get out of your christian bubble

0:00Hello everybody! Welcome to another episode of Christ with Coffee and Ice. I am your host Aliosd. It is a joy and honor to be here with you guys today and I am very excited for today. Yeah, the reason why I'm so excited about today's episode is because I just feel really lit up about it. I feel very passionate about it. I feel very convicted about it and I... I'm just excited to have the conversation because as this honestly kind of goes for the podcast, I feel like at this point, I kind of start conversations on my social media or I see certain opportunities where I'm like, oh, actually, this would be such a healthy conversation to go deeper into on the podcast. And I mean, we can go back and forth on the internet forever and there's just so many things. I'm just like excited to sit down and just have a good old conversation with you guys about it for an hour and we just yap about it because the truth is, there's been a

1:01conversation that's been happening on my socials. In the present time of me recording this, I do recognize that this episode actually is going to come out a couple weeks later. So all of this will probably be old news by the time this comes out, but it is worth the conversation. I think it's very relevant and I think it's convicting for all of us. And it is the topic of which, I mean, I personally think it's about the Great Commission. It's about the very thing that God calls us to do, which is to go out to the world and make disciples. It's about sharing our testimonies to being the hands and feet of Christ, to bringing the gospel into places where otherwise it's not being represented, it's not being talked about, it's not being shown, it's not being demonstrated. It's about going into places that are not our Christian bubbles and showing people the truth of who Jesus is. And I'd love to talk about all the ways of which we can do that. I'd also love to talk about the fact that there is a gift of discernment from the Holy Spirit, too, where there are actually certain things that we should avoid, but also there are things we shouldn't be avoiding, just for

2:04the sake of it being different or being an environment where Jesus isn't glorified. I think, yeah, I'm so excited to talk about it. Let's talk about it. I also want to clarify that the motive behind today's episode is not, it's not even about me, okay? I'm not here to explain myself, to prove myself, I don't care. I don't care. I am so confident that what I did was the very thing I was supposed to do. And so if people don't agree with that, that's totally fine. That's not what we were, we were not here to talk about that, but the spark of which this conversation started from was that I, Ali, went to an event in LA. And this event was at Nobu, which is a really beautiful, amazing, bougie restaurant in Malibu. It's a seafood and sushi place. Typically, you'll see a lot of celebrities there. It's a restaurant that is just like, it's very known. It's kind of like the

3:07it's spot, okay? If you ever want to have like a celebrity sighting, you do have to book it out once in advance. It's a highly demanded place, but it's beautiful. It's right on the water. Very expensive. It's not a restaurant I go to a lot. Actually, I think I've only been in that restaurant like maybe once or twice ever in my life, aside from going to this event. But yeah, okay, so, so setting the stage, it's a, it's a beautiful restaurant on the water, seafood, very fancy. You probably would want to dress up. It's giving like, maybe casual cocktail attire. And so I go to this event. I got an invite in my email, which even when this invite came in, I was like, what? How am I going to invite it to this? Whatever. I got an invite from Hulu because they are launching a new reality show on Hulu, obviously. And one of the executive producers is Chloe Kardashian. And so that's a big part of it too, is it's like Chloe's new show. I go to this event. I post a vlog

4:08about it. I post a little get ready with me. I post some clips of me at the event. And then we do an unget ready with me. I'm doing my skincare routine and we go to bed. And the feedback in the comment section was very contrasted. Okay. There were a lot of people who were like, oh my gosh, Ali, this is so exciting that you were able to go into an environment and bring the light of Christ in a space like that, right? Where it's very worldly and it's all about LA culture and money and success and and glorifying our set like nothing about it is about Jesus. Although actually guys, I do want to share that there was a part of Chloe's speech because she made she made like a little announcement is she said, thank you, Jesus and thank you, God, which I was like, hey, we'll take it. She literally was speaking the name of Jesus, which I was like, that's so freaking cool. But anyway, the feedback was very different where I feel like half of the comments were like, Ali, this is really exciting. I can't like all the seeds you could have planted in an

5:12environment like that. That's amazing to then a lot of people being like, how could you go to an event like this? How could you surround yourself with such worldly influence? How could you do something where you're putting yourself in a position? Like a lot of people were like, why would you go to a place like this and surround yourself with people who don't love Jesus? They mock him. I saw a lot of people quoting scriptures of, you know, bad company corrupts good character and just really speaking against the fact that I would even go and be in an environment like that. And the overall vibe that I was getting from a lot of people was that these people should be avoided at all costs. Like they're demonic. I mean, these are actually some of the words that a lot of people were saying, but they were, they were saying they are demonic. Like do not let any of that worldly crap like rub off on you. And here's the thing. I went to a dinner. I went to an event that was not hosted by a Christian organization. It was hosted by Hulu. Okay. And I was not sure how

