Question #1:
Thanks Bob,
There's a quiet calm in your response that I needed to hear and feel.
Not that long ago I felt that peace, calm and contentment as I felt
myself slowly growing in the Word. I knew the direction of travel and
even had new blessings from God. In a very small time I seem to have
been thrown into mess, noise and chaos and I know our God is not the God
of confusion and so this has the enemy all over it.
Of late I seemed to have become something of a spiritual firefighter,
trying to put out the strange fire that others are giving and it has
made me look like a running around headless chicken. My attempts at
stamping out ___'s Catholicism has made her double down on her
allegiance to Rome. My attempts at converting ___ has made him go from
saying he is an agnostic to an atheist and my more recent attempts to
convert a relation who is neck deep in conspiracy theory has just made
him all the more gung ho about his confirmation bias. I have failed
spectacularly and it has even robbed me of a great deal of the peace I
had.
So this is what I am going to do: I am going to pick myself up, dust
myself down and calmly and quietly carry on going along the narrow path.
I will stick with my bible and my commentary books, read yours and
Omo's sites and
continue putting up my videos. I will calmly and quietly apply the Truth
to my life and walk the walk. My walk will be a witness to my faith.
Whilst doing this I will help ___ to have a more stable life as a friend
whilst praying for his salvation. I will also help my mum and dad round
the house whilst praying for their salvation. I will quietly work on my
own business and set about fulfilling the job offer I have been given. I
will politely tell my relation that I contacted him to hopefully help
him out of conspiracy theories not to get myself further mired in them.
That I have the full truth now in Jesus Christ. I will also pray for
him.
I have been arrogant about my evangelical abilities and now I have been
humbled and it even took away a little part of my own faith in the
process of trying to wrestle with others against their own. I learnt the
lesson the hard way but I do know that I can trust God with all these
things and I will and I do. Of myself and the times we live in, I am
uncertain but in God I am very certain!
Amos 5:13
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil
time.
Thank you for your prayers, kindnesses and fellowship.
In Jesus,
Response #1:
What a wonderful email. If I could have written one for you, I couldn't have
done a better job (except that I don't think you've been arrogant, merely
loving, a little past the point of prudent self protection: Matt.7:6).
I am inspired by your spiritual courage, my friend.
I promise to keep you in prayer on all this, all the way to the end.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Dear Teacher
I shouldn't still be giving you such work, Sir, but this year has been weird.
Last year, I decided that I would start figuring out ministry proper and earning
a living. But there's been quite a bit of confusion and distraction thrown in
since then. I still feel acutely the loss of ___'s friendship.
Rereading things that are still fresh in my mind is very hard for me ordinarily,
so rereading the Ichthys studies at the time was tricky. And I felt overwhelmed
by everything too.
[omitted]
This has been long, but I wanted to tell you everything I have been feeling
however I could manage to. Putting it in words has not been easy. I think the
reason is that I felt that I should be past all this by now.
Okay, that's that for now, Sir.
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #2:
No worries about the files. I'm just very busy at the moment, so thanks
in advance for your patience until I manage to get to them.
Speaking of busy, you DO have a lot of irons in the fire! Hard to be
consistent with and make good forward progress on so many things at
once. It's also true that while a good routine is conducive to getting
things done, when one's routine is disrupted, it's easy to lose one's
footing. Time and experience help us to get better about carving out a
new and a good one when what we are used to gets undermined or even
eliminated. But there are only so many hours in the day and only so much
"gas in the tank". We fight this fight one day at a time. If we didn't
organize and follow through with our efforts in a near perfect way
yesterday, we shamelessly forget and determine to do better "today" –
repeat as often as one has opportunity to do so.
In your case, "doing" is difficult to the extent that "planning" is
still in train. If I knew what you should do about all this I would be
happy to tell you (actually, I dislike giving advice, but really try to
steer clear when "the solution" is not mine to see). I do think that
focusing is good – once you know what to focus on. And of course on top
of this we have the present unpleasantness making it very difficult for
you to know just when or how you're going to be able to advance your
plan exactly. Sounds to me as if you are doing a good job of trying to
cover all the bases. No doubt you can get better at it, but it's a trap
to start beating yourself up about past imperfections of application.
How are you doing TODAY? If you're not on it, get on it. But don't let
the fact that you weren't on it yesterday stop you from being effective
today; and don't let what might or might not happen tomorrow upset you
either. In this regard at least, we have to have the conscience of a
robber, so to speak, not caring about yesterday and being unconcerned
about consequences – of doing good, however, rather than evil.
Plenty of people out there are ready to give advice. But they are not
"you" – and "you" are the one who is responsible to the Lord for what
you do and don't do.
As to our friend, it does grieve me that the two of you have fallen out.
As I have mentioned, the two of us are not on very sound footing at the
moment either. I think our friend has confused his personal
interpretation of the truth and also his personal application of it with
"the truth" in all too many instances. We all do that to some extent;
but that can be deadly if we are unwilling to allow that others may have
a different view and a different experience. In any case, I certainly
haven't lost hope about reconciliation, but I'm not seeing or feeling
that yet.
Final thoughts: Don't do too much comparing of yourself with others. You
are different, your experience is different, your specific gifts and
starting points are different – and God's particular purpose for you is
different. I'm sure I shared with you about considering taking up
plumbing when I made a similar mistake of comparing what I thought I
could do with what my mentor and pastor-teacher was doing. But God
worked out what He had for me . . . which was different from the model I
so admired. Also, please don't let the perfect become the enemy of the
good. You did only 70% of what you might have done yesterday? OK, so you
can do better. But the absolute WRONG thing to do is to get all
depressed about being at 70%, get into a funk, and start doing 10% or
less as a result. Getting full of yourself for doing 70% and not trying
to stretch it a bit is also a mistake. Best practice: don't even bother
to evaluate yourself at all except for asking "what am I doing RIGHT
NOW". That is all we actually have. That is where the fight is fought,
in the here and now and no place else.
Know that you are in my prayers daily, my friend. I am confident that
the Lord will make clear to you the right way to proceed in all things,
and bring about the purpose He has always had for you.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Dear Teacher
Your email was a real tonic. It was a really big help. It still
surprises me (although it certainly shouldn't) that you can say
something to break me out of a spiritually difficult place. I really
deeply appreciate that, Sir. Thank you, Sir.
