Question #1:
Dear Teacher,
That is really troubling, but I have also been rejoicing and thanking
our Lord for His deliverance. He is the One that rained food down from
the sky for more than a million people in the desert and also brought
fresh water out of a rock in the same desert for that multitude too, so
the impossible is nothing to Him. I have watched from a distance the
contraction of the kind of education that you provide in the humanities.
It is insane that such things are getting lost. It reminds me of part of
a show I saw some years back (don't even remember the show) where the
British tribes were rediscovering the artifacts of the Roman Empire and
realising what they had lost in terms of culture and technology. For me,
it just seems obvious that when you forget where you've been, you repeat
the mistakes you made before. And when people are determined to repeat
those mistakes (perhaps because they don't believe that they were
mistakes or because they don't believe that they have been down that
road before), they try to expunge their past.
Here in Nigeria, the history of the country including the Civil War was
removed from the curriculum not long after I got out of secondary school
early in the 2000s. Now, we are having 30-year-olds who doubt that we
were ever in a civil war. Not to mention that no one teaches you how to
think about anything anymore.
I know that the Lord will sustain you no matter what. I will not cease
to pray that He will protect your job.
___'s dad is fine now. It turned out to be a minor procedure. They are
due back home by the weekend, I believe. Thank you very much for your
prayers, Sir.
Your student in Jesus,
Response #1:
Thanks for those prayers, my friend!
The new day dawned today to no new catastrophe . . . and it seems the classes
are NOT going to be cancelled after all. God is good!
I appreciate your encouraging words and your good insights, my friend! Glad to
hear that ___'s dad is OK too. Praying for their safe return.
I will admit that I am very grateful that tomorrow is Friday . . . finally!
Wishing you two all the best as well . . . and keeping you in my daily prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
This is the article I was trying to send
https://resobscura.substack.com/p/there-should-be-more-cash-prizes
Response #2:
Thanks. Yes, history is useful.
It will be enough for me for those to judge my work useful who wish to investigate the unobscured reality behind events, both what occurred in the past, and what, given the human condition, is likely to occur again in the future in a similar or comparable way.
Thucydides History 1.22.4 [trans. Luginbill (emphasis added)]
The "human condition" is expressed otherwise by T' as "as long as human nature remains the same". History "repeats" because people don't change. And, as we believers know, the evil one has been up to the same tricks since the beginning. So there's "nothing new under the sun" (Eccl.1:9), but the Tribulation will be so extreme it will no doubt seem that way.
Question #3:
Thanks Bob for your reply,
If this organisation does not pose a problem for you, then I accept
that, I was personally concerned it is or would become a snare.
Of course I have weighed this matter up against the weight of good fruit
from your ministry, your tireless fellowship with me and your unswerving
love for the Lord as evidenced by all of the above. I truly do know this
as I have told you many times before.
I tried my best to not be antagonistic writing to you of these things
and that it didn't come off as a personal slight or anything, it was my
concern about a connection that was hazy to me that I thought would
become a snare.
I have to add from my side that you have known me for quite a while now
too. I am very zealous for the Lord but I also have a talent for going
into things feet first and regretting it later. It really was not the
case this time.
I assure you that I agonised over this before writing to you. I came
very close to not writing it at all. Please understand that I took a
great personal risk doing this. It would have been far easier and
expedient for me to say nothing. I knew that writing on these things
could have cost me my fellowship with you, the only human Christian
fellowship I have. I was willing to lose what was dear to me in the hope
that I was helping you out of what I saw as a dangerous snare.
In the light of this, I hope you realise the sacrifice I was willing to
make. There may not be many friends out there that are willing to put
their friendship on the line so as to help the friend they thought was
in danger by telling them things they may not rather want to hear.
In Jesus,
Response #3:
I respect your position and I do understand that this was difficult for
you. No doubt the evil one was using it to throw a monkey-wrench into
the mechanics of our godly friendship.
There are imperfections abounding in the devil's world. It's impossible,
for example, to have nothing to do with people and organizations which
are satanic . . . even by just buying a loaf of bread. At present,
however, we can get along pretty much OK without serious compromise. In
the future, once the mark of the beast is necessary to engage in
everyday commerce, as you rightly point out, that will likely not be the
case – except that we can be sure that the Lord will see us through if
we trust Him. We all have to accept that with all the evil in this life
and in this world, in order to stay faithful to the Lord during the
Tribulation, we believers are going to need to be ready to give up
everything, even our lives. So developing that attitude here and now is
good to do. That does not mean being hyper-scrupulous or living on bread
and water. Not at all. It does mean looking at everything down here as
temporary and essentially unimportant if it is not directly related to
the Lord, His Church, and living our lives for Him.
Giving up the honor society would mean little to me. Giving it up now I
see as unnecessary on the one hand (for reasons explained) and a great
slight to my students on the other. Giving up my job during the
Tribulation would be difficult . . . because I like having my family be
able to eat. But God will provide no matter what. That is the truth, and
we all have to be ready to act on it.
I'm very glad to know that our friendship stands firm in Jesus Christ!
In Him,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Hi Bob,
It's been awhile since our last exchange, so I wanted to say hello, and wish you
a Happy Thanksgiving, and also pray you are doing well on all fronts. We are
staying up with the email postings as well as rehearsing and getting more
proficient with your studies...thanks a lot for these!
These studies are essential, and the truth we learn will need to be incorporated
into our walk, to get to the finish line in good shape. This is your job to keep
us safe, and it is good knowing you have our backs, helping us to steer clear of
any "landmines" that might eliminate us from "the race". Much thanksgiving for
your efforts to help us grow, Bob!
I know we will need to stir up our remembrance (2 Peter 3:1), if we are still
living here on terra firma in a few short years...a firm foundation of the truth
will be necessary to withstand the extremely bad windy/rainy weather that is
forecasted to be coming our way soon. It won't be the huff and puff three little
pigs bedtime story for kids, will it? Matt. 24:21 makes it clear what is in
store for anyone living in 6 1/2 yrs. from today.
