Prophecy: Our Reason for Hope
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
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.
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Forgiveness: Living Debt Free
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
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: by R.T. Kendall F by Dr. Bruce and Toni Hebel
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Discipling Our Children
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
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.
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A Legacy of Faith
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
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.
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Biblical Proverbs
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
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.
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The Wisdom of Proverbs Part 2: Jesus in the Proverbs
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
This week Joe and Lori are looking through Proverbs searching the wisdom of Solomon in search of Jesus. He's everywhere!
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The Wisdom of Proverbs
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
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.
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Crossing the Line
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
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...
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Worshipping Like Isaiah
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
WORSHIP 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...
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6 Tips for Studying the Bible
My Mornings with Jesus and Joe
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
info_outline1. Epiphany
· celebrates the magi’s visit to the Christ
· kept on January 6 and also called “Three Kings’ Day” and “Twelfth Day
· means “manifestation” or “revelation.” Celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the magi (the wisemen/mago were Gentiles
· Simeon’s prophecy in Luke 2:32 - a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.
· For some, Epiphany also commemorates other manifestations of Christ’s divinity to the world
o His baptism Luke 3:21-22 21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
o turning water into wine (John 2:1-11
Epiphany traditions: the Star Singers (children dressed as kings and holding up a large star, singing carols from house to house); collecting money for charity; and the “plundering” and burning of Christmas trees.
Other traditions include prayers (some offered to “Caspar,” “Melchoir,” and “Balthasar,” the traditional names of the magi); the blessing of holy water; the burning of “blessed” herbs; and the offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Should a Christian celebrate Epiphany? There is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating the different events of Christ’s life, and a Christian is free to observe whatever day he wants, as long as he “does so to the Lord”
o Romans 14:4-6 –
§ 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
o avoid the superstitions and empty rituals
(Isaiah 1:13-14) Bring no more vain offerings;
incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—
I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts
my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
§ some customs directly conflict with scripture. For instance, asking the magi to bless one’s house conflicts with the Bible’s clear teaching that we pray only to God Himself . . . as in the Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Whatever holidays we choose to observe, the Lord should always be glorified in them
2. What the Wisemen brought
a. The Bible doesn’t tell us the significance of the three gifts, but tradition gives us a deeper meaning
i. Gold = a precious metal symbolic of divinitity
ii. Frankincense = a very fragrant substance used with burnt offerings (aka sacrifices) as a pleasing aroma to God, a symbol of holiness and righteousness. Symbolic of Christ’s willingness to become a sacrifice
iii. Myrrh – used in embalming, symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction.
b. Christ doesn’t need our gifts, but he is pleased when we use them for his glory and to bless others
3. The gift of our commitment
a. Rebuilding the wall
i. Nehemiah 2:18: And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set[a] their hands to this good work.
b. Not a New Year’s Resolution that we set for our own benefit and willingly give up on when the going gets hard, but a commitment to “set our hands to the good work of restoring the walls that have been broken down in our families and relationship, our addictions, our straying from the pure and holy life God calls us to.
c. Challenged by our pastor to make and sign an agreement with God for the coming year. A commitment we make to God is a serious commitment.
d. Numbers 3:20 - If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
e. Ecc 5:4 - When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it;
For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—
f. My commitment becomes my established priorities.
4. The list:
a. Obey Christ
b. Live a pure and holy life
c. Spend less time on social media
d. Share Jesus with 1 person a month
e. Invite people to church
f. Read God’s Word every day and let it lead you in spiritual growth
g. Pray daily
h. Tithe regularly
i. Attend church more regularly
j. Repent
This Epiphany (today) offer God the better gift of making a commitment to him.