I am grateful that I don't have to compare myself to others. I believe
that you once posted a similar response on the email postings. I drew
similar encouragement from it. I am convinced that the Lord has a
perfect plan that puts everyone right where they need to be (although we
certainly make the choices that we make). I will keep trying to make
each day as productive as I can.
How is your knee doing today, Sir?
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #3:
We are all different in many ways, even though we are all part of the
perfect Body of Christ. I do admit to longing for the day when we are
all standing together in New Jerusalem, the perfect Bride adoring our
Master in perfect unity forever, singing His praises as one.
Knee – at this moment – is not feeling too bad, but it really is ten
steps forward and nine steps back. I'm trying to lay off of it, but life
goes on (including of course my job).
"I will keep trying to make each day as productive as I can."
That's the spirit! That is the best any of us can do.
I'll be keeping you and your families in my daily prayers.
In our blessed Savior.
Bob L.
Question #4:
Hey Bob,
I was just looking through my notes and I found something that I wrote
down to focus myself when I was struggling.
No need to be ANGRY : God's judgement will be perfect.
No need to COVET: God will always provide and with abundance. Our
treasure is free of moths, dust and rust.
No need to be LONELY: God will never leave us or forsake us.
No need to be AFRAID: Jesus told us not to be afraid and God has said
many times to fear not.
No need to WORRY: God is working it all out for good.
No need to LOSE FAITH: Jesus said "It is finished".
No need to be OVERWHELMED BY THE WORLD: God created the world and Jesus
overcame it.
No need to GET LOST IN THE TROUBLES OF THE DAY: For tomorrow Jesus will
bring His kingdom and we will be a part of his flock.
Count it all for joy as that is all there is left for us, to feel joy
and thanksgiving as we have no need for anger, covetousness, loneliness,
fear, worry, loss of faith, being overwhelmed or lost.
So go forth and love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your
neighbour as yourself.’
Your friend in Jesus,
Response #4:
Good stuff!
It's always nice to see a believer using the truth of the Bible to
confront the attacks of the evil one – which is exactly what we are
supposed to be doing. Lots about this in
BB 6A and also SR
4.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 KJV
In Jesus.
Bob L.
Question #5:
Dear Teacher
Just writing to check in. This week's email posting was a reality check
(as it often tends to be). Thank you, Sir, for always sharing these
things.
At the moment, things appear to have improved in the family. [omitted]
I make some progress everyday with my programming studies and with math,
but it isn't nearly enough progress. Things appear to finally be going
back to normal, so the matric exam is very likely going to hold on
schedule, which means that I have to double down on my work on
preparation. Then also, the December deadline that I set for myself with
respect to programming is just three months away, but I haven't made
sufficient progress to believe that I will meet it, after all. I'm
getting somewhere with Greek, but it is still too much of a long way off
for my liking.
In all this, the Lord has been way kinder to me than I deserve. I
wouldn't be so accommodating to me, if I was Him, but for that I am
thankful that I am not and couldn't possibly be Him. I'm just grateful
to have any net progress at all, however chaotic and agonizing and
difficult-to-retain it has been.
It was good to read of what I believe to be our friends' progress toward
getting a house in Texas. I have been praying for them and their family
here. Still haven't heard back from them, but I'm sure there's a lot
going on for them right now. How is everyone there?
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #5:
Before I forget, I'm reminded of my shortcomings (Gen.41:9): as you
probably saw in the most recent posting, our friend is always asking me
to tell you how grateful he is for you and for your help (don't think
I've done that enough).
Great to hear that things are improving and that there is some growing
peace in the family situation, my friend! I'm also very happy to hear
that your plans and your approach to reaching your objectives is
solidifying. I can't speak to programming (except to say that in regard
to what little I've learned of mark-up, things are constantly changing),
but as to Greek, no one ever feels that they are making enough progress
fast enough – Greek will keep you humble. I think focusing on the most
important task at hand so as to be able to get on with your university
career is not a bad idea at all!
We're all doing fine here, and thanks so much for your prayers! I expect
we'll know if everything went well for our friend and her family
sometime this week – I'll make a mental note to let you know if I hear
anything. I'm also (finally) having lunch with my former colleague this
week (some restaurants finally opening up in a normal way).
I do hear you on the way the Lord comports Himself towards us. I think
we are ALL so very grateful that things haven't gone as bad for us as
they certainly might have, absent His abundant grace.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:8-13 NKJV
Amen?
In our merciful Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Hi Dr.
I pray you all well as well as your family, work and ministry. Prayers
for you are continuous from me day to day.
I need prayer for my son. I found out that he is "coming out". I
understand all sins are deplorable to the Lord but this one is a tough
one for us. He didn't come out and tell us. We just happened to find out
through __ who happened to read his journal.
So prayers that first and foremost that he finds the Lord and get saved
and secondarily this spirit leaves him. This is a difficult sin but the
Blood covers all sin.
Thank you and God bless you
Response #6:
I'm terribly sorry to hear this, my friend. I will say that there are
many good Christians who have similar trouble, namely, family members
near and dear who become involved in this and other related things in
our present crazy world.
Let me also affirm that this is a behavior to which some people are
tempted more than others. The fact that some of us are tempted not at
all by that particular sin does not mean that others are not, whether a
little or a lot. But it is the devil's lie to suggest to people "this is
who you are". No. You chose what you do. The fact that someone is
tempted does not mean that they have to like . . . or respond to it.
In our culture at the moment this is more of a problem because the
justification of it and similar behaviors and even now the glorification
of them has unquestionably resulted in them becoming much more prevalent
and led many more people into them than would otherwise be the case.
Even someone who is, say, only 10% tempted to this or some of the other
related list of trending abnormal lifestyles is more vulnerable to being
drawn into this net under present circumstances. This was the case in
the ancient world as well, so it is historically verifiable that the
involvement in this type of activity is even more cultural than it is
"unchangeably biological".
I will certainly be praying for your son and you and your entire family.
As you say, no sin cannot be forgiven for those who belong to Christ and
ask for forgiveness – but being tempted into sin is not a sin; rather it
is an indication that we need to take extra care in fighting off things
that particularly tempt us individually.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior for whom nothing is impossible.
Bob L.
Question #7:
Dear Teacher
I'm very grateful to the Lord to be useful to you in any way at all.
I hope that the police have stayed up to task with the protesters and
troublemakers.