It is obviously apparent to the most casual observer. In the evil cosmos arena,
lying seems to be the "name of the game", springing up in all quarters (except
in the One Word arena, where we stay fighting on for the Truth)...but we know
how those with "itchy ears" love to hear and digest all the foolish lies of the
politicians as well as "religious wolves" (religious scientists as well as fake
"christians"), to gain what will be wonderfully destroyed by our Lord at His
Coming in 10yr. "They shall proceed no further"...and we shall be delivered from
"what persecutions I endured" (2 Tim. 3:9-11). Thinking they are OK...isn't
OK...not realizing they are being carried away from the truth by all those
escape artist "gamers", who feel they can control their own world...reality is
not going to sit well with them "down" the trail...a very bad destination, for
sure. False teaching and false beliefs are another hallmark leading up to the
stormy weather fast approaching...breaking everything down...but better days
will come to us after the storm..."our blessed hope" (Titus 2:13).
2 Peter 3:1-18 (Peter #41 link) is a good rehash to
"talk it over" and put things into the reality perspective, to be on guard...and
stay with more spiritual growth in the truth, through His grace and knowledge,
to stay in our secure position ( the main thrust of your Ichthys ministry).
For the lukewarm Christians, who think they have no need to recalibrate how they
are walking with Jesus...they don't seem to know how "wretched" they truly are.
There is no time, now or when the storm comes, to be like those "drifters" that
Jesus was admonishing and counseling to buy from Him in Rev. Ch. 3:14-22. Those
in our circle seem to be ignoring the inevitable, even though I did try to "tip
them off", in a subtle way (also referring them to your ministry). They seem to
still have that "bucket list", to accomplish and achieve before their life is
over...that bad weather report doesn't make them budge from wanting to look at
the inevitable...a "crash course" will be needed for them to
endure...otherwise...
Endurance, with our faith intact, is the only way to make it into the Kingdom
Come (Matt. 24:13). Time to stay hot and not be caught off guard. Thanks again
for being faithful to the work of edifying His Church, through the reinforcement
of the Word.
Hopefully we will all be up for some eternal rewards for not wavering in any
trial or trouble coming our way, and continue doing what our Lord would have us
do, with His strength to see us through...along with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, helping us make the right choices through all the truth we have come to
believe, stored in our hearts. This is the victory that overcomes the
world...persevering faith. We are eagerly waiting for our ultimate deliverance,
fighting the good fight of faith every day till that Day.
Presently, on the homefront, we're hanging in there, although we seem to be
having some trouble getting out of the woods, healthwise, as well as unwanted
spiritual attacks from the evil one, trying to knock us off course. Of course,
we're onto these schemes, and we're keeping the "armor of God" on at all times
to withstand (Eph. 6:10-18).
[omitted: please pray for our brother and his wife, for their health and
recovery]. I hope it will work this time ...the pain is quite bothersome, even
with all the meds...oh, well, there's always something...but His grace is
sufficient in all our "somethings". We know He's working it all out (Rom.
8:28)...consolation in our suffering...this does make me feel better.
Hope things are going well and all matters are working out for you, Bob.
Praying, every day, that our Lord will provide everything you need. We
appreciate your continuing prayers and care for us...thank you. Hope you have a
Happy Thanksgiving!
Your friend in Jesus,
Response #4:
Great to hear from you, my friend! You have been on my mind and I was planning
to write if I didn't hear from you soon.
Thanks as always for your trenchant analysis of the present status quo. If
things had worked out differently, you might have ended up teaching the Word
yourself (I'm guessing that this is one of those "supply and demand" things).
Events do seem to be progressing from bad to worse so fast that even those with
doubts about the probable time-line would be well-advised to act as if an even
earlier date for the Tribulation were possible.
I very much appreciate your good words. This has been a very difficult year here
for many reasons, but the storm has mostly passed and I'm looking forward to
some smoother sailing ahead. I hope and pray that will be the case for you too.
I'm praying for your health and will add these new concerns (just updated the
Ichthys list).
Thanks so much for your prayers, my friend! I know the Lord has heard them.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. In spite of everything and through
everything, the Lord is good and we have so very much to be thankful for.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Hello Bob again,
I am sorry to bombard you with so many emails but I really need the
ministering right now and the fellowship. Sometimes it can feel like I'm
going mad given the current society we live in.
Well I had a pretty upsetting phone call that upset me all day and I'm
afraid I have been ruminating on it. One of my distant relatives (who we
hardly ever see) has "come out" and went to a family party with her
girlfriend. Apparently this relative was very nervous which __ couldn't
understand as she said "all the family were very affirming". I mentioned
that maybe it was her own conscience that was convicting her that it was
wrong and immediately __ said "don't go there!" She told me that she
thought that they are no different than anyone else. I told her I
agreed. She then said "as long as she is happy, then that is all that
matters". On this point I said I couldn't agree. I then told her again
the biblical view on the matter and then it all turned sour.
She talked about not casting the first stone and Jesus eating with
sinners but I did tell her that Jesus said "Go and sin no more". I felt
such sourness towards me that I suddenly felt a doubt and thought maybe
I am wrong on this. I sometimes find on these matters that I either come
across legalistic and harsh or too apologetic and accommodating. I never
seem to strike the right note.
Of course I always witness that salvation is for all who avail
themselves of it but also that we cannot say that sin is not sinful.
It has distressed me also as __ used to be very conservative on sexual
matters. It was shocking to see such a change. It occurred to me that
views on morality now seem to change with the wind to the point that
they seem unable to distinguish right from wrong anymore. It seems that
they are wholly reliant on either the media or the current laws to know
what to think. The problem is that many laws are quickly being eroded at
warp speed here.
