Hope's Harbor Podcast - Gritty Bible Devotions

'"It is finished." That is the last word in the Redemption of the human race.' (Oswald Chambers in Utmost For His Highest- paraphrased.)

The Cross where Jesus died. This is a common statement of belief among Christians, but have you ever thought about what actually happened? As Christians, we know Jesus died to pay the penalty for sin, the sin of the whole human race.

But what happened on that Cross to the extent the course of human history was altered? This episode takes a look at the legal transaction of Jesus's death and the benefit, if we will understand it, of the freedom we gain.

This freedom is from bondage to sin and more. The Apostle Paul lamented his struggle with his old nature, the one corrupted by sin within him, and in despair cried out in Romans 7:24 - 'O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?' 

In this episode, E81, and the next, E82, we'll find the answer to Paul's question.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Have you wondered lately what your purpose is? Are you looking for a way to find out more about your purpose? Then I hope you find this episode a help by offering insights into GOD's Word about this issue.

There are guidelines within the Bible to help us find our purpose if we know where to find them. Listen in and discover suggestions I give drawn from my experiences of also seeking GOD's purpose in life.

You'll find a bulleted list in the show notes to follow to help you know GOD's purpose for you.

Key verses Ephesians 3:11 &12

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

This episode, one in a series, takes a look at several issues when host David Bradley and his wife, Kris, discuss their experiences with re-marriage and the challenges they faced.

The ultimate relationship is that between a man or woman and GOD. With that in mind, why does the Bible liken marriage to our relationship with Jesus, Son of GOD?

GOD created marriage and intended it for companionship between a man and a woman. He said in Genesis it was not good for man to be alone and created woman as a helpmate.

This points us to the companionship GOD desires with us, a close union lost when Adam and Eve chose a different way to live... without GOD.

Their choice brought in every conceivable problem within relationships.

Show notes not available at this time -

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

This episode is a summary of sorts concerning the previous series on the Armor of GOD.

Prayer and praying are the reasons we need GOD's Armor because when we are wearing the armor, our enemy, Satan, will attack us. 

Prayer does so many things for us.

• It draws us closer to GOD
• it helps us recognize lies and deceptions in the world around us
• It protects our minds and hearts
• It is a means of asking GOD to protect our loved ones
• It is the way to bring down GOD's blessings on our spiritual growth
• It pleases GOD when we talk to Him, when we tell Him we love Him

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Have you ever wielded a sword? They are deadly weapons for fighting in close. With this in mind as a sword compares to GOD's Word, The Bible, among other uses, is a weapon to use against darkness and despair.

This devotion is taken from:

 Ephesians 6:18 - 'praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—'

It is effective against satanic lies and deception because it contains absolute truth.

How do we become effective at wielding GOD's Word as a sword? This episode examines ways to arm ourselves for the spiritual battle waged against us, every day.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Wearing a helmet is an act of protection. When I rode a motorcycle I knew the danger of serious head injury possible if I went down, especially at speed. So I wore a helmet, even though it can be hot in summer.

In a spiritual sense the helmet of salvation mentioned in Ephesians 6:17 (Ephesians 6:17a - 'And take the helmet of salvation...' implies the need for protection. Protecting the mind is crucial if we are to enter into spiritual warfare through prayer. Literally, lives are at stake and our prayers will make a difference.

Believe me, when I say this, our enemy, Satan, will aim his fiery darts by lying to us, trying to deceive us, discourage us, you name it, he will attack your mind, and distort your thoughts.

I recently went through just such a time while creating these last few episodes. The attack was subtle I didn't recognize it for what it was.

This episode on the Helmet of Salvation explains how to protect our minds.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

In this series on the Armor of GOD we'll answer the question: How important is the shield?  And, is it a very important piece of protection?

If so, how so?

In Ephesians 6:16 Paul writes "Above all taking up the shield of faith..." This means over everything else take up the shield. We have a part to play. It means this takes effort on our part in spiritual war.

Faith is what you choose to believe. Your choice will determine whether you can extinguish a fiery arrow of deceit or sorrow and prevent it from piercing your heart or mind.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

In Ephesians 6:15:  'and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,' Paul informs us we are expected to walk or live, in light (in the reality) of the Gospel of peace.

This Gospel means a good message, one of peace. And peace in this verse means quietness and rest. Who of us doesn't want quietness? And it doesn't mean the kind of quiet that is unsettling. It means a respite from the clamor and manic noise coming at us from nearly every side.

This episode explores how the good message of the Gospel brings a measure of peace to our minds even with demands swirling all around us.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

This episode examines how right behavior on our part protects us from evil. It gives us the Breastplate of Righteousness - Ephesians 6:14b

What is meant by a breastplate of righteousness? Christians know for the most part that Jesus gives us His right standing with GOD when we trust Him as Savior from sin.

This means when GOD sees us, He sees the goodness of His Son covering us. There is nothing to condemn us.

This is not the breastplate of righteousness Paul is describing in Ephesians 6: 14b. The breastplate consists of our good work in how we worship and how we treat and interact with those around us.

By always doing what is right we protect ourselves from the evil influences coming at us from every angle. These influences will have us lie and mistreat others, especially those for whom we have no affinity.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Is absolute truth necessary? If so, where is that written?

Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesian Christians an exhortation to wear the whole armor of GOD  and begins with the  Belt of Truth. In this episode, we see why Paul put the belt of truth first in his descriptive letter of what was possibly Roman armor worn by the guard standing watch over him.

Measure yourself against the Bible's teachings concerning the place truth has in our lives.

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net