I have severe disabilities-spinal damage,heart blockage,COPD,lung tumor(just learned) I was a smoker, drug addict, adulterer, liar and more. I asked God to come into my heart 3 years ago. If I wouldn’t have gotten so sick I would have never taken time to study and pray everyday. I see my illness as a blessing. That’s what it took for me to change my ways. One day all my pain will be gone.
Wow this word is for you. I will pray that the Lord will strengthen you and your spirit man will bloom. Know always this earthly suffering is making you closer to Jesus. I pray for grace for you.
That's so tragic. But the Lord will always have a few people who don't compromise. Here in Sweden its either liberal theology and political correctness - or, it is prosperity teaching, false prophets, and false signs and wonders. Many Christians have had to leave bad churches. May God have mercy on both our nations.
I will likely never meet you in person on this side of Eternity, Mike, since I live in Australia. Yet in my heart you are a true brother because of Jesus. You are also the kind of friend I would choose if I had the privilege. Thank you and God bless you always 😊
I grew up with the "health and wealth gospel" that promised me that if I followed God he would bless me and keep me safe. This was destroyed when I served God whole-heartedly and yet he took my oldest son in a stillbirth three years ago, and then my twin boys in preterm labor- miracle twins who were due on the same day I lost my son. My faith took the darkest turn in the deepest grief and for months I struggled to even LIKE God, let alone love him.Over a long time of darkness, God revealed to me that he didn't hate me- if he did, he never would have died for me, and after I internalized God's love demonstrated on the cross, the deconstruction of my faith started to turn into reconstruction. I can't believe I can say this now, it's been almost two years, but praise God that even in my worst moments of rage at God He never gave up on me, and is using those horrible situations to continue to purify my faith. I think God will let something physical die to awaken something spiritual because he is Spirit and his priorities are spiritual, unlike us physical human beings. As the to health and wealth gospel, I see this taught in every circle of the American church, wether liberal or conservative, and when I see it, I oppose it so fiercely because I know how it sets up people to get angry at God for not fulfilling promises He never made, but that ignorant pastors and American Christian media made for him. If we want to follow Jesus, we have to take up our cross and keep our eyes on eternity. One day I will see my three precious boys again.
Such a sad but ultimately beautiful story, thank you for sharing. I didn't go through anything half as heartbreaking as you, but I also had a period of my life where everything went wrong and it caused me to reject God's love. The teaching that He somehow guarantees us a painless life can really be damaging. How thankful I am that He continued to pursue me. I hope you are doing well.
How beautifully spoken. Your testimony, of very painful events in your life and of where you are now, is Holy Spirit given. I have a similar testimony. He’s with us through the storms of this life, even when it doesn’t “feel” like it.🙏 God bless you sister.🫶
Romans 5:3-4 ESV - Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
I love this verse. I remember a pastor telling us to read it in the first person. "Therefore, I do not lose heart. Though outwardly I am wasting away, yet inwardly I am being renewed day by day. For my light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." NIV Thanks P. Mike for your ministry. Truly a blessing to me and making me a better follower of Jesus Christ....and Bible thinker😊
I can't thank you enough for the gift that you bring through your videos. I grew up in a Pentecostal church, heavily framed by Evangelical and Prosperity Gospel teaching. I have struggled my entire life to reconcile what I was taught about God and therefore believed about Him and His character, with my lived experience and what I understood the Bible to say as I read it. Why didn't I receive the things I spoke and believed for...I must not have enough faith and that is blocking the blessing of God. Why didn't the person I prayed for get healed...I must have a hidden sin in my heart that is hindering the Spirit of God. Why are all of these unexpected expenses coming at once...it must be because I skipped tithing the mandatory 10% last week to pay one of those bills. Your teachings and wisdom have been indescribably encouraging!!!
@@airkami I don’t know why you would care to criticize a random stranger’s post who was simply trying to thank someone. But here we are. And to be clear, I said that my experience was influenced by those two things. I said nothing about out how similar they are or aren’t.
@@kbutcher84 Just a suggestion, anytime you feel attacked, probably the best response is to ignore it. Assume its a misunderstanding. If you feel you want to respond keep your response neutral, only clarify. ALso don't forget some people like to get others upset. don't let that happen to you. As a Christian we should try to strive in peace with all men, even when our emotions say otherwise.
@@benjaminwatt2436 The intent of my response was to be neutral. I understand tone is virtually impossible to convey clearly through text. To be clear, I don’t feel attacked. Nor was I upset. But I do believe my response was necessary. But you may be entirely correct. And I do appreciate your perspective and your point. And I’m sure you are probably also correct that this is all a misunderstanding and everyone has the best of intentions.
Not only will’ Prosperity preaching’ mess us up, but ANY false teaching leads to pain and frustration. Why? Because false teaching leads to false expectations…
That's because God doesn't make you happy. He doesn't come through for us. He doesn't actually answer prayers. That's why you're setting yourself up for a false reality if you actually believe he cares about you. Know that he doesn't, and gaslight yourself that he does. That's the ticket to heaven.
@@emergebyal8054 the whole thing normalizes unhealthy and abusive behavior. It's really no wonder that Christians that really take it seriously can end up with abusive mindsets. You get a lot of practice defending this God and then you apply that to humans. The whole thing is just not good.
This is the message the Church needs to return to. America is rapidly becoming a post-Christian culture and our faith will no longer be socially acceptable. The prosperity churches will see their numbers rapidly decline when just the title of "Christian" brings reproach. More importantly, though, have we in our more mainstream churches prepared the Body of Christ for these things? If all we teach is a God who wants to answer their prayers, meet their needs, help them with their problems, and bless them in ministry and life, then we haven't done enough. The gospel of suffering is needed to "vaccinate" our congregations against hard times to come. Many American Christians see tribulation as a sign of the end times and assume Jesus will come back before it gets too bad. The truth, though, is that many of our brethren around the world already live in times of tribulation where suffering, persecution and even death are the normal Christian experience. Their faithfulness in the midst of a culture like that is both a shining example and a stinging criticism to us in our comfortable culture of religious freedom. Let's embrace the example of our suffering brothers and sisters and rise above the criticism by learning to suffer well for the glory of God!
