Journey Church Amarillo

Mark 5

Life rarely follows our carefully laid plans, but interruptions aren't always inconveniences - they might be divine interventions. In Mark 5, Jesus encounters a demon-possessed man, heals a woman who had suffered for twelve years, and raises Jairus's daughter from the dead. Each situation involved unexpected interruptions that seemed to derail plans but actually revealed God's power and timing. The key question isn't whether interruptions will come, but how we'll respond when they do. Instead of viewing disruptions as frustrations, we can choose to see them as opportunities for God to work in ways we never imagined. When life gets derailed, we're invited to fall at Jesus' feet in complete surrender, trusting that He has power over every situation we face.

 

Easter 2026

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was not a random event but the fulfillment of God's eternal plan written in advance through Old Testament prophecies. From Psalm 22's victory after suffering to Isaiah 53's justification through sacrifice, Scripture pointed to this moment. Unlike other biblical resurrections that were temporary, Christ's resurrection was permanent—a new creation that conquered death forever. All three persons of the Trinity participated in raising Jesus, demonstrating complete divine unity. This victory means believers are made alive in Christ, adopted as God's children, and blessed with every spiritual blessing. The same God who fulfilled His promise of resurrection holds our lives securely today.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday reveals how God's plans often unfold differently than our expectations. When Jesus entered Jerusalem as king, the crowds expected a warrior who would overthrow Rome, but He came humbly on a donkey as the Prince of Peace. The people missed what God was actually doing because they focused on external political freedom rather than the deeper spiritual bondage to sin and death that Jesus came to address. Like the Palm Sunday crowd, we often miss God's work in our lives because we're focused on our own plans and expectations. Instead of asking God to change our circumstances and the people around us, we should ask Him to transform our hearts. God's plans are always better than ours, even when they look different than what we imagined.

Mark 4

Jesus taught in parables because stories stick with us, reveal spiritual truths, and require faith to understand. In Mark 4, He shares four interconnected parables about the Kingdom of God: the sower and seed shows not everyone receives the gospel, the light under a basket calls believers to shine in dark places, the growing seed demonstrates that kingdom growth takes time, and the mustard seed reveals how small beginnings can have great impact. Faith, not intellect alone, is the key to understanding these spiritual truths. The central question is: What are you doing with the kingdom seed God planted in you?

Mark 3

True satisfaction comes from doing God's will, not pursuing temporary pleasures. Through Jesus' example of healing on the Sabbath and calling disciples to be with Him first, we see that God's primary desire is relationship before service. While some people resist God's will - even Jesus' family thought He was crazy - those who obey discover they become part of God's family. Walking in God's will provides sustenance through difficult times, divine direction for our lives, and connection to something greater than ourselves. The choice is simple: follow your own will or surrender to God's perfect plan.

Mark 2

Jesus revolutionized religious expectations by demonstrating His authority to forgive sins when He healed a paralyzed man, telling him his sins were forgiven before addressing his physical condition. He then called Levi, a despised tax collector, to follow Him and shared meals with sinners, shocking the religious leaders. Jesus explained that He came for the spiritually sick, not the self-righteous, and that His message couldn't be added to existing religious systems. Instead, He offered something completely new - the kingdom of God based on grace, inclusion, and relationship rather than performance and ritual.

Mark 1

The Gospel of Mark opens with a revolutionary declaration that the kingdom of God has finally arrived through Jesus Christ. When Jesus called His first disciples with the simple command Follow me, this wasn't a casual invitation but kingdom language from a King to His subjects. The disciples didn't fully understand who Jesus was when they first followed Him, yet they chose obedience before understanding. Jesus demonstrated His kingdom authority through His teaching, power over spiritual forces, and compassion for the sick and outcast. Today, Jesus continues to call us to follow Him, bringing our questions and doubts while still choosing obedience, and sharing the good news of His kingdom with others who need hope.

Relationships and Intimacy - Friendships

Friendship is one of life's greatest gifts, but choosing the right friends is crucial for your future. Not all friends deserve the same level of access to your heart and life. There are different levels of friendship, from surface-level connections to soul-level intimacy, and understanding these distinctions can save you significant heartache. The people you surround yourself with will shape who you become, as Proverbs 13:20 reminds us that those who walk with the wise become wise. Some friendships are seasonal and naturally fade, while others require intentional separation for growth. The most valuable friends are those who tell you the truth and speak life into your potential.

Relationships and Intimacy - Marriage

Marriage is God's sacred design where two people become one flesh, creating a covenant relationship that reflects His love for His people. True intimacy in marriage is built through three key elements: investing time to deeply know each other, maintaining sexual faithfulness within the marriage covenant, and sharing life's struggles together through vulnerability. This oneness means spouses can no longer make independent decisions but must consider their partner's wellbeing in all major life choices. When couples prioritize building intimacy through honesty, intentionality, and creating space for each other's dreams, their marriage becomes a powerful testimony of God's faithful love to the world around them.

James 5

Life constantly presents us with choices between two opposing kingdoms: the earthly kingdom focused on immediate gratification and self-interest, and God's eternal kingdom centered on future hope and caring for others. The earthly kingdom operates on flexible rules and temporary pleasures, while God's kingdom stands on unchanging principles and lasting values. When we align with God's kingdom, our character fundamentally changes, affecting how we handle both suffering and joy. Instead of turning to worldly sources for comfort, we turn to prayer and community. This transformation isn't a one-time decision but requires daily choices to seek God's way over our own temporary desires.