Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Introduction 1. 0:30 {Should We Ask God to Change Us?} You taught once in a past video that when we pray, we should NOT ask God to change us, as that would be like asking or expecting God to do all of the work. Can you please elaborate on that, and how to rightly pray instead? 2. 7:49 {About Forgiveness of Unconfessed Sin} Are you forgiven or held accountable for the sins you’re not aware of and don’t repent of? For example: gluttony, laziness, or even getting mad at someone and later forgetting about it. 3. 10:37 {Why is Suicide a Sin?} Why do Christians see suicide as a sin if it’s never condemned in the Bible? Why should I be forced to live a pathetic life I never asked for? 4. 15:55 {About “Feeling” God’s Presence} I always hear Christians say they “felt the presence of God.” How can I feel His presence? I read His Word as much as I can and pray often, but have never “felt” His presence. 5. 20:11 {About Astronomical Alignment} Do you think the astronomical alignment on Sept 23rd, 2017 is a fulfillment of Revelation 12:1-3? It feels like astrology to me. 6. 24:55 {Was Martin Luther Saved?} Do you think Martin Luther went to Heaven, despite the fact that he had a hatred toward Jews and was unrepentant? 7. 29:04 {About Worship Principles} What is difference between the normative and regulative principle of worship? Any useful thoughts to this discussion, what to avoid, what to strive for? 8. 35:03 {How to Keep Marriage God-Centered} Is your wife a part of your ministry? How do you keep your marriage God-centered? 9. 38:17 {Do Numbers & Leviticus Contradict?} In Numbers 5, there is a test for an unfaithful wife. In verses 27-28 however, the punishment called for appears to differ from that in Leviticus 20: 10 which calls for death. Am I missing something? 10. 44:30 {Can a Muslim be Saved?} Is it possible for a Muslim to be saved through faith since they also believe in to getting into Heaven by God's grace (although through works) and through repentance of sins? 11. 49:53 {About the “Wages of Sin”} If “the wages of sin is death,” why is there a Hell? When a non-believer dies, why wasn't that debt paid by their death? 12. 53:03 {Did Pharaoh in Exodus have Free Will?} I was just wondering what your thoughts were on Exodus 9: 12. Did Pharaoh have free will? 13. 59:25 {How Important is Inerrancy?} I found out that several big teachers and content writers at my church don't believe that the Bible is inerrant? Should I be concerned? 14. 1:02:39 {About Adoption/Homosexual Couples} How should Christians who are unwilling/uncalled to adopt respond to gay couples who adopt without looking like hypocrites or inhospitable (since they’re not taking in these kids themselves)? 15. 1:06:43 {Should we Read Non-Canonical Books?} Would you recommend that current Christians develop an awareness of Scripture that is no longer canon? 16. 1:09:46 {About the Galilean Wedding/The Rapture} Have you studied the Galilean wedding being justification for a pre-trib rapture? I’m having a hard time finding trusted sources to teach on this. 17. 1:12:28 {About the “2 or 3 Witnesses” Principle} What is the significance of the Bible saying "2 or 3 witnesses" to establish an accusation, as opposed to saying "2 witnesses" or "3 witnesses"? 18. 1:14:13 {Should a Head Pastor be Close to His Staff?} What are your thoughts on a head pastor who does not interact with his staff? I teach at a church and have no real relationship (to the point of pain) with my pastor as he is never present. 19. 1:17:53 {Do Ghosts / Demons Exist?} I have a feeling that something is living in my house that shouldn't be there, and it is taking all the energy out of me! Do ghosts/demons really exist, and how can I get rid of them? 20. 1:19:58 {Can God Punish After Commanding an Action?} How can God justly punish Gog/Magog for attacking Israel after He Himself made them do it? And how is this not God tempting them to sin by making them attack Israel?
Respectfully Brother Mike you do well in many questions but your answers concerning the presence of God and our experience of it are lacking. There is great emphasis in Scripture of people experiencing the presence of God physicality. Daniel and John fainted under God's presence. When the gospel reached some cities in the book of Acts the people were filled with joy and the Holy Ghost. Jesus speaks of "rivers of living water coming out of our hearts." Paul filled with the Holy Ghost looked intently at Bar Jesus the Jewish sorcerer, declared him to be a son of the devil and pronounced blindness upon him. Do we think all these experiences were platonic and without emotion? I will not leave you as orphans I will come unto you Jesus says. When we experience His visit, this is often a physical experience. It's not a mere 'cherry on top' or unnecessary 'icing on the cake' as you put it.
For the person who wants to know about suicide, I don’t think they are being any more childish than Job who also asked similar questions. He was considered a righteous man but he questioned God about his life. Many people who contemplate suicide have been dealing with some unbearable stuff for a really long time and I do not blame them for asking such questions. For me personally, it was suicidal feelings that turned me back to God. It was either let God figure this mess out or I was going to take my own life because I literally tried everything I could in my own power to get better. My therapists told me I worked harder than most patients. I had to surrender my life to Jesus and though I do still suffer at times , I have more peace. He is changing me and I am able to praise him during my suffering, which not only glorifies him but feels very liberating to my soul. People don’t always understand our suffering- look at Job’s friends who blamed him for what he was going through. Jesus understands. He humbled himself to come to us in the flesh and suffered immensely because he loves us so much. He knows what we are going through.
I remember when my mom told me that when I feel really depressed, to take my eyes off me and look to helping others. It works. i've been too concerned and worried about me all the time. Jesus was worried and concerned about us and not him. I have learned to take my eyes off me. it's not about me!
I'm the same. Everytime I feel down and REALLY alone, it is the HOPE God put in my heart that helps me through. The fact that God has enough faith in me, to trust that I can handle this, is VERY overwhelming at my lowest, but it gives me faith to lay my future and life down at His feet
On suicide….Some years ago I had very much considered it…as a Christian. A chronic, incurable, 24 hour PAINFUL disease overtook me at the height of my career. It’s been 15 years in my life now. I just wanted to get out of here and get to Heaven. Oh man, did I stress my loved ones. First of all, I came to realize that suicide doesn’t end the pain…it passes it off to your loved ones. I had to find the courage and faith to keep it as my own. I couldn’t do that to my family….Even more importantly, suicide is to say that God is untrue, and that He has given me more than I can bear, and that along with the temptation He does not give me a way to bear up under it (I Cor 10:13). What would suicide say to those who are in my sphere of influence? Exactly that! I don’t want to leave that legacy and testimony! So I had to learn to live day by day, sometimes hour by hour, with faith in His sovereignty and looking to Him for strength to bear up. He does it! It’s His strength working in me, not my own. The pain is severe, and constant, but Praise Be To God, I am making it!!!
@@TheSilverJedi ….Hey man, as someone who has been married for 45 years, I can’t imagine you pain. I just don’t wanna come across as someone who thinks that you could simply read my comment and quickly find relief for all of your anguish. I do think that I’ve learned a lot thru this experience but it has taken years. I tried to drink myself to death. I contemplated every way to kill myself. I’m not proud of the way I got to this point. Again, my heart aches for you. I’ll pray that you can find support from others as well as the truths and strength from God to persevere thru this pain and unto your heavenly reward.
Martin Schaus For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Revelation 19:8-10 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Luke 18 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Amen to that! Think about this my friend: God is eternal and unchanging. His love does not weaken or strengthen for believers. Because He is eternal and unchanging, this means there is never a point God loves you less. While you were yet a sinner, Christ died for the ungodly. Before you were born, He knew you and loved you and planned to save you. So if you ever wonder if God still loves you, remember that he never began to love you. In His eternal nature and His omniscience, he has loved you the same for all eternity. If only our faulty hearts that affect our emotions would line up with our knowledge of who God is. Are hearts are so deceptive. I've struggled with depression too but the Lord does not change and has not moved. He is our arc where we take shelter and comfort even of our hearts say otherwise.
Brother when you said "you don't have to agree with me on everything, this is not what this is about." I was so glad. Thank you for your humility! Love your channel be blessed Pastor Mike :)
When someone is in a suicidal state, they are not thinking at the moment of this being a blip of suffering compared to the eternal joy later. They are desperate to make the pain go away. They are in a dark place where they are not thinking rationally. They go numb to their surroundings. Some may have a disorder. Unless someone has actually been in that place should not assume the person thinks like a rational person.
You know I’ve been in a huge phase of doubt and I think it’s time for it to stop and for me to be a simple Christian like I want to be. I’ve been asking God several times in prayer to change me and then this comes up in my recommended.
If your church doesn't acknowledge that the bible is true and inerrant then run. Once you open that door then you are down the path of denying the whole thing.
I don't know how I ran across this channel, but after watching 2 videos I am blown away! Truly blessed 🙌 to be able to listen to true wisdom 🙏 God bless this ministry!
I briefly unsubscribed when i saw this but decided to watch the video. I thought you were saying God doesn't change people. I prayed for help to give up smoking and i prayed for even the desire to give up smoking. It took 2 years or so after that to finally give it up. Change is a process. Suffice it to know that you need to change and let the process happen.
I struggled with an ongoing sin for most of my young life, now I’m almost 30, and the Lord has given me the strength to deny my flesh and climb out of the pit. For the glory of God am I overcoming my sin.
I always pray when I fail and ask both that he strengthen me and change those things in my heart. But I agree with Mike that sometimes in the past I had prayed to be changed but still was actively pursuing sin, waiting for some imaginary time when I would be a different person rather than going to God when a was tempted so that I would turn away and pursue Him wholly.
If this life was easy, so we could flip a switch and change and be "sin-free", what would be the purpose of this life? God helps us to fight sin and hopefully change, as the battle rages on. Through those battles, we learn and experience what life on this earth is and this helps to set up the bliss we will feel when we finally meet Jesus. It's the experience that is important, no matter how unfair this experience on earth may be. We will remember, love, and appreciate when we are with Jesus.
It can be a fine line sometimes! I feel like the way Mike worded it did not resonate with me the way it did for others. (I take things very literally and don’t always get the intended meaning). I’m glad what he said was edifying to you and lots of others. I’m still praying for a clear (to me) explanation of the interplay between grace and obedience that is solidly supported by scripture.
Eyes.. sin awaits at the gates. Be careful what you let your conscious attention focus on. Watch yourself and pray that you may not fall into temptation, for the devil seeks to destroy you.
Estelle B The grace of God has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
The hardened heart becomes hard like clay in the sunlight when approached by God’s Light, but the heart open to God melts like wax in the sunlight, when approached by God’s Light.
Question number one, regrettably, I've struggled with. I've been begging for change , but I've been dancing on that fine line more towards God hasn't fixed me yet. I truly believe God had you answer that for me. Glory be to God, and thank you as well Mike.
That's the thing, if God had Mike answer the question for you, then He actually _did_ do something to change you. It took the work of you listening and processing what Mike said, but He guided you here.
Kelly, whatever you do, do NOT go to those deliverance ministry folks. I did and threw out a bunch of my belongings (no, they were not of the occult) because it was implied that I was experiencing these things because God really wasn't with me. It was very devastating, especially when I realized what they were saying was not Biblical. There is no spirit of Jezebel or Pytheon in The Bible. Maybe they're real, IDK, but what I do know is that God is more powerful than any demon. And no, following their advice didn't help my situation. I read scriptures aloud when I was afraid and prayed. Praying the scriptures- anything that reminds you of God's love and protection, and the power of Jesus- I found that really helpful and comforting.
I like Mike soooooooooooooooooo much. Sometimes I come here just to hear his voice for 2 minutes. But I must stop watching every single video searching for questions that could be usefull to have a answer for.... and I should spend my so precious time with God instead of more "knowing things" just for the sake of knowing them. Things that I not even knew I had a question about. Love from Brazil.
If you look at the pinned comment in every single video, there is a timestamp with all the questions to skip to only the "useful" questions you'd like to hear the answer to
@@apracity7672 I know and that is what I do, I just read the questions and click in the ones I like, but I see many videos in case I find something. But my point is do I need to open every single video of 53 and couting just to see if I find a good question when I myself dont have one in mind? I am wasting time that I could be talking to God Himself and building a relationship with Him not with youtube for 2 hours every day. Plus even when I find a question that meet one of my needs 15 minutes later I forget about it. I am from Brazil so my English is not good. I maybe type all wrong.
@@denumhanson yes it is healthy but too much of anything is not that nice. And maybe it is a excuse to not pray in my case at least (cause we tend to think that learning about God is as important as speding time with Him... but I think God prefer praying time)
@@CanalRosanaRibeiro I understand what you are saying, Rosana. We are told to pray and read our Bible. Teachers like Mike can certainly help us to understand what we have read. I am very thankful for their work for Christ and for us. Prayer and reading God’s word should be done first in the precious study time we have in our day, then learning from teachers. I surely need to work on that myself!
