Penetrating perspectives we might have missed – Bricks on my mind

Here are some loosely connected thoughts that appeared to me during my morning prayers today. I call them bricks on my mind. They may or may not be useful to constructing the Kingdom of Heaven. To each his or her own to decide.

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How many times have we seen leaders disgraced? I’d rather see a multitude of solid individuals faithful to God, themselves, and their families than one great political or religious leader.

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How did Jesus confront oppressive power? He did it by demonstrating a higher power. God’s power. See the cross and the empty tomb to gain understanding about his power.

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People are afraid to change, grow, and evolve. It is time to change and grow. As a church, we must change too. This does not mean God is wrong, but we certainly are mistaken in some things—unless your church is perfect.

Let’s look inward and find these imperfections. As Christians, we can work better together.

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World power structures are changing. Some will tumble and fall. New ones will arise to replace current authorities, some better, some worse. True equality and freedom can only come from below, from the people. We must rise up and serve the less fortunate, regardless of who is in government.

Equality from the bottom up works better than from the top down. Jesus said so:

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:25-28

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So much attention is focused on phantoms and boogeymen. Meanwhile, we continue to struggle in our day-to-day lives. Focus on fighting the demons within you and your family that have been attacking you for years. Focus there instead of on distractions that have nothing to do with your real life.

If you go out on a crusade, make sure everything is in order at home first.

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Atrocities are happening. They always have been. In homes, businesses, communities, nations, and churches. The needs you can see, know, and detect first-hand—those are the ones we should focus on. Other ones matter too, but do your ‘home’-work first.

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We are mesmerized and seduced and misled by power.

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Fight against the control narrative that is already occurring in your mind due to technology, directed messaging, and surveillance. Fight against this entrenched and existing control.

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What about the atrocity of people without work and unable to pay their medical bills? Meanwhile a bi-partisan budget for record ‘defense’ spending is being planned for 2021. Funny how they fight viciously on everything else, but more guns & bombs always get approved–even in the midst of an epic economic crisis.

Billionaires get richer from endless war profits every year. This is evil.

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What about the atrocities of addiction and loneliness? And the atrocity of people right next to us that need a helping hand? Are we are so self-absorbed that we can’t extend a bit of comfort or care?

These atrocities occur every day. Let’s find these people. Let’s help them.

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The time we spend on social media or watching our favorite TV series—what if we dedicated half that time to figuring out how to help someone or mend a relationship? What if we dedicated all of it? How awesome would that be?

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What if instead of so much screen time, we dedicated more time to prayer? How would heaven and earth move if millions knelt in prayer more often? How heavenly would that be?

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Have you asked God to bring you order and clarity so that his Kingdom reigns in your life? Have you asked him to help you concentrate your focus and efforts? How much more meaningful would that be?

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No government, ruler, revolution, or system will solve all your problems. Things are changing, but many things will remain the same. The rulers of this earth cannot resolve issues of the soul. Only God can prepare you completely for what’s to come.

The Bible says so:

Do not put your trust in princes,
    in human beings, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.