Friends With God

Protecting Your Energy or Putting On the Armor of God? | Ephesians 6

Have you ever started your morning by setting an intention, surrounding yourself with protective white light, or asking for spiritual guidance throughout your day? What if the Bible has been teaching us something similar for thousands of years? In this episode of Friends With God, I'm exploring Ephesians 6:10–18 and the Armor of God, making connections between the spiritual practices I've taught and experienced over the years and the biblical wisdom I'm rediscovering through my growing friendship with Jesus. From the helmet of salvation and shield of faith to the power of prayer and renewing our minds, we're exploring what it means to prepare ourselves spiritually for everyday life. I also share why I once pushed the Bible aside, how my journey through yoga, meditation, and New Age spirituality shaped my understanding, and why I'm learning to stop placing limits on how God can work in our lives. We'll close with a guided meditation inviting you to put on the Armor of God, connect with the Holy Spirit, and prepare for the day ahead. FREE DOWNLOAD: Grab your printable Armor of God infographic, featuring our everyday Average Joe putting on his spiritual armor. Print it out and hang it somewhere you'll see it each morning as a reminder to begin your day with faith, truth, peace, and prayer. FREE DOWNLOAD I'm just an average Joe learning to know Jesus, one day at a time. Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–18

What Are You Rehearsing in Your Mind? | Romans 12:2

What have you been rehearsing in your mind that you no longer want to become? In this episode of Friends With God, Joe Longo explores Romans 12:2 and what it really means to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Using the simple metaphor of learning to drive, Joe looks at how repeated thoughts can eventually become automatic. Fear, scarcity, regret, worry, and the belief that we’re not good enough can become mental habits we barely notice anymore. But awareness gives us an opportunity to interrupt the pattern. Joe shares a simple practice for noticing repetitive thoughts, pausing, breathing, and asking: Is this thought reflecting faith or fear? Is it helping me or hurting me? This episode is an invitation to stop trying to solve tomorrow with yesterday’s thinking and return to the grace God has given you for today. You have a choice in what you rehearse. You have a choice in how you renew your mind. And you can continually return to faith, trust, courage, and the present moment. If you’d like to go deeper, you can still join Joe for the Fall Monday Night Mastermind. Register for the Fall Mastermind Join us for a special 11/11 Meditation on November 11th

Psalm 23: A Roadmap for Living in God’s Presence Today

What if Psalm 23 isn't simply a scripture we believe, but a roadmap showing us how to live? In this episode of Friends With God, Joe Longo explores Psalm 23 as an invitation to stop waiting for someday and begin experiencing the presence of God right here, right now. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” What changes when we actually carry those words into our everyday lives? When we trust that God is guiding us, refreshing our souls, walking beside us through the darkest valleys, preparing a table for us, and reminding us that we already dwell in the house of the Lord? Joe offers a simple practice for the week: read Psalm 23 every day. Read it slowly. Let it become more than words you know. Allow it to settle into your heart and become a reminder that you are guided, provided for, protected, and never walking alone. The episode closes with a slow, meditative reading of Psalm 23 and a prayer to help you return to the present moment and trust God one step at a time. Stop waiting. Start living. You are already dwelling in the house of the Lord. And if you're ready to go deeper, join Joe and the Friends With God community for the Monday Night Mastermind beginning in October as we explore renewing the mind, trusting God, abiding in His presence, and opening ourselves to receive. Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/lnplusmusic-47631836/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=400470">Andrii Poradovskyi</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=400470">Pixabay</a>

God Met Me in the Wilderness: Finding Faith Outside the Lines

What if getting lost in the wilderness is sometimes part of finding your way back to God? In this episode of Friends With God, Joe Longo explores the wild, mysterious side of faith and shares his own journey from fear-based Christianity, through yoga, meditation, Kundalini, manifestation, and spiritual exploration, and ultimately into a renewed relationship with God and Jesus. Inspired by an Instagram video from James Anthony Burke, Joe reflects on John the Baptist, Jesus entering the wilderness, and a powerful idea that stopped him in his tracks: sometimes we aren't brought back to God because someone convinces us, preaches to us, or tells us what we're supposed to believe. Sometimes God meets us in the wild. Watch the Instagram video - https://www.instagram.com/p/Daiff4mBCBy/ Joe shares why being pushed toward Christianity actually pushed him further away, how his years of spiritual exploration never felt like separation from God, and how he eventually began recognizing God and Jesus appearing throughout the path he was already walking. This is a conversation for anyone who has questioned religion, explored different spiritual traditions, felt judged for their path, or wondered whether there is still room for them with God. The episode closes with a prayer and meditation for abundance, provision, trust, courage, and becoming a faithful steward of what God has already placed in your hands. Maybe your wilderness isn't evidence that you've lost your way. Maybe something is happening there. Join the Fall Mastermind: We begin October 5 for a three-month journey of renewing the mind, deepening trust, and learning to receive. Free and supported options are available. Find the link in the show notes or connect with Joe on Instagram. Friends With God is a conversation about faith, awareness, life, and what it means to develop a personal relationship with God, without pretending we have all the answers.