The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It
made me realise there is no wisdom without God. No wisdom and no moral
law. When God removes these outward signposts in our society then people
no longer know as their own hearts are not a good judge. Their hearts
lie to them so they find themselves not knowing anything. This is really
shocking to witness in those of that generation in that they often find
themselves looking to me for their education. Then again they do not
often like what is being taught.
Once the Holy Spirit restraint is removed then we will see all
humanistic notions of moral creatures without God fly fast out of the
window. It is just so hard to see this up close for myself that I was
actually grieving it today.
In Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever,
Response #5:
I'm sorry about this. We do have to keep in mind that people are making
their own decisions. The fact that the current breakneck pace of
degeneration is giving cover and even encouragement to all manner of
unacceptable actions and behavior. Over here pre-teens are being allowed
even encouraged to have themselves surgically altered because they've
been convinced that changing genders (as if such a thing were actually
possible: Gen.1:23) is the solution to their problems. I understand the
temptation to act and the feelings of guilt and impotence for not
acting, but this is really not our fight. Our fight is over the truth
for those who are interested in it. If we convince one person involved
in any manner of the insane behaviors, movements, groups which are
coming to dominate things today of the error of their ways – but they
don't come to Christ – then where is the profit in that? All we have
done is to risk "making ourselves a prey" (Is.59:15) to no effect.
Our job is to become the saltiest salt we can be through spiritual
growth, so that all around us from family to nation will be blessed by
association with us. Our job is to grow up and progress in our walk with
Christ and serve His body through the ministries He leads us to for that
is how He is glorified. Our job is to be ready to witness to the truth
when and where He wants us to do so – and avoid getting caught up in
crusades.
So you did it all right, even though you are understandably upset. One
more thing: never forget or dismiss the power of prayer. I will say a
prayer for your relative.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
p.s., Like, "forgive them for they know not what they do", "throw the
first stone" is also not in the Bible (see
the link). I'm sure it's no accident that these two most favorite
passages for unbelievers and marginal believers to quote have been
wrongly added to many Bibles.
Question #6:
Hi Bob,
I know it is posting day today so no rush getting back to me on this.
I would be glad of your advice. I decided to go back on Facebook again
after an absence of about ten years. The reason I went on there is that
I have amassed a lot of contacts on there from the past so I thought I
would use it again but for sharing my work as I am determined to get my
own business up and running.
The problem is that a lot of the things on there and a lot of the
connections I made on there were before I was saved. I am suddenly
wondering if I made a mistake?
I didn't pray on this and jumped in feet first so now I wonder. I have
already in my first day been exposed to blasphemy, foul language and
anti-Semitic sentiment! Usually I am able to avoid such things due to my
careful control of what I watch. Being back on Facebook feels like a
real culture shock!
I am also nervous being on there because I have been bullied there in
the past and found hard to shake off 'friends' who weren't good for me.
I have to be honest though, so far, that I have been pleasantly
surprised how welcoming and kind people have already been and said they
have missed hearing from me, so that is very nice to hear.
In Jesus,
Response #6:
Social media is potentially problematic . . . like lots of other tech,
but possibly more so because of content. I use FB about twice a year to
post announcements for our honor society (so also, as part of the job).
I have occasionally used it to catch up with old friends, but I have
found it a very dangerous place, for lots of reasons, and not just for
the ones you mention. It's very easy to get sucked into this false forum
of pseudo-friendships. If people didn't have sin natures, it would be a
fine idea. But because they do, it seems to me that this sort of
platform allows interactions without the normal and natural restraints
that obtain when we are talking to people face to face and only see and
hear what they tell us and share with us personally, things we are
better able to evaluate on account of that real human contact.
I would think that any Christian getting on any social media would need
to have prudence and wisdom . . . and restraint, in order not to abuse
this venue or to be abused by it. Some people can have a great big jar
of jelly beans in their house and only eat a few once in a while. For
others – like myself – it wouldn't last the weekend! So there's no big
jar of jelly beans in my house for just that reason. Most of the time.
Same sort of thing applies with social media, I would think. Less is
more, and especially for anyone who finds it particularly problematic to
deal with. Like many things in our modern world, it's no sin per se –
but it can certainly lead in that direction. In my view it's no problem
. . . unless and until it becomes "a problem".
So if you're making good contacts, that's fantastic! I would strive to
shut out and shut off and block any and all who are at all abusive, or
who otherwise prove to be "issues", however.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Hi Dr L,
[omitted: question about asking AI for relationship advice] I guess I am asking,
is it ok for me to do this?
I asked AI if it knew Ancient Greek, and to write me a sentence and oh my
goodness it does! Also I appreciate how it streamlines research, though we have
to be careful there. I mean I can ask it something and it looks like it tells me
in one place what I would have previously spent a lot of time looking into at
different sources. And it organizes it, which took extra time.
Response #7:
That's not a surprise. If I didn't know Greek, but had Google access to
the Loeb Classical Library, I could just search for phrases in English
and plug in the Greek. No great leap of intellect. And this is what AI
does. It basically thinks in English. I know this because of some
exercises I've done with my classes. The mistakes it made in generating
Latin are mistakes that only an English speaker who was not realizing
that the Latin was not precisely equivalent would make. And, by the by,
when mistakes are checked against Google, "Google Translate" tends to
make the same mistakes in back-translating (so they are function along
the same English-dominant lines). So computer assisted tools such as AI
are getting better. It's not a mystery, just a case of a tool with
quicker access to information. But it's still a case of "garbage in,
garbage out".
As to "I guess I am asking, is it ok for me to do this?", if you're
asking advice about getting advice, you are an adult and spiritually
mature. As a believer who has grown spiritually, your take on what is
good and right to do is superior to any secular person you might ask.
It's not a bad idea to get advice about things we are personally not
experienced in. For example, if buying a house for the first time,
asking a lot of people "in the know" would be a great idea. If we're
talking about relationships, I'm not sure anyone really understands
those things (though plenty claim to be "experts"); in that case, the
biblical advice is the best (of course).
There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.
Proverbs 30:18-19 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Dr. Bob.
