God Wants Me To Be Gay - A Christian Pastor’s Coming Out Story
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Coming out as a gay Christian pastor was one of the most difficult and challenging things I’ve done. It was scary to consider and I didn’t know where to start my research. I had some big questions that I thought I already knew the answers to, I’m so glad I looked into it. Some of those questions were:
Does the Bible condemn homosexuality?
What does God say about gay people?
What does the Bible say about gay people?
Is being gay a sin?
Can you stop being a homosexual?
Can I change my sexuality?
What does the bible say about homosexuality?
Is it okay to be gay?
Can you be a Christian and gay?
Are there gay Christians in the world?
Will I be deceived?
I spent most of my life saying that I was “same-sex attracted” or that I “struggled with my sexuality.” I grew up in the Evangelical church, started out Baptist, became non-denominational, and eventually landed in the charismatic movement. I wasn’t committed to any of these forms of Christianity, they merely served as context for me to wrestle through the supernatural encounters I was experiencing with the Holy Spirit. I’ve always been a very spiritual person, sensitive to spiritual influences and atmospheres. I discovered knowing the Bible and living a spirit-led life were two very different things. I was told at a young age that gay people were going to hell. I didn’t realize there was a whole world of Queer theology out there. It takes a lot to go against your religious tradition. It was the voice of God that inspired me to challenge what I was told the “Word of God” said. There are a lot of hurting people in our world who have questions about their gender, sexual orientation, their natural desires, and if they can belong in the family of God. As a spirit-filled follower of Jesus, I have come to definitively understand that God loves and accepts gay people exactly the way they are, with no caveats or conditions. He was the first affirming voice in my life who accepted me. So I’ve chosen to share my story to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and speak against the toxic theology the church uses to harm our queer family. I hope my story encourages, challenges, and inspires you to honestly consider what love actually is in the world and liberates you from suffocating theology that harms human life and violates the nature of God.
Here are the links mentioned in the video:
Resource page: www.mikemaeshiro.com/lgbtq-re...
Email: contact@mikemaeshiro.com
Numa+: numaplus.com
I can't even formulate the words of graditude I feel towards your bravery in speaking so openly about this Mike. Thank you for being the hands and feet of what love looks like in loving the LGBTQ+ community.
Hey Pastor Mike, I don’t know where to start with the message, but thank you so much for making this video and sharing your experience!!! When I was younger, I didn’t know people would say being gay is a sin until I got older and found out. I then started doing research and learned about the mistranslations in The Bible and the context. I never heard God tell me it was a sin, rather the opposite and similar things He said to you. Lately I’ve been being more me how He made me and have never felt so close to Him!!! I realized the more intimate we became, the more I was being the person He created and at the same time I realized Christians who would say it is a sin would tear us apart. I would have times where I would be crying and believe them, but whenever I asked God about it and seeked Him He would affirm me how it’s not a sin!!! Rather, He would tell me that there is context to those Scriptures people use against gay people and He is not referring to the lgbtq community at all and He would speak through people at my house to affirm me as well!!! Thank you for sharing your story Pastor Mike it has inspired me to share mine and be the person God made me to be!!! God Bless you abundantly!!! ❤️
This story. Thank you for the grace and the bravery. Cried through the entire video.
Ahh, Mike. Discovered your video from Kat Harris’ podcast. I grew up in SBC churches in NC and recently left my church of 10 years bc of my concerns about social rules hurting LGBTQ+ and women. It has been a lonely path, but the Holy Spirit has kept me while figuring out what it means to “be the Church”. I’m so grateful for you and others like you brave enough to speak and lead. Sending you so much love.
YES!!!!! You go, Mike! I am a 52 year old who has been indoctrinated in Christian theology my entire life. Since i was young, I had a longing to know God and to hear his voice, but fear kept me from TRUSTING that voice most of my life. Three years ago, I began a journey of writing what bubbled up from within (LIVING waters… like Jesus told the woman at the well). The voice of LOVE changed my life!!!!! I began to TRUST my Poppa without fear for “Perfect love casts out all fear!” My entire view of “God”, humanity, and the Scriptures has transformed! I loved hearing your story, and I cheer you on! You speak words of love and Truth!! God is love. I could write so much on this topic… Just want to wish you well on your journey! Beautiful story of the love of God!!! Love it!!!
This was incredible and a blessing. Thank you for sharing your personal story, which is moving and inspirational. You are much appreciated.
Thank you for sharing such a multifaceted testimony. In fact, I was so exhausted after hearing all of your yearning, all of your bearing of your soul, and the years of you being unfocused. In fact, this feels like a book out of the Bible…… in contemporary jargon. Blessing on you, my friend, as you minister.
what a beautiful, incredible story. thank you for sharing this w/ the world!!! :D
Thank you so much for this video. I’m a lesbian who is exploring Christianity and have felt convicted of many things. Judging ppl for how they look, practicing witchcraft, pridefulness, but never being gay. Your work means a lot to me. Bless you
Thank you for being so humbled and brave. This wrapped up a series of questions that I had in my mind that I've been seeking answers for I asked intently last night about the real answer. And now I have got it.
As a gay man this is probably the most important video I've watched in years. Thank you ❤
It's a shame he is leading people to destruction by distorting scripture. The fact that you have itching ears to hear what you want to hear doesn't mean the message is honest or grounded in Scripture because it is not.
