Ask Pastor Mike

We know there’s nothing we can do to earn, buy, or deserve God’s favor. But does that mean we can live as we please? Pastor Mike Fabarez examines what’s behind that question as he unpacks a scriptural understanding of God’s grace.

God is a God of order, and the universe follows His unchanging natural laws. But every so often, God steps in and breaks the very laws He created! Pastor Mike Fabarez applies logic and insight to the very real and biblical evidence for miracles.

You’ve probably faced some tricky questions, like: Is it OK for Christians to drink alcohol? What about gambling? And where and when do you draw the line on worldly enjoyments? Well, thankfully we can Ask Pastor Mike! Work through some uncomfortable “gray” areas with Pastor Mike Fabarez as he provides helpful biblical guidelines for decision-making!

Throughout the Old Testament, a mysterious figure keeps appearing in dramatic ways, speaking with unquestionable authority to God’s people. So, who is he? And why is his presence shrouded in such mystery? Pastor Mike Fabarez answers the question: “Who is the Angel of the Lord?”

Throughout the centuries, so-called prophets have claimed to know a path to spiritual enlightenment. And some of these leaders went on to establish major world religions. So why can’t there be many paths to God? Pastor Mike Fabarez addresses Jesus’ exclusive claim to be “the way, the truth and the life.”

King’s James, English Standard, New American Standard––when it comes to picking out a good Bible, it seems like there’s nothing “standard” about them! Are some versions better than others? Which one’s right for you? Pastor Mike Fabarez explains the differences between several popular, modern versions on this practical and informative edition of Ask Pastor Mike!

No one wants to be accused of being legalistic. It doesn’t sound good. But… just what does it really mean? Pastor Mike Fabarez helps us define “legalism” according to Scripture. Learn how God’s law and God’s grace can peacefully co-exist.

You may not think about Satan very often. Maybe you even avoid mentioning his name. But Scripture warns us not to be ignorant of his plans! Pastor Mike Fabarez answers these important questions: Who is Satan? How does he operate? And what’s his problem with mankind anyway?

We all know that nobody’s perfect! So how can we be sure the imperfect authors and transcribers of Scripture didn’t make mistakes along the way? Pastor Mike Fabarez grapples with this question: Does the Bible really contain the accurate words of God?

Yahweh… Jehovah… Adonai. God has many different titles throughout the Bible. So, what is God’s real name? Join Pastor Mike Fabarez for an insightful conversation about the significance of God’s names and how God wants to be known.

It’s depicted in movies and novels and dismissed by many as a silly superstition. But scripture is clear––the Rapture is coming! Pastor Mike Fabarez sits down for a fascinating conversation about the return of Christ and what we can expect on that day.

We all know from experience that life can be unfair. But how far should we go to demand justice? If Christians are supposed to be loving and forgiving, is it ever okay to sue someone? Pastor Mike Fabarez explains what scripture teaches Christians about using the legal system.

How do you know you’re really saved? Are you sure beyond a shadow of doubt? That’s a question every one of us eventually needs to face. Pastor Mike Fabarez tackles this topic and explains what we need to know about the assurance of salvation.

When a person becomes a Christian, do they enter into a full-access relationship with God? Or do some Christians have the special privilege of a deeper connection? Pastor Mike Fabarez talks about how we relate to God in our Christian experience. The topics are Christian Mysticism and “spiritual formation.”

Kids today have access to a virtual “Pandora’s box” of tech-driven entertainment. And many parents struggle to establish and enforce reasonable limits. Pastor Mike Fabarez and his wife, Carlynn, discuss dating, social media, and videogames, and explain how parents can navigate around the pitfalls of today’s technology.

How can we protect our kids from life’s dangerous pitfalls and still prepare and equip them to handle these challenges on their own? The temptation for many parents is to hover over their children and guard them against any harm. But is it effective? Pastor Mike Fabarez and his wife, Carlynn, talk about the trap of “helicopter parenting.”

We often see celebrity children photographed on social media and dressed up in designer outfits, looking like adorable accessories for their A-list moms and dads. But God’s purpose for children goes far beyond bringing status and attention to their parents. Pastor Mike Fabarez and his wife, Carlynn, discuss the true purpose and calling of parenthood.

We’ve all seen the statistics. It seems like divorce is just as common, even among believers. Pastor Mike Fabarez has a heart-to-heart chat about getting through the heartache of a collapsing marriage. No matter what your marriage looks like today, there’s help and hope!

As followers of Christ, we’re called to reach our world with the gospel. But how can we connect with non-believing friends without being negatively influenced by them? And how do we know if it’s time to break off that relationship? Pastor Mike Fabarez sits down to answer your questions about friendships with non-Christians.

What is the “unpardonable sin?” Is it really possible to cross a point of no return, where it’s too late to repent? Pastor Mike Fabarez tackles these questions and presents a definitive explanation of what it means to “blaspheme the Holy Spirit.”