In a conversation with my Mom today, she mentioned how I may not be able
to appreciate just how much my dad meant to my older brother (her first
son). She had four children in an earlier marriage and my dad took her
and her children (they were all toddlers at the time) in when he married
her. (It's a pretty annoying story about the mistreatment she received
at the hands of her first husband's relatives and his negligence in
protecting her and their little ones from them.) She told me by way of
illustration that my brother told his biological dad that if he had been
the one who raised him, he wouldn't have turned out as well as he
actually did. I've been thinking about that, and I realized that what
she might have been trying to point out to me is that I was raised by
the man who had the responsibility to raise me, and so I might not
understand what it means to be raised by a man who had no obligation to
raise me and who still went on to do an excellent job of it.
I think that I understand her and she is certainly right on some level,
but it called to mind the fact that I was raised spiritually and am
still being supported in many significant ways by a man who should not
have had to do all this work, if human beings only did as they should do
and raise their children in the "training and instruction of the Lord"
(Ephesians 6:4, where, incidentally, this job is clearly spelt out to
belong to the fathers). I certainly don't take lightly the provision of
physical nourishment, clothing, and shelter (not to mention education
and emotional support) that my parents made for me all these years. I
still think of them as a blessing for the most part although they
certainly were never particularly enthused by my attitude to learning to
know the Lord. I think that if I never had to measure by spiritual
standards, I had two of some of the best parents that this world has to
offer (taking into account that they were not by any means wealthy by
the time I was born). The main difficulty in my relationship with them
from childhood until now has been my almost total disinterest and
possible disregard for the normal material ambitions that everyone has
and my preference for the Bible and what it teaches. I was headstrong
(still am) and an emotionally difficult child to raise or handle (still
am), but I also tried hard to make people happy because I was well aware
of my own natural arrogance and how the Bible teaches that we should
prefer others to ourselves. So, I think that I'm right when I say that
our difficulties largely resulted from our differing attitudes and
appreciations of what the Bible says.
To be taken in by you, cared for, taught, encouraged, endured, and
prayed for by you, is more than I thought was even available to wish for
in the matter of spiritual tutelage. I realize that if my brother could
feel such a reverent respect and love for a man who took him in as a
child although he wasn't his and raised him to the level that he did and
made him able to stand on his own feet and make his way in the world, I
have far more reason to feel the same way toward you. For some reason, I
have always felt more like family with those that I share spiritual
affinities with, and few enough times I have had to "raise my guard" to
such people before I came to Ichthys, but I am at peace and unthreatened
and have been since the Lord brought me here. You didn't have to do for
me any of the things that you have done, but you did it anyway,
certainly because you love the Lord and therefore love His children too,
but that is all the reason I have ever needed for anyone to do anything
at all for me. I'm grateful, very grateful to the Lord for you.
When I think of your example, the work that you've put into preparing
yourself for ministry (especially from the perspective of trying to
prepare as well and seeing just how hard it is to do all the work
involved in preparation), the sacrifice that you've made in careers, the
incredible work you must do to keep up with all the communications that
you must be receiving nightly, the sheer size and depth of the studies
that you have written to feed the Lord's children, I'm both inspired and
afraid. While I led prayers this morning, I thought about what I want to
write for ministry and experience tells me that writing or somehow
teaching a systematic theology seems to be non-negotiable for believers,
yet, what can I write to bring out the full teaching of the Bible on
anything at all? Yes, I remember you've told me that it is unwise to
compare ourselves to others with far more experience than us, but I
really wish I could do as well as you have. Today, I taught my mom and
her cousin the significance of John's much weeping in Rev 5:4, and it
came home to me too just how strongly he felt about the conclusion of
this war of the Lord's to take back his universe. I have since then been
recalling
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
(NKJV) Philippians 2:21
Every time I read how Paul gave nearly 100%, I just get a little sick of
my own self. John understood that whereas the Lord has never been short
of generous and faithful to us, He is the One Who was, for want of a
better way to put it, "driven from His Home" by a wayward, rebellious
child of His who is destroying everything that God cares for. The
revelation of Jesus Christ certainly does us every bit of good, but it
commences the return of the King to His Kingdom, of the Father to His
Own Household, of God to the Creation that He made and loves. He doesn't
let us suffer unduly just because of the treatment that the work of His
Hands have subjected Him to, but I tend to forget that this whole war
was declared and has been unceasingly and unrelentingly been waged
against Him, for nothing wrong that He ever did to anyone, no less.
John's strong feelings about the conclusion of this war so that the
embattled but righteous King can return home to "his own things" told me
that I am right about myself. I'll grant that I have suffered a few
inconveniences and that I am still in the midst of inconveniences, but
there is no true comparison between what I have endured or am enduring
and what the Lord has had to endure from His Creation all this time. And
knowing this, sometimes I still want to ignore it and just take a break
and have some fun. I know that I should not feel guilty about needing a
break every now and then, but the thing that constitutes fun is
sometimes joining the persecution of the same Person I have just spoken
of.
I used to ask the Lord (it was a very frequent complaint growing up) why
He didn't make me an angel so that I never sinned against Him (when I
didn't know that the angels had to make their own choice) or an animal
that didn't have to make a choice about my behavior. I was frustrated
with my seeming inability to do the right thing when I wanted to do it.
I don't feel that frustrated anymore. I haven't for some time now, since
I have been studying under Ichthys, but I still feel disappointed with
myself. We can all do better, but I think that I've been significantly
more blessed than probably any other believer I have met. I have a grasp
of the Scriptures and the teachings that I have learned on Ichthys that
seems stronger than any other that I have come across, so I should be
far better at walking in the things that I have learned, but I'm sure
that I'm underperforming significantly.
I'm happy for every crumb of progress. Whenever I realize that I have
come some way, I'm thrilled, but compared to what I have seen and what's
possible, it feels like I would be fortunate to get away with one crown
at all. The Lord deserves everything. That statement feels like a cliche.
It feels like saying that the sun shines. It's unnecessary to say it at
all, and yet it seems an easy thing to disregard or forget in the midst
of daily pursuits.
You say essentially that the right thing to do is to just keep putting
one foot in front of the other everyday. I know. I tend to prefer doing
one big thing once that finishes everything; a little at a time feels
like not moving at all. Still I know that that is really the only way
things work. Even with speed reading, you're limited by how much your
eyes can take in at once. I get this intellectually, and I try to live
by it everyday, but I wish I could do better. I wish that I could do all
the things I want to do everyday and end up a few months down the line
at the point that I want to be. It just feels like I never get to the
finish, personally. I want to be just like you, Paul, and John, and
certainly Moses. But I feel like the man who ends up marveling at the
genius of chess grandmasters and enjoying the beauty and power of their
games although he could never play quite so well.