Pastor Mike! This was amazing! I've never thought of it this way. I have cancer and I'm going through what you spoke about. Pain, confused etc. however now I can look at this so differently and rejoice in the transformation he's making in me for eternity!
@TheCreativeChica Yes very true, but he is not the cause of the circumstance. Bottom line is, that Gid wants you perfectly healthy, because a fully healthy body in a sick world brings God more glory.
Thanks, Mike, for the slingshot analogy - The further back you are pulled, the higher up you are goiing to soar ..., the more trouble, the deeper the character, the closer the relationship with God, the greater the reward, if we let God into it. Also he does say to count it all joy, and in this you rejoice, and we glory in trouble - now! Do I do it? No, but like you say, I get a glimmer of it, and growing, may the Gardener continue to garden in my heart.
Amen Brother. I can often tell when the Lord has been at work in this manner, in someone's life. There is a humility and gratefulness there, that is so precious.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is so hard to find good teaching of truth like this today. And I have listened to all of your teachings repeatedly, but need more. LOL I am an elderly woman alone, struggling, suffering, and knowing what the Lord says about that, but everyone telling me if i just gave more money to God he would make me rich and take away my suffering. Knowing that is not biblical truth, knowing what you taught here, I just tell them, "money is not everything" then they don't know what to say. everyday is a pain filled struggle for me, filled with loneliness... but God has been amazing and faithful through it all, as he transforms my thinking and behavior from the way of the world, to his way. I rejoice in the struggle, through tears though. lol
It can be very lonely in today's world. Does your area have a pen pal program by chance? My granddaughter joined one through our local library and writes frequently to her pen pal who is elderly. They have become friends and continued their correspondence even after the pen pal time ended at the library.
Mike, I'm lifting you up in prayer. Thank you for your obedience and effort in this ministry. I have never listened to someone who practically and logically applies scripture as you do. You are a blessing to me and many others.
i have suffered much, narcisistic cheat of a mother. abusive spouce, adhd, poverty sickness and an abusive child. all it has done is strengthen the faith i've been given
This message is SO AMAZING!! I share with others all the time about how our hardships in this life are preparation for building character and working towards what we will be responsible for and doing in eternity.
II Corinthians 4:17 is one of the verses that the Lord has been using in my walk since I was saved. It proves to me that though I might be experiencing things that confuse me, but they pale in comparison to God's surpassing Glory
I shared a sermon recently entitled 'A Godly Response to Suffering' and it was really about what God has said about believers suffering. The sermon really came from indignation I have felt in the last three years by ppl around me buying into prosperity teacher's misleading ideas about suffering. Thanks Pastor Mike for the sound teaching.
I love the video game character leveling analogy and have used it myself. It seems that if you start feeling like you’ve attained a level of spiritual maturity, that you will level up. And at that new level, you find the things you’re up against are harder than anything you’ve faced before, driving us back to the Lord for strength and help.
Amen. And leveling up, cam also expose new weaknesses in us that God wants to deal with. In this way, our progress may be obscured to us, since our challenges grow alongside our character.
Groaning is very real! When my sister died I cried, but groaning was all that came outfrom deep within. It's not crying, it is beyond that. In that moment I understood that sentence in the bible and knew God is with me.
Wow, the slingshot analogy was just exceptional. May God bless you and your family for all of your days, Pastor Mike. You are an amazing ally, and I am blessed through your videos every single day. How great is our God that through a single man he touches the lives of hundreds of thousands. Praise the almighty Father for His innumerable gifts to us, Mike among them.
What a great analogy re video games! I happen to fall into the same category, I haven't played video games since I was a young lad and recently got a Steam Deck and have enjoyed kicking back and playing video games from time to time to just unwind, but I too enjoy the character upgrade type games not so much the gear upgrades lol I grew up on Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, PTL, etc. watching all those guys with my mom. I really had no idea that their message wasn't truth, but have really enjoyed your videos explaining and have been sharing them. Thank you for all you do!
My faith to God didn't get deeper if I hadn't experienced illnesses and trials in life. I used to be prideful one. It's true that through suffering, I can achieve real connection with God.
This is what keeps me going, knowing that what's to come is so much more than I can imagine compared to the trials I experience. I know that the LORD will keep me until His purpose for me and in me is done on this earth.
Thank you, Mike, for the helpful, biblical wisdom. My take on Romans 5 is: We glory in tribulation (trouble), because trouble produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character ... Whose character? The character of Christ - so trouble can produce the character of Christ in us if we are willing. Gives a very different take on trouble.
This is my very favorite talk you have put out from my perspective. And SO NEEDED! It filled my heart, but watching it again with pen and paper!! Thank you for all you do🙌
This is deceptive, God is a good God, He is a good father. He wants you healthy and He wants to provide for you. Read the Bible for yourself please, explain how Jesus's ministry involved healing but somehow now He doesn't heal anymore? Jesus never ever refused to heal anyone, this man has not really understood the Bible
Please pray for me as spiritual warfare is intensifying in my home/family! May we hold to God and His Word and trust in His steadfast love, grace, and mercy! In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit!!!
My brother in Christ. Thank you so much for this video. I just found my faith again after being lost the past 14 years. So I’ve been looking for churches and basically trying to get a vibe and feel where the holy spirit is present. I saw a post from one of these prosperity preachers who is part of the church I just visited and the way she ended her sermon, I felt the holy spirit talking to me. Not from her words, but from the words she didn’t say. I truly wish prosperity preachers who watch your video. This explains it so well. I grew up on fire and brimstone preaching as well as prosperity. Although that helped me through that season and I’m seeking a more evolved translation to todays society, this should be the fundamentals and core of the gospel! God bless you
I just happened to watch this teaching today and I really needed to hear it. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to use you, Mike, and stewarding the gifts you have.
Thank you for your obedience, Mike. This is a confirmation of everything the Lord has been sharing with me for the past 48 hours, as I grumbled in my spirit about various trials. Sometimes, we don't even realize that we have believed the lie of prosperity even though we say we stand against it. Suffering for the Christian is one of the ways that we become more like Christ. That alone is reason to give God praise with joy inexpressible.