It was three days from the time Jesus died on the cross to the world-changing events of Easter morning. But where was Christ in between? Pastor Mike Fabarez tackles this intriguing question about where Jesus’ soul was while his body lay in the tomb.

Tithing is an Old Testament method of giving back to God a portion of what He’s generously provided. But does the concept of tithing still apply to Christians today? Pastor Mike Fabarez answers this question and offers valuable wisdom for godly giving.

Someone once said “All parts of the human body get tired eventually–except the tongue.” The Bible says something similar, that the tongue is “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” On this episode of FOCAL POINT, Bible teacher Mike Fabarez takes us to the wisdom of the Proverbs to help us watch what we say!

Maybe you prayed the sinner’s prayer in Sunday school. Or perhaps you were baptized as a child. But does that mean your salvation is secure? Is it possible to lose God’s love and forgiveness? Mike Fabarez answers some weighty questions about perseverance, salvation and eternal security.

When someone has hurt you deeply, it takes time to heal from the wounds. And it’s especially challenging when there’s little remorse! Pastor Mike Fabarez answers a listener’s question about undeserved forgiveness and discusses how to handle offenses in light of the cross.

Many celebrities maintain the illusion of eternal youth through diet, exercise, and maybe a nip-and-tuck here and there. Plastic surgery used to be performed mainly on accident victims or for life-threatening health conditions, but is it right to go under the knife for purely cosmetic reasons? Pastor Mike Fabarez offers a biblical response.

War is a painful reality in our world. But should Christians be willing to join the military? Should believers fight in wars? Pastor Mike Fabarez discusses those relevant questions and looks at Scripture’s instruction on conflict and combat.

With easy online access to Bible teaching, is church attendance still a necessary part of Christian growth? Can’t we keep our faith private and worship at home on Sundays? Pastor Mike Fabarez tackles these important questions on another enlightening edition of Ask Pastor Mike.

There’s heated battle going on between those who believe in divine creation for the origins of life and those who believe in the theory of evolution. But is there any middle ground? Can Christians also be evolutionists? Join Pastor Mike Fabarez for an enlightening conversation on this explosive topic.

Through the ages, countless people have offered their opinions about what hell is or isn’t like. But what God says about hell is what matters most! Pastor Mike Fabarez discusses hell as it’s presented in the Bible and addresses a lot of the questions people continue to wrestle with.

When was the last time you shopped for a new Bible? The choices today are staggering! And it’s not always easy to discover the differences between all the translations. Pastor Mike Fabarez discusses how different versions of the Bible were derived, and he’ll offer guidelines for selecting a Bible that’s right for you.

For decades, terrorists in the Middle East have been making worldwide news. While Islamic extremists only make up a small portion of the world’s Muslim population, their actions have significant implications for Christians everywhere. In this edition of Ask Pastor Mike, Pastor Mike Fabarez helps us think biblically about Islam.

The loss of any life is a terrible tragedy. But the pain is often magnified when a loved one chooses to end their own life. On this episode of FOCAL POINT, we’ll sit down with Mike Fabarez to look for comfort and answers from God’s word on the topic of suicide.

Most people can walk a mile or two without much effort. But running a marathon requires intensive preparation and focus. Pastor Mike Fabarez explains that curbing habitual sins isn’t a walk in the park—it’s a marathon! Learn how to build endurance and break free from crippling sin patterns.

Jesus is preparing a heavenly home for us! But the exact details can seem a little fuzzy. Do you ever wonder what really happens when you die? In this stirring edition of Ask Pastor Mike, we’ll enjoy a tantalizing preview of our heavenly future!

Well, it’s almost a New Year! Time to make those annual resolutions. What’ll it be for you? Lose a few pounds? Take up a new hobby? If you’re game for a few worthwhile ideas, join Mike Fabarez to get some solid, goal-setting advice in this compelling, New Years edition of Ask Pastor Mike.

Do you know what it means to wish someone a “Happy Hanukkah?” Is it just a holiday for Jewish people, or can Christians celebrate it, too? Before you answer that question, hear an enlightening message about the “festival of Lights.” It’s a thought-provoking Hanukkah edition of Ask Pastor Mike.

When days grow shorter and nights grow longer, it’s fun to see festive, twinkling lights dotting the landscape at Christmas. But have you ever wondered how we adopted this tradition? Pastor Mike Fabarez discusses the connection between Christmas lights, Jesus and biblical prophecy.

Two figures dominate the Christmas season: One is the historical person of Jesus. The other, a jolly old toymaker in a red suit. But who exactly was the real Saint Nicholas? Pastor Mike Fabarez helps us separate fact from fiction as we examine Jesus’ birth on this edition of Ask Pastor Mike!

Some people try to ignore it. Others believe it’s just a concept invented by cultural norms and religious dogma. So, is there really such a thing as SIN? Pastor Mike Fabarez talks about the reality of our sin nature and how it affects each and every one of us!