6:16many Christians were going to be there. I was going alone. And so there were a lot of parts of this that I was kind of hesitant about in the sense of like this feels vulnerable. This feels scary to do. You know, I think as somebody who is so sold out for Jesus and doesn't relate to the world anymore, thank God that I have a history though of once. Like I can have compassion and understanding for people who are in the world because I was there. And I still have memories and I still know what it feels like to be living like that. You know, and to be living in such an empty mindset and heart posture, right? Like I'm actually very grateful for the ways that the Lord allowed me to taste the world and be in it for those reasons. But other like the version of me now, no, I don't, I don't relate to the way that these people live their lives, some of these people that were probably at the event, right? But also like that's what makes it so scary is like now I feel like I'm kind of the odd ball

7:22out. And I'm going to be honest, there have been there have been events that I've gone to. And I'm like, I don't, I feel so awkward. I feel so different. I feel so vulnerable. I feel like kind of the weirdo because everyone else obviously can relate so well because they're all in the same world. And I'm not in that world anymore. I'm in the world, but I'm not of it. And so there's that tension of like feeling kind of like an outcast. And that's a vulnerable place to be. And so I'm not going to lie and say that that those exact fears don't cross my mind before going to stuff like this because I'm like that's scary. Like I'm going to have to go and talk to people who like don't live like I live. And hopefully I can like muster up the courage to have conversations with people and and to love them and and try to talk a language that we both can, you know, I just think like it's so easy to stay in our Christian bubbles. And I've been in a Christian bubble for three,

8:25almost four years now. And I've had plenty of conversations with people who know Jesus and love Jesus. And there's nothing better than feeling understood, right? Like there's nothing better than being in an environment where people get you. I think that comes down to like human nature. Like we all just want to feel understood. We all want to relate. We all want to be around people who get it. And so that's just the truth is when we get comfortable enough to where we are like in these environments, these Christian environments, whether that's a church or your Bible study or your very best friends, hopefully they also are obsessed with Jesus. Because we are also called to be iron that shapes iron and no, we are not supposed to be surrounding ourselves intimately with people who are just going to corrupt our character, right? Like bad company does create bad character. Meaning like the people that we surround ourselves with, the people that we walk every day life with, the people that we seek counsel from, the people that we are looking for wisdom from, the people that we allow to speak into our life, that's a completely different thing we're talking

9:27about. Okay? So obviously the people, people closest to you should be on the same page as you. But when we are surrounded by that all the time, it's so cozy. It's so comfy. But what change is happening in the world when we are just staying in our Christian bubble? And that's the conviction that I feel a lot of the times when I get when I initially feel the hesitation where I'm like, I don't want to do that. I don't want to walk into an environment where people don't really know God. I kind of feel like an outcast. I don't want to feel uncomfortable. I don't want to feel misunderstood. There's a serious heart check in that where God is like, okay, but like, have I called you to be comfortable? Have I called you to only be in an environment where you're understood? Or is it actually completely biblical? And it is being a disciple of Christ to go out into the environments where you are misunderstood? Where people, it is going to be new news to people. When they hear you say that you are so sold out for Jesus, you're obsessed with them and you love

10:29them and he saved your life. Why? What do you mean he saved your life? How? What? Like that is actually the great commission. We are to go out and make disciples. We're not supposed to just stay in our bubbles. Our bubbles are important. We need our Christian bubble in the sense of being recharged, edified, encouraged, sharpened. Yes, that bubble is important. But we got to get out of the bubble from time to time to let the world know about his goodness and his grace. Otherwise, we're not doing our jobs as Christians. And so that was the very thing that I was challenged with. And the thing is, it's like, this is what the Holy Spirit has convicted me of. It's just simply not an excuse to not do something just because it's scary. Like I also just accepted the speaking opportunity. I'm going to be speaking at Liberty University December 4th, by the way, which is absurd absurd. Okay, I'm scared. Shake it in my boots about it. I am so nervous that I'm totally

11:32afraid to do. It's within the Christian realm, which I'm grateful for. But like that's scary. But okay, the only reason for me to not do that would be fear. Not a valid enough reason. The only reason I wouldn't go to a worldly event in LA is because I'm scared and I don't want to be misunderstood and feel alone. Not an excuse. So if you're reason to saying no to things, isn't coming from a true place of discernment where God is like warning you and being like, no, do not, this is not where I want you to be. Because that's real. We can talk about that too. Discernment from the Holy Spirit is real. There are plenty of things that I have declined, not gone to and said, I can't because God has been like not this one. Discernment's real. We love it. Thank you. Jesus for discernment from the Holy Spirit. But if if your initial instinct is just that you're scared and that's the reason you're saying no, in Matthew 9, 10 through 13, Jesus reclines at the table with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees ask his disciples, why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? Their issue wasn't simply that sinful