Hey Mike, thanks for answering that question on asking God for change. It was small, but I felt something hit me there. I am continually praying for God to change me, and to do the work. However, like you said, He's already given us His Spirit, and we now have the power to live out that change. However, I think I've been living in the mentality that I'm powerless, that I have to wait for God to do something. So thanks for your answer. I'm sort of a Calvinist, so I would view things a bit differently, but this still helped me a lot. Thanks again!
The fathers of the Church were not Calvinists of course which is just a modern rehashed heresy known as Monoenergism, where the human and divine are competing for the same space. You are not totally deprived, humanity is not totally deprived, you have a will, the Church Fathers were synergistic along with Paul who referred to himself and a Coworker with God. YOU can do all things through Christ who strengthens YOU, not all things can be done by Christ making you do them weather your want to or not. I hope this helps and please do some research on Monoenergism and Monothelitism with respect to Calvinism. It’s heresy and has already been condemned centuries ago. God Bless.
@@rdubyatjr just curious; how do you differentiate between a heresy and a false/inaccurate teaching? And do you still believe our Calvinist friends are still brothers and sisters Christ?
@@ElleeZee289 This is a good question… I know you are asking rdubyatjr and he or she can reply as well. I will say that while I don’t think this is a primary issue in the sense of making Calvinism a cult, it is right on the edge. The reason I say that is because the very understanding of who God is fundamentally changes when you come from a Calvinistic perspective. God is no longer Agape. God is no longer wholly self-less, wholly Holy, and makes God a liar when He says multiple times things like: Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” Calvinism itself creates a fundamental problem: God must be lying in this verse. After all, the TULIP doctrines lead to this conclusion inevitably. After all, Total Depravity says that no person has the desire or ability to repent, unless and until God directly intervenes to change their hearts through regeneration to then empower them to repent and believe and be saved. Given that premise, then God’s command to turn back and be saved itself is meaningless and almost taunting. It’s like a life guard seeing a drowning person clearly unable to save themselves telling them “I have no pleasure in the drowning of anyone, so start swimming and save yourself!” Worse, though, if God REALLY wants everyone to repent and be saved, but DOESN’T CHOOSE to empower everyone to repent and be saved, then He cannot REALLY want everyone to repent and be saved. Which is why the Limited Atonement doctrine in Calvinism exists, but again, that makes God a liar in Ezekiel and other verses. Calvinism’s view of God’s grace is deeply, deeply flawed and un-Biblical, and paints a picture of a God who really does NOT love or care for everyone, only a few random lucky people. And so while I think well intended Christians who haven’t really thought through all the implications are indeed saved, and this is not a salvation issue, it does completely distort a person’s understanding of who God really, truly is.
@@ElleeZee289 I have been trying to get an answer to this question for months about how can Calvinists be our brother or sister when it’s teachings are clearly wrong….still waiting for that answer unfortunately 😒
I've changed remarkably but, have not yet been able to quit 🚬 smoking. I keep praying for strength 🙏 to drop this terrible habit but am SO grateful for the drastic changes He has already made in me. One step at a time ☺️
I understand Becky. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes in a day. The Lord lead me to read Allen Carr's 'Easy Way to Quit Smoking' and after reading it I just dropped it and didn't have had any cravings since. It's been now more than a year. I'm so happy! Try that book.
I'm struggling to quit myself Becky. I have been able to get down to about 4 cigs a day from 2 packs. The few things that have helped are nicotine patches ( I keep one on at all time) and I also have a vape pen for when I have bad cravings. You can get one without nicotine so that it doesn't add to the addiction. Both of those help me a lot but the thing that is most helpful is the girl in dating. Without that support I wouldn't have been able to get where I'm at. Hopefully you will find something that will work for you, from what I've seen and read it helps to defeat the actual smoking part before the nicotine addiction. God bless
Any addiction has to be quit progressively unless God literally zaps you with the "no beam" so your progress is all that's needed. God doesnt need us to be perfect. He just needs us to try to be good. May the Lord bless you in your struggles
In and of itself, smoking is not a sin. It's just not very smart. I quit after smoking for 50 years. 3 days of body dts but look at it like having the flu for a short time. The rest is simply mental changes like after a meal or other time's. God bless, just keep on keeping on and pushing forward one day at a time.
Amen Psalm 19 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
#3 resonates a lot personally I seek the Father daily for His ultimate Sacrifice and my selfish attitude. I have been reading daily to understand more because there is a reason that I am alive at this point at this moment I ask for forgiveness and They Will Be Done and not my own.
Brother Mike, one of the most encouraging aspects of your content is your willingness to admit what you don't know or are unsure of. One thing that disturbs me is when preachers confidently say, "God will forgive you for committing suicide. ALL YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN!!" I was a severely abused child, so much so that I seriously considered taking my own life from as young as 8 or 10 years old. But my conscience wouldn't let me do it. I thought of "Thou shalt not kill" and I didn't know of any exceptions, including suicide. As someone who has been suicidal, I think that suicide is the ultimate act of hopelessness, and it flies in the face of the ultimate Giver of hope, GOD HIMSELF (John 11:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15). God does provide the way of escape that we may be able to endure through times of severe depression (1 Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 34:18). When I look to myself for answers, that's when depression overwhelms me. But when l turn my eyes upon Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of my faith, the light --- HIS LIGHT --- breaks through the darkness and encourages my heart.
That first question is very important to understand. Confusion in that matter will impact how you read scripture, can lead to blindspots all over the place.
About asking God to change me, I was reading Psalm 139 one morning. I read a variety of translations, but that morning chose the ERV (Easy to Read Version). What I read in verse 13 moved me deeply: “You formed the way I think and feel.” (Psalms 139:13a ERV) Most translations render the passage “For you formed my inward parts” which I always took to mean God made my internal organs. Other translations render it “For thou hast possessed (qânâh) my reins (kilyâh).” That God formed “the way I think and feel” was revelational for me, even liberating. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, the message I received from the world is that being emotional, gentle, compassionate and artistic, etc., was contrary to expectations for a boy. To make sure I got the message, there were any number of emotional and physical bullies who were determined to beat the gentility out of me and to “make a man out of me”. Thus I’ve spent most of my life wrestling with my nature because of how the world has responded to me and I’ve begged God to change me. That God formed “the way I think and feel” sheds new light on the more common translation “thou hast possessed my reins”. For to “possess” my “reins” suggests to me that the way I “think and feel” is the means by which God has bridled me for His control where He actively but gently leads me along the path He has chosen for me. Paths of discovery, revelation, renewal, self-reflection and growth, etc. While there are elements within me that I want and need His help to change, e.g., sin, there are foundational elements in my nature that are put there by His design to facilitate my relationship with Him and to become more like His Son. What He showed me from Psalm 139 has turned shame and frustration to acceptance and thanksgiving for how He has formed me to return to Him and respond to His touch.
I've had that thought for a while, thank you for putting it into words. Also remember how emotional king david was. God loves you for your meek nature. God loves you for your many natures but he especially blesses the meek (king david, moses ect.) So dont change. Showing your weaknesses is the biggest sign of strength. God knows you and he loves you for YOU not who they want you to be
I was living with Mike’s answer to #1 for a week, and it just made me feel hopeless. Usually in my hopelessness id pray, but I became uncertain of whats even allowed if God is already helping me and despite that my will is opposing it.
I don’t believe God has rules about how you pray to Him; I think He’d prefer you to ask and commune with Him than condemn yourself about asking and not ask at all. Don’t be bound up in these things you just don’t get🙏
God's word, by his Spirit changes us, by the renewing of our minds. This isn't instantaneous, but a process. God has already forgiven us while we catch up.
I do not understand how you can tell a person who seemingly is entertaining suicidal thoughts that there will be bliss once we die and meet God in heaven. God has created us and given us life, and life with a purpose, which is to live to our fullest, pain and joy included, but always holding onto our God’s good hand.
Wait, excuse me? Nothing changed for me until He changed me. I spent years praying, asking God, please help me, if you help me, I can stop. Nothing happened. It wasn't til, in desperation, I cried out, "God, please change me, I can't stop, unless you do this, then nothing will change," that anything changed. A switch flipped. I was born again in that moment. I'd spent years holding on to my pride. Listen to what I kept saying originally, "Lord, if you help me, THEN I CAN STOP." It wasn't until I let go of that pride and surrendered to Him, that anything changed. It wasn't until I admitted that I didn't have it in me to practice righteousness, that anything changed. I wasn't a genuine believer until that moment. I had lived as a Christian in name only for years, with a mindset that focused on doing enough. I was good. I'd done enough. I was in "good standing". The truth is, every part of me, even my struggles with sin were anchored in what I could do rather than what Christ did and can do for me. It wasn't until I admitted I couldn't do what Paul in Roman's says I cannot do, "no one does good", it wasn't until then that anything changed. In that moment I surrendered, I was freed from my slavery to sin and the addiction that controlled me. I disagree with you Mike, because I think you should have made the distinction between believer and unbeliever first, then between "I can't" and "I won't". Until we are born again, we CANNOT change ourselves and even when that change happens, we are still only able to resist sin because He enables us to do so. The scriptures you mention speak to the saved who are able now to be at war with sin ONLY because the Holy Spirit has enabled them to do so. That they can fight sin and resist it is possible ONLY because they are no longer enslaved to it. That distinction is of paramount importance. Secondly, I'm bothered by this notion that we cannot continue asking God to change us. There's humility in that request that needs to acknowledged. That's part of our relationship with the Father that is essential. Just because we have the Spirit in us does not mean we no longer need to lean on Him for strength we know we do not have. Indeed, God wants us always to show humility that we need Him. Yes, there are people who are leaning in to what their flesh wants and not wanting to let go of it, saying "I can't" because, really, they are saying "I won't", but there are plenty more who genuinely feel their weaknesses and are just crying out, through the Spirit, honestly admitting their inability in and of themselves to pull themselves up by their boot straps and that they need God. Isn't His strength shown through our weakness? How is it you think we display that weakness? Don't you think it would be through such honesty? What could be wrong with that kind of honesty? I think you're focusing too much on those whose "I can't" really means "I won't" rather than asking people to examine themselves, their motivations, their desires of their hearts. Is a person who says "I can't" really saying "I won't" or are they really just being honest with themselves, honest with the Lord and genuinely leaning on Him for a strength they themselves know thy do not have? One IS a self-centered unwillingness to confront one's own sin, the other is humility before the Lord. Our ability to come to the Father in those moments is at the heart of our relationship with Him. How demoralizing is it to tell someone that well, you're just not doing your part in those instances? No, we always have access to our Father when we genuinely feel lost in our weakness. The question ultimately boils down to "I can't" or "I won't". Which is it? Let's please not ever tell people they can't ask God the father to change them as His children. Let's just not.
Wow, this was so so timely. I just stumbled on that first question you answered about denying the change God has already done in you. Man I needed this. Thanks brother.
My God this helped me to change my understanding of God change me. I thank God that I found this. I was thinking I could never find anyone else who studied like my Dad and Uncle did ( they are now with God in Heaven ) and rightly teaches the Truths of Scripture.
I’ve seen this video pop up so many times and never watched it but I’m SO glad I did - thank you Mike and everyone who had so many great questions 👏🏼👏🏼
Appreciate your stand for Biblical inerrancy, Pastor Mike. My current view on this issue is that the sufficiency, reliability, and authority of Scripture need not depend upon inerrancy, which invariably (in my experience) requires qualifications like "of the original writing" and so becomes unverifiable. Worse, the emphasis on inerrancy can lead to the impression that the authority of Scripture is built upon it, making it a point of weakness whereby an opponent needs only to find one point of contention, one such error, and the authority of Scripture is thrown into doubt or comes crashing down.
Your perspective on asking God to change you, so lovely and I think you're on point too. I think it's OK to ask for help to change, but it's extremely important to recognize God's design and Influence already in you. A simple way to see it is, say, if you hate your body and ask him to change it, why would he? You are hating his design and refusing to accept it. But if you ask him to support and guide you as you work on acceptance or changing something about your choices, like 2hat you eat, or starting a new weightlifting routine, or even finding better ways to dress yourself or learn how to apply makeup to improve confidence etc, that I think he would be glad you sought his consol! I think a lot about how he never gives us a challenge we can't handle. Part of me doubts it a bit, but believing it to be true has helped give me confidence and hope when I was deep in the dark. And it helps me see the situation from "distant" eyes, like playing an rpg where even if a quest is hard, I keep at it in good spirits because I know there's a way to do it, I just need to figure out how for myself. And there's a lot of joy in that! Even the really difficult ones!
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. Jeremiah 32:38-40 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Galatians 3:3
Anthony Duhamel Isn’t Galatians 3:3 referring to the works of the law? It would indeed be foolish to think that salvation came through the works of the law. But it would be equally as foolish to think that the grace of God does not teach us to do some works.
