I remember in my early 20's, when I was growing in the Lord, I started to be plagued by real doubt as to whether God even existed....whether it was my own delusions or not. When I was 19 I had dreamt a dream that was no ordinary dream...yet doubt persisted. One night I was anxious, nothing could hold my attention. I remember turning off my tv, and just staring at the ceiling. Suddenly this overwhelming presence was in me, I was filled, no not just filled, but overflowed with all the good emotions. I'm talking about joy, love, peace, all the good things. It was almost to much for me to bear, I could not move. I lay there crying in pure happiness. Later I would come to find out that this is described in the Bible as the heaviness of the Spirit. Ever since then my doubts in Him have been washed away. Even after I fell away for a whole decade, never once did I doubt Him existing. It made me living in my sin absolutely hate myself, but God in his benevolent wisdom waited for me not to only know He exists, not to only know sin is wrong, but to acknowledge WHY it was wrong. Not to many weeks ago I was in the shower, and my heart, after all these years, turned back to Him in true repentance. Throughout those years I did cry out to Him, and in those moments I would hear him. "I have not abandoned you". He was there that whole decade of my life, contending with me in my sin, patient in the knowledge that all things would work to glorify Him. He taught me understanding. I love my God. His grace is more precious than all the gold of the world. Back then I knew sin was wrong, I just did not understand why. Now I not only know it is wrong, but I understand why as well. I wish it had not taken me so long to learn, but I am glad that He loved me enough to not let me die in it.
Thank you for sharing that. As the parent of young adults who have wandered away your testimony gives me hope. I know God loves them more than I can and He will pursue them but it's reassuring to see the testimony of people who have been there.
Here I am, in a season of doubt, yet again a sleepless night - I haven’t slept a whole night in months. Feeling exhausted, stressed, sad, anxious. Feeling even serious heartburn. It’s almost 2:00 AM, I’m glued to my phone, jumping from special media app to another and then I see here my most tursted online teachers (it’s you Mike) video about doubt. 34:13 part really hit me, and God filled me with His spirit and said to me to have faith and to wait. Thank you Jesus for working through Mike! This was a huge prayer answer even though I’m almost in a state of vomiting due to this horrible heartburn.
I was struggling with temptation of my former life of drinking last night but I didn't, it was a long sleepless night. Got up this morning and this was the first thing to pop up! God is so good!!
This video really opened my eyes and helped encourage me with a personal struggle I have had recently in having and keeping faith. Thank you and keep up the good work Mike!
I stumbled on this video today. This is exactly what I needed. Doubt is a tough thing to go through. I am being just like you were Mike. I keep buying books and researching. Psalm 73 is awesome. Knowing that other believers go through the same thing. Thanks for this video.
Mike this video has been up for 5 years now and it’s still having impact. When you talked about your struggles with doubt it sounded like you were narrating the season I am currently in. It’s so encouraging to hear that other believers have struggled with doubt. I was starting to worry there was something wrong with me. I feel so strengthened to press on after watching this. Praise God and thank you Mike for listening to the call of the spirit on your life.
I’m going through the exact thing where my questions are being answered one by one but yet the doubt is still there. You can doubt anything in life, but is it REASONABLE to doubt it? I’m beginning to see that it would take more faith for me to not believe in Christianity then to actually just put my trust in Jesus and to not lean on my own understanding. And this isn’t ignorance or suspending the pursuit of truth, because evidence is a good thing and no one wants to have blind faith. But after researching everything I’ve realized it’s about having a relationship with Christ, and relationships only flourish if there is trust. Trust in the Lord!
Do not listen to the flesh, do not listen to the world, do not listen to the evil one! It’s protracted from an already deceitful heart, aggravated by the sinful flesh, and tempted by the Devil! Do not listen! Turn to God in prayer and in the Word.. worship praise and thank Him!
Minutes 26-35, man it's like you've looked at my life right down to the "I dunno if that's You because I don't know anything..." I'm here now because it's hard to wait. Came looking for reassurance that doubt is normal, but picked up the wait nugget and the don't broadcast it. And it was helpful to me to hear how you heard the Spirit in action, an actual description of it as it was, because I just never know what is Spirit or how to hear Him, so it helps to have at least an illustration of how it works for other people so I can know an example of something I can look for. Thank you.
Yessir, I’m am extremely confident now that not only does God exist, but also that Christianity true. While I don’t quite believe that I’m where I was before my doubt, as far as my relationship with God, my certainty as to why I believe what I believe is much better than before.
This is one of my favorite psalms.I’m going through a crisis in my life right now. I feel like I can’t take it anymore. But still trying to cling on to God. The wicked prosper in no time while the righteous toil all the day long. Still, they get abused by the world and eventually feels like they are abused by God too. I abhor the fact that this is real and we’ve to deal with it.
Going through a time of intense OCD, doubt, etc. I felt the Lord tell me, “You’re not going to reason your way out of this - you’re going to worship your way out of this.” Thanks for confirming this with that Psalm and your message. Very encouraging
Thanks so much Pastor Mike for being transparent about some of these real struggles we have in the faith. Sometimes when the enemy attacks he wants us to feel as though we are alone in this struggle...... that we are "less than" because we have unanswered questions which disguise themselves as doubt. The enemy accuses us of all sorts of things. These accusations can only be fought with the word of God. I was Soooooo comforted when I began to realize that other Christians have struggled with the same warfare that I myself have struggled with. We have to remember one huge point. Right before Jesus himself began His public ministry, he was brought into the wilderness and confronted with this same warfare. Sometimes I think God allows a surge of intense warfare in our lives to prepare us for battle. Lets face it....the ministry is not for the faint of heart or for quitters. We need to know how to do battle for ourselves and on behalf of others. We need to understand that we are at war.... and we need to learn perseverance. All of these things are learned on the battlefield. Judges 3 These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan 2 (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience) God Bless you and your ministry and keep fighting the good fight!!!!
