Explore every episode of the podcast The MikeCheck Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 57 - Surviving Cancer | 29 May 2025 | 00:26:20 | |
Join Mike as he reflects on the 5 year anniversary of the end of his cancer treatments and discusses 4 key strengths to develop before a major life trial. | |||
| Episode 56 - Listener Questions: Prophecy and Spiritual Gifts | 16 May 2025 | 00:37:27 | |
Join Mike as he answers some listener questions about prophecy and spiritual gifts! | |||
| Episode 50 - Oneness in Marriage (Guest: Melanie Ruel) | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:39:30 | |
Many married couples today live separate lives...yet the Bible defines marriage as "oneness." What does that mean? How do we practically do that? Mike is joined in studio by his lovely wife, Melanie to discuss! | |||
| BONUS - MidWeek - How We Got the Bible? Week 1 | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:55:19 | |
Mike Ruel teaches on the Bible from Highlands Bible Church MidWeek Study. What even is the Bible and what does it claim about itself? | |||
| Episode 49 - Who Am I? What Am I Supposed to be Doing? (Part 2) | 27 Feb 2025 | 00:21:40 | |
Join Mike in Part 2 of what we started back in Episode 47 as he answers the question "HOW" am I supposed to be growing? Show Links:
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| BONUS - MidWeek - Lord's Supper, Part 2 | 24 Feb 2025 | 01:02:38 | |
Part 2 from the Highlands Bible Church MidWeek study on Church Essentials - the Lord's Supper, Part 2. | |||
| Episode 48 - Making Sense of Apocalyptic Texts (Guest: Ryan Boys) | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:52:08 | |
Apocalyptic texts in the Bible can be intimidating and hard to understand. Dr. Ryan Boys has written a helpful new book on on How to Preach Apocalyptic and talks with Mike all about it!
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| Episode 47 - Who Am I and What am I Supposed to be Doing? | 13 Feb 2025 | 00:28:03 | |
Join Mike as he digs into two of the biggest (and most misunderstood) doctrines that answer the questions "Who am I?' and "What am I Supposed to Be Doing?" | |||
| Episode 46 - Trump's "Faith Office" and Paula White | 06 Feb 2025 | 00:25:46 | |
Join Mike as he reviews some of the many recent Executive Orders from President Trump, particularly the new "Faith Office" headed up by "Pastor" Paula White.
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| BONUS: MidWeek Study: Lords Supper, Week 1 | 06 Feb 2025 | 00:59:42 | |
Join Mike Ruel as he teaches on the various approaches and history of the Lord's Supper from the Highlands Bible Church MidWeek service. | |||
| BONUS: Baptism Week 3 - Biblical Basis | 30 Jan 2025 | 01:10:16 | |
Pastor Mike Ruel teaches from the Wednesday night MidWeek Study at Highlands Bible Church on the biblical basis for the three major types of baptism, and when/why to show grace. | |||
| BONUS: Baptism - Historical Overview | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:58:00 | |
Mike Ruel teaches at the Highlands Bible Church MidWeek service focusing on Baptism. | |||
| Epidsode 55 - How to Disagree on Political Issues | 08 May 2025 | 01:03:21 | |
We've all been there...someone...a family member, friend, or even total stranger on Facebook states a political position that is contrary to yours. What do you do? How do we engage? Mike talks with old friend Wes Ehnert. | |||
| Episode 45 - Current Events: Pete Hegseth | 16 Jan 2025 | 00:29:50 | |
In the news this week is the Senate Confirmation hearings for Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. What about that concerns a biblical worldview? Mike walks through some implications.
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| BONUS - What is Baptism and How Do We Study Theology? | 16 Jan 2025 | 00:58:12 | |
Bonus episode! Join Mike as he teaches a MidWeek class at Highlands Bible Church on baptism and theology, Part 1. | |||
| Episode 43 - Bible Highlight (Genesis 15) | 10 Jan 2025 | 00:23:32 | |
As we read through the Bible in 2025, let's look at some highlights!
