Coffee with Christ: Recent Episodes
Nikol K. Jones
Do you struggle to make time to read the Bible or spend time with God? Does the term "relationship with Christ" sound interesting, but also a little bit weird?
In this episode, I share how using normal, ordinary relationship skills in my relationship with God changed me, and how this podcast can guide you through a similar process.
I hope you'll join me each week-day for a new episode!
You can find me at www.coffeewithchrist.org
In our last episode, Bezalel and Oholiab put the finishing touches on the temple and Moses inspected the work. When he saw that everything was done according to God’s plan, he blessed them. Let’s read Exodus chapter 40: Reflection Questions: 1. What words or phrases repeated in this passage? Why do you think they were …
In our previous episode, we listened as Bezalel and Oholiab continued work on the Tabernacle. We heard how they built the bronze altar for burnt offerings and all its utensils as well as the washbasin and the courtyard. Let’s continue with Exodus chapter 39: Reflection Questions: 1. Did you notice any words or phrases …
In our last episode, we listened as people began executing God’s plans for the Tabernacle. Let’s continue on with Exodus chapter 38. Reflection Questions 1. It can seem sometimes like Scripture repeats itself very literally, and that is because it does. Why do you think it’s important to hear all the details of how everything …
In our last episode, Bezalel and Oholiab went to Moses so the people would no longer bring offerings. They had more than enough materials. Then, they got to work on the curtains, the coverings, and the structure of the Tabernacle and made it to the specifications God required. Reflection Questions: 1. What stood out to …
So far this season, we’ve caught up with the Israelites from where we left off in Genesis and seen God’s faithfulness to His word and His covenant with Abraham back in Genesis 15. We met a man named Moses who had a heart for rescuing God’s people, the Israelites. Moses’s story was complicated, but God …
In our previous episode, but Moses again interceded when God said he will not go with Israel to the Promised Land. Moses begged him to go with them personally because God’s presence is what set them apart from everyone else on earth. God agreed – but it sounded more like he was going because of …
In our last episode, at the same time God is telling Moses to build a place for Him to dwell with His people and outlining holy uses for the gold they fled with from Egypt; at the same time God is outlining the commandments to not have any other gods or make any idols….and at …
In our last episode, God called two men to oversee the work of building each facet of the temple. He placed His Spirit on one of them and gave them wisdom, skill, and expertise in all the areas needed in order to complete the work You called them to do. And after telling Moses …
So far this season, we’ve caught up with the Israelites from where we left off in Genesis and seen God’s faithfulness to His word and His covenant with Abraham back in Genesis 15. We met a man named Moses who had a heart for rescuing God’s people, the Israelites. Moses’s story was complicated, but God …
In our previous episode, God provided Moses with specification for the garments the priests would were and specified the priests would come from Aaron’s lineage. God’s priests – those who were set apart to minister to Him – dressed differently and specifically from everyone else. And what they wore, held meaning. The priests …
In our last episode, we heard about God’s design for an altar, the courtyard, and what would provide light in the tabernacle. Let’s listen to Exodus chapter 28. Reflection Questions: 1. What stood out to you today? 2. What was the role of the priest? 3. How does this passage point to Jesus?
