What do I prefer?

I’ve been thinking about walking my life out with Jesus. What does it look like? What does it feel like? 

My brain doesn’t naturally go to, “what will others think”? It’s why I’m able to be bold in the name of truth. My brain isn’t wired to care about what anyone else might think. So just for “fun”, every now and then I contemplate this concept. I do so, out of a place of wanting to understand what other people go through. I have compassion for others because we cannot help how our brains are wired. God designs them and our unique life experiences mold our brain functions. Diversity of personalities is vital to life on earth. 

 People whose brains DO wonder what others think, I seek to understand. Where other people’s minds lead them is important to grasp in order to have well rounded relationships. Perhaps it sounds silly or weird as you read this, but again, I don’t worry about what others think as they read the thoughts I share.

Okay so where am I going with this?  Ive been thinking about doing what is right vs. doing what I’d actually want to do, the selfish thing, the “me centered” thing etc. And God reminded me of these two verses:

1 Corinthians 1:18 

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬ 

Encountering Jesus and being changed, redeemed on a soul level is beautiful and healing. And then there is this other societal thing that occurs, it doesn’t drown out or diminish the contentment in my soul, but it exists nonetheless. And it will never go away. We must learn how to combat it with love. The societal concept I’m referring to is this, we are rejected and ignored by the world. Jesus followers are made fun of, we are bullied, we are made into caricatures, we are slandered and the list goes on. Everyone knows it happens and yet it is ignored. 

But here is what remains, the Cross. The empty cross. It remains. It stands in our souls against all the rest. Because we know our Savior lives. We know he concurred death. We know because we are changed on the inside. And so, we press on understanding that the Cross changes everything for anyone who truly understands it deep in their soul. 

We set aside what we prefer, which includes many things. We set aside our preference to be treated fairly and kindly, we set aside our selfish desires, we set aside our flesh, we set aside earthly and unhealthy momentary pleasures. We set aside our want to be understood. 

Wouldn’t anyone prefer to be treated fairly? Don’t we all prefer a life where we aren’t made fun of and slandered? But after encountering Jesus, those preferences no longer drive our existence on earth. What drives us, is a beautiful desire to see others experience and know Jesus for themselves. 

Understanding the cross means replacing our wants with what is right. We choose to love because God is love. We stare adversity and earthly condemnation about how we worship, and how we live in the face because Jesus dwells within us. We can stand firm because of Jesus.

Jesus said it best:

““If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:18-25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This is also a great bunch of verses:

“For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:20-25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

Logic and theft

 Here’s a fun little anecdote about logic and theft. Critical thinking is an important skill to have  

When I was a foolish teen, I stole earrings from Target. 

I was caught. 

It was my first offense. 

Being that I had no history of previous theft. They said, oh you don’t have a documented history of theft on your record so there’s no way you could’ve done this.

I had only taken a few pairs of earrings. They also let me know that the only way that theft can be proven is when every earring is stolen at the same time. Because people don’t prioritize their stealing. It’s all or nothing when it comes to thievery. 

JUST KIDDING. 

First time offenders are still guilty of offense. 

And when people steal, they know they can’t steal everything because that would look absolutely ridiculously suspicious. It would also be an impossible goal to obtain. 

TRUE STORY. 

PS-

But here is the good news. 

Jesus redeems and restores what once was broken. He takes our foolish teenage mistakes and turns them into beautiful stories of redemption. 

Adoration

Who deserves your adoration? 

Hollywood and celebrities want us continuing to give them our money. They want us to stay home, keep paying them to gratify/bring people momentary meaning. As if being noticed by them is all we need.


They've become some people's savior. Except this savior doesn't care what you think. This savior doesn't know your name. This savior doesn't love you. Even though this savior says they love you constantly. This savior counts on your money and time so they can profit. 


Hollywood has loved this shutdown. They talk about loving their time to slow down. They are in mansions with enough money to feed a small army, build orphanages, help end human trafficking etc. etc. It's also enough money to wield power. And it's enough money that allows a person to be extra free financially. They don't have to budget in a trip to the movies. They never have to say, oh we'll get that next month. Middle Americans, we have said those types of things. Many of us budget and sacrifice to make life work for us. They act like their experience has been the same positive experience for their fans. When does a multimillionaire ever have to NOT buy something?

They Spent 2020 in mansions, eating the best foods, writing that novel they always wanted to write, recording their zoom calls with other celebrities and airing them on Facebook. And people consume their content and help them grow their Net Worth. 