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| Episode 42 - Twitter Masculinity | 26 Dec 2024 | 00:30:12 | |
What does it mean to be a man? What does Twitter say? What is the Biblical Worldview? Join Mike as he compares Twitter to 1 Kings 2:1-4. | |||
| Episode 40 - Recent News - Penny and Healthcare CEOs | 12 Dec 2024 | 00:26:42 | |
How do we avoid getting sucked into the emotion-driven news cycle? Two very high profile cases have been in the news in recent days - Daniel Penny was declared innocent on all charges stemming from the death of Jordan Neely as he intervened on an NYC subway and a United Health Care CEO was gunned down in cold blood in mid-town Manhattan. What does God's word have to say about such things and also the reaction of the public to each? Join Mike as he works through these topics from a Biblical Worldview. Show Notes - MikeCheck online - https://themikecheckpodcast.com - Highlands online - https://www.highlandsbiblechurch.org - Five-Day Bible Reading Plan - https://www.fivedaybiblereading.com | |||
| Episode 39 - 2024 Reading Wrap-Up and 2025 Goals | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:27:33 | |
As Christians, we not only have privileges but also responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is to grow in not just holiness, but KNOWLEDGE of God. How do we do that? We must read. Join Mike as he reviews his top 6 books of 2024 and challenges us with a plan to read in 2025! Show Notes - MikeCheck online - https://themikecheckpodcast.com - Highlands online - https://www.highlandsbiblechurch.org - 2024 Reading Wrap Up - https://mikeruel.com/2024/12/05/2024-reading-wrap-up/ - ESV Study Bible - https://a.co/d/1ypJ9pN - Reformation Study Bible - https://www.reformationstudybible.com - Five-Day Bible Reading Plan - https://www.fivedaybiblereading.com | |||
| 38 - Classical Christian Education (Guest: Bill Spanjer, Jr.) | 14 Nov 2024 | 00:44:50 | |
Parents are given the responsibility of educating their children, but given today's anti-God culture, many parents are chosing to homeschool or send their kids to Christian schools. Mike is joined by Bill Spanjer, Jr., Head of Schools for Chapel Field Christian School to discuss classical Christian eduction.
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| Episode 37 - Trump Wins?! | 06 Nov 2024 | 00:13:42 | |
Trump wins?! Now what? Join Mike as he gives some quick thoughts to check things biblically... | |||
| Episode 36 - Worshiptainment (Guest: Matthew Everhard) | 29 Oct 2024 | 01:01:05 | |
Show Notes: What is "worshiptainment?" How does it relate to the seeker sensitive mega church philosophy of church? What damage has that done to the church? Mike is joined by Pastor Matthew Everhard as they discuss his new book. A must listen episode!
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| Episode 35: Union with Christ (Guest: Rankin Wilbourne) | 24 Oct 2024 | 00:37:39 | |
What is "union with Christ?" Why is it so important for a Christian to know and understand? Mike is joined by author Rankin Wilbourne and they will dig into this very critical topic! Show Notes:
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| Episode 54 - The Sin of Empathy? | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:26:47 | |
Empathy is a sin now? Is that what Joe Rigney says in his latest book with that same title? Nope. Join Mike as he digs into this controversial question. The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits, Joe Rigney on Amazon. | |||
| Episode 34 - Immigration | 10 Oct 2024 | 00:30:45 | |
How do we Biblically check immigration? What about having compassion on the sojourner? Join Mike as he digs in! Show Links:
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| BONUS: Problems with Christianity Seminar - Session 4 (CUT OFF at end) | 09 Oct 2024 | 00:54:20 | |
Session 4 from the Problems with Christianity apologetics seminar at Highlands Bible Church on October 5, 2024. **NOTE: Due to technical issues, this session is cut off at the end** | |||
| BONUS: Problems with Christianity Seminar - Session 3 | 09 Oct 2024 | 01:03:58 | |
Session 3 from the Problems with Christianity apologetics seminar at Highlands Bible Church on October 5, 2024. | |||
| BONUS: Problems with Christianity Seminar - Session 2 | 09 Oct 2024 | 01:19:24 | |
Session 2 from the Problems with Christianity apologetics seminar at Highlands Bible Church on October 5, 2024. | |||
| BONUS: Problems with Christianity Seminar - Session 1 | 09 Oct 2024 | 00:56:20 | |
Session 1 from the Problems with Christianity apologetics seminar at Highlands Bible Church on October 5, 2024. | |||
| Episode 33 - Covenant Baptism | 26 Sep 2024 | 00:49:55 | |
There are other faithful, Bible-believing churches that baptize babies?! Mike is joined by fellow Pastor Kendall Everett as they talk through Covenant Baptism and Credo Baptism. Show Links:
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| Episode 32 - Bible Translations | 05 Sep 2024 | 00:26:46 | |
Every once in a while we will see a claim that our modern Bibles can't be trusted because thousands of words and many verses have been deliberately removed. Is this true? NO. Join Mike as he digs in...