Hi Mike, I thank you so much for this teaching and for your testimony of your battle with doubt. I am going through a deep struggle with doubt, which I do admit also came along because of struggle with sin in my life. But I am in the middle of this battle still and feel I am clinging barely, it doesn't help that I am also dealing with anxiety. HOWEVER, your teaching has given me so much encouragement and I have called out in prayer that I am going to wait on the Lord, I am just going to wait and hope. I am asking God for wisdom, the strength to believe and to wait on Him. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in your teaching ministry.
Thank you for this sermon Pastor Winger, I feel like Asaph in this Psalm constantly and am currently going through some pretty dire trials with my fiance and I facing homelessness, among other things, and really needed to hear this. God bless you and your ministry!
I feel like i know nothing but i just can't give up one hour i want to give but the next hour i feel like i can't and don't want to. Early today i was thinking on how i deal with doubt and complaints and i was telling my self what can i do different so i complaint less and understand where all this feelings of anguish and doubt are coming from. I'm never up at this time but God knows why, thanks for this beautiful study, God Bless You!
This is mind blowing! How encouraging it is to know that my help in heaven is God himself, and that I should not fix my eyes on this earth, because this isn't all there is... I am very grateful for this video, and I am also very encouraged to have my perspective recalibrated... Blessings Pastor Mike!!
Oh, this speaks to my heart. Thank you. I have a sister who has EVERYTHING the world has to offer-- wealth into the millions - a sweet boyfriend who just asked her to marry him - a fat, very fat alimony check coming in every month which has her living with her boyfriend under the radar so the checks don't stop coming. And she's so condescending and prideful and critical of me. Meanwhile, I have given up marrying the rich doctor bc he was pulling me and my children away from the Lord. So I live in financial struggle while she travels the world with her bf and complains to me when her accountant tells her she has t buy her third car bc her taxes will be too high. Can you see I'm so annoyed - maybe even envious? I hate that. I never was envious of her. I lived modestly with a modest husband who loved me and I was happy - my kids knew the Lord and we were happy. And I was happy for her to have her wealthy doctor husband and huge mansion. But when my husband died and her husband left her - all became weird with us. She boasts and flaunts her wealth to me and treats me so poorly. I keep returning her ugliness with grace and love and it's torturous. I don't want to see her judged and brought to accountability in the end. I love her. My heart breaks for her and if I dare try to encourage her in the Lord she "puts me in my place" and shuts me down. She constantly calls me and "longs" for our sisterhood restored, and I try, but I can't be real with her - she's so ugly to me. So while this doesn't answer for me what to do when you truly love the enemy who boasts and lives pridefully, it does encourage me that it's normal to feel how I feel.
Wow! I sometimes have doubts and questions that are unanswerable and I don't want them at all. I don't desire to pursue them and when you mentioned that it isn't from you and that it is an attack, it all made sense.
That's what I've been in lately. The whole idea of a 'leap of Faith' has been on my mind lately. At some point, you just need to kind of jump, more or less blindly, into the unknown. I feel like God is leading me into this now.
Hi Mike. I watched this video this morning and I wanted you to know how much it has helped me, It was bursting with so much I could relate too, so just wanted to say thankyou. Warmest wishes to you from Liverpool England. It was amazing actually.
I enjoy your sermons. I caught that little side comment about being a new pastor. You are doing a excellent job. I look to how the LORD is using you as inspiration for my own teaching ministry. All your hard work you have put in is being used by the LORD. THANK YOU and BLESS YOU.
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked (Psalm 37, 1-16 / KJV)
Ive been an athiest for 10 years, having been raised a Christian, and lost my faith due to people practically bullying me, telling me what i beleived was wrong, i spent a few years suffering with those feelings until i finally lost it altogether. Now im in a similar boat, trying to find god now, im so desperate to find that security and faith that he promises us, but i keep overthinking things, and cant rationalise fact from fiction, and my athiestic views keep assaulting me through intrusive thoughts and anxiety/depression. Ive now read the bible more than i ever did as a kid, and have watched a lot of apologetics, and bow your content! Its been very useful, but i admit i still struggle a lot.
If you want to believe, it's easy. I'm an atheist so I realize this is a bit ironic , for me to tell you how to be a bible-believing Christian. 😂 Anyway, I think most people are better off with a good religious community; So I'll give you a few tips This is what you do, find a church that you like, get involved as much as you can, and eventually, if you have an overall positive experience, it's very likely that you will honestly start believing and your doubts will go away. This is assuming that you're not one of those extreme overthinkers, who might even questions reality itself...... And if you think like an engineer who has Asperger's. In that case, you would be pretty much screwed 🎉😂
@@tex959 yeah that last bit sounds like me. Though I think just because I struggle, doesn't mean I can't achieve, like anything else in life. Anyway I appreciate the irony, and the advice.
@@joelsweeney4024 maybe a universalist Church? If push came to shove, I might be able to accept some sort of universalist beliefs, but it would still be a hard swallow, for me. I don't think I could ever get to the level of Mike winger, which is basically biblical inerrancy. You get the best of both worlds with universalism. You can irritate the Christians and the atheists at the same time 😉 Plus, a universalist Church might give you the community, meaning, and purpose, that you seem to be searching for.
@@tex959 that's just the problem, I don't buy into the fact that the bible isn't inerrant, it either is the word of god, or it isn't. That said, that isn't essential, as I see it, the essential side is to believe that Christ died for us, and that we live our lives like him. I am of the mind that Christ did exist, and very likely did do miracles, and so I choose to believe he did, everything that happened in the old testament though? I will get to that when I'm ready.