I’ve been “monitoring” the talk about AI. Recently there was a post on how AI
will at some point, come to “control” content on the internet as the result of
bad seed humans “control” of AI. The AI would eventually “brainwash” people via
the internet into “believing” what is pumped out to them by AI which will
control all our data and “feed” us “what we want to see/hear” and punish
“misinformation” i.e., truth.
There are many examples on the internet of robots that appear to be somewhat
independent. I was thinking about your idea and Satan's attempts to wipe man out
and I was thinking that maybe before or during the tribulation that it might be
possible for bad angels to inhabit and control the AI robots and the data they
collect.
They would not directly inhabit or procreate with people but could certainly
have a “body” such as it is, to terminate and control humans down to the nth
degree and get rid of Christians or believers or Jews or anyone. AI, it seems to
me, would not really have a soul or the moral conscious or that part could be
disabled. Ai would be physically stronger than humans and smarter too and
without a “conscience” or a disabled one would be able to create great havoc for
actual people. And controlling or eliminating humans is Satan’s objective and I
think his horde would go for a body, such as it is.
Whether the human “handlers” would be aware of this is unknown but I think that
it could turn into a big backlash against the human handlers.
Just what I thought about after seeing some information.
Thank you,
Response #8:
Good to hear from you. I do read this in scripture:
The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
Revelation 13:15 NIV
It's a good point. I'm sure that the devil is and has always been infiltrating all manner of human devices since the beginning. Angels can manipulate physical material, so why wouldn't he and his do so? What believers need to keep in mind is that we are protected by the Lord regardless of how clever and diabolical the plans hatched against us. A single bullet has long been sufficient to slay a person, even when these were being shot via slings (bullet <bulla, Lat.). But many a believer in war or conflict has no doubt been protected from even well-aimed shots. After all, it's not just the evil one and his minions out there invisibly involved in what is going on. That is the main thing we believers need to keep in mind, especially when we feel we are outnumbered on this battlefield:
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2nd Kings 6:15-17 NKJV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Thanks Bob,
I have let the world and worldly thinking (and how the world sees me)
dominate my thinking of late. I am trying now to adjust everything back
to the position I was in before. As this is a war where there is both
offense and defence, when we find ourselves completely off course and
making a mess of defence and making no offence at all then we need to
retreat to a previously held strong position.
I have to go back to the place where I was still being guided by the
Holy Spirit and take off from there again. It has been a very humbling
and sobering experience to be out in the middle of nowhere and covered
by fire with no back-up but that was what I did. You know a lot more
about actual military life than I do but I guess it is what you call a
'Rookie' move.
I know better than that now so I have to repent and confess for my
bravado and stick to my knitting again. No surprising that it even led
me into politics which most believers KNOW is all the devil's gambit.
Many thanks my friend!
(You can publish this one as it may help others who are looking to
embark on ministry)
In Jesus,
Response #9:
One thing I can tell you is that we never move forward if we're looking
backward. Since the Lord has forgiven you anything and everything that
was actually wrong when you confessed it, my suggestion is to cut
yourself a break – or at least turn a blind eye to all this – and get on
with the job of "getting on". If you do, you will feel better about it
all pretty quickly. But if you don't you'll keep feeling bad until you
do. Please don't bog yourself down.
On the silver lining side, you have learned a lot about what your
ministry should be from viscerally finding out what it should not be.
That is not nothing.
I've given you this quote more than once. It's good to read . . . and
heed.
(7) But whatever I had gained [in my former godless life], compared to Christ I have come to consider these things as losses. (8) Indeed, I consider everything to be a loss compared to the surpassing importance of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of everything, and consider [everything I have lost] as garbage, compared to gaining Christ, (9) and being found in Him – not having a personal righteousness [developed] through [following] the [Mosaic] law – but having that righteousness [that comes] through faith in Christ, that righteousness [that comes] from God based on faith, (10) so that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings, being made like to Him in His death, (11) in the (confident) hope that I shall, one way or another (i.e., without death at the second advent or after death), attain to the resurrection from the dead. (12) [It is] not that I have already gotten [what I am striving for], nor that I have already completed [my course]. Rather, I am continuing to pursue [the prize] in hopes of fully acquiring it – [this prize for whose acquisition] I was myself acquired by Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I do not consider that I have already acquired it. This one thing only [do I keep in mind]. Forgetting what lies behind me [on the course] and straining towards the [course] ahead, (14) I continue to drive straight for the tape, towards the prize to which God has called us from the beginning [of our race] in Christ Jesus. (15) So as many as are [spiritually] mature, let us have this attitude (i.e., of focusing on our spiritual advance and reward and not getting hung up on what lies behind: vv.13-14), and if in any matter your attitude is off-center, God will reveal that to you (i.e., assuming you are mature and are advancing as you should). (16) But with respect to the progress you have made, keep on advancing in the same way!
Philippians 3:7-16
Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Doc...I don't know why I keep doing this to myself...I just tried
again to tell a family member my thoughts on a Biblical topic from what
you teach, and it once again ended up spiraling into an argument over
who's right.
You know, there was a time I actually tried to end my life...several in
fact. You've probably heard about this already. Honestly, even wanting,
let alone attempting that was a supreme act of selfishness on my part.
Think about it, I'm a true child of the One True God, and know I have so
many duties for Him in this world...yet I tried to escape this world and
literally skip straight to Heaven because I was suffering in the moment,
and didn't want to suffer any more trials...Honestly, if I went through
with that, I can think of few greater atrocities a believer can
commit...and I'm endlessly grateful to God for bringing me out of that
and giving me this lesson. I know now I have too much to live for to
truly even want to end it, let alone have any good excuse to. Even if
this entire world and everything in it truly forsake me, I would still
have the Lord to live for. I still don't know how to serve Him without
thinking He needs me somehow though. I know that would be an act of
pride almost as great as my selfish act of trying to end it all for the
reasons I said, but I don't know how to see it any other way. I need
your help again Doc.
