars, which are long-lasting and rooted in serving God's truth. They share insights from the stories of Samson, Moses, Abraham, and Noah to illustrate the importance of being a pillar in faith. Concluding with actionable advice and encouragement, Lori and Joe emphasize the importance of truth and servitude in one's spiritual journey.   00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap 01:13 Connecting with Nature and Its Importance 03:55 Building Little Kingdom Warriors 04:16 Understanding Platforms and Pillars 06:50 Dangers of Platforms 11:08 Biblical Examples of Pillars 17:53 Being a Pillar in the Church 29:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   Resources: https://youtu.be/um7Z6s8t5Hc?si=ufnki-w0a7fewMY8 https://lorialtebaumer.com/podcast/1128/ https://lorialtebaumer.com/podcast/what-it-means-to-be-a-dedicated-christian/ mymorningswithjesusandjoe@gmail.com

Enhancing Our Journey with Faith and Discipleship   In this episode of 'My Mornings with Jesus and Joe', Lori and Joe discuss the upcoming changes to their podcast schedule, shifting to an every-other-Monday format to improve content quality. They share their recent experiences from the Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers Conference in Phoenix and Joe's baptism event in Oklahoma. Joe and Lori delve into the importance of Bible-based teaching and discipleship, contrasting expository, topical, and textual sermon styles. They emphasize the need for sincere, long-term commitment to disciple-making and offer guidance for those seeking to reconnect with their faith or find a supportive church community. The episode closes with a reminder to check the show notes for additional resources and contact information for further engagement.   00:00 Welcome and Podcast Updates 01:15 Recent Travels and Conference Highlights 03:46 Joe's Baptism Experience 05:26 Upcoming Events and Retreats 08:21 Discipleship and Church Responsibilities 12:52 The Importance of Genuine Discipleship 21:32 Welcoming Newcomers to Church 21:51 Resources for New Believers 22:16 Guidance for Seeking Truth 22:35 Choosing the Right Bible Version 25:14 Evaluating Churches and Ministries 27:05 Understanding Different Preaching Styles 28:32 The Importance of Expository Preaching 38:29 Encouragement for New Believers 39:33 Connecting with Us   Email us at Mymorningswithjesusandjoe.com Resources mentioned: The Unexpected Adventure by Lee Strobel (good book for finding ways to engage others in the Gospel) https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-Questions.html (good starting point when looking for answers to a wide array of issues and questions) From Baby Believer to Growing Disciple (Pastor Jack Hibbs talks about discipling) https://calvarycch.org/what-we-believe/   (Example of What We Believe Statement) https://www.gotquestions.org/expository-preaching.html (Explanation of expository preaching)  

In this special episode we talk about who Charlie Kirk was and why the world is a better place because of him.

In this episode we break down Psalm 27 to find the comfort is offers in times of trouble. This psalm encourages us with three shields: Light, Salvation, Strength.

What are the desires of our heart? We miss out on God’s blessings when we get this wrong. But everything changes when we truly delight in the Lord. In the episode we talk about why we must examine our heart to know what we are truly delighting in. When we do that God can begin to mold our hearts and desires to align with His good and perfect will.

One word, many facets. The word world is used to meaning slightly different things throughout Scripture. In this episode, we talk about of few uses of the word world in scriptures and how understanding the nuanced differences in each context helps us to grow our faith and understanding of who God is and how we are view the world, both physically and spiritually.

People often avoid Bible prophecy because they assume it means discussion of the End Times, but Bible prohecy is our cause for hope. Today we dicuss what biblical prophect is, how to recognize false prophets, and why there is unending hope to be found studying God's prophetic Word.        

Ever question why forgiveness of others is of such critical importance? In this episode we discuss the ways our unforgivness hinders our relationships with others and more importantly, our relationship with God. Forgiveness isn't always easy, but we have some suggestions and encourgaments to help you transfer that debt to the cross of Christ.   Additional Resources: Transferring the Debt: Ending Freedom in Forgiveness Boundaries Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall Forgiving Forward by Dr. Bruce and Toni Hebel

Our children are being discipled by the internet largely because we are. In this episode we discuss how this is happening and the dangers related to this trend. We are being conditioned and allowing our children to be conditioned to expect instant answers. But the treasures of God are best found through patience. How should we respond when His answer doesn't come immediately upon our request? Tune in as we talk about some of problems and solutions.   EP106 Legacy of Faith Disciplines of a Godly Woman

The most important thing we can pass down to our children and our grandchildren is a faith that will guide them throughout their lives. Through our faith, we teach them about biblical principles concerning God's provision for his  children. We model Chrstian character through our lifestyle choices and through serving others. We intercede for them in prayer. And we learn to communicate our love for them in every way possible. In this way, we share our faith with coming generations.

Sometimes well known sayings are mistaken for bibical proverbs, but they are not. In this episode we discuss a few of the most common ones and why they are not biblical. True wisdom can only be found in the God's Word.

This week Joe and Lori are looking through Proverbs searching the wisdom of Solomon in search of Jesus.  He's everywhere!

In this episode, Joe and Lori discuss the wisdom of Proverbs. Why is King Solomon known as the wisest man on earth, how did gain that wisdom, and what compelled him to write three of the five Books of Wisdom in Biblical literature? Finally, we’ll talk about six key ways that Proverbs are relevant and valuable to us today.