I'm not rejecting responsibility regarding question 1. GOD provides help according to the need of an individual and if I ask for more change because I'm lacking the mental strength (not the factual, because GOD won't demand more of us than we can handle) to fight against certain areas it doesn't negate responsibility: in fact it puts more emphasis on the trust in the LORD. Even if I, doing whatever I can to resist temptations, arrive at the end of my strength to go on choose for divine intervention instead of giving in I'm acting out my responsibility. I choose to go to GOD and not to sin. GOD bless
Mike Winger, I see God is changing me and though I stumble more thank I wish. A lot of the time inside I feel like I was just cut off from God like my body is simply devoid of a soul. No feeling, no enjoyment, no anger just nothing. I have prayed and asked God about this but then it always comes back. I don't know what to do anymore.
About #4, good answer! Feelings are not a barometer for the presence of God! Our feelings will line up with our beliefs or our knowledge at the time. Nowhere in scripture is "feeling God" mentioned. He is Spirit. We dont feel Him. We feel great when we believe His word that we are forgiven and He is with us and will never leave us! We feel good when we believe He just answered our prayer or saved someone! For instance, people leave a meeting and some will say, "did you feel the presence of God in that room?" "Yeah! God was there tonight!" And others may say, "man, I dont think God was even in the neighborhood!" Same meeting. God is always there. He doesn't change. Maybe some didnt like the music, or disagreed with the message, or they were tired, or whatever, but those are only feelings, and our feelings are just that, our feelings. They are not God. Start listening to the words in the prayers of people and you will be challenged to find very much at all that is biblical. Thank God He is patient, because most of what we pray is not scriptual most of the time, at all. ✌️
Love you Pastor Mike and your wifey! Much gratitude for all you, with the help of your wife, are doing for the Glory of God and those who know, are seeking or have yet to come to the Truth and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 🙏 God bless you and your family ❤
The hardening of the heart explanation was such a revelation to me. Never thought of it that way, nor heard of it taught that way. Glory to God for your ministry.
God, it is said, is the Sun of righteousness (cf. Mal. 4:2), and the rays of His supernal goodness shine down on all men alike. The soul is wax if it cleaves to God, but clay if it cleaves to matter. Which it does depends upon its own will and purpose. Clay hardens in the sun, while wax grows soft. Similarly, every soul that, despite God’s admonitions, deliberately cleaves to the material world, hardens like clay and drives itself to destruction, just as Pharaoh did (cf. Exod. 7:13). But every soul that cleaves to God is softened like wax and, receiving the impress and stamp of divine realities, it becomes “in spirit the dwelling-place of God” (Eph. 2:22). -St Maximos the Confessor
Eugene Ansah Yes, God’s divine presence and commandments require a willing response. We either receive and grow tender or reject and grow hard. These are both the effects of God.
I like how you are using the number counter behind you. It will make it easier to go back and find particular questions. I also appreciate your listing the questions in the description.
. . When I was 27 (1979), while I was driving alone in my car, God gave me to know - absolutely, deep down inside - that Jesus Christ really was the Son of God. I was stunned. My immediate, wholehearted response was that He would be my Chief; I would follow Him. I’ve been trying to understand His word (the Bible) and follow Him ever since. . . Yet from experience I’ve learned that I'm actually dependent on God to do, or to be, anything truly good. He is the potter, we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8; Romans 9:20-21). . . As Philippians 2:13 says in regards to working out our salvation: “. . for it is God who works in you the wanting to and the doing for the sake of His good desire.” The way He works ‘the wanting to’ in us is by giving us to really know Him, who He is; and what He’s done and will do as well; and then, what He wants us to do and to be. - How He works ‘the doing’ in us is beyond me; it’s an ever deepening source of amazement and gratitude.
Hi Pastor Mike, thank you for all your insight! My husband and I Watch your channel on the daily and you have helped us understand both simple and complex questions as followers of Jesus!!! Also thank you for the sneak peaks of your cat, it makes my day!
I’ll keep asking God for help. I am a nice intelligent responsible guy. Very hard working, not perfect, but not particularly deficient in any area. I am open to advice on what changes I can make. I just turned 45 and I’ve been struggling with work, finances, dating, tho I usually make friends very easily, thank God. I’m not sure what I need to do or how I need to change to be the guy God would grant a change in work or finances or relationship status. I am open for new opportunities and just took a temporary job in Kenya. Absolutely, I was blessed, despite many hardships, I’ve never reached the point of real hunger. It occurred to me that had I been seriously challenged by a woman, I could have easily sinned and I thank God for only giving those challenges I overcame. Thank God, I don’t have the type of mind to get involved in substance abuse.
Hey everyone! I just wanted to share some good news with you all. Let's just put it this way, the Ten Commandments are called the Moral Law. Ask yourself this. How many lies have you told? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever used God's name in vein? Have you ever hated someone or ever looked with lust? This is for you to judge yourself, but chances are that you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, fornicating, adulterer at heart and you HAVE to face God on judgement day. Now ask yourself this. If God judges you on judgement day by these Commandments, will you be innocent or guilty? Of course you'll be guilty because we've all done these things. The truth is that none of us are good people and we NESD God's grace to make it to heaven. We judt simply cannot do it on our own. These Commandments arecalled the Moral Law. You and I broke the law, Jesus payed the fine. So now what we must do to be saved is to repent of our sins and trust alone in Jesus Christ! To repent doesn't mean to just say I'm sorry, but to turn from our sins and let Him truly be our Lord continually. He said that many will say to Him, Lord, Lord I have done all of these things for you. And He will say I never knew you. Depart from Me, ye who work iniquity! And those will be cast into outer darkness and raging hellfire and loneliness for all of eternity!!! Because we broke His law, He is very, very just to send us to hell. If someone had murdered 4 people and said to the judge, I've done nice things too and have tried to treat people nice but it was just one time, the judge would then say, okay but you're going to jail. And the judge is very just to do that. One last thing, if you were 10,000 feet in the air and you had to jump, you wouldn't jump out and flap your arms and try to save yourself. That's ridiculous! You would put on the parachute. It is the same with Jesus. You must trust Him as you trust the parachute. We are not good and we cannot save ourselves with our own goodness. We must trust alone in Him to save us. In just a moment of time you can pass from death to life. Jesus said, "Verily, verily I say unto you, you must be born again." That is how we enter heaven. Through the blood and grace of Jesus Christ!!!!✝️If you ask someone how to enter Heaven, they will most likely say, "Be a good person." Well the Bible says that none is good, no not one. We like to compare ourselves to guys like Hitler and say, "Hey, I'm a pretty good guy compared to him." But when we compare ourselves to God's standard, we realize that the Bible speaks truth when it says that we all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God!!! When we see this ( our sin in its TRUE light), we see how much trouble we are in and we say, "Well then there's nothing I can do. I'm going to hell for sure then." It's true that there is nothing that WE can do, but there is something that has already been done for you! God sent His One and Only Son to die on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins! So to recieve that eternal sweet sweet forgiveness, all we must do is repent of our sins (meaning to continually turn from them and confess them) and trust alone in Christ as you trust a parachute. If I was to push you out of an airplane, you'd want the parachute for sure! Don't try to flap your arms and save yourself, trust in the parachute! His finished work on the Cross IS ENOUGH!! He is the only way to Heaven, He said it Himself!! These other religions teach that we must he good and do good things and then maybe if we've been good enough, we will enter Heaven. But if that is true then we are all doomed to eternal hell because none of us are good. That's why this makes sense. Look at the Ten Commandments, they are written on your heart right now!!! I promise that you have violated them. And you might still be doing that today. Therefore God is just to poor out His wrath on us because we deserve it!!! But Christ died for us so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with Him!!! Turn to Him today, and He and only He will save your soul "Verily, verily I say unto you, you must be born again ( to go to Heaven)."✝️The true joy of Christ dwells in me! Does it in you? I know where I'm going when I die! Do you? I have an ETERNAL victory! Do you? I have more joy than ever because of what Christ has done. I have been down both roads. The road of the wicked and the road of Christ. Christ is way better and my cup runneth over with true of and salvation. If you do not know the One true God and are not sure of your salvation, I promise He will never fail you. Turn to Him in repentance and faith. Repent means to confess and forsake your sins, never turning back to them. I tried changing on my own but I couldn't. It took the power of Christ on the inside of me to do it for me. He will give you a new and clean heart with new and clean desires and you shall be born again. A new creation in Christ Jesus!! Hallelujah!!!! Jesus said in order to enter the Kingdom of God, you must be born again!!! Thank you Lord Jesus!!!!!✝️
Jesus said love God, and love your neighbour as you love yourself. The world has made us fear talking about loving ourselves. And I feel my love for God, my love for others and my love myself helped me deal with suicidal thoughts. I realised that I have to love myself as God loves, as imperfect as I am. And that only helped me show more love to others.
Wow man…. Other than a few big issues…. You are really impressing me. A very wise young man. My hats off to you. I find there are few men of God these days I respect. You are one of those. Again we disagree on some big points but wow… your spirit is honest and honest honorable. You are much better spoken than my abrupt speech. So I highly commend you for your service to the lord and I seek to learn much more from you. I hope moving forward there is little we disagree on. I pray you be my mentor! Blessings brother. (…From a Hebrew Roots mindset brother without a home…, an orphan seeking who dare adopt my wild self.) blessings.
Regarding the “feeling God’s presence” question. This is one that has hit home for me. I am an emotional person. I’ve been doing one on one discipleship and in that, we have talked a lot about how we’re supposed to live by faith, not by emotions. This is obviously very important. Like Mike touches on, I have felt this way a lot. Because I don’t “feel” His presence, maybe im wrong, maybe He has left me, maybe I didn’t please Him, maybe I’m not really saved. So lately, I feel like God has withheld the emotional side of things a bit to get me to mature in not needing the feelings to know His promises are true. His Word is true. He can be trusted no matter the circumstances, emotions or cultural trends. Feelings come and go, but His truth and His love does not. Instead, I have been praying, God, be glorified in me today. Help me to show You to others. That way, walking in the Spirit the intimacy is there but in humble reliance on Him no matter what I feel. I hope this helps someone. It’s okay to not feel Him.
Thank you for answering question number 1!!! I used to continually ask God to change me when I lived in unrepentant sin but I needed to actually repent and make a choice to live for Him. He already provided everything! I just needed to obey Him💛 and this goes with my struggle of anger and yelling and cussing and my anxiety which is ultimately not trusting God to provide or sometimes I let the flesh control me. That’s why I need to walk in the spirit. But how do continually walk in the spirit?
Also another question: my Assembly of God church speaks in tongues and someone usually interprets well it’s the same lady.. anyway a few weeks ago this lady interpreted this message of tongues by saying: Listen to this message God will transform you. Now I originally thought that only Jesus could transform us but His words can too. I’m just confused because I wasn’t transformed by this message or by the laying of hands by those who went up to be transformed. It was really emotional and overwhelming with everyone praying in tongues and surrounding you. The truth is I left more annoyed. Is what my church doing biblical? Because the tongues do have interpretation like scripture says but sometimes I wonder. This was the message my pastor preached on if anyone is wondering: ** Romans 8:28-30** God wants to transform us to be more like Him He wants us to grow in knowledge of Him ## How we can be transformed 1. We need to start with Jesus 2. His word changes our life- Get his word in our life 3. Communication with the Lord will change you- dedicate 10 minutes of your morning with God 4. By the renewing of your mind- thinking - bring every thought captive to the odedice of Christ - Deny ourselves and take up our cross 5. We’re transformed by tragedy or trials 6. We can be transformed by not grieving the Holy Spirit- stop grieving the Holy Spirit
@@Madison2002_ I grew up AG. If you are concerned about spiritual gifts, check out Remnant Radio. I think your pastors message is spot on. Only I would say spending only 10 minutes with God is really just a start if someone is not already doing it. God wants to be the most important thing in our lives. But yeah we should definitely carve out time just for him and make it a spiritual discipline.
Love the answer to the 1st question. So easy to forget, yet the finished work of Christ on the cross in our behalf should be a reminder to us every day. Thank you!
Regarding the hardening of the heart of people “the same sun that melts the wax also hardens the clay”. It is the MESSAGE of God and the receptive nature of the human heart that determines whether or not one accepts the Word or ultimately rejects it. The parable of the Sower illustrates the conditions of the human heart.
I use to pray to God to expand my love to him and my understanding of him aso... but thats not the same. When it comes to sin I use to pray for help, strenght to take on whats in front of me. Not to change me. Its for me to change throug the power of God. God have already changed me in a huge way! Thanx for all your videos! God bless you all and much love from Sweden 🇸🇪💟☦️💟
The more Mike answered the “God please change me” question, the angrier and more hopeless I feel. If I had the power to fix myself, then I wouldn’t need Jesus. I’d need Anthony Robbins. My wife died 8 years ago. It wrecked me and I’ve been struggling ever since. I’m desperate for God to help me, to change my broken heart, my depressed spirit, to help me to do all of the things that I don’t have the will to do. I’m broken and and I can’t ask God to help me? I want to scream at you and your answer, Mike. As I’m typing this, you’ve moved onto the suicide question. If God can’t help me then why shouldn’t I just pack it in? I really am angry right now.