Response #10:
Obviously, God doesn't need us – but we do need Him . . . desperately so. He
DOES love us though. And what could be better than that? He does have a plan for
your life. So keep growing and in His good time He will lead you into the
specific ministry He has for you to do – and responding to His plan is the way
to earn the crowns of reward He has promised us (link).
I think most serious Christians tried, before they got serious and that spark
was lit, to escape, one way or another. Because the world is dissatisfying in
the extreme and that is one of the main things that turns us to Christ.
The main thing now is to put Jesus first. I appreciate you wanting to share the
truth, but 1) you'll do that much better after you've grown up to spiritual
maturity, and 2) family and friends who "knew us when" are the hardest nuts to
crack – because they always put us "back there" in their thinking and use that
as an excuse to not to have to worry about what we say – even if we are "nailing
it" in the Holy Spirit.
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the update - all great news! Hope things are still going in
the right direction for you starting back on Monday.
Yes, only two days for me next week and the week after. Then a little
bit more overtime after that. I survived my four day week. They're long
and busy days. Up at 6am and back home at about 6pm. I heard about some
new NHS guidelines for us today. Usually before we take an x-ray for
women we have to ask them if there's any chance they could be pregnant.
There's a very small risk to the baby. Apparently, the guidelines state
that we have to ask male patients now if there's any chance they could
be pregnant too! My boss said he's refusing to do it. I could say, "What
on earth is the world coming too?" - but I already know. And it's only
going to get a LOT worse.
Thanks so much for your prayers too. I really do appreciate it.
Have a good weekend, Bob!
In Jesus
Response #11:
Glad you made it through!
Very busy week for me, but I'm ready to go for Monday in spite of it all. I did
have one article come out this year and another is still under review . . . and
I DID work on something, so I'm in good shape for the next review. It's only
about 15-18% of what I get evaluated on so . . .
Re: pregnant men. I remember seeing a skit back when I was in college called
"the pregnant man". It was supposed to be funny, but it was so ridiculous a
concept that it fell flat. Fast-forward fifty years and you can get "cancelled"
for laughing or for suggesting it's laughable – which is not so funny.
Blessedly, "not many shopping days left until Christmas"! I'm very happy about
that.
Ankle did well on a short jaunt today – so thanks for those prayers too!
Keeping them up on this end as well – to take care to get some rest this
weekend, my friend (that's on the schedule here as well).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Things are very bad here my friend. We have riots up and down England
but most of them are in the North. It reminds me of all those riots you
had that seemed to be triggered about the George Floyd incident.
Here it is after a young man has killed three children and wounded many
others. There was confusion about who he was and news was leaked that he
was an illegal immigrant. We now know that wasn't true but the damage
has already been done. The whole argument over immigration here has
become very angry and toxic here just like it has in many other
countries in Europe..there have been accusations of favouritism and
being soft on crime and two tier policing. This is all happening in
areas that have already been suffering due to ghettos that have not
integrated in deprived areas. I have to say that this is largely a
problem with tension around growing numbers of Muslim populations in
neglected parts of the North of England.
When I moved back to the North after spending most of my life in London,
I have been shocked and horrified at the deprivation and lack of
investment the places I grew up around have suffered. Working class
people have been continually kicked in the teeth in the North and when
they complain that they can't take much more they are told they are
racist just for being worried that endless immigration is already
pushing the housing crisis, the health crisis, the job crisis, the
education crisis and the cost of living crisis to breaking point. It
doesn't take a genius to figure out that when you tell struggling
nationals that whatever they do they are basically white racist trash
that they won't take it lying down forever.
Of course rioting and scapegoating vulnerable asylum seekers is truly
vile and evil behaviour but the unrest was highly predictable given how
bad things have been for such a long time in this part of the country. I
have insight into these things as I have lived in the affluent South and
now live in the deprived North. I know enough about history to know that
the South got fat off the North during the Industrial Revolution and
once they had their fill, they then asset stripped the place and left
Northerners to rot. It has been really painful to come back to see what
has happened to Wigan, Bolton and Manchester. Some areas it is as though
you are going back in time. The cynicism of local governments has been
heartbreaking to watch.
It is probably something that Americans can relate to historically. We
have an affluent South that made money off the back off uneducated
people in the North. They didn't need to import people from another
country to use as slaves they had uneducated Northerners instead. It
makes me angry and it does sting. No matter who people vote for we still
get Hooray Henry's telling poor uneducated folk that they are trash and
everyone hates them.
It is so like America how you have wealthy liberals living on the coast
and telling everyone in the middle that you're all 'poor white racist
trash'. Well here we have people in Westminster and the South saying
anyone North of the Watford Gap is 'poor white racist trash'. This can't
go on forever Bob. This will ignite civil war here.
It is awful being continually told you are racist even when you are not.
I have never seen racism where I grew up when I was young but it is
starting to happen now. I hasten to add that the man who told ___ to 'go
home' because he is Jewish wasn't white or English. He was from the
Middle East.
I need to stay away from all this class, race and north Vs south
baiting. It will only put my blood pressure up. I could cry Bob, the
only time I have really felt a sense of pride for being a Northern lass
and that is because my identity is now under threat. I know that this is
my flesh talking though right?
My real identity is in Christ and my real country of origin will soon be
in the New Jerusalem! Amen!
It has never been a better time to be off social media! I am afraid my
anger would get the better of me! People who I thought were my friends
who are rich Southerners are basically saying that the North is full of
Nazis. It pains me to hear the place where I was born being wrongly
tarred with these hateful labels.
People have been accused of racism and islamophobia again and again even
when it wasn't really a problem. The thing is this will become a problem
now that people have been endlessly baited over it. I am sure you can
relate.
In Jesus,
Response #12:
There are some parallels, alright.