When I consider my suffering alongside that of the Christian throughout the world and history, I find this teaching is what I need in order to explain it (and to see that mine is very small in comparison, though that's not very emotionally helpful all the time). But, the implications are this (are they not?): there is no reasonable expectation of any period of life to be without suffering in this world, in this life. There's only an expectation of freedom from suffering in heaven, right? And it's so amazing there, we're utterly unconcerned by what we experienced here?
Christianity : ◾Baptism in Water 🌊 ◾Baptism in The Holy Ghost🕊️ ◾Baptism in Fire🔥 ◾Baptism in Suffering 🥵😭 👇🏿 🌟 Perfection in Christ Bro, you're a mighty man.
I have struggled for years with addiction. I spent countless nights walking the streets. Going for days without sleep. I spent one night in minus 27 weather wearing nothing but sweats and a t-shirt. Black magic afflicted and feeling persecuted by evil forces. I think I need to suffer more because when you suffer. God is always listening and was watching over me when I was on those streets. Thank you Lord 🙏 Amen
Pastor Mike, I love your teaching; however, the Apostle Paul is giving us a solid foundation in terms of how we should view suffering. Moreover, Paul is teaching from his own experiences concerning suffering. Can we learn from Paul, off course!! The average Christian is not in chains or bound to a prison. It is interesting to me how we choose what to believe when it comes to the word of God.. There are some people that don’t believe in healing, prosperity etc, Does that make God’s word of no effect? God’s word is filled with answers for every problem we faced. I am glad that millions, including myself have experienced the power of God’s word. People of God do not loose hope in God! Lastly, in our lifetime, we are subject to experience a lot of unanswered questions, sudden death etc, but we can always turn to this text (among many for comfort). Our job is to Stay in Faith and continue to trust God! Love you.
Thank you pastor For your wise words. As a person who suffers daily with chronic pain, I truly get what you are saying. This is a inspring reminder of suffering and groaning and of whats is to come. As a nature lover I also see the groaning in nature.Praise be to Yeshua Jesus for His ultimate suffering for me on the cross. 🙌
I think I love and understand God as much as I can in this life so far. I've suffered much pain in my life and lost loved ones. I think I cannot be angry with God until I have suffered for him as much as he has suffered for me. Suffering is a learning experience. So I say thank you God for loving me.
Mike, you always point me to reason and help me to get “me” out of the way. I love listening to you, scripture and understand what my mind sometimes just doesn’t get it. God Bless.
Thanks for the hope you spread We are to keep the future glory in mind As NTWrite says, we are a shadow of what we will be in the future - Kingdom of God
Mike, this was SO very encouraging to me this morning! I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma last September and have grappled with the not understanding and sadness at the turn of events in my life. Isaiah 26:3 tells me that God will keep me in peace as long as I fix my eyes on Him. I try to do this daily. And I look forward to seeing my Savior face to face and living forever with Him in a place with no sorrow, pain or suffering.
That was awesome, Mike! I love how you get so excited! It's something we could never in our flesh comprehend, the glory that lies ahead, AND we get to be with our precious Lord and Savior! I can't......👍🙏♥️✝️
Thank you Pastor Mike. How could we not be affilicted in this sin-filled world. Your scriptures and explanation is so helpful. My heart is hopeful. My BSF leader said to me, we have to go thru the process before we get to His promise. Amen.
When I was young following Christ I suffered a lot. Now I am old and the lord blessed me so much and I hardly suffer any more. Sometimes I think I am not walking correctly- there is no persecution anymore, there is no suffering, but seeing where the world is walking to, persecution comes. At the WEF at Davis in Switzerland the elites have already spoken of forbidding Christianity.
Thank u Mike.needed to hear this. Because whilst I experience this on every level every year, And how alone I am feeling because of it, Gives me peace knowing that this is what is for our Lord, lean not on our understanding.
A few times lately, there have been breath taking revelations, not outside of spiritual knowledge! But I believe Holy Spirit given wisdom! As you gave scripture my mind and heart grasped the truth, Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). James, the brother of our Lord, agreed, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). Other versus support this truth! Thank you for your sincerity and willingness to tell us what we might not want to hear!
As children learn to see good or evil in experiences and what is said, we have a very important watch to make to beware if being deceived. This is what has occurred on a world wide scale. One may even view it prophetic history being foretold in the deep recesses of biblical warnings of the coming trials we face. May God help you and me also.
I’m so thankful for sound doctrine. I’ve suffered with back issues for 53 years and I’m tired of hearing well-meaning sisters telling me that I’m already healed. I know that one day I will be whole when Jesus comes again or when I enter into heaven. Why can’t people accept that in this world we may not be healed? I’ve prayed, I’ve had brothers and sisters pray, but God did not heal me. I can live with this, but the folks in my church can’t accept it. I can live with my pain knowing that God is working in and through me in spite of my pain. I still contribute to my church and my community. Good enough for me!
I think you may be selling yourself, your faith, and God, short. "1Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits- 3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Psalm 103:1-5) Do you believe God forgives all your sins? Do you believe He redeems your life from the pit? Do you believe He crowns you with love and compassion? Then why do you NOT believe He will heal all your diseases? Why are you accepting that in this world you won't be healed? Is that faith? God can and will work in and through us in spite of our pain - He's doing that for me as well - but it doesn't last for a lifetime, unless you allow it to. Faith is for this lifetime, because after we die and go to be with the Lord, we won't need faith any more. Trials and suffering tests and perfects our faith, but if we do nothing but suffer, has our faith been refined or perfected? "10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Pet 5:10) Don't make up mindsets or beliefs to cover for a lack of faith (yes, I said it).
@@Valdal98 Where did I say anything about name it - claim it? Everything I said and all you can do is scold me about what I said about your faith? Did you even look at the scriptures I gave you? No response to that? Oh, BTW, I've walked with the Lord as long as you have.
