Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro 1. 0:24 {Should we Follow our Hearts?} "Follow your heart" is a popular mantra, but is not encouraged in some Christian circles. I understand that Jeremiah 17:9 says "the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick," but Proverbs 4:23 says "the springs of life" flow from our hearts. Also, since God's word is written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), shouldn't we follow our hearts? 2. 15:36 {Will We Have Memories in Heaven?} I recently heard people at my church say that when we get to Heaven our memories will essentially be wiped, and we won’t have any knowledge of our friends/family who are in Hell. Thoughts? 3. 23:25 {Are Job and Jonah Historical?} My pastor says Job and Jonah are probably not historical events, but more poetic lessons. How do I decide true stories from parables in the Old Testament without questioning everything? 4. 28:04 {Does Regeneration Precede Faith?} Is it first that you are born again and by that you confess Jesus as Lord and get Salvation, or you confess Jesus as your Lord first, and by that you get born again and will be granted Salvation? 5. 32:45 {Comparing Paul & Joseph Smith} Compared with Paul, is Joseph Smith such a novelty? E.g., they both had a vision of Jesus only they reported on, introduced new teachings, weren’t prophesied of by Jesus, and were martyred as result of ministry. 6. 42:53 {About Aggressive Countries/Leaders} Can you please explain what the Bible says we should do about an aggressor like Putin, and should other countries intervene to help Ukraine? 7. 46:19 {Pastor Mike’s Favorite Attributes of God} What is your personal favorite aspect/quality of each member of the Trinity? 8. 47:45 {Deconstruction vs. Deconversion} Is deconstruction just another term for deconversion? Why can't we deconstruct deconstructionism? 9. 52:25 {Does God Sometimes Not Know Things?} Why does God ask, “Who told you that you were naked?” in Genesis 3: 11? Does He not know? 10. 53:37 {Help for a Tough Marital Situation} What do you do when your spouse, who claims to be a Christian, has separated/said they want a divorce when they don’t have biblical grounds, and the church that married you won’t confront them? 11. 57:47 {Why did Paul Preach to the Jews?} Why did Paul go to Jerusalem to preach to the Jews in the temple when it seems he knew very clearly he was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles? He chose Jerusalem before he went to Rome. 12. 1:01:18 {Does God Forgive “Extreme” Sins?} A loved one is struggling with the idea that God would forgive an abuser or a murderer if they started following God after their evil actions. What can I say to help them through this doubt? 13. 1:04:57 {About Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings} Biblically thinking, are The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter different regarding sorcery? Lots of Christians disapprove of Harry Potter, yet admire LOTR. Is this distinction biblically justified? 14. 1:09:55 {Should we Desire to Read Scripture Daily?} Shouldn't a truly born-again believer desire to read the Scriptures regularly (even daily)? How should I approach and encourage a "Christian" who doesn't? 15. 1:12:21 {Reformed Theology vs. Calvinism} What’s the difference between “Reformed theology” and Calvinism? It seems like the two are different, but also the same. Just curious to know all the different groups within this body of believers. 16. 1:14:07 {How to “Carry our Cross”} How should we carry our cross in a practical sense? 17. 1:17:28 {Reconciling the Accounts of Jesus’ Birth} How can the accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke be reconciled when Josephus says that Quirinius didn't become governor until after the banishment of Archelaus? 18. 1:21:44 {About Gog & Magog} I thought Gog & Magog in Revelation 20:8, and the Gog & Magog war in Ezekiel 28:2 were talking about the same event. I heard a Bible prophecy teacher say it was 2 separate events. Your thoughts? 19. 1:23:53 {Should we Read from Christian Mystics?} Should the writings of Christian mystics be avoided? My friend wants me to study a Jeanne Guyon book with her. 20. 1:25:32 {Is the Trinity Clearly Taught in the OT?} Is there a reason why a doctrine as important as the Trinity isn't EXPLICITLY declared in the Old Testament, especially the Torah, seeing as belief in the second person is paramount for salvation?
I would LOVE to see the Mormon clips put on Tiktok. There are a lot of Mormon missionaries on TikTok just absolutely lying. And if we could get these clips cut together well, I think that would be a powerful witness to these confused young people.
The doctrine of the trinity isn’t explicitly declared in either the old or New Testament. The term never appears in scripture neither do any of the definitions or explanations of this false doctrine appear in scripture as well. Trinitarians PIECE this false doctrine together like a puzzle.
This type of ministry is singularly the most valuable thing any pastor could do for us believers. You randomly take questions that Christian’s all over the world really want and need to have answers to. It’s brave to put yourself out there to help us understand our God. I can’t thank you enough ❤
Thanks for saying this, i feel the same way. I love how God keeps the body connected. I'm on the east coast and I benefit greatly from this ministry and the people who ask questions and make comments.
My thoughts exactly!!! This ministry is so unbelievably valuable 🥹🙌🏽❤️🔥. Thank God for moving Mike to do this for us and for allll the hard work and studying he puts in 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽. Really believe his reward in Heaven is gunna be glorious for dedicating himself to this for God’s glory lol
I can imagine a scene in heaven where Jesus spots Mike and strides purposefully up to him with a big grin on his face and says "Mike, attaboy" whilst slapping mike on the back. 😊
As a former LDS member, now a believer in Jesus Christ of the Bible, I truly appreciate how you share what Joseph Smith did to corrupt the Bible. I pray that my LDS family finds Truth & peace in the biblical Jesus & God's Word.
I want to ask prayer for my friend Yuhana, she is a Muslim that doesn't know Jesus. I am preaching the gospel to her. I ask all of you to pray for her salvation, that she can open her heart to God and the Holy Spirit guides me to speak truth.
Every day I pray for people preaching and people that dont know God. My strength in prayer will always be with you and for you. Preach boldly and with love making sure not to show frustrations or anger. Good luck
My favorite channel about the gospel 🙏🏼 thanks for teaching me so much, Mike! Way more than I’ve learned anywhere, including the churches I’ve been to. You’re amazing at what you do. God bless!
About a Christian's heart, 1 John 3:20 says, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things." That verse, written to believers, teaches that God is distinct from our hearts; our heart is not God, and therefore is not something we should put our trust in. Our heart is not the thing to be followed; rather, it's our heart that does the following, through His word.
This was very educational! I regret to admit i use to have a hard time watching these bc of where i was at In my life, but now that I'm diving deep into the word, I'm actually understanding and learning from these videos now! Praise God! I've been praying for greater understanding as well as putting in the work and effort to learn.
Thanks Mike. I appreciate your balanced & scripture-based reply to the 'Follow my heart' question. Only the Lord knows how many Christians have made poor decisions due to 'following their heart.' It's happened to me, and I've learned that my heart cannot be trusted!
I’ve been so bogged down with school I’ve not been putting Jesus at the forefront. Your videos help me. It’s so educational that it can speak to my mind when I’m in this “studying” phase.