My interpretation of Mike's words was ...when one is waiting for God to change their laziness, gluttony( which is my case), bitterness, resentment and anything akin to those vices, then , no, we shouldn't wait. We should do something about it , for we have been already given the power. Your case, in my view, is entirely different. Psalms 34:18: The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Take all your worries to His throne and just hang in there . Our God is faithful. Praise Him and pray to Him no matter how it hurts. I hope your late wife is in Heaven having a blast. Be blessed ❤🙏❤🙏❤
Wow, Isaac, I wish I could really help but I'm no pastor. I think we should look at what God can and will do through our prayers and after all, isn't that what you are talking about in the short and long term----unanswered prayers, prayers to be "changed"? I feel that there are three answers to our prayers when we talk to God and yes, He will answer. #1 is a direct and definite answer to our prayers. #2, God answering but in His own time. And #3, God answering your prayer for help by saying, "Wait on Me, for I have better plans for you". He has better plans that will bless you and bring understanding, through Him. You may strongly feel that what you are asking should be answered by your perceptions of what is needed but God has your ultimate well-being in mind even though you probably can't and won't understand that, in this life. God bless and take comfort in the fact that you will be with your wife when God calls----for eternal bliss. God bless.
I feel your pain brother. I had a similar reaction. If it helps any, keep in mind that these Q & A's are just quick, one-off answers to really serious questions that honestly should not be answered so flippantly. As popular as these live streams are, there are most definitely no replacement for real pastoral care. Mike can't possibly consider everyone's individual situation when answering these questions - something I am frustrated by myself almost to the point of wishing that he would just stop doing these altogether. It can be harmful to try and make these complex situations sound simple and easy to solve. For people like myself that struggle with scrupulosity and suicidal ideation, it can almost push me to the edge. Take comfort in the fact that Jesus understands your individual situation far more than someone on TH-cam can, and He knows what you are going through. He loves you regardless. In my humble opinion, Jesus only had harsh words for the self-righteous, those who felt they were justified before God by their own actions and their own strength. He never gave struggling sinners a hard time. I think the fact that you are so bothered by your struggle means you are still very much alive inside. If you are hurting, you are still feeling, which is more than many people in this numbed world can say for themselves. Hang in there, and trust God that there is grace for your struggle. Read Paul's Epistles, especially Galatians. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for "The one who is righteous will live by faith." But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, "Whoever does the works of the law will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" - in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:10-14
Hey, I suffer from CPTSD, OCD, MDD, and BPD (Honestly I think BPD encompasses all the other issues). Anyway, I got angry too. I hate how my mood is always low and anxious. I try so hard to change my thoughts but the OCD intrusive thoughts and constant dialogue are like arrows being shot at me all day. I've gone back into sleep issues recently (like basically no sleep) which only makes my other symptoms worse. I totally understand your reaction as I am also feeling utterly exhausted and hopeless about my ailments. I try to think about Heaven and God but my symptoms still plague me. I ask God when will this end? When will he heal me, Oh God please! I have to continually ask him for increased faith and help in unbelief. For help with trusting Him and not sinning. Oh please God change me and help me! So yes sir, I understand you. I'll be praying for you too
So you know that feeling you get when there is a really exciting movie about to be launched in theaters? Well, that is what I am feeling for your women in leadership teaching. (Any updates or an ETA on that) I also wanted to say thank you and that your videos have inspired me to spend more time studying the Word of God and it has ignited a passion in me that has refocused my priorities. Who needs big box office releases when there are Mike Winger videos every week!
I second! I have a pretty strong position on the subject, but I feel like I don’t know the arguments for any side very well. Really looking forward to his teaching since Mike does a good job of summarizing different arguments regarding a topic.
Grady Shingler, Does God call women to places of leadership? If yes. Deborah, the four virgin daughters of Philip the evangelist, Phebe, Percilla, and Anna. If no. Paul’s writings that he suffered not a woman to teach. If we would say yes to the question, we still must acknowledge that, by far, the greatest amount of God’s chosen leaders have been men. The natural order that God has set in place, requires men to shoulder a benevolent leadership position. At the same time, one can not rightly argue that God has not clearly blessed some women in a leadership role.
Thank you Mr. Winger on all the work you do to spread the Truth. You have been a great benefit to me in thinking more biblically and applying it to my life. You have helped me to recalibrate Christ to the center of my life. This video was especially helpful. Although I have much to work on, I wanted to offer you my sincerest gratitude.
Amen, I know with pot God delivered me, but with cigarettes I had to gain the mastery over my body. But in learning mastery in one issue I’ve learned to apply it to others as well. I’m grateful for both ways God helped me. I know getting mastery over depression was the same way. But if God didn’t first show me the overcoming of the flesh I probably wouldn’t have gotten out from under depression either. Knowledge is just being able to see an answer, but wisdom is the result of concurring life’s circumstances. God be the glory
I think when we pray we should emphasize God's will. Instead of praying for ourselves and thinking about me me me, instead pray that God's will be done. A short example, "Lord, I would really like this promotion at work but only if it is your will. Thank you, amen." And then mentally prepare yourself for a yes or no answer. If it's yes, praise the Lord. And even if it's no, still praise the Lord, because it was His will that you did not get that promotion and his will is always right. He may have something else planned for you.
You don't know how hopeless some of us feel. Even though we have repented and believe God sent Jesus to die for us and we worship God and still struggle with whatever it is it doesn't matter what. And we cry much and our hearts are soft towards Jesus and we love him. Even Paul the disciple said he still struggled with things. Paul said I strive for that goal but that is not to say I have been perfected yet my brothers and sisters. Paul the disciple admitted he was not perfect yet.
Thank you my brother for the clarification. I understand it as taking personal responsibility to live in a way that is pleasing to The Lord. " I beseech you therefore brothers and sisters by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable act of worship and be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may know what is the good, pleasing, and acceptable will of God." (Romans 12:1,2) We have to present our bodies as living sacrifices and we have to choose not to be conformed to the world. The Lord has given us The Holy Spirit to empower and encourage us but we have to take the steps.
Hey Mike, I used to agree with your take on Pharaoh’s heart, but then I read Exodus 4:21. The Lord declares, before any of the signs are performed, that He would be the cause of Pharaoh’s hardened heart. “The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.”
I guess the question is _how_ did God harden Pharaoh’s heart. If I said, “I will make my brother angry,” you wouldn’t assume I was going to supernaturally change his emotions to angry ones, you’d assume (I hope) that I was going to do something that I knew would cause my brother to be angry. This means that that is at least a _possible_ meaning for how God was using “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.”
@@levifox2818 I think the issue in your statement is that we are not God. I would not assume a person to enact a supernatural change in a person, but we should assume that God can, will, and does do this. Additionally, a human saying “I will make my brother angry” is loaded with the possibility of both success and failure. When God says “I will make your brother angry”, it will be accomplished without question or delay.
@@sethevans1506 I agree it’s different, but that doesn’t eliminate it as a possibility. I think God most often works through the natural to bring about his sovereign will with certainty. This is why miracles are the exception-though many miracles occurred in the event.
I haven’t even listened to the rest, but question/answer #1 is absolutely spot on. Gold. I needed that, thank you Pastor Mike for an easy, clear, Biblical explanation to a mindset that so many of us didn’t even know we had.
Strictly speaking it’s certainly not bogus to ever ask God to change you. Certain. OT passages show it’s a perfectly valid request as long as you don’t think you have an active role to play as well. Cf. 1 Ki. 8:58; Ps. 119:35-36. However, Mike’s cautionary comments here are surely correct.
Thank you Mike, I'm so glad I watch this video, I do the exact thing that you describe, rather than be grateful, I wonder why he doesn't change me, I will start praying how thankful I am for what he does in my life ❤
That first question answrt was fantastic, I got a book on the fruitful life and how devotion to God and our actions change us, a dangerous lie I've heard circulate when you do something sinful is oh that's just the way you are, you get new spirit and born again to over come your sins.
It seems like you are going through something tough right now Mike. I hope I'm wrong but if in case I'm not I'll be praying brother! Your commitment to The Lord has been such an inspiration and your videos extremely informative! Thank you for that. God speed broger
I believe we can ask God to change us according to his will. I truly believe we all have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I believe we can be very willful and struggle with our ego, all of us do. Especially when we feel we've been wronged and we are actively doing right. When we truly accept Jesus Christ, we are renewed. We Christians need to pray without ceasing. We need to ask God that the Holy Spirit guides us because it's not the conscious that shakes us up and lets us know when we did something wrong. My pastor tells us that when we pray, we should ask God for forgiveness because we offended him. Why, because, as imperfect human beings, even a simple passing thought can cause us to sin. God is merciful, but He is a Holy God. Thank goodness for the grace of Jesus Christ. At some point, in our hearts, we have judged others who've done us wrong. Even if it's true, we should pray that we have no anger in our hearts towards this person, else be the same. We have all cast figurative stones, not realizing that we may have done wrong to another. We justify staying angry against someone who offended us, whom we feel we did nothing wrong. That in itself is self-righteous. Instead, we must leave it on Gods hands. Even more so, when asking God to take care of a problem, usually a person, we should first pray for the condition of our heart.
Breaking of bread is a potluck meal, not communion. In the book of Esther, the people are told to bring food to each other and to become close to their fellow Jews, this is something God wants for all people, but it is also very helpful to faith and encouraging one another and helping each other in life.
The question about Martin Luther interested me because my ancestors escaped from Nazi Germany. My mother told me that my paternal grandparents told my dad that he could bring home anyone and they would accept her as long as she wasn’t Catholic. They were wonderful Protestant Christians. But they would never forget when the Catholics would come in and burn their houses at night with them inside. I haven’t been able to find anything on this on Google (no, I haven’t searched further than Google). A few years ago I read something that made me wonder if my ancestors had been of Jewish descent, which would lend credence to what my grandmother had said.
For question 15. I have aporcryphal books. I don't see them as scripture but they are helpful. In my case for learning context of the thought and culture of Jews at Jesus time. Like you said it also helps when speaking to Catholics or Orthodox too to be aware of these books. Like you also said, it isn't really necessary for everyone either. Personally I like to read and know more about the times and culture so I do.
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Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Introduction
1. 0:30 {Should We Ask God to Change Us?} You taught once in a past video that when we pray, we should NOT ask God to change us, as that would be like asking or expecting God to do all of the work. Can you please elaborate on that, and how to rightly pray instead?
2. 7:49 {About Forgiveness of Unconfessed Sin} Are you forgiven or held accountable for the sins you’re not aware of and don’t repent of? For example: gluttony, laziness, or even getting mad at someone and later forgetting about it.
3. 10:37 {Why is Suicide a Sin?} Why do Christians see suicide as a sin if it’s never condemned in the Bible? Why should I be forced to live a pathetic life I never asked for?
4. 15:55 {About “Feeling” God’s Presence} I always hear Christians say they “felt the presence of God.” How can I feel His presence? I read His Word as much as I can and pray often, but have never “felt” His presence.
5. 20:11 {About Astronomical Alignment} Do you think the astronomical alignment on Sept 23rd, 2017 is a fulfillment of Revelation 12:1-3? It feels like astrology to me.
6. 24:55 {Was Martin Luther Saved?} Do you think Martin Luther went to Heaven, despite the fact that he had a hatred toward Jews and was unrepentant?
7. 29:04 {About Worship Principles} What is difference between the normative and regulative principle of worship? Any useful thoughts to this discussion, what to avoid, what to strive for?
8. 35:03 {How to Keep Marriage God-Centered} Is your wife a part of your ministry? How do you keep your marriage God-centered?
9. 38:17 {Do Numbers & Leviticus Contradict?} In Numbers 5, there is a test for an unfaithful wife. In verses 27-28 however, the punishment called for appears to differ from that in Leviticus 20: 10 which calls for death. Am I missing something?
10. 44:30 {Can a Muslim be Saved?} Is it possible for a Muslim to be saved through faith since they also believe in to getting into Heaven by God's grace (although through works) and through repentance of sins?
11. 49:53 {About the “Wages of Sin”} If “the wages of sin is death,” why is there a Hell? When a non-believer dies, why wasn't that debt paid by their death?
12. 53:03 {Did Pharaoh in Exodus have Free Will?} I was just wondering what your thoughts were on Exodus 9: 12. Did Pharaoh have free will?
13. 59:25 {How Important is Inerrancy?} I found out that several big teachers and content writers at my church don't believe that the Bible is inerrant? Should I be concerned?
14. 1:02:39 {About Adoption/Homosexual Couples} How should Christians who are unwilling/uncalled to adopt respond to gay couples who adopt without looking like hypocrites or inhospitable (since they’re not taking in these kids themselves)?