12:36people existed in the same room. The meal itself represented fellowship. That was the part that offended them. Jesus was extending dignity and relational welcome to people that religious establishment regarded as morally and socially unacceptable. In the biblical world, sharing a table with someone was an act of peace. It communicated, I'm willing to come near you. I'm willing to receive you. I don't consider you beneath my presence. So when Jesus ate with people, society labeled sinners, he wasn't endorsing everything they did. He was extending relationship before they had cleaned themselves up. It is insane to me that someone as holy and magnificent as our Lord and Savior Jesus had the humility to sit with people and break bread with them and say, I don't consider you beneath my presence, even though he had every right to. He was the son of God. He's the Messiah.

13:44He had every right actually to be like, hmm, can't be near that. So who are we? Who are we? I mean, the comments that I saw in my video where they were like, Ali don't go near those people. Ali, oh my be careful. Do you know how many demons those people have? Do you know these people are sinful? They're dirty. You sound like a Pharisee. A part of his mission with sitting with these people was to seek restore, call to repentance, heal and reveal the Father to these people. So Jesus is sitting with these sinners, sharing a meal with them to reveal the Father to them. And I think another really important thing to recognize in this too is that Jesus didn't protect his holiness by withholding his presence by saying, no, I'm not going to go to those places. I'm not going to interact with those kinds of people. I'm not going to share a meal with those kinds of people, right? He's not protecting his

14:48holiness by saying, I'm not going to surround myself with people who are living in deep sin. His holiness was secure enough that he could bring his presence into places other religious people avoided. And I think that's another thing is like, we have to feel secure enough in Christ, secure enough in his Holy Spirit. And also secure enough in the fact that like, yeah, he could absolutely be calling you into places that would make you very uncomfortable places where you would not feel totally understood. But are you secure enough? Like, okay, God, you've prepared me for this. You've called me to this. Apparently, I'm the one you're choosing to go into these spaces or to have conversations with these kinds of people. Like, it was the fact that Jesus's holiness was secure enough that he could bring his presence into other into places that like these really religious people wouldn't dare to step into. And I think that is so epic. And I think that

15:48is what we should also be doing. We're not scared of these environments. We're not scared of the worldly influence. We are securing Christ and we know what we're carrying, which is the Holy Spirit, which is the same spirit that rose Jesus from the grave. And we have faith in the fact that that same spirit is going to work through us in the name of Jesus in a way that is powerful, in a way that is loving and in a way that is different than any other influence in the room. Like, we have to remember that the very thing that's going to be oozing out of you is going to be so different than anything else that is offered in that room. Sure, there might be demonic influence. I'm not like, I'm not even just talking about the event that I went to, but it could be certain places, spaces, people, you know, let's say you're driving down the street and there's a psychic that is highlighted to you. And I think too many times as Christians, we would see that and go, oh gosh, run away. Which craft? Demonic. Totally, which craft, totally demonic. Totally. Yep. It is. But who's to say that that person who's who's been living as a psychic and and as honestly

16:52has been deceived and thought that they were doing the right thing by helping give me people closure. Like whatever, but like who's to say that that very person doesn't need they need the gospel? They're loved by Jesus too. Got Jesus died on the cross for them as well. Like, so if that that psychic place is highlighted to you, it could be very scary and intimidating to walk into there, but you'd be like, okay, Holy Spirit, are you telling me I need to go into there and tell this person about the love of Christ? That sounds scary, right? Totally. Totally. But like, why are we avoid like these? These are the very people and the very environments of which they need the gospel. They need Jesus. They need just Jesus just as much as you need Jesus. Why are we avoiding the places that need Jesus the most? I just want to talk about the reality of skincare right now because in a lot of cases, skincare brands can over promise and under deliver, especially when it should be clean and simple. And I think that I have actually found my holy grail for my skin, which is Oceia's clean seaweed powered skincare from the sea. I am obsessed with their body oil. This was the

17:56product that really opened the door for me where I just wanted to then try everything from Oceia. It smells so good. It absorbs into my skin so fast. I'm like, can I put this in my hair? Can I put this everywhere? I love how much it actually moisturizes my skin but doesn't like stay on my skin in a way where I feel really greasy and oily. I do really love to put this on obviously after a shower, but specifically at night because I feel like I just really get to like absorb into it and I wake up the next morning and I'm glowing. And the more that you look into the brand, you'll see that Oceia skincare is an award-winning bestseller for a reason. It is clinically shown to deeply moisturize and instantly improve the look of your skin's elasticity. Oceia also uses an artisanal process that infuses vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, bottled at peak potency for a silky smooth full body glow. Go to OceiaMalibu.com and get 10% off your first order with code coffee. That's OceiaMalibu.com with code coffee. You guys won't regret it. They're the best.