Sometimes we draw a line in the sand by saying “No, I’m not going to be a part of that.” And sometimes it’s a good choice to make. Ex. John 8 “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, It’s a bad thing though when it means not doing something we are called or commissioned to do by God through His Word. What are some of the things God commands us to do: Care for widows and orphans. James 1:27 to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. Speak up for those without a voice Proverbs 31:8-9 Open your mouth for the speechless,In the cause of all who are [a]appointed to die. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. Love our neighbors as ourselves Luke 10:27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Micah 6:8   and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. We can agree with everything we find in God’s Word, but if we only believe it without putting it into action we’re no better than if we haven’t believed it at all. Our verse … But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15   Sometimes you have to draw a line in the sand. Even when you’re the one who needs to step over it. We have a very real enemy, black flag of no quarter over our churches and families, our governments and schools. He wants the end of everything God has created. And that means all of mankind. There is no neutral party in this war. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah draws a line in the sand with the words, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” I love that he uses the word “limping,” as though we’re not fully functional until we’ve stepped firmly over the line—one way or the other. One of the most powerful “line in the sand” moments is found in Judges 7:3 in the story of Gideon. Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. Judges 7:3 Over two thirds of the men turned back from war because they were afraid. When we look back to Judges 6:7, we find that the children of Israel had cried out to God for deliverance from the very people they were now too afraid to fight. They wanted an end to the oppression and a chance for a better life, but they didn’t have the courage to fight for it. We can talk about ending abortion, broken families, abuse, addictions, racism, hatred, and oppression. We want to see biblical marriage restored and honored, God in our schools, and an end of human trafficking. But when it comes to crossing the line to fight in that battle, we won’t take that step. T Every bit of ground we don’t take for the Kingdom of God is ground we give to the enemy.   If we won’t cross it now when it may cost us much less, will we cross the line when it could cost us our jobs, our homes, our lives?  Jesus said that if we want to do His work here on earth, we can’t look back to the world we came from. “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Stepping forward takes commitment, determination, and grit. Need we need to count the cost. My prayer has become … Oh my soul, march on in strength. Judges 5:21    

WORSHIP   Isaiah 6:1-8 ESV 6 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”     There are 4 parts to worship according to Isaiah in these verses   1.    Adoration (Isaiah 6:1-4) -       Awe and reverence for our Creator -       We were created for worship -       We will worship something, what or who do you worship?     2.    Confession (Isaiah 6:5) -       When we have the propre adoration and perspective of God, we realize how small we are -       When we come to the end of ourself -       We realize the gap between us and God with no other way to bridge that gap but Jesus -        Psalm 25:11 ESV -       For your name's sake, O Lord,     pardon my guilt, for it is great.     3.    Cleansing and Forgiveness (Isaiah 6:6-7) -       Cleansed, no more guilt, and no more shame -       Our sins are forgiven -       Good to not carry the sin that weighs us down -        Hebrews 12:1 ESV -       Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,     4.    Decision (Isaiah 6:8) -       "Here I am. Send me!" -       When we hear God's call, we respond with obedience -       Once we encounter the risen Lord, we can't help but want to serve the King -       We serve as His loyal subjects without fear -       Our "yes" is on the table -       We should be compelled to go and serve, sharing the gospel as we go

Habits for Bible study 1. Read carefully  2. Read in context 3. Identify core terms  4. Identify the main points 5. See Christ in the text  6. Answer God's call 

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? -- Matthew 26:53 Think of Easter and too often what comes to mind are Easter bunnies, colorful eggs, and plastic grass. We’ve become distracted by the insignificant and forgotten what’s most important: Cross, the Blood, and the Empty Tomb. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! -- Hebrews 9:14 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! -- Romans 5:9 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace . . . -- Ephesians 1:7 It is through the blood of Christ that we are brought near to God (see Ephesians 2:13). It is the blood that frees us from sin and makes us a kingdom of priests (see Revelation 5:1-6).  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. -- Matthew 28:6 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? . . . But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fall. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. -- 1 Corinthians 15 First the Cross, then the Blood, then the hope—the confident assurance that we will one day rise again to take our place in God’s eternal kingdom. This Easter let’s remember the willing sacrifice on the Cross that redeems us, the cleansing blood that cleans us, and the empty tomb that fills us with hope.  

A reflection on the Disciples’ Prayer ( the Model Prayer) in Matthew 6:9 – 13: I cannot say ‘our’ if I live only for myself in a spiritual watertight compartment. I cannot say ‘Father’ if I do not endeavor each day to act like his child.  I cannot say ‘who art in heaven’ if I am laying up no treasure there.  I cannot say ‘hallowed be Thy name’ if I am not striving for holiness.  I cannot say ‘Thy kingdom come’ if I am not doing all in my power to hasten that wonderful day. I cannot say ‘Thy will be done’ if I am disobedient to His word. I cannot say ‘in earth as it is in heaven’ if I will not serve Him here and now. I cannot say ‘give us . . . our daily bread’ if I'm dishonest or an “under the counter shopper.” I cannot say ‘forgive us our debts’ if I harbor a grudge against anyone. I cannot say ‘lead us not into temptation’ if I deliberately place myself in its path. I cannot say ‘deliver us from evil’ if I do not put on the whole armor of God. I cannot say ‘Thine is the kingdom’ if I do not give to the King the loyalty do Him as a faithful subject.  I cannot attribute to Him ‘the power’ if I fear what men may do. I cannot ascribe to Him ‘the glory’ if I am seeking honor only for myself. I cannot say ‘forever’ if the horizon of my life is bounded completely by the things of time. ~Author Unknown         mymorningswithjesusandjoe@gmail.com

In this episode we discuss the three distinct events of the resurrection of the saints, the rapture, and the second coming of Christ. Key verses: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 1 Corninthians 15:52 Titus 2:12-13 John 14:1-3 1 Thessalonians 4:18 1 Thessalonians 5:9   Additional resources:   What Does the Resurrection Mean Revealing Revelation by Amir Tsarfati