Not a choice
By
Who wrote the scriptures? If He who wrote the scriptures spoke to you the way He spoke to this person, why would you do anything different than this person did? Also can you take your thoughts to God who wrote the scriptures and tell him how you feel this is a twisting of scripture? I don't want to debate what is God's word with you I just want to say please take your thoughts to God instead of the comments section
I'm glad this is helpful to you and I hope your heart is healed and full
I blieve this video was a God send for me. Thank you so much! It comforted my spirit and I felt like you shared a authentic testimony. Thank you.
I am trying to stay neutral on this topic, and here is my legitimate question: how is being gay a sin, logically?
If you look at other sins, its evident that they cause harm: lying destroys communities, sex before marriage increases risk of spreading disease, violence physically hurts people.
If you tell a liar to stop, they don't want to kill themselves. If you tell a person to wait until marriage, then they get married, sex isn't an issue. Telling someone they shouldn't be violent doesn't cause an identity crisis.
All of this happens when people address homosexuality: people have killed themselves over this issue. My question is: is it that homosexuality is inherently caused by God and is not a sin, or the way we address it as a society is the sin, and we should more gently, kindly address the issue with love? I am ashamed of the way "Christians" have treated homosexuals over the years, but I don't know if I also want to jump on the recent bandwagon that homosexuality is totally okay, and go against what's written in doctrine (if it is correctly translated).
Spoiler alert: it is not in fact correctly translated. No one that speaks the same language as the people that wrote the original manuscript say that it condemns homosexuality. Looking at all the verses that modern theists claim condemn homosexuality, the people that speak the same language as the writers say that all it actually condemns is incest and pedophilia. Just like how theists today are using the verse about how god created man and woman and interpreting that to mean that he's against trans people, theists did all kinds of mental gymnastics to convince people that the Bible spoke out against homosexuality, when in fact the people that wrote it had never heard of homosexuality because it wasn't public knowledge at that time. It's all bs.
This is spot on.
Yes the Bible is right
Love this!! bro you and your team have a lot of work to fix and believe God is going to do some wonderful things through you and the gay community 😀
Im so proud of you Mike! 💜💜💜
Thank you for your story. I saw you interview Tim from the New Evangelicals, and then came to your site. I feel connected when I hear others relating their sacred encounters with the Divine.
I have also been to that place and it was also down. It was also at a desperate time for me. My life changed dramatically at that moment, I knew that I had met Mystery. This was a God that I could truly trust. Almost every day, I am aware of changes seemingly in every cell of my existence.
It was a gift enough to last forever.
You have expressed things which I have not got words for yet.
Absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much!
I'm so glad you shared this. What a journey in faith.
I’ve been through many similar moments growing up and getting to know who I am and where I stand with God and as another gay man who loves Jesus I want to say THANK YOU for your yes and for going through your journey and allowing that to be such a blessing to all of us
Thank you for being so kind and brave to speak your experiences. Thank you for your vulnerability. ♥️
Wow so powerful ❤❤❤ So proud of your story & unique expression of God in flesh 🔥🔥 thanks for sharing
Thank you, for sharing your story, especially for sharing that you went through inner healing sessions and God did not change your orientation. I find it interesting that Jesus mentioned the Eunuchs belonging to one of three categories. Your story is very encouraging.
Hi Mike. I'm really proud of you and what you're doing, and I don't even consider myself a Christian anymore. Despite that, I really like it all. I watched the whole video and it really got me thinking about our time at church in high school, and what I was taught by my parents and by the church my whole damn life. I know I was bigoted growing up; I was taught all of that. And as a heterosexual guy, taught how "gross" and "sinful" being gay was, I'm sure I did a really bad job of loving that community of closeted gay people around me. I was not a person someone could be honest with, and that breaks my heart. I'm sorry for that. I own that. I've learned a lot since then; I've rejected a lot since then. I love you, and I'm excited for what you're going to do. If you're ever in Austin, reach out. And when I'm in Nashville again (I miss that city!), I'll do the same.
Hey man! Great to hear from you! :) thank you for your kind message. I hope we get to connect some time.
Thank you. I know we don't know each other but thank you for this comment.
thank you so so much for sharing your story I have had somethings with God over the years with the lord affirming me and the LGBTQ people i've been in tears almost this whole video I truly can feel the holy ghost pouring out as you were sharing
Praying for you, hope God heals all the brokeness you went through.
Thank you for sharing this. I needed to hear it. I’m so excited for what God has done and is doing in your life
Wow!!! This is the best thing I have seen in a long time. I pray God will manifest His love though each one of you to this very precious group of people. I pray also that God will bring that special person into your life so that not only will you be allowed to love whom God wants you to love but also that you will be a full example of Gods' love and acceptance of the LGBTQ+. This message has made my spirit rejoice inside me.
I just shared this with my followers, family, and friends!!! Thank you!!
Wonderfully authentic as usual. ❤ You are extremely trustworthy, and I honor you and your experience. So much love to you, Mike. And so many blessings on your journey! 😘
MIKE!! God Bless You! Thank you for your extreme vulnerability in sharing your story and your experience and your knowledge of God and his love for ALL People! It's obvious this has not been a flippant or easy walk and I praise you for Stepping Out and Standing Up for God's True Heart! Bless you and Love you my friend! #freedomandloveforall
As a trans woman christian I relate so much with your journey. Thank you
Thanks for sharing your story. Maybe you can create another video explaining the context about those 6 passages in the bible. I just subscribed.