In our last episode, God wanted a place to live among His people. So, he provided Moses with a blueprint a tent, detailed instructions on the design for the curtains, the covering, its framework, and the Ark of the Covenant. Let’s see what else God wants created in Exodus chapter 27. Reflection Questions: 1. What …
So far this season, we’ve caught up with the Israelites from where we left off in Genesis and seen God’s faithfulness to His word and His covenant with Abraham back in Genesis 15. We met a man named Moses who had a heart for rescuing God’s people, the Israelites. Moses’s story was complicated, but God …
In our last episode, Moses repeated the instructions God provided to the people of Israel. He built and alter and had a covenant ceremony where God’s people promised to do everything the Lord commanded. Moses and some of the elders climbed up the mountain and saw God and were not destroyed. They ate a meal …
In our previous episode, we listened to instructions God provided to the Moses about the importance of being truthful, of helping people even if you don’t like them, of basically just doing the right thing. We also heard about 3 festivals the Lord wanted the Israelites to celebrate: A festival celebrating their release from captivity …
In our previous episode, we listened as God gave instructions for righting the wrongs caused by others and the consequences that went along with the wrongs we inflict. We saw God compensate for stealing, irresponsible handling of animals, lost crops, and mishandling someone’s property. Let’s see what happens next in Exodus chapter 23. Reflection Questions …
In our last episode, God lays down details in his law requiring those who have caused injustice or injury to another to make things right. Let’s see what happens next in Exodus chapter 22. Reflection Questions 1. What do you see God doing in this chapter? 2. What does that teach you about who He …
So far this season, we’ve caught up with the Israelites from where we left off in Genesis and seen God’s faithfulness to His word and His covenant with Abraham back in Genesis 15. We met a man named Moses who had a heart for rescuing God’s people, the Israelites. Moses’s story was complicated, but God …
In our last episode, two months after Israel walked out of the land of their slavery, we saw God fulfill His promise to Moses from way back in Exodus chapter 3. They reach Mt. Sinai – The Mountain of God. Moses climbed that mountain, and God told him if they obeyed Him and kept their …
In our previous episode, Jethro – Moses’s father-in-law – comes to visit and brings his sons and wife with him. Moses told him about how God rescued them and his faithfulness in their troubles. Jethro puts his faith in God and there is a celebration in honor of that. We found out that Moses wears …
In our previous episode, we heard a very famous story of three men who prayed Israel through to victory over their enemies. Let’s see what happens next in Exodus Chapter 18. Reflection Questions What did you see God doing in this passage? Did anything surprise you? What jumped out at you? Use these next few …
In our last episode, the Israelites were in the wilderness of Sin. They had been away from the familiarity of their old lives in Egypt for 2 1/2 months and hadn’t reached the Promised Land. Don’t you know they were tired, and hungry, and scared, and probably starting to wonder if this Moses guy was …
So far this season, we’ve caught up with the Israelites from where we left off in Genesis and seen God’s faithfulness to His word and His covenant with Abraham back in Genesis 15. We met a man named Moses who had a heart for rescuing God’s people, the Israelites. Moses’s story was complicated, but God …
In our last episode, In Exodus 14 we watched as God used the stubbornness of Pharaoh and his hard heart to accomplish God’s purpose to glorify His name. Do you remember what He used to obtain that glory? The hard heart of a man and an obedient people. Let’s continue with Exodus 15. Reflection Questions …
Yesterday, after rescuing His people from captivity, God led the people through the wilderness. Do you remember why? God knew the direct path was also a path that led to a different enemy, the Philistines. He knew the Egyptians were not ready to face another battle. He knew their faith had to grow, so he …
In our previous episode, God gave the Israelites instructions for the first Passover and how to commemorate it once they made it to the promised land. God executed his judgment on Pharaoh’s hard heart and the gods of Israel through the last plague: The death of all the firstborn whose door posts were not covered …
In our last episode, Moses delivers God’s final message to Pharaoh. He tells him what God is going to do and why, but Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. Let’s see what happens next in Exodus chapter 12. Reflection Questions Recap the instructions God gave to the Israelites in your own words. How does the passover point …