Mike, you have always been one of my favorite teachers and someone I have grown to trust. Please keep making the amazing content you do, as it's so edifying to so many believers.
@@miikatmp5873 that's a tough question to answer. I don't know if you've heard of Jack Hibbs. He's the preacher of Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills California. They do expositional teaching. He's a super JOYFUL preacher but he sticks to the word. I've been listening to him ever since I was a kid. So he has a special place in my heart.
@miikatmp5873 no. I'd recommend being careful with Mike cause he's pretty good usually but he does hold to and teach many errors. For one he's a charismatic and another he claims the Biblical account of the Great Deluge, the global flood of Noah's time is wrong and didn't really happen.
In regards to question 1: my heart tells me often that I’m not really forgiven (which has had a tendency to spiral me into an unfruitful depression) but I’ve had to decide once and for all that regardless if that were even true or not, I choose to belong to Jesus. He could stand in front of me today and say He’ll never forgive me and I’ll still serve Him. Granted I know He would not say that but it’s freeing to know that regardless of my ultimate outcome, He is my Lord.
I was so happy to read that you were doing a study on Hebrews. I’ve been having so many questions for months, didn’t even know where to start to ask questions about the meaning of “not entering rest”, and so many other concepts. Can’t wait for that study!
I am like Pastor Mike and cannot say precisely when I was saved. I did speak to God and said the sinner's prayer aged 34. I continued in sin after this and only years later did I get closer to Jesus.
I don’t know when I was saved because I started going to church at 5 years old but I know when I was born again (spirit filled). July 7, 2019!!! I lived in rebellion against God for many of the years that I claimed to be saved but it wasn’t until I was born again that I began to hate my sin.
I am floored!! I am reading Acts this month, and I read Peter’s vision and was confused because I heard a teaching using this vision in a teaching for freedom to eat what ever we want, But as I read it today I only saw it as an object lesson for Peter. I was going to ask about it in hopes that you might answer next stream, and it was answered in the first 7 minutes!! I just amazed, thank you for all you do!!
Wow question16 when you pointed out the transfiguration of Christ and how that links to the verse in Matthew 16:28 was sooo awesome! I have never been taught that this is what Jesus meant. I had just read this account recently and was once again saying to myself I just don’t get this!🤔Thanks Mike that made my whole day!!👍
Thank you Mike, I enjoy your way of thought provoking and reasoning when asked real questions seeking Biblical answer , when you are not completely Sure about something you are honest and say you aren't sure May God bless you Mike and your come lets reason together approach to teaching and exploring Gods word deeply.
Hello, my name is Chris and my fiancee name is Ashley. Will everyone keep praying for us for open doors and help with our relationship to remain strong. Also, please pray for us for our finances to get married and find a home. Please pray for the Lord to help us with these things and all obstacles holding us back,for breakthroughs. Please pray that God blesses our relationship so much. Please pray also that our hearts remain soft towards eachother in our relationship. Thank you very much.
PASTOR MIKE WINGER: Thank you very much for putting so much of your time, treasure, & talent you put into helping us understand scripture better & grow closer to Jesus.
Ha! I saw this in my feed just after my latest upload about this idea of following our hearts, and seeking happiness, as if that's God's purpose for our lives.
Thank you, Pastor Mike, for your thoughtful response to my question! It's evident that you allow the Spirit to minister through you, and because of that you are also reaping bountifully in many lives by God's grace. May God continue to bless your ministry and others through you, and may He continue to give you wisdom and knowledge in all things. Take care, brother!
"Trust the Lord with all your heart" has always simply meant to trust him entirely. Obviously it does mean that, but I love the imagery of placing my heart in God's safekeeping as I would place my children in the safekeeping of a loved one to look after them when I cannot. I cannot keep my heart safe, so I place it in God's care. He most certainly can and will keep it safe.
In the ancient world of the Bible the idea of the “heart” is closer to what people mean today as the “mind,” i.e., reason, beliefs, intelligence, and wisdom.
I learned a life changing concept that many disagree with. Forgiveness is giving up the right to ever bring it up again. Both for giving and receiving forgiveness.
Thank God for blessing us with you Mike....the way you explained the Heart issue was so spot on. Thank you for being a Godly vessel and all your teachings and being so inspiring to me. I want to learn more of God's word and pray for wisdom in my everyday walk of life. Greetings from SA 🇿🇦
My late pastor used to always preach about what he called the New Life. I am not well versed in his teaching as I was young when I learned and he passed away while I was still in high school. But his teachings basically said that after accepting Christ into our lives and being born again we are also given new hearts with new and right desires. He explained examples of those desires that lead us to share our lives and in such share the love of God to those we are called to, something as simple as asking a friend to lunch or as grand as serving in Mexico building homes. It is awful to see the “follow your heart” thing be pushed around when what I knew which ties to that phrase, but with wisdom and in conjunction with God, be turned into some self worshipping mantra.
Ok, I have a take on the harry potter and magic thing. I'm a big fantasy and scifi reader so this is a subject I love. Now, there was an uptick of interest in magic when the books came out, and it was interesting to notice, but a lot of kids lost interest when they noticed the difference between what real world magic is and what harry potter (or other fantasy books) magic is like. A lot of magic, is typically linked to women and feminism. One thing I have noticed is that women love the idea of independence of witches, their role, etc. Witches are typically a role linked with independence, rebellion against the authority of man or society. Most women who called themselves witches tend to be strong feminist who despites men, or the position of men in society. They want to rebel against the established order. The movie "The VVitch: A New-England Folktale" is a great example of this. Magic is a form of emancipation, rebellion against the established order, the values of christianity, and what it means to be a woman. There's a lot that goes into it, but there's a reason the majority of people who look into witchcraft, or anything related to it, tend to be women. Men who go into magic tend to look into the aspects of control, and search of carnal of pleasure. It's a very interesting subject.
That is very interesting. It makes sense because a lot of gender roles come from physical strength differences. Magic completely levels the playing field so it or some other power system is basically a prerequisite to many feminist ideas in fiction. From the political side, Rowling is often insulted as a turf (A feminist who rejects transgenderism). Would you agree with that statement? Personally I have avoided Harry Potter due to witchcraft, so I will rely on others opinions here. Does Harry Potter contain explicit feminist messages? Are you familiar with James Lindsay's videos on Gnosticism? Would be interested in here your opinion of it as someone who appears to knows a little about the topic.
I just wanted to say I think you're a really great teacher, with an awesome pastoral anointing. I want to thank you for making it easier for me to digest the material and help me get closer in my walk with God. God has a talented laborer in you, and I am glad you have platform like this to reach so many. God Bless you and the many video's yet to come!
Mike thank you for your obedience to The Lord! I was thinking about question 2 this week and hadn't gotten back around to finding it until I watched this video. Grace and peace be with you all✝️🤍🐑
Heart Completely His “For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9a - Holman Christian Standard Bible).