Ok.. We don't know each other personally, although we have many friends in common as I spent 3 years in the same school with you. Honestly, I was super offended when I read the title of your video but I listened to the whole thing WITHOUT judgement and had an open mind. I'm assuming you're open to honest feedback and questions about your testimony? If so, I have a few. First of all, no one can negate your experiences with the Holy Spirit, I've had my own. They are Holy and not everyone will understand. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing, I honor that.
question : Do you believe that marriage between a man and a woman represents Christ and His Bride? If so where does marriage between two men fit into that dichotomy? You said that you value the words of the person of the Holy Spirit above the Bible, do you believe Jesus is the living word of God and if so, do you believe he contradicts Himself? When Jesus reveals Himself to you does He reveal the meaning of scripture to you while doing so? Where do people who feel sexually attracted to children fit into this? Why do you use the secular use of the rainbow to represent gay-pride personally in your coming out post? Do you believe the symbol of the rainbow was a promise God made under the Noahic covenant to never flood the earth again?
I am not being mean, I really want to know more, this video left me super confused and feeling very protective over the church. I grew up in a very religious cult, Jesus saved me when I was 18. He pursued me as a Bridegroom and called me to beautify the bride and prepare her for His return. I have this thing in me that loves the whole church, messy as she is and a lot of the words you spoke were so harsh and gossipy honestly. It's feels like you're throwing the church under the bus to validate your pain, that doesn't feel fair.
I sincerely hope you made this video to have discussions and heartfelt dialog. We'll see if there is fruit! Thats how we judge spiritual things right? By the fruit it produces. SINCERELY praying for your journey, you have a lot of responsibility right now. Praying for discernment of what you hear but more importantly discernment for the ppl who are listening to you.
The bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. When it was translated in English a court hearing was made to change many words in the bible.
Leviticus 20:13 “If a man also lies with a male, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination”. Now the reason why it doesn’t say man shall not lay with man is because of a mistranslation.
The original text was “man shall lie with boy”. This would mean pedophilia not homosexuality as a group but instead rape/incest.
I’m sure you have also probably read in the Bible about Sodom and Gomorrah. That part about the Bible talks a lot about sodomites and in that portion of the bible, the sin that sodom committed wasn’t homosexuality.
The sin was the raping of God's angels. The Sodomites also did stuff like murder and excessive drinking.
The sin was in the rape not in the sexuality itself. Today's definition of sodom is different from back in that time. Back then Sodimites were also prostitutes.
Now The first time the word “homosexual” appeared in any bible was in the Revised Standard Version (RSV) published on February 11, 1946.
In the RSV’s translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9, the word “homosexual” was used in lieu of the Greek words “malakoi” and “arsenokoitai.” Researchers agree today these words translate loosely to “effeminacy,” and “pervert,” or “sexual pervert.”
The decision to use the word “homosexual” instead of the accurate translations was voted on by the RSV committee.
1946 explores how this mistranslation ignited the anti-gay movement within American conservative Christians. You're probably thinking what does the past and translation have to do with now. Well, you can’t really make a rebuttal when your sources are wrong and biased. If you want a real translation read a bible directly translated from the Greek or Hebrew version.
I wanted to add one more comment to the previous, as I've been giving this post and Mikes heart a lot of heartfelt consideration. When Jesus called me (we only come if we're called), he pursued me. He would wake me up in the middle of the night and He would show me how to enter into the holiest of holies by ministering to Him. Then we would sit in the living room, I would read the Bible and He would reveal secrets, He loves to share secrets with His friends. Sometimes when I would spend time with Him he would say something I've never read or heard and then I would read it later in the Bible, it would blow my mind. There is more to my testimony but all this to say, the Jesus that revealed Himself to me revealed Himself in Spirit and in TRUTH, they go hand in hand. Anyone who says they listen to the Holy Spirit and not the Bible is going to be deceived. And worse, deceive others. I love Jesus, I love His Bride and I'm sincerely asking the people engaged on this post to seek God's word to discern if something is truly spiritual, or you will be deceived!!! God says His ppl perish for lack of knowledge. This is less about homosexuality than it is about following erroneous teaching to me. Hate me if you want but I'm only putting myself out there on a public post (which is bad for our mental health, admit it) because I LOVE Jesus's Bride and I want Him to have His full reward. Praying for you Mike, its easy to see you're hurting and I can't imagine struggling with the things you have and I'm truly compassionate for your feelings. But be careful, you are going to mislead ppl and keep them from their own deliverance if you are deceived.
@@jupiterrising887 your funny "monkey logic". well, it's the truth you don't have to like it. Its been proven they literally had a court case about it
@@jupiterrising887 Abraham married his half-sister Mary and God blessed their union. Does that sound natural to you.
@@jupiterrising887 that doesn't change the fact that she was once his sister
Thank you so much for sharing!
Hey Mike! I was wondering, would you be willing to make a video going into the six verses you had mentioned and why you don’t feel like they apply to homosexual ppl? I feel like it would bring a lot of clarity.
There are already a lot of resources pertaining to the clobber passages. I would recommend Matt Vines and the reformation project.
REALLY WELL DONE, my friend!!!!