As I tell people who want to talk about politics over here, "I am only
an observer". Whatever happens this November and thereafter, won't be my
fault. And from a doctrinal Christian point of view, that is doubly
true. I.e., not only because I'm not supporting in any way either side,
but also because I feel I am "doing my job" to try and be "salt" for my
country . If the Lord blesses us, we are blessed, and no one, no
candidate, no political party, no economic or foreign policy disaster,
can prevent us being blessed (Deut.28:1-14). But if the Lord decides to
act towards us in the opposite way – because we, collectively, have
disrespected Him, it certainly won't matter who is in power or what
their policies are (Deut.28:15-68).
So while believers who hate evil are right to be concerned about people
who want to be in power who promote evil, it is good to keep in mind
that the "other side" is not exactly perfectly or godly either
(whichever orientation we are talking about here either way). And if
they make the mistake of going all in to support one side or another,
they are not helping. They are only becoming "part of the problem".
Worse, they are likely subverting their own peace and their own
spiritual growth in so doing.
God's plan cannot be stopped. Nothing is going to prevent New Jerusalem
from descending, nor the new heavens and earth from being created, nor
the last judgment from taking place, the destruction of these present
heavens and earth at the end of history, nor the Millennium from having
its full run, nor the great banquet of the Bridegroom and Bride from
taking place, nor the judgment seat of Christ from occurring, nor the
battle of Armageddon being won by our Lord (or our participation in it),
nor the resurrection of the Church from happening, nor the Tribulation
and all the events related thereunto taking place at exactly their
prophesied time. Between now and then, we believers who are anticipating
all these amazing and glorious events really ought to be using the small
bit of this Laodicean era remaining to prepare ourselves, while honoring
our Lord with our thoughts, words and deeds in the meantime. We are
certainly NOT going to do either through political action.
It is a blessing NOT to have to fret oneself about any of this
(Ps.37:1-40).
Keeping you and yours in my prayers for protection and all other things.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Thanks Bob,
Not long before I read your reply, I had already snapped myself out of
such a personal and emotional reaction. The last time the news really
got under my skin was over the trans debate last year when some man was
saying men make better women than women do!
I guess it is the hot button topics that hit close to home that get my
dander up but that is precisely what they are meant to do aren't they.
There are lots of hot button topics that are continually being used to
provoke and goad us. We as believers know the hallmarks of Satan well.
He can only do though, what he is allowed to do with God's permission so
I have to always remember that.
I am off social media now but I should also consider staying off all
news too until I am spiritually stronger to feel inoculated to it all.
Maybe this is to get me to do better and to learn and grow before the
Tribulation. Better not to fail at all but better to fail and learn now
than then when it will be difficult to bounce back due to the alarming
alacrity of the Tribulation.
Again please forgive me my friend. I know I have had better moments than
this.
In Jesus,
Response #13:
There's nothing to forgive, my friend! These sorts of things would rile
up the dead. But we believers know that God is in control of all things,
that there is a reason for everything, and that the only way to have any
influence on events whatsoever is not by letting ourselves get upset but
by committing to be "salt" through growth, progress and production. So
we learn to hand difficult things over the Spirit and let Him lead and
help us through.
I hope things calm down over there.
Keeping you and yours in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Thank you Bob for your encouragement.
I wanted to share this with you and your ministry as it has really encouraged
me. We have to remember that it is Satan (not God) who wants to deceive us all
so that we reject salvation but in the end we will all be held responsible.
It is never God's fault for our bad choices or the deception we fall into though
people are tempted to think so at times. I am always encouraged by remembering
how much this wonderful salvation has cost both the Father and the Son and how
much they both (with the Holy Spirit included) want us to receive this perfect
and precious gift. We all would do well to hold this close to our hearts always.
Be careful jogging on those roads!
In Jesus,
Response #14:
Good points!
In order to be deceived, people have to want to be deceived on some basic level.
That is why old saws such as "there is a sucker born every minute" and "you
can't cheat an honest man" have validity to them. Eve clearly wanted to be "like
God/gods"; Adam clearly did think he was doing Eve a favor by joining her (after
which, once he had a sin nature too, he had no problem "ratting her out"). We
all have these tendencies. That is why the world of people is more dangerous
than the physical world. So the Greeks taught their children, "Learn to swim,
and remember not to trust anyone". Because if you are living in ancient Greece,
sooner or later you'll end up in the water and boats in the ancient world were
even more prone to sinking than is the case today. But even if you are adept at
navigating the dangers of the physical world, people are really your biggest
potential downfall – and all the more so since many if not most of them are
dancing to the devil's music to one degree or another.
I do try to be careful since I don't bounce as well as I used to (not just age:
there's more of me to bounce now than there used to be).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob and family,
Just a short note, I had been away at one of my son’s place for the past
week, hence I missed last Saturday’s posting on Hebrews 6. What a
wonderful expounding of that chapter! I really enjoyed it so much and it
really did cut to the very basics of faith, that as you say, so many are
sadly lacking the truth of in this age of Laodicea.
And I can understand that lack by what has been, and is now continually
being ‘watered down’ in the church system that so many are blind to.
Even sadder, so many have already died – and many more will, before
coming to this knowledge, that salvation is free. If they only knew . .
. all that’s required is just to come to Him while they are able, then
continue in faith. Romans 11: 22, 23.
I know you briefly touched on Hebrews 8, 9 & 10 in this posting and I’m
hoping you are going to do the same with these chapters as you have with
chapter 6 – I am eagerly looking forward to them.
I often wonder, what will it take to awaken so many out of ‘sleep’ in
the here and now and in the immediate coming days of Tribulation, that
is now clearly on this side of the horizon and fast approaching!
As always dear Bob, my very best regards,
Response #15:
Thanks for the vote of encouragement, my friend! It means a lot.
I'm already digging into chapter seven, but it's longer than chapter six
(as also are all the remaining chapters in the book). I do hope to get
through all of Hebrews before "the balloon goes up" [n.b.,
chapter 7;
chapter 8; and
chapter 9 now posted at the links].
