Latest / HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN® / Loving People Like Jesus in a world that doesn't: Ep 10: Following Jesus in Real Life

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Loving People Like Jesus in a world that doesn't: Ep 10: Following Jesus in Real Life · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

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  Well, folks, we are at the 10th episode of this series, and I am looking forward,
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  to this final episode of this journey we took together.
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  So let's begin. Following Jesus isn't about having all the answers.
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  It's about trusting God one step at a time.
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  Welcome to Following Jesus in Real Life.
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  It's episode 10 of 10, a special series from Have Faith, Let It Begin.
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  My name is Angel Santana, and together, we'll have honest conversations about
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  faith, doubt, hope, grace, and what it truly means to follow Christ,
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  not just on Sundays, but every single day.
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  Have Faith, Let It Begin. Final episode of this series starts right now.
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  Welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
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  Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
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  Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
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  He walks the road. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Have Faith,
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  Let It Begin on this final episode of Following Jesus in Real Life.
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  My name is Angel Santana. Thank you for being a part of these 10-part series.
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  We'll have more, trust me. And before we begin, I just want to say thank you.
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  Thank you for taking this journey with me.
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  Over the past nine episodes, we've had some honest conversations.
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  We've talked about silence, doubt, grace, comparison, prayer,
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  friendship, perfectionism. purpose and what it really means to follow Jesus Christ.
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  So today, I want to leave you with one of the most final reminders.
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  Don't give up because you're probably closer than you think.
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  Here's your heart check. Have you ever driven a long distance and thought,
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  are we ever going to get there?
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  Then suddenly you see the next exit sign. You didn't realize how close you were
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  because you were focused on the road immediately in front of you.
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  Well, faith can feel that way. Sometimes we become so focused on what hasn't
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  happened yet that we forget how far God has already brought us.
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  So let's talk about that. Growth usually happens slowly. We rarely notice it day by day.
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  Think about a child. Parents don't always notice how much their child has grown
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  because they see them every day.
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  But a relative who visits once a year, or maybe once a month,
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  immediately says, wow, you've gotten so big.
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  Spiritual growth works the same way. Sometimes we didn't recognize what God
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  is doing because we're living it one day at a time.
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  But if we stop and look back, we realize we're not the same person we used to be.
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  Let me give you a biblical perspective. Throughout scripture,
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  God's people often look back before moving forward.
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  They remember God's faithfulness, his provision, his guidance.
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  Remembering wasn't about living in the past. No, it was about strengthening
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  their confidence for the future.
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  And when we remember what God has already done, we find courage to trust him,
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  with what's still ahead.
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  Here's my personal response and reflection. As I think back over the years and
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  I think back over this series, I realized something.
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  These conversations were just for you. No, they weren't just for you. They were for me too.
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  I've been challenged, encouraged, reminded, and stretched.
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  There were moments while preparing these episodes that God spoke to my heart.
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  He reminded me that God and that following Jesus isn't about perfection.
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  It's about taking the next step and taking the next faithful step one day at a time.
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  And maybe that's exactly what he's been teaching all of us.
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  And that's how we're going to live it out. Before you think about the next goal,
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  the next prayer, the next month, the next year, pause and look back.
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  Celebrate how far God has already brought you.
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  The person you are today isn't the person you were a year ago.
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  Maybe you've become more patient. Maybe you've learned to trust more deeply.
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  Maybe you've discovered that God's grace is greater than your fears. That's growth.
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  Don't overlook it. then ask yourself one simple question. Lord,
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  what's my next faithful step?
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  Not the next 10, just the next one.
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  Because following Jesus has always been about one faithful step after another.
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  Here's your faithful challenge. Faith challenge. This week, take 10 minutes and find a quiet place.
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  Write down 10 ways you've seen God at work in your life.
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  Big moments, small moments. answered prayers, unexpected blessings,
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  lessons learned through difficult times.
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  Then thank Him, not only for where He's taking you, but for how far He's already
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  brought you. Let's pray.
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  And before we pray, try to say this, Lord, wherever you lead me,
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  wherever you lead next, I'll follow you.
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  Maybe today you still feel like you've had a long way to go.
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  The truth is, we all do. Discipleship isn't about arriving.
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  It's about counting. It's about continuing, continuing to pray,
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  continuing to grow, continuing to love, continue to serve and continue trusting,
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  because every faithful step matters.
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  And if you begin, and if you've been walking with Jesus, even when it felt slow,
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  even when it felt difficult, even if it felt like nothing was changing,
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  take heart. You're closer than you think.
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  Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for walking with us through this.
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  Every moment of our life. Thank
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  you for never leaving us, even when we couldn't see what you were doing.
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  And thank you for your patience, your mercy, and your unfailing love.
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  As we finish this series, remind us that our journey, and our journey with you is just beginning.
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  Give us courage for the next step, faith for the next challenge,
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  grace for the next opportunity and hearts that remain fully devoted to you.
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  May our lives reflect your love in everything we do. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
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  Well, what's today's takeaway? Following Jesus isn't about how far you still have to go.
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  No, it's about faithfully taking the next step.
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  Over the last 10 episodes, looking back, we've discovered God is present even when he seems silent.
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  Honesty with God is the beginning of healing.
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  Our assurance rests in God's promises, not our feelings.
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  Comparison steals joy of our calling. God's voice becomes clearer as we walk with him.
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  Waiting is never wasted in God's hands. Grace is stronger than perfection.
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  Faith grows in Christ-centered friendships, and every season has a purpose.
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  And today, we remember that every faithful step will bring us closer to Christ.
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  As we conclude the series, I want to thank you for joining me and following Jesus in real life.
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  My prayer is that these conversations haven't simply filed or filled your mind.
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  I pray that you've strengthened your spirituality, your faith, and your heart.
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  Remember, following Jesus isn't about being perfect. It isn't about never struggling.
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  It's about having every answer. It's not, wait, well, not every answer.
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  I shouldn't say that. It isn't about having every answer.
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  It's about saying yes to him. That's better.
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  One day, one decision, one faithful step at a time.
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  So wherever you find yourself today, keep trusting, keep growing,
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  keep following, because Jesus is still leaving and you're closer than you think.
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  This may be the end of this series, but it's not the end of your story.
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  In fact, I believe God is just getting started.
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  Until next time, never forget. Have faith?
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  Let it begin. Over the past 10 conversations, we've discovered that following
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  Jesus isn't about perfection.
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  It's about taking one final and faithful step at a time.
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  But our journey doesn't end here. There are still more questions to explore,
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  more stories to tell, and more opportunities to discover what God is doing in our everyday life.
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  So keep your Bible open. Keep your heart already open and ready and keep listening,
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  because another journey is just around the corner.
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  Have a good day and never forget, have faith, let it begin.
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  Welcome to Half-Faith Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
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  Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
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  Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
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  2000 came and the spark was lit. A testimony raw, it wouldn't quit.
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  His mother's voice, a guiding thread.