@@joelsweeney4024 When it comes to belief, you accept the Bible a lot more than I do; You could easily join a regular Church and not have much issue with blending in.
Wow this was really nice. I like that you share that Spurgeon story. I believe the enemy uses those attacks frequently and the same tactics with different people.
I struggle with certain sins that I used to feel so guilty for when I did them and now I don’t. I constantly doubt my salvation. Maybe I’m not saved but I want to be and I actually want the desires to love Jesus and follow him, I just don’t know how.
If you see this Pastor Mark please confirm with me of this was right. As Christ as asked me to lead my wife i want to make sure im doing it correctly i had to explan judgement to my partner by saying "If Theo was beating up Giovanni would I be a Loving Father by telling Theo off and or would i be a Loving father by leaving him to continue" "Yes I would be growling him and it wouldnt be nice but it would be Loving to correct him" (She has learning difficulties from birth so sometimes its hard to explain things to her)
I found this video helpful. I struggle with Jehovah, the OT God, being "Our Father" that Jesus speaks of. There seem to be a lot of contradictions that I haven't heard satisfactory answers to.
OMG? Did you realise that's taking the Lord's name in vain? The culture thinks nothing of doing so, but for someone who loves God, shouldn't we be seeking to honour Him in all our ways?
God rebuke/punishes those he loves and that are His in this life for our sins. Too bring us closer to Him. The devil don't want the unsaved to have troubles because they might seek God.
Ty for your insight and wisdom. I have a question. What is your take on the hyper grace? I hear some say that they no longer sin. The whole hyper grace movement seems to lead people astray.
It's so strange to me that so many apologists can say of atheists ala Romans 1:18ff. that we really believe but are denying the truth in unrighteousness. Yet so many books and sermons are centered around genuine Christian doubt. :/
Mike Winger I got that. I was referring to the likes of Frank Turek and Greg Koukl (who recently said of atheists that we are effectively trying to hold a beach ball under water as an analogy to our denial of what we *know* to be true, I.e. God exists). Your sermon (I admire your work!) along with many others serves as an ironic counter point. So again, my comment wasn't toward you, but a response to the subject matter. Cheers!
Mike could have mentioned the Fast and the Furious movie series... literally millions of youth have been fed this glorification of criminals and sinful lifestyles. It's just terrible.
I have doubts not about god but about religion. Is Christianity united? Why can't I worship god and attend whatever church I want. Why do I have to pledge my allegiange to only one organization and be considered an apostate if I desire to visit another denomination?
I never* doubt God but doubt myself, but I may do it to the point that I doubt God hence the asterisk on never. Let me elaborate. God said he’ll perfect a good work started in me, I take that as accepting Jesus Christ. As such I’m like super hyper aware of my imperfections and sins I still struggle with since teenage years (that drive males have) makes up 70% of my shortcomings, I’m married, won’t cheat, but you know. Idle hands and the internet( the last part of the equation is very very rare) so as such with anger and “idle hands” and such I believe myself to be a poor horrible incompetent Christian. I know God can complete a good work in me but I doubt he will because I doubt myself in my salvation, in another way, all this salvation and peace is true and for everyone and simple except for me. How do I stop that way of thinking, I struggle on my works and actions as a Christian as a sign of my salvation but my short comings make me think I lost my salvation
@William WALLIS!it seems to me that most people agree that these unwanted thoughts are temptations rather than sin. Why is that? I think i agree that they are temptations, but im not sure how to know that
Hate Gangsta rap, HATE ITTTTTTT!!!! Always have, I am just 2 years below you so Ill just say I didnt start listening to music till I was like 12-13 years old on Ace of Base, then I got on the Spice Girls train, then the 90s music boy bands etc. But Rap NOOOOOOOO I never understood it.
+Richard Bryan I did a two year program at Calvary Costa Mesa called "School of Ministry". It was the equivalent of two years at a seminary. "Some college" would summarize my academic career other than that.
Doubt is normal. A sign of maturity... or else people wouldn't JUST believe in IRRATIONAL characters such as Jesus, but also the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.
@fatstrategist well, Jesus's historicity is definitely a legit debate, but unimportant to me either way; just an occasional source of fun food for thought. But... the problem is we have literally ZERO self-proclaimed, contemporary eye-witnesses to the Biblical Jesus's life who wrote anything or even had anything dictated. Literally ZERO. And, since nearly ever miraculous/non-miraculous thing said and done by Jesus is mirrored by other god-men/fictional characters of preceeding (very common) mystery cults and Old Testament stuff, it seems even LESS likely he existed. Plus, Christianity is OBVIOUSLY a Jewish version of the aforementioned Mystery Cult Religions. Jesus is likely a fictional construct. But, whether he existed or not, he certainly wasn't a godman.
@@monkkeygawd " But... the problem is we have literally ZERO self-proclaimed, contemporary eye-witnesses to the Biblical Jesus who wrote anything or even had anything dictated" I wonder why illiterate people of the time didn't write anything, but the men who were literate did? (And then you deny what they wrote to be true). " And, since nearly ever miraculous thing said and done by Jesus mirrored other god-men/fictional characters of preceeding (very common)" Such as? Maybe raising another man from the dead pops up a couple times in mythologies, but other than that I haven't heard anything compelling. "it seems even LESS likely he existed." Even Wikipedia, an incredibly atheistic and liberal source, agrees that Christ exists. Bart Ehrrman agrees that Christ existed. You will find no educated atheist alive that seriously tries to deny that Christ existed. "Plus, Christianity is OBVIOUSLY a Jewish version of the aforementioned Mystery Cult Religions" ...Source? Legitimately, I have no idea what the "mystery cults" are. "But, whether he existed or not, he certainly wasn't a godman." The Gospels would disagree.