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| Episode 31 - Evangelicals for Harris? | 22 Aug 2024 | 00:37:37 | |
How are we supposed to Biblically process Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris? What about the "Evangelicals for Harris" group? Join Mike as he digs in and checks the statements of both groups against the Word of God.
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| Episode 30 - Biblically Checking Speaking in Tongues | 15 Aug 2024 | 00:31:06 | |
Listener question - What is the deal with speaking in tongues as we see it today in the modern pentecostal church? Is it Biblical? Join Mike as he digs in... Show Links:
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| Episode 29 - Biblically Checking OT Violence | 01 Aug 2024 | 00:36:03 | |
There are some tough parts of the Bible - perhaps particularly in the Old Testament. How are we to process the violence we find there? Join Mike as he walks through some ways.
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| Episode 53 - The Criticality of the Local Church | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:27:21 | |
How important is the local church? Can a Christian NOT be committed to a local church? Join Mike as he digs in. | |||
| Episode 28 - Biblically Checking the Trump Assasination Attempt | 17 Jul 2024 | 00:29:41 | |
Last Saturday afternoon, a young man attempted to assassinate former President Trump - how do we process this from a Biblical worldview?
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| Episode 27 - Biblically Checking Chronic Illness (Guest: Carinne Evans) | 11 Jul 2024 | 01:24:23 | |
Mike is joined in studio by good friend Carinne Evans, as they dig into a biblical perspective on chronic illness and extended trials. Carinne tells her powerful story and points us to Christ! Show Links:
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| Episode 26 - Biblically Checking Debate Response | 04 Jul 2024 | 00:29:56 | |
Who hasn't watched the debate or watched clips of the debate online...virtually everyone. True, President Biden didn't have a good night, how are we to respond Biblically? Are there any guardrails to put up? Show Links:
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| Episode 25 - Biblically Checking Physical Handicaps (Guest: Rhoda Vreeland) | 21 Jun 2024 | 01:12:28 | |
Many people walk around with a physical handicap, and sometimes others don't even realize it. How do we biblically work through such a trial? Mike welcomes Rhoda Vreeland to the podcast as Rhoda tells her story and they dig into God's Word.Show Links:
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| Episode 24 - Biblically Checking Tragedy | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:27:32 | |
Sudden tragedy is extremely difficult. How can we try to make biblical sense of it all? Join Mike as he talks through some thoughts from God's Word. Show Links:
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| Episode 23 - Theology Thursdays - What is the Church? (Part 1) | 24 May 2024 | 00:30:16 | |
We are all about the "church" - but what IS the church? Is it a building? People? A religion? What does the Bible have to say and does it really matter? YES!
