The Bonfire Podcast
Live With Indestructible Hope
The bonfire is a place to have an encounter with God. God is love. God is light. God is a consuming fire. There is joy in God’s presence.
God’s bonfire of hope ignites our souls. The hope of Jesus is personal, available, and indestructible. We are designed to receive and give hope daily where we live, work, learn, and play.
We can cultivate habits that strengthen our faith as we abide with Jesus.
I didn’t find hope until I lost it. My professional soccer career ended tragically. I was fighting for my life for one year, and it took 10 years to fully recover. My pain led to a new purpose and passion.
God does His greatest work in the darkest moments. The resurrection of Jesus comes after His death. We can access the infinite hope of God when we are discouraged, tempted, lonely, grieving, and even when we have made bad decisions.
God truly is good and faithful all of the time. The hope of Jesus is greater than our challenges.
The Bible is saturated with hope. In every episode we dive into Scripture to receive spiritual nourishment and draw near to Jesus. We want to intentionally grow in our relationship with God together.
My first significant bonfire was at Dartmouth College. It’s an annual tradition since the 1880s. We spent a week building the bonfire, which was almost 40 feet high. All of the students ran around the bonfire in circles during homecoming as it burned.
In college, God lit the fire in my soul my sophomore year as I began a relationship with Jesus. I didn’t believe God existed. I was successful on the outside, but empty on the inside. The love of God transformed my life.
Come and join me at The Bonfire.
Just Choose Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Favorite Episodes
What Is Worship?
Worship With A Joyful Heart
Pastor Jesse Bradley
Worship is important and it should be a central part of a believer’s life. The act of worship is not just limited to singing and music, but encompasses our entire lifestyle and response to God’s goodness.
You should cultivate a heart of gratitude, humility, and joy in worshiping the Lord, the great Creator and Redeemer.
You need to avoid having a hardened heart and becoming complacent when you worship. Actively choose to worship God and not take His blessings for granted.
CONFIDENCE IN GOD
Learning To Overcome
Pastor Jesse Bradley
We must have confidence in God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Psalm 27 was written by David during a time of great turmoil and persecution. David declares his trust in God as his light, salvation, and stronghold, and this confidence enabled him to overcome fear and adversity.
We need to seek God’s presence, dwell in His house, and wait on the Lord. This is the path to developing an unshakable faith that can withstand life’s challenges.
THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS OUR ROCK
Relying On God’s Strength And Comfort
Pastor Jesse Bradley
Psalm 46 provides reassurance and comfort during difficult times. God is our refuge, strength, and ever-present help in trouble.
Choose a verse from this psalm and meditate on it, as it can shift your perspective and bring peace by reminding you of God’s presence and sovereignty.
Biblical figures like Esther, Ruth, and Mary are also examples of those who stood firm in their faith despite facing trials.
The key is being still and knowing that God is in control.
Face The Giant
The Giants In Your Life
Pastor Jesse Bradley
The biblical story of David and Goliath is one that will encourage you to face your own “giants” or challenges in life with courage and faith in God.
God often chooses unlikely people to accomplish great things. This is why it’s important to listen to God’s calling, perservere through opposition, and trust that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Identify your own “giants” and step forward in faith, knowing that God will empower you to overcome.
Victory In Prayer
The Power Of Prayer
Pastor Jesse Bradley
Prayer is important as it’s demonstrated in God’s victories in the lives of biblical figures like David, Moses, and others.
We must inquire of the Lord, be humble, and be willing to do whatever God wants in order to experience His power and deliverance.
We should be intentional about prayer, seek God’s direction, and trust Him for the results, as prayer is a powerful way to overcome challenges and see God work in your lives.
Your Secret Weapon
When Temptation Arrives
Pastor Jesse Bradley
Read about the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness, as described in Matthew Chapter 4.
It teaches us how to respond to temptation with Scripture, like Jesus did, and to avoid sin through God’s grace and power.
It’s important to understand the difference between being tempted and sinning. You also must be aware of the devil’s tactics of twisting Scripture.
You also need to have a plan and rely on God’s Word when facing temptation. Identify your areas of weakness, find relevant Bible verses, and seek accountability and distance from sin to experience victory over temptation.
What Is The Gospel?
The Good News
Pastor Jesse Bradley
The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. It is central to the Christian faith, as it provides forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in Jesus.
The Book of Romans speaks much about this good news, including the universality of the gospel for both Jews and Gentiles, the need to share the gospel with others, and the practical implications of living out the gospel in daily life.
As believers, we must embrace the importance of understanding and spreading the transformative power of the gospel.
INDESTRUCTIBLE HOPE
28 Days of Hope is a journey together, as we rediscover and recommit to God's indestructible hope in transformative ways.
As you begin this journey, you'll experience a sense of excitement about what God is going to do.
If you have a desire to grow in your faith, strengthen your relationships, gain wisdom, cultivate new habits, experience more peace, and live daily with purpose and passion, then you are in the right place.