Trusting God One Step at a Time

What if you didn’t need to know what comes next? In this episode of Friends With God, Joe Longo explores what it means to trust God when life feels uncertain, the answers aren’t clear, and you can’t see the whole path ahead. Using Proverbs 3:5–6 and Jesus’ teaching about our “daily bread,” Joe shares a simple shift: instead of constantly asking, “God, what am I supposed to do with my life?” maybe the prayer becomes, “God, show me my next step.” We’ll talk about trusting God instead of leaning entirely on our own understanding, staying present when life feels uncomfortable, renewing our minds through prayer and meditation, and learning to receive what we need for today instead of demanding a five-year plan. You don’t need the whole staircase. You don’t need five years’ worth of bread. You need today. And maybe faith is trusting that God will meet you there. 🍂 JOIN THE FALL COMMUNITY This fall, our Monday night community is journeying through three themes: RENEW, TRUST, and RECEIVE. We’ll explore Scripture, mindset, awareness, prayer, meditation, conversation, and practical ways to deepen our relationship with God as we close out the year together. There are Free, $10/month, and $20/month options. Everyone receives the same community experience. Find the registration link in the show notes. Join us 🙏 THE SPACE BETWEEN Are you in a season where something is changing, ending, or falling away, but you’re not sure what comes next? The Space Between is Joe’s six-week private, faith-based coaching experience designed to help you slow down, quiet the noise, reconnect with God, and begin discerning what may be next. Schedule a free Clarity Call with Joe to explore where you are right now and whether The Space Between is the right fit for this season of your life. Schedule Your Call

What’s Shaping Your Reality? Gratitude, Fear & Renewing Your Mind With God

What is shaping your reality right now? Before we can renew our minds, we first have to become aware of what has been shaping them. In this episode of Friends With God, Joe Longo explores the thoughts, stories, content, fears, and beliefs we repeatedly consume and how they influence the way we experience our lives. Inspired by Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Joe asks four simple questions: What am I consuming? What am I thinking repeatedly? What am I believing simply because I’ve thought it for so long? And ultimately, does this bring me closer to God or further into fear? Joe also shares a personal realization about gratitude. Instead of constantly waiting for life to get better, what happens when we recognize how much goodness is already here? Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending life isn’t difficult. It means becoming aware of what is still good, taking the next step in front of us, and allowing God to begin renewing us from within. JOIN OUR FALL COMMUNITY Beginning October 5, our Monday Night Mastermind community will move through three movements together: RENEW. TRUST. RECEIVE. JOIN US THIS FALL We’ll meet every other Monday at 7 PM ET on Zoom through the end of the year. Everyone receives the same experience, and you can join for FREE or choose a monthly contribution to help support the community. Use the link in the show notes to join us. EXPLORE THE SPACE BETWEEN If you’re personally navigating a season where something is changing, ending, or falling away and you’re not sure what comes next, explore The Space Between, Joe’s six-week private faith-based coaching experience. This is a one-on-one space to slow down, quiet the noise, renew your mind, deepen your trust in God, and begin discerning what this season may be asking of you. Explore a Free Conversation