15. 1:06:43 {Should we Read Non-Canonical Books?} Would you recommend that current Christians develop an awareness of Scripture that is no longer canon?
16. 1:09:46 {About the Galilean Wedding/The Rapture} Have you studied the Galilean wedding being justification for a pre-trib rapture? I’m having a hard time finding trusted sources to teach on this.
17. 1:12:28 {About the “2 or 3 Witnesses” Principle} What is the significance of the Bible saying "2 or 3 witnesses" to establish an accusation, as opposed to saying "2 witnesses" or "3 witnesses"?
18. 1:14:13 {Should a Head Pastor be Close to His Staff?} What are your thoughts on a head pastor who does not interact with his staff? I teach at a church and have no real relationship (to the point of pain) with my pastor as he is never present.
19. 1:17:53 {Do Ghosts / Demons Exist?} I have a feeling that something is living in my house that shouldn't be there, and it is taking all the energy out of me! Do ghosts/demons really exist, and how can I get rid of them?
20. 1:19:58 {Can God Punish After Commanding an Action?} How can God justly punish Gog/Magog for attacking Israel after He Himself made them do it? And how is this not God tempting them to sin by making them attack Israel?
Respectfully Brother Mike you do well in many questions but your answers concerning the presence of God and our experience of it are lacking. There is great emphasis in Scripture of people experiencing the presence of God physicality. Daniel and John fainted under God's presence. When the gospel reached some cities in the book of Acts the people were filled with joy and the Holy Ghost. Jesus speaks of "rivers of living water coming out of our hearts." Paul filled with the Holy Ghost looked intently at Bar Jesus the Jewish sorcerer, declared him to be a son of the devil and pronounced blindness upon him. Do we think all these experiences were platonic and without emotion? I will not leave you as orphans I will come unto you Jesus says. When we experience His visit, this is often a physical experience. It's not a mere 'cherry on top' or unnecessary 'icing on the cake' as you put it.
These questions sound good :) I can't wait to hear it.
Thanks Sarah for all you do! God bless you!
@@philiplewandowski2469 You're so welcome, brother Philip! :) God bless you!
Thanks Sarah
For the person who wants to know about suicide, I don’t think they are being any more childish than Job who also asked similar questions. He was considered a righteous man but he questioned God about his life. Many people who contemplate suicide have been dealing with some unbearable stuff for a really long time and I do not blame them for asking such questions. For me personally, it was suicidal feelings that turned me back to God. It was either let God figure this mess out or I was going to take my own life because I literally tried everything I could in my own power to get better. My therapists told me I worked harder than most patients. I had to surrender my life to Jesus and though I do still suffer at times , I have more peace. He is changing me and I am able to praise him during my suffering, which not only glorifies him but feels very liberating to my soul. People don’t always understand our suffering- look at Job’s friends who blamed him for what he was going through. Jesus understands. He humbled himself to come to us in the flesh and suffered immensely because he loves us so much. He knows what we are going through.
Amen, agree. Thank you.
I remember when my mom told me that when I feel really depressed, to take my eyes off me and look to helping others. It works. i've been too concerned and worried about me all the time. Jesus was worried and concerned about us and not him. I have learned to take my eyes off me. it's not about me!
I'm the same. Everytime I feel down and REALLY alone, it is the HOPE God put in my heart that helps me through. The fact that God has enough faith in me, to trust that I can handle this, is VERY overwhelming at my lowest, but it gives me faith to lay my future and life down at His feet
Thank you for your personal and compassionate answer to this dear soul's struggle.
@@andreahl3494 what a blessing that God can use our weaknesses and suffering to teach us how to trust Him. 🥰
On suicide….Some years ago I had very much considered it…as a Christian. A chronic, incurable, 24 hour PAINFUL disease overtook me at the height of my career. It’s been 15 years in my life now. I just wanted to get out of here and get to Heaven. Oh man, did I stress my loved ones. First of all, I came to realize that suicide doesn’t end the pain…it passes it off to your loved ones. I had to find the courage and faith to keep it as my own. I couldn’t do that to my family….Even more importantly, suicide is to say that God is untrue, and that He has given me more than I can bear, and that along with the temptation He does not give me a way to bear up under it (I Cor 10:13). What would suicide say to those who are in my sphere of influence? Exactly that! I don’t want to leave that legacy and testimony! So I had to learn to live day by day, sometimes hour by hour, with faith in His sovereignty and looking to Him for strength to bear up. He does it! It’s His strength working in me, not my own. The pain is severe, and constant, but Praise Be To God, I am making it!!!
I found and read this. Thank you for sharing. God bless and keep you, brother.
So good
@@TheSilverJedi ….Hey man, as someone who has been married for 45 years, I can’t imagine you pain. I just don’t wanna come across as someone who thinks that you could simply read my comment and quickly find relief for all of your anguish. I do think that I’ve learned a lot thru this experience but it has taken years. I tried to drink myself to death. I contemplated every way to kill myself. I’m not proud of the way I got to this point. Again, my heart aches for you. I’ll pray that you can find support from others as well as the truths and strength from God to persevere thru this pain and unto your heavenly reward.
Wow you are truly a man of God! Very inspiring
I pray for your complete healing of all pain. Nothing is impossible with God. God bless you for your testimony
Good answer on “feeling” the presence of God. Way too many folks living by what they feel rather than by facts of scripture.
@ Beth: I agree. Feelings AREN'T facts.
"Who can understand his own errors, cleanse me Lord from secret faults".
Amen!
Martin Schaus
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Thanks for making me realize that God has already provided me with the change I want, now it's time for me to walk in it.
Mike, you perform a great service for Christians and non-Christians alike. Thank you for all you do.
For real, for real. I'm greatly appreciative of his work. God bless him.
SO agree
You are so correct. And you have the best name I’ve ever seen. Thank you for the smile you gave me.
Yes thank you Mike
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”1 Corinthians 1:18
True and correct
Amen 🙏!
Amen
Man, I’m so edified by these comments.
Revelation 19:8-10
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints
1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Luke 18
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Romans 8 has always help me through times of depression. Christ's love will never leave you no matter what is happening to you.
Amen to that! Think about this my friend: God is eternal and unchanging. His love does not weaken or strengthen for believers. Because He is eternal and unchanging, this means there is never a point God loves you less. While you were yet a sinner, Christ died for the ungodly. Before you were born, He knew you and loved you and planned to save you. So if you ever wonder if God still loves you, remember that he never began to love you. In His eternal nature and His omniscience, he has loved you the same for all eternity. If only our faulty hearts that affect our emotions would line up with our knowledge of who God is. Are hearts are so deceptive. I've struggled with depression too but the Lord does not change and has not moved. He is our arc where we take shelter and comfort even of our hearts say otherwise.
We just went through Romans 8 in our Bible study. Such an encouraging passage.
We are transformed through the renewal of our minds… happens as we absorb scripture and through prayer. 🙌🏻
Brother when you said "you don't have to agree with me on everything, this is not what this is about." I was so glad. Thank you for your humility! Love your channel be blessed Pastor Mike :)
When someone is in a suicidal state, they are not thinking at the moment of this being a blip of suffering compared to the eternal joy later. They are desperate to make the pain go away. They are in a dark place where they are not thinking rationally. They go numb to their surroundings. Some may have a disorder. Unless someone has actually been in that place should not assume the person thinks like a rational person.
You know I’ve been in a huge phase of doubt and I think it’s time for it to stop and for me to be a simple Christian like I want to be. I’ve been asking God several times in prayer to change me and then this comes up in my recommended.
If your church doesn't acknowledge that the bible is true and inerrant then run. Once you open that door then you are down the path of denying the whole thing.
I don't know how I ran across this channel, but after watching 2 videos I am blown away! Truly blessed 🙌 to be able to listen to true wisdom 🙏 God bless this ministry!
I briefly unsubscribed when i saw this but decided to watch the video. I thought you were saying God doesn't change people.
I prayed for help to give up smoking and i prayed for even the desire to give up smoking.
It took 2 years or so after that to finally give it up. Change is a process. Suffice it to know that you need to change and let the process happen.
I struggled with an ongoing sin for most of my young life, now I’m almost 30, and the Lord has given me the strength to deny my flesh and climb out of the pit. For the glory of God am I overcoming my sin.
I always pray when I fail and ask both that he strengthen me and change those things in my heart. But I agree with Mike that sometimes in the past I had prayed to be changed but still was actively pursuing sin, waiting for some imaginary time when I would be a different person rather than going to God when a was tempted so that I would turn away and pursue Him wholly.
If this life was easy, so we could flip a switch and change and be "sin-free", what would be the purpose of this life? God helps us to fight sin and hopefully change, as the battle rages on. Through those battles, we learn and experience what life on this earth is and this helps to set up the bliss we will feel when we finally meet Jesus. It's the experience that is important, no matter how unfair this experience on earth may be. We will remember, love, and appreciate when we are with Jesus.
It can be a fine line sometimes! I feel like the way Mike worded it did not resonate with me the way it did for others. (I take things very literally and don’t always get the intended meaning). I’m glad what he said was edifying to you and lots of others. I’m still praying for a clear (to me) explanation of the interplay between grace and obedience that is solidly supported by scripture.
Eyes.. sin awaits at the gates. Be careful what you let your conscious attention focus on. Watch yourself and pray that you may not fall into temptation, for the devil seeks to destroy you.
@@agork right. And if your hand causes you to sin, “cut it off!” I think we need to take our sin seriously.
Estelle B
The grace of God has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
God changed my heart. I only ask him to make me better. To make me like Jesus.
The hardened heart becomes hard like clay in the sunlight when approached by God’s Light, but the heart open to God melts like wax in the sunlight, when approached by God’s Light.
I prayed that way for years. Jesus has already provided everything we need to live a victorious life. Hes done his part the rest is up to the person.
Question number one, regrettably, I've struggled with. I've been begging for change , but I've been dancing on that fine line more towards God hasn't fixed me yet. I truly believe God had you answer that for me. Glory be to God, and thank you as well Mike.
Time to man up, Casey. Following Jesus isn't for wimps. REPENT means turn around. God has granted you repentance. Just do it.
Blessings to you Corey. Keep chasing Jesus. I think it’s something most or all of us struggle with in some way or at some time.
That's the thing, if God had Mike answer the question for you, then He actually _did_ do something to change you. It took the work of you listening and processing what Mike said, but He guided you here.
Kelly, whatever you do, do NOT go to those deliverance ministry folks. I did and threw out a bunch of my belongings (no, they were not of the occult) because it was implied that I was experiencing these things because God really wasn't with me. It was very devastating, especially when I realized what they were saying was not Biblical. There is no spirit of Jezebel or Pytheon in The Bible. Maybe they're real, IDK, but what I do know is that God is more powerful than any demon. And no, following their advice didn't help my situation.
I read scriptures aloud when I was afraid and prayed. Praying the scriptures- anything that reminds you of God's love and protection, and the power of Jesus- I found that really helpful and comforting.
I like Mike soooooooooooooooooo much. Sometimes I come here just to hear his voice for 2 minutes. But I must stop watching every single video searching for questions that could be usefull to have a answer for.... and I should spend my so precious time with God instead of more "knowing things" just for the sake of knowing them. Things that I not even knew I had a question about. Love from Brazil.
I think its healthy to know things. You never know when someone will ask you a question similar to these and you would be ready to answer
If you look at the pinned comment in every single video, there is a timestamp with all the questions to skip to only the "useful" questions you'd like to hear the answer to
@@apracity7672 I know and that is what I do, I just read the questions and click in the ones I like, but I see many videos in case I find something. But my point is do I need to open every single video of 53 and couting just to see if I find a good question when I myself dont have one in mind? I am wasting time that I could be talking to God Himself and building a relationship with Him not with youtube for 2 hours every day. Plus even when I find a question that meet one of my needs 15 minutes later I forget about it.
I am from Brazil so my English is not good. I maybe type all wrong.
@@denumhanson yes it is healthy but too much of anything is not that nice. And maybe it is a excuse to not pray in my case at least (cause we tend to think that learning about God is as important as speding time with Him... but I think God prefer praying time)
@@CanalRosanaRibeiro I understand what you are saying, Rosana. We are told to pray and read our Bible. Teachers like Mike can certainly help us to understand what we have read. I am very thankful for their work for Christ and for us. Prayer and reading God’s word should be done first in the precious study time we have in our day, then learning from teachers. I surely need to work on that myself!
Hey Mike, thanks for answering that question on asking God for change. It was small, but I felt something hit me there. I am continually praying for God to change me, and to do the work. However, like you said, He's already given us His Spirit, and we now have the power to live out that change. However, I think I've been living in the mentality that I'm powerless, that I have to wait for God to do something. So thanks for your answer. I'm sort of a Calvinist, so I would view things a bit differently, but this still helped me a lot. Thanks again!
