20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 53)

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?

To ask a question for the stream just be there as the stream begins, wait until AFTER it starts and post your question with a "Q" in front of it. You can also put "ANQ" to ask anonymously.

[sarahfaith]

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?

[ElleeZee]

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.

[jimmock]

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!!!

[JillCee]

We are transformed through the renewal of our minds… happens as we absorb scripture and through prayer. 🙌🏻

[Niflaco]

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.

[bbeth]

Good answer on “feeling” the presence of God. Way too many folks living by what they feel rather than by facts of scripture.

[martinschaus]

"Who can understand his own errors, cleanse me Lord from secret faults".

[ChristianMotivationMedia]

“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

[moosechuckle]

Mike, you perform a great service for Christians and non-Christians alike. Thank you for all you do.

[loveycat]

Romans 8 has always help me through times of depression. Christ's love will never leave you no matter what is happening to you.

[bigt]

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.

[debbiebriley]

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.

[Horehoundbasedcandies]

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.

[courageouswomenofgodmindset]

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 :)

[stephaniewomacks]

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!

[oldplace]

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.

[twit]

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.

[Nameless-ptoj]

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.

[isaachall]

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!

[TheCaptDude]

God changed my heart. I only ask him to make me better. To make me like Jesus.