Hope's Harbor Podcast - Gritty Bible Devotions

Satan's tool of self-destruction. Does it come in different forms and practices seen at times like this? Suicide Numbing to oblivion Cutting What else? In my experience self-destruction is rooted in unbelief. When I do not believe life will ever get better so why bother living. And if I do live what does it matter if I stay numb? This is rhetorical of course, but even then I've been ther...

Self-hatred - it is a common mindset for the depressed among us. Especially the conscientious. But listen, God does not hate us. Though He does hate sin. So much so He sent His Son to rescue us from hate. And the sin that enslaves us... Show notes at hopesharbor.net Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

This series examines three methods Satan afflicts GOD's people with, and provides a way of escape. Self-condemnation - This destructive mindset nearly put me in the grave. It is tied in with self-hate and self-destruction. These three afflictions in this order: condemnation-hate-destruction follow one upon another and will lead to deep despair in most cases. I walked this path to the point of...

Spiritual sleep is damaging, first to those whose eternal destination is other than with GOD. In Heaven. And second, spiritual sleep is damaging to a Christian's life. This is because eternal rewards hang in the balance, unclaimed by a deadened heart. Jesus died to give us life, not sleep in the spiritual sense. Show notes on hopesharbor.net Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

GOD's Love is a symbol of His Power The Bible tells us GOD is love. It is part of His essence and not a flittering emotion like humans have. With love guiding GOD's decisions we can rest assured He will always do the best thing for us. But we must choose whether or not to believe in GOD's love. If we use worldly wisdom and logic, many times we will misunderstand GOD's loving wa...

GOD's Glory is in His nature. We cannot add to it for GOD is complete in Himself. Even then we can point to His Glory by the way we live and believe His Word. We show loyalty to GOD when we obey His commands. In John 15 there are numerous commands Jesus tells us to obey. It is a good place to start and by our obedience show the world what GOD's Glory looks like in the life of a Christian...

Baptism - an outward sign of an inward work of GOD's Spirit. This is something a Christian does after salvation, after becoming a Christian by believing in the finished work of Christ, the Son of GOD when He died on the cross to pay for our sins. Romans 6:4 - 'Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Fa...

Walking in the Spirit - it is a spiritual exercise, but what does it look like in everyday life? Well, it is different for everyone and at the same time, it has similar elements. The differences are varied like the varieties of personalities, which GOD created. The similarities are those found in Scripture sometimes described as good works, or fruit. It takes a commitment to follow the teachings o...

Self-control - we have to exercise it because GOD gave us free will to choose how we live. Sometimes I want GOD to do everything for me, and other times I wish He would leave me alone. But that is emotion talking. Deep in my spirit, I know the freedom we have as Christians contains the need for self-control. For full show notes go to hopesharbor.net Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions Episode #38...

Is gentleness a weakness? In today's world strength is vaunted - the power of might. But for the Christian where does being gentle fit in? This episode explores how Jesus was gentle and strong enough to lead angelic armies to conquer the earth during the Apocalypse. Gentleness is an act of love. Full show notes at hopesharbor.net Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions Episode #37 Title: Gentlen...

Faith - what is our faith in? If it is in our belief about GOD and His ability to save us then our faith is misplaced. Yes, this was a trick answer. For full show notes go to hopesharbor.net Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions Episode #36  Title: Faith-fulness  Date: January 10, 2022 Contact: info@hopesharbor.net Key verse(s):  Galatians 5:22 – ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, lo...

Goodness - what does it mean to you? Most everyone thinks of themselves as a good person, and they are... for the most part. But what does the Bible say about goodness? Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions Episode #35  Title: Goodness – the opposite of evil? Or something else? Date: January 3, 2022 Contact: info@hopesharbor.net Key verse(s): Gal 5:22 – ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, pe...

Do you think of yourself as a kind person? How would you describe yourself as a kindhearted soul? Have you seen those signs popping up all over that read 'Be Kind?"  Do you know what these signs are trying to tell people?  For me "Be Kind" is because God loves us so much He was kind to us first.  And now we have the chance to be kind, but gentleness isn't always easy for s...