Thanks so much for your ministry Mike, as someone whose been in interdominational ministry for years it's really nice to have a teacher I can listen to and recommend to folks across denominational lines. God bless you and your ministry! For what it's worth regarding the historicity of Jonah: In college, I took a class with Richard Elliot Friedman, a Jewish OT scholar. He taught that the book of Jonah has over 40 puns or wordplays (30? 50? I don't recall the exact number, but it was a lot) in the 4 chapters, which he took as evidence that Jonah was meant as a parable or fable. I know there's other scholarship on the issue as well. (My personal take is that a proper reading of Jonah doesn't really change based on the historicity of the account; it seems as though the spiritual meat in the text is there regardless of genre; my read of Jonah doesn't change much in the way that a non-historical read of the Exodus account, for example, would.)
Yeshua said "the men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment,..for they repented at the preaching of Jonah". It is suggested by some scholars that Jonah did die in the belly of the whale and God resurrected him after the 3days, based on Jonah's account of being in heaven or something like that.
Mathew 27: 52 The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. Pastor Mike this scripture really freaks me out and I have yet to hear any teaching on it could you please do a teaching on it.
Point number four: are you first regenerated and then you believe, or do you believe and then you are regenerated? We are told that we are dead in our trespasses and that no one seeks after God. While we are yet dead in our sins, we don’t see a need for a savior. It is only after the scales have been removed from our eyes and we see our need (having been raised spiritually from the dead - regeneration) that we can reach for the life preserver that has been thrown to us (belief).
Loved what you said concerning when one's heart condemns. Romans 8:1 says " There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus ". Also you made me remember this song called " Better than I " by David Campbell and John Bucchino. The song shows up in a cartoon movie about Joseph . It is all about trusting God when you don't understand knowing that God knows better.
I read a very good essay on Harry Potter a while back, saying that the magic in it was best understood as an analogy for technology. Substitute smart phones for magic wands and you can see that pretty clearly. Same thing in the recent movie "Encanto" -- magic house = "smart house." One of the most affecting moments in Harry Potter (spoiler alert, but if you haven't read it by now...) is when Harry has to bury a house-elf who had just died in saving the lives of him and his friends, and he decides to do it with a shovel and his own labor, rather than by a wave of his wand. It speaks to the reality of his sorrow, the reality of death, the honor he gives the elf by being present in that moment, and is also shown as an action that helps him sort out his priorities and his path forward. (He doesn't "google it" in other words.) Everything Rowling shows as Harry's truly heroic actions are based in love, courage, and commitment, not in the magic. Magic, like technology, is a tool that can be used for good or evil in HP. We modern types make a great mistake when we assume that technology always represents progress.
I would have agreed with you. But a while back I was watching a video with a free mason who was asked if he practices magic. He answered that we all practice magic, that every time you speak you actually cast a spell on others and this is how he thought of it. My current thinking is that magic is not the action of what you do. Rather it's how you characterize the action. If you bury a fish with your crops as fertilizer, not magic. If you bury a fish with your crops as a sacrifice to a god for a good harvest, now it is magic. Same action, different thinking and intentions. So to me, it is the fact that Hogwarts is a school of witchcraft that is the problem. The fact that aesthetic is used is enough to make me not get into it. It's not the word magic showing up, it's that if I was to find a real hermetic cult in Europe it would look very similar to Hogwarts. Though my opinion has changed at least 3 times now, so I would love for you to push back and defend it.
@viperstriker4728 I guess I'd reply that my intention in reading Harry Potter was not to learn magic? And I don't believe that it was Rowling's intention to teach it. As to burying fish etc, I don't think that intention is the only condition that must be met to make it magic. Superstition maybe, but not some actual power called magic. Just my thoughts.
@@amybee40 That's why I picked the fish example. If the superstition actually works, then is this not historically what people called magic? Unless magic has to be supernatural. But to that I would ask if you believe demonic powers are actually a thing? I am not sure, I believe demons are real, but I can't actually think of humans wielding demonic power in the Bible. The Egyptian sorcerer could turn water into blood. But the Bible doesn't clarify if he actually does that, or if he has a little packet of red dye and iron to fake blood. Do you think actual magic is real or that it has always been tricks? Again, I go back and forth on these questions myself, so i would love to hear your thoughts.
I had always heard the same thing about eternity until you just explained it. It is much more biblical and even how we know and love God here on earth. We don't forget all the bad things that happened. We are thankful for how good God is to bring us out of it. To remember is to know how much better God is. I have two brother who have chosen, for now, to walk away from the Lord and it breaks my heart but at the same time they know what's true and if they choose eternity without him I will not spend my eternity crying. I do not cry when my children get the discipline I clearly set before them and they have to suffer there punishment. I know it's much bigger than that and I still pray for them and desperately want them to choose God over themselves and at the same time I will not live my life in despair. Does that makes sense?
Yes, I live in hope that my unsaved family will come because I ask God to reveal Himself to them and I believe He wants that more than I do so He will always answer that prayer. I also pray that He will show them their need of Him. He is faithful and will do it.
I think of the "heart" as the inmost being, and the seat of our wills. "With the heart, man believes unto righteousness..." The heart is not just the emotions. Emotions are effects, but what goes on in our heart is the cause. Thoughts, words, acts and emotions are how we know what is in our hearts; they are all the outflow of our inmost beings. "The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart...": Mike just quoted it. If the inmost being/heart is where the spiritual and moral decisions are made, it is easy to see that it would probably attract the evil as well as the good. The good that God has written there, is in the heart, but so is sin, because it is the decision place, and it would also be more desperately wicked than we'd usually be aware of.
Archeologists have found an inscription that says Quirinius was governor twice, once previously to the time mentioned by Josephus. (I think this is mentioned by Josh McDowell.)
We'd better hope that God remembers what happened when we sinned. He doesn't remember the sin against us, anymore, but we need Him to know the repercussions of sin. We get in trouble, or in deeper trouble, and we desperately need for God to know what it was, and what we now need.
To be reformed you have to affirm the five solas of the reformation, affirm Calvinism, and also affirm one or more of the confessions of the Reformation (Westminster, Heidelberg, etc)
Why would anyone waste any time with any of that nonsense? Answer: they are lost…but looking for personal comforts…catholic, Mormon, Calvinism, Buddhist any other ist or ism or any diversion from the True and Living God
@@jamesstumpff7774 Calvinists are not lost, they are fellow believers in Christ. All the Catechisms and confessions are from intense studying of Gods scriptures.