Time will tell whether events to come will prod people to get serious
about the truth. One would have thought that Covid would have done so,
but the effect proved to be the opposite from what I and others who
minister the Word observed. Then again, the Tribulation will be
"special".
Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Hi Bob,
It's good to know you're ticking things off your list. I hope you can
get some rest over the Christmas break. Do you need to clear all of the
zinnia beds now? They were so beautiful!
You said, "I'm not too interested in spending time with or on anyone
who's not headed in the same direction". That's exactly how I feel too.
Especially when they're not in the slightest bit interested in the One
who is so precious to us. And it's exactly why I'm so thankful for you.
That I can write to you and we're on the same wavelength and headed in
the same direction.
I've been thinking today about 1st Corinthians 2:9.
But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for
those who love Him."
Remembering this through the tough times or while doing all the mundane
jobs we have to do down here definitely injects a whole lot of joy into
my heart! It put catching up on my household chores today on a whole
different level! I'm so looking forward to the day when we're all
together with our dear Lord. It's going to be amazing! Just have to be
patient a little while longer and focus on pleasing the Lord each day
and building up those treasures in heaven. That's what helps to keep us
going down here.
Thanks for Hebrews chapter six this
week, Bob. It's SO encouraging!
In Jesus
Response #16:
Thanks! It took a few hours (and my joints and muscles will testify to
it), but the front is cleaned up now. The back gets left for the birds
et al. for over-wintering. That pain comes in the spring, prepping in
March (so the weeds don't get a head start), planting in May. More
zinnias next year for sure! Still haven't ordered the seeds yet (another
thing on the to-do list).
I look back on wasted years of my youth before I came back to the Lord,
and none of the time I spent with "friends" who had no love for the Lord
means anything to me now (expect that it's mostly embarrassing to
remember). Technology certainly has its issues. In this country, it
seems that most of the under thirty crowd are getting all of their news
input through Tik-Tok and Instagram et al. Judging from what I see at
the university, few of them have read many books . . . and we're talking
here about students interested enough in the past to sign up for Greek
and Latin! Scary to think what the Spanish students don't know! But this
ministry would be impossible without the internet, and our friend has
set up a nice fellowship of believers that would be impossible if we
were still reliant on "snail-mail". Also, I would never have gotten to
know you and so many other wonderful believers around the world if it
hadn't been for the internet. So I will deal with the bad for the sake
of the good.
Keeping our eyes on the prize of eternal life and a good report from our
Lord is so very important. It's going to be absolutely critical once the
Tribulation begins. Getting good at it now is a smart and salutary thing
to do. And encouraging others with that perspective, as you are doing,
my friend, is wonderful, helpful, and very, very important. Thank you!
Keeping you and your family in my dailies, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi Bob,
I'd forgotten that you do some of the prepping in March too. Painful but
definitely worth it for all of those beautiful flowers.
I know what you mean about time wasted with "friends" years ago - I'm the same.
But I'm so thankful to the Lord for Philippians 3:13-14.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is
ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I don't do TikTok or Instagram but the Lord did use something I was looking at
on the internet to bring me back to Him. And very early on I was one of those
believers you wrote about who wrongly assumed I had irrevocably lost my
salvation (Hebrews 6:4-6). That's when I started searching for answers and the
Lord led me to Ichthys. I learnt the truth about Hebrews chapter six and so much
more truth after that. And I'm very thankful to the Lord for you and your
friendship too. All great stuff!
I keep thinking about this verse too. It's a great one for the time we're in
right now.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let
us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25
And there are times when I have to encourage myself in the Lord. Like David
encouraged or strengthened himself in the Lord. Something else to get good at
before the Tribulation starts.
Keeping you and yours in my prayers too!
In Jesus
Response #17:
I have fired up Instagram once or twice. When the previous chair and the
previous admin assistant made their push for enrollments I
"commissioned" so to speak a video about learning ancient Greek and that
went onto Instagram . . . "because that's what all the undergrad
students are 'on' ". I rather think it's more Tik-Tok now, but I've
never been on that one.
Gardening is work, but it's also good exercise, good therapy, and good
for the little critters. Plus, I do enjoy it.
Thanks for the testimony! That's very encouraging. I was thinking today
about how few people (relatively speaking for sure) ever even bump into
the website, but honestly what difference does it make if gobs find it
or even read a little of it if it ends up doing them no good. I'm
confident in the Lord to lead to the site anyone who really wants to
learn and grow. And I'd rather have someone actually read (or, now,
listen) to these materials occasionally than to have them put thirty
volumes with nice covers on their bookshelves . . . but never get around
to opening them. So I'm happy with it all – as long as the Lord is happy
with it.
"[Self-encouragement is] something else to get good at before the
Tribulation starts." Indeed. We don't know how long we'll be able to
access the internet or be in comm with other like-minded believers once
the Tribulation begins. But we do know that we'll never be cut off from
the Lord. We have the Spirit in us and fellowship with the Father and
the Son. Nothing can stop that – our own personal Eden that we take
along wherever we go. Because paradise, after all, is defined first and
foremost by the presence of the Lord.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,
I'm so sorry about all the work that needed to be done on your car. I do
understand - been there a few times too. At least it's reassuring to know it's
all been fixed now.
Thanks for your prayers for me. The Lord made today much easier than it looked
on paper. He often does that for me at work. We even got to leave a little bit
earlier.
I'm going to try to get more rest. I feel very tired again. It's just life being
very busy at the moment.
Hope your meeting went well and you get to have some rest now too.
Enjoy your weekend!
In Jesus
Response #18:
Glad to hear that work went well. Re: "He often does that . . .", it's
the mark of a mature believer to begin to start to see just how much and how
blessedly the Lord is involved in every single aspect of our lives, truly
"working it ALL out together for good" for us who love Him. Holding onto that
perspective is key to our peace of mind, especially when things get tough.
