Santz On The Journey

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Bible Journey 7/14/25

Mark 5

V1 - So they arrived at the other side

sometimes we wonder what's on the other side; blessings, challenges, a new way of life, opportunities, are we missing out?, is that the right thing to do? What ever intrigues us of the other side will never happen if we don't go. There was a reason why Jesus needed to go to the other side, he did not hesitate, he just went.

V3-5 - This man lived in the burial caves and could not longer be restrained, even with a chain...he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with a sharp stone.

This one mans identity and lifestyle was succumbed to by demons. This was his new normal, but Jesus wasn't having it as we'll see a few verses down. I also wanted to focus on howling & cutting. Cutting seems to be something I see in a lot of young teens, but it looks to me that this is an attribute of a demon, we need to pray that out, in the name of Jesus. Howling - why does it seem that other "groups" are louder than believers? Is it because as believers we have given up or bent a knee to these lifestyles? or is it because a demon will always try to be louder to get negative attention or to pose fear?

V6-8 - "Why are you interfering with me Jesus...Come out of the man, you evil spirit"

I love the context, as the demon possessed man was loud and brash, but Jesus didn't have to be. Jesus came in with authority and a bold claim, "Come out of the man, you evil spirit" Yes, Jesus came to interrupt or to interfere with the devil's plan, because Jesus had a divine plan for this young man, and being possessed was not part of it. Has Jesus made an interruption or an interference in your life?

V15-17 - And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

Wait, what?! Jesus just liberated this man from demons, not 1 but A LOT!! The least you could've done is clap for Jesus or throw a parade or something. The bible actually says in vs 15th, "they were afraid" People got used to seeing this wild, abusive, scary person, but now that he's changed it's also a call for those around him to change too. Maybe the folks in that city were more concerned or afraid about changing their lifestyle?

V18-20 - "No go home to your family and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been"

In that moment, this man wanted to roll with Jesus' crew, but Jesus had different plans for him. At that moment, Jesus didn't just bring healing to this mans body & spirit, but he also brought identity and purpose. Without a name given in the bible, this man became an evangelist. A title not given to many during this time, but his purpose was to and tell everyone about what Jesus had done. At the core of evangelism, is our testimony! There will be plenty of people who will argue the facts of Christianity, but one truth that is certain which you can speak too confidently and boldly is the truth of what Jesus has done for you? How Jesus changed your life? If we break it down, evangelism is just sharing our testimony of how God changed me and how he can change you to.

V23 - "My little daughter is dying, please come and lay your hands on her, heal her so she can live"

Jairus, a leader, knew where to go and find healing. What no other doctor or medicine could do, he knew that Jesus had the final say. Nothing, was going to get in the way of this father.

V30 - Who touched my robe?

The woman with the issue of blood is a great story of someone who was relentless to fight through the crowds and touch Jesus to get her healing. What amazes me is how Jesus felt the healing power come out of him. All through the crowds, on the way to Jairus' house, Jesus still had time to stop. He wasn't in a hurry or a rush, he stopped to complete the full circle healing, when he said, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over."

V36 - Don't be afraid. Just have faith

Honestly, this is a hard statement to swallow. And maybe i'm just speaking based off my own insecurities or my own faith level that I'm still working on. Jesus arrives at the scene in Jairus' house, unfortunately he's met with laughter (mockery) and unfaithfulness. Jesus literally had to clear the room: Mom, Dad, & 3 disciples. Don't be afraid, just have faith! With and through their faith, the little girl got up!

[santzonthejourney]

Recently at work I was given a couple chances to quickly speak to a large panel of my work force team members. As much as public speaking makes me nervous and I don't like doing it, I feel thrilled once I get done with it.

These past 2 moments, I was reached out by various people/peers at work, and they all had a consensus, "wow, I didn't know you had that in you, you did great!"

My boss even pulled me aside, and let me know: "Are you practiced at public speaking? Because I was engaged and leaning in at your every word!" As flattering as that is to hear, I am always truly nervous of speaking out in public, but I've had much practice throughout the years. See, my journey finding my faith actually took me to many places to preach the gospel.

As much as I wish I was "That Guy" (fun, energetic, eloquent, loud) all the time, I'm not. It takes a lot out of me, but when I reflect back, I just know that it's all God and the gifts he's given me to communicate.

Remember, don't waste the gifts that are in you!

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If you don't acknowledge sin, you wont value grace. If you don't value grace, you wont seek the forgiveness and rescue it provides.

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But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.

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Bible Journey Acts 1

“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before...” Acts 1:4 What a command! A moment to practice persistency and patience. I wonder how it felt like to be the last Apostle to get a gift? Seeing everyone else get the gift of healing, preaching, and you are just sitting there waiting. For me, it’s a good time to reflect on my gifts, and if I don’t feel like I have any then maybe it’s time for me to follow this command, stay persistent stay patient.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Introduction to the Holy Spirit, he’ll be comin in and giving out POWER!! I do feel, that the Holy Spirit, gets forgotten a bit in the holy trinity, but I must say we need to tap into the Holy Spirit and ask for that power! We will be witnesses telling people about Jesus everywhere- Have you ever eaten something so good? That you have to tell everyone about it? Post-it on your IG, give it some reviews, etc. Well, that’s how I imagine we as witnesses have to be! Let’s focus on telling people about Jesus.

“They all met together and were constantly united in prayer...” Acts 1:14 The Apostles followed well the path of community and elevated it with constantly being united in prayer. Yes, community is great, but a community gathered in united prayer or agreement will move mountains.