@@Ironica82 calvin taught that Christ died for very few If you’re wrong, hopefully you would even agree it’s one of the most insidious lies ever told And where does the father of lies end up? His children will be with him If I were you I would reconsider how much calvin I really need And that answer I can give with 100% confidence…none
@@jamesstumpff7774 John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. Who did Christ say he died for? John 6:37-40 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” So, Christ came for, "everyone who looks on the son." (Verse 40) Who are those people? Verse 37 states that they are those who the Father have the Son. John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. So, Christ shall raise up only those who God calls and no one else. As we read previously, Christ shall lose none of His sheep, so unless you are a universalist, you must admit that not everyone is His sheep. Yet, Christ also said that He laid down His life for His sheep, not the goats. You may not agree with it but do you see how it is in the text. Just read John 6 and it is all throughout the convo
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18 Let us follow the perfect example of Christ. Not just saying loving things but putting them into action. This is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit, inspiring us. True love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13 is shown in action. Let us look for and pray for opportunities to love others. And let us love God with every part of us as well. Hopefully this helped you today. God bless you!
As an aspiring fantasy writer, I agree with your answer on Harry Potter and LOTR and the like. LOTR the wizards aren't actually wizards but angels able to take the form of a person. Narnia, the witches are the bad guys and the good ones are like LOTR not people but supernatural beings (stars) in the form of humans. Harry Potter, these are people who were born with magical ability. They are not calling on demons to give them powers like real world witchcraft. I think it's fair to say that youngons who don't know better shouldn't read Harry Potter till they are old enough to tell the difference, and I now think that dressing up cosplaying might not be a good idea. I think Narnia and LOTR are all ages appropriate set of stories on the magic issue. So why am I as a "fundamentalist"/"evangelical" Christian writing a fantasy story with magic in it? To explore the supernatural and spiritual warfare, among other things. I think a fantasy story gives the context to get people thinking about the supernatural. There will be the mages who have natural born supernatural abilities, my out of story world explanation is that God decided to give some humans supernatural abilities like He gave angels. Then there are others who have been given miraculous gifts, that either came from God or came from demons. I intend to have a line frequently said in the course of the story that goes something along the lines of "don't seek power not given to you by God." The funny thing about this all? I'm cessationist. Some of the broader topics I intend to explore is how people in times of peace and prosperity get bored with being good and start messing around with evil. Also the native total depravity of man vs the influence of greatee evil powers and spiritual warfare. Only in the world building and sketching out the basic plot ideas level so far. It will be set more in antiquity than medieval times and the society based more on the Roman Republic than a feudal society (with elements of second temple Israel, and ancient Babylon/Persia).
That sounds awesome. Have you read Acts 19:13-16? I came acrossed it a few months back and I think it shows the power of God vs magic very nicely. Might give you some ideas for your writing.
In the Bible the heart is considered the seat of life or strength. Hence it means mind, soul, spirit, or one's entire emotional nature or understanding. So this is why we are to guard our heart because it refers to our spiritual side (being born again) & our fleshly side which if allowed will let sin into our lives. So what controls your actions & emotions. The Spirit or the flesh?
Regarding Q2: The martyrs underneath the throne crying out for God to avenge their blood seems to indicate they have neither forgotten nor comforted about their own murders.
With the question about Jonah not being based historically...isnt Nineveh referred to later on scripturally that 'it had repented and then gone back to its sinful ways'? Jonah was based in history and hence referred back to appropriately later on scripturally. Also...Jesus referred to the sign of Jonah...why would he say that unless it was an event?
My family as a rule are huge fans of Clive Staples Lewis and LOVE JRR Tolkien. The story of their friendship is precious. I raised my kids on Narnia, LOTR, and Harry Potter. Pardon me for stumbling through this response but I believe that in The Lord of the Rings storyline, we have angels and demons (symbolically) based on hierarchy according to scripture. Read the Scimarillian for more on that. Harry Potter (my children watched all of those movies and read the books, I am almost wishing I had handled that differently). The movie producers consulted occult members and witches to make certain that spells and such were cast "correctly" and such. Seems way darker than creating a storyline such a C.S. Lewis did with the Narnia books or that J.R.R. Tolkien did with The Hobbit and LOTR. IMHO
I had a feeling that Harry Potter is way to close to not have been inspired by the real thing. Do you recall where you heard that the movie consulted real occult members? I would like to look into it further an vet the info myself before repeating it.
Should we follow our hearts? I believe that there's a confusion between the heart, as the "location" of your imagination, and your spirit. Your "desires" flow from your own fleshly "imagination", and education. But "the heart" as in "my sheep know my voice" flow from your spirit which. It just takes practice, and experience to become comfortable with knowing your hearing "His Voice". As you "purify", and clear your mind, and imagination by renewing It with the word, it becomes easier to see, or "hear" His Voice. So you can "follow your heart". When you know "The Spirit" has spoken.
Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Intro
1. 0:24 {Should we Follow our Hearts?} "Follow your heart" is a popular mantra, but is not encouraged in some Christian circles. I understand that Jeremiah 17:9 says "the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick," but Proverbs 4:23 says "the springs of life" flow from our hearts. Also, since God's word is written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), shouldn't we follow our hearts?
2. 15:36 {Will We Have Memories in Heaven?} I recently heard people at my church say that when we get to Heaven our memories will essentially be wiped, and we won’t have any knowledge of our friends/family who are in Hell. Thoughts?
3. 23:25 {Are Job and Jonah Historical?} My pastor says Job and Jonah are probably not historical events, but more poetic lessons. How do I decide true stories from parables in the Old Testament without questioning everything?
4. 28:04 {Does Regeneration Precede Faith?} Is it first that you are born again and by that you confess Jesus as Lord and get Salvation, or you confess Jesus as your Lord first, and by that you get born again and will be granted Salvation?
5. 32:45 {Comparing Paul & Joseph Smith} Compared with Paul, is Joseph Smith such a novelty? E.g., they both had a vision of Jesus only they reported on, introduced new teachings, weren’t prophesied of by Jesus, and were martyred as result of ministry.
6. 42:53 {About Aggressive Countries/Leaders} Can you please explain what the Bible says we should do about an aggressor like Putin, and should other countries intervene to help Ukraine?
7. 46:19 {Pastor Mike’s Favorite Attributes of God} What is your personal favorite aspect/quality of each member of the Trinity?
8. 47:45 {Deconstruction vs. Deconversion} Is deconstruction just another term for deconversion? Why can't we deconstruct deconstructionism?
9. 52:25 {Does God Sometimes Not Know Things?} Why does God ask, “Who told you that you were naked?” in Genesis 3: 11? Does He not know?
10. 53:37 {Help for a Tough Marital Situation} What do you do when your spouse, who claims to be a Christian, has separated/said they want a divorce when they don’t have biblical grounds, and the church that married you won’t confront them?
11. 57:47 {Why did Paul Preach to the Jews?} Why did Paul go to Jerusalem to preach to the Jews in the temple when it seems he knew very clearly he was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles? He chose Jerusalem before he went to Rome.
12. 1:01:18 {Does God Forgive “Extreme” Sins?} A loved one is struggling with the idea that God would forgive an abuser or a murderer if they started following God after their evil actions. What can I say to help them through this doubt?