@@jeffschlueter1660 I’ve read them, studied them and know them and you did attack my faith. God never promised that every one will be healed this side of heaven. That, I believe, is twisting scriptures. Did you not hear a word of Mike’s teaching?
Matthew 20:1-16. This parable is a difficult one to swallow, but GRACE tends to only be appealing when we view it from a "first person" perspective....
Thanks for this. I'm also glad to see that I'm not the only person who learned a life lesson from video games about hardship and struggles being the way we level up and become stronger.
Dear Pastor Mike, this is unadultered truth. This is why because of this false gospel flattering the flesh producing cowards and easy going children walking without the fear of the Lord will fall away at the first little persecution. Their love for Christ has already waxed cold following this gospel of hyper grace keeping them thirsting for earthly things allowing them to stay on the broad path of sin. Shalom from Switzerland
Pastor Mike I thank you so much for this teaching. I just wanted to leave a comment that I use portions from this teaching in my sermon and forgot to cite you publicly because I skipped over that transitional point in my message. But I thank you for your help that it lended to my message on Sunday
Amen Mike.. Some thoughts; Even when we have to confront others of the truth about their.. a part of suffering. It's the Spirit man that is rejuvenated.. This body of death is waisting away.. yay! This coming from a former hairstylist heath freak.. turned Jesus freak😊 tall Glory to God.
Amen! As Jesus said in Luke 6:22-23, "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven."
Hallelujah!!!! The daily jesus devotional has been a huge part of my transformation, God is good 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻was owning a loan of $47,000 to the bank for my son's brain surgery (David), Now I'm no longer in debt after I invested $8,000 and got my payout of m $270,500 every months,God bless Susan Jane Christy 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸..
After I raised up to 325k trading with her I bought a new House and a car here in the states 🇺🇸🇺🇸 also paid for my son's surgery (Oscar). Glory to God.shalom.
Wow that's nice She makes you that much!! please is there a way to reach her services, I work 3 jobs and trying to pay off my debts for a while now!! Please help me.
Great message. We cannot be friends with the world and serve Christ. The two are diametrically opposed to one another. James 4:4.... know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. We are "pilgrims" in this world. Like that old gospel song says: "This world is not my home. I am just a passin through. My treasures are laid up beyond the blue. I can't feel at home in this world anymore" (Hebrews 11:13-16) "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. {14} For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. {15} And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. {16} But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."
I attended one black church for about a year, and in a college course studied about what they teach their members. I grieve for them, because there is so little truth being put forth in those congregations.
All black churches are not teaching a false doctrine. In fact, as a black pastor, I believe Pastor Mike teaching is spot on concerning the text. However, I believe that God’s intention for our life is good, which includes healing and prosperity.
Thank you so much, Mike. I love the slingshot analogy. I will definitely revisit that image in my mind on hard days with my illness. You are such a blessing to the Body of Christ. 💞
We all have different callings. Prosperity preachers can bring one to Christ but after that we'll need somebody like a prophet to teach us mysteries of God that will grow us spiritually
I have severe disabilities-spinal damage,heart blockage,COPD,lung tumor(just learned) I was a smoker, drug addict, adulterer, liar and more. I asked God to come into my heart 3 years ago. If I wouldn’t have gotten so sick I would have never taken time to study and pray everyday. I see my illness as a blessing. That’s what it took for me to change my ways. One day all my pain will be gone.
I’m so glad you got saved and that you are growing through your pain. God is faithful.
Constant pain? I've heard this can be healed by Jesus
Wow this word is for you. I will pray that the Lord will strengthen you and your spirit man will bloom. Know always this earthly suffering is making you closer to Jesus. I pray for grace for you.
Thank God for His mercy - keep looking to Him.
Glad you found Jesus, but that sickness is not from God. He is a good father, has no joy in your suffering
Prosperity Preachers have Bastardized the ideals of Christianity in my home country of Nigeria. It’s something else.
Prosperity teachers and moslem persecution. May God have mercy on Nigeria
Not just Nigeria the whole of Africa
That's so tragic. But the Lord will always have a few people who don't compromise. Here in Sweden its either liberal theology and political correctness - or, it is prosperity teaching, false prophets, and false signs and wonders.
Many Christians have had to leave bad churches.
May God have mercy on both our nations.
I will likely never meet you in person on this side of Eternity, Mike, since I live in Australia. Yet in my heart you are a true brother because of Jesus. You are also the kind of friend I would choose if I had the privilege.
Thank you and God bless you always 😊
Same here!
Ikr?
I grew up with the "health and wealth gospel" that promised me that if I followed God he would bless me and keep me safe. This was destroyed when I served God whole-heartedly and yet he took my oldest son in a stillbirth three years ago, and then my twin boys in preterm labor- miracle twins who were due on the same day I lost my son. My faith took the darkest turn in the deepest grief and for months I struggled to even LIKE God, let alone love him.Over a long time of darkness, God revealed to me that he didn't hate me- if he did, he never would have died for me, and after I internalized God's love demonstrated on the cross, the deconstruction of my faith started to turn into reconstruction. I can't believe I can say this now, it's been almost two years, but praise God that even in my worst moments of rage at God He never gave up on me, and is using those horrible situations to continue to purify my faith. I think God will let something physical die to awaken something spiritual because he is Spirit and his priorities are spiritual, unlike us physical human beings. As the to health and wealth gospel, I see this taught in every circle of the American church, wether liberal or conservative, and when I see it, I oppose it so fiercely because I know how it sets up people to get angry at God for not fulfilling promises He never made, but that ignorant pastors and American Christian media made for him. If we want to follow Jesus, we have to take up our cross and keep our eyes on eternity. One day I will see my three precious boys again.
Amen. This is beautiful
Such a sad but ultimately beautiful story, thank you for sharing. I didn't go through anything half as heartbreaking as you, but I also had a period of my life where everything went wrong and it caused me to reject God's love. The teaching that He somehow guarantees us a painless life can really be damaging. How thankful I am that He continued to pursue me.
I hope you are doing well.