On another note, I have been debating compiling an old discussion that I
had in 2018 over the nature of the Scriptures with a Roman Catholic and
an atheist/agnostic and sending to you. I think that I made too many
errors and reversals there for it to be a public posting (although I
would love very much to know what you think when you read it), so I have
been reluctant to do it since I left the conversation. I do want any
thoughts you may have on it though, so I might go on and compile it and
send to you. I delayed this email because of that debate. I thought that
since you're working on bibliology now [note:
BB7 is posted at the link],
it might be useful to send it to you now, but as I browsed through it
again, I felt hesitant again.
Did you have your meet with your colleague yet? How are they doing? Any
news from the our friends yet?
Your student in Jesus Christ
Response #7:
I haven't heard from our friend since they were about to close on the
house in Texas. I'm curious too, but I thought it better to wait for
news (since they are either very busy or very disappointed). I did have
lunch with my colleague the other day, and I'm afraid the news is not so
good. Her one son fell off the wagon and is in rehab, and her other son
is still bitterly alienated for no reason I can understand. She is also
having back problems – not to mention becoming "stir crazy" from the
Covid isolation like many of the rest of us. So prayers are in order
(thanks for jogging my memory).
You gave me a good chuckle! "I want to be just like you, Paul, and
John, and certainly Moses." Pretty august company you put me in –
would that! Reminds me of an old joke: "Mozart is dead, Beethoven is
dead, and I myself am feeling poorly as well".
It's right and good for us all to aspire to the three crowns and a good
report commensurate with a bountiful inheritance at the judgment seat of
Christ (Heb.11:6). And it is also salutary for us all to remember that
Paul (number one in your trio) had this to say about that:
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
1st Corinthians 4:3-5 NKJV
And . . .
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:8-11 NKJV
And we also know that "the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth" (Num.12:3 NKJV).
We're talking about ACTUAL humility here too, not affected humility. Paul and Moses (and John I would say too) got to the point of actually understanding something about just how "big" what God has done for us is, and just how "small" we really are in comparison. That does take spiritual growth. The image of God inhabiting a body infested by the sin nature is a recipe for arrogance as the natural default setting.
Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
Ecclesiastes 9:3b NKJV
Imagining oneself equal to God – or greater (as the devil and his
followers angelic and human always come to do) is the epitome of
insanity. Truly, if the vast majority of human beings can't be swayed by
the prospect of the most terrifying thing in the world – their own death
– then madness has come full circle, always having at its core an
unwillingness to bend their will to the Will of God. We all started out
there. Spiritual growth is in many ways a slow march back towards
sanity. That is essentially what godliness is, namely, seeing things as
God sees them. If all of a sudden we were given to see things exactly as
God sees them, no doubt we would instantly expire out of shock, terror
and despair – at least as far as a correct analysis of the world and
ourselves is concerned. But blessedly there is the other side of that:
seeing the mercy and the goodness and the grace and the healing and the
love of God. Hallelujah for the cross of Jesus Christ!
So, yes, I'm going to repeat myself. It's the essence of all decent
teaching, after all. I was somewhat fascinated with mountain climbing
when I was much younger, though I never got around to any "technical
climbing". One main reason for that is that I'm not particularly fond of
heights (to say the least). But even in an ascent where ropes and such
are not necessary, there's still only one way up: one small step at a
time. You can't just instantly jump to the top like characters do in
cartoon movies . . . and wouldn't it take all of the fun out of it if
you could? It would certainly remove the challenge. Spiritual growth is
a challenge – and so is the fulfillment of the plan that God has for our
lives. It's often difficult. We seldom attack it as aggressively as we
should at the least (let alone as much as we could at the most). But it
can be fun. What is more fun than pleasing the One we love more than
life itself, doing what He would have us to do, fighting in a conflict
that doesn't just have temporal consequences and earthly glory but
heavenly and eternal ones? We all lose that perspective from time to
time. In fact, we all need to make the effort to capture then recapture
that "high ground" whenever it slips away from us. You are known to the
Lord personally. Your name is written in the heavenly records, and the
angels are watching you to see how you fulfill the potential it's been
written that you will fulfill. I hope that is true of myself as well,
but I can tell you that any angels watching me when I was young, "when I
was your age" (as old people are wont to say), would have hung their
heads in despair and disbelief. But just because we are down now does
not mean we cannot get back up and get back into the fight. And just
because we may be feeling the load now and not be satisfied with the way
we've been handling it up to now does not mean we can't get more serious
about what really counts in this life and in this world . . . right now.
You're dealing with a lot and you have a lot of irons in the fire. Under
such circumstances, distractions are inevitable. So you have to take
extra measures to embrace the joy of being a godly warrior in this
fight. We marvel at the list of David's "mighty men" and their
accomplishments, recorded in the Word of God forever. But spiritual
accomplishments and exploits in the real war that is being invisibly
waged are not only much more important but will receive their due reward
and recognition forever. There are only two things we need: to recognize
and remember that principle – which had a lot to do with us ever getting
serious about this fight in the first place – and then to act on it.
Could you do better? I could do better. We all could do better. Fight
the fight.
Thanks for your really touching and encouraging testimony, my friend! I
appreciate your good words more than you can know. Let me tell you, you
are a very great encouragement to me. For all the more reason then, keep
fighting the fight.
I'd be happy to look over whatever you've written any time, my friend
(editing takes me a little longer to get to).
Your mother is VERY blessed to have a good and dutiful son like you.
Believe me, there are others who don't have it so good (like my colleague).
Everyone's fine here – keeping you and your family in my prayers daily.
In Jesus Christ our God and our King.
Bob L.
Question #8:
Dear Professor
I always look forward to your weekly postings. I hope you are doing well
in your somewhat complicated situation in the north. On a light note, I
see the undeserved reputation buses have gained as a cause of death (why
aren’t trucks, or more accurately cars so implicated?).
And yes, the Lord is able to provide a teacher for His people and all
glory belongs to Him, though realising all that would still not avert
the grief we all would feel, should ...
I haven’t seen anything else that comes close to what He has provided at
Ichthys and we are all very grateful for the blessing of your Ministry.