When You Don’t Know What’s Next: Trusting God in the Space Between

Schedule Your Free Call with Joe - CLICK HERE Be part of the Fall Monday Mastermind CLICK HERE What do you do when you know something in your life is changing, but you have no idea what comes next? In this episode of Friends With God, Joe Longo explores what it means to trust God in the space between: the uncomfortable season between what was and what is becoming. Using the story of Abraham as a starting point, Joe challenges the idea that faith means having certainty. Abraham wasn't given the entire map. He was called, and he moved. Maybe faith isn't knowing exactly how everything will work out. Maybe faith is trusting God enough to take the next step without knowing where it will lead. Joe also shares a deeply personal shift happening in his own life and work. After years of teaching mindset, awareness, manifestation, visualization, and intentional thinking, he is beginning to ask different questions. Instead of only asking, "What do I want to create?" he's learning to ask, "God, what are You showing me? What are You asking me to release? Who am I becoming? What is mine to do right now?" This conversation explores faith during uncertainty, surrendering control, renewing your mind, hearing God's direction, releasing old identities, trusting God's timing, spiritual transition, and finding courage when you don't have all the answers. You'll also receive four powerful journaling questions to help you explore your own season of transition and identify the one faithful step you can take today. If you're experiencing a career change, identity shift, spiritual awakening, loss, uncertainty, a return to faith, or simply feel caught between an old chapter and whatever God may be preparing next, this episode is for you. You don't need the whole staircase. You don't need the entire map. You may only need enough faith to take the next step. Friends With God is a faith-centered podcast with Joe Longo, exploring Jesus, Scripture, mindset, personal growth, prayer, meditation, spiritual transformation, and what it means to build a real relationship with God in everyday life. Schedule Your Free Call with Joe - ⁠CLICK HERE ⁠ Be part of the Fall Monday Mastermind ⁠CLICK HERE ⁠ Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/soundsurfer-46694837/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Viktor Sklemin</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Pixabay</a>

Real Talk: When Life Happens

This is a real-talk episode about what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan. One year after Simplicity and Awareness became an Amazon bestseller, Joe reflects on grief, change, faith, spiritual gifts, stepping away from oracle cards, and his evolving relationship with Jesus. Through it all, he keeps returning to one simple practice: staying present, abiding in God, and asking, “How may I serve?” Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/andriig-54059306/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=473810">andrii g.</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=473810">Pixabay</a> Get Joe's Book Buy Now

Surrender What You Don’t Have to Carry: A Scripture Meditation for Faith & Trust

Sometimes life keeps coming at us, and we find ourselves asking God, “Seriously, can I get a break?” In this special episode of Friends With God, Joe invites you to stop trying to figure everything out and spend a few quiet minutes returning to faith, trust, belief, and the presence of God. Through breath, stillness, and Scripture-based affirmations, this meditation is an opportunity to renew your mind, reconnect to the Vine, and surrender the things you were never meant to carry alone. Come back to this meditation every day this week. Breathe. Listen. Repeat the words in your mind or out loud. Hold them in your heart and allow yourself to trust. SCRIPTURES USED IN THIS MEDITATION Scripture Meditation / Affirmation Mark 9:23 All things are possible for the one who believes. Mark 11:24 I believe that what I ask for in prayer is received. John 14:1 I will not let my heart be troubled. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. John 14:12 I believe in Jesus, and His life works through me. John 15:5 I abide in Christ, and Christ abides in me. My life produces good fruit. John 15:7 I remain in Christ, and His words remain in me. Matthew 17:20 Faith can move what once seemed impossible. Matthew 19:26 With God, all things are possible. Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/jessequinnmedia-39511257/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=249459">Jesse P</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=249459">Pixabay</a>

What You Focus On, You Will See | Renew Your Mind

What if renewing your mind is more practical than we make it? In this episode of Friends With God, Joe explores Romans 12:2 alongside Philippians 4:8 and the science of neuroplasticity and attention. From worrying about work and relationships to the simple example of suddenly seeing your dream car everywhere, our minds are constantly being trained by what we focus on. Paul gives us a surprisingly practical roadmap: focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This isn’t about pretending problems don’t exist. It’s about consciously choosing what gets your attention. Your practice this week: Notice what you’re focusing on, look for what you’re grateful for, and see what begins to change.

What do you do when you don't know what's next?

What do you do when you don't know what's next? In this episode of Friends with God, Joe gets personal about grief, loss, uncertainty, and finding himself in what he calls "the space between," that uncomfortable place where one chapter has ended but the next one hasn't quite revealed itself yet. Through Romans 12:2 and Jeremiah 29:11, Joe explores what it really means to renew your mind and trust that God is still working, even when you can't see the plan. Maybe the unknown isn't empty. Maybe it's preparation. And maybe our daily practice is simply learning to wake up, release control, and say, "Jesus, I can't control this. I give this day to you." Work with Joe - https://stan.store/Joe_Longo

Stop Striving. Stay Connected. | What It Really Means to Abide (John 15:1-8)

A note from Joe: This episode originally aired last week. Following the passing of my sister Mary Lou, I'm taking some time away from recording and revisiting a couple of conversations from last week that feel especially meaningful right now. Thank you for your prayers, love, and understanding. What does it really mean to "abide" in Christ? In this episode of Friends with God, Joe explores one of Jesus' most powerful teachings from John 15:1-8, where Jesus calls Himself the true vine and us the branches. Instead of striving harder, performing better, or trying to earn God's approval, Joe reflects on a much simpler invitation: stay connected. Through everyday examples, practical application, and honest conversation, this episode explores how abiding isn't about doing more. It's about remaining rooted in Christ so that peace, joy, faith, and love naturally grow as the fruit of a life connected to Him. If you've been feeling spiritually exhausted or distracted, this conversation is a gentle reminder that the answer may not be trying harder. It may simply be staying close to the Vine.