So far this season, we’ve caught up with the Israelites from where we left off in Genesis and seen God’s faithfulness to His word and His covenant with Abraham back in Genesis 15. God’s people were strangers living in a foreign land oppressed by the enemy for 400 years. Speaking of strangers living in a …
Yesterday, we heard about three more plagues God sent because of Pharaoh’s stubbornness: A plague against livestock, boils, and hail. Let’s continue in Exodus chapter 10. Reflection Questions Recap the story in your own words. We’ve been through 9 plagues: The Nile turned to blood, Frogs came up from the waters, Gnats came up from …
Yesterday, after spending 7 days with bloody water, Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh to see if he had reconsidered. He refuses and the second plague begins: Frogs were in their bedrooms, beds, ovens, food, and on their person. Let. That. Sink. In. Understandably, Pharaoh begs Moses and Aaron to take away the frogs and …
Yesterday, Moses finally quit arguing with God, and God tells him to go back to Pharaoh. So, Moses and Aaron did just that, but God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that the Egyptians would know that He was Yahweh. Through Moses and Aaron, God inflicted the first plague on Egypt: He turned the Nile into blood. …
In our last episode, God responded to Moses’s frustration. Things were worse for the Hebrews than they had been before Moses was sent to rescue them. So, God gave Moses a message for his people, but they were too discouraged to believe it. Can you relate? I know I sure can. Let’s see what happens …
Last week, we caught up with the Israelites from where we left off in Genesis. Four hundred years had gone by and much of what Joseph did was forgotten. For a refresher on his story, take a listen to episodes 41-50. Anyway….The new Pharaoh in charge now, feared the Israelites because of how fruitful they …
Yesterday, God called Moses to be the man who would rescue his people from slavery. But Moses was just like you and me. He felt ill- equipped for the task and instead of focusing on the miracles of God, he focused on his own-shortcomings and the impossibility of the tasks. Three times God performs a …
Yesterday, was an interesting story. Moses encountered God in the wilderness. God told Moses that he had come down to rescue His people, and Moses found out he was the man for the job. But Moses felt inadequate for the task and questioned God. God told Moses a lot of things in that conversation. He …
In our last episode, we met Moses. Moses’s life was in jeopardy from the very beginning. He was born when Pharaoh was trying to kill all the baby boys in Egypt. Ironically, he was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter when she found him floating in a little ark of a reed basket down the Nile River. …
In our last episode, Exodus 1 picked up where the book of Genesis left off. The Israelites went from 70 people who first entered Egypt with Jacob to a multitude of people who were extremely powerful. Because of their numbers and their power, Pharaoh was threatened by them, so he tried to subdue them through …
Today on the podcast, we catch up with the Israelites 400 years after the last chapter in Genesis. Life had become bitter, but nothing escaped God’s attention. Reflection Questions Take a few minutes to recap the story in your own words. What happened? Who did what? While God’s name isn’t mentioned much in this chapter, …
It’s been several weeks since we last met, and the landscape of our world has changed significantly. I hope you’ve been able to find some peace, that you’ve taken some time to be still and reflective, and that you and yours are safe. Today’s episode will be an introduction to the Book of Exodus. Check …
Season 2 of Coffee With Christ: The Podcast is just around the corner. This time around, I created a new (and free) resource. It’s a companion journal complete with the day’s scripture reference, reflection questions, and space to write out your thoughts. You can grab it on coffeewithchrist.org starting next Monday (September 28th), but I’m …
Yesterday, we listened to the blessings Jacob (also known as Israel) bestowed on his sons just before he died. Today, we’ll say goodbye to him as Joseph and his brothers do the same. Reflection Questions Where do you see God working in this chapter? Even though the brothers had experienced restoration with Joseph, they had …
In our last episode, Jacob called for Joseph and his sons to bless them. Ephraim – despite being the youngest – received a blessing to make him greater than Manasseh. Today, we’ll see Jacob bless his own sons. Let’s listen in Genesis chapter 49. Reflection Questions A father’s blessing on his children was an important …
Yesterday, Jacob went before Pharaoh and blessed him, and Joseph made a promise to bury Jacob in Canaan. Let’s continue the story in Genesis chapter 48. Reflection Questions What stood out to you today? Where do you see God at work? Is there a situation in your life where you need to remember God’s faithfulness? …