13. 1:04:57 {About Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings} Biblically thinking, are The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter different regarding sorcery? Lots of Christians disapprove of Harry Potter, yet admire LOTR. Is this distinction biblically justified?
14. 1:09:55 {Should we Desire to Read Scripture Daily?} Shouldn't a truly born-again believer desire to read the Scriptures regularly (even daily)? How should I approach and encourage a "Christian" who doesn't?
15. 1:12:21 {Reformed Theology vs. Calvinism} What’s the difference between “Reformed theology” and Calvinism? It seems like the two are different, but also the same. Just curious to know all the different groups within this body of believers.
16. 1:14:07 {How to “Carry our Cross”} How should we carry our cross in a practical sense?
17. 1:17:28 {Reconciling the Accounts of Jesus’ Birth} How can the accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke be reconciled when Josephus says that Quirinius didn't become governor until after the banishment of Archelaus?
18. 1:21:44 {About Gog & Magog} I thought Gog & Magog in Revelation 20:8, and the Gog & Magog war in Ezekiel 28:2 were talking about the same event. I heard a Bible prophecy teacher say it was 2 separate events. Your thoughts?
19. 1:23:53 {Should we Read from Christian Mystics?} Should the writings of Christian mystics be avoided? My friend wants me to study a Jeanne Guyon book with her.
20. 1:25:32 {Is the Trinity Clearly Taught in the OT?} Is there a reason why a doctrine as important as the Trinity isn't EXPLICITLY declared in the Old Testament, especially the Torah, seeing as belief in the second person is paramount for salvation?
I would LOVE to see the Mormon clips put on Tiktok. There are a lot of Mormon missionaries on TikTok just absolutely lying. And if we could get these clips cut together well, I think that would be a powerful witness to these confused young people.
I think too that Pastor Mike would be a good vessel for this too because he’s so kind and forthright. Mormons respect that!
The doctrine of the trinity isn’t explicitly declared in either the old or New Testament. The term never appears in scripture neither do any of the definitions or explanations of this false doctrine appear in scripture as well.
Trinitarians PIECE this false doctrine together like a puzzle.
Mike thanks for your fatefulness, you put in so much time in there study 📖 I just want to said thanks .
Thank you, Sarah! I appreciate your hard work:)
This type of ministry is singularly the most valuable thing any pastor could do for us believers. You randomly take questions that Christian’s all over the world really want and need to have answers to. It’s brave to put yourself out there to help us understand our God. I can’t thank you enough ❤
Thanks for saying this, i feel the same way. I love how God keeps the body connected. I'm on the east coast and I benefit greatly from this ministry and the people who ask questions and make comments.
My thoughts exactly!!! This ministry is so unbelievably valuable 🥹🙌🏽❤️🔥. Thank God for moving Mike to do this for us and for allll the hard work and studying he puts in 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽. Really believe his reward in Heaven is gunna be glorious for dedicating himself to this for God’s glory lol
I can imagine a scene in heaven where Jesus spots Mike and strides purposefully up to him with a big grin on his face and says "Mike, attaboy" whilst slapping mike on the back. 😊
As a former LDS member, now a believer in Jesus Christ of the Bible, I truly appreciate how you share what Joseph Smith did to corrupt the Bible. I pray that my LDS family finds Truth & peace in the biblical Jesus & God's Word.
I am a born again Christian and your channel has helped me a lot. Thank you for your time.
Congratulations 🎊
I want to ask prayer for my friend Yuhana, she is a Muslim that doesn't know Jesus. I am preaching the gospel to her. I ask all of you to pray for her salvation, that she can open her heart to God and the Holy Spirit guides me to speak truth.
Act17 apologetics is a good channel for Muslims. Check it out if you haven't already.
Have prayed and will continue to pray for your friend and yourself. Also, your friend has a beautiful name!
Every day I pray for people preaching and people that dont know God. My strength in prayer will always be with you and for you. Preach boldly and with love making sure not to show frustrations or anger. Good luck
muslims know Jesus
@@staciewittenmyer1011 they know who he is but they don’t have a relationship with him. Also they have wrong information about him.
One of my favorite verses in scripture in proverbs, "A fool follows his heart but the one who walks wisely will be delivered" it's pretty clear.
I assumed that wisdom came from a heart set on god vs a heart set on self
My favorite channel about the gospel 🙏🏼 thanks for teaching me so much, Mike! Way more than I’ve learned anywhere, including the churches I’ve been to. You’re amazing at what you do. God bless!
Same!!!!!!!!
About a Christian's heart, 1 John 3:20 says, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things." That verse, written to believers, teaches that God is distinct from our hearts; our heart is not God, and therefore is not something we should put our trust in.
Our heart is not the thing to be followed; rather, it's our heart that does the following, through His word.
This was very educational! I regret to admit i use to have a hard time watching these bc of where i was at In my life, but now that I'm diving deep into the word, I'm actually understanding and learning from these videos now! Praise God! I've been praying for greater understanding as well as putting in the work and effort to learn.
That’s wonderful, it really makes such a difference! 🙏💖
God bless you all. If anyone feels inclined, please pray for me as I’m struggling with lust and anger.
Thanks Mike. I appreciate your balanced & scripture-based reply to the 'Follow my heart' question. Only the Lord knows how many Christians have made poor decisions due to 'following their heart.' It's happened to me, and I've learned that my heart cannot be trusted!
I’ve been so bogged down with school I’ve not been putting Jesus at the forefront. Your videos help me. It’s so educational that it can speak to my mind when I’m in this “studying” phase.
Mike, you have always been one of my favorite teachers and someone I have grown to trust. Please keep making the amazing content you do, as it's so edifying to so many believers.
Top 3 easy.
@@miikatmp5873 that's a tough question to answer. I don't know if you've heard of Jack Hibbs. He's the preacher of Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills California. They do expositional teaching. He's a super JOYFUL preacher but he sticks to the word. I've been listening to him ever since I was a kid. So he has a special place in my heart.
Amen!
@miikatmp5873 no. I'd recommend being careful with Mike cause he's pretty good usually but he does hold to and teach many errors. For one he's a charismatic and another he claims the Biblical account of the Great Deluge, the global flood of Noah's time is wrong and didn't really happen.
I just want to say it, I Love You Jesus.
In regards to question 1: my heart tells me often that I’m not really forgiven (which has had a tendency to spiral me into an unfruitful depression) but I’ve had to decide once and for all that regardless if that were even true or not, I choose to belong to Jesus. He could stand in front of me today and say He’ll never forgive me and I’ll still serve Him. Granted I know He would not say that but it’s freeing to know that regardless of my ultimate outcome, He is my Lord.
I was so happy to read that you were doing a study on Hebrews. I’ve been having so many questions for months, didn’t even know where to start to ask questions about the meaning of “not entering rest”, and so many other concepts. Can’t wait for that study!