Congratulations! So proud of you! Love you!
This is so powerful and beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing and being so open! I am so encouraged!
Love you Mike, proud of you, excited for your being reconciled to this aspect of yourself 💯 I'm rooting for you
Love love love you Mike! Thanks for your story!
Wow, Mike. This is absolutely incredible and vulnerable and beautiful. Thank you for being so open. Thank you for showing what Love truly is. You are a gift. We love you... God loves you. Thank you
That's just it he wasn't open... he was taking people's money, trading on a church name that is against this all the while reading up on and planning his big coming out parade. He deceived a lot of people, but most of all he's now deceiving himself.
Thank you for your authenticity!!
God spoke to me through this video. The words you said, He has been speaking to me for years and has showed me time and time again the truth. But somewhere along the way I always forget what He has told me. This video helped me tear down my defenses again and let myself hear Him. Thank you for sharing your story and I just want you to know it will forever be a bookmark in my story. And I will not forget again.
Wow! I‘m so impressed! Tears were coming to my eyes while listening to your testimony 😢😢 I can’t describe my feelings. God bless you Mike 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 would be so nice to know more about you. I can imagine the struggles you went through. Hope to have more news about you
Mike! You are a brave, brave man! And my love and respect has only grown. Even if my mind can't absorb and comprehend the depth of your journey; it is rare to find people as committed as you have been to courageously embrace the process of walking in the light. You will surely feel the sword of accusation more than ever... but know... there are many of us who embrace your humanity with loving, childlike simplicity... which is the same way we embrace our own. I accept you... and believe in your integrity. Because of this, I trust that you will continue to move toward Jesus even in this tremendous upheaval that most of us will never come close to experiencing. May your travels through this stage of your life be interrupted continually with the joy of your first love, Jesus Christ. Jeff Tarbill
Crying along with you Mike ❤️ It's all about love. When we're able to transcend the written word and see through the eyes of Love and Spirit, you finally know the TRUTH. God will wreck our minds when we truly comprehend how much He loves us.
I was a fierce Christian when i realized my transformation suddenly seemed to stop and i didn't know why. I realized it's because the doctrines i lived by didnt allow me to love people ALL THE WAY. I can only love them enough to want them to be saved. Saved from what? When i began seeing through the eyes of Love, sacred cows started coming down. Sin, hell, salvation...etc. deconstruction happens to make way for reconstruction. The new wine skin will scandalize the church. They think they're already in it. Religious spirit is the most sneaky coz you never really know you have it.
loved this!
As a fellow sharer in the sufferings of those afflicted with unwanted same-sex desires, I have learned the following:
God has never asked anyone to wait for an absence of temptation in order to obey him. And also, any temptation which God has allowed to remain after union with him is to be endured, not embraced.
Oh Mike. I am so thrilled for you. I am overjoyed and celebrate with you! Undoing indoctrination of man and reaffirming the true unconditional love of God!!! Hallelujah
@@jupiterrising887 are you proud of the condemnation you cast upon others? Where is the fruit of YOUR spirit?
Thank you, stay faithful and you already have been so faithful, we need you. We need someone who knows his true nature and can lead his people. We ALL need our Savior close in our lives or we will lose our eternal inheritance. Thank you so much! 😢
Tysm for sharing your testimony. I myself, am a Bisexual Christian and I know deep down inside that if I fall in love with a woman that it is not wrong for me to be in a relationship with said woman. But the church makes me doubt this time and time again EVEN if I know this is what god wanted for me. But this video will definitely help me and others like me to feel less alone and guilty and bad and shamed for being gay. I can’t not put into words how much this video means to me. Ty so so so much.
Thank you for sharing
This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story.
I love you, Mike. You’ve always held a place in my heart. Thank you for your honesty. This was beautiful. I’m happy you’re you. ❤️
Your ending made me wanna scream “GO OFF” - my heart, Mike. Wow! Thank you for this.
Do you know that the "church" people lied to you about the Bible and how Billy Graham changed it? Yes, it's important to know God loves you and that you love God. But, you can't enter through the narrow gate unless you know Truth. The Truth will set you free. Eunuchs that are born that way are transgender. Eunuchs made that way by others were molested, raped, or abused and something inside of them blocks off a certain type of body but it doesn't happen to everyone that is abused. And those that choose to live like Eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven are bisexual people that choose partners of the same sex-characteristics, but opposite in regards to gender. Male or female is determined by gender located in your brain, designated by God, at birth. Transgender people still have one gender or the other but opposite of their sex characteristics. Notice, it says for the SAKE of THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN and that means God prefers for people to be in LGBT relationships. The last are now first and the first are now last. Do you see it yet? Anyone that ever taught the LIE of monetary tithing or sold anything using the gospel and won't repent and stop and also give the money back is now last and they won't make it to heaven until they own up and repent. The LGBT community is now first. God has this planned. Stay out of the fake Bibles. Any book full of lies is actually a sorcery book. It has been altered more than you think and God says Her laws are written on our hearts in the end times so we don't need that sorcery book anyhow! So, if you're going to read the Bible, be careful!
Delete the messages sent from the messenger and YOU CHOOSE to reject Jesus Christ Himself and you will NOT make it to heaven.*
@@elijahreincarnated8218 @Elijah Reincarnated there were many people who had their sexual parts cut off or sewn up etc… at that time. It was a common practice, sadly, at that time. I think that is important to mention as well.