They don't care about what you went through because they are comfortable. And they have all they could ever want or need because of their fans. And that is why they thank you and say they love you. 

People who rely on fame for their self-worth and income, are being very intentional about keeping your adoration. They know without your adoration, they have nothing. All of their fame and money from that fame is because of you. They don't genuinely care about you, they need you to be their fans. And that is why they continually try to entertain you. 

But here is the kicker, when you worship Jesus and chase after him, and get to know him for yourself, he doesn't need to entertain you in order to gain your adoration. Because knowing Jesus allows you to know your self-worth, your value on this planet. You no longer need the things of this world to gratify the empty feelings, the lonely feelings of not being cool enough or good enough. The feeling of not being worthy of forgiveness or love fades away. You no longer have to carry your past mistakes. 

What was done on the cross changed everything. Jesus finished it all. 

Hollywood doesn't want people to find their self worth in having relationship with Christ. Have you ever wondered why God is left out of Hollywood? It's the evil one's plan. The enemy wants us distracted by any means possible.

An undistracted Jesus follower is Satan's greatest fear. 

The ONE thing

 I will never stop asking this. When is the magical unicorn day this mass hysteria stops? 

15 days turned into 30 that now turned into almost 6 months of constant lies & manipulation.  

Do people not see that the haters of America have found the ONE thing that people are willing to roll with to lose freedoms?? They’ve been looking for that THING since America was founded. 

This is it. Anyone dissenting is called selfish because this is about safety.  They found the ONE thing that cancelled EASTER Ecclesia for almost everyone. They found the thing to start attacking the CHURCH! And they are doing it right out in the open. And most people are okay with it because it’s about safety. Think about it, many states are dictating how many people can attend church! In America, not everyone can attend church that wants to and that is despicable.

And for some reason because it’s about health, no one sees that it’s the same exact tactics as any other slow take over/fade into communism. Because they’ve manipulated the masses with “forced” well visits and false medical doctrine for decades. They have slowly made Americans believe that doctors are all FOR you & your health. All Doctors know more than other people about health. They have ALL the answers. It is a religion. And any doctor who has ideas that differ from the collective, is silenced  

Health Experts would never walk into the Oval Office and LIE about numbers and death in order to change America fundamentally! Oh no they are all caring and full of heart and love for all life and they don’t have any agendas. They’d never try and gain more power or help their friends. Oh no. They wouldn’t follow their own political ideologies ABOVE the well being of millions of Americans. They wouldn’t force mass shutdowns and ignore the suicides, substance abuse and depression. They wouldn’t stand in front of the American people and spit lies in order to get their power and money back to their elite friends. People don’t like power or control right? And people definitely don’t work together to take over countries and control the masses, right? 

Do you love America for giving us our God given rights? There’s no where else we can have them.

Also, have you ever heard the stories of Christians in other countries meeting even when it’s illegal? Have you been proud of those Christians for doing what is right? If you have, this is the same exact situation. But remember they found the ONE thing that most people can get behind because of their ingrained, medical belief system/doctrine.

Do you watch the stories of immigrants who fled COMMUNISM and feel anything? Feel moved or start weeping? Because I do. Maximo Alvarez said it best “there’s no where else to go”. Imagine the PTSD this is triggering in any immigrant who actually watched their country erode into communism. 

My Nonna as a young girl fled with Nuns to North Africa to escape the Nazi’s in Italy. She watched her brother lose his life by stepping on a bomb. She always says, when she hears a politician speak about redistributing wealth or higher taxes or welfare etc, and says, “that’s communist. They want control.”

Just because this isn’t about removing a people group from their homes and carting them off, this is the SAME beginning threats. Think about what is happening and really play it out in your mind. They have task forces to check for mask dissenters. But again, because it’s about safety and health, people refuse to see the signs. 

Please please Go learn about how the other countries changed. And please learn the difference between a Constitutional Republic & a Democracy. Because I sure as heck don’t want to live in a democracy - which is one step closer to socialism/communism.

We are either free or we are not. And I choose freedom. A freedom given to us by God that others died to protect. Imagine what they would say if they knew we CLOSED our churches! Imagine what they’d say if they saw us ignoring the communism that is creeping in. Imagine what they’d say if they saw people so divided over this topic of FREEDOM. 

NOW IS WHEN WE STAND. 

IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?