18:56Here at Christ with Coffee and Ice, we obviously talk a lot about purpose here about finding the path God has set for us. And when it comes to education, that path should lead to a future that matters. That's why when I heard about Grand Canyon University, I was so impressed because they are a private nonprofit Christian university in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona that believes education shouldn't be a privilege, but an affordable path forward for everyone. GCU is grounded in Christian truth. They are working to empower the next generation to lead with integrity and serve with purpose. And they make it accessible. Did you know GCU has kept tuition at the same rate on its traditional campus for 17 years? Plus, in 2025 alone, they awarded over $404 million in institutional scholarships. Whether you're looking for a degree on campus or online, find your purpose at GCU. Private Christian affordable nonprofit. Visit gcu.edu to learn more. Something that has convicted me before is that we cannot be the light in places that are already lit up.

20:00We can't just continue to show up in the places where it is all about G. And here's the thing, we need it. Obviously, you guys know by now. Yes, we need it. We need community. We need church. Like, we need to be edified, sharpened. We need to love each other, encourage each other. We need to borrow each other's faith. Like that is the body of Christ needs the body of Christ. We are to be the light in places that are dark. We are to be the light in places that need to be lit up. They need to see the truth. They need to be woken up to the fact that that Jesus is the way truth in life. I want to share a really cool moment that happened when I did go to this event, which I've already shared online. So this again, isn't me justifying or trying to explain, but this is just an example of one cool thing that happened while I was at the event. And even if this was the only cool thing that was supposed to happen at the event, praise Jesus hallelujah. And I wish I was actually able to talk with these guys longer, but I was introduced to two producers. They worked with Hulu. They were on the back end with Hulu of just producing the show and bringing it to life. And they were these older guys kind of nerdy, like so sweet. They're

21:04probably in their mid 40s. So kind. And I was introduced to them and we get to talking. And one of my favorite things about what I do. And I'm like, I look at God, I looked at the Lord after when I was driving home from this event. And I was like, God, you knew exactly what you were doing when you, because it's so I, there's no time wasted that I get to talk about Jesus. Because as soon as somebody asks me what I do, I'm like, let me tell you, I'm a content creator. I make lifestyle personality, but also very faith based. I talk about Jesus a lot. I love them obsessed with them. He saved my life three years ago. I started a podcast. And so I'm telling these guys about what I do. And they're like, I'm telling them about my podcasts. And it's obvious that they're cut like this is like kind of like, oh, but they're, they're so like open to like they were so open to hearing what I had to say, you know, about how I started my podcast because they asked, they were like, well, how do you find yourself starting a podcast like that? And I was like, it's crazy. I encountered the spirit of God three years ago, absolutely changed my life. God flipped my world upside down. And I just, I had to go out into the world and tell everybody about it. And

22:07then an announcement had started. And so that was like pretty much the end of my conversation with them. But it was even in that moment, I'm like, there are so many opportunities to plant seeds. And like they see me and I have all this joy. It's moments like that where, where no, maybe I didn't, I didn't, you know, throw John 316 in their face. But like I was an example of Jesus. I was testifying to the goodness of God and how he changed my life and how I can't stop shutting up about it. And maybe they'll look up the podcast. I don't know. But like I am so grateful for the ways that God potentially planted seeds in that space. And that's what we're supposed to be doing. I think that this is the true tension here. Okay. Because the truth is is that scripture does warn us against being shaped by the world. And that's the truth, right? Is like the Bible says that we are to be in the world, but not of it. And we are to be mindful of the influence of the world and not to conform to the ways of the world. And so yes, that's very true. But I think the other side

23:15of the tension with that is like we are also told to not avoid people of the world. And so how do we do that? I think we have to have the discernment. We have to be capable of setting the boundaries and limiting ourselves from being able to be discipled or influenced by the world. But also, don't avoid the world at all costs and stay in our Christian bubbles forever because then the gospel isn't being heard. And people aren't being saved. And we're actually not fulfilling our roles of being Christians, which is yes, to believe in Christ, to obey him and to love him and to be an intimate relationship with him, but also tell the world about him. As an example, and I think it'd be really good for us to kind of break this down is Paul speaks in 1 Corinthians 5, 9 through 10. It says, I wrote to you in my letter, not to associate with sexually immoral people, not at all