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Bible Journey: Nehemiah 10

Nehemiah 10:39 “...We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”

During this chapter Nehemiah and the people make several promises to God in how they are going to live, rest, obey the commands, and bring their tithe. The tithe is 10% but they also describe the tithe in new way, verse 37: “We will bring the best of our flour and other grain offerings, the best of our fruit, and the best of our new wine and olive oil.” The tithe isn’t just my 10% but it’s also my best!

I have to recognize that it’s not only my tithe that I am giving but it’s my BEST tithe. Just like the people made a vow, I promise not to neglect the temple of our God. I’ll give Him my best because He gave me His best.

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Bible Journey: Hebrews 6

Hebrews 6:7 “When the good grounds soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and condemn thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemns that field and burn it” Whenever I read about agriculture in the bible, I always ask myself: “What am I producing?” And in this instance it’s no difference. Am I producing a return that is considered a blessing or something useless? Challenging question to answer, for sure. Today, I want to look at my life through a lens of a farmer. I see growth but I also see areas that are stagnant. Lord, help me to evaluate my life and not compare it to other people. Allow me to see the blessings that you have poured over my life and recognize the areas that need growth. Just like water and sun are elements to grow crops, help me to find these resources around my life to help me grow. Hebrews 6:9 “...We are confident that you are meant for better things,” I just enjoyed reading this portion in scripture. As I read it, I believe these words that were written hundreds of years ago are still for me and you: “You are meant for better things!” Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers as you still do.” I’ve always stood by the saying, “Hard work never goes unnoticed” and I believe these words reiterate that. A reminder for us that have had our hands hard at work for the kingdom of God and have ever questioned if your role in service has an impact, Yes, yes it does. Keep going, Keep loving, Keep believing. Hebrews 6:17-18 “God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.” God, thank you for your promises. I get a chance to read them through your word and confidently believe in them, because all your promises are YES & AMEN. God you will never change, when you spoke these promises years ago you had me in mind. My job is to unpack these promises through reading his word, memorize them, call on them, believe in Him, and wait patiently like Abraham did. Thank you God, for your word is truth, for your promises are yes, for never turning your back from the words you spoke way before I was born or thought of. Thank you Lord, I love you.

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Check out our new series: PROverbs- elite action words

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New sound from Vive Worship

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Always good to learn lessons from those who have lived longer than I have.

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Asked Ethan what he wanted to do, he said write book, and so we begin. #teamsamayoa

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A child’s prayer

I’ve been reading, Talking with God, by Adam Weber. I’m currently in the 4th chapter titled “Short. Simple. Honest.” In this chapter he starts discussing how his children’s prayers are short, simple, and honest.

I shared that message with my 4 year old son, and he immediately wanted to pray, just like those kids in the book. For the past couple of days all he wants to do is pray. It’s great to see him express himself through prayer and also to hear his heart. Sometimes his prayers don’t make sense and are just flat out ridiculous, literally, I have to hold back from laughing, and other times they touch my heart and I have to hold back some tears.

Here are a few of his prayers:

Thank you for mommy, for daddy, for Izzie, and for the bunny.

God make all the girls cute and make all the boys handsome.

Let mommy and daddy dance with me.

Pray for Pastor Dan, he’s awesome, make him more awesome.

God help me to not be afraid.

I love that he’s getting bold with his prayers or at least that its becoming something that he wants to do. His prayers are simple, short, and honest. They let me get a quick peek into his heart, into what truly matters to him.

Let’s encourage our children to pray, lets give them the platform to pray, and lets be the model that will shape their prayer life.

[santzonthejourney]

CWC Easter Classic Show 2017.

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The day you were born was the day God decided that the world could not exist without you.

Rabbi Nachman

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Sunday night rewind 4/9/17

You are being led/motivated by something or someone.

Everyone is driven by something.

Before you follow anyone, know where they are going.

God is never the author of temptation

Temptation=your own desires (James 1:13-14)

We are all tempted by something.

How do you change your temptations? Change your desires (1 Cor. 10:13)

There was an exit ramp that you did not take.

Temptation wants to seduce you, lead you, and draw you to something or someone that you know isn’t right.

Sin has a progression (Genesis 3:6)

If you want to change your life you need to change what you see.

God wants you today to say yes to Him.

Before Eve ate the fruit with her lips, she ate it with her eyes.

1 John 2:16: 1.) Lust of flesh 2.) Lust of the eyes 3.) Pride of life.

Where Adam and Eve failed, Jesus succeeded!

Satan- Maximizes benefit of sin and minimizes consequences of sin.

God- Maximizes consequences of sin and minimizes benefit of sin.

[santzonthejourney]

Aloha Friday Inspiration 4/7

Good Reads:

I started a new book, Talking with God by Adam Weber.

Podcasts I Starred:

EOFire ep. 1619- MissionU

How to defend your self-esteem

Quote of the week:

“Choose to make what Jesus has done for you bigger than what was done to you.” -Christine Cain

Scripture of the week:

2 Corinthians 5:17  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!”

Image inspiration:

@cwcbayarea “Palm Sunday”

[santzonthejourney]

Determine

“A man determined cannot be derailed.”

Today, determine in yourself, what you will set out to do. Who you will set out to become. Determine in yourself, that no set backs or challenges will deter you from your destiny. 

Today. Determine to go. Determine to do. Determine to be. Today.