The fathers of the Church were not Calvinists of course which is just a modern rehashed heresy known as Monoenergism, where the human and divine are competing for the same space. You are not totally deprived, humanity is not totally deprived, you have a will, the Church Fathers were synergistic along with Paul who referred to himself and a Coworker with God. YOU can do all things through Christ who strengthens YOU, not all things can be done by Christ making you do them weather your want to or not. I hope this helps and please do some research on Monoenergism and Monothelitism with respect to Calvinism. It’s heresy and has already been condemned centuries ago. God Bless.
@@rdubyatjr just curious; how do you differentiate between a heresy and a false/inaccurate teaching? And do you still believe our Calvinist friends are still brothers and sisters Christ?
@@ElleeZee289 This is a good question… I know you are asking rdubyatjr and he or she can reply as well. I will say that while I don’t think this is a primary issue in the sense of making Calvinism a cult, it is right on the edge. The reason I say that is because the very understanding of who God is fundamentally changes when you come from a Calvinistic perspective. God is no longer Agape. God is no longer wholly self-less, wholly Holy, and makes God a liar when He says multiple times things like: Ezekiel 33:11
“Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” Calvinism itself creates a fundamental problem: God must be lying in this verse. After all, the TULIP doctrines lead to this conclusion inevitably. After all, Total Depravity says that no person has the desire or ability to repent, unless and until God directly intervenes to change their hearts through regeneration to then empower them to repent and believe and be saved. Given that premise, then God’s command to turn back and be saved itself is meaningless and almost taunting. It’s like a life guard seeing a drowning person clearly unable to save themselves telling them “I have no pleasure in the drowning of anyone, so start swimming and save yourself!” Worse, though, if God REALLY wants everyone to repent and be saved, but DOESN’T CHOOSE to empower everyone to repent and be saved, then He cannot REALLY want everyone to repent and be saved. Which is why the Limited Atonement doctrine in Calvinism exists, but again, that makes God a liar in Ezekiel and other verses. Calvinism’s view of God’s grace is deeply, deeply flawed and un-Biblical, and paints a picture of a God who really does NOT love or care for everyone, only a few random lucky people. And so while I think well intended Christians who haven’t really thought through all the implications are indeed saved, and this is not a salvation issue, it does completely distort a person’s understanding of who God really, truly is.
@@robertpreisser3547 I agree that it is a secondary issue but that can have a profound impact.
@@ElleeZee289 I have been trying to get an answer to this question for months about how can Calvinists be our brother or sister when it’s teachings are clearly wrong….still waiting for that answer unfortunately 😒
I've changed remarkably but, have not yet been able to quit 🚬 smoking. I keep praying for strength 🙏 to drop this terrible habit but am SO grateful for the drastic changes He has already made in me. One step at a time ☺️
I understand Becky. I used to smoke 40 cigarettes in a day. The Lord lead me to read Allen Carr's 'Easy Way to Quit Smoking' and after reading it I just dropped it and didn't have had any cravings since. It's been now more than a year. I'm so happy!
Try that book.
My brother and my friend also read it and quit.
I'm struggling to quit myself Becky. I have been able to get down to about 4 cigs a day from 2 packs. The few things that have helped are nicotine patches ( I keep one on at all time) and I also have a vape pen for when I have bad cravings. You can get one without nicotine so that it doesn't add to the addiction. Both of those help me a lot but the thing that is most helpful is the girl in dating. Without that support I wouldn't have been able to get where I'm at. Hopefully you will find something that will work for you, from what I've seen and read it helps to defeat the actual smoking part before the nicotine addiction. God bless
Any addiction has to be quit progressively unless God literally zaps you with the "no beam" so your progress is all that's needed. God doesnt need us to be perfect. He just needs us to try to be good. May the Lord bless you in your struggles
In and of itself, smoking is not a sin. It's just not very smart. I quit after smoking for 50 years. 3 days of body dts but look at it like having the flu for a short time. The rest is simply mental changes like after a meal or other time's. God bless, just keep on keeping on and pushing forward one day at a time.
rest assured Mike, you are very appreciated in this study and more. you are such a blessing to me
Be not conformed to this
world but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. The renewing of your mind comes from reading the word of God.
Amen
Psalm 19
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Pastor Mike is so intelligent. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this. God bless you guys!
Whew! Pastor Mike, answer to question #3, A M E N !!
Worship starts with revelation from God. He has told us how to worship. We must listen.
#3 resonates a lot personally I seek the Father daily for His ultimate Sacrifice and my selfish attitude. I have been reading daily to understand more because there is a reason that I am alive at this point at this moment I ask for forgiveness and They Will Be Done and not my own.
Brother Mike, one of the most encouraging aspects of your content is your willingness to admit what you don't know or are unsure of.
One thing that disturbs me is when preachers confidently say, "God will forgive you for committing suicide. ALL YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN!!" I was a severely abused child, so much so that I seriously considered taking my own life from as young as 8 or 10 years old. But my conscience wouldn't let me do it. I thought of "Thou shalt not kill" and I didn't know of any exceptions, including suicide. As someone who has been suicidal, I think that suicide is the ultimate act of hopelessness, and it flies in the face of the ultimate Giver of hope, GOD HIMSELF (John 11:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15). God does provide the way of escape that we may be able to endure through times of severe depression (1 Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 34:18). When I look to myself for answers, that's when depression overwhelms me. But when l turn my eyes upon Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of my faith, the light --- HIS LIGHT --- breaks through the darkness and encourages my heart.
That first question is very important to understand.
Confusion in that matter will impact how you read scripture, can lead to blindspots all over the place.
About asking God to change me, I was reading Psalm 139 one morning. I read a variety of translations, but that morning chose the ERV (Easy to Read Version). What I read in verse 13 moved me deeply: “You formed the way I think and feel.” (Psalms 139:13a ERV)
Most translations render the passage “For you formed my inward parts” which I always took to mean God made my internal organs. Other translations render it “For thou hast possessed (qânâh) my reins (kilyâh).” That God formed “the way I think and feel” was revelational for me, even liberating.
Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, the message I received from the world is that being emotional, gentle, compassionate and artistic, etc., was contrary to expectations for a boy. To make sure I got the message, there were any number of emotional and physical bullies who were determined to beat the gentility out of me and to “make a man out of me”. Thus I’ve spent most of my life wrestling with my nature because of how the world has responded to me and I’ve begged God to change me.
That God formed “the way I think and feel” sheds new light on the more common translation “thou hast possessed my reins”. For to “possess” my “reins” suggests to me that the way I “think and feel” is the means by which God has bridled me for His control where He actively but gently leads me along the path He has chosen for me. Paths of discovery, revelation, renewal, self-reflection and growth, etc.
While there are elements within me that I want and need His help to change, e.g., sin, there are foundational elements in my nature that are put there by His design to facilitate my relationship with Him and to become more like His Son. What He showed me from Psalm 139 has turned shame and frustration to acceptance and thanksgiving for how He has formed me to return to Him and respond to His touch.
wow, this was beautifully said. i'm surely gonna check the ERV. Thank you so much for sharing! God bless you always
But God did create your internal organs
Love this! Thank you & Thank the Lord! 🙏🏼💕
I've had that thought for a while, thank you for putting it into words. Also remember how emotional king david was. God loves you for your meek nature. God loves you for your many natures but he especially blesses the meek (king david, moses ect.) So dont change. Showing your weaknesses is the biggest sign of strength. God knows you and he loves you for YOU not who they want you to be
I was living with Mike’s answer to #1 for a week, and it just made me feel hopeless. Usually in my hopelessness id pray, but I became uncertain of whats even allowed if God is already helping me and despite that my will is opposing it.
I don’t believe God has rules about how you pray to Him; I think He’d prefer you to ask and commune with Him than condemn yourself about asking and not ask at all. Don’t be bound up in these things you just don’t get🙏
God's word, by his Spirit changes us, by the renewing of our minds. This isn't instantaneous, but a process. God has already forgiven us while we catch up.
I do not understand how you can tell a person who seemingly is entertaining suicidal thoughts that there will be bliss once we die and meet God in heaven. God has created us and given us life, and life with a purpose, which is to live to our fullest, pain and joy included, but always holding onto our God’s good hand.
Wait, excuse me? Nothing changed for me until He changed me. I spent years praying, asking God, please help me, if you help me, I can stop. Nothing happened. It wasn't til, in desperation, I cried out, "God, please change me, I can't stop, unless you do this, then nothing will change," that anything changed. A switch flipped. I was born again in that moment. I'd spent years holding on to my pride. Listen to what I kept saying originally, "Lord, if you help me, THEN I CAN STOP." It wasn't until I let go of that pride and surrendered to Him, that anything changed. It wasn't until I admitted that I didn't have it in me to practice righteousness, that anything changed. I wasn't a genuine believer until that moment. I had lived as a Christian in name only for years, with a mindset that focused on doing enough. I was good. I'd done enough. I was in "good standing". The truth is, every part of me, even my struggles with sin were anchored in what I could do rather than what Christ did and can do for me. It wasn't until I admitted I couldn't do what Paul in Roman's says I cannot do, "no one does good", it wasn't until then that anything changed. In that moment I surrendered, I was freed from my slavery to sin and the addiction that controlled me. I disagree with you Mike, because I think you should have made the distinction between believer and unbeliever first, then between "I can't" and "I won't". Until we are born again, we CANNOT change ourselves and even when that change happens, we are still only able to resist sin because He enables us to do so. The scriptures you mention speak to the saved who are able now to be at war with sin ONLY because the Holy Spirit has enabled them to do so. That they can fight sin and resist it is possible ONLY because they are no longer enslaved to it. That distinction is of paramount importance.
Secondly, I'm bothered by this notion that we cannot continue asking God to change us. There's humility in that request that needs to acknowledged. That's part of our relationship with the Father that is essential. Just because we have the Spirit in us does not mean we no longer need to lean on Him for strength we know we do not have. Indeed, God wants us always to show humility that we need Him. Yes, there are people who are leaning in to what their flesh wants and not wanting to let go of it, saying "I can't" because, really, they are saying "I won't", but there are plenty more who genuinely feel their weaknesses and are just crying out, through the Spirit, honestly admitting their inability in and of themselves to pull themselves up by their boot straps and that they need God. Isn't His strength shown through our weakness? How is it you think we display that weakness? Don't you think it would be through such honesty? What could be wrong with that kind of honesty?
I think you're focusing too much on those whose "I can't" really means "I won't" rather than asking people to examine themselves, their motivations, their desires of their hearts. Is a person who says "I can't" really saying "I won't" or are they really just being honest with themselves, honest with the Lord and genuinely leaning on Him for a strength they themselves know thy do not have? One IS a self-centered unwillingness to confront one's own sin, the other is humility before the Lord.
Our ability to come to the Father in those moments is at the heart of our relationship with Him. How demoralizing is it to tell someone that well, you're just not doing your part in those instances? No, we always have access to our Father when we genuinely feel lost in our weakness. The question ultimately boils down to "I can't" or "I won't". Which is it? Let's please not ever tell people they can't ask God the father to change them as His children. Let's just not.
@spirals 73 thank you
Wow, this was so so timely. I just stumbled on that first question you answered about denying the change God has already done in you. Man I needed this. Thanks brother.
My God this helped me to change my understanding of God change me. I thank God that I found this. I was thinking I could never find anyone else who studied like my Dad and Uncle did ( they are now with God in Heaven ) and rightly teaches the Truths of Scripture.
I’ve seen this video pop up so many times and never watched it but I’m SO glad I did - thank you Mike and everyone who had so many great questions 👏🏼👏🏼
Appreciate your stand for Biblical inerrancy, Pastor Mike. My current view on this issue is that the sufficiency, reliability, and authority of Scripture need not depend upon inerrancy, which invariably (in my experience) requires qualifications like "of the original writing" and so becomes unverifiable. Worse, the emphasis on inerrancy can lead to the impression that the authority of Scripture is built upon it, making it a point of weakness whereby an opponent needs only to find one point of contention, one such error, and the authority of Scripture is thrown into doubt or comes crashing down.
Your perspective on asking God to change you, so lovely and I think you're on point too. I think it's OK to ask for help to change, but it's extremely important to recognize God's design and Influence already in you. A simple way to see it is, say, if you hate your body and ask him to change it, why would he? You are hating his design and refusing to accept it. But if you ask him to support and guide you as you work on acceptance or changing something about your choices, like 2hat you eat, or starting a new weightlifting routine, or even finding better ways to dress yourself or learn how to apply makeup to improve confidence etc, that I think he would be glad you sought his consol!
I think a lot about how he never gives us a challenge we can't handle. Part of me doubts it a bit, but believing it to be true has helped give me confidence and hope when I was deep in the dark. And it helps me see the situation from "distant" eyes, like playing an rpg where even if a quest is hard, I keep at it in good spirits because I know there's a way to do it, I just need to figure out how for myself. And there's a lot of joy in that! Even the really difficult ones!