What's this cough you have? Are you OK? Maybe you should have this checked out. Seriously, I've been watching you for awhile, and you have a cough. I am worried about you.
Wow where has the time gone! I just got a new credit card to replace my 4 year old one WHERE DOES THE TIME GO! "Bring your request before God.... is making me very sad as I have and I even listen to messages at work (including yours pastor) that seem to be answering me that God is listening BUT He is not answering.... and I know we are to "pray without ceasing"
Immediate investigation of rappers? Bc of something they said? Yea those are the people we should come after 😑🙄 that was really disappointing but why am I surprised.
although evil men could fall asleep peacefully ,7.00: evil men get their reward at the time of the resurrection: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. KJV 28 Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs+ will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life,+ those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. NWT but people who live till the moment of judgement will get this: But by the same word the heavens+ and the earth+ that are now are stored up for fire+ and are being reserved to the day of judgment+ and of destruction of the ungodly men.+ 8 However, let this one fact not be escaping YOUR notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah* as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.+ 9 Jehovah* is not slow respecting his promise,+ as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with YOU because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.*+ 10 Yet Jehovah’s* day+ will come as a thief,+ in which the heavens will pass away+ with a hissing noise,+ but the elements* being intensely hot will be dissolved,*+ and earth+ and the works in it will be discovered.*+ 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought YOU to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, 12 awaiting+ and keeping close in mind* the presence* of the day of Jehovah,*+ through which [the] heavens being on fire will be dissolved+ and [the] elements being intensely hot will melt! 13 But there are new heavens+ and a new earth+ that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.+ 14 Hence, beloved ones, since YOU are awaiting these things, do YOUR utmost to be found finally by him spotless+ and unblemished and in peace.+ 15 Furthermore, consider the patience* of our Lord as salvation
Is it possible to preach with zeal but still be missing something Mike? To some degree it depends on the bible translation or the branch of religion that we have been attached too, so does it matter? Acts 18:24, 25 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus; he was an eloquent man who was well-versed in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of Jehovah, and aglow with the spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about Jesus, but he was acquainted only with the baptism of John. Are there many preachers like him that need the assistance of Aquila of Priscilla? For a little example where does the word hell come from in English scripture? How about the word cross? Now the word trinity does not exist there so why is it used; What are all the rewards for Christians as shown in Mathew 5? Did we see Jesus cast Satan from heaven and take up his power in heaven? Revelation 12: 7
MAYBE - just saying maybe - you don't understand some of the truths he's giving for people in the fight, running the race, and trying to be set apart because you aren't in the fight, running the race, or feel any desire to be set apart. Possible? Just consider it next time you feel the need to bash someone else's sharing because it doesn't measure up to the level of the one and only "Mymango bango"...most of us are just mortals after all. (also u may be a schmuck - check into it)
So if you can't think yourself into faith, why have faith at all? Faith is preventing you from doubting and using your critical thinking. This is just sad.
If you think: "I want to have faith" or "I should believe" you don't just believe, it does not work like that. That's what it means, you can't just believe. If fact, you NEED some critical thinking because you can't just believe on command.
"What the mind couldn't figure out, the heart couldn't handle, worship cured." Awesome encouragement, Pastor! This is going on my fridge!
Mine too!
Today was a hard day. But at the end of it, this video blessed me big time. Thank you, Mike.
I remember in my early 20's, when I was growing in the Lord, I started to be plagued by real doubt as to whether God even existed....whether it was my own delusions or not. When I was 19 I had dreamt a dream that was no ordinary dream...yet doubt persisted. One night I was anxious, nothing could hold my attention. I remember turning off my tv, and just staring at the ceiling. Suddenly this overwhelming presence was in me, I was filled, no not just filled, but overflowed with all the good emotions. I'm talking about joy, love, peace, all the good things. It was almost to much for me to bear, I could not move. I lay there crying in pure happiness. Later I would come to find out that this is described in the Bible as the heaviness of the Spirit. Ever since then my doubts in Him have been washed away. Even after I fell away for a whole decade, never once did I doubt Him existing. It made me living in my sin absolutely hate myself, but God in his benevolent wisdom waited for me not to only know He exists, not to only know sin is wrong, but to acknowledge WHY it was wrong. Not to many weeks ago I was in the shower, and my heart, after all these years, turned back to Him in true repentance. Throughout those years I did cry out to Him, and in those moments I would hear him. "I have not abandoned you". He was there that whole decade of my life, contending with me in my sin, patient in the knowledge that all things would work to glorify Him. He taught me understanding. I love my God. His grace is more precious than all the gold of the world. Back then I knew sin was wrong, I just did not understand why. Now I not only know it is wrong, but I understand why as well. I wish it had not taken me so long to learn, but I am glad that He loved me enough to not let me die in
it.
Thank you for sharing that. As the parent of young adults who have wandered away your testimony gives me hope. I know God loves them more than I can and He will pursue them but it's reassuring to see the testimony of people who have been there.
You can't think yourself into faith. Thanks for you Mike. Your teachings make me feel safe, balanced and secure. So good. Thank God you waited.
That statement helped me a lot too. I can’t force my mind into thinking things but I can choose to trust God.
Here I am, in a season of doubt, yet again a sleepless night - I haven’t slept a whole night in months.
Feeling exhausted, stressed, sad, anxious. Feeling even serious heartburn. It’s almost 2:00 AM, I’m glued to my phone, jumping from special media app to another and then I see here my most tursted online teachers (it’s you Mike) video about doubt. 34:13 part really hit me, and God filled me with His spirit and said to me to have faith and to wait.
Thank you Jesus for working through Mike!
This was a huge prayer answer even though I’m almost in a state of vomiting due to this horrible heartburn.
