Question #1:
Dear Bob,
A very Happy New Year in Christ to you Bob!
I just read this week's emails Bob and wow you have really surpassed
yourself, even the hard work you have already wrought under the Spirit.
I know how hard you work for your ministry but you graciously put in so
many study point links in the emails as responses and this will be such
a blessing for me, thank you so much!
I really appreciate this study and teaching technique and I will be
following up these links in the week on top of my already established
study pattern.
I hope you continue to add links in your posts each week. I am sure it
is much extra work for you but it leads people deeper into your ministry
and encourages the people who only read your emails and nothing else to
go deeper into study and it also encourages a person like myself to dip
into other parts of your ministry whilst simultaneously studying
elsewhere and therefore giving me (and others) a much richer experience
of interaction with your site and the Word.
So I guess the TLDR is "Bravo! I like it very much and long may it
continue".
Thank you for your continual hard work, encouragement, fellowship and
teaching.
I hope this New Year to get my own ministry up and running online soon
and your ministry always encourages me with that.
Hope this is a greatly productive and spiritually rewarding year for you
my friend!
In Jesus,
p.s., Just one more question.. did you ever hear from __ again?
In Him,
Response #1:
Thanks for your good words and encouragement, my friend! I do try to put in
links that were there in the original emails and also to add some where it seems
on preparing them for posting that it would be good to give readers an easy way
to get to more detail on the topics at hand (some postings are more conducive to
this than others). I appreciate your good words about
this.
On our friend, he broke fellowship with me for reasons I still don't entirely
understand (it had something to do with me not accepting his interpretations on
certain verses).
Wishing you a blessed 2023!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,
No question this time, I just want to tell you I was going through some email
postings this morning and they were a wonderful help to me. I can't tell you how
much I appreciate your hard work and sacrifice. Thank you!
I hope you are well!
Respectfully,
Response #2:
Thanks for the encouragement!
Greatly appreciated.
Keeping you in my prayers – how is your health doing?
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Thank you for asking! I am feeling pretty good, currently on medicine and a diet to correct my digestion issues. I think that was the root of my upset in July. Everything is trending up currently. Thank you for praying so faithfully for me!
Response #3:
It's my pleasure.
God is good!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Dear Brother,
My heart is bursting with thanks to Our Loving Savior for the news I
have to share with you!
My Mama had surgery this past Friday, 9/30 and is coming home this
evening around 7 pm! We Praise God & Our Lord Jesus for a complete
healing! The cancer was contained to the kidney & her lymph nodes were
clean. She took nothing for pain in the hospital, she said that all she
has was some soreness. The prayers of so many from my friends on Ichthys
to Mama's church family and many friends were so very comforting &
provided much needed peace to our family.
Please let everyone know how thankful we are for all the prayers!!
My family has truly been blessed by the Great Physician and we are so
thankful for His Mercy and Grace that He shown us.
Thank you for all your prayers & Love in Christ Jesus!
Response #4:
That is wonderful news!
I'm so happy to hear your good report for your mom and yourself as well.
I've updated the prayer request, so those who've been praying for you
can see that their prayers were answered.
I appreciate your trust in the Lord and your obvious faith in the face
of adversity, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
p.s., I'd like to post your email, if you are willing. I'll let you
decide about how much of it should be shared.
Question #5:
Dear Friend,
Please feel free to post as much as you like. Testimony like this
deserves to be shared! I know from previous postings that you have
shared, you always use discretion and I am confident that you will
again.
Again, thank you & all of our dear Ichthys friends for all their prayers
and concern.
In Jesus,
Response #5:
Thank you!
Question #6:
Hi Bob,
I know you know this already - but I want to say it anyway. All these
"royal" events that are happening right now just make me think about THE
King of kings and Lord of lords. The One I love and worship. The One who
inspires me, the One I follow and strive to be like. Our perfect King
and Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We patiently wait for His return. His
Kingdom and His Kingship will be unlike anything we have ever known or
the world has ever experienced. Nothing and no one can compare to Him.
They can't come anywhere close to who He is and to what He has done for
us. I can't wait to see Him and to be with Him very soon!
Thanks so much for your prayers, Bob!