All us “offshoots” have been instructed and encouraged by you. Again all
glory to God for His gracious gifts to His children.
Last night I attended my first Bible fellowship/lesson meeting in a
couple of months. Our teacher gave a lesson from Mark 13 on the signs to
look for now that it is “at the doors”. Naturally, I made some points,
especially to hammer home the falsity of the pre-trib rapture theory,
and to remind that the Tribulation is 7 years once it starts. He said
all the materials are ready for the temple construction which can
completed very rapidly. Finally he announced that they will be moving to
the city in about 4 weeks, that he would give the next lesson on
Revelation 12 and 13, and then the following one would be up to me and
then another man in our small group. We were surprised/shocked and one
wife was moved to tears. The teacher’s wife is one of the most smiley
friendly faces I have ever seen - even when she is tired and in pain.
She works at the nursing home and will be sorely missed there as well.
I was “surprised” hearing myself say that I was lazy and that was one
reason why I was happy not to be teaching. However the crunch is coming
and we need to continue in the faith. Some (more) of my reluctance comes
from feeling unworthy of teaching (even in a small group) because of our
family situation.
My daughter, son-in-law and kids were here for a few days. He said they
have a Chaplin at their school now (first one in 3 years), a woman from
Victoria. They now have assemblies with prayer, hymns, and scriptures.
Being an Anglican school, so they should, he says. While I was alone
with him we did talk about the gospel (my daughter hasn’t wanted to go
near there for years so had this while they were out). He keeps saying
what if it doesn’t happen? Be believing before it does. Weather is cold
to cool so they have given till the 14th to burn off, so doing that too
- had one of the four bonfires so far with them.
[omitted]
In some of the above there are sensitive issues and some avoiding
strategies need to be employed (oh that life was less complicated/beyond
our control).
That’s my messy update condensed and very limited (for your sake).
Keeping you and yours in my prayers.
Your student
Response #8:
Thanks for keeping up!
I should have more consideration for the bus drivers in my flock before
I say such things (sorry). Of course you know that this is just my way
of expressing the possibility of the unexpected event. Buses are pretty
big, fairly slow and relatively easy to avoid. And yet . . .
For what it's worth, I think this is an EXCELLENT opportunity for you,
my friend! You have a great deal to offer, and I wouldn't let the fact
that you're not perfect in your own estimation stop you from doing what
the Lord is wanting you to do. If I had taken the same position – which
I easily might have done – I would never have launched this ministry in
the first place. Instead, I brazenly and shamelessly pressed forward.
Anyone with a godly, humble attitude should indeed be circumspect about
taking the Word of God upon his lips. But even that can be pushed too
far.
Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses,
Exodus 4:11-14a NKJV
Thanks for the update on the family et al., my friend. Pretty much all
of us face similar issues with those we love. You do have a good dose of
it. They are all blessed to have you.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #9:
[report on a charismatic church omitted]
I also just put together that, in asking us to be on fire, He is asking
us to be (genuinely) emotional (and that doesn't exclude any thinking).
So again I have allowed the culture to trick me into treating God not so
well. Sigh. The people doing this certainly have emotion and I have
found when they try to get us to do this, they won't put forward their
alternative because it is always either emotion based with no logic, or
the logic is tenuous at best even on its own. Who would want to try a
sand castle next to the water to a brilliant shimmering ages long real
castle?
Response #9:
From our long correspondence I would adjudge that you are properly and
genuinely zealous (a better word) for Jesus Christ. God is not impressed
by ginned up displays of emotion, people waving their hands in the air
and jumping up and down. He knows what is really in the heart of each
person.
In Jesus.
Bob L.
Question #10:
I am a bit frustrated because of my job. They don't treat their good
employees well and seem to expect them to know more and do better than
themselves (management). Under all of our lower employee job
descriptions should be "soothing upper employees' ego' and playing
secretary even for other departments because they force us and then take
criticism for doing so (asking why we don't have our own work done). I
am actually not opposed to secretary work, it is just when they say one
thing and then get mad you did it. And then praise you one year
(verbally, so there is no written record) and then when it is convenient
say your work is always bad and their mistakes are actually yours. And
get mad you didn't read their minds over what they wanted, though they
change their minds day to day anyway, so that is a bit moot. And pile
more on when you are already doing extra, and complain. Goodness they
are awful.
I am a would-be great employee, but have kind of been curtailed by
management for years. So I have given up on that. I will be average to
slightly above average. And pour myself into my real job: prayer, Bible
reading and study, and Greek. I am almost getting a good routine on all
of them.
[omitted]
Response #10:
Knowing you for some time, I am sure that you are doing a good job "as unto the
Lord" (Col.3:17). It is typical of positive believers to always feel that they
are "inadequate" when in fact they are being honorable and well above average in
their secular work. It is not incumbent upon us to "live the job" the way some
do. The Lord is more than capable of blessing us in any job beyond what even we
ourselves feel we may deserve, even while those who are ruining themselves to
get ahead don't do much better – because God is with us and not them. And never
forget that any organization is blessed by the Lord through the believers
therein – most especially if they are positive believers pushing towards
spiritual maturity and beyond. So once again, spiritual growth is "job one".
As to your other question/comment, I am not good at being a doormat, and in my
life I have "sounded off" and taken other actions in situations such as you
describe, sometimes seeming right to myself even later on consideration,
sometimes later feeling that "discretion" would have been "the better part of
valor". The main thing is to remember that this life is all about Jesus Christ,
not about us. He is well aware of all we are enduring – and the plan of God
decreed it all before creation began, along with our deliverance. So the main
thing is to understand that the Lord is with us – so no one can stand against us
if we are doing what is good and right in His sight. One of my favorite passages
on that:
Wait on the LORD,
And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power,
And spreading himself like a native green tree.
Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.
Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright;
For the future of that man is peace.
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together;
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psalm 37:34-38 NKJV
In Jesus our dear Savior and Deliverer.
Bob L.
Question #11:
Hey Dr. Luginbill,
How are you? I hope you're doing well and that this year is being kind
to you. I know a lot of people have been having a rough time with the
lock downs, including me. Will you please pray and make a mighty
intercession for me? Please pray that I would receive a mighty miracle
and deliverance like in the bible. And I'll join you alongside in
prayer. My grandmother also tells me that she prays for me and all of
her grandkids nightly. So my hope is that with the three of us gathered
together in prayer, God will be in the midst and hear and take pity and
move powerfully in my life. Thank you so much for always being there for
me and encouraging me in the Lord.