I was struggling with temptation of my former life of drinking last night but I didn't, it was a long sleepless night. Got up this morning and this was the first thing to pop up! God is so good!!
Bless you, bro. Keep hangin' tough.
I am so glad that God put your channel in my path. Bless you for all that you do, Pastor Mike.
This video really opened my eyes and helped encourage me with a personal struggle I have had recently in having and keeping faith. Thank you and keep up the good work Mike!
I stumbled on this video today. This is exactly what I needed. Doubt is a tough thing to go through. I am being just like you were Mike. I keep buying books and researching. Psalm 73 is awesome. Knowing that other believers go through the same thing. Thanks for this video.
Mike you have a wonderful gift in teaching. Bless the LORD bro, and please keep them coming!!!!
35:14 - This is a great encouragement to me right now. "you can't think yourself into faith"
Mike this video has been up for 5 years now and it’s still having impact. When you talked about your struggles with doubt it sounded like you were narrating the season I am currently in. It’s so encouraging to hear that other believers have struggled with doubt. I was starting to worry there was something wrong with me. I feel so strengthened to press on after watching this. Praise God and thank you Mike for listening to the call of the spirit on your life.
You preach/teach with such integrity on stage and on your channel. God bless you, Mike!
I’m going through the exact thing where my questions are being answered one by one but yet the doubt is still there. You can doubt anything in life, but is it REASONABLE to doubt it? I’m beginning to see that it would take more faith for me to not believe in Christianity then to actually just put my trust in Jesus and to not lean on my own understanding. And this isn’t ignorance or suspending the pursuit of truth, because evidence is a good thing and no one wants to have blind faith. But after researching everything I’ve realized it’s about having a relationship with Christ, and relationships only flourish if there is trust. Trust in the Lord!
Do not listen to the flesh, do not listen to the world, do not listen to the evil one! It’s protracted from an already deceitful heart, aggravated by the sinful flesh, and tempted by the Devil! Do not listen! Turn to God in prayer and in the Word.. worship praise and thank Him!
Minutes 26-35, man it's like you've looked at my life right down to the "I dunno if that's You because I don't know anything..." I'm here now because it's hard to wait. Came looking for reassurance that doubt is normal, but picked up the wait nugget and the don't broadcast it. And it was helpful to me to hear how you heard the Spirit in action, an actual description of it as it was, because I just never know what is Spirit or how to hear Him, so it helps to have at least an illustration of how it works for other people so I can know an example of something I can look for. Thank you.
@ 17 "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." C.S. Lewis
I was thinking of that quote as well
His experience of doubt is like what I'm going through right now.
Same here!
Hi guys, i am recently passing through this and it has been the worst , could you guys share with me if anything got better?
Yessir, I’m am extremely confident now that not only does God exist, but also that Christianity true. While I don’t quite believe that I’m where I was before my doubt, as far as my relationship with God, my certainty as to why I believe what I believe is much better than before.
@@prototechnic1680 what helped you endure ?
You have an uncanny ability in making the Scriptures plain in such a way that brings them to life. Thanks again for a fantastic expository sermon!
This is one of my favorite psalms.I’m going through a crisis in my life right now. I feel like I can’t take it anymore. But still trying to cling on to God. The wicked prosper in no time while the righteous toil all the day long. Still, they get abused by the world and eventually feels like they are abused by God too. I abhor the fact that this is real and we’ve to deal with it.
@ Raj kumar - how are you doing now?? Prayers for you. God Bless
@@ljhendrickson2960 thank you for your response , brother. I’m still dealing with crazy stuff. Thanks for your prayers
@@Rajkumar-yq5rl hey, how are you feeling now?
This is a beautiful sermon/ teaching. Appreciate this Pastor Mike
Going through a time of intense OCD, doubt, etc. I felt the Lord tell me, “You’re not going to reason your way out of this - you’re going to worship your way out of this.” Thanks for confirming this with that Psalm and your message. Very encouraging
Thanks so much Pastor Mike for being transparent about some of these real struggles we have in the faith. Sometimes when the enemy attacks he wants us to feel as though we are alone in this struggle...... that we are "less than" because we have unanswered questions which disguise themselves as doubt. The enemy accuses us of all sorts of things. These accusations can only be fought with the word of God. I was Soooooo comforted when I began to realize that other Christians have struggled with the same warfare that I myself have struggled with. We have to remember one huge point. Right before Jesus himself began His public ministry, he was brought into the wilderness and confronted with this same warfare. Sometimes I think God allows a surge of intense warfare in our lives to prepare us for battle. Lets face it....the ministry is not for the faint of heart or for quitters. We need to know how to do battle for ourselves and on behalf of others. We need to understand that we are at war.... and we need to learn perseverance. All of these things are learned on the battlefield. Judges 3 These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan 2 (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience) God Bless you and your ministry and keep fighting the good fight!!!!
Mike, I just finished watching this today. I really needed to hear this at this point in my faith, ministry, and marriage. Thanks brother!
Hi Mike, I thank you so much for this teaching and for your testimony of your battle with doubt. I am going through a deep struggle with doubt, which I do admit also came along because of struggle with sin in my life. But I am in the middle of this battle still and feel I am clinging barely, it doesn't help that I am also dealing with anxiety. HOWEVER, your teaching has given me so much encouragement and I have called out in prayer that I am going to wait on the Lord, I am just going to wait and hope. I am asking God for wisdom, the strength to believe and to wait on Him. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in your teaching ministry.
Oh Mike, thank you so dearly. I’m grateful! Grateful ? Grateful for Jesus !
Had to check in ❤️
Thank you for this sermon Pastor Winger, I feel like Asaph in this Psalm constantly and am currently going through some pretty dire trials with my fiance and I facing homelessness, among other things, and really needed to hear this. God bless you and your ministry!