THANK YOUUUU!!
💯 here for this and here for you.
Thank you for your personal and profound testimony! The steps of a good man are truly ordered by the Lord. Excited to see more hearts and minds changed by His radical love. 💞
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For
who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:33-36
Mike you are precious and brave. Good for you for following Jesus even though it’s hard. About three years ago, the Holy Spirit led me to “Love is an Orientation “ by AndrewMarin, after I had a crisis of faith over this issue. I would appreciate your prayers for me, I want to walk in His will.
Thank you for this video.
Hi. Thank you so much for your honesty. I was dragged up in Christianity. However I've always loved the lord. My daughter is pro lbt etc. And I love and accept her, and this always sat poorly with me. Thank you. You've helped so much
I’m here for this. Thank you 🙏🏼
I've been following you for like four years....been waiting for you to come out. I know you don't know me but I am so freaking proud of you.
Yesss😭😭😭💜💜💜🌈
Do you know that the "church" people lied to you about the Bible and how Billy Graham changed it? Yes, it's important to know God loves you and that you love God. But, you can't enter through the narrow gate unless you know Truth. The Truth will set you free. Eunuchs that are born that way are transgender. Eunuchs made that way by others were molested, raped, or abused and something inside of them blocks off a certain type of body but it doesn't happen to everyone that is abused. And those that choose to live like Eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven are bisexual people that choose partners of the same sex-characteristics, but opposite in regards to gender. Male or female is determined by gender located in your brain, designated by God, at birth. Transgender people still have one gender or the other but opposite of their sex characteristics. Notice, it says for the SAKE of THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN and that means God prefers for people to be in LGBT relationships. The last are now first and the first are now last. Do you see it yet? Anyone that ever taught the LIE of monetary tithing or sold anything using the gospel and won't repent and stop and also give the money back is now last and they won't make it to heaven until they own up and repent. The LGBT community is now first. God has this planned. Stay out of the fake Bibles. Any book full of lies is actually a sorcery book. It has been altered more than you think and God says Her laws are written on our hearts in the end times so we don't need that sorcery book anyhow! So, if you're going to read the Bible, be careful!
Delete the messages sent from the messenger and YOU CHOOSE to reject Jesus Christ Himself and you will NOT make it to heaven.*
I could feel God all over this testimony… This was beautiful & brave. This queer, Jesus-loving woman stands with you in love & solidarity.
1 Cor: 6:9-11 Know ye not that the un-righteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not decieved, neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified , but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
THANK YOU!!!!! May your passionate support and LOVE for the LGBTQ+ community not only save lives but also remove the scales of lies off the eyes and heart the evangelical church. I am no longer a christian but your testimony gives me hope for those who still are in the church...hiding or hating.
This is important. ✨
wow im speechless. Thank you.
I see myself in you, I remember crying at night in my bed wishing I was dead, and crying even more knowing even dying wouldn't set me free. I was trapped, and these days I still feel trapped but not the same way. Doubt keeps coming back, whispering that everything I fight for is a lie and I am an agent of the devil without realizing it. But then I find people like you and others, I see that all I try to give is love and understanding, that I try to fight for people like us that are condemmed for being born this way. But then I also realize how my life was much more simple when I never tried fighting for it, staying far from the bible even though I love Christ and want to follow his steps. It reminded me how our lives are easier when we actually do not try to be more like him. It is when we want to do good and follow God's principle that the enemy fights for us to give up again because otherwise he has lost. I will not go as far as quotin how sometimes he comes as an angel of light for that would be a huge accusation, but rather I would say like you said it's about research and not taking the words for only what they are. I don't remember the verse but I know there is a passage in the scripture than encourages us to be critical and not to follow blindly. On a more human level I cannot imagine how literally millions how people are supposed to experience the same miracle of God turning them straight just to glorify his power like so many tend to say. It just makes no sense. I think most believe we are trying to corrupt and twist everything starting with acceptiong gay christians. But it's not the case, we are just trying to open their eyes on the fact we are loved, we are meant to do something more, and we are not us anymore if we change. I am starting to realize how different my life would be if I hadn't accepted myself, the good I would not have experienced, the people I wouldn't know now. It feels like they believe we can't be or do good and be gay at the same time. And it's a really weird fixation to me too, that people living their lives want to ruin others so bad, when it gives them nothing, except a feeling of "superiority" or "purity". That feels wrong. I may not have experienced God like you did, but I know he speaks to us in ways mwe understand. But I also knw that my tears and the love I felt through you as I listen to your story and that of others isn't fake or "provoked" by something else. I want the world to feel that love, I want them to see the world through Jesus' eyes and heart. When I am alone in nature I see God in his creation and I feel welcome, I see his actions through people around me even if they do not realize it. Why do we humans try so hard to define him and put him in a specific box and deny everyone's feeling and testimony about him is beyond me. I know I am not perfect, I will never be. I will always try to be a better me and keep my eyes open just like my ears. The fact it's hard doesn't mean it's not right. On the contrary. I will never abandon God just like he never abandoned me. Even when I was stupid and did things I regret now. Why would he abandon me and wait for me to change ? I abandon him, just like you I listen to what I want to hear and live in fear, a fear that prevents me from connecting with him truly. I know what my cross is, even if I sometimes forget. It's not being gay, not at all. It's doubt. Doubting him, doubting what I feel, what I hear, or not hear for that matter. It always feel so daunting when I hear pastor begin a sentence saying "I need to talk about something wrong in our society" and feeling like a finger is pointed at me. I just want to run away, like I have something to hide, or that I am a criminal. I will never say I am a good Christian, nor that I have only done good. Buy my experiences with people and their testimony of me is not my doing. I do not make them say I am a good person, I am just grateful they did. I am not doing anything "wrong" (As in to others, like I said I made mistakes and regret things) but I feel like I am a criminal for trying to be who I am. It's funny in a way too, how I realized the more I suppress my "gayness" the less "me" I feel and the less good I become. Even with people I enjoy. I lie, dodge questions, and try to flee again. I do not want to anymore. I am not a mistake, my legacy is not to be "an example of the grace of God". I will do good, stay as true to the way Jesus lived as it is exactly what we are meant to do. I know one day I wil see him and thank him for never giving up on me. And if he permits hug him, as silly as it sounds. But I would hug my brother on earth, why not hug my big brother in heaven too. Are we not God's children too after all ?