Jesus Doesn’t Call You a Servant. He Calls You a Friend. | John 15:12-17

What if your relationship with God was never meant to feel distant? In John 15:12-17, Jesus says something extraordinary: “I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends.” In this episode of Friends with God, Joe explores the passage that inspired the name of the entire podcast and what it might mean to actually live every day as a friend of Jesus. Friendship isn't built through striving or checking religious boxes. It's built through presence, conversation, trust, love, and simply spending time together. Joe explores how prayer can become an ongoing conversation, how abiding means staying connected, and why Jesus' command to love one another may be far simpler and more powerful than we sometimes make it. What if Jesus isn't waiting somewhere far away for you to find Him? What if He's already sitting across the kitchen table? Grab your coffee. Open up John 15. And let's talk about what it means to be Friends with God.

When Life Doesn't Make Sense: Holding On to God's Hand

What do you do when life suddenly changes and nothing seems to make sense? In this episode of Friends With God, Joe opens up about walking through grief, uncertainty, and unexpected loss while reflecting on two powerful scriptures that found him exactly when he needed them most. Before diving into John 15 later this week, Joe explores Isaiah 41:13 and Romans 15:13, discovering a simple but profound invitation from God: "Don't be afraid. I will help you." If you're navigating a difficult season, wrestling with unanswered questions, or simply trying to trust God one day at a time, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to understand everything to keep holding His hand. ScripturesIsaiah 41:13Romans 15:13

How to Find Peace in a World Full of Fear | John 14 Explained

Jesus didn't promise a life without trouble. He promised that we would never walk through it alone. In the final episode of our John 14 series, Joe explores Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit, the gift of lasting peace, and what it really means to trust God when life feels uncertain. Instead of living from fear, worry, and the need to control every outcome, we're invited to believe that God is already with us, guiding us every step of the way. This episode is a reminder that peace isn't found when our circumstances change. Peace begins when we remember we're never alone. Wrapping up John 14, Joe reflects on Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit as our Advocate and constant companion. The conversation centers on the difference between living from fear and living from faith. Joe shares how worry and faith both require belief in something unseen, but we get to choose which direction our imagination takes us. He encourages listeners to release control, trust God's direction, and remember that the Holy Spirit is always present, offering wisdom, peace, and guidance. The episode concludes with a practical invitation to pray with gratitude instead of fear and to walk through life believing that God is already working. Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/soundsurfer-46694837/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Viktor Sklemin</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Pixabay</a>

What Did Jesus Really Mean by "I Am the Way"? | John 14 Explained

Jesus' words in John 14:6 may be some of the most quoted, and most misunderstood, verses in the Bible. In this episode, Joe explores what it means when Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Rather than approaching the passage as a debate, he reflects on it as an invitation to follow Jesus' example, trust God's direction, and build a genuine friendship with Him. Together we explore faith, miracles, distractions, prayer, and why belief is more than simply saying the right words. It's about learning to live the way Jesus lived, one day at a time. Continuing through John 14, Joe reflects on verses 5 through 14 and Jesus' famous declaration that He is "the way, the truth, and the life." Instead of focusing on arguments or theology, Joe encourages listeners to see these verses as a roadmap for living. He discusses trusting God during uncertainty, recognizing the miracles that often go unnoticed, and moving from performative faith to authentic belief. The episode closes by inviting listeners to ask themselves a simple but powerful question: What would it look like to truly follow Jesus today instead of simply believing ideas about Him? Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/soundsurfer-46694837/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Viktor Sklemin</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Pixabay</a>