Yesterday…Jacob’s family – all 70 of them – went to Egypt. Joseph meets them in Goshen and he is reunited with his father, Jacob. It was such a great scene! One of my favorites. When we closed, Joseph was going to see Pharaoh to let him know his family had arrived. Let’s see what happens …
Over the last month, we’ve heard about the creation story, the fall of mankind, and its continual bend towards corruption. Despite mankind’s bend toward destruction, we saw Him promise a seed – a man – that would one day crush evil’s head. The thread of promises continues throughout the book of Genesis. He also …
Yesterday, Joseph’s brothers left Joseph. He send back the money again and puts his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Joseph has the brothers arrested and threatens to keep Benjamin as a slave. Judah pleads with Joseph to stay in Benjamin’s place because it would kill their father. Let’s see what happens next in Genesis chapter …
Yesterday, we left Simeon in prison as Jacob wrestled with the decision of letting his family starve or sending Benjamin back to Egypt with his brothers. Jacob relies on his old ways of sending gifts to get himself out of trouble, and he doubles the money for grain to replace what was returned. When the …
Yesterday, a famine drove Jacob to send all his sons except Benjamin to Egypt for grain. When the brothers arrived, they did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. Joseph accuses them of being spies and puts them in prison. The brothers think they are being punished for what they did to Joseph, and when …
Yesterday…we celebrated with Joseph as God redeemed his situation and placed him in the second highest position in the land. It was wonderful. However, as the chapter closed, we saw the heartache and grief still in his heart through the names of his children, Manasseh and Ephraim. Let’s continue in Genesis chapter 42. Reflection Questions …
Over the last month, we’ve heard about the creation story, the fall of mankind, and its continual bend towards corruption. Despite mankind’s bend toward destruction, we saw God promise a seed – a man – that would one day crush evil’s head. The thread of promises continues throughout the book of Genesis. He made a …
Yesterday, we saw God give favor to Joseph in his captivity. Let’s continue his story in Genesis chapter 40. Reflection Questions 1. What stood out to you in today’s reading? What surprised you? 2. Use the next few minutes to thing through any questions you have about this passage. 3. Where did you see God …
Yesterday, we read about Judah, Tamar, and their twins Perez and Zerah. Today, we pick back up with Joseph we last heard was sold into slavery. Reflection Questions 1. What stood out to you today? Did anything surprise you? 2. Where do you see God working in this chapter? What does it teach you about …
Yesterday, we were able to get a glimpse into the family dynamic of Jacob’s 12 sons. We read about Joseph. He was a dreamer, a bit of a bragger, and his father’s favorite. His brothers hated him because of this and sold him into slavery for 20 pieces of silver. We’ll pick up his story …
I’m pretty excited about today. We start the story of my favorite character in the whole of the Bible – well except for Jesus. We are starting the story of Joseph!! I can hardly wait. So, let’s jump in to Genesis 37. Reflection Questions 1. Recap the story in your own words. 2. How does …
Since we began our study in Genesis, we’ve heard about the creation story, the fall of mankind, and its continual bend towards corruption. Despite mankind’s bend toward destruction, we saw God promise a seed – a man – that would one day crush evil’s head. The thread of promises continues throughout the book of Genesis, …
Yesterday’s story was dark and discouraging. Dinah was raped. Her brother’s took revenge. Today, God tells Jacob to move. Let’s see where they are going in Genesis chapter 35. Reflection Questions Did anything in this chapter remind you of another one? Which one? In Genesis chapter 17, Abraham received a new name, learned a new …
Yesterday, Jacob and Esau were reunited and Jacob ended up settling in Shechum. Today’s story might be hard for some listeners. Use your best judgement when letting children listen. Let’s continue with Genesis 34. Reflection Questions Where did humans fail in this chapter? Jacob’s name means “deceiver” and he has carried it with him his …
Yesterday, we saw Abraham wrestle with God until daybreak. Let’s continue his journey in Genesis chapter 33. Reflection Questions Recap the story in your own words What do you make of the interaction between the brothers? Why do you think Jacob (now Israel) didn’t go to meet Esau at Seir? What do you relate to …