Sorry for the long comment, but the tears felt good.
Also, nice moustache my friend, God bless you. (Sorry if I missed some mistakes)
Literally every single Christian struggles and battles against sexual temptation and the guilt and shame that this can cause at some point in their life. Christians do not hate homosexuals or anyone for that matter, yet it's precisely becuase of God's love that we teach God's purposes for humanity in sexuality, which is one man and one woman in a lifelong covenant relationship that reflects the heart of the Gospel or a life of chaste singleness which is also an important calling from God.
However, if someone is trying to teach something that directly violates God's word based on personal "revelation" no matter how emotionally convincing it sounds falls into the category of a false teacher.
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions"
I think what he’s getting at is that it isn’t a direct violation of God’s Word. It can be argued that the translations and interpretation that lend themselves to the condemnation of homosexuality may be false teaching, to suit the passions of those in power. Differences tend to put people on the fringes and the margins, to heartbreakingly push them out to accommodate our comfort zone. We fear them. It’s a very human thing to do. We demonstrated that with what was done with Jesus. I believe the church has twisted scripture to capitalize upon shutting out the “outsider”, in this case, the sexual minority, because it just doesn’t “sit right” with us. Jesus’s lowly status did not “sit right” with many of the Pharisees. Neither did his miracles, his message. They believed that they were doing right, that there were holding God’s Scriptures as paramount. But they were living by the letter of the law, which is written with human hands, and not by the Spirit of it. His words did not find a place in them because they had very entrenched and steadfast, scripture-informed theology about who the Messiah would be. Is God saying what we really think He is saying? Or has the message been convoluted by human hands? This is a question of utmost importance. We cannot ascribe things to God that are not of Him…
Amen
@@shelbyguizar9036
You are unfortunately under a strong spiritual delusion. The Scripture clearly teaches against homosexuality and all forms of sexual sin in both the
Old and New testament. Jesus and His Church welcomes the outsider, and also call them to repent of their sins. God's grace is free, but also transformative it does not allow us to remain in our sin, but to be progressively conformed to Jesus Christ.
He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Matthew 19:4-6 NRSV
bible.com/bible/2016/mat.19.4-6.NRSV
@@shelbyguizar9036, if you haven't done any study on this subject and would like to look at what the Bible actually says, check out a few videos by Dr Michael Brown. His teachings aren't based on translations but the original Hebrew and Greek as he is a scholar.
@@racheljohnson7777 Just wanted to point out that the "translations" come from the original hebrew/greek as translated by scholars as well. I'm not saying anything about Michael Brown having his "translation" of the text right or wrong - just pointing out it's the same thing - except the Bible translations are group/committee of scholars, not just a single person.
Broken kid here, THANK YOU MIKE!You helped me want to be alive when I was in the dark. Reaching out to me in high school and taking me in made a huge impact in my life. I’m crying happy tears for you. Much love on your new journey ❤️ you deserve so so soooo much love!
This is so incredible Mike. I don’t really even have the words. I’m ridiculously proud of you. One of the biggest reasons I left the church was because of its stand on lgbtq+. I left feeling disappointed and heart broken at the disconnect between the Jesus I had always known and the Church I had experienced. I haven’t really been back since school ended. This video really gave me hope for the church that I haven’t had in a very, very long time. I cut most all ties that I had remaining in Redding, but every memory I had of our car ride conversations were a bright spot in my memory of my time there and I kept following you all of these years because of that. I never would have known what you were going through, and I’m so sorry for how much it must have hurt to live those experiences. Your heart has always been very clearly sincere and kind and genuine, and I’m just so overwhelmingly happy to see you fully embracing who you’re meant to be and walking in that. Thank you, and your team for doing this. I’m really overwhelmed with hope.
Carissa, I love your comment! Unfortunately it reflects the fact that we see people leaving the church in droves these days. The Church is not doing its homework on this topic, thus misinterpreting these passages in a way that has caused much damage. My prayer is that God will reveal the truth! God bless you!
This is Canaan’s mom and I just want to hug you tight! So proud of you! Keep spreading the love!