To suffer long. What does this mean in the Biblical sense? Is it having the patience of the naturalist who may sit for hours to watch a flower bloom? Or is it something more? Will developing patience change your life? Would you believe a commitment to patience, or longsuffering, will bring you calmness? Full show notes at hopesharbor.net Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions Episode #33 Title: Long...

With the angels' final proclamation of peace on earth and goodwill toward men, this passage takes us back to when they announced that Jesus was born. The message these angels declared brings hope for all people in distress or need; it proclaims victory over violence through faith as well as divine protection delivered by way of His Son who saves those who trust Him with their souls. Full show...

It's true that joy is our natural state of mind. It's the default setting God gave us! But why do so many people lack joy in their lives? Well, it all comes down life here on earth--and what happens when you're not able to have a joyful experience because someone or something takes away your peace. Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions Episode #31 Title: Fruit of the Spirit: Joy – Ev...

The greatest commandment in Scripture is for us to love GOD with everything we have. When Jesus said, “GOD’s love for Him equals His love for us (John 15:9), He was showing just how much value you can place on your relationship with GOD. This passage really speaks volumes when considering all that matters most: That love is at the center of all we do. In this episode let's see if we can put t...

Jesus declared we are able to love our enemies. Why? Is it because if we can learn to love our enemies, we can love others for whom we have no affinity or who wronged us. If so,  there is a condition to this. In this episode, we examine what love is and what it is not along with practical ways to apply actions to help with fulfilling the command to love GOD and others. .. Full show notes & ima...

"MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD! " The Bible is full of verses that speak about the importance and power of GOD's words. Some examples are found throughout both Old Testament books like Genesis 1:1 or Leviticus 26; as well New Testament Scriptures such as Jesus quotes regarding Satan when tempted by him as recorded in Matthew 4:3-10, which was a key reas...

Paul tells Christians in Romans 12:2 not to be like the world, which means its beliefs and practices. He also warns in 2Cor 11:14 - 'And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.' Satan who likes for people to think he doesn't exist or that his influence isn't too big in this world - one way being through humor - "I'm looking at you Loki!...

I want to delve into the part our mind plays when it comes to faith; how Satan’s fiery darts are lies and accusations which can easily destroy us if not opposed by GOD’s grace. And there is nothing sadder than seeing or hearing about someone who has turned away from GOD, His Word, salvation in Christ - all for some temporary pleasure with this life but no hope of eternal reward! Not that we can lo...

The Bible is full of wisdom to help you live your best life. But what about day-to-day living, how do we keep our faith strong to fight fear? Well, one way can be by facing fear when it arises, before our faith weakens! Now listen, I know that sometimes circumstances are fearful - no matter how brave or strong we are. Do you want to defeat fear to the point it no longers controls your life? I pray...

Do you have faith? Do you use it? I don't mean for salvation only, rather does your faith take you further along on the walk of becoming like the Son of God? Faith in the Atonement of the Son of GOD on the Cross not only saves us from GOD's wrath but arms us in order for us to serve GOD. In Ephesians 6:11-17, Paul outlines the importance of spiritual protection and warns us not to let ou...

Time spent with GOD is always worth it. But we live in a world where noise and pressing responsibilities to buy and maintain convenience and comfort push GOD to the sidelines of our lives.  We must find a balance to spend time on all aspects of life: work, family worship, or relaxation! Have you ever tried resting while vacationing? Yeah...the ones at Disney Land/World are nice but not really rest...

This is not a devotion in the normal format. Instead, I recorded an account of having recently survived the Delta variant of Covid-19 in August 2021. I hope to give an understanding of the effects of the virus and its sometimes deadly consequences. I survived due to 3 factors: 1) The diligence of my wife who woke me at 3:00 am on August 11th after taking a sample of my oxygen levels with a pulse o...