An update on my daughter. She just turned two months on the 15th. Could
you please pray to God that he would bless me with many years to be with
and love, care for, and grow my daughter in his teaching.
Thank you so much,
Response #11:
I'm very happy to hear that things are going so well for you.
It seems to me that the Lord is already walking side by side with you – and
there is nothing better than that (the still small voice of the Spirit is better
than the most amazing portents: 1Ki.19:11-12).
I have indeed been keeping you and her in my prayers, and will continue to do
so.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Dr. Luginbill
I wanted to thank you for the over abundance of work you have done for us here
at ichthys. I am constantly in awe of the volume of information contained here.
You certainly honor the Lord and have been doing so for many years. I was
surprised to hear that you have 10,000 visitors a week. How many emails do you
receive each week? I just don't know how you are so good at managing your time.
My family or 4 of us anyway, have still been meeting weekly on Sundays to do
"church" and you are still serving us all as pastor/teacher. We did have to a
few changes but seem to have a groove now. Instead of the Satanic Rebellion we
are doing Christology and now I just added the Peter series which we are using
the MP3 files to listen straight through instead of really breaking it apart
slowly like we are doing with Christology. It adds to the time but also gives a
break. It was so interesting today that just as we studied under the name of
Christ we did "Rock" then listened to Peter lesson 2 and it was even deeper on
the same subject. I just smiled, thanking Jesus for bring things together in His
way.
My 20 yr old daughter is lost but says she is seeking God. Not many weeks ago
she told me she didn't need Jesus to get to heaven. More recently she is saying
that there are other religions and mine may not be the right one. I believe she
is most interested in the Hindu type but seems to me to be worshiping a god that
is not God. Praying and meditating to what though? Seeking her higher power. I
still try to bring her to reality but she doesn't like my negative talk....but
you and I know its not negative but The Way. If you have anything or can send me
somewhere reputable that could explain to me and to her why the other religions
are not the truth. I was trying to listen to some of Ravi Zacharias videos but
quickly knew that was not the thing I need. In fact there is nothing out there I
have found that is good. I'm getting less tolerant of these online faces and
also I'm quicker to see there errors thanks to you!
In Him who is The Way, The Truth and The Ligh
Response #12:
You're so welcome as always, my friend. But please don't be overly
impressed by the numbers. On the one hand, thousands upon thousands of
people actually attend and give their money and their all to all manner
of dubious churches around this land every week; and on the other hand,
as I said in context, the vast majority of those who "bump into Ichthys"
click out nearly immediately – so it doesn't do them any good
whatsoever. [note: Ichthys' internet traffic has dropped over 50% since
the pandemic]
On your "church services", I'm thrilled to hear it!
On your daughter, I think we all have similar experiences with at least
some of our children or other family members. It's not unusual for them
to "go off to a far country" like the prodigal son, and need to find out
the hard way that there isn't anything of value on the other side of
"fool hill" (as my maternal grandfather used to say). How to handle it?
That is not easy to say, but one thing I do know is that this usually
isn't a question of "information" or "presentation"; this is usually
about a young person trying to make his/her own way in the world, and a
part of that always seems to be differentiating themselves from "us".
The bad things they embrace to do that (and the good things they
temporarily abandon too), always gives us fits – but for them that is
the "icing on the cake", it often seems.
As to books, one doesn't have to read far into the Bible, the New
Testament in particular, and the gospel of John most especially, to see
that the Bible leaves no doubt about Jesus Christ being the ONLY way to
salvation. Even unbelievers who read John would have to admit that –
it's just that they don't accept what is said as true. That is between
them and the Spirit – and the Spirit always makes the actual truth clear
to them in their heart of hearts, regardless of what they tell others.
My best advice is to keep the lines of communication open in a loving
way, while at the same time never failing to make your own position
clear: Jesus is the only Savior, and that is clearly what the Bible
teaches.
I have said a prayer for your daughter and I do promise to keep her
along with you and your family on my list.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Dear Robert,
It's been a while since I've written, but, I've still been visiting your
site and reading all the latest emails. I've got all the same scenarios
in my life, so nothing new to report. I've been over-indulging in
reading the news and sometimes I wonder why. It's like I can't, not,
read it and it's somewhat troublesome and yet, the need to 'look' is
overwhelming.
I know it's said that the Tribulation will be like 'honey' in my mouth,
but 'bitter' in my belly and it's true. At first, it was a bit
frightening, but, I could feel the Lord calming me to remember that all
that is happening is His will. I also have to remind myself of His
promises of love and care during these times and then I am relieved. It
isn't like it is frightening in that it is happening or that His Word is
very, plainly revealing His truth, or that I am frightened of that which
is happening, no, it's not that type of fear, but one of the short time
and if I'm still in His good graces...will Jesus say to me that He knows
me and welcomes me into the wedding supper.
Why? You may ask, should I feel this way after so much time loving and
knowing Him and it is because of a sin I have not given up. I smoke
cigarettes and even more so in these lockdowns and no work. And, it's
not like I've not ever quit to some degree before going back to it. I've
felt His push to quit all while I've felt Him refine and prune all other
worldly desires from me and wonder why He leaves me with this one thing
that I hate doing and will not just take it away too. He's brought me to
the point of not wanting to be in this world at all...not suicide by any
means, but a sick feeling in my whole being about all that I see around
me; to the point of almost not being able to see His beauty that still
remains, however, hard I try to find it...I always do though, seemingly,
just before I feel to ask Him to just take me from this world. After all
of this I then feel bad because I still have no purpose in my life and
pray for Him to bring me to one. I know He will and I know I want to do
whatever He asks, but doubt myself if I cannot even just quit smoking.
Of all the things I've felt Him remove from me, love of music, movies,
work, cooking, all small things, but things that brought me joy...they
do not any longer. Even friends and family have diminished a strong part
of my life. I know it is necessary to be refined of these worldly things
and it doesn't bother me, in hindsight, and realizing what He's been
doing, but, I ask Him, why leave me with this one thing that is still so
strong. I don't want to smoke and I know I could leave it so easily and
yet, I won't and it is bothering me. It's like I know I'm going to and
each day I wake up and light up knowing it is killing me...and then I'm
like, I just don't care anymore. And, this is the problem because I am
to be living for Jesus, doing His work and forgetting myself and
spreading the Gospel. These are things I want so badly and yet, each day
is seemingly, not the day.