Amen✝️❤️🙏
How beautifully spoken. Your testimony, of very painful events in your life and of where you are now, is Holy Spirit given. I have a similar testimony. He’s with us through the storms of this life, even when it doesn’t “feel” like it.🙏 God bless you sister.🫶
❤❤❤❤ Yes you definitely will.
Romans 5:3-4 ESV - Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
I love this verse. I remember a pastor telling us to read it in the first person. "Therefore, I do not lose heart. Though outwardly I am wasting away, yet inwardly I am being renewed day by day. For my light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." NIV Thanks P. Mike for your ministry. Truly a blessing to me and making me a better follower of Jesus Christ....and Bible thinker😊
I can't thank you enough for the gift that you bring through your videos. I grew up in a Pentecostal church, heavily framed by Evangelical and Prosperity Gospel teaching. I have struggled my entire life to reconcile what I was taught about God and therefore believed about Him and His character, with my lived experience and what I understood the Bible to say as I read it. Why didn't I receive the things I spoke and believed for...I must not have enough faith and that is blocking the blessing of God. Why didn't the person I prayed for get healed...I must have a hidden sin in my heart that is hindering the Spirit of God. Why are all of these unexpected expenses coming at once...it must be because I skipped tithing the mandatory 10% last week to pay one of those bills. Your teachings and wisdom have been indescribably encouraging!!!
I don’t know why you would care to speak “evangelical” in the same breath as “prosperity” they are diametrically opposed
@@airkami this is true. Every believer is called to be an evangelist.
@@airkami I don’t know why you would care to criticize a random stranger’s post who was simply trying to thank someone. But here we are. And to be clear, I said that my experience was influenced by those two things. I said nothing about out how similar they are or aren’t.
@@kbutcher84 Just a suggestion, anytime you feel attacked, probably the best response is to ignore it. Assume its a misunderstanding. If you feel you want to respond keep your response neutral, only clarify. ALso don't forget some people like to get others upset. don't let that happen to you. As a Christian we should try to strive in peace with all men, even when our emotions say otherwise.
@@benjaminwatt2436 The intent of my response was to be neutral. I understand tone is virtually impossible to convey clearly through text. To be clear, I don’t feel attacked. Nor was I upset. But I do believe my response was necessary.
But you may be entirely correct. And I do appreciate your perspective and your point. And I’m sure you are probably also correct that this is all a misunderstanding and everyone has the best of intentions.
Not only will’ Prosperity preaching’ mess us up, but ANY false teaching leads to pain and frustration. Why? Because false teaching leads to false expectations…
Exactly!
That's because God doesn't make you happy. He doesn't come through for us. He doesn't actually answer prayers. That's why you're setting yourself up for a false reality if you actually believe he cares about you. Know that he doesn't, and gaslight yourself that he does. That's the ticket to heaven.
@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr This is why we must STOP viewing GOD as a vending machine…
@@emergebyal8054 the whole thing normalizes unhealthy and abusive behavior. It's really no wonder that Christians that really take it seriously can end up with abusive mindsets. You get a lot of practice defending this God and then you apply that to humans. The whole thing is just not good.
@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr Seek Truth, not fairytales…
Thank you for sharing Gods truth. I'm so broken right now and need prayers family 😢
🙏
Praying, Sara.
Prayers going up fam 🙏
Prayers
🙏
This is the message the Church needs to return to. America is rapidly becoming a post-Christian culture and our faith will no longer be socially acceptable. The prosperity churches will see their numbers rapidly decline when just the title of "Christian" brings reproach. More importantly, though, have we in our more mainstream churches prepared the Body of Christ for these things? If all we teach is a God who wants to answer their prayers, meet their needs, help them with their problems, and bless them in ministry and life, then we haven't done enough. The gospel of suffering is needed to "vaccinate" our congregations against hard times to come.
Many American Christians see tribulation as a sign of the end times and assume Jesus will come back before it gets too bad. The truth, though, is that many of our brethren around the world already live in times of tribulation where suffering, persecution and even death are the normal Christian experience. Their faithfulness in the midst of a culture like that is both a shining example and a stinging criticism to us in our comfortable culture of religious freedom. Let's embrace the example of our suffering brothers and sisters and rise above the criticism by learning to suffer well for the glory of God!
🔥🙌🏻✝️🧎♀️🧎♀️😑
Pastor Mike! This was amazing! I've never thought of it this way. I have cancer and I'm going through what you spoke about. Pain, confused etc. however now I can look at this so differently and rejoice in the transformation he's making in me for eternity!
❤️🙏
Cancer is not a Godly thing, God is the author of life, He does not create sickness
@@andinda7915 Agree! However, God can use my circumstances for his glory! 🙏🏼
@TheCreativeChica Yes very true, but he is not the cause of the circumstance.
Bottom line is, that Gid wants you perfectly healthy, because a fully healthy body in a sick world brings God more glory.
@@andinda7915 Agree! Amen! 🙌🏼
Thanks, Mike, for the slingshot analogy - The further back you are pulled, the higher up you are goiing to soar ..., the more trouble, the deeper the character, the closer the relationship with God, the greater the reward, if we let God into it. Also he does say to count it all joy, and in this you rejoice, and we glory in trouble - now! Do I do it? No, but like you say, I get a glimmer of it, and growing, may the Gardener continue to garden in my heart.
Amen Brother. I can often tell when the Lord has been at work in this manner, in someone's life. There is a humility and gratefulness there, that is so precious.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is so hard to find good teaching of truth like this today. And I have listened to all of your teachings repeatedly, but need more. LOL I am an elderly woman alone, struggling, suffering, and knowing what the Lord says about that, but everyone telling me if i just gave more money to God he would make me rich and take away my suffering. Knowing that is not biblical truth, knowing what you taught here, I just tell them, "money is not everything" then they don't know what to say. everyday is a pain filled struggle for me, filled with loneliness... but God has been amazing and faithful through it all, as he transforms my thinking and behavior from the way of the world, to his way. I rejoice in the struggle, through tears though. lol
❤❤❤❤ I love you❤❤❤❤❤❤
Look up Gary Hamrick too . We listen to him as well , more solid teacher and pastor we can not find
How may I help you?
