Hope's Harbor Podcast - Gritty Bible Devotions

The way you make decisions in your life is through the permissive will of God. He gives us choices, but only those which are good for our soul and not harmful or damaging to others.

This episode goes over simple questions and answers about how we can take part in this adventure and take some of the mystery out.  And by the way, GOD wants us to enjoy this process called the Christian life!

For full show notes go to hopesharbor.net

Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #21 

Title: Knowing the Will of GOD – How to Discover

Date: September 27th, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

Before going into this episode, my wife Kris asked why I didn’t give more detail in episode 20 about the experience I went through when in the covid ICU. I don’t know why, but I hesitate trying to explain what happened on that spiritual level, something I’ve never experienced before.

Since the event is too long to go into here I recorded it as E21a and posted it for October 4th, 2021

And now, let me get back on track with the focus of this episode ‘Obeying the Will of GOD’:     

Key verse(s): Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Colossians 1:9 – ‘For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;’

Intro: When we obey and apply GOD’s expressed sovereign will to our lives consistently, then, and I think it safe to say, only then does GOD more readily reveal His permissive will to us.

But then, when we determine a course of action within the freedom to choose options and become convinced it is what GOD intends for us a good direction to act on and we don’t follow through, what do you think is the logical outcome for such indecision? When we freeze up with fear and just drift along.

Listen, to do nothing with a choice we know is right is still a decision.

Here’s a quote from an anonymous writer, I have on my wall: “On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, on the threshold to victory sat down to wait, and waiting they died.”

Devotion focus:  Finding GOD’s permissive will for our lives.

The first thing that should come to mind is just what does it mean – GOD’s permissive will?

First off I’m not going into all the theological arguments about every aspect and perception of what is meant by GOD’s permissive will or whether it exists.

For the sake of this devotion, I define GOD’s permissive will as GOD allowing us the freedom to choose options within the Christian life, the condition being we are obeying GOD to the best of our knowledge. This means not living in known, willful sin.

The options are choices we make when deciding where to work, live, marry or not. Some people even apply seeking GOD’s will as to what kind of car to buy.

Concerning our life's work I’ve read GOD isn’t so much concerned with our occupation and much as He is with what we’re occupied with.

So here is a blessedly easy way I’ve used throughout my Christian life, even though I forget the pastor who wrote the book in which this method of making choices is taken.

When trying to decide between choices available to me I ask the following:

1.   Is your choice prohibited in the Bible? If so, then don’t do it, period. You would think this goes without saying, but I’ve heard people dismiss the Bible prohibiting something, like divorce for nothing more than convenience sake. They’ll say something like, “I know what the Bible says, but…” and give their excu

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

I must apologize. The titles of E20 and E21 got mixed up in my covid brain. It may be I should have waited before resuming the podcast. It's just that I missed sharing GOD's encouragement through these devotions. Regardless, I made corrections as much as I could and ask for your patience and understanding. When taken together E20 and E21 present a look at obeying GOD's sovereign will, that part of His will He will not change no matter how much we pray otherwise; and His permissive will, that part of His will in which He allows us the freedom to choose options available to us throughout life.  Thank you -

What do you think of when obeying the will of GOD comes to your attention? Is there dread, or fear, or even indifference?

It will help you to pray before listening today and ask GOD to give understanding about His will. After all, GOD wants us to know His will in order to obey it. A good prayer for this is found in Ephesians 1:18 where Paul prayed for the following: ' the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,'

 Full show notes at hopesharbor.net

Episode #20

Title: Obeying the Will of GOD – How it is Done

Date: September 20, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

Key verse(s): Luke 6:46 - "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?"

Intro: During a bout last week with the Delta variant of covid-19 I was so sick I couldn’t pray. It was the prayers of GOD’s people that stood between me and death for a couple of days until, by the efforts of doctors and staff in ICU, I began to improve.

During several long nights when I couldn’t sleep I read my Bible and I came across the passage in Luke where a rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked a question.

Luke 18:18  Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 

Jesus told him to obey the commandments. The man said he’d kept them since his youth.

Jesus gave him one more thing to do: Luke 18:22  ‘So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."’

Even in my virus dimmed mind what Jesus said leaped out at me and rang a bell. 