I feel like i know nothing but i just can't give up one hour i want to give but the next hour i feel like i can't and don't want to. Early today i was thinking on how i deal with doubt and complaints and i was telling my self what can i do different so i complaint less and understand where all this feelings of anguish and doubt are coming from. I'm never up at this time but God knows why, thanks for this beautiful study, God Bless You!
Thanks Pastor Mike. I am reading this June, 2021.
Thank you Mike for this wonderful ministry you do. It gives me so much hope to understand better God’s Word. Glory to Him for the way he uses you!
if God never answers a prayer of mine ever again.....im so grateful he answered the prayer that brought me to you. thank you Mike
This is mind blowing! How encouraging it is to know that my help in heaven is God himself, and that I should not fix my eyes on this earth, because this isn't all there is... I am very grateful for this video, and I am also very encouraged to have my perspective recalibrated... Blessings Pastor Mike!!
Oh, this speaks to my heart. Thank you. I have a sister who has EVERYTHING the world has to offer-- wealth into the millions - a sweet boyfriend who just asked her to marry him - a fat, very fat alimony check coming in every month which has her living with her boyfriend under the radar so the checks don't stop coming. And she's so condescending and prideful and critical of me. Meanwhile, I have given up marrying the rich doctor bc he was pulling me and my children away from the Lord. So I live in financial struggle while she travels the world with her bf and complains to me when her accountant tells her she has t buy her third car bc her taxes will be too high. Can you see I'm so annoyed - maybe even envious? I hate that. I never was envious of her. I lived modestly with a modest husband who loved me and I was happy - my kids knew the Lord and we were happy. And I was happy for her to have her wealthy doctor husband and huge mansion. But when my husband died and her husband left her - all became weird with us. She boasts and flaunts her wealth to me and treats me so poorly. I keep returning her ugliness with grace and love and it's torturous. I don't want to see her judged and brought to accountability in the end. I love her. My heart breaks for her and if I dare try to encourage her in the Lord she "puts me in my place" and shuts me down. She constantly calls me and "longs" for our sisterhood restored, and I try, but I can't be real with her - she's so ugly to me. So while this doesn't answer for me what to do when you truly love the enemy who boasts and lives pridefully, it does encourage me that it's normal to feel how I feel.
How are you doing? Your comment was 1 year ago. How are things now?
This is what I’ve been going through currently. This helps me a lot. God bless.
That is awesome.
"There's more stuff coming down the road...." Quite prophetic.
I read this psalm a few days ago and I never thought it had so much wisdom.
Very edifying and Christ honoring, presented with respect but candor and frankness. Nice balance. The Lord bless your person and ministry.
Beautiful teaching. Super helpful. 🙏🏾❤️
I loved this video
Currently fasting until Friday this has filled me!!
Thank you 🙏🏾
I really appreciate the real ness sermon, it's very refreshing. Another great video, Mike. I look forward to every video you put out.
Wow! I sometimes have doubts and questions that are unanswerable and I don't want them at all. I don't desire to pursue them and when you mentioned that it isn't from you and that it is an attack, it all made sense.
YAY! I need this Psalm. I'm waiting for it! Thank you!
That's what I've been in lately. The whole idea of a 'leap of Faith' has been on my mind lately. At some point, you just need to kind of jump, more or less blindly, into the unknown. I feel like God is leading me into this now.
YOU HAVE REALLY HELPED ME MIKE T.H.A.N.K Y.O.U
Hi Mike. I watched this video this morning and I wanted you to know how much it has helped me, It was bursting with so much I could relate too, so just wanted to say thankyou. Warmest wishes to you from Liverpool England. It was amazing actually.
Elaine Ekins I'm very happy to hear that Elaine! Praise God!
Awesome me too it’s realisti...asplalm 73 is so real
I enjoy your sermons. I caught that little side comment about being a new pastor. You are doing a excellent job. I look to how the LORD is using you as inspiration for my own teaching ministry. All your hard work you have put in is being used by the LORD. THANK YOU and BLESS YOU.
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked
(Psalm 37, 1-16 / KJV)
Thanks for posting this passage.
It fits really well with the message of this video.
Thank you for reposting this, it was such a blessing to me
Bless you in Jesus name
I love "Though Life" videos, especially the seagull one... but I see your point Mike. Thanks for this.
Thanks Mike. Very helpful
Ive been an athiest for 10 years, having been raised a Christian, and lost my faith due to people practically bullying me, telling me what i beleived was wrong, i spent a few years suffering with those feelings until i finally lost it altogether.
Now im in a similar boat, trying to find god now, im so desperate to find that security and faith that he promises us, but i keep overthinking things, and cant rationalise fact from fiction, and my athiestic views keep assaulting me through intrusive thoughts and anxiety/depression.
Ive now read the bible more than i ever did as a kid, and have watched a lot of apologetics, and bow your content!
Its been very useful, but i admit i still struggle a lot.
If you want to believe, it's easy. I'm an atheist so I realize this is a bit ironic , for me to tell you how to be a bible-believing Christian. 😂
Anyway, I think most people are better off with a good religious community; So I'll give you a few tips
This is what you do, find a church that you like, get involved as much as you can, and eventually, if you have an overall positive experience, it's very likely that you will honestly start believing and your doubts will go away.
This is assuming that you're not one of those extreme overthinkers, who might even questions reality itself...... And if you think like an engineer who has Asperger's. In that case, you would be pretty much screwed 🎉😂
@@tex959 yeah that last bit sounds like me. Though I think just because I struggle, doesn't mean I can't achieve, like anything else in life. Anyway I appreciate the irony, and the advice.
@@joelsweeney4024 maybe a universalist Church?
If push came to shove, I might be able to accept some sort of universalist beliefs, but it would still be a hard swallow, for me.