It can be very lonely in today's world. Does your area have a pen pal program by chance? My granddaughter joined one through our local library and writes frequently to her pen pal who is elderly. They have become friends and continued their correspondence even after the pen pal time ended at the library.
Those are definitely people trying to take your money.
Mike, I'm lifting you up in prayer. Thank you for your obedience and effort in this ministry. I have never listened to someone who practically and logically applies scripture as you do. You are a blessing to me and many others.
i have suffered much, narcisistic cheat of a mother. abusive spouce, adhd, poverty sickness and an abusive child. all it has done is strengthen the faith i've been given
May the Lord strengthen you.for the days ahead, Sister. We may be tested this way, so that we can strengthen others, in their time of testing.
Praying for the body of Christ. 🙏🏻🐟🙌🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻
This message is SO AMAZING!! I share with others all the time about how our hardships in this life are preparation for building character and working towards what we will be responsible for and doing in eternity.
I love analogies, the slingshot analogy and the difference between character growth vs having more money are two gems.
II Corinthians 4:17 is one of the verses that the Lord has been using in my walk since I was saved. It proves to me that though I might be experiencing things that confuse me, but they pale in comparison to God's surpassing Glory
Yes, pain, grief and groaning are integral to the life of a Christ follower. And so is joy, hope and peace of heart, through suffering.
I shared a sermon recently entitled 'A Godly Response to Suffering' and it was really about what God has said about believers suffering. The sermon really came from indignation I have felt in the last three years by ppl around me buying into prosperity teacher's misleading ideas about suffering.
Thanks Pastor Mike for the sound teaching.
I love the video game character leveling analogy and have used it myself. It seems that if you start feeling like you’ve attained a level of spiritual maturity, that you will level up. And at that new level, you find the things you’re up against are harder than anything you’ve faced before, driving us back to the Lord for strength and help.
Amen. And leveling up, cam also expose new weaknesses in us that God wants to deal with. In this way, our progress may be obscured to us, since our challenges grow alongside our character.
May we all be strong in the Lord to the very end.
Groaning is very real! When my sister died I cried, but groaning was all that came outfrom deep within. It's not crying, it is beyond that. In that moment I understood that sentence in the bible and knew God is with me.
Wow, the slingshot analogy was just exceptional. May God bless you and your family for all of your days, Pastor Mike. You are an amazing ally, and I am blessed through your videos every single day. How great is our God that through a single man he touches the lives of hundreds of thousands. Praise the almighty Father for His innumerable gifts to us, Mike among them.
So good.
God is interested in making us more than conquerers, just like him. Roman’s 8
I needed to hear this today. I’ve been going through a lot. Thanks pastor Mike. Glory to god
God be with you, Brother. God is at work, and He doesn't abandon us. Blessed are those who have not seen Him, yet *trust* in Him.
What a great analogy re video games! I happen to fall into the same category, I haven't played video games since I was a young lad and recently got a Steam Deck and have enjoyed kicking back and playing video games from time to time to just unwind, but I too enjoy the character upgrade type games not so much the gear upgrades lol I grew up on Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, PTL, etc. watching all those guys with my mom. I really had no idea that their message wasn't truth, but have really enjoyed your videos explaining and have been sharing them. Thank you for all you do!
My faith to God didn't get deeper if I hadn't experienced illnesses and trials in life. I used to be prideful one. It's true that through suffering, I can achieve real connection with God.
Excellent message, so glad you didn't downplay suffering so much as put it in perspective. This is a hard yet important message for me to receive.
Yes. Suffering is so hard, but so important in character formation.
This is what keeps me going, knowing that what's to come is so much more than I can imagine compared to the trials I experience. I know that the LORD will keep me until His purpose for me and in me is done on this earth.
Thank you, Mike, for the helpful, biblical wisdom. My take on Romans 5 is: We glory in tribulation (trouble), because trouble produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character ... Whose character? The character of Christ - so trouble can produce the character of Christ in us if we are willing. Gives a very different take on trouble.
Amen Brother.
Thank you so much for this one Mike. God Bless you 🙏
Amen, brother Mike. This may be the most relevant teaching to the American church in this day and time. God bless you.
Excellent, Christ centered biblical teaching .
Thanks.
This is my very favorite talk you have put out from my perspective.
And SO NEEDED!
It filled my heart, but watching it again with pen and paper!!
Thank you for all you do🙌
This is deceptive, God is a good God, He is a good father. He wants you healthy and He wants to provide for you.
Read the Bible for yourself please, explain how Jesus's ministry involved healing but somehow now He doesn't heal anymore?
Jesus never ever refused to heal anyone, this man has not really understood the Bible
I’d like to thank you Mike for all your Godly knowledge and truth that you so boldly speak. May God bless you in your love for Him.
Please pray for me as spiritual warfare is intensifying in my home/family! May we hold to God and His Word and trust in His steadfast love, grace, and mercy! In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit!!!
Praying now.
🙏🏻
My brother in Christ. Thank you so much for this video. I just found my faith again after being lost the past 14 years. So I’ve been looking for churches and basically trying to get a vibe and feel where the holy spirit is present. I saw a post from one of these prosperity preachers who is part of the church I just visited and the way she ended her sermon, I felt the holy spirit talking to me. Not from her words, but from the words she didn’t say. I truly wish prosperity preachers who watch your video. This explains it so well. I grew up on fire and brimstone preaching as well as prosperity. Although that helped me through that season and I’m seeking a more evolved translation to todays society, this should be the fundamentals and core of the gospel! God bless you
I just happened to watch this teaching today and I really needed to hear it. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to use you, Mike, and stewarding the gifts you have.
Loved the slingshot analogy. 🤩 Please, never stop boldly proclaiming the Truth with so much love and grace. Blessings. By grace alone. 🙏🏻
Thank you for your obedience, Mike. This is a confirmation of everything the Lord has been sharing with me for the past 48 hours, as I grumbled in my spirit about various trials. Sometimes, we don't even realize that we have believed the lie of prosperity even though we say we stand against it. Suffering for the Christian is one of the ways that we become more like Christ. That alone is reason to give God praise with joy inexpressible.