24:15meaning the people of this world who are immoral or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters. In that case, you would have to leave this world. So imagine at that time, because he's writing to the Corinthian church. So the Corinthians are probably thinking, okay, Paul, you told us not to associate with sexually immoral people, aka people who are just living in sin, right? So should we stay away from all the sexually immoral people around us? And Paul essentially is responding by saying, no, that's not what I meant. I'm talking about people outside the church. If Christians had to avoid every sinful unbeliever, we'd literally have to leave the world. Like we would just have to literally not be on earth, okay? Because where would you go? That's everybody. Your neighbor might not follow Jesus, your coworker might not follow Jesus. The person sitting next to you at dinner might not follow Jesus. The people at a secular event might not follow Jesus. Paul doesn't expect people

25:18who don't claim to follow Jesus to already live according to Jesus's teachings. That's the other thing is like we can't hold people who are in the world to the standard of being a Christian because they're not a Christian because they're not a follower of Jesus. Paul does not expect people who don't claim to follow Jesus to already live accordingly to Jesus's teachings. Meaning we should not be surprised that when we go out into the world, we see people doing worldly things. And being in the world does not mean that we're condoning that, but also like these people don't claim to be Jesus followers, right? So we're not going to put any expectations on them that that's how they're going to be living. In fact, he says something even more striking a few verses later, he says, what business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? 1 Corinthians 512, then are you not to judge those inside? That's almost the reverse of how Christians can sometimes behave. We can become extremely concerned about separating ourselves from the behavior of people

26:18outside Christianity while Paul is actually saying the accountability he's discussing belongs primarily inside the church. So with all that being said, who is Paul actually telling the Corinthian church to separate themselves from? And verse 11 actually answers that. Paul is saying in this scripture to not associate with somebody who claims to be a brother or sister, okay, they claim to be a follower of Christ, but they persist in serious, unrepentant sin. That's the distinction here. Those are the types of verses that are taking completely out of context where it's like, no, Paul never said don't associate yourself ever, ever, ever with people who are sexually immoral. He's saying don't associate yourself with somebody who claims to be a Jesus follower and is really tight with Christ and fears God, but then persistently, meaning like they refuse to acknowledge their sin. They've been confronted with their sin and they're like, no,

27:18I'm going to live this way. And they are persistent in their serious sin and they don't repent of it. Yet those are the people you want to avoid, right? Because that is also the scripture that is speaking to like bad company corrupts good character. That would be bad company. That is not somebody that you would want to surround yourself with in the sense of iron sharpening iron. Somebody who is actually in your inner circle and like influencing your life, that's who Paul is warning us against. Not every sinful person in the world, because again, Paul saying, well, if that were the standard, like we would actually have to live in a cave and not talk to anyone ever because we all are sinful. So there's a distinction here that Paul is talking to. Okay. Person A is, I don't follow Jesus, lives according to the world. That makes a lot of sense that they would live according to the world if they don't follow Jesus. Paul is saying, I'm not telling you to avoid that person. Person B says, I belong to Jesus. I'm your Christian brother and sister in Christ, right? I'm a part

28:21of the body. I love Jesus, but then openly and persistently lives contrary to Christ while refusing correction and repentance. Yet that's the situation that Paul is talking about. And if we go back also to the example of Jesus intentionally eating with people, religious society considered sinful, which is in the Matthew again, 9, 10 through 13 or Mark 2, 15 through 17. Jesus is literally sitting at a table with tax collectors and sinners and the Pharisees criticized him for his proximity to them. And his response is it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. And this is really important you guys because Jesus wasn't accidentally around them. Obviously, he chose the proximity of which to be around them. And the scandal wasn't that Jesus became like them because clearly he didn't, and that wasn't his goal in it. The scandal was that a holy man was willing to be seen with them. Matthew 5, 13 through 16 about being the salt of the earth. A lot of us Christians know that

29:26verse 2. It says, you are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Salt and light only accomplish something when they come into contact with what they are meant to affect. Okay? So a light isn't useful because it's surrounded by other lights. Jesus says, let your light shine before others. The Christian calling isn't merely to preserve our own holiness. It's to visibly embody Christ before people who may not know Him at all. And the verse about bad company corrupts good character. That's in 1 Corinthians 1533. There is a difference between the questions we could ask ourselves with that verse, right? Is like, who am I loving and who am I allowing to disciple me? That's actually what 1 Corinthians is talking about there. There's a difference between being around someone and building your inner circle around them. Between entering an environment as someone rooted in Christ and entering it because you want that environment to define you, Jesus could sit with sinners without becoming discipled by sinners.