In Jesus
Response #6:
Thanks for this – a very important reminder of our proper perspective, and one that applies to everything in this world. Whatever we are looking at or concerned about "down here", our hearts should be in heaven where our eternal life resides. And that truth should guide us in all we do.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:21 NKJV
Thanks for your prayers too, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
p.s., another UK correspondent just sent me a less than flattering
assessment of QEII's statements over the years regarding Christianity
and other religions. Like all famous departed people, we'll just have to
wait and see where the truth lies.
Question #7:
Thanks Bob,
I had very briefly read something about her having a deep Christian
faith and how she talked quite frequently about it, so I hoped the best
for her as I would for anyone.
I have a fiery zeal within my heart to stand up for the truth too.
In Jesus
Response #7:
I know you do! I couldn't even vouch for any American politician, and I
live here.
It's never clear what celebrities really think. They are used to saying
things with public consumption in mind. So unless a person is following
them like a celebrity stalker, he/she won't necessarily hear other
things which might be contradictory. We want all to be saved; we know
that all will not be – because of their free will. Better to be an
unknown commoner and a pauper and saved than a wealthy celebrity royal
or not who is headed for perdition.
"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?"
Luke 9:25 NIV
Hope your week is going well, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Thank you! I’m so thankful for your ministry and keep it in my prayers for it to continue.
Response #8:
Thank you!
Question #9:
Hi Dr. L -
It is truly something to consider (and if it were passed off in some
way). I drink bottled water and we brought cases in the SUV for the
trip. Either way - just so intriguing and bewildering - all of it!
Something that will be telling is that this week we picked up a home off
PCH. We are moving one of our sons into the property in August and we
plan for me to "live" there on and off. We are hopeful to see how my
body/health responds. The decision was a benefit in many aspects - and
not just for my "health experiment." Anyway, we shall see and time will
tell - and I will certainly keep you updated.
Thank you, Dr. Luginbill. When I read so many of your online readers'
comments about finding your site "refreshing" and an "oasis" it makes me
cry - because it is so true. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
In Him,
Response #9:
Thanks so much for your encouragement!
I always enjoyed California – lol you might get visitors if you put down
permanent stakes there! They've got their own problems out there,
however, and some of them are definitely man-made, but not all. Reminds
me of that old joke, "We're grateful for these torrential rains of late,
because they are causing mud slides which are putting out the fires
started by the earthquakes".
Did you manage to get in touch with our friend?
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Hi Bob, Thank you for the notification. Hope you are well, and I'm keeping you in prayer. Glad we're one day closer to being all together. As always your friend in Jesus.
Response #10:
Thanks!
That's right! We just have to wait a bit . . . one more day (at a time).
For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.
Hebrews 10:37-38 NKJV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Hello Mr Luginbill,
I will give it a look. Congratulations on 25 years of online ministry.
Your website is one of the very best Christian websites on the internet.
Best regards
Response #11:
Thanks for the vote of confidence – much appreciated!
Question #12:
Hello Bob,
I'm so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. I've been praying for ____ and
their loss throughout today and I'll continue to pray for them and your family
that the Lord will draw near to them and comfort them. I think of Psalm 34:18 -
The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in
spirit.
What I do know is that the Lord's Will and His plan for our lives is absolutely
perfect and whatever He allows to happen is only the very best for us. He loves
us and it is only ever for our good. Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes
all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are
called according to His purpose. I'm not telling you anything you don't already
know, but it's what I truly believe for all of your family.
I do understand the relief that you feel as well. When the time is right and if
they choose to, I know the Lord will bless them with a precious, healthy son or
daughter. [update: He has indeed!]
Thank you for sharing this with me Bob and you and your family are in my
prayers.
In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #12:
Thanks for this. I very much appreciate it and all of your prayers for
them, as well as the prayers for their comfort now in particular.
Any update on getting to the doc on your end?
Keeping you and yours in my prayers as well.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Thanks, and sorry for misunderstanding.
I've seen you comment before that you believe that if someone seemingly
apostatizes and later repents, they most likely never truly lost faith.
Is there any Biblical reasoning you think that?
Response #13:
I would hope anything I ever respond is based on a life-time of
"biblical reasoning".
I don't think I've ever put anything quite like this because this is not
the way I approach scripture.