I thought about what this meant to me. For the ruler it was specific. He was rich it says in another passage in Luke 18:18, and he went away saddened because the cost for him to follow Jesus was too high for him.

But for me, after thinking through Jesus’ words throughout that night and several following I began to realized the command was for me to release all sense of possessing … 

What does this have to do with obeying GOD’s will? 

Devotion focus: There is more to knowing GOD’s will than reading it in the Bible. That is knowing as in the letter of Scripture and knowing the spirit of GOD’s will. 

The first, the letter, or what is written of GOD’s will when followed as a burden can lead to legalism. The second, understanding the spirit of GOD’s will helps us understand what GOD intends for us when we obey His commands.

One example of this is found in John 15:10 – “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” 

It goes without saying we are to obey GOD, and here the promise is if we obey His commandments we will abide in His love. 

For full show notes go to hopesharbor.net

Next week’s devotion: Part 2: Knowing the Will of GOD – How to discover it

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Love is such a powerful force, and Paul believed that the Holy Spirit was responsible for giving this love to Christians. The first of nine virtues listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 are "charity," or better known as agape Love. This kind of true selfless unconditional love stands out when you think about how different it can be from your relationship with others while not being filled with charity - people may see us more as acquaintances than friends because they don't really know who we are deep down inside; if there's no mutual respect then there's likely little to nothing at all driving our interactions together other than familiarity alone. 

What would happen if we had more opportunities for experiencing real joy? Think about what life might look like. I've discovered a lot of joy comes from loving others and being loved. And this is not easy.

Full show notes on hopesharbor.net

Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #19

Title: Joy in the Lord – Do you want it?

Date: August 9, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

Key verse(s): John 15:11- "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” 

Chara khar-ah' From G5463; cheerfulness, that is, calm delight:

Intro: In Galatians 5:22-23Paul listed 9 virtues of the Holy Spirit imparted to Christians. The 1st one listed is love, and think about it, we have love, that is love given to us from GOD, and the love we have for others. It stands to reason joy will come out of this love.

What if love is missing in our lives? What if everyone we know is more acquaintance than a friend and the relationship is not based in love, either their love for us or our love to them

Can we still have joy? Let me read through the virtues listed in Galatians and I want you to think about the Holy Spirit’s ministry to us, especially when He comes to set us apart for GOD.

Gal 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

Gal 5:23 - gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 

Devotion focus:

·         How to have joy regardless of other relationships or circumstances

Now, when I typed this out I knew I would have a difficult time convincing someone in terrible circumstances that they too may have joy.

And then I remembered it’s not my responsibility to convince anyone of anything in these devotions. It’s GOD’s place to convince people of His truth as revealed in the Bible.

Having said that I recognize I have a responsibility to present GOD’s truth clearly so I don’t cause confusion or doubt to enter.

With GOD’s help, I’ll try my best to present this devotion about joy edged with feelings of my own joy.

I’ll confess right here that feelings of joy come and go with circumstances when I’m distracted or frustrated. This is my normal experience with feeling joy.

Let me stop here and ask you: what are you feeling right this moment concerning joy?

Before going further let me caution you not to try to fake it with a false smile. Be real with yourself. It’s okay; no one will know when you’re honest with yourself.

If you discover that feeling joy is rarely your experience then you’re in good company.

So what can we do to feel joy or joyfulness at times? A look at Biblical joy Jesus said He gives will be helpful, and then we’ll look at ways to bring about this wonderful promise of Jesus by which to partake of His joy.

An important point: The joy Jesus gives is founded on love.

First, when I asked earlier what if love is missing from our lives how can we have joy - follow this closely: love on

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

In the Bible, we know that GOD loves people and hates sin. He proved His love when He sent His son to rescue us from the bondage of sin - if we so choose it. To save us, He did not ignore all the sin in one's life but rather paid a very high price to set us free. We'll look into the following verse in Proverbs to better understand GOD's hatred for sin compared to His love for us.  Proverbs 6:16 "These six things the LORD hates, Yes seven are an abomination unto him".

Full show notes at hopesharbor.net

Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #18 

Title: The Goodness of GOD - Does GOD hate us?  Part 3 of 3

Date: August 2, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

Key verse(s): Proverbs 6:16 - ‘These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:’

Intro: We know from verses throughout the Bible that GOD loves people and hates sin.