30:29And that distinction is really important because otherwise in the world but not of it can get distorted in either direction. Like one extreme says, and this was unfortunately a lot of the things that I saw in my comment section was avoid anything secular so it doesn't contaminate you. So it doesn't rub off on you. The other says it doesn't matter what environments I'm in or what I participate in because Jesus hung out with sinners. But neither fully captures the biblical picture. Jesus demonstrates something much harder. This is the and this is the hard part, right? Is proximity without conforming? Love without compromise. Presence without participation in sin. So the real tension and the real challenge in this is like, can we go into environments? Can we go into conversations? Can we go into relationships with people and places that are challenging? Where there's tension? Without folding and conforming without compromising. Can we love? Can we stand firm

31:38in our convictions in those spaces without compromise? And that is a muscle that I believe has to be exercised as Christians. If it means that we are going to go out into the world and be disciples of Jesus and help people see and hear the goodness of God. What if my friends secretly hate me? Something bad will happen if I don't do this. Does God really still love me after what I've done? Do you ever have thoughts like these? I'm talking about unwanted thoughts that play on loop in your mind over and over. Thoughts like that can be signs of OCD but because OCD is so misunderstood, a lot of people don't even know that it can show up that way. And the thing is these behaviors only provide short term relief. The unwanted thoughts, fears and doubts always come back and that's why OCD can be so debilitating. But there is good news because OCD is highly treatable with a specific kind of therapy called ERP or exposure and response prevention. ERP helps you learn how to confront your fears without engaging in the behaviors that keep you stuck. That's why I want to tell

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33:40which I love because the free upside app gets you cash back on gas groceries and dining. The three things that I know are draining all of our wallets and this is how it works. So you open the app, claim and offer, pay with your card like normal and get paid. Since using the upside app, you guys, I have been significantly surprised with how much I've actually saved. Upside has given back one billion dollars to its users, which I think speaks to itself of how much people have been loving this app. To find out how much you could earn, download the free upside app and use promo code on ice to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas. That's an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas using promo code on ice. And like, here's the thing is like I was once in the world. And so there are aspects of the world that I have to resist. Like I'm not going to go to these environments and get drunk and have a bunch of drinks, you know, and conform to the culture of these environments. I'm going to stand firm in my convictions. I'm

34:41going to stand firm in what I believe in. I'm going to stand firm in what my mission really is. But I do want to say to that, yes, discernment does matter. So that doesn't mean that every Christian is obligated to attend every secular event or go to the club or party or every you know, worldly entertainment function. Discernment does matter. And that is something that I prioritize. And I also exercise in my life. And if an environment causes you to stumble, like if you are genuinely, especially if you're somebody who's come out of the world, discernment is very important. Like I read this email and I was like, okay, I'm going to a nice restaurant. It's upscale. There will probably be cocktails and stuff and drinks and, you know, there's going to be worldly conversations, probably. But like for me, I was like, this isn't going to be an environment where I feel like I'm going to be it's going to be a challenge for me or it's going to be too tempting for me. If an environment does cause you to stumble, if you know

35:46that it's going to feed something unhealthy in you and that's when there there does have to be honest conversations that you have with Christ where you're like, okay, Lord, I need your discernment here. Like is this actually wise for me to go to is this and is this something that you would want me to go to to preach the gospel? And I'd be able to to handle that or isn't a little, it does it hit a little too close to home. That part is so necessary. But there are worldly people there is not by itself a biblical argument for why a Christian shouldn't be there. One of my favorite qualities about Jesus is that I believe that he would be willing to sit with anybody. I think the reason why he would be willing to sit with anybody is because he loves. He loves everyone. And he can love everyone without condoning and supporting the ways that everybody lives. I think Jesus demonstrated so beautifully in his ministry as he was here on earth like

36:48that he would say, yeah, I'm so willing to sit with you. I'm so willing to have a meal with you. That doesn't mean that I agree with everything about your life. It doesn't mean I support everything that you do. But I still love you and I would still love to have a conversation with you and to sit with you and listen and even share what I have to say. And I just I think that that should be our goal as Christians, you know, is to be willing to sit with anybody and to not be afraid of the world. I think that sometimes we can take those scriptures in the Bible where it says, you know, don't conform to the world and, you know, essentially being like don't let the world and the ways of the world influence you and rub off on you. Like I think we just take those scriptures so extreme where now it's like we're afraid of anything in this world. And we demonize

37:50it all. And we just say that's demonic and that's evil and we stay away from the world because it's evil. I mean, if that were the case, like none of us would none of us would be saved. Gee, if Jesus didn't have the grace and the humility and the kindness and acceptance to sit with any of it, none of us would be saved. Like the fact that he even gave me a chance, I'm like, I was so deep in my sin and I was living fully for the world and had I even met with a god who was like, yeah, you're, you're dirty. I'm scared of that. That's demon, that's evil. I don't know how I would feel. I wouldn't feel loved. There could be people that would that would never, ever consider walking into a church. And so it's like, how do we bring the church to them? Like how do we do that? Where we get to be Christ in a moment. That could be the first time they've