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| Episode 22 - Biblically Checking Christian Nationalism | 09 May 2024 | 00:23:52 | |
What is Christian Nationalism? Isn't that a new way of saying a "MAGA Extremist?" What does the Bible have to say? Join Mike as he briefly digs into this important topic! Show Links: Questions/Feedback? Email us at Mike@TheMikeCheckPodcast.com or TEXT (973) 500-8329 TheMikeCheck Podcast - Website Highlands Bible Church - Website Highlands Bible Church - Facebook | |||
| Episode 21 - Biblically Checking Anti-Israel College Protests | 02 May 2024 | 00:27:32 | |
Student Protests are all over the news. Columbia, UNC, UCLA...even little copy cat protests showing up at smaller schools. How should we think of them from a Biblical worldview? Join Mike as he digs into this topic biblically. Show Links:
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| Episode 20 - Biblically Checking Singleness (Guest: Emily Seely) | 17 Apr 2024 | 00:49:42 | |
Being single can be difficult, especially in a church culture full of happily married people and growing families. How should we look at this from a biblical perspective? Mike is joined in studio by Emily Seely as they talk through this challenging topic together. -- Questions/Feedback? Email us at Mike@TheMikeCheckPodcast.com or TEXT (973) 500-8329 Show Links:TheMikeCheck Podcast - Website Highlands Bible Church - Website Highlands Bible Church - Facebook | |||
| Episode 19 - Biblically Checking "Enough" (Guest: Naomi Mason) | 05 Apr 2024 | 00:59:54 | |
Have you ever felt like you didn't have enough time? Strength? Patience? Money? __________? Join Mike as he talks with author, teacher, and friend Naomi Mason about her book "Enough." Questions/Feedback? Email us at Mike@TheMikeCheckPodcast.com or TEXT (973) 500-8329 Show Links: TheMikeCheck Podcast - Website Highlands Bible Church - Website Highlands Bible Church - Facebook Highlands Bible Church - IG Purchase "Enough" by Naomi Mason on Amazon. | |||
| BONUS - MidWeek: Church Essentials - How We Got the Bible, Part 4 | 31 Mar 2025 | 01:07:12 | |
Join Pastor Mike at the Highlands Bible Church MidWeek study where he finishes up teaching on "How We Got the Bible." This week we focus on the New Testament Canon. | |||
| BONUS Episode 18 - Biblically Checking President Biden's Recent Statements | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:24:01 | |
We have all heard about President Biden's recent statement on the Transgender Day of Visibility which just so happened to correspond to Easter Sunday...but what about his Bible-verse quoting Tweet? What about his Statement on Easter? Join Mike as he tries to put all this together and biblically check the very unbiblical. | |||
| Episode 17 - Biblically Checking Anxiety | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:37:06 | |
Anxiety is a really big thing. We all struggle with it to some degree or another. What does the Bible have to say about it? What makes it sinful? What are some practical ways to deal with it? Join Mike as he talks through all of that and more! Questions/Feedback? Email us at Mike@TheMikeCheckPodcast.com or TEXT (973) 500-8329 Show Links:TheMikeCheck Podcast - Website Highlands Bible Church - Website Highlands Bible Church - Facebook Highlands Bible Church - IG Books Mentioned: | |||
| Episode 16 - Biblically Checking Local Politics (Guest: Jack DeGroot) | 07 Mar 2024 | 00:37:06 | |
Show Notes: Mike joins newly elected Sussex County Commissioner Jack DeGroot in the studio for a conversation about being a commissioner, a Christian, and how to be involved! Questions/Feedback? Email us at Mike@TheMikeCheckPodcast.com or TEXT (973) 500-8329 Show Links: TheMikeCheck Podcast - Website Highlands Bible Church - Website Highlands Bible Church - Facebook | |||
| Episode 15 - Listener Questions! | 22 Feb 2024 | 00:32:06 | |
Show Notes:Join Mike as he answers a few listener questions about voting for Trump, questions about sexual immorality and marriage...and even talks about the SuperBowl - He Gets Us ads, Kelce/Swift...what can possibly go wrong? Questions/Feedback? Email us at Mike@TheMikeCheckPodcast.com or TEXT (973) 500-8329 Show Links: TheMikeCheck Podcast - Website Highlands Bible Church - Website Highlands Bible Church - Facebook | |||