Yesterday, we read bout Jacob fleeing from his father-in-law, Laban, and we heard how God’s saw his abuse and confronted Laban about it. We also saw God meet Jacob again in a dream. Let’s see what happens next in Genesis chapter 32. Reflection Questions What did you see Jacob doing in this chapter? What state …
Over the last month, we’ve heard about the creation story, the fall of mankind, and its continual bend towards corruption. Despite mankind’s bend toward destruction, we saw Him promise a seed – a man – that would one day crush evil’s head. The thread of promises continues throughout the book of Genesis. He also made …
Yesterday, Jacob married Rachel but only after Laban tricked him into marrying her older sister, Leah. Immediately, a struggle rose up between the sisters, and today we’ll hear more of their story in Genesis chapter 30. Reflection Questions 1. What stood out in this chapter? Did anything surprise you? 2. What did you see God …
Yesterday, we read about the fallout from Jacob’s schemes on his father. He had tricked him out of the blessing Isaac was going to give his brother, Esau. So, Jacob was sent east to his relatives in Paddan-Aram to find a wife but also to protect him from the wrath of his brother Esau. On …
Yesterday, Jacob – with some help from his mother – tricked Esau out of his blessing. Isaac blessed Jacob and cursed Esau. Let’s see what happens next in Genesis 28. Reflection Questions 1. What did you see God doing in this chapter? 2. How do you think Jacob felt when he left Beersheba to go …
Yesterday, we saw Isaac walk in the footsteps of his father by lying about who his wife was and then making to deal with King Abimelech. Let’s continue Isaac’s story. Reflection Questions Why do you think blessings and curses had so much weight in Scripture? Think back to the very beginning. What other bible story …
Over the last month, we’ve heard about the creation story, the fall of mankind, and its continual spiral into corruption. God executed judgment on those who were immoral through the great flood and then scattered everyone in countless direction when they were exhaling themselves at the tower of Babel. The thread of covenant continues throughout …
Yesterday, Abraham had his servant go and find a wife for his son, Isaac. God answered the servants prayer at the well to make his mission successful by sending along Rebecca. When we left the story, they had just married. Let’s continue with Genesis chapter 25. Reflection Questions 1. Where do you see God’s faithfulness …
Yesterday, we said goodbye to Sarah, and even though Abraham was a foreigner living in the land, the residents of Canaan looked favorable on him and offered him land to bury her. Abraham insisted that he purchase it from them. And so Sarah was buried in the promised land. Let’s continue Abraham’s story in …
Yesterday, God tested Abraham’s faith. It is an uncomfortable and painful story, but it had a happy ending. I’ve often wondered how Isaac felt afterwards. Did it change his relationship with his father? Did Abraham explain everything on the way back home? What happened when Sarah found out? Let’s continue reading about Abraham’s journey in …
Yesterday was a BIG day. Isaac was born. Ishmael and Hagar were banished. And Abraham made a covenant with King Abimelech for a well. Let’s continue the journey in Genesis chapter 22. Reflection Questions What did you see God doing in this passage? What does it teach you about who He is? How does this …
The first covenant God made was not to destroy the earth with water ever again. The second, was to Abraham. God promised to give him land and descendants as numerous as the dust on the ground and the stars in the sky. We spent the last 2 weeks getting to know Abraham and his wife, …
We covered some hard ground yesterday when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their corruption and listened to a pretty sketchy and uncomfortable story about Lot’s daughters. Today we see Abraham repeat a sin in his life in Genesis chapter 20. Reflection Questions What did you see God doing in this chapter? Did anything surprise …
Yesterday, three strangers came to meet with Abraham and told them some good – and seemingly impossible – news. Both Abraham and Sarah laugh at the absurdity of God’s plan, but His plans cannot be thwarted no matter how far-fetched and unlikely they seem. We can be sure God’s plans include executing judgment on the …
Yesterday, we saw God come to Abraham 13 years after his son, Ishmael was born. We saw God give Abram and Sarai new names. Despite the time that had passed, His promise still stood for Abraham and Sarah to give birth to a son and have many descendants. Let’s pick up the story in Genesis …
Yesterday, we got a peek into the insecurities Abram and Sarai were experiencing as they waited for God’s promise of an heir to be fulfilled. Despite having heard directly from God on the subject, they still took matters into their own hands. They took advantage of a servant, Hagar, who became an unwilling surrogate for …