Thank you Jesus 🙌🏽All Glory to you oh Lord
When I consider my suffering alongside that of the Christian throughout the world and history, I find this teaching is what I need in order to explain it (and to see that mine is very small in comparison, though that's not very emotionally helpful all the time). But, the implications are this (are they not?): there is no reasonable expectation of any period of life to be without suffering in this world, in this life. There's only an expectation of freedom from suffering in heaven, right? And it's so amazing there, we're utterly unconcerned by what we experienced here?
I’ve never heard a prosperity preacher explain why the historical majority of believers lived in peasant-level poverty.
Christianity :
◾Baptism in Water 🌊
◾Baptism in The Holy Ghost🕊️
◾Baptism in Fire🔥
◾Baptism in Suffering 🥵😭
👇🏿
🌟 Perfection in Christ
Bro, you're a mighty man.
Thank you Mike Winger! You're the absolute best Bible teacher on YT. Thank you for your heart in this service to us all
Thanks from Germany!
Love your teachings from the Bible. Love you so much Pastor Winger you are such a blessing to me. Many blessings Love sister Liza ❤
I have struggled for years with addiction. I spent countless nights walking the streets. Going for days without sleep. I spent one night in minus 27 weather wearing nothing but sweats and a t-shirt. Black magic afflicted and feeling persecuted by evil forces. I think I need to suffer more because when you suffer. God is always listening and was watching over me when I was on those streets. Thank you Lord 🙏 Amen
so well explained. i have read that verse on light and momentary troubles and you helped me to understand that verse more. thank you and praise God.
Thanks Mike. God bless you for being the lifter of my soul today.
These are the messages we need! Thank you pastor Mike 🙏✝️
Pastor Mike, I love your teaching; however, the Apostle Paul is giving us a solid foundation in terms of how we should view suffering. Moreover, Paul is teaching from his own experiences concerning suffering. Can we learn from Paul, off course!! The average Christian is not in chains or bound to a prison. It is interesting to me how we choose what to believe when it comes to the word of God.. There are some people that don’t believe in healing, prosperity etc, Does that make God’s word of no effect? God’s word is filled with answers for every problem we faced. I am glad that millions, including myself have experienced the power of God’s word. People of God do not loose hope in God! Lastly, in our lifetime, we are subject to experience a lot of unanswered questions, sudden death etc, but we can always turn to this text (among many for comfort). Our job is to Stay in Faith and continue to trust God! Love you.
Thank you pastor For your wise words. As a person who suffers daily with chronic pain, I truly get what you are saying. This is a inspring reminder of suffering and groaning and of whats is to come. As a nature lover I also see the groaning in nature.Praise be to Yeshua Jesus for His ultimate suffering for me on the cross. 🙌
Amen, totally agree.
I think I love and understand God as much as I can in this life so far. I've suffered much pain in my life and lost loved ones. I think I cannot be angry with God until I have suffered for him as much as he has suffered for me. Suffering is a learning experience. So I say thank you God for loving me.
Mike, you always point me to reason and help me to get “me” out of the way. I love listening to you, scripture and understand what my mind sometimes just doesn’t get it. God Bless.
VERY encouraging message!!!! Thanks
Thanks for the hope you spread
We are to keep the future glory in mind
As NTWrite says, we are a shadow of what we will be in the future - Kingdom of God
NT Wright?
Mike, this was SO very encouraging to me this morning! I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma last September and have grappled with the not understanding and sadness at the turn of events in my life.
Isaiah 26:3 tells me that God will keep me in peace as long as I fix my eyes on Him. I try to do this daily. And I look forward to seeing my Savior face to face and living forever with Him in a place with no sorrow, pain or suffering.
Please pray for me as a navigate leaving a word of faith church and the push pack I’m about to get.
Lifting you in prayer now Noelle- praying the Lord will strengthen you as you follow His truth 🙏🙏
That was awesome, Mike! I love how you get so excited! It's something we could never in our flesh comprehend, the glory that lies ahead, AND we get to be with our precious Lord and Savior! I can't......👍🙏♥️✝️
Thank You Jesus
Thank you Pastor Mike. How could we not be affilicted in this sin-filled world. Your scriptures and explanation is so helpful. My heart is hopeful. My BSF leader said to me, we have to go thru the process before we get to His promise. Amen.
When I was young following Christ I suffered a lot. Now I am old and the lord blessed me so much and I hardly suffer any more. Sometimes I think I am not walking correctly- there is no persecution anymore, there is no suffering, but seeing where the world is walking to, persecution comes. At the WEF at Davis in Switzerland the elites have already spoken of forbidding Christianity.
👍❤️🙏 ....Amen! May it glorify my Creator, God , Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank u Mike.needed to hear this. Because whilst I experience this on every level every year, And how alone I am feeling because of it, Gives me peace knowing that this is what is for our Lord, lean not on our understanding.
Amen! Thank you for sharing the insight given you about these passages. Beautiful and clearly stated. Love the slingshot simile.
Great encouragement, Mike. Thank you for sharing. 🌞
That slingshot analogy is SO GOOD!!
Never mind that you remind me of my nephew ... your teaching is always good, and biblically sound. I enjoy listening to you. God bless!
A few times lately, there have been breath taking revelations, not outside of spiritual knowledge! But I believe Holy Spirit given wisdom! As you gave scripture my mind and heart grasped the truth, Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). James, the brother of our Lord, agreed, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). Other versus support this truth! Thank you for your sincerity and willingness to tell us what we might not want to hear!
Be blessed so much from kenya
As children learn to see good or evil in experiences and what is said, we have a very important watch to make to beware if being deceived. This is what has occurred on a world wide scale. One may even view it prophetic history being foretold in the deep recesses of biblical warnings of the coming trials we face. May God help you and me also.
This message is coming to me at a very much needed time. I thank God for this revelation that was brought through you. God bless you!
I so appreciate your profound revelations to us from Scripture. Thank you! Janet Brown :)
Thank you for describing this. I needed to hear this and wow, what a message to think on.
