Lord of the Sabbath: Part 2 || Mark 3:1-6

How does Jesus show that he is Lord over the Sabbath? Jesus supports His claim to the lordship of the Sabbath by posing two arguments. In our previous episode, we examined His argument from scriptural precedent. In this second part of “Lord of the Sabbath” studying Mark 2:23-28, we will discover his second argument—the human […]
God’s Last Book || Revelation 1:1-3

Thinking about the book of Revelation, God’s last book, reminds us that last words are often cherished words. As Believers, we revere Jesus’ final words after His resurrection but before He ascended to heaven. In the book of Revelation, we find the final words of Jesus, included in the canon of Holy Scripture. They are […]
Lord of the Sabbath: Part 1 || Mark 2:23-28

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 […]
Introduction to the Book of Revelation

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. […]
The Gospel Pattern || Mark 2:18-22

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 […]
Our Hearts in Jonah: Learning God’s Compassion

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 […]
The Offense of Grace || Mark 2:13-17

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 […]
Jonah’s Hard Heart || Jonah 4:1-11

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. […]
Jesus Forgives and Heals || Mark 2:1-12

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 […]
How An Entire City’s Heart Changed || Jonah 3:1-10

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 […]