I've felt like the Jews in the wilderness going around the same mountain
and it's now year 34 and that I am not going to make it to the promised
land. I feel like I'm wasting each day away. I've come to the point of
not caring about my household chores, my own health, working or anything
else. I do the bare necessities of feeding my husband, my cat or
vicariously living through the life my daughter lives. I have no joy, no
fellow Christian family, no church (still) no one who thinks or feels
like I do. No one wants to hear the things I see going on that bares the
brewing and birth pains of the times to come...no one. I feel so alone,
so wasted and barren. I believe my clicking on familiar news
commentators or youtube channels gives me some feeling of others who
believe as I do and that seems pretty pathetic that they should calm my
loneliness.
I've prayed and prayed for God to help me stop smoking if it is the
thing keeping me from His will, for His blessings are still with my
family and I, He still takes good care of us through these trying times
and I feel Him and talk to Him often. I could never 'not' know Him, love
Him or feel Him, it's just this waiting and feelings of guilt and like
I'm no where near where I should be or doing what He wants of me. All
this 'knowledge' of current events matching up with what I've learned
from your teachings seems moot and draining and sits only within me, as
the apathy all around me is almost toxic.
Every job I've applied for has never called or I've gone for interviews,
but never hired and then I think that God just doesn't want me to work
now and has granted us with money to hold us over in spades, so I sit
and wait.
There are lots of details here and there in my life that I could go into
that could give clue to what's going on, but, it would be so tedious to
write you of them it seems unnecessary to the ultimate worry of Jesus
Christ, only and that I want Him, to be deeper into Him and to just be
in love and walking with Him and yet...He seems so far at times.
I already know the scriptures you will send me and tell me that most
Christians may be going through the same thing, yada, yada, yada. This
doesn't mean I don't appreciate any words you may have for me, but, like
opening the Bible, feeling like I already know what I will read makes me
feel even more alone, useless and wretched. So disgusting to feel this
way about you and especially my Lord and His Word.
I hate not caring about anything any longer, but, accept it and wait for
my Lord, but, the guilt of waiting and not doing anything is strong upon
me. I honestly do not know what to do accept the same routine I do every
day which is read the news and do some daily chores and waiting to see
if the Lord wakes me up for another day and feeling like I'm so, sadly,
letting Him down.
Response #13:
Great to hear from you, my friend! I have been keeping you in my prayers
daily. I'm sorry to hear, however, that you are having some issues.
Let me say first that while smoking is clearly harmful to one's health
(as a great many other things are too), I don't find any biblical basis
for calling it sinful per se. Now if a person is convicted that is
something he/she shouldn't be doing, well . . . they should, and God
will help if we trust Him to do so (as with dieting and exercise and
consistency in Bible study and so many other challenges we face).
This world really is a rotten place and pretty depressing at that. But
we believers have a right to lift our perspective up above what's right
in front of us and focus instead on all the wonders and glories to come.
Imagine the best place you've ever been in your life and the best
possible circumstances in that place. Even if you could snap your
fingers and bring that situation about, it would still be only temporary
– while the New Jerusalem is eternal. And the most "humble abode" and
"humble situation" in our coming city will be better to an infinite
degree and more pleasing to an infinite degree than that "best place" we
can imagine down here.
It's not uncommon for believers to get their perspective knocked out of
whack. The devil's entire world system, all of his minions, and our sin
natures all collaborate to do just that. But we have a right to rise
above that noise and churn and look instead unto our dear Lord Jesus
(Heb.12:2), thinking instead of the things above (Col.3:1-4).
As I and most of my correspondents in this ministry can confirm, the
present recent Covid unpleasantness is making our holding of the
perspective more difficult. But it really is good practice. Once the
Tribulation begins, it's not as if it's going to be easier to do that.
If we take pains to engage with the peace that is ours as children of
God and part of the Bride of Christ, we find in giving ourselves over to
what the Lord wants us to do in communing with Him at all times and in
opening our hearts to all of His truth that the joy will come.
If you are doing that, you are NOT letting Him down (and He doesn't
require that you give up everything – like cooking, etc. – to honor
Him).
In Jesus Christ who is our all and our everything.
Bob L.
[note: our friend did give up smoking successfully and did land a job –
but please keep praying for her]
Question #14:
Dear Professor
Today I met the 3 young men who were in the crashed car. Indonesians on
backpack working visas. 2 Muslims, the driver is the ‘sticker’
(slaughters the lambs at the local abattoir for Muslim consumption). 1 a
Christian sharing house with them and working at grain handling
facilities. We sorted everything out and organised the tow truck which
has just picked up the car for the crusher. They all got off with cuts
and scratches. The roof was not completely flattened and he tells me
they were going just 60 kph when power steering failed. A friend is
going to help me fix the fence tomorrow after work.
Finally got to explaining to them about the interesting times we are
coming in for and rather than being defensive they said I should come
around for dinner sometime and sample their excellent Indonesian
cooking. I did mention about Abraham as I know Muslims and Christians
believe we are blessed through Abraham, which I explained rather poorly,
meant that through the Abrahamic promise God made we are actually all
blessed through our Savior Jesus Christ. I did a quick talk on the signs
of the Tribulation (you never know if this will be your only chance) and
the dangers of believing in the false signs and miracles. It was after I
had spoken for some length that they extended the invitation, so I am
always hoping for their favorable response to the Spirit of Truth.
Thank you for your encouragement in the truth. I certainly appreciate
your help and good work and words, when sometimes it might be tempting
to judge rather than offer hope. Your following the Spirit in all things
is a constant blessing to us all.
Your latest installment,
Bible Basics 7, is another help and blessing for all who partake
freely of God’s good gifts to us. We certainly need all that God offers
us, and pray we can pass the tests that always come our way.
Through Him only, Jesus Christ, who makes all things possible.
Your student
Response #14:
I'll say a prayer for your success in this witnessing effort – this
particular "nut" is a tough one to crack, but the Holy Spirit can do
anything.
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Robert,
I have a question. I’ve been studying Daniel and see how much he was a
young man of conviction and uncompromising. I’ve lived a life of
compromise and impurity growing up and even as an adult. Is it too late
for me to be pure in heart so that I can see God more clearly? I’ve been
working on this for years. I’m now 59.