He proved His love when He sent His Son to rescue us from bondage to sin if we so choose the rescue.

To rescue us wasn’t by GOD ignoring the sin in us and upon us.

Our rescue came at a high price.

Devotion focus: GOD’s hatred is against sin. Those who practice sin with malice, or with pleasure associate themselves with GOD’s hatred of the sin they embrace. By this, they put the hatred of GOD upon themselves.

Listen to the Word of GOD describe some of what He hates:

·         Proverbs 6:16 - These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 

·         Proverbs 6:17 - A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 

·         Proverbs 6:18 - A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 

·         Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. 

Do notice there is nothing here accidental? Every one of the sins listed are ones people choose to commit and the theme in each sin described is an act carried out against others.

Now, I want to contrast GOD’s hatred with His love.

First, we should understand GOD’s nature is indivisible. This means GOD is One in His characteristics, although for us to understand Him better we attribute virtues to GOD such as love, peace, power, forgiveness, kindness, grace, hate, anger, vengeance, etc.

But GOD is like, and forgive me here because trying to compare GOD to any created thing is dangerous ground on which to tread, but think of it this way:

A single diamond can be cut and display several facets which when held up to light gives off colors. Each facet causes a different effect of refraction but is part of one diamond.

I have a crystal hanging on my truck mirror that is circular with small facets evenly spaced out around the sphere. When sunlight hits the crystal multi-colored spots of the light display around the cab of the truck. 

Multiple effects – one crystal

Now, GOD’s love is one with His hatred. His action and power are one with His patience and kindness and even gentleness.

Even when GOD strikes out at evil, it is being done in kindness. Two sides of the same coin so to speak.

I know this can be hard to accept, but think of a surgeon when it becomes necessary to cut out or cut off parts of a person’s organs or body in order to stop the spread of cancer.

Cutting is a violent act done in kindness to save the patient’s life.

So, behind GOD’s acts that we see only the surface, are His kindnesses driving His stern actions to protect and save.

Case in point: GOD the Father sent His only begotten Son to

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Many people wonder if God is biased and doesn't care about other people besides Christians. And then, Jesus once told a woman from Canaan that He wasn't sent to help her daughter because she was not of Israelite descent. And I wonder what does GOD have to say about it?

For full show notes go to hopesharbor.net

Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #17 Title: GOD’s Goodness - Is God Biased? 

Date: July 26, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

Key verse(s): Matthew 15:24 – ‘But he answered and said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”’ 

Intro: Why did Jesus tell this mom He was not sent to help her, but only the people of Israel? 

When I wrote that question as part of the episode notes, I intended to write about why Jesus said what He did in Matthew 15:24. 

But then I hesitated and wondered, what does the Lord have to say about it.

So I prayed, asking Him. Now, I don’t hear GOD’s voice actually, but it’s more like an impression upon or thought in my mind that sometimes I attribute to GOD.

It’s difficult to tune out previous teachings I’ve heard or read previously concerning this passage, but I’m going to try.

This episode has the results from that time in prayer.

Devotion focus: Is GOD biased?

·         - Matthew 15:21-28

Matthew 15:21 – ‘Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 

Matthew 15:22 – ‘And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is demon-possessed.” 

Matthew 15:23 – ‘But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries out after us.” 

Matthew 15:24 – ‘But he answered and said, “I was not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

Matthew 15:25 – ‘Then came she and worshipped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 

Matthew 15:26 – ‘But he answered and said, “It is not good to take the children's bread, and throw it to the little dogs.” 

Matthew 15:27 – ‘And she said, “Yes, Lord: yet the little dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.”

She literally said, “Truth, Lord.” From the Strong’s concordance, it means ‘Yes, even so…’ 

Matthew 15:28 – ‘Then Jesus answered and said unto her, “O woman, great is your faith: let it be to you as you desire. And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”’ 

There are several lessons contained in this passage. The first I see is Jesus’ reputation preceded Him to this foreign region.

When the woman in this account heard Jesus was close by she sought Him out.

And here is where the Lord led me in answer to my request He reveal an answer to the question of whether He is biased against those not of the Jewish people.

While studying this passage in e-sword.net, a Bible study program, a corresponding commentary off to the side of the page caught my eye.