If you're asking for support for the truth that God is incredibly
merciful and that we should never underestimate His love and forgiveness
. . . for those willing to repent and return to Him, you could do worse
than starting by reading Psalm 103. E.g.,
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for 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 has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
Psalm 103:8-13 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Good morning Dr. Luginbill:
I just wanted you to know that I really, really appreciate you. Thank
you for teaching us - it's a refreshing oasis in a dry and deserted
land.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We continue to keep you, your
ministry, and our Ichthys community in our prayers.
In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ -
Response #14:
Thank you!
And thanks for your prayers. They're especially needful at the moment.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,
Didn't expect a note on Saturday:) I haven't forgotten and look forward
to reading it. Your weekly posts are my normal Sunday morning fare. I
don't think you could have picked a better subject for the times and the
rather twisted state of contemporary Christianity. For that matter, the
extremely twisted state of the world.
Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for your work.
In our Lord,
Response #15:
Thank you!
Question #16:
Where do you go to join this site? Is it a free site? Once I join, can I then post questions concerning related to studies on the site or a basic question on a Biblical subject for clarification. Thanks.
Response #16:
Good to make your acquaintance.
Ichthys is absolutely free.
In terms of posting, the way this works is that readers send me
questions via this email address (questions2@ichthys.com)
and I answer them directly. At some point in the future (sometimes as
long as two years on or more), I may post them anonymously on
the emails page (at the link). After being on
that page for a week, that week's posting then moves to its own page (on
the "prior
postings" list at the link).
There is also a subject/topics index in
case you are looking for something in particular (at the link).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Hello Dr.,
So far, so good! There’s a few bugs in the audio edit function of the
new software but I’m getting used to it and I think the files are
turning out pretty good. I’ve got all 5 chapters of Hebrews loaded up to
YouTube and at this point there have been over 100 views with over 4
hours of viewing time and still 2 subscribers. Not bad, those spouting
false doctrines get numbers in the thousands and millions, so for real
Bible teaching to get anything is something in this day and age, there’s
a couple of hungry soul’s out there. I won’t mention any names but when
you compare at the numbers of the baloney factories masquerading as
Bible teaching and an excellent teacher like
Pastor Omo it’s pretty
sad. The time people waste on lies is incredible, however, this what
they want.
How are you Sir. It’s been a rough couple of months here, the back is
finally pain free after 8 weeks and the last couple of weeks of that I
got hit with two different viruses back to back, but I think I’m back in
the pink now. Thanks for the prayers, got you covered here.
All the best,
Rev.22:20
Response #17:
Thank you! These are great!
Interesting about YouTube. It'll be fun to see what develops there. Like
any platform, there are a lot of ins and outs, I would imagine, that you
can only learn about by doing.
I also appreciate your encouragement, my friend – it means a lot.
Sorry to hear about the viruses! I've been praying about your back but
didn't know you were dealing with bugs as well. Plenty of my students
have been getting sick. Tis' the season!
Thanks for your prayers too.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,
Hope you are having a lovely weekend!
Quite amazing to find a Water Boatsman insect in the moth light trap
this morning! Only found out today that they can fly! I made a mini pond
for it and fed it some powdered spirulina, left some weeds hanging in so
it can stay there for the day. Maybe in the evening it might fly off
(apparently flying in warmer weather and coming to artificial light). If
it isn't gone in the morning I can use an old Sea Monkey tank and feed
it until I go somewhere with a pond!
Also found out that we have Zebra Jumping Spiders living under our front
garden bench.
Both these insects are quite amazing as the Water Boatsman is the
loudest creature in the world (in proportion to its body size) with its
mating call reaching an audible 90 decibels!!
Also the Zebra Jumping Spider despite its tiny size can jump 14 times
its bodies' length! The one we have makes easy work of jumping between
the slats of the teak bench and almost seems to be surprised, if not
slightly miffed, to be sharing its bench with human creatures. I saw a
baby one today stand off and challenge a beetle about ten times its size
and the beetle didn't fancy its chances against it so jumped off!
What an amazingly creative Creator we serve!
In Jesus,
Response #18:
Thanks! Yes, it's really hard to understand how blind anyone with basic
intelligence could be to imagine that even one of these little guys
could possible have "just accidentally turned out" (cf. Rom.1:19-20).
That really is self-delusion of the highest order. But that is the world
we live in, ruled by the master of delusion and deception.
Maybe you should consider becoming an entomologist. My grandfather was
(a fairly famous one) and so was one of my uncles. But I misunderstood
the spelling and became an etymologist instead!
