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!
See full post & commentsIn 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!
See full post & commentsOur 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.
See full post & commentsWe 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.
See full post & commentsWe have created a video to help you get past the dreaded Captcha in Chrome. This video will help you succeed.
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I woke up this morning to a family member asking if we are OK because we are on a tour of Israel. I was puzzled. I feel the safest I have ever felt on any trip.
We are right here in Jerusalem and there have not been any incidents. When you are here you see what is really happening. You find out quickly that what you learned about the Jewish/Palestinian struggle is from western media sources that Israel occupied Palestinian land. If you believe that please get educated other than left-wing media such as CNN or New York Times. People yell about Fox News is right wing but at least most shows on Fox let both sides speak. But the Main Stream Media (MSM) is slanted and biased. CNN numbers are falling very fast. The headlines of NY Times on Gaza today are a total perspective lie and they are being called out on it by people and other news organizations. Israel dropped leaflets telling Hamas not to approach the fence. Hamas says the protests are peaceful, yet they are burning tires to create a smoke screen while known terrorists are trying to cut the fence and hurling large stones that could kill Israelis and flying kites with bottles of flammable liquid to burn Israeli crops. They are putting their women and children up to the fence which is a threat to use as human shields for the media attention and paying them to put themselves in harm's way. This is not a peaceful organization. But the MSM news does not show that. The news does not show the Palestinian flags with Nazi swastikas! Why not? Perhaps the knowledge of the truth may hurt their agenda! Hamas is running Gaza and is a known terrorist organization with the stated goal (Iran as well) to annihilate the Jews. Yes, you heard correctly. They want to kill Jewish people because they are Jewish. And do so. How can a peace deal be reached when that is the stated goal? Their goal is not to have a homeland but to kill Jews. Did you know Gaza was given in 2005 to the Palestinians for the hope of exchange for peace? It was a thriving Jewish community of 25 years that created an oasis of productive businesses, farms, and homes. Many of the homes and businesses were destroyed by Hamas simply because it was Jewish! Those Jewish families evicted out Gaza which was legally purchased, and some have not recovered! Get educated, please. Israel has learned that giving into a terrorist organization is futile if the stated goal is to kill Jews. Of Israel’s population, a great percentage are peaceful Arabs who live in harmony with the Jewish people. We have personally interacted with them and their kindness and generosity are amazing. They are not terrorists they are part of a country that loves them and welcomes them with open arms.
Our guide is a 10-generation immigrant to Israel and is a Jew. As we walked the streets of Jerusalem which were controlled by Jordan he said where the Jewish families in 1967 were sniped at and killed from the walls of Jerusalem!!! We drove down roads near the Golan Heights by Jewish farms and trees had to be planted to cover people from snipers! He lived all of this.
This land was a desert prior to 1948. Who would want it? But it has come alive today which is a prophecy fulfilled! Ezekiel 36.37
I have personally stopped watching news media for several months and am glad I have. The media is being called out on their bias. But they continue to lie. When you are from the outside looking in, as we were, the information is skewed. Being here is much different. Israeli children asked someone in our group today if they loved Israel. The children also were chanting a line that basically said “at least we are alive” meaning what they suffered as a people. The nation of Israel is a wakeup call to all of us who love God and want His purposes fulfilled. When we first arrived in Israel last week we met a young Colorado Jewish woman who lives now in Israel. She is a citizen. When visiting here she said that most Israelis assume people hate them! This is the feeling in Israeli citizens. How would you like to live like that?
Get educated. We are. Those who bless Israel will be blessed. Read Gen 12 because those who curse Israel will be cursed. Take a stroll near the Palestinian areas and you will see it there are marked differences. Jewish communities have large fences and the Arab population does not. Why is that? Death threats. So, do we want to pass on information that curses Israel without getting the other side? Please share so people will get the correct information or start asking questions.
See full post & commentsTo have a relationship with God versus religion pray this prayer sincerely, and in your own words. Dear Heavenly Father, (Matt. 6:9) I want a relationship with You...not a religion. I come to You and open my heart. (John 3:16) I will be honest and sincere with You. (John 4) I am running my life and need Your help. (Matt. 6:10) I was made in Your image and I won't be happy until I am in a relationship with you. (Gen. 3) Most of my behavior does not please You. (Romans 3:23) I know I am a sinner, so please forgive my sins because Jesus Christ, Your Son, came to die for me. (John 3:16) I believe Jesus Christ is my savior and salvation is a free gift! It cannot be earned through good works. (Eph. 2:8) You did this so that I can be in a relationship with You on earth and for all eternity. (Romans 10:9-13) And, I will forgive those who have sinned or hurt me too, since you have forgiven me. Take away any bitterness or resentment I carry. (Matt. 6:13-14) Please show me and teach me how to live a praiseworthy life on earth to You. (Matt. 6:33, Acts 9 and 10) I know You love me Father, and I want to love You as well and that you have a purpose and plan for my life. Please teach me to pray. (Matt. 6:9) Thank you, God for saving me to Yourself (Ex. 19:1-8) and making me a new person! (2 Cor. 5:17) In Jesus name I pray, Amen! Learn to grow at www.biblestudycompany.com
See full post & commentsOur 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.
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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