Listen to a description of this passage in Matthew 15, from that commentary:

I’m going to paraphrase a little for ease of understanding denoted by ( ):

·         “It is important to realize that this woman was not a Jewess, but a Gentile. She was descended from the Canaanites, an immoral race which God had marked for extinction. Through Israel's disobedience, some had survived the invasion of Canaan under Joshua, and this woman was a descendant of the survivors. As a Gentile, she did not enjoy the privileges of God's chosen earthly people. She was (a foreigner), having no hope. (In that position) she had no claim on God or the Messiah.<

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

So, is GOD angry? Does He have a right to be angry with the evil being perpetrated throughout the world, against vulnerable people?

This episode examines GOD's anger. It may not be what you expect.

In this devotion on GOD’s Goodness, you will learn about how Jesus was not only sinless but also perfectly GOOD. He lived an exemplary life and died for us so that we could become children of GOD. 

You may have heard that there is no such thing as a good GOD. But what does it really mean to be good? What are some examples of goodness in the Bible? How can we live a more righteous life, so that we can be called “good” too?

Full show notes at Hopesharbor.net

Hope’s Harbor

Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #16

Title: The Character of GOD - Is GOD good? – Part 1 of 3

Date: 7/19/2021

Contact: [email protected]

Key verse: Luke 18:19 – ‘So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, GOD.”’ 

Intro: If you read in the concordances of your Bibles the definitions of the words good/goodness/ Lord is good, good works, etc. you’ll see in the listings of those words:

GOD is good – all the time.

Our devotion in this episode is more for answering those who question where is GOD’s goodness in a world of so much suffering and pain.

Sin-stained minds logically ask “Why did a good GOD allow such as this: death, accident, disease, etc.?

Is He angry?

Skeptics of GOD being a good and loving GOD will point to Old Testament accounts of GOD instructing His people to utterly destroy their enemies, including putting to death every man, woman, child, and animal in a given area, or group of people.

Why would a good and loving GOD do such a thing?

Is He biased?

On another front, is there a problem with a sincere Christian standing in front of a congregation and making this statement: “GOD was good to me and healed me of my cancer?” 

I ask this because how do we answer the pain of a parent whose 2-year-old child died of leukemia in light of the fact GOD does sometimes heal miraculously?

Does He hate us? 

And last, in the Summary of episode 18, I look at ways we can call down the goodness of GOD for our lives and those we love, and for those who are on their way to hell.

And the worse description of hell I can think of is eternal separation from GOD.

Devotion focus:  Is GOD angry? (Duet. 7:1-5)

Yes, GOD is angry. What is He angry about? With sin and the wickedness it produces. 

There is an aspect of GOD’s nature we call His justice. Only a good GOD would care enough about the right thing always being done.

To ensure good is accomplished, His justice is brought to bear. 

Listen carefully to these verses I’m going to read. GOD had a reason for His reactions to the evil infecting nations of those days to the point they were beyond recovery.

Deuteronomy 7:1 - "When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, 

Deu 7:2 – “and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. 

Deu 7:3 – “Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 

Deu 7:4 – “For they will turn your sons away from following

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Suffering is an inevitable part of life. And it can be used for many purposes, including bringing glory to God and teaching us about His love through faithfulness. Yet it may also enable us to serve others who are in similar pain with more compassion than we could have otherwise.

My challenge is that you take a moment today to really think about all the ways your life has been touched by other people's trials or struggles so far; maybe someone close told you their story of hardship which encouraged you when things got rough, or perhaps there was somebody at work whose compassion helped you survive.

If you’re in pain now, hang on; endure it as best you can. And when it passes, look for ways to help others who are hurting, and by doing this, redeem the suffering you endured. God bless you -

 Full show notes at Hopesharbor.net

Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #15 

Title: Suffering - Not me but us – Part 3 of 3

Date: 7/12/2021

Contact: [email protected]

Key verse(s): 2nd Cor. 1:3-8

Devotion focus:

- This episode’s focus: Serving others from our experience with pain - 

I want to read through these verses in 2nd Corinthians and when I do, listen to the Word of GOD as He tells us about comfort, tribulation, trouble, suffering, and afflictions.

2Co 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

2Co 1:4 – “who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

2Co 1:5 – “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 

2Co 1:6 – “Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 

2Co 1:7 – “And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. 