38:56ever ever had an impression of Jesus like a true representation and impression of Jesus in their life. And like what an honor. What an honor that we get to be that. That we get to be the hands and feet for Jesus. So yes, there is a very clear distinction as Christians, which is that we are to separate ourselves from sin, but we are not to separate ourselves from sinners like completely sever people who don't know Jesus. And here's the thing, there could be a convicting part of this message to where you're like, dang, I didn't even realize I was doing that. But like, yeah, I think I have been avoiding the world. I've been avoiding world that people, not not even in a malicious way. Like here's the thing we don't, this message doesn't even have to be for the people who are like literally just Pharisees and being really just mental and condemning. There are definitely people like that in the world, but also there could be some people. I think I've also been guilty of this too. We're like interacting with people in the world is it's intimidating. And maybe there have

39:57been ways that we have been avoiding it where it's like, it feels foreign because it is. There's a perspective here too where you're like, dang, I didn't, I didn't even realize how much I was avoiding the world and worldly people because I was trying to be obedient. And like I was trying to stay true to scripture where it's that don't be of the world. Don't let the world conform you. You know, it's like surround yourself with people who can also sharpen you. And those are all good things. And I believe that your intentions were pure in that, but we can't forget about the lost. We can't overlook the people who we could potentially be interacting with every day. Doesn't always have to be this big fancy event in Malibu, California. Like it could even just be on a day-to-day basis. Like we could be missing so many opportunities to spread the gospel and to tell people. And you know what's so funny is like I, I obviously like I still kind of have moments where I go into these environments and I'm scared. And I am hesitant. And I'm like, I don't know if I want to do this or if it's worth it or whatever,

41:03right? And what's really awesome, which I know a lot of you guys have probably felt this too, is what's so fun is like just saying a simple prayer to God and being when if you really, if you really feel so convicted that you like actually pro, like realistically, God is calling you to do this, right? He's calling you to initiate that conversation with that, you know, um, barista at your coffee shop or he's calling you to have that conversation with a friend of yours or, you know, that you know and love but it's like so maybe deep in their own bondage, you know, or could be going into environments that aren't that are secular. And what's so fun though is when you step out in that faith and you make that simple prayer with Jesus where you're like, all right, Lord, I surrender it like it's gotta be you then. It can't be me in my own understanding like I need you to just flow out of me then, Holy Spirit, have your way like whatever you want to do in this person's life and you, you just simply need a vessel. You need a vehicle, you need a person, fine, I'll do it. I'm giving

42:04you my yes, but you bet you got to have your way. Like that's like my biggest prayer and that should be all of our prayers when we go into these things and you know what's so fun is when you step out in that faith and you do it and then God does the very thing that you prayed for. There's like a high that comes with it. It is the most encouraging. You like feel so close with with Jesus too. When you do that, you're like, oh my gosh, I was so scared to step out in that faith. I was so scared to walk into that room because I knew that a lot of the people around me would not understand. It could be at your job where you are surrounded by people every day where they don't they don't know Jesus at all. I saw a comment on on my video though that was really cool where a girl was saying that she is becoming a lawyer and sometimes she gets, she said that sometimes she gets feedback from people in her life that are like, how could you be in a profession

43:05where you're like potentially defending criminals, you know? And she was like, I don't know what I just, I feel like God is calling me to do this and to be this. And so it's what I'm pursuing but like I know that there's like a lot of Jesus that doesn't really live in in this stuff, you know? So yeah, I mean, it could absolutely even be the job, you know, that you do and the environment that you show up in every day where you're like, there's just no Jesus here anywhere. And those could be the environments that are really hard to enter. And you just pray, you say, okay, God, I need you to just literally freaking ooze out of me. Like, use me. I want to just be a vessel that is yielded at your feet and I'm, it is, you just have your way. God, use me in whatever way you want to use me today. Plant whatever seeds you need to plant. You have my yes. That is the prayer that we should be praying. And yeah, it's just, it's just the cool, there, there actually is something in it for you, believe it or not. Like the thing that's in it for you is you, you feel so