I don't think I could ever get to the level of Mike winger, which is basically biblical inerrancy.
You get the best of both worlds with universalism. You can irritate the Christians and the atheists at the same time 😉
Plus, a universalist Church might give you the community, meaning, and purpose, that you seem to be searching for.
@@tex959 that's just the problem, I don't buy into the fact that the bible isn't inerrant, it either is the word of god, or it isn't. That said, that isn't essential, as I see it, the essential side is to believe that Christ died for us, and that we live our lives like him. I am of the mind that Christ did exist, and very likely did do miracles, and so I choose to believe he did, everything that happened in the old testament though? I will get to that when I'm ready.
@@joelsweeney4024
When it comes to belief, you accept the Bible a lot more than I do; You could easily join a regular Church and not have much issue with blending in.
Wow this was really nice. I like that you share that Spurgeon story. I believe the enemy uses those attacks frequently and the same tactics with different people.
Well said.
Thank you this .message ,it has been a great help to me
Thank you, what an amazing teaching! God bless
I struggle with certain sins that I used to feel so guilty for when I did them and now I don’t. I constantly doubt my salvation. Maybe I’m not saved but I want to be and I actually want the desires to love Jesus and follow him, I just don’t know how.
Id just like to say this is absolutely incredible!!!
Thanks for this Mike
Thank you so very much!
Yaaay, getting through the latest struggle! Ahh, the other side of it.
If you see this Pastor Mark please confirm with me of this was right. As Christ as asked me to lead my wife i want to make sure im doing it correctly
i had to explan judgement to my partner by saying
"If Theo was beating up Giovanni would I be a Loving Father by telling Theo off and or would i be a Loving father by leaving him to continue"
"Yes I would be growling him and it wouldnt be nice but it would be Loving to correct him"
(She has learning difficulties from birth so sometimes its hard to explain things to her)
God is worth it.
Thank you brother
I found this video helpful. I struggle with Jehovah, the OT God, being "Our Father" that Jesus speaks of. There seem to be a lot of contradictions that I haven't heard satisfactory answers to.
34:05
Too real. I felt that feeling.
So helpful!
OMG your shirts are just, ugh!!!!! I should send you a picture of my closet. I looooove plaid shirts!
OMG?
Did you realise that's taking the Lord's name in vain?
The culture thinks nothing of doing so, but for someone who loves God, shouldn't we be seeking to honour Him in all our ways?
God rebuke/punishes those he loves and that are His in this life for our sins. Too bring us closer to Him. The devil don't want the unsaved to have troubles because they might seek God.
Ty for your insight and wisdom. I have a question. What is your take on the hyper grace? I hear some say that they no longer sin. The whole hyper grace movement seems to lead people astray.
I am so happy you egzist:)
If one experiences doubt, are they a "double-minded" person as described in James? Are they saved?
I saw a trial recently where a lawyer argued his client called himself "Thug" because he was "truly humble under God". Yeah, right, lol.
It's so strange to me that so many apologists can say of atheists ala Romans 1:18ff. that we really believe but are denying the truth in unrighteousness. Yet so many books and sermons are centered around genuine Christian doubt. :/
+BigIdeaSeeker I don't say that all atheists really believe and are knowingly denying the truth.
Mike Winger I got that. I was referring to the likes of Frank Turek and Greg Koukl (who recently said of atheists that we are effectively trying to hold a beach ball under water as an analogy to our denial of what we *know* to be true, I.e. God exists). Your sermon (I admire your work!) along with many others serves as an ironic counter point. So again, my comment wasn't toward you, but a response to the subject matter. Cheers!
+BigIdeaSeeker thanks for the compliment!
Mike could have mentioned the Fast and the Furious movie series... literally millions of youth have been fed this glorification of criminals and sinful lifestyles. It's just terrible.
Was blessed.
I believe Spurgeon struggled (not saying I haven’t) because he was a Calvinist. Hard line.
I have doubts not about god but about religion. Is Christianity united? Why can't I worship god and attend whatever church I want. Why do I have to pledge my allegiange to only one organization and be considered an apostate if I desire to visit another denomination?
I never* doubt God but doubt myself, but I may do it to the point that I doubt God hence the asterisk on never. Let me elaborate.
God said he’ll perfect a good work started in me, I take that as accepting Jesus Christ. As such I’m like super hyper aware of my imperfections and sins I still struggle with since teenage years (that drive males have) makes up 70% of my shortcomings, I’m married, won’t cheat, but you know. Idle hands and the internet( the last part of the equation is very very rare) so as such with anger and “idle hands” and such I believe myself to be a poor horrible incompetent Christian. I know God can complete a good work in me but I doubt he will because I doubt myself in my salvation, in another way, all this salvation and peace is true and for everyone and simple except for me. How do I stop that way of thinking, I struggle on my works and actions as a Christian as a sign of my salvation but my short comings make me think I lost my salvation
What is confidence? I don't feel it
What is the Charles Spurgeon story from? I would like to know more about unwanted thoughts/desires and how Christians have worked through them.
@William WALLIS!it seems to me that most people agree that these unwanted thoughts are temptations rather than sin. Why is that? I think i agree that they are temptations, but im not sure how to know that
“Here is the ungodly”
Me, an atheist: 🙃 oh Darwin, he found me.
But where is he now?
Who is he?
Only 6k views?
As of today 10/2022 20k views. 👍
HEARD IT
Amen
I’ve actually lost it before
Hate Gangsta rap, HATE ITTTTTTT!!!! Always have, I am just 2 years below you so Ill just say I didnt start listening to music till I was like 12-13 years old on Ace of Base, then I got on the Spice Girls train, then the 90s music boy bands etc. But Rap NOOOOOOOO I never understood it.
