Hope's Harbor Podcast - Gritty Bible Devotions

Exercising the gift of giving requires we take action consistently. This episode explores fundamental principles involved to help ensure giving is done with the right motive and with wisdom. 

The right motive pleases GOD, and wisdom helps to avoid scams. Learn how to determine whether a ministry is worthy of your giving and ensure your gifts get to those in need.

And listen, more than money is involved in giving.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Exhortation may be the most difficult Biblical spiritual gift to exercise. Listen in to learn more about this gift and get helpful guidelines to use.

When you are faced with exhorting someone, especially if they come to you for help, there are pitfalls to avoid because it is all too easy to offend others with this gift. This is not necessary when you learn the value of wisdom in applying this gift.

Be encouraged to explore whether this is your primary gift. We need what you have to offer.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Do you have the gift of teaching? Before you click out of this page, may I share something with you? I have always had a fear of speaking in front of a group. Then one day when I was a newly promoted police sergeant, the chief stopped by my office and told me I was signed up to become an instructor.

My stomach knotted. He went on to inform me the course was scheduled within a couple of weeks. I dreaded it. But having no choice (at least GOD gives us choice of whether we will use our gift), I went through the course, passed and taught my first class.

Something happened while teaching those police recruits. I began to enjoy sharing with them the knowledge I had. That was 1998. And I still enjoy teaching.

This episode takes a look at the gift of teaching and gives a few tips for learning how to teach. If you listen and come to realize teaching could be your gift, at least seek out a chance to fulfill your calling in this area. Who knows? You may like it.

There are a couple of resources copied into the show notes that you can use as a starting point.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Have you wondered what your spiritual gift is? Many of us do. Finding which gift is your primary one gives you the opportunity to serve others with an ability many others do not have.

This episode looks at the gift of service by examining the pros and cons that may come with the gift. When we live within the power of our gift it may upset others if we don't realize our behavior may irritate those around us.

This is more common than you may think due to the zeal with which we may get carried away.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net.   

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

What is the purpose of having a spiritual gift? The Bible gives three basic reasons:

To edify - this means to build someone up, ie to encourage them.
To exhort - to encourage them to go forward, ie to engage with life.
To comfort - to be there when a brother or sister is in need.

Key verse: Romans 12:8 - 'Having then gifts, differing according to the grace given us, let us use them...' To use our primary gift we must first discover which one we have.

This series examines 7 gifts imparted to believers and how to recognize each one. The gifts come from the Holy Spirit, therefore pray to Him and ask that your gift is revealed to you. This kind of prayer will enable you to learn about your primary gift, and learn about those secondary to you, as well.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Have you noticed few people have time for us anymore? And I wonder... do we have time for others? An online search for how to break free of overbearing busyness is an eye-opener. 

If you feel trapped by all the demands on your time, listen to this episode and see if it helps shed light on the issue first of all. You see, many of us don't even know we're trapped. Second, see if any of the solutions offered, or links to resources help.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Legalism is prevalent throughout the world today in every form of religious exercise known. At its root is the belief and practice of earning favor with whatever god or deity someone worships, other than the GOD of the Bible.

Even then, well-meaning Christians are caught in legalism's clutches. This is because legalistic practices appeal to human nature. For Christians, legalism gives a sense of worthiness by performing rituals, etc., and ignores the Bible's teachings that acceptance from GOD comes from Jesus's death on a Roman cross.

This episode examines how legalism is deadly, and how to escape the lies surrounding it.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

What is an idol in this present day and age? They are those things that occupy our hearts to the exclusion of spending time with GOD.

A key verse to consider:
1 Thessalonians 1:9 - '... and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,'

These idols are sometimes subtle in their toxic effect on our hearts. In this episode, my wife, Kris, will present 3 primary idols that may keep us in bondage. Seem harsh?

If you listen in it may surprise you to learn more about what we worship by the place they hold in our lives.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net - 

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

This episode is the 2nd in a series of periodic episodes on marriage and other close relationships drawn from our combined years of marriage, both our 1st marriages and the marriage we're in, 15 years this past Thanksgiving Day, 2022. If my math is correct the total years for both of us being in a marriage relationship is 65 years. Snap -

In relationships, there are rarely boulder-sized problems, but there are pebble-in-the-shoe problems that fester over time. In this episode, my wife, Kris, and I will discuss some of what we've encountered in 15 years of marriage. Our second marriage for both.

We offer suggestions for some of the issues we've had to overcome. This is not a 'How To' but rather a look at solutions that worked for us.

Relationships can be difficult and not just marriage. If you're married, thinking about marriage, or single and dating, I hope you'll find helpful insights to consider.

Show notes not available since this is more discussion than devotion -

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

In the song In Christ Alone  a lyric reads 'When on the cross as Jesus died, the wrath of GOD was satisfied.' Why did GOD have wrath and why would His wrath be satisfied with the death of His Son?

This episode tries to answer those questions. The reason the answer is so important is that fully understanding GOD's hatred for sin helps us with being thankful for the forgiveness GOD offers and also gives peace to our souls knowing He has no anger against us as His spiritual child.

On the cross just before He died Jesus cried out, "It is finished." Meaning the payment for sin, all sins, for all time, and for all who will ask forgiveness from GOD, was completed. Nothing more needs to be done other than receiving this forgiveness by believing in Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection. John 3:16 - "For GOD so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net