Thank you Mike, so grateful for this for the LGBTQ+ Christian community. This video will save and help so many so thank you for sharing 🤗
Thank you for your beautiful testimony ❤️🥰🙏🏾 Much love and appreciation brother ❤️ God bless
BTW Brenda from God is Grey brought me here ☺️ ....Scratch that the Lord brought me here through Brenda🤗
Your story is beautiful. Anytime God speaks, and His child listens is beautiful.
Your story, every word of it, all that came to me is Proverbs 3:5-
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will guide your steps.
He wants you to trust Him, Mike.
I'm gay too, but I am first His child. I seek Him. So that is pervasive.
And that's all He wants from me. Nothing more.
It's His first commandment.
May God bless you !! And all that you do in His name.
"I too was in my living room and have experienced moments recalling my past where things just didn't seem "normal" when I realized God does have His plan. 59 years of life and I could go on sharing those noments, but will refrain from stealing your moment. However, I will share a similar moment you also experienced about being "people". The voice in my head spoke to me on understanding who I really was. To stop labeling ourselves as man or woman and realize WE ARE FIRST ALL HUMANS before labeling ourselves as man/woman, gay/straight, black/white. Today, having put GOD first in my life, allows me to see God's work still in progress. And I agree, God/the Holy Spirit doesn't exclude his children in no way or form. How can people accept changes in history and in society yet not be open to the possibility that what was going on over thousands of years ago (even before Christ) condoning homosexuality can no longer exist?
Thank you for your story
Unpopular opinion: I personally had to leave church. I was high one night and I realized that God was real. I still don't want to go back to church, but I do feel like I am more aware of God. Not like he aproves my behavior, while I'm high and stuff, but i have finally met them. I always studied, never knew
Love Love Love!
The first time i literally felt Gods love was when i realized that anything we do pales in comparison to His love. Can we love like that? What would it be like if i could love you with a fraction of that love and if you were to act the same way. Nothing you do could ever seperate you from that love. Nothing ever. How bold is it to say God loves me as i am not as i could be. Boldy come to God as say I am xxxx and You love me fully as I am
THIS IS THE BEST STORY I'VE HEARD ALL YEAR AND I'M SO HAPPY😭🌈🌈💜💜💜
Also, the amount of men I know who have done sexual things when they were boys with other boys is quite high and they hadn’t ever really told anyone either. Also, separately, the amount of men I know who have sexual trauma who also haven’t ever told anyone is quite high. I would love to start something someday with someone to create a space or narrative so that men can come forward and have a place for this to come out.
Anyways, thanks for sharing this story. It is so so important.
This really feels holy… wow… You just opened your heart so wide with such a tender honesty.. wow.. Thank you for your courage to love and honor Him. I just can’t do anything else but be inspired about how you follow God and embrace your own journey and intimacy with Him. It’s not even a matter of being right or wrong, what a BEAUTIFUL and honest approach to life, I’m deeply touched. I will definitely make my own research as well and honor your advocacy on this topic.
Hi dear. Fellow Christ-ian here. Jesus lovingly said: "If any, man desires to follow me, let Him DENY Himself, take up His Cross, and follow me. Anyone who does not deny Himself and pick up His Cross is not worthy of me."
Jesus, during His final moments on Earth (physically) said: Father, let this cup pass from Me, BUT NEVERTHELESS, NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR will be Done.
Also, the Bible says: " No temptation has come upon you ,that is uncommon to man" Do you know 1 Peter 5 :6 That says "Resist the devil, and He will flee"
Also: "1 Peter 1: Be ye Holy, just as I am Holy" or "Be ye Perfect, just as I am perfect"
I'd take any communication if you have time, not for what I haveto say to you, other than a reminder of the word, but what you would have to share with me. Ty for your time
You can email me at contact@mikemaeshiro.com
Ty I will.
Thank you so much!
I am sincerely curious what you think about the people that have an exact opposite testimony from you? That they are convinced that God lead them out of the lifestyle and said to them that homosexuality is a sin? Because both things cannot be true at the same time, how do we deal with that?
Legit. Can you provide the opposite testimony? I want to watch those too.
@@CherubEros I personally know people with the opposite testimony, and I have the sincere question what we do with that? Because both cannot be true at the same time, and I strugle to take a stance in this subject. I put some links down with opposite testimonies:
ruclips.net/video/1mc-2NIj_uw/видео.htmlsi=5OlSZblriSk3Apse
ruclips.net/video/CNSrBGUIQQc/видео.htmlsi=j4WQbiBypqoPG8VH
@@mnoorlander9205 thank you 💗
@@mnoorlander9205 So I’ve watched the first one, and tho they both wanted it, they both had their hesitation. God saw this and their future and wept for them. This is my interpretation, and I DO NOT speak for God. So I’ll let God speak for himself, but that’s what it looks like to me.
@@mnoorlander9205 saw the second one and… [redacted] …so, that guy was partying up and living his life without God, where as Mike has loved GOD his whole life. One was a slave to sin, the other walked with God, probably tripped a few times. One has to master himself still and yet be slave to God, the other already is a slave to God and has mastered. That’s my guess. I’m going to be following Mike, and tho I should not judge him, if God is using him, we’d only have to look.
No saying his name as a curse is a sin also.