30:38
I seriously would like to know what your level of formal education is. Are you a lay minister?
+Richard Bryan I did a two year program at Calvary Costa Mesa called "School of Ministry". It was the equivalent of two years at a seminary. "Some college" would summarize my academic career other than that.
31:20
Doubt is normal. A sign of maturity... or else people wouldn't JUST believe in IRRATIONAL characters such as Jesus, but also the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.
I still can't believe this is an argument. Christ existed, whether you wanted Him to or not. Whether He is God is the actual debate
@fatstrategist well, Jesus's historicity is definitely a legit debate, but unimportant to me either way; just an occasional source of fun food for thought. But... the problem is we have literally ZERO self-proclaimed, contemporary eye-witnesses to the Biblical Jesus's life who wrote anything or even had anything dictated. Literally ZERO. And, since nearly ever miraculous/non-miraculous thing said and done by Jesus is mirrored by other god-men/fictional characters of preceeding (very common) mystery cults and Old Testament stuff, it seems even LESS likely he existed. Plus, Christianity is OBVIOUSLY a Jewish version of the aforementioned Mystery Cult Religions. Jesus is likely a fictional construct. But, whether he existed or not, he certainly wasn't a godman.
@@monkkeygawd " But... the problem is we have literally ZERO self-proclaimed, contemporary eye-witnesses to the Biblical Jesus who wrote anything or even had anything dictated"
I wonder why illiterate people of the time didn't write anything, but the men who were literate did? (And then you deny what they wrote to be true).
" And, since nearly ever miraculous thing said and done by Jesus mirrored other god-men/fictional characters of preceeding (very common)"
Such as? Maybe raising another man from the dead pops up a couple times in mythologies, but other than that I haven't heard anything compelling.
"it seems even LESS likely he existed."
Even Wikipedia, an incredibly atheistic and liberal source, agrees that Christ exists. Bart Ehrrman agrees that Christ existed. You will find no educated atheist alive that seriously tries to deny that Christ existed.
"Plus, Christianity is OBVIOUSLY a Jewish version of the aforementioned Mystery Cult Religions"
...Source? Legitimately, I have no idea what the "mystery cults" are.
"But, whether he existed or not, he certainly wasn't a godman."
The Gospels would disagree.
What's this cough you have? Are you OK? Maybe you should have this checked out. Seriously, I've been watching you for awhile, and you have a cough. I am worried about you.
+AndyOakleaf you may be right. I should ask my doctor when I have a chance. Thanks for your concern. :)
Wow where has the time gone! I just got a new credit card to replace my 4 year old one WHERE DOES THE TIME GO! "Bring your request before God.... is making me very sad as I have and I even listen to messages at work (including yours pastor) that seem to be answering me that God is listening BUT He is not answering.... and I know we are to "pray without ceasing"
Immediate investigation of rappers? Bc of something they said? Yea those are the people we should come after 😑🙄 that was really disappointing but why am I surprised.
You surely cannot think yourself into faith ! ! !
although evil men could fall asleep peacefully ,7.00: evil men get their reward at the time of the resurrection:
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
KJV
28 Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs+ will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life,+ those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
NWT
but people who live till the moment of judgement will get this:
But by the same word the heavens+ and the earth+ that are now are stored up for fire+ and are being reserved to the day of judgment+ and of destruction of the ungodly men.+
8 However, let this one fact not be escaping YOUR notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah* as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.+ 9 Jehovah* is not slow respecting his promise,+ as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with YOU because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.*+ 10 Yet Jehovah’s* day+ will come as a thief,+ in which the heavens will pass away+ with a hissing noise,+ but the elements* being intensely hot will be dissolved,*+ and earth+ and the works in it will be discovered.*+
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought YOU to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, 12 awaiting+ and keeping close in mind* the presence* of the day of Jehovah,*+ through which [the] heavens being on fire will be dissolved+ and [the] elements being intensely hot will melt! 13 But there are new heavens+ and a new earth+ that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.+
14 Hence, beloved ones, since YOU are awaiting these things, do YOUR utmost to be found finally by him spotless+ and unblemished and in peace.+ 15 Furthermore, consider the patience* of our Lord as salvation
Is it possible to preach with zeal but still be missing something Mike? To some degree it depends on the bible translation or the branch of religion that we have been attached too, so does it matter?
Acts 18:24, 25 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus; he was an eloquent man who was well-versed in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of Jehovah, and aglow with the spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about Jesus, but he was acquainted only with the baptism of John.
Are there many preachers like him that need the assistance of Aquila of Priscilla?
For a little example where does the word hell come from in English scripture?
How about the word cross?
Now the word trinity does not exist there so why is it used;
What are all the rewards for Christians as shown in Mathew 5?
Did we see Jesus cast Satan from heaven and take up his power in heaven? Revelation 12: 7
“Lean on your understanding in an unhealthy way” LOL. Only unhealthy for religion.
How the heck is this suppose to build faith & dispell doubt? Your pet peeves?
MAYBE - just saying maybe - you don't understand some of the truths he's giving for people in the fight, running the race, and trying to be set apart because you aren't in the fight, running the race, or feel any desire to be set apart. Possible? Just consider it next time you feel the need to bash someone else's sharing because it doesn't measure up to the level of the one and only "Mymango bango"...most of us are just mortals after all. (also u may be a schmuck - check into it)
So if you can't think yourself into faith, why have faith at all? Faith is preventing you from doubting and using your critical thinking. This is just sad.
Faith isn't something you have. It is a gift from God.
If you think: "I want to have faith" or "I should believe" you don't just believe, it does not work like that. That's what it means, you can't just believe. If fact, you NEED some critical thinking because you can't just believe on command.
Thank you, what amazing teaching! God bless