Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt Episode Summary: "The Upside Down Kingdom: Living Set-Apart with Jeanine Amapola Ward" Release Date: February 3, 2025
Introduction
In this compelling episode of "Stay True", host Madison Prewett Troutt engages in a profound conversation with her close friend and guest, Jeanine Amapola Ward. The episode delves deep into the concept of the "Upside Down Kingdom", exploring what it means to live a life set apart from cultural norms by adhering to Christian values. Through heartfelt discussions, personal testimonies, and scriptural insights, Madison and Jeanine offer listeners practical advice on maintaining faith and integrity in a countercultural world.
Understanding the Upside Down Kingdom
Madison introduces the episode by framing the Upside Down Kingdom as a life that contrasts sharply with societal norms. She emphasizes that following Jesus necessitates a countercultural lifestyle where Christians are called to be different—loving and praying for enemies, serving others, and prioritizing God's will over personal desires.
Madison [07:36]: "Everything about following Jesus is countercultural. It is opposite to how this world chooses to live."
Jeanine elaborates on this by highlighting the "even if mindset", where believers are encouraged to trust in Christ regardless of circumstances. She contrasts this with the world's "what if mindset", which is rooted in fear and self-reliance.
Jeanine [38:08]: "What if mindset is the world's way. And even if mindset is God's way, even if it doesn't turn out the way that I want it to... it's like having that mindset of God's in control."
Daily Practices of Denying Self
A central theme of the discussion revolves around the practicalities of denying oneself to live in alignment with God's will. Madison poses a crucial question:
Madison [13:30]: "What would you say are some, like, daily practices of ways that people can deny themselves?"
Jeanine responds by suggesting spiritual disciplines such as:
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Morning Devotion: Starting the day by giving first fruits to the Lord and meditating on scripture instead of engaging in self-focused activities like vision boarding or manifesting personal desires.
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Surrendering Plans: Actively choosing to align one's plans with God's will, even if it means altering career paths or simplifying life.
Jeanine [14:34]: "It's spiritually telling God, God, not my will, but your will be done. And then I'm asking the Holy Spirit to fill me with the Spirit."
Personal Testimonies and Transformation
Both Madison and Jeanine share their personal journeys of faith, illustrating how embracing the Upside Down Kingdom mindset has transformed their lives.
Madison recounts her shift from a life driven by self-fulfillment to one centered on serving God and others. She highlights that this change hasn't eliminated her problems but has provided her with peace, purpose, and joy despite challenges.
Madison [35:49]: "When I went all in with Jesus and I made him my everything, it didn't mean my life got... circumstantially better... But inwardly, I experienced a radical peace and a purpose and a hope and a joy."
Jeanine echoes this sentiment, describing her transition from a life of self-seeking to one of sacrificial love and service. She emphasizes that this shift leads to true fulfillment and aligns with God's eternal perspective.
Jeanine [54:07]: "This takes so much time. This takes discipline. This takes gaining the fruit of the Spirit. We do not have this perfectly. But I feel like the more you walk with Christ, the easier this is."
Scriptural Insights and Applications
The conversation is deeply rooted in Biblical teachings, with frequent references to scripture that underscore the principles of the Upside Down Kingdom.
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Mark 10:45: Illustrates Jesus' mission to serve rather than be served, setting the foundation for a life of service.
Madison [09:06]: "Mark 10:45, where it says the son of man came to serve and not be served and to give his life as a ransom for many."
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Matthew 10:39: Highlights the paradox of losing one's life to gain it, emphasizing self-denial for eternal life.
Jeanine [20:51]: "Matthew 10:39. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."
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The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12): Serves as a blueprint for living the Upside Down Kingdom, encouraging humility, mercy, purity, and peacemaking.
Madison [39:32]: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Living Out Faith in Daily Life
Madison and Jeanine provide practical examples of how to embody the Upside Down Kingdom in everyday scenarios:
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Driving Etiquette: Choosing to let others go first, reducing road rage, and practicing patience.
Madison [22:37]: "One way we can work on just a small little thing is like, when you're in your car and when you're driving and someone wants to get over, let them get over."
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Marriage and Friendships: Prioritizing the needs of spouses and friends, serving without expecting reciprocation, and fostering mutual growth.
Jeanine [24:10]: "In marriage, everybody likes to be served. You want your husband to wine and dine you... how can I serve my spouse?"
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Conflict Resolution: Approaching conflicts with humility, seeking reconciliation, and entrusting justice to God rather than retaliating.
Madison [43:03]: "I need to pursue that. I have to choose that right here and right now... I just want to be the bigger person."
The Role of Community and Accountability
The importance of supportive relationships is a recurring theme. Madison and Jeanine stress the need for fellow believers who can challenge, encourage, and walk alongside each other in their faith journeys.
Madison [55:36]: "You need to find people that are gonna help you, like, run faster. And you're running beside each other, not in competition, but, like, hey, come on, let's, you know, let's do this. Let's do it together."
Jeanine [66:07]: "Seek Jesus with other people because it is so much harder to do this life by yourself."
Eternal Perspective and Purpose
A significant portion of the discussion centers on maintaining an eternal perspective. Madison and Jeanine encourage listeners to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary gains, reminding them that their actions have lasting consequences.
Madison [30:14]: "We don't have a YOLO mindset as Christians. It's not, you only live once. You actually live in forever."
Jeanine [61:24]: "We were created to worship him and to know him. ... you find what you are looking for when you worship the one who made me."
Conclusion and Final Encouragement
As the episode draws to a close, both hosts reaffirm the joy and fulfillment that come from living a life aligned with God's kingdom principles. They encourage listeners to embrace self-denial, seek God's will through scripture, and build strong, supportive communities to navigate the challenges of a countercultural life.
Madison [60:53]: "What you feed is what will lead... It's not by our might, power or strength, it's by His Spirit alone. It is by grace. We have been saved through faith in Him."
Jeanine [58:13]: "It may not be easy, but it's so worth it. It is absolutely so worth it."
Notable Quotes
- Madison [07:36]: "Everything about following Jesus is countercultural. It is opposite to how this world chooses to live."
- Jeanine [14:34]: "It's spiritually telling God, God, not my will, but your will be done."
- Madison [35:49]: "When I went all in with Jesus and I made him my everything... Inwardly, I experienced a radical peace and a purpose and a hope and a joy."
- Jeanine [20:51]: "Matthew 10:39. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."
- Madison [39:32]: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
- Madison [60:53]: "It's not by our might, power or strength, it's by His Spirit alone. It is by grace."
Final Thoughts
"The Upside Down Kingdom" episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to live a life that honors God in a world that often opposes Christian values. Through authentic conversations, scriptural wisdom, and personal testimonies, Madison and Jeanine inspire listeners to embrace a transformative faith that prioritizes eternal rewards over fleeting worldly desires. This episode serves as a guide for believers seeking to stay true to their faith amidst life's complexities.
Listen to the full episode to gain deeper insights and practical steps on living a life that truly honors God in every aspect.