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

What did Jesus really mean when He said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled"? In the first episode of our John 14 series, we slow down and sit with one of the most comforting passages in all of Scripture. Joe explores what it means to trust God even when life feels uncertain, why worry so easily pulls us away from faith, and how surrender isn't giving up, but giving our burdens back to God. Drawing from his own journey through Christianity, mindfulness, and Kundalini Yoga, Joe shares how one simple practice has continued pointing him back to the words of Jesus: "Give your pain to God and take home peace." Whether you're new to faith or simply looking for encouragement today, this conversation is an invitation to breathe, trust, and walk with God one day at a time. This episode begins a three-part journey through John 14 by focusing on Jesus' opening words: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Joe explains why Friends with God isn't about proving who's right or wrong, but about honestly exploring Scripture together. He reflects on his own spiritual journey and discusses how God can use every season of life to bring us closer to Jesus. The heart of the episode centers on learning to surrender our worries instead of carrying them alone. Joe encourages listeners to stop trying to control every outcome and instead trust that God understands the bigger picture. He closes with a simple daily prayer and reminds us that peace comes when we release what we were never meant to carry. Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/soundsurfer-46694837/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Viktor Sklemin</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Pixabay</a>

What Does It Mean to Be Friends with God? | A New Beginning

Welcome to the very first episode of Friends with God. After five years of podcasting, Joe introduces the heart behind this new journey and shares why he felt called to return to the teachings of Jesus with fresh eyes. This isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking better questions, creating simple daily practices, and learning to walk alongside God one day at a time. Joe reflects on his own path through Catholicism, evangelical Christianity, mindfulness, yoga, and meditation, explaining how each step unexpectedly led him back to Jesus. Along the way, he explores Philippians 4:19, the power of trusting God's provision, and why distractions so often pull us away from remembering that we are never walking alone. If you've ever wanted a simple, honest conversation about faith without pressure or perfection, pull up a chair. You're in the right place. Episode Summary In the premiere episode of Friends with God, Joe shares the story behind the new podcast and the personal journey that inspired it. Rather than presenting himself as a pastor or theologian, he invites listeners to simply explore Scripture together with curiosity and openness. The episode centers around the idea of developing a genuine friendship with God through small daily practices instead of only turning toward God during life's crises. Using Philippians 4:19 as the day's reflection, Joe encourages listeners to believe that God provides everything we truly need and reminds us that the greatest challenge is often the distractions that pull us away from that trust. The episode concludes by introducing the upcoming study through John 14 and inviting listeners to walk this journey together, one day at a time. Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/soundsurfer-46694837/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Viktor Sklemin</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=297666">Pixabay</a> Work with Joe Explore More

The Next Step of Faith | Why Inspire Create Manifest Is Becoming Friends With God

After five years of Inspire Create Manifest, Joe announces the final episode of the podcast and shares the heart behind its next evolution. Beginning August 3, the show becomes Friends With God: One Day at a Time, a podcast documenting one ordinary person's journey of developing a genuine relationship with God through the teachings of Jesus. Joe explains that this is not about becoming a preacher, theologian, or biblical scholar. It's about becoming an average person who is willing to follow where God is leading, even when it feels uncertain. Throughout the episode he reflects on how the podcast has continually evolved, from The Daily Shot of Inspiration to Inspire Create Manifest, and now into a show centered on friendship with God. He shares the fear of changing direction, the temptation to worry about what others might think, and the realization that growth requires giving ourselves permission to evolve. Drawing inspiration from John 15:15, where Jesus says, "I no longer call you servants... I call you friends," Joe invites listeners into a simpler, more personal way of approaching faith, not through religion or performance, but through relationship. The episode closes with an invitation to walk together one day at a time as Friends With God.

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Follow the Nudge, Why Your Next Chapter Begins with Trust

There comes a moment when life asks you to stop forcing the next step and start trusting it. In this episode of Inspire Create Manifest, I share a very personal transition, both in my own spiritual journey and in the evolution of this podcast. As we approach five years of Inspire Create Manifest, I'm reflecting on what it means to follow divine inspiration, even when it leads somewhere unexpected. We explore why growth requires courage, how fear often appears right before meaningful change, and why trusting God doesn't mean having all the answers. It simply means being willing to take the next step. I also share the powerful connection between John 10:10, Christ Consciousness, and the simple practice of paying attention to what genuinely brings you alive. If you've been feeling the quiet pull toward something new, this conversation is your reminder that you don't have to understand the entire path before you begin walking it. In this episode you'll discover: • Why following the nudge is often more important than having a perfect plan. • How fear can become a doorway instead of a roadblock. • The deeper meaning of John 10:10 and living life more fully. • Why your attention shapes the reality you experience. • How to embrace change without abandoning who you are. If this episode resonates with you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs this message, and leave a comment below. Question for you: What nudge have you been feeling lately, and what's one small step you can take this week to trust it?

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