2Co 1:8 – “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.”

Now, this passage is given to us so we may see this great truth: we are not alone in our suffering, nor are we to keep the lessons learned to ourselves.

In the following passage of Matthew 25:14-29, the word talents is a coin or a sum of money. The servants in the story were expected to use what they were given so that the owner, a type of the LORD, would receive a dividend, would gain from the wealth He entrusted to His servants for that purpose. 

Suffering may be thought of as a type of ‘coin’ given to us as an investment. An investment the LORD will use if we allow it and not hoard the lessons learned or the ability given us to console others by what we gained from our experiences of pain and suffering.

Listen to the Word of GOD

Matt 25:14 - "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 

Matt 25:15 - And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 

Matt 25:16 - Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 

Full show notes at Hopesharbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

God uses suffering as a tool to bring about His glory, and also for our own benefit. For example, He may use the pain that we experience in order to teach us more of who He is or what can be expected from Him when faced with similar situations; this way if you come across someone else going through something difficult like yourself - you'll know how best to help them out. My challenge today would be: take an assessment of yourselves so see all that God has given each one of us!

God often brings sufferings into life because they enable people's faithfulness by teaching lessons on love which are unforgettable experiences. These trials offer opportunities for heavy-hearted individuals to grow closer together and have a deeper understanding of their Lord than before.

Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions (Full show notes at hopesharbor.net)

Episode #14 xSrkE4C7zvSxycYa2b9G

Title: Suffering - Not why but who – Part 2 of 3

Date: 7/5/2021

Contact: [email protected]

Key verses: Job 1:20-22 – 

Job 1:20 - Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 

Job 1:21 - And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." 

Job 1:22 - In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. 

Intro: From the devotion in Episode 13 we learned suffering is appointed to us by no less than GOD Himself. We looked at verses in the book of James to see how GOD uses suffering to give us the opportunity to choose joy and submit to having our faith purified and strengthened with endurance and perseverance, that quality of never quitting, of refusing to give up no matter what the circumstances or how bad the pain.

In this week’s episode, we look at how Job acted and reacted to unbearable pain.

Devotion focus:

·         Not why but who (Job 1:20-22)

Actually, we know why Job suffered the onslaught of Satan. 

And whose doing was it that Job suffered so greatly? Listen to Job 1:8 – ‘Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"’

GOD provoked it. Almighty GOD picked a fight with Satan and Job felt the brunt of it.  

You see, GOD, while operating in the realm of a sin-fallen world used suffering in the life of Job, so that He, GOD, would gain glory over Satan. Job’s weakness became apparent during the pain-filled days and nights and yet with grace he prevailed, and we have the rich book of Job for comfort in our own suffering. 

GOD’s powerful Grace became apparent during the ordeal as Job questions GOD’s purposes and fends off the repeated attacks from his self-righteous ‘friends.’ Through it all Job remains faithful to GOD.

How about you and me? I can tell you that in times past when I began to suffer from some event outside my control, I became angry with GOD.

I blamed Him and accused Him of not caring for me, or for a loved one going through a hard time of suffering. Or… when an innocent victim suffered.

One of the worst emergency calls I went to in my 21 years of law enforcement involved the fatal injury of a 2-year-old. 

After escorting the med unit to a nearby hospital, the child was airlifted to a medical facility better equipped for the serious injury to that baby. I tousled his hair as the helicopter door closed and stood there as the pilot lifted off and raced away at full power. 

Full show notes at hopesharbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Many people wonder why God would allow some of his children to suffer. Philippians 1:29 is clear on this and states Christians are granted the permission "to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." Today I want to look at different aspects of suffering and draw from lessons imparted when we face certain types of suffering. By doing so - drawing out these lessons- will show us not only what God has tried teaching us through our pain, but how he loved us all along as well.

Hope’s Harbor - Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #13 - Part 1 of 3

Title: Suffering – Not if but when

Date: 6/28/3031

Contact: [email protected]

Key verses: James 1:2 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into [different] (many/various) temptations (trials/tests to show trustworthiness); 

James 1:3 - Knowing this, that the trying (testing to show worth) of your faith works patience (endurance/perseverance). 

James 1:4 - But let patience (endurance/perseverance) have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire (complete/mature), wanting (lacking) nothing (nothing is left to do concerning growth as mature Christians). 