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.
Jeremiah 32:38-40
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Romans 8:29
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
Galatians 3:3
Amen, Hallelujah, Praise the Lord :)
💯
Anthony Duhamel
Isn’t Galatians 3:3 referring to the works of the law?
It would indeed be foolish to think that salvation came through the works of the law. But it would be equally as foolish to think that the grace of God does not teach us to do some works.
You become perfect through God. Also you apply the Word of God in your life. Obeying Him does bring you closer to Him. Deny your Flesh.
Amen.
I'm not rejecting responsibility regarding question 1. GOD provides help according to the need of an individual and if I ask for more change because I'm lacking the mental strength (not the factual, because GOD won't demand more of us than we can handle) to fight against certain areas it doesn't negate responsibility: in fact it puts more emphasis on the trust in the LORD. Even if I, doing whatever I can to resist temptations, arrive at the end of my strength to go on choose for divine intervention instead of giving in I'm acting out my responsibility. I choose to go to GOD and not to sin.
GOD bless
What a beautiful message today ❤️, thanks Pastor Mike!
Big greetings from Colombia South America
Mike Winger, I see God is changing me and though I stumble more thank I wish. A lot of the time inside I feel like I was just cut off from God like my body is simply devoid of a soul. No feeling, no enjoyment, no anger just nothing. I have prayed and asked God about this but then it always comes back. I don't know what to do anymore.
About #4, good answer!
Feelings are not a barometer for the presence of God! Our feelings will line up with our beliefs or our knowledge at the time.
Nowhere in scripture is "feeling God" mentioned. He is Spirit. We dont feel Him. We feel great when we believe His word that we are forgiven and He is with us and will never leave us! We feel good when we believe He just answered our prayer or saved someone!
For instance, people leave a meeting and some will say, "did you feel the presence of God in that room?" "Yeah! God was there tonight!" And others may say, "man, I dont think God was even in the neighborhood!" Same meeting.
God is always there. He doesn't change. Maybe some didnt like the music, or disagreed with the message, or they were tired, or whatever, but those are only feelings, and our feelings are just that, our feelings. They are not God.
Start listening to the words in the prayers of people and you will be challenged to find very much at all that is biblical. Thank God He is patient, because most of what we pray is not scriptual most of the time, at all. ✌️
Love you Pastor Mike and your wifey! Much gratitude for all you, with the help of your wife, are doing for the Glory of God and those who know, are seeking or have yet to come to the Truth and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 🙏
God bless you and your family ❤
May God Bless your Ministry 😇
First question hit hard. I’ve been dealing with this for a long time. Thank you Mike
The hardening of the heart explanation was such a revelation to me. Never thought of it that way, nor heard of it taught that way. Glory to God for your ministry.
God, it is said, is the Sun of righteousness (cf. Mal. 4:2), and the rays of His supernal goodness shine down on all men alike. The soul is wax if it cleaves to God, but clay if it cleaves to matter. Which it does depends upon its own will and purpose. Clay hardens in the sun, while wax grows soft. Similarly, every soul that, despite God’s admonitions, deliberately cleaves to the material world, hardens like clay and drives itself to destruction, just as Pharaoh did (cf. Exod. 7:13). But every soul that cleaves to God is softened like wax and, receiving the impress and stamp of divine realities, it becomes “in spirit the dwelling-place of God” (Eph. 2:22).
-St Maximos the Confessor
Eugene Ansah
Yes, God’s divine presence and commandments require a willing response. We either receive and grow tender or reject and grow hard. These are both the effects of God.
I like how you are using the number counter behind you.
It will make it easier to go back and find particular questions.
I also appreciate your listing the questions in the description.
. . When I was 27 (1979), while I was driving alone in my car, God gave me to know - absolutely, deep down inside - that Jesus Christ really was the Son of God. I was stunned. My immediate, wholehearted response was that He would be my Chief; I would follow Him. I’ve been trying to understand His word (the Bible) and follow Him ever since.
. . Yet from experience I’ve learned that I'm actually dependent on God to do, or to be, anything truly good. He is the potter, we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8; Romans 9:20-21).
. . As Philippians 2:13 says in regards to working out our salvation: “. . for it is God who works in you the wanting to and the doing for the sake of His good desire.”
The way He works ‘the wanting to’ in us is by giving us to really know Him, who He is; and what He’s done and will do as well; and then, what He wants us to do and to be.
- How He works ‘the doing’ in us is beyond me; it’s an ever deepening source of amazement and gratitude.
Greatly appreciate the answer amd the feedback!
Hi Pastor Mike, thank you for all your insight! My husband and I Watch your channel on the daily and you have helped us understand both simple and complex questions as followers of Jesus!!!
Also thank you for the sneak peaks of your cat, it makes my day!
I’ll keep asking God for help.
I am a nice intelligent responsible guy. Very hard working, not perfect, but not particularly deficient in any area. I am open to advice on what changes I can make.
I just turned 45 and I’ve been struggling with work, finances, dating, tho I usually make friends very easily, thank God.
I’m not sure what I need to do or how I need to change to be the guy God would grant a change in work or finances or relationship status. I am open for new opportunities and just took a temporary job in Kenya.
Absolutely, I was blessed, despite many hardships, I’ve never reached the point of real hunger. It occurred to me that had I been seriously challenged by a woman, I could have easily sinned and I thank God for only giving those challenges I overcame. Thank God, I don’t have the type of mind to get involved in substance abuse.
Thank you, i learn a lot. Please pray for me as I'm learning
Hey everyone! I just wanted to share some good news with you all. Let's just put it this way, the Ten Commandments are called the Moral Law. Ask yourself this. How many lies have you told? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever used God's name in vein? Have you ever hated someone or ever looked with lust? This is for you to judge yourself, but chances are that you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, fornicating, adulterer at heart and you HAVE to face God on judgement day. Now ask yourself this. If God judges you on judgement day by these Commandments, will you be innocent or guilty? Of course you'll be guilty because we've all done these things. The truth is that none of us are good people and we NESD God's grace to make it to heaven. We judt simply cannot do it on our own. These Commandments arecalled the Moral Law. You and I broke the law, Jesus payed the fine. So now what we must do to be saved is to repent of our sins and trust alone in Jesus Christ! To repent doesn't mean to just say I'm sorry, but to turn from our sins and let Him truly be our Lord continually. He said that many will say to Him, Lord, Lord I have done all of these things for you. And He will say I never knew you. Depart from Me, ye who work iniquity! And those will be cast into outer darkness and raging hellfire and loneliness for all of eternity!!! Because we broke His law, He is very, very just to send us to hell. If someone had murdered 4 people and said to the judge, I've done nice things too and have tried to treat people nice but it was just one time, the judge would then say, okay but you're going to jail. And the judge is very just to do that. One last thing, if you were 10,000 feet in the air and you had to jump, you wouldn't jump out and flap your arms and try to save yourself. That's ridiculous! You would put on the parachute. It is the same with Jesus. You must trust Him as you trust the parachute. We are not good and we cannot save ourselves with our own goodness. We must trust alone in Him to save us. In just a moment of time you can pass from death to life. Jesus said, "Verily, verily I say unto you, you must be born again." That is how we enter heaven. Through the blood and grace of Jesus Christ!!!!✝️If you ask someone how to enter Heaven, they will most likely say, "Be a good person." Well the Bible says that none is good, no not one. We like to compare ourselves to guys like Hitler and say, "Hey, I'm a pretty good guy compared to him." But when we compare ourselves to God's standard, we realize that the Bible speaks truth when it says that we all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God!!! When we see this ( our sin in its TRUE light), we see how much trouble we are in and we say, "Well then there's nothing I can do. I'm going to hell for sure then." It's true that there is nothing that WE can do, but there is something that has already been done for you! God sent His One and Only Son to die on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins! So to recieve that eternal sweet sweet forgiveness, all we must do is repent of our sins (meaning to continually turn from them and confess them) and trust alone in Christ as you trust a parachute. If I was to push you out of an airplane, you'd want the parachute for sure! Don't try to flap your arms and save yourself, trust in the parachute! His finished work on the Cross IS ENOUGH!! He is the only way to Heaven, He said it Himself!! These other religions teach that we must he good and do good things and then maybe if we've been good enough, we will enter Heaven. But if that is true then we are all doomed to eternal hell because none of us are good. That's why this makes sense. Look at the Ten Commandments, they are written on your heart right now!!! I promise that you have violated them. And you might still be doing that today. Therefore God is just to poor out His wrath on us because we deserve it!!! But Christ died for us so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with Him!!! Turn to Him today, and He and only He will save your soul "Verily, verily I say unto you, you must be born again ( to go to Heaven)."✝️The true joy of Christ dwells in me! Does it in you? I know where I'm going when I die! Do you? I have an ETERNAL victory! Do you? I have more joy than ever because of what Christ has done. I have been down both roads. The road of the wicked and the road of Christ. Christ is way better and my cup runneth over with true of and salvation. If you do not know the One true God and are not sure of your salvation, I promise He will never fail you. Turn to Him in repentance and faith. Repent means to confess and forsake your sins, never turning back to them. I tried changing on my own but I couldn't. It took the power of Christ on the inside of me to do it for me. He will give you a new and clean heart with new and clean desires and you shall be born again. A new creation in Christ Jesus!! Hallelujah!!!! Jesus said in order to enter the Kingdom of God, you must be born again!!! Thank you Lord Jesus!!!!!✝️
You are a blessing pastor Mike!!! Thank you x1000
Jesus said love God, and love your neighbour as you love yourself. The world has made us fear talking about loving ourselves. And I feel my love for God, my love for others and my love myself helped me deal with suicidal thoughts. I realised that I have to love myself as God loves, as imperfect as I am. And that only helped me show more love to others.
Wow man…. Other than a few big issues…. You are really impressing me. A very wise young man. My hats off to you. I find there are few men of God these days I respect. You are one of those. Again we disagree on some big points but wow… your spirit is honest and honest honorable. You are much better spoken than my abrupt speech. So I highly commend you for your service to the lord and I seek to learn much more from you. I hope moving forward there is little we disagree on. I pray you be my mentor! Blessings brother. (…From a Hebrew Roots mindset brother without a home…, an orphan seeking who dare adopt my wild self.) blessings.
Regarding the “feeling God’s presence” question. This is one that has hit home for me. I am an emotional person. I’ve been doing one on one discipleship and in that, we have talked a lot about how we’re supposed to live by faith, not by emotions. This is obviously very important. Like Mike touches on, I have felt this way a lot. Because I don’t “feel” His presence, maybe im wrong, maybe He has left me, maybe I didn’t please Him, maybe I’m not really saved. So lately, I feel like God has withheld the emotional side of things a bit to get me to mature in not needing the feelings to know His promises are true. His Word is true. He can be trusted no matter the circumstances, emotions or cultural trends. Feelings come and go, but His truth and His love does not. Instead, I have been praying, God, be glorified in me today. Help me to show You to others. That way, walking in the Spirit the intimacy is there but in humble reliance on Him no matter what I feel. I hope this helps someone. It’s okay to not feel Him.
So thankful to your answer to question 4. Such a godly n biblical perspective.
Thank you for sharing Moxie with us. 💕
His presence inhabits the praises of his people. Lots of us feel His presence during a time of worship
Thank you for answering question number 1!!! I used to continually ask God to change me when I lived in unrepentant sin but I needed to actually repent and make a choice to live for Him. He already provided everything! I just needed to obey Him💛 and this goes with my struggle of anger and yelling and cussing and my anxiety which is ultimately not trusting God to provide or sometimes I let the flesh control me. That’s why I need to walk in the spirit. But how do continually walk in the spirit?
Also another question: my Assembly of God church speaks in tongues and someone usually interprets well it’s the same lady.. anyway a few weeks ago this lady interpreted this message of tongues by saying: Listen to this message God will transform you.
Now I originally thought that only Jesus could transform us but His words can too. I’m just confused because I wasn’t transformed by this message or by the laying of hands by those who went up to be transformed. It was really emotional and overwhelming with everyone praying in tongues and surrounding you. The truth is I left more annoyed.
Is what my church doing biblical? Because the tongues do have interpretation like scripture says but sometimes I wonder. This was the message my pastor preached on if anyone is wondering:
**
Romans 8:28-30**
God wants to transform us to be more like Him
He wants us to grow in knowledge of Him
## How we can be transformed
1. We need to start with Jesus
2. His word changes our life- Get his word in our life
3. Communication with the Lord will change you- dedicate 10 minutes of your morning with God
4. By the renewing of your mind- thinking - bring every thought captive to the odedice of Christ - Deny ourselves and take up our cross
5. We’re transformed by tragedy or trials
6. We can be transformed by not grieving the Holy Spirit- stop grieving the Holy Spirit
@@Madison2002_ I grew up AG. If you are concerned about spiritual gifts, check out Remnant Radio. I think your pastors message is spot on. Only I would say spending only 10 minutes with God is really just a start if someone is not already doing it. God wants to be the most important thing in our lives. But yeah we should definitely carve out time just for him and make it a spiritual discipline.