I am like Pastor Mike and cannot say precisely when I was saved. I did speak to God and said the sinner's prayer aged 34. I continued in sin after this and only years later did I get closer to Jesus.
I don’t know when I was saved because I started going to church at 5 years old but I know when I was born again (spirit filled). July 7, 2019!!! I lived in rebellion against God for many of the years that I claimed to be saved but it wasn’t until I was born again that I began to hate my sin.
Thank you, Sarah Zimmerman!
😃👋
Mike, you give so much dad energy lol. There’s this saying that goes “I could trust you with my drink” and that’s how it is with you🙏🏽
I learn something new every time i watch your q and a videos.....please keep doing those if you can
The fact Jesus mentioned Jonah , tells me he was a person
I am floored!! I am reading Acts this month, and I read Peter’s vision and was confused because I heard a teaching using this vision in a teaching for freedom to eat what ever we want, But as I read it today I only saw it as an object lesson for Peter. I was going to ask about it in hopes that you might answer next stream, and it was answered in the first 7 minutes!! I just amazed, thank you for all you do!!
But it does mean that no animals are unclean anymore
Winger is a yt treasure
Wow question16 when you pointed out the transfiguration of Christ and how that links to the verse in Matthew 16:28 was sooo awesome! I have never been taught that this is what Jesus meant. I had just read this account recently and was once again saying to myself I just don’t get this!🤔Thanks Mike that made my whole day!!👍
The question about forgiveness in the face of heinous sin was dealt with beautifully, thanks for that
Thank you Mike,
I enjoy your way of thought provoking and reasoning when asked real questions seeking Biblical answer , when you are not completely
Sure about something you are honest and say you aren't sure May God bless you Mike and your come lets reason together approach to teaching and exploring Gods word deeply.
GOD is so good and gracious to me ..and ..to my brothers n sisters .
Hello, my name is Chris and my fiancee name is Ashley. Will everyone keep praying for us for open doors and help with our relationship to remain strong. Also, please pray for us for our finances to get married and find a home. Please pray for the Lord to help us with these things and all obstacles holding us back,for breakthroughs. Please pray that God blesses our relationship so much. Please pray also that our hearts remain soft towards eachother in our relationship. Thank you very much.
PASTOR MIKE WINGER: Thank you very much for putting so much of your time, treasure, & talent you put into helping us understand scripture better & grow closer to Jesus.
Ha! I saw this in my feed just after my latest upload about this idea of following our hearts, and seeking happiness, as if that's God's purpose for our lives.
Praying for you brother, your teaching is needed
Thank you, Pastor Mike, for your thoughtful response to my question! It's evident that you allow the Spirit to minister through you, and because of that you are also reaping bountifully in many lives by God's grace. May God continue to bless your ministry and others through you, and may He continue to give you wisdom and knowledge in all things. Take care, brother!
Of all the godly doctrine that I from the pulpit heard,
My heart has never accepted so much as a single word.
Al-ma'rri
God bless you Pastor Mike… Ithis is the solid sound teaching I’m missing out on… thank you for you amazing ministry
"Trust the Lord with all your heart" has always simply meant to trust him entirely. Obviously it does mean that, but I love the imagery of placing my heart in God's safekeeping as I would place my children in the safekeeping of a loved one to look after them when I cannot. I cannot keep my heart safe, so I place it in God's care. He most certainly can and will keep it safe.
In the ancient world of the Bible the idea of the “heart” is closer to what people mean today as the “mind,” i.e., reason, beliefs, intelligence, and wisdom.
"The thoughts of a man's heart..."
Thanks for your ministry Mike, have changed the way I approach the bible and have illuminated the richness and power of the word!
I learned a life changing concept that many disagree with. Forgiveness is giving up the right to ever bring it up again. Both for giving and receiving forgiveness.
🤣🤣🤣 what a blessing your sense of humor is a treat, thank you and keep enlightening us
Your answers are SO clear
That first question and answer was very helpful. Thanks for helping us Mike, I hope to catch you one of these fridays and get a question in.
Thank God for blessing us with you Mike....the way you explained the Heart issue was so spot on. Thank you for being a Godly vessel and all your teachings and being so inspiring to me. I want to learn more of God's word and pray for wisdom in my everyday walk of life. Greetings from SA 🇿🇦
My late pastor used to always preach about what he called the New Life. I am not well versed in his teaching as I was young when I learned and he passed away while I was still in high school. But his teachings basically said that after accepting Christ into our lives and being born again we are also given new hearts with new and right desires. He explained examples of those desires that lead us to share our lives and in such share the love of God to those we are called to, something as simple as asking a friend to lunch or as grand as serving in Mexico building homes.
It is awful to see the “follow your heart” thing be pushed around when what I knew which ties to that phrase, but with wisdom and in conjunction with God, be turned into some self worshipping mantra.
May God bless you!
God bless you Mike
Mike winger my mentor
I love the word TRUST.
Ok, I have a take on the harry potter and magic thing. I'm a big fantasy and scifi reader so this is a subject I love. Now, there was an uptick of interest in magic when the books came out, and it was interesting to notice, but a lot of kids lost interest when they noticed the difference between what real world magic is and what harry potter (or other fantasy books) magic is like. A lot of magic, is typically linked to women and feminism. One thing I have noticed is that women love the idea of independence of witches, their role, etc. Witches are typically a role linked with independence, rebellion against the authority of man or society. Most women who called themselves witches tend to be strong feminist who despites men, or the position of men in society. They want to rebel against the established order. The movie "The VVitch: A New-England Folktale" is a great example of this. Magic is a form of emancipation, rebellion against the established order, the values of christianity, and what it means to be a woman. There's a lot that goes into it, but there's a reason the majority of people who look into witchcraft, or anything related to it, tend to be women. Men who go into magic tend to look into the aspects of control, and search of carnal of pleasure. It's a very interesting subject.
That is very interesting. It makes sense because a lot of gender roles come from physical strength differences. Magic completely levels the playing field so it or some other power system is basically a prerequisite to many feminist ideas in fiction.
From the political side, Rowling is often insulted as a turf (A feminist who rejects transgenderism). Would you agree with that statement? Personally I have avoided Harry Potter due to witchcraft, so I will rely on others opinions here. Does Harry Potter contain explicit feminist messages?
Are you familiar with James Lindsay's videos on Gnosticism? Would be interested in here your opinion of it as someone who appears to knows a little about the topic.
Thank you very much for doing this. God bless you.❤
God bless you brother Mike. Thanks to God Elohim...
I just wanted to say I think you're a really great teacher, with an awesome pastoral anointing. I want to thank you for making it easier for me to digest the material and help me get closer in my walk with God. God has a talented laborer in you, and I am glad you have platform like this to reach so many. God Bless you and the many video's yet to come!