Intro: 

In the previous 11 episodes, Luke 4:18 was the focus. This one verse contains 5 promises Jesus gave us and all have to do with relieving suffering.

1.   He brought salvation to relieve the suffering of sin, especially eternal suffering

2.   He offered to heal those who are broken in their hearts and minds and bring relief to mental pain

3.   He made possible freedom from captivity to relieve the pain of destructive habits and thoughts

4.   He offers sight to the spiritually blind to relieve the darkness of not knowing the truth which sets us free

5.   And He sets free those who are in bondage, oppressed by suffering.

Now, concerning the next 3 episodes, keep these questions in mind as we go through this 3 part series on suffering.

Suffering = pain – So, what does God intend to do with our suffering?

What led to original suffering? (sin)                                                                      

What can now lead to it? (sin or God’s will)

What do we do about it? (relieve it when possible, endure it when not)

What to do with it? (learn from it /use it)

Who suffers? (the sinner or the righteous?) Philippians  1:29 tells us: “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”

What in creation suffers? (Heaven and earth – the whole creation groans: Romans 8:22 – “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” 

Today I want to look at the different aspects of suffering and draw from the lessons imparted when we face certain types of suffering. 

By doing this – drawing the lessons out – I believe will give us the intended blessings of God in return for the pain we go through.

Also in this series, we’ll study different ways to comfort others who are suffering. By helping to meet their needs for consolation we’ll serve Jesus in deep and meaningful ways. (Matt. 25:35-36) – [Note: This passage in Matt 25 is tied in with the stern warning earlier in this chapter to serve God with all the resources He gives us.] We’ll go into Matthew 25 in more detail in E15.

Today’s Devotion focus:

·         Not if but when (James 1:2-4)

Full show notes at Hopesharbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

The Bible is full of promises about how God wants to deliver us from our brokenness. But many times we feel stuck and don’t know what to do next. We are captive, but to what?

We pray, read the Bible, but it doesn’t seem like things are changing in our lives. 

It can be discouraging and make you wonder if God really cares or if you should give up on Him altogether.

The truth is that God does care and He wants to heal your heart, but first He has something for you to do before He will come in and take over completely with His healing power!

Full show notes @ hopesharbor.net

Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions Episode #12

Title: Heart and Mind of Jesus - Freedom

Date: 6/21/2021

Contact: [email protected]

Key verse(s): Luke 4:18 – “…to set at liberty them that are bruised.” 

Intro: In Luke 4:18, the last portion of that verse, Jesus completes His declaration of His mission by stating He came to set at liberty the bruised, or oppressed.

This means He gives an opportunity for us to become free if we want it. The only thing hindering us is whether we believe, no, more than believe: it’s whether we will commit our lives to acquire a conviction that we know freedom is possible. The work is up to us. We looked at this in the last episode on Beyond Belief. And what is beyond belief? Commitment, rock-solid faith, and confidence in GOD no matter what we see or feel.

Devotion focus: Freedom comes to those who pursue it -

Key verse(s): Luke 4:18D – “…to set at liberty them that are bruised.” 

Liberty means: Aphesis af'-es-is From G863; freedom; (figuratively) pardon: - deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission. (Remission means sin is atoned, paid for and done away with, forgiven)

Remission is found in numerous verses in the New Testament. Listen to a few of these and a common thread is seen in how crucial remission is to salvation.

Matthew_26:28 - For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 

Mark_1:4 - John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 

Luke_1:77 - To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 

Luke_3:3 - And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 

Luke_24:47 - and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

Acts_2:38 - Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts_10:43 - To Him, all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." 

Hebrews_9:22 - And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 

 And Bruised means: thrauō throw'-o A primary verb; to crush: - bruise. Compare G4486. Re G4486: rhēgnumi  rhēssō hrayg'-noo-mee, hrace'-so

Both are prolonged forms of ῥήκω rhēko (which appears only in certain forms, and is itself probably a strengthened form of ἄγνυμι agnumi (see in G2608)); to “break”, “wreck” or “crack”, that is, (especially) to sunder (by separation of the parts; G2608 being it's intensive (with the preposition in compounds), and G2352 a shattering to minute fragments; 

Full notes @ hopesharbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net