Scripture: Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing …” Clip: Jesus heals Shula & Barnaby Reflection: Joy and peace are not just abstract emotional states; they are the lived experience of restoration. For Shula (the woman with the bleeding) and Barnaby (the paralytic), hope was…
Scripture: Psalm 130:5 — “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” Clip: The sons of thunder are born Reflection: Our hope is not in our own temperament, our zeal, or our ability to be “good.” James and John were ambitious, fiery, and judgmental. If hope depended on them,…
Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 — “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles …” Clip: Nathaniel meets Jesus / Under the fig tree Reflection: We all have our “fig trees”—places of private doubt, study, or cynical waiting. We think we are waiting on God, hidden…
Scripture: Lamentations 3:22–23 — “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” Clip: Two by two Reflection: God’s mercies are not always grand, solitary miracles. One of His greatest mercies is companionship. He sent the disciples out “two by two” because He knew…
Scripture: Romans 12:12 — “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Clip: Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector Reflection: How do you remain “joyful in hope” when your “affliction” is a prison of your own making? Matthew was trapped by his choices, his wealth, and his status as a traitor. He…
Scripture: Psalm 27:14 — “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Clip: Jesus loves the little children Reflection: Waiting can feel like standing still in the dark, uncertain if God will show up. Yet the children who ran to Jesus showed a different kind of waiting;…
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2 — “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Clip: Jesus heals Mary Magdalene Reflection: Isaiah’s promise becomes flesh in this scene. Mary’s torment – loneliness, confusion, self-hatred – is the darkness we all know. Yet the Light does not wait for her to find Him; He comes searching….