@Estelle B Thank you 😊
You have a beautiful cat, Mike.
I recently started listening to you and I am learning a lot. Thank you for your ministry.
2. Thank Jesus He did it all. Now walking in it! By faith In Jesus and he did!
Love the answer to the 1st question. So easy to forget, yet the finished work of Christ on the cross in our behalf should be a reminder to us every day. Thank you!
Regarding the hardening of the heart of people “the same sun that melts the wax also hardens the clay”. It is the MESSAGE of God and the receptive nature of the human heart that determines whether or not one accepts the Word or ultimately rejects it. The parable of the Sower illustrates the conditions of the human heart.
I use to pray to God to expand my love to him and my understanding of him aso... but thats not the same. When it comes to sin I use to pray for help, strenght to take on whats in front of me. Not to change me. Its for me to change throug the power of God. God have already changed me in a huge way!
Thanx for all your videos! God bless you all and much love from Sweden 🇸🇪💟☦️💟
My understanding is God doesn't change us. We are growing into His character. This really helped me understand the process of sanctification.
Yer a gift to us all. Thank jesus for you. And thank you for choosing to do what you do.
The more Mike answered the “God please change me” question, the angrier and more hopeless I feel. If I had the power to fix myself, then I wouldn’t need Jesus. I’d need Anthony Robbins. My wife died 8 years ago. It wrecked me and I’ve been struggling ever since. I’m desperate for God to help me, to change my broken heart, my depressed spirit, to help me to do all of the things that I don’t have the will to do. I’m broken and and I can’t ask God to help me? I want to scream at you and your answer, Mike. As I’m typing this, you’ve moved onto the suicide question. If God can’t help me then why shouldn’t I just pack it in? I really am angry right now.
.
My interpretation of Mike's words was ...when one is waiting for God to change their laziness, gluttony( which is my case), bitterness, resentment and anything akin to those vices, then , no, we shouldn't wait. We should do something about it , for we have been already given the power.
Your case, in my view, is entirely different. Psalms 34:18: The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Take all your worries to His throne and just hang in there . Our God is faithful. Praise Him and pray to Him no matter how it hurts. I hope your late wife is in Heaven having a blast. Be blessed ❤🙏❤🙏❤
Wow, Isaac, I wish I could really help but I'm no pastor. I think we should look at what God can and will do through our prayers and after all, isn't that what you are talking about in the short and long term----unanswered prayers, prayers to be "changed"? I feel that there are three answers to our prayers when we talk to God and yes, He will answer. #1 is a direct and definite answer to our prayers. #2, God answering but in His own time. And #3, God answering your prayer for help by saying, "Wait on Me, for I have better plans for you". He has better plans that will bless you and bring understanding, through Him. You may strongly feel that what you are asking should be answered by your perceptions of what is needed but God has your ultimate well-being in mind even though you probably can't and won't understand that, in this life. God bless and take comfort in the fact that you will be with your wife when God calls----for eternal bliss. God bless.
I feel your pain brother. I had a similar reaction. If it helps any, keep in mind that these Q & A's are just quick, one-off answers to really serious questions that honestly should not be answered so flippantly. As popular as these live streams are, there are most definitely no replacement for real pastoral care. Mike can't possibly consider everyone's individual situation when answering these questions - something I am frustrated by myself almost to the point of wishing that he would just stop doing these altogether. It can be harmful to try and make these complex situations sound simple and easy to solve. For people like myself that struggle with scrupulosity and suicidal ideation, it can almost push me to the edge.
Take comfort in the fact that Jesus understands your individual situation far more than someone on TH-cam can, and He knows what you are going through. He loves you regardless. In my humble opinion, Jesus only had harsh words for the self-righteous, those who felt they were justified before God by their own actions and their own strength. He never gave struggling sinners a hard time. I think the fact that you are so bothered by your struggle means you are still very much alive inside. If you are hurting, you are still feeling, which is more than many people in this numbed world can say for themselves. Hang in there, and trust God that there is grace for your struggle. Read Paul's Epistles, especially Galatians.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for "The one who is righteous will live by faith." But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, "Whoever does the works of the law will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" - in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:10-14
Hey, I suffer from CPTSD, OCD, MDD, and BPD (Honestly I think BPD encompasses all the other issues). Anyway, I got angry too. I hate how my mood is always low and anxious. I try so hard to change my thoughts but the OCD intrusive thoughts and constant dialogue are like arrows being shot at me all day. I've gone back into sleep issues recently (like basically no sleep) which only makes my other symptoms worse.
I totally understand your reaction as I am also feeling utterly exhausted and hopeless about my ailments. I try to think about Heaven and God but my symptoms still plague me. I ask God when will this end? When will he heal me, Oh God please! I have to continually ask him for increased faith and help in unbelief. For help with trusting Him and not sinning. Oh please God change me and help me!
So yes sir, I understand you. I'll be praying for you too
-Keep on being truthful and faithful to the Lord, seek understanding and knowledge of the word of God.
So you know that feeling you get when there is a really exciting movie about to be launched in theaters? Well, that is what I am feeling for your women in leadership teaching. (Any updates or an ETA on that)
I also wanted to say thank you and that your videos have inspired me to spend more time studying the Word of God and it has ignited a passion in me that has refocused my priorities. Who needs big box office releases when there are Mike Winger videos every week!
I second! I have a pretty strong position on the subject, but I feel like I don’t know the arguments for any side very well. Really looking forward to his teaching since Mike does a good job of summarizing different arguments regarding a topic.
Grady Shingler,
Does God call women to places of leadership?
If yes. Deborah, the four virgin daughters of Philip the evangelist, Phebe, Percilla, and Anna.
If no. Paul’s writings that he suffered not a woman to teach.
If we would say yes to the question, we still must acknowledge that, by far, the greatest amount of God’s chosen leaders have been men.
The natural order that God has set in place, requires men to shoulder a benevolent leadership position. At the same time, one can not rightly argue that God has not clearly blessed some women in a leadership role.
We need to speak in agreement with God.
Thank you Mr. Winger on all the work you do to spread the Truth. You have been a great benefit to me in thinking more biblically and applying it to my life. You have helped me to recalibrate Christ to the center of my life. This video was especially helpful. Although I have much to work on, I wanted to offer you my sincerest gratitude.
Amen, I know with pot God delivered me, but with cigarettes I had to gain the mastery over my body.
But in learning mastery in one issue I’ve learned to apply it to others as well. I’m grateful for both ways God helped me. I know getting mastery over depression was the same way. But if God didn’t first show me the overcoming of the flesh I probably wouldn’t have gotten out from under depression either. Knowledge is just being able to see an answer, but wisdom is the result of concurring life’s circumstances. God be the glory
I think when we pray we should emphasize God's will.
Instead of praying for ourselves and thinking about me me me, instead pray that God's will be done.
A short example, "Lord, I would really like this promotion at work but only if it is your will. Thank you, amen."
And then mentally prepare yourself for a yes or no answer. If it's yes, praise the Lord. And even if it's no, still praise the Lord, because it was His will that you did not get that promotion and his will is always right. He may have something else planned for you.
Thank you for your messages, Pastor Winger, very informative and helpful in my walk with Christ.
You don't know how hopeless some of us feel. Even though we have repented and believe God sent Jesus to die for us and we worship God and still struggle with whatever it is it doesn't matter what. And we cry much and our hearts are soft towards Jesus and we love him. Even Paul the disciple said he still struggled with things. Paul said I strive for that goal but that is not to say I have been perfected yet my brothers and sisters. Paul the disciple admitted he was not perfect yet.
Thank you my brother for the clarification. I understand it as taking personal responsibility to live in a way that is pleasing to The Lord. " I beseech you therefore brothers and sisters by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable act of worship and be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may know what is the good, pleasing, and acceptable will of God." (Romans 12:1,2) We have to present our bodies as living sacrifices and we have to choose not to be conformed to the world. The Lord has given us The Holy Spirit to empower and encourage us but we have to take the steps.
I didn’t realize that you were a pastor. I just thought you were a really thorough Bible nerd.
“A really thorough Bible nerd!!!”Hahahahaha! That’s funny, Mike!
i love this episode, bless you Pastor Winger
Hey Mike, I used to agree with your take on Pharaoh’s heart, but then I read Exodus 4:21. The Lord declares, before any of the signs are performed, that He would be the cause of Pharaoh’s hardened heart.
“The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.”
I guess the question is _how_ did God harden Pharaoh’s heart. If I said, “I will make my brother angry,” you wouldn’t assume I was going to supernaturally change his emotions to angry ones, you’d assume (I hope) that I was going to do something that I knew would cause my brother to be angry. This means that that is at least a _possible_ meaning for how God was using “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.”
@@levifox2818 I think the issue in your statement is that we are not God. I would not assume a person to enact a supernatural change in a person, but we should assume that God can, will, and does do this. Additionally, a human saying “I will make my brother angry” is loaded with the possibility of both success and failure. When God says “I will make your brother angry”, it will be accomplished without question or delay.
@@sethevans1506
I agree it’s different, but that doesn’t eliminate it as a possibility. I think God most often works through the natural to bring about his sovereign will with certainty. This is why miracles are the exception-though many miracles occurred in the event.
I haven’t even listened to the rest, but question/answer #1 is absolutely spot on. Gold. I needed that, thank you Pastor Mike for an easy, clear, Biblical explanation to a mindset that so many of us didn’t even know we had.
Strictly speaking it’s certainly not bogus to ever ask God to change you. Certain. OT passages show it’s a perfectly valid request as long as you don’t think you have an active role to play as well. Cf. 1 Ki. 8:58; Ps. 119:35-36. However, Mike’s cautionary comments here are surely correct.
Thank you Mike, I'm so glad I watch this video, I do the exact thing that you describe, rather than be grateful, I wonder why he doesn't change me, I will start praying how thankful I am for what he does in my life ❤
That first question answrt was fantastic, I got a book on the fruitful life and how devotion to God and our actions change us, a dangerous lie I've heard circulate when you do something sinful is oh that's just the way you are, you get new spirit and born again to over come your sins.
It seems like you are going through something tough right now Mike. I hope I'm wrong but if in case I'm not I'll be praying brother! Your commitment to The Lord has been such an inspiration and your videos extremely informative! Thank you for that. God speed broger
I absolutely love his videos.
Man, this is an amazing eye opener!
Thank you for clarifying this. I didn't know. God bless.
I believe we can ask God to change us according to his will. I truly believe we all have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
I believe we can be very willful and struggle with our ego, all of us do.
Especially when we feel we've been wronged and we are actively doing right.
When we truly accept Jesus Christ, we are renewed. We Christians need to pray without ceasing. We need to ask God that the Holy Spirit guides us because it's not the conscious that shakes us up and lets us know when we did something wrong.
My pastor tells us that when we pray, we should ask God for forgiveness because we offended him. Why, because, as imperfect human beings, even a simple passing thought can cause us to sin. God is merciful, but He is a Holy God. Thank goodness for the grace of Jesus Christ.
At some point, in our hearts, we have judged others who've done us wrong.
Even if it's true, we should pray that we have no anger in our hearts towards this person, else be the same.
We have all cast figurative stones, not realizing that we may have done wrong to another. We justify staying angry against someone who offended us, whom we feel we did nothing wrong. That in itself is self-righteous. Instead, we must leave it on Gods hands. Even more so, when asking God to take care of a problem, usually a person, we should first pray for the condition of our heart.
Breaking of bread is a potluck meal, not communion. In the book of Esther, the people are told to bring food to each other and to become close to their fellow Jews, this is something God wants for all people, but it is also very helpful to faith and encouraging one another and helping each other in life.
Tracey Burroughs from South Africa 🇿🇦 watching your video. Thank you for your content you make.
The question about Martin Luther interested me because my ancestors escaped from Nazi Germany. My mother told me that my paternal grandparents told my dad that he could bring home anyone and they would accept her as long as she wasn’t Catholic. They were wonderful Protestant Christians. But they would never forget when the Catholics would come in and burn their houses at night with them inside. I haven’t been able to find anything on this on Google (no, I haven’t searched further than Google). A few years ago I read something that made me wonder if my ancestors had been of Jewish descent, which would lend credence to what my grandmother had said.
For question 15. I have aporcryphal books. I don't see them as scripture but they are helpful. In my case for learning context of the thought and culture of Jews at Jesus time. Like you said it also helps when speaking to Catholics or Orthodox too to be aware of these books. Like you also said, it isn't really necessary for everyone either. Personally I like to read and know more about the times and culture so I do.