The amount of questions in the beginning of the stream is just.... 🤯
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Can't wait till Monday 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️
Mike thank you for your obedience to The Lord! I was thinking about question 2 this week and hadn't gotten back around to finding it until I watched this video. Grace and peace be with you all✝️🤍🐑
Thanks so much for your work 🙏🏽
I really appreciate your teaching Pastor Mike. Helps put things in perspective!
that shirt is soooo adorable!! not in an immasculating way, just the tiny pelicans are so dang cute.
Heart Completely His
“For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9a - Holman Christian Standard Bible).
Thanks so much for your ministry Mike, as someone whose been in interdominational ministry for years it's really nice to have a teacher I can listen to and recommend to folks across denominational lines. God bless you and your ministry!
For what it's worth regarding the historicity of Jonah: In college, I took a class with Richard Elliot Friedman, a Jewish OT scholar. He taught that the book of Jonah has over 40 puns or wordplays (30? 50? I don't recall the exact number, but it was a lot) in the 4 chapters, which he took as evidence that Jonah was meant as a parable or fable. I know there's other scholarship on the issue as well. (My personal take is that a proper reading of Jonah doesn't really change based on the historicity of the account; it seems as though the spiritual meat in the text is there regardless of genre; my read of Jonah doesn't change much in the way that a non-historical read of the Exodus account, for example, would.)
Yeshua said "the men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment,..for they repented at the preaching of Jonah". It is suggested by some scholars that Jonah did die in the belly of the whale and God resurrected him after the 3days, based on Jonah's account of being in heaven or something like that.
Mathew 27: 52 The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.
Pastor Mike this scripture really freaks me out and I have yet to hear any teaching on it could you please do a teaching on it.
Mike, does Moxie like your bird shirts? Thanking God for you. From Canada.❤️
Thanks pastor Mike for answering fellow your heart question, how do I distinguis what's in my heart is from God or my heart desire
Point number four: are you first regenerated and then you believe, or do you believe and then you are regenerated? We are told that we are dead in our trespasses and that no one seeks after God. While we are yet dead in our sins, we don’t see a need for a savior. It is only after the scales have been removed from our eyes and we see our need (having been raised spiritually from the dead - regeneration) that we can reach for the life preserver that has been thrown to us (belief).
thank you!
You should follow your heart if it is oriented toward God's law.
Wow, question 20 was super helpful!
Thank You Pastor Mike
Loved what you said concerning when one's heart condemns. Romans 8:1 says " There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus ".
Also you made me remember this song called " Better than I " by David Campbell and John Bucchino. The song shows up in a cartoon movie about Joseph . It is all about trusting God when you don't understand knowing that God knows better.
love that song! it says it all
@@shebear7542 Me too! It's very encouraging. :)
Thanks for these!
I follow my heart and my dreams.
I read a very good essay on Harry Potter a while back, saying that the magic in it was best understood as an analogy for technology. Substitute smart phones for magic wands and you can see that pretty clearly. Same thing in the recent movie "Encanto" -- magic house = "smart house." One of the most affecting moments in Harry Potter
(spoiler alert, but if you haven't read it by now...)
is when Harry has to bury a house-elf who had just died in saving the lives of him and his friends, and he decides to do it with a shovel and his own labor, rather than by a wave of his wand. It speaks to the reality of his sorrow, the reality of death, the honor he gives the elf by being present in that moment, and is also shown as an action that helps him sort out his priorities and his path forward. (He doesn't "google it" in other words.) Everything Rowling shows as Harry's truly heroic actions are based in love, courage, and commitment, not in the magic. Magic, like technology, is a tool that can be used for good or evil in HP. We modern types make a great mistake when we assume that technology always represents progress.
I would have agreed with you. But a while back I was watching a video with a free mason who was asked if he practices magic. He answered that we all practice magic, that every time you speak you actually cast a spell on others and this is how he thought of it.
My current thinking is that magic is not the action of what you do. Rather it's how you characterize the action. If you bury a fish with your crops as fertilizer, not magic. If you bury a fish with your crops as a sacrifice to a god for a good harvest, now it is magic. Same action, different thinking and intentions.
So to me, it is the fact that Hogwarts is a school of witchcraft that is the problem. The fact that aesthetic is used is enough to make me not get into it. It's not the word magic showing up, it's that if I was to find a real hermetic cult in Europe it would look very similar to Hogwarts.
Though my opinion has changed at least 3 times now, so I would love for you to push back and defend it.
@viperstriker4728 I guess I'd reply that my intention in reading Harry Potter was not to learn magic? And I don't believe that it was Rowling's intention to teach it. As to burying fish etc, I don't think that intention is the only condition that must be met to make it magic. Superstition maybe, but not some actual power called magic. Just my thoughts.
@@amybee40 That's why I picked the fish example. If the superstition actually works, then is this not historically what people called magic?
Unless magic has to be supernatural. But to that I would ask if you believe demonic powers are actually a thing? I am not sure, I believe demons are real, but I can't actually think of humans wielding demonic power in the Bible. The Egyptian sorcerer could turn water into blood. But the Bible doesn't clarify if he actually does that, or if he has a little packet of red dye and iron to fake blood.
Do you think actual magic is real or that it has always been tricks?
Again, I go back and forth on these questions myself, so i would love to hear your thoughts.
# 16 ~ What a good answer. Thank you, Mike.
Really needed to know more on this topic. Thank you for going in. Answered questions ♥️🌻
Thanks Brother, kudos. Maranatha!
Jesus talks about Jonah in Matthew 12:38-42 in regards to question at 23:25 in the discussion
I had always heard the same thing about eternity until you just explained it. It is much more biblical and even how we know and love God here on earth. We don't forget all the bad things that happened. We are thankful for how good God is to bring us out of it. To remember is to know how much better God is. I have two brother who have chosen, for now, to walk away from the Lord and it breaks my heart but at the same time they know what's true and if they choose eternity without him I will not spend my eternity crying. I do not cry when my children get the discipline I clearly set before them and they have to suffer there punishment. I know it's much bigger than that and I still pray for them and desperately want them to choose God over themselves and at the same time I will not live my life in despair. Does that makes sense?
Yes, I live in hope that my unsaved family will come because I ask God to reveal Himself to them and I believe He wants that more than I do so He will always answer that prayer. I also pray that He will show them their need of Him. He is faithful and will do it.
The heart is deceitful becareful and beware !
Follow His Heart ♡ 🕊
I think of the "heart" as the inmost being, and the seat of our wills. "With the heart, man believes unto righteousness..." The heart is not just the emotions. Emotions are effects, but what goes on in our heart is the cause. Thoughts, words, acts and emotions are how we know what is in our hearts; they are all the outflow of our inmost beings. "The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart...": Mike just quoted it.
If the inmost being/heart is where the spiritual and moral decisions are made, it is easy to see that it would probably attract the evil as well as the good. The good that God has written there, is in the heart, but so is sin, because it is the decision place, and it would also be more desperately wicked than we'd usually be aware of.
