20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 95)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:

1. 0:23 {Overcoming Covetousness} Why is it so hard to be content? I've been blessed with more than most people, but I'm always wanting MORE. I drain so much money buying more "stuff" and once I see something I like, I'm bummed/stressed until I get to buy it. I don't want to be this way. Please help!
2. 25:10 {Eschatological Timings} What effect does Psalm 110:1 and Luke 20:42-43 have on the timing or placement of the rapture of the Church in reference to the tribulation?
3. 29:59 {How to Pray for Unbelievers} I don’t believe Calvinism is biblical, but I find that my prayers for unbelievers often sound Calvinistic: “Change their hearts, bring them to You,” etc. How should we pray for unbelievers' salvation?
4. 32:10 {Can We Be as Close as the Disciples?} Do you think that we can have as personal and intimate of a relationship with Jesus as His twelve disciples did? I've heard 1 John 1:1-3 used to support this.
5. 36:17 {Did God Direct Moses to Deceive Pharaoh?} Why did God tell Moses to ask Pharaoh to go "three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God" (Exodus 3:18) if it wasn't God's intention for them to return to Egypt?
6. 42:58 {Do our Prophecies Create Reality?} Kris Vallotton cites Ezekiel 37:1-6 to claim that our prophecies create reality, rather than just foretelling the future. Is there merit to this?
7. 52:24 {Does Jesus’ Compassion Change?} When Jesus interacts with people, He is often compassionate. However, with the 12, he most often sounds harsh. Does His relationship toward us change once we are “on the team"?
8. 1:00:17 {Moving Forward after Church Hurt} What are your thoughts on how to best get back involved with the Church after you have had past hurts both done to you, and you toward others? Also, should a person go back to the same church, or seek a new one?
9. 1:05:48 {Trinitarian Clarity} How is the Holy Spirit not the Son or Father (Matthew 10:20, Philippians 1:19)? These verses confuse me when I’m trying to answer this question.
10. 1:10:38 {Warnings about False Teachings} Do warnings to Churches and believers in verses such as Jude 1:3-4 or other Epistles regarding false/heretical doctrines apply to Mormons who want a relationship with God/Jesus but are just deceived?
11. 1:15:29 {Knowing When to Yield} My pastor wants me to obey my husband even when it hurts my mental health, triggers my eating disorder, or my sleep disorder. Is he right or wrong? He says I should “Die like Christ.”
12. 1:19:03 {Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations} What counsel would you give a discouraged believer with a debilitating chronic illness who carries a lot of guilt for not being able to serve in the ways they want to be able to?
13. 1:24:10 {Jesus AND the Bible = “The Word”?} What is the distinction that is to be made between Jesus and the Bible, as far as the title "Word of God" goes, which is applied to both of them?
14. 1:28:15 {When Translations Vary} What do we do when we find significant difference between translations (such as 1 John 5:7 in the KJV vs. modern translations)?
15. 1:33:08 {Why Did God Choose the Tribe of Levi?} Do we know why God chose the tribe of Levi to be the priesthood?
16. 1:34:26 {Tips for Preparing Your First Sermon} I give my first sermon this Sunday. Any tips/pointers for those going through seminary/preparing for their first sermon(s)?
17. 1:39:29 {Advice for Raising Kids in the Faith} I want to raise my two kids aged 7 and 9 in the faith. I don’t want to push too hard. Any advice? My ex-wife has left the faith, so I feel like it’s up to me (and God).
18. 1:41:23 {Was Paul Married?} I heard a theory that the Apostle Paul was married and a widower. Do you think that’s relevant, and does it have any biblical standing?
19. 1:45:43 {Is My Daughter’s Cancer a Punishment?} When I got pregnant from an ungodly relationship, I turned to God and know He forgave all my sins. But my daughter was born with cancer. Is this a punishment from God?
20. 1:50:19 {Should We Call Out Others’ Sins?} Should we call out sin in the lives of other Christian friends? I had a conversation with my pastor about this in regard to cussing, and he told me if we don't have a mutual edification then it might not be my place.

Links I mentioned:

• The funny St. Patrick's video
• Video addressing the "Name It and Claim It" Bible verse: CLICK HERE
• Video on the passage where Jesus was speaking to Moses in the burning bush: CLICK HERE
• My analysis of the mass divorce God seems to approve of in the book of Ezra: CLICK HERE
• My explanation of why we shouldn't confuse Jesus with the Bible: CLICK HERE
• Resources for parents:
  natashacrain.com (great books and articles I highly recommend)
  foundationwordview.com (video curriculum that I highly recommend)