44:10close to Jesus, it's encouraging your confidence is boosted so that the next time you do it, you're like, all right, Lord, let's go. Let's freaking go. There's a sense of reward, you feel, it's so rewarding. It's so exciting and encouraging to be able to face our fears and do hard things with Jesus and to do it in the name of Jesus and to do it with faith, encourage and depend, like full dependence on him. Like you're fully dependent on his, on his presence and his spirit. It is so cool. Like my drive home after that, I was like, Lord, that was fun. That was so fun. I did not waver on my convictions. I didn't waver on, you know, the way that I live my life with Jesus. And I got to laugh with people. I got to hear about their stories. I got to tell them about mine and I got to walk around and just be an example of somebody who who is just simply been saved by the grace of Jesus. And it's, it's, it's, it was nothing that was ever done in my power,

45:14but it's like, I'm just in love with him because he saved me and he chose me. And it's really encouraging to be that in environments that don't have it. And so I'm grateful to Hulu for inviting me. I'm grateful that I was able to be there. And I don't regret it. And I would do it again. And I again, and I again, and honestly, the next time I go to an event or I'm in an environment like this again, I want to pray over somebody. Like that's the other fun thing is I get to count my wins for that specific thing that I did. And then I get to go, okay, God, and what, what do you want me to do to level it up again next time? You know, like my, another thing that I love to do with God after it was like kind of evaluating it and being like, all right, Lord, wins. Yay, that was so fun. Okay. What, what, what could we do better in next time? Maybe we grow in this area. And it's just like being able to kind of take feedback from the Holy Spirit after two. As I'm exercising and practicing

46:15being in these spaces. Because I, I'm pretty used to being in Christian spaces all the time, but these ones are, there's going to be learning curves, you know, there's going to be ways where I'm like, next time, God, let's do this, you know, so I think next time I want to physically pray over somebody. I do. And I'm going to, I'm going to pray to God that somebody is highlighted. And that there is something specific like that they, he's prepared their heart. And like they, that is the actually the very thing that they needed in that moment. Anyway, I, I honestly felt like I've been so stinking all over the place the last few times I've recorded. And so I just pray to God that that made sense. I really do be bopping around a lot. But ultimately, what I'm saying is like we are not going to conform to the world, but we're going to be in it, but we're not going to be of it, but we're going to love people in the world. And we're also not going to hold them to the expectations that they like should be walking like Christ. If they don't claim to be following Christ. So we're not going to hold the world to the standard of being in the church because they're not in the church.

47:17We're going to love them anyways, but we're also going to make sure that we are setting a boundaries with the people who are nearest to us because we're not going to like take counsel or wisdom or be conformed by people who obviously like they don't align with how Christ calls us to live. But we aren't going to treat them like a disease and we can't be in relationship with them and sit at least, at the least sit with them, share a meal with them, be around them. And we're not going to just think about ourselves when we go into these environments. We're not going to feel like we have to protect any kind of like holiness where if the opportunity comes and you really believe that Jesus wants you to be in those environments, you better go. You better go and make disciples. You better go and tell about the goodness of Christ. You better go and connect with somebody and then say, Hey, let's get coffee and then you coffee with them and you continue to be a friend to them and you let your how about we talk about the fact that you could have influence that would rub off on them. Let your Jesus rub off on them. We give the devil way too much credit, y'all. We don't want any of that bad juju to rub off on us, but what about what about the power that's oozing off of you? Are we not going to talk about the fact that you have a lot that could actually

48:21be rubbing off on other people more more that's way more powerful than the demonic. We're talking about Jesus Christ of Nazareth. We're talking about the Holy Ghost. I think I've made my point. I'm just repeating myself and talking in circles. Anyway, you guys are really proud of you and I love you so much. We're all just doing our best, but let's make sure that we're loving everybody. And we're not just going to, we're not writing people off or looking at them like they are too far gone or they're really dirty. Maybe they have resisted God a lot in their life. I was too before I accepted Jesus, like fully in my life. I was just like, who am I? Who am I? Who are we? We all have sinned. We all have told God no. Like, let's just love. And yes, actually, there is a way to love people well without condoning or agreeing with every way that they live their life. And if we want to know how to do that, we can just read the stories of which

49:24Jesus, I mean, Jesus was the example of how to love people and to not treat them like they are a disease, but standing firm in the truth at the same time and not condoning certain lifestyles and behavior. Okay, guys, I really love you a lot. Thank you for being here. Before we go, actually, can we do something really cool today? Hey, can we show somebody how cool Jesus is? Can we walk more like him, talk more like him, be more like Jesus? Be an evangelist this week. In the words that you speak, in the way that you treat people, in the way that you look at them, in the eye, let's just love people really well. Okay, I'm getting very sleepy. I need to go to bed. You guys are probably like, bed, all right? It's the beginning of it. Not for me. Y'all, it's 730 at night for me. And some recording this. I love you guys. Have the most beautiful day ever. I'll see you soon. Okay, bye.