The scripture says that....MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS....BUT THE LORD DELIVERETH THEM FROM THEM ALL!
I’m so thankful for sound doctrine. I’ve suffered with back issues for 53 years and I’m tired of hearing well-meaning sisters telling me that I’m already healed. I know that one day I will be whole when Jesus comes again or when I enter into heaven. Why can’t people accept that in this world we may not be healed? I’ve prayed, I’ve had brothers and sisters pray, but God did not heal me. I can live with this, but the folks in my church can’t accept it. I can live with my pain knowing that God is working in and through me in spite of my pain. I still contribute to my church and my community. Good enough for me!
I think you may be selling yourself, your faith, and God, short.
"1Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Psalm 103:1-5)
Do you believe God forgives all your sins? Do you believe He redeems your life from the pit? Do you believe He crowns you with love and compassion? Then why do you NOT believe He will heal all your diseases? Why are you accepting that in this world you won't be healed? Is that faith? God can and will work in and through us in spite of our pain - He's doing that for me as well - but it doesn't last for a lifetime, unless you allow it to. Faith is for this lifetime, because after we die and go to be with the Lord, we won't need faith any more. Trials and suffering tests and perfects our faith, but if we do nothing but suffer, has our faith been refined or perfected?
"10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
(1 Pet 5:10)
Don't make up mindsets or beliefs to cover for a lack of faith (yes, I said it).
@@jeffschlueter1660 I’ve walked with the Lord for 42 years. Don’t you dare tell me I lack faith. Name it, claim it is not scriptural
@@Valdal98 Where did I say anything about name it - claim it? Everything I said and all you can do is scold me about what I said about your faith? Did you even look at the scriptures I gave you? No response to that? Oh, BTW, I've walked with the Lord as long as you have.
@@jeffschlueter1660 I’ve read them, studied them and know them and you did attack my faith. God never promised that every one will be healed this side of heaven. That, I believe, is twisting scriptures. Did you not hear a word of Mike’s teaching?
if you are holding onto any unforgiveness it could be hindering your healing
Thank God Praise Him for this video! Exactly for me 🥹 God knows what you are going through
Matthew 20:1-16. This parable is a difficult one to swallow, but GRACE tends to only be appealing when we view it from a "first person" perspective....
Great job my hillbilly friend.
🤣 Why'd you call him that
@@akagrace91 just a joke
Comfort and joy. Learning to endure for my whole life
I guess I have joy if God gets something out of my suffering
Thanks for this. I'm also glad to see that I'm not the only person who learned a life lesson from video games about hardship and struggles being the way we level up and become stronger.
Great word--TY so much for bringing balance to YT Christian preaching and so much common sense with respect for the whole counsel of God!!
I love you Pastor Mike and team!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤
God bless you Mike. Enjoying your videos for years and the Holy Spirit has blessed you to always be renewing minds!!
You brought these scriptures to life for me. Thank you so much!
Dear Pastor Mike, this is unadultered truth. This is why because of this false gospel flattering the flesh producing cowards and easy going children walking without the fear of the Lord will fall away at the first little persecution. Their love for Christ has already waxed cold following this gospel of hyper grace keeping them thirsting for earthly things allowing them to stay on the broad path of sin. Shalom from Switzerland
As an RPG player myself that video game analogy was spot on!!
Pastor Mike I thank you so much for this teaching. I just wanted to leave a comment that I use portions from this teaching in my sermon and forgot to cite you publicly because I skipped over that transitional point in my message. But I thank you for your help that it lended to my message on Sunday
Amen Mike..
Some thoughts;
Even when we have to confront others of the
truth about their.. a part of suffering.
It's the Spirit man that is rejuvenated..
This body of death is waisting away.. yay! This coming from a former hairstylist heath freak.. turned Jesus freak😊 tall Glory to God.
Amen! As Jesus said in Luke 6:22-23,
"Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven."
Thanks, Brother! This is just the message I needed today. 🙏
Hallelujah!!!! The daily jesus devotional has been a huge part of my transformation, God is good 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻was owning a loan of $47,000 to the bank for my son's brain surgery (David), Now I'm no longer in debt after I invested $8,000 and got my payout of m $270,500 every months,God bless Susan Jane Christy 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸..
Hello how do you make such monthly ?? I'm a born Christian and sometimes I feel so down 🤦 of myself because of low finance but I still believe in God.
She's a licensed broker in the states 🇺🇸
After I raised up to 325k trading with her I bought a new House and a car here in the states 🇺🇸🇺🇸 also paid for my son's surgery (Oscar). Glory to God.shalom.
Wow that's nice She makes you that much!! please is there a way to reach her services, I work 3 jobs and trying to pay off my debts for a while now!! Please help me.
Great to see you guys talking about her, she changed the game for me.
Great message. We cannot be friends with the world and serve Christ. The two are diametrically opposed to one another. James 4:4.... know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. We are "pilgrims" in this world. Like that old gospel song says: "This world is not my home. I am just a passin through. My treasures are laid up beyond the blue. I can't feel at home in this world anymore" (Hebrews 11:13-16) "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. {14} For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. {15} And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. {16} But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."
I love ya Brother Mike, God bless you and your ministry.
Wow I need it this .
Yes, I feel I’ve been given to ☠️.
I’m sure many others believers feel the same 😓
I wish more black churches would see this and study the Bible to better encourage others when going through suffering.
I attended one black church for about a year, and in a college course studied about what they teach their members. I grieve for them, because there is so little truth being put forth in those congregations.
All black churches are not teaching a false doctrine. In fact, as a black pastor, I believe Pastor Mike teaching is spot on concerning the text. However, I believe that God’s intention for our life is good, which includes healing and prosperity.
Thank you so much, Mike. I love the slingshot analogy. I will definitely revisit that image in my mind on hard days with my illness. You are such a blessing to the Body of Christ. 💞
Thank you for this. I definitely needed this reminder today.
We all have different callings. Prosperity preachers can bring one to Christ but after that we'll need somebody like a prophet to teach us mysteries of God that will grow us spiritually