Archeologists have found an inscription that says Quirinius was governor twice, once previously to the time mentioned by Josephus. (I think this is mentioned by Josh McDowell.)
We'd better hope that God remembers what happened when we sinned. He doesn't remember the sin against us, anymore, but we need Him to know the repercussions of sin. We get in trouble, or in deeper trouble, and we desperately need for God to know what it was, and what we now need.
Execute Episode 66
Love you're twenty questions. Even though they are quite a bit different from the 20 questions we played as kids on our long road trips. :)
To be reformed you have to affirm the five solas of the reformation, affirm Calvinism, and also affirm one or more of the confessions of the Reformation (Westminster, Heidelberg, etc)
Why would anyone waste any time with any of that nonsense?
Answer: they are lost…but looking for personal comforts…catholic, Mormon, Calvinism, Buddhist any other ist or ism or any diversion from the True and Living God
@@jamesstumpff7774 Calvinists are not lost, they are fellow believers in Christ. All the Catechisms and confessions are from intense studying of Gods scriptures.
@@Ironica82 calvin taught that Christ died for very few
If you’re wrong, hopefully you would even agree it’s one of the most insidious lies ever told
And where does the father of lies end up? His children will be with him
If I were you I would reconsider how much calvin I really need
And that answer I can give with 100% confidence…none
@@Ironica82 so you think Catholics Mormons JWs are “brothers “???
How about muslims…they believe in jesus
Brothers?????
@@jamesstumpff7774
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Who did Christ say he died for?
John 6:37-40
37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
38For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
40For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
So, Christ came for, "everyone who looks on the son." (Verse 40) Who are those people? Verse 37 states that they are those who the Father have the Son.
John 6:44
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
So, Christ shall raise up only those who God calls and no one else. As we read previously, Christ shall lose none of His sheep, so unless you are a universalist, you must admit that not everyone is His sheep. Yet, Christ also said that He laid down His life for His sheep, not the goats.
You may not agree with it but do you see how it is in the text. Just read John 6 and it is all throughout the convo
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18
Let us follow the perfect example of Christ. Not just saying loving things but putting them into action. This is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit, inspiring us. True love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13 is shown in action. Let us look for and pray for opportunities to love others. And let us love God with every part of us as well. Hopefully this helped you today. God bless you!
Amen College…well said
Amen 🙏 praise God
As an aspiring fantasy writer, I agree with your answer on Harry Potter and LOTR and the like. LOTR the wizards aren't actually wizards but angels able to take the form of a person. Narnia, the witches are the bad guys and the good ones are like LOTR not people but supernatural beings (stars) in the form of humans. Harry Potter, these are people who were born with magical ability. They are not calling on demons to give them powers like real world witchcraft. I think it's fair to say that youngons who don't know better shouldn't read Harry Potter till they are old enough to tell the difference, and I now think that dressing up cosplaying might not be a good idea. I think Narnia and LOTR are all ages appropriate set of stories on the magic issue.
So why am I as a "fundamentalist"/"evangelical" Christian writing a fantasy story with magic in it? To explore the supernatural and spiritual warfare, among other things. I think a fantasy story gives the context to get people thinking about the supernatural. There will be the mages who have natural born supernatural abilities, my out of story world explanation is that God decided to give some humans supernatural abilities like He gave angels. Then there are others who have been given miraculous gifts, that either came from God or came from demons. I intend to have a line frequently said in the course of the story that goes something along the lines of "don't seek power not given to you by God." The funny thing about this all? I'm cessationist.
Some of the broader topics I intend to explore is how people in times of peace and prosperity get bored with being good and start messing around with evil. Also the native total depravity of man vs the influence of greatee evil powers and spiritual warfare. Only in the world building and sketching out the basic plot ideas level so far. It will be set more in antiquity than medieval times and the society based more on the Roman Republic than a feudal society (with elements of second temple Israel, and ancient Babylon/Persia).
That sounds awesome.
Have you read Acts 19:13-16? I came acrossed it a few months back and I think it shows the power of God vs magic very nicely. Might give you some ideas for your writing.
Hi, Pastor Mike! 👋 Blessings to you and your family 🙏! Question #19 references Christian mystics. Can one be a Christian AND a mystic?
In the Bible the heart is considered the seat of life or strength. Hence it means mind, soul, spirit, or one's entire emotional nature or understanding. So this is why we are to guard our heart because it refers to our spiritual side (being born again) & our fleshly side which if allowed will let sin into our lives. So what controls your actions & emotions. The Spirit or the flesh?
Regarding Q2: The martyrs underneath the throne crying out for God to avenge their blood seems to indicate they have neither forgotten nor comforted about their own murders.
With the question about Jonah not being based historically...isnt Nineveh referred to later on scripturally that 'it had repented and then gone back to its sinful ways'? Jonah was based in history and hence referred back to appropriately later on scripturally. Also...Jesus referred to the sign of Jonah...why would he say that unless it was an event?
I just realized there's a counter behind him that counts the number of questions.
that shirt is lit 🔥🦤
My family as a rule are huge fans of Clive Staples Lewis and LOVE JRR Tolkien. The story of their friendship is precious. I raised my kids on Narnia, LOTR, and Harry Potter. Pardon me for stumbling through this response but I believe that in The Lord of the Rings storyline, we have angels and demons (symbolically) based on hierarchy according to scripture. Read the Scimarillian for more on that. Harry Potter (my children watched all of those movies and read the books, I am almost wishing I had handled that differently). The movie producers consulted occult members and witches to make certain that spells and such were cast "correctly" and such. Seems way darker than creating a storyline such a C.S. Lewis did with the Narnia books or that J.R.R. Tolkien did with The Hobbit and LOTR. IMHO
I had a feeling that Harry Potter is way to close to not have been inspired by the real thing. Do you recall where you heard that the movie consulted real occult members? I would like to look into it further an vet the info myself before repeating it.
We need to pause Mikes subscriptions. It's at 777k on my screen, so i just wanted to encapsulate this moment :)
Anybody have a recommendation for a study on the book of Acts? Thanks!
Q12, a really good book is Forgiving what you cannot Forget by Lysa TerKeurst. I found it very helpful.
I’m seeing this a year later, but if you happen to see this comment, PLEASE continue to recommend ministries that we can help to support!
Should we follow our hearts? I believe that there's a confusion between the heart, as the "location" of your imagination, and your spirit. Your "desires" flow from your own fleshly "imagination", and education. But "the heart" as in "my sheep know my voice" flow from your spirit which. It just takes practice, and experience to become comfortable with knowing your hearing "His Voice". As you "purify", and clear your mind, and imagination by renewing It with the word, it becomes easier to see, or "hear" His Voice. So you can "follow your heart". When you know "The Spirit" has spoken.