Hope you're having a good weekend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
As I was just starting to meditate on the LORD a little while ago, this
thought came into my mind.
I just wanted to share it with you my dear friend, who has taught me so
much.
Here is it.
I was not righteous, for I lived in sin, I knew not Jesus from within.
1. God gave me faith to believe in the Gospel, for little I had for Him.
2. God gave me grace, for I received what I did not deserve.
3. God gave me mercy, for I did not receive what I deserved.
4. God gave me His Love, for I displayed not much for Him.
5. But now I am righteous from God within.
6. Now I have God who dwells within.
7. God gave me eternal life with Him.
Well, I am not a poet because my feet don't show it. L
May our Heavenly, gracious Father bless you abundantly always.
I cherish all the hard work you are doing, and I cannot begin to even thank the LORD for letting me find you on the internet. I have no words that can express my gratitude to Him and to you. I wait for the day that I will meet you in Heaven or here on earth, for I am turning 84 this year.
P.S. New Bible Study going fantastic, for they are so eager to learn.
Your friend,
Response #19:
Very nice, my friend!
I'm especially happy to hear that your study group is expanding! I'll be
sure to keep you in prayer for that.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Bob,
I hope your week is going well.
I wanted to say thank you again for your study on Hebrews chapter 5.
Reading about our Lord's death on the cross for us brought tears to my
eyes. It was one of those moments that made me stop and think about how
I can't comprehend exactly what He went through for us. And you wrote,
"there is no way that we can understand the depths of pain and
suffering Jesus Christ endured to save us."
I've been thinking about this a lot the past couple of weeks. It's the
same when I think about His nature and character. My tiny mind just
cannot fathom or comprehend how powerful and majestic He actually is. I
wish I could, but I can't. He's just so wonderful. And you write about
this too in Theology: the study of God.
"God's infinite nature will always be more than the highest, the best
and the purest that the human mind can comprehend."
He is incomprehensible but that isn't an obstacle to my faith. We can't
put Him in a box or confine Him or put limits on Him and that's a good
thing. Scripture teaches that God is both incomprehensible and knowable.
I thank Him for what He has so graciously chosen to reveal about Himself
through His Son and His word and through creation. That we can draw
close to Him (James 4:8), we can have an intimate relationship with Him
when we wholeheartedly continue to seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13) and we are
privileged to call Him "Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:6, Romans 8:15).
Even this I find hard to grasp. It gives me a heart that is deeply
humbled and in awe and wonder of Him. I've found it difficult to write
this and express how I feel. Maybe I can't find the words because there
are no words adequate to describe our beautiful God.
Something else you wrote in Hebrews 5.
"The sacrifice of the cross is beyond our understanding, but Christ
endured it and was delivered through it because of His perfection and
perfect endurance of all the Father asked of Him. And we must never
forget that He did it for us. We are "the joy set before Him" on whose
behalf our Lord "endured the cross". There is no greater devotion. And
we would do well to follow His example in all godliness, and reverent,
reciprocal devotion - because we will be standing before Him soon enough."
Nothing and no one compares to our God. He has given us everything we
need to grow spiritually, to grow strong in our faith and to prepare for
the difficult times we are soon to face. So much so that we live to
please Him and if it's His Will, to honour our Lord in being prepared to
suffer death for His Name. We're truly looking forward to being face to
face with the Lord we love so much and to our eternal rewards.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21
It's been good to share with you what's been in my heart this week, Bob!
In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #20:
Thank you! This is really blessed, my friend! This is what it means when we are
told to "Let the Word of the Lord dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing
your own selves [individually] in all wisdom, [and] with psalms, and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing in your hearts to God" (Col.3:16).
There truly is nothing better for a believer than to draw closer to Jesus Christ
and to experience the wonder and glory of Him and His sacrifice for us. This
verse has long been on my mind too, and it has come to mean more and more to me
day by day over the years.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 NIV
Very simple, but containing a depth of meaning we probably cannot completely comprehend this side of heaven home. But as your wonderful email demonstrates, we can indeed grow in our appreciation of our dear Savior through daily diligent savoring of the truth of His Word (Eph.1:17-19a).
(14) For this reason I bow my knees to the Father, (15) from whom His entire family in heaven and on earth has received its name, (16) that He may grant you according to the riches