I did not write this but the Holy Spirit brought me to this and I would like to share this with you so that it can encourage you. "Some of the most spiritually gifted people of GOD that I know are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender Christians. The persecution they have endured at the hands of their own Christian brothers and sisters has had two predominant effects: they are pushed away from the church and GOD, or they are forced closer to him. In the closeness, that is often in isolation, they have developed an intimacy that is enviable. In my toughest times, I default to a full-body lean on GOD. Imagine a sustained closeness, a life-dependence-survival stance and the resultant communion". That is the hidden blessing.
Hey Mike! Thank you for being so open and honest . God is raising up many gay christian men in such a pure spirit and heart . I believe its our generation of christian gay mens’ purpose to be in the world right now. He has raised us up in his love ..so we can show it to the world like no other time.
Hi dear. Fellow Christ-ian here. Jesus lovingly said: "If any, man desires to follow me, let Him DENY Himself, take up His Cross, and follow me. Anyone who does not deny Himself and pick up His Cross is not worthy of me."
Jesus, during His final moments on Earth (physically) said: Father, let this cup pass from Me, BUT NEVERTHELESS, NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR will be Done.
Also, the Bible says: " No temptation has come upon you ,that is uncommon to man" Do you know 1 Peter 5 :6 That says "Resist the devil, and He will flee"
Also: "1 Peter 1: Be ye Holy, just as I am Holy" or "Be ye Perfect, just as I am perfect"
Blessings to you! Thank you for sharing your story.
So, I've never experienced anything like what you've described. I'm a trans woman who is a distant Christian at best. I've been told that being myself is wrong, by the majority of my family, but every chance I am able to express myself as a female, I'm at peace and happy.
Have you tried UCC church? They are open minded!
Yes yes mike!!! I am so excited and happy for you! Your testimony is 🎉 and powerful! Can’t wait to see what you do next. God loves Her LGBTQ+ babies!
"Her" bahhahahahahahaha
Hi dear. Fellow Christ-ian here. Jesus lovingly said: "If any, man desires to follow me, let Him DENY Himself, take up His Cross, and follow me. Anyone who does not deny Himself and pick up His Cross is not worthy of me."
Jesus, during His final moments on Earth (physically) said: Father, let this cup pass from Me, BUT NEVERTHELESS, NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR will be Done.
Also, the Bible says: " No temptation has come upon you ,that is uncommon to man" Do you know 1 Peter 5 :6 That says "Resist the devil, and He will flee"
Also: "1 Peter 1: Be ye Holy, just as I am Holy" or "Be ye Perfect, just as I am perfect"
Good for you!!
I'm not religious. But you do what you feel is right for you. Don't worry about those who think you're wrong or you won't get to your heaven. Those people hold no sway with you or their own God to tell you whether you're right or wrong in your quest for truth in your life. They are upset because they can't do anything to stop you. Every single religious person has their own view of how the texts are written. Why do you think there is constant disagreements with those who are full believers? Nobody can tell you what your God wants
I'm coming out of a dark place and it's led me here so i do not say this with hate in my heart but general curiosity, why does he call God "a person"?
This gives me hope for the church. Thank you. I needed that.
Thank you pastor mike for your video It was very informative, very uplifting with a side of confusion.
But hopefully.
The one seed that needs to be planted and grow is the fact you should not judge a book. By its cover, we're all the same and all deserve love and we all are expected to give love. Never.
In the definition of love was there a description of who we should love and not love? A black man, a white woman, a gay man, a straight man. That's just the cover. The ones that judge are the same on the inside as the ones they're judging The shell just looks a little different.
We need to learn to spread love.
And not judgment.
Thank you for telling your Story! ❤
I felt a sick pit in my stomach every time you spoke about God and what God was saying to you. How you described God speaking to you is how the enemy speaks. When you spoke about how you shouldn’t have asked for prayer it reminded me about how Satan would love nothing more than to keep us on an island, all alone. Of course he would make you think that you shouldn’t have asked for prayer, when we pray, things happen. You spoke of multiple spiritual experiences and that also was unsettling. When we rely too heavily on experiences rather than His written word, that leaves so much room for error. Does the spiritual experience match up to what the Bible says?
My other questions are 1. What do the scriptures say about homosexuality?
2. What does the Bible say about prayer?
3.What does the Bible say about relying too heavily on “spiritual experiences”? 4.Should we rely on other people’s opinions over what the Bible says? 5. What does the word say about being a teacher?
We all have sin and we are all guilty but I personally believe that God will never allow us to accept our sin. He is always walking with us as we learn from Him to choose a righteous life.
I think when we judge others experiences with God then we step into the spirit of religion and end up acting out of the spirit of the Pharisees. We cannot judge someone’s experiences with the Lord. We are not on their journey or have the same history with God that they do.
lOVED THIS. As a gay christian man, in the closet, suffering so much. how or where can I get some help from you guys?
@Glenn Ryan it's a horrible place. I should know. How are you coping?
@Glenn Ryan I'm single, actually always have been single. I've had sexual encounters here and there but they lee nowhere. I honestly can not concive it as not sinful, which causes me more struggle, but I see your point and I support you. Hope you keep happy.
@Glenn Ryan I can feel your struggle. If you ever need to talk, I'm a good listener. Take care.
@Glenn Ryan I know. Same here too. If you want, give me your email and we can correspond when we need to vent.
@@elvist2810 Becket Cook is a born again Christian and has a lot of good videos with his story of living for 20 years as a gay man in Hollywood
ruclips.net/video/8do7KS_G1PU/видео.html