I'm very pleased about the car even if not about the price. I had noticed (been
given to notice?) a hunk of tread that was nearly off and that certainly swayed
me to go along with getting new tires even though these have only 13K miles on
them. Reflecting after the pain of paying has subsided, "what might have
happened with a blow-out?" So there's a reason for everything, and the farther
down the road we get the more we start to see these things. His deliverances
come all the time, and in all manner of interesting shapes and sizes, from or
through.
Prayers for you to get the rest you need, my friend. It's been a busy fall and
these things have cumulative effects (planning for some rest now for myself as
well). Last lap meeting took up a good hunk of the day with tech glitches
before, during and after. Finally got the letter signed off on (I did, anyway;
some others were having tech problems with that as well). Glad it's over! Next
uni "job" is first day of class in January.
Thanks for your prayers too!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Bob,
Yes, I've seen the Lord's deliverances in my life for a long time now.
As you say, in all manner of interesting shapes and sizes. On the
subject of tires again, I remember going out with __ one time in her
car. As she drove around an island her car skidded. It wasn't too bad
but once I got out of the car I had a closer look at her tires and they
were pretty bald! I told her she needed to get them replaced asap which
she did and all was fine after that. Then a couple of weeks ago I was a
bit later than usual leaving for work. __ had booked his last three
holiday days off work and said he would take me in that morning. It was
a very cold, icy morning. The traffic was much worse than usual. We were
crawling along until I could finally see a very bad patch of ice on the
road, a police car and three cars that had skidded off the road and into
a hedge. Two on one side of the road and one on the other. It looked to
me like there was a water leak coming from somewhere and it had frozen
over. The car drivers had gone by then (taken to hospital??) and we
slowly drove past and made my way safely to work. A gritter truck passed
us on the other side of the road - a bit too late! So I thanked the Lord
for holding us back that morning and keeping us safe. If I had driven
myself in as usual and left at my normal earlier time that could have
easily been me and the new car in the hedge! The Lord takes care of and
blesses me and my family in so many ways - even if they don't realise it
I certainly do!
Response #19:
The Lord was definitely looking out for you! I would imagine we are
delivered like this in many things large and small daily, and that while
most people never even stop to thank God, mature believers notice some
of these deliverances – more an more as we start seeing God in
everything (which of course He is).
On the "too late" truck, it's also the case that the Lord often brings
it about that we miss things by being early or late so that the disaster
passes us by. The Lord's timing is perfect. The closer to Him we get,
the more we find ourselves blessed by being inside of that perfect
timing.
Resting up this week! Hope you have the time to catch up on yours too.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Thanks so much Bob,
I feel like I am slowly improving. Spent a lot of time in quiet prayer
and trying to move forward.
Just felt everything was on top of me and I had added to testing with
unnecessary involvements and burdens.
The funeral was at a Catholic church. It hit me very hard. I think I do
have regret that I could have witnessed more and said more.
What hit me the most, is that I don't really have any other contacts on
that side of the family. I felt very sad that there is no-one on that
side anymore who I could witness to. It felt as though a whole limb of
the family tree has been torn off and with no other branches to reach
out to. It gave me a profound sadness sitting there at the reception
afterwards, not knowing anyone to talk to.
I have got myself into some scrapes that I feel as though I need to be
quiet and keep my head down. I am sure though that is not a bad thing
and probably prudent given the current climate.
Thanks again for all your support my friend! I am sure I will get
through this and with a sober wisdom which won't do me any harm. Just
feeling a sadness that seeps in everywhere. I have said before that I
don't fear my own death (anymore) but I do dread the thought of losing
___. They are all getting so much frailer. I have to say I was really
upset thinking of you and that hurricane. Maybe it was self pity but it
rocked me to think about life without your fellowship and friendship. It
frightened me to think that I wouldn't be able to manage without it and
that I may have become too dependant on it.
What is the news with you? Is there anything you would like me to pray
for?
Your friend in Jesus,
Response #20:
I know what it's like to be in situations where I'm "not knowing anyone to talk to". I have made my choices in this life – to follow the Lord and pursue serving Him – and that is alienating to the world as well as isolating to some degree, even when that's not the objective. Beyond superficial conversations, what do we have in common with the rest of the unbelieving world anyway? Even believers who are merely lukewarm don't really understand what drives us. But the Lord does. Remember that He is with you, and concentrate on drawing closer to Him. Elijah was totally alone by the brook, but actually he wasn't because he was very close to the Lord. That is where we all need to be as well. Especially with all the hard times coming. If we need Him now – and we most certainly do – how much more then?
"I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:20b NKJV
Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
John 14:23 NKJV
For [Moses] grew strong by seeing the One who cannot be seen (i.e., by keeping his mind's eye on the invisible Jesus Christ).
Hebrews 11:27
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8a NKJV
So I turned around to see [the source of] the voice that was speaking to me, and when I had turned around, I saw seven golden lampstands. And in the middle of the lampstands was what looked like a man, dressed in a long robe with a golden belt tied around His waist. And His head and his hair were as white as wool or as snow, and His eyes were like a fiery flame, and His feet were like white-hot bronze when super-heated in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. And He held seven stars in His right hand, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. And His face shone like the sun in its glory.
Revelation 1:12-16
Endeavor to stay "occupied with Christ", and the joy will return . . . and
abound (link).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
p.s., I'm afraid to say that the Lord has given me indications that I'll have to
be around for a while, like it or not.
p.p.s., My Latin part timer quit this week and I'm scrambling trying to find a
replacement with only about two weeks to go. Not so easy to find someone with an
M.A. in Latin or equivalent with nothing to do MWF at 11:00! Otherwise I'll have
to find a way to teach it myself . . . on top of everything else.
[n.b., after many twists and turns the perfect person was found; and
after many more twists and turns she was onboarded just in time (though at one
point they told me they couldn't hire her); Greek was cancelled but then
reinstated; other classes were threatened but not actually cancelled; God is
good! And thanks everyone for all your prayers for me for the new semester.]