20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 44)
BibleThinker
Balancing Ministry and Family
This chapter examines the interplay between family responsibilities and religious service, countering the notion that ministry demands total family abandonment. It emphasizes biblical examples, including Jesus' relationship with his disciples, to advocate for prioritizing family while fulfilling church leadership roles. The discussion extends to practical wisdom in charitable acts, exploring the complexities of giving, discernment, and the implications of generosity grounded in faith.
Here’s the video on dealing with depression, which I mentioned during the stream:
https://youtu.be/KspwQ2wyuUU
Taking live questions from the YT live chat! Every Friday at 1 p.m. Pacific time. While I don't pretend to know all the answers, I hope to offer some thoughts that will help you in the direction of thinking biblically about things.
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1. 0:31 {Were Jesus’ Disciples Married?} Were Christ’s disciples married / did they have families? I believe there is a reference to Peter’s in-law, but I find it to be an interesting question. What would it be like for them? How would that fit with what the Lord tells us about the role of a husband/father? The love for God trumps all, so did that override their responsibilities as a husband/father?
2. 9:55 {Should We Give to Beggars?} I've had multiple encounters where people directly approach me and my wife on the street or at a gas station asking for money, food, or a ride. I know most people would say don't give anything because you're feeding their bad habit, and I know there is also the risk that if you do help/give, they may try to push for even more favors. But it's obvious that Jesus was compassionate toward beggars. What are some biblical principles for this in today's age?
3. 15:37 {What is a Miracle?} What is a miracle? If it can be explained, is it still a miracle?
4. 20:54 {Should we be Worried about Gov’t Control?} Should Christians be worried about government control? I have friends not getting the Covid vaccine because "it's a way to be controlled by the government.” I want to think biblically about this.
5. 26:09 {About Walking by the Spirit} Does living in the Spirit mean fighting the flesh? How do you fight something that is already dead?
6. 32:04 {About “Perfect Love Casting Out Fear”} What did John mean in 1 John by “perfect love casts out fear, and that whoever fears has not been made perfect…”?
7. 34:43 {About Paul and a Time Gap in Scripture} Why didn’t Luke mention the time gap that took place during Acts 9: 20-26, that Paul mentioned in Galatians 1: 17-18?
8. 40:20 {Prayer to Help with Deep Depression} Can you pray for me? I’ve battled depression my whole life, and the past 2 weeks I’ve gotten so low I need some prayer if you have the time.
9. 43:13 {Why did Jesus need to be Led by the Spirit?} Why did Jesus (God) need to be filled, led, or anointed by the Spirit? Troubled by some saying that Jesus did everything as a man through the Spirit, so we should be able to do everything Jesus did.
10. 48:10 {Forming a Healthy Work/Rest Balance} Since life is finite and Heaven is infinite, how do we justify spending any time not working to influence eternity? Where is the balance between relaxation & work? (Ephesians 5: 15-16 vs. 1 Thessalonians 4: 11)
11. 53:10 {Refuting Catholic “Queenship” of Mary} How would you answer a Catholic who uses Revelation 12 to argue Mary's queenship?
12. 59:06 {Can we be Confident in God’s Existence?} How can one ever be sure that the arguments for God’s existence are truly sound? Is it because all current objections fail? Maybe there is an Achilles heel that has not come up yet.
13. 1:02:44 {What is Prevenient Grace?} I just heard about prevenient grace. I have looked it up and it just don't understand it. Can you explain it?
14. 1:05:48 {Finding Hope in Difficult Situations} How do you interpret the hopelessness of Psalm 88? How can you comfort someone who feels what Psalm 88:18b (NIV) implies?
15. 1:16:27 {Is Receiving Mental Health Therapy Biblical?} Is it a sin for Christians to see a mental health therapist/psychiatrist? Is biblical counseling the only option for Christians?
16. 1:18:54 {Can we Know 100% our Faith is True?} Is it possible to be 100% certain of Christianity and the Bible? Is believing but also having doubt a sin? I would like to have 100% certainty, but there's always a doubt that it all could be a lie.
17. 1:22:59 {How to Respond to Verbal Abuse in Marriage} My husband yells & curses at me. I always tell him I don’t deserve it, but he continues. Can this be corrected? If so, how? And would I dishonor God if I stop being physically intimate with him?
18. 1:27:02 {Is God Actively Judging Today?} Is God actively judging the world today or is all judgment held out ‘till the second coming? When negative things happen like natural disasters, how much of this can we say is God’s judgment?
19. 1:29:59 {Hidden Meaning in the Book of Ruth?} Is there any hidden meaning behind Ruth uncovering Boaz's feet in Scripture?
20. 1:31:33 {How to Stay Close to God When We’re Slipping} How do I get better in my relationship with God? I'm slipping away, what do I do?
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