I love a good recap. It helps us remember where we’ve been and where we are in God’s story. Over the last three weeks, we’ve heard about the creation story, the fall of mankind, the great flood, and the tower of Babel We’ve seen God make two covenants with his people. The first was to …
Yesterday, we saw Abram rescue Lot and the captives from an evil king, and how he did not keep the plunder for himself. Today’s reading is one of the most important in scripture, let’s listen to Genesis 15. Reflection Questions 1. What stood out to you the most as we read this chapter? 2. What …
Yesterday, we saw Abram and Sarai backtrack from Egypt to a place of worship. We listened as Abram separated from Lot in order to keep the peace, and we heard God make a promise to Abram to bless him with land and descendants as numerous as the dust on the earth. Let’s continue his story …
Yesterday, there was a new guy on the scene. We met Abram and connected his story with Noah’s story through Shem’s lineage. God told Abram to leave his family and his home and go to an unknown land – a land God himself would show him. And Abram did just that. When we left him, …
Yesterday, we saw God confuse all the people by thwarting their plans to glorify themselves with the Tower of Babel, and we met a very important family. Terah and his son, Abram. Let’s listen to his story in Genesis chapter 12. Genesis 12 Reflection Questions: What did you see God doing in this passage? …
This is a place where we set everything down, read some scripture, and listen to what God might be trying to say to us through His word. Hopefully, it is a time marked on your calendars daily. If not, you have come to a great place to make that happen. These episodes are around 15 …
These episodes are around 15 minutes and are guided reflections. As a reminder, I read from the New Living Translation because it sounds more like every day English and it helps me to hear scripture in a new way. I hope it does those things for you too. These sessions include periods of time …
If you’re new here, you might want to go back and listen to the Introduction episode, so you can get the gist of what this podcast is all about and my hope for our time together. But this is a place where we set everything down, read some scripture, and listen to what God might …
Today, I wanted to let you know about a free resource. It’s called 11 Easy Steps to Studying the Bible and you can find it on my website coffeewithchrist.org in the Community Bible Study tab. I’ll put a link in the show notes. Let’s start with a few moments of quiet. This will help …
This is a place where we set everything down, read some scripture, and listen to what God might be trying to say to us through His word. Hopefully, it is a time marked on your calendars daily. If not, you have come to a great place to start making an appointment for visiting with Him …
This is a place where we set everything down, read a small chunk of scripture, and listen to what God might be trying to say to us through His word. Hopefully, it is a time marked on your calendars daily. If not, you have come to a great place to start making an appointment for …
Robert Morgan writes in his book, Always Near, “Whenever we open the pages of our Bible, we’re entering a listening chamber in which God speaks to us personally, specifically, infallibly, and intimately. From my experience, the greatest way to hear God’s voice is through daily Bible reading, memorization, meditation, and saturation. This is exactly what …
Welcome to Coffee with Christ. I’m Nikol Jones and you are listening to episode 4. This is a place where we put normal, ordinary relationship practices to use in our time with God. Hopefully, it is a time marked on your calendars daily. If not, you have come to a great place to start …
Welcome to Coffee with Christ. I’m Nikol Jones and you are listening to episode 3. If you’re new here, you might want to go back and listen to the Introduction episode. It will help you get the gist of things so there are no surprises. But this is a place where we put normal, ordinary …
Welcome to Coffee with Christ. I’m Nikol Jones and you are listening to episode 2. If you’re new here, you might want to go back and listen to the Introduction episode, so you can get the gist of what this podcast is all about and my hope for our time together. I truly believe God’s …
Welcome to Coffee with Christ. I’m your host, Nikol Jones. My favorite time of the day is early in the morning when I sit down and have coffee with Christ. Yes. It sounds cheesy and weird, but it has been a life changing experience for me. I covered my experience with it in the Intro …
Welcome To Coffee with Christ. I’m your host, Nikol Jones. Finding time to read the Bible is hard. We are so busy these days whether it is with work, family, friends, kids, extracurricular activities, or all the “To Dos” of ordinary life. It is hard to sit down and read the Bible let alone …