Pastor Mike, a dedicated pastor focused on faith and recovery, dives into the intricacies of supporting loved ones through struggles. He shares practical tips for wives supporting recovering spouses, highlights the journey of souls after death, and addresses personal grief following loss. The discussion also explores understanding the Holy Spirit versus personal anxieties, along with reflections on worship and theology. Listeners gain insights into navigating faith amidst challenges while fostering spiritual growth and compassion.
Supporting a recovering alcoholic spouse involves providing a loving environment while recognizing that their sobriety is ultimately their responsibility.
Discussions about the afterlife reveal that, pre-resurrection, souls experienced a temporary state based on their spiritual condition, shifting for believers post-Christ's resurrection.
Distinguishing between the Holy Spirit's guidance and personal anxiety requires aligning decisions with Scripture and Christ’s character for clarity.
Deep dives
Supporting a Recovering Spouse
Supporting a recovering alcoholic spouse involves understanding one's own limitations and responsibilities. It is crucial for the partner to recognize that their spouse’s sobriety is ultimately their own responsibility, not something that can be controlled or enforced through nagging or resentment. Maintaining a positive and supportive attitude is essential, as bitterness may arise if the partner begins to feel resentful about their spouse's past behaviors. Encouraging healthy behaviors, such as removing alcohol from the home and providing a sober environment, can also be beneficial, but should always be approached with love and respect.
Life After Death and Resurrection
The discussion of what happens to individuals who die and are later resurrected, such as Lazarus and Eutychus, raises questions about the state of their souls post-death. Prior to Christ's resurrection, it is believed that souls resided in a temporary comfort or discomfort, dependent on their spiritual state. After Christ's resurrection, it is understood that believers go directly into the presence of God, signifying a change in the afterlife experience for Christians. This framework illustrates how resurrection does not determine the quality of the individual’s previous experiences but instead aligns with the ultimate hope in Christ.
Discerning God's Voice Versus Anxiety
Distinguishing between the voice of the Holy Spirit and personal anxiety can be challenging, as both can influence decision-making. An objective criterion involves assessing whether the perceived guidance aligns with Christ’s character and the teachings of Scripture. Evaluating personal motives behind a desire or decision can also aid in discerning if it stems from genuine spiritual leading or from self-serving inclinations. Acknowledging that faith can be confused with personal emotions emphasizes the necessity of Scripture as a grounded framework for making decisions.
Understanding Grief and God's Presence
Dealing with grief, especially after the loss of a loved one, can lead to feelings of anger and abandonment towards God. Instead of pushing away painful memories, it is vital to acknowledge and process these emotions while embracing the concept of God's future promises of comfort and restoration. Biblical passages like Isaiah 43 provide hope, reminding individuals that God is still active during their struggles. The assurance of God’s ultimate comfort and presence in the face of sorrow underscores the importance of holding onto faith while navigating grief.
Spiritual Influence of Media Consumption
Concerns about the spiritual implications of consuming certain media, such as horror movies or secular music, often arise in discussions about demonic influence. However, asserting that such media universally invites demonic activity lacks scriptural backing, as the Bible does not equate media consumption with direct spiritual harm. A balanced approach acknowledges that while discernment is necessary in what one consumes, it should not become a blanket condemnation or fear of various forms of entertainment. Engaging with media critically, without attributing spiritual consequences hastily, fosters a healthier understanding of faith in a complex world.
Evidence for God's Existence
The consideration of whether one would disbelieve in God if evidence contradicted His existence raises significant philosophical questions. The very existence of evidence can be viewed as supporting the notion of God's existence, as the contingent nature of reality points towards an uncaused creator. Skepticism often stems from individuals who have overlooked the inherent evidence of God's presence in creation and morality. Thus, genuine inquiry into God's existence should involve a recognition of the myriad of evidences already present in everyday life, rather than a singular quest for definitive proof.
1. 0:10 {How to Support a Recovering Spouse} My husband is a recovering alcoholic, now beginning to attend AA meetings. As a wife, what are the most practical ways I can support him while encouraging him to begin leading our home in a biblical way without overwhelming him? 2. 7:00 {Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?} Where were people who died and later got resurrected located in that period? Do they go to Heaven or Hell and get snatched back to Earth after they’re resurrected (e.g., Lazarus, Dorcas, Eutychus etc.)? 3. 10:50 {Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit} In something like pursuing a relationship, or even in general, how do you tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and your own anxiety telling you not to do something? 4. 18:42 {How to Biblically Grieve Painful Loss} My only son died from an overdose last year. I was angry at God and walked away from Him for a bit. I told Him “If I am to serve you, I want the real God.” Isaiah 43: 18-19 says to get over it. How do I get over it? 5. 23:28 {Can Horror Movies & Secular Music Invite Demons?} What are your thoughts about Christians having to be careful so that they don’t invite demons into their lives through watching horror movies or listening to secular music? Is this biblical? 6. 27:50 {About Evidence & Belief} Imagine if someone asked you, “Would you be willing to disbelieve in God if the evidence led there?” What would your response be? Are we obligated to say yes? Does that dishonor God? 7. 34:07 {About the “Golden Rule”} Is the Golden Rule objective or subjective? For example, I tease my friend and he teases me back because we think it's funny, but I won't do it to others because they don't think it's funny. 8. 35:58 {Are All of God’s Actions Infallible?} How do I approach a conversation with someone who doesn't believe God is infallible? He believes in the God of the Bible, but he doesn't think all of God's actions are "good," like in the book of Job. 9. 43:44 {Identifying & Rejecting False Teaching} What's up with all the bad hermeneutics out there? How can those of us without formal training avoid bad interpretation/application of Scripture by ourselves and be able to spot them in sermons, etc.? 10. 46:21 {Does God Hate Satan?} Does God hate Satan and the demons? 11. 48:01 {What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?} What did Jesus mean when He said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" in Matthew 5: 48? Wouldn't that mean we're all condemned since we sin every day/week? 12. 54:39 {About Jacob & Esau} Why didn't God punish Jacob and his mother for stealing Esau's birthright and blessing (Genesis 27)? In fact, why does He love Jacob and hate Esau (Malachi 1)? 13. 57:53 {About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.} What do you make of the added word “unknown” in 1 Corinthians 14:2-3, which is not in the original Greek? Could it mean that it is not a different sort of tongues, rather, that no one understands them? 14. 1:00:27 {A Difficult Passage – Ezekiel 45} Is Jesus offering sin sacrifices in Ezekiel 45? 15. 1:03:23 {Should we Worship Using Instruments?} Should we use instruments in congregational church worship? Why or why not? The early church did not use instruments. 16. 1:07:54 {What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line} What should I do if a member of my fellowship with some mental issues has been making several false prophecies every day, saying literally "hear me for the lord speaks”? 17. 1:09:27 {Book Recommendations?} What are some good books for important topics like systematic theology, hermeneutics, complementarianism, etc.? 18. 1:11:50 {About the Subordination of the Son} How do you explain the subordination of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:3; 15: 28) to the Father within Trinitarian theology? I explain it via incarnational subordination (Philippians 2:5; Hebrews 29; 5:8). 19. 1:15:14 {Were Any of Jesus’ Bones Broken?} If the nail of a crucified victim was inserted through the heel bone or ankle bone, how should we interpret John 19: 36? Wouldn’t a nail cause the bone to break? 20. 1:19:51 {When to be Kind vs. Aggressive} When trying to be biblically based, how do we know when to be kind, and when to be aggressive?
To get your own questions answered please show up at the start of the stream, type a question beginning with "Q" (or ANQ to ask anonymously), but don't send it before you see me on screen. I can only get to 20 each week so please forgive me for not being able to answer all that come in.
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