In this first part of studying Mark 2:23-3:6, we will delve into Jesus’ teaching on the Sabbath. Ordinary people flocked to hear Jesus’ teachings, but the Pharisees had begun to openly oppose Him. Jesus confronts them with the statement that HE is the One qualified to decide what constitutes keeping the Sabbath, not them! Several […]
With this episode of The Voice of Hope, we’re beginning a new series of study from the last book of the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Some people are intrigued by the Book of Revelation; some are scared by it. Others, because they’re not sure what to do with it, ignore the book completely. […]
One of the things that validates God’s work on the earth is the lives that he changes. The Gospel can change people dramatically. This change is not normal, but when we see it, it reminds us of God’s amazing grace. No one, no matter how evil and brutal, is beyond God’s grace. The characteristic of […]
This episode wraps up our study of Jonah, and the theme has been the hearts. We have reflected on the heart of God, the heart of the sailors, the heart of the Ninevites, and the heart of Jonah. Today, we turn our gaze inward and look at our own hearts. The author of this book […]
When you put a candle in the flame, it goes from hard to soft, but if you put a piece of bread in the same flame, it becomes stiff and rigid. This illustrates today’s lesson: the same flame has an opposite effect depending on the material it burns. Jesus’ grace had a different impact on […]
In this passage of Jonah, we see the prophet furious that God forgave the Ninevites. In contrast, we see God respond with patience and compassion toward Jonah. What was going on in Jonah’s heart in Jonah 4:1-11 ? It seems Jonah believed he had been forgiven only a little. Like Jonah, we tend towards self-justification. […]
The forgiveness we experience from Jesus is unique and powerful. Today, we reflect on the story of the paralytic being forgiven and healed in Mark 2:1-12. Jesus uses the healing of a paralyzed man to illustrate how our decisions affect our lives and our relationship with Him. In this episode, “Jesus Forgives and Heals,” we […]
Have you ever found yourself wondering if God hears? This is a question that reaches to the core of who we are. Does God hear? Nineveh, a wicked city, gets God’s attention, and He hears. They cried out to God, and He showed them His incredible, life-changing mercy. What did the Ninevites do to get God’s attention? As we look at Jonah 3:1-10, I see four things they […]
Last time, we discussed the authority of the servant, and today we will examine a few practical areas of Jesus’ ministry that are worth considering and applying to our lives. Jesus was here on earth and lived among us. In this episode, “The Ministry of the Servant,” we’ll be looking at Mark 1:35-45, where Mark’s […]
Are you in a pit? We all go through hard times, and being in a pit is challenging. These seasons test our faith and prompt us to wrestle with profound questions about God and ourselves. In Jonah 1:17-3:1, Jonah is in the belly of the fish—his pit. He is at his lowest point, physically and spiritually. […]