[email #2] I’m sorry about yesterday. I was at a low point after reading
about Daniels impeccable life to the Lord. I’ve never turned my back in
the Lord but failed Him many times. After reading further that the road
to success is paved with failure.
I’m not giving up.
Thank you,
Response #15:
Good for you, my friend!
That is the correct attitude – and the one we all need to have for
continued spiritual growth. If the Lord only accepted perfect people,
none of us would be acceptable. If the Lord never forgave those who
failed, we would all be doomed – including Abraham, David, Moses and
Elijah . . . and probably Daniel as well (even if we are not privy to
whatever stumbling he may have done; he was human, after all).
(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.
Philippians 3:13-14
Keep running your good race day by day!
In Jesus our merciful Savior.
Bob L.
Question #16:
Dear Teacher-
Knowing how busy you are, I was so touched that you replied to my first
email within the same day, it was all I could do to keep from replying
right back! All the better, as I can now also share the joy of your
completion of the Bible Basics series. After an initial “quick” reading
of Bibliology, I can say
it was worth the short wait for this student, and I look forward to
rolling up my sleeves and really digging into it!
As I read it, I was again filled with gratitude for having been brought
to your teaching ministry, and I realized that the illumination your
teaching provides was what led me to ponder that question of when I was
first saved. Without getting too wordy, I can only say that I clearly
recognized the Spirit in your studies, and after just a short time, my
personal reading benefitted beyond what I had encountered in your
studies. It was as though the mere exposure to good teaching unlocked
the Word to me in a way that I was blessed to recognize was leading to
true spiritual growth. In utter amazement, I wondered that I was
actually His before!
Of course, it’s a marathon and not a sprint, but God seems to have set
me up to find your studies just when I would be most ready and able to
be edified by them. Thank you so much for answering and being so
faithful to your call to this ministry!
In our Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who is faithful to provide
just what we need when we need it!
Your student,
Response #16:
It's my pleasure!
And thanks to you for your encouragement and even more especially for
you enthusiasm for the Word of God. It really does make a difference,
doesn't it? Not necessarily in ways the world can see and perceive . . .
immediately. But WE see it – and it causes us to see the world in a
whole different way, a godly way. And God most assuredly sees that too.
So keep persevering in the Marathon, my friend! There are medals of gold
on the other end.
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Good morning, Bob.
I just want to wish you and your family a blessed day. Also, Thank you
for heeding the promptings of the Holy Spirit and building this
beautiful website/ministry. I am sure that you helped our Lord build up
some of His saints for His (Christ) kingdom.
You certainly are helping a loved one of mine, (Thank you, once again).
Please pray for me and my children, I am praying for you.
I wish you safety and may God's hand be on you always, now and in the
times to come.
We are strong in the Lord,
Response #17:
Thanks for your encouraging words!
I have put your new email address on my pray-through list.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Hey Dr. Luginbill,
The procedure went very well, thank God. It didn't hurt nearly as much
as I expected it to. The doctor said all my numbers are perfectly
normal. He says my heart is fine. He does think I may have sleep apnea
and wants me to follow up with a sleep study. I'm very thankful and
grateful to God. My primary care doctor is pretty confident that I have
asthma. She's helping me find the right long-acting inhaler to treat me.
Hopefully we find one that works well. Thank you so much for praying for
me and my daughter.
Thank you,
Response #18:
I'm sorry you had to go through this procedure to find out that nothing
much ails you – but it's blessed news nonetheless!
No doubt you are under a good deal of stress too now in this lock down
as most of us are – even those of us who are not caring for a newborn
alone. So try to get some rest, and remember that the Lord has it all in
hand.
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Doctor,
Been a bit since we communicated; I’m glad you’re still at it. Things
have been interesting. Since my friend and I split things have improved
dramatically. Don’t remember if I had my current position when we last
spoke, but I’ve been working an ATT wireless position almost exactly a
year now and it’s gotten better and better. So much so that we now have
a new house (though very simple/reasonable in design and “affordable”
for us) it’s fits everyone nicely and I can afford it even though it’s
still fairly pricey. Our lot is just under an acre and includes a few
nice sledding hills for the kids. They’re all well too, we (He) added
another girl 5 months ago, so we’re up to 5 total. We’ll see
if there’s more coming, but at least we have a home we don’t have to
worry about leaving or having costs raised on us.
[omittted]
I’m certain a huge portion of this is from our God answering your
prayers and we can’t be more thankful.
I’ll get that to that read of
BB 7 ASAP. I still pray you’re doing well. Hopefully not too much
protester nonsense at your work.
Response #19:
Great to hear back from you, my friend! I'm very happy to learn that the
job continues to go well (I have been keeping that in prayer). Good to
hear too that you all have a solid place to live. There are a number of
Ichthys readers who are presently betwixt and between; the Covid mess
isn't helping there either.
I'm also happy to hear that your health is improving in this regard – I
have been praying for that too, but I am sure that I am NOT the only
one. Heard back from our friend but he didn't share many details. Hope
you're still keeping up with him.
Things are quiet in Louisville . . . at the moment. Guess we'll have to
wait and see what the next few weeks has in store.
And congrats on your growing family!
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Bob,
How are you? I hope all is well. I would like to introduce myself. I was
formally a very devout Catholic so I have been on quite the journey as
my son encourages me to read the Bible for myself which I did not do
much up until now. I cannot but keep wondering in amazement how I
believed I knew our lord Jesus Christ well enough by praying the rosary,
going to mass, and confession and never reading the bible. The hours and
hours I spent praying to Mary and the Saints when I could have been
reading and conversing directly to our Lord makes me wonder how I
survived. However, I am blessed to be growing in the true faith of our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Once more, I thank you for your valuable website and bible study
material you share with all who happen to be lucky enough to stumble
upon it on the internet.
In Christ,
Response #20:
Thank you for your encouraging testimony! Breaking free from any false system is never easy. Please don't fret yourself over wasted time in the past. I rejoice with you that you are FREE now and moving forward with Jesus Christ! We all have "back stories". As our Lord said . . .
"But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Matthew 9:13 NKJV
And such were we all in one way or another – only the specifics are different.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
1st Corinthians 6:11 NKJV
But now we are indeed "justified by faith", made righteous in God's eyes – the
only Person whose opinion counts – by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in whom we
have put our faith for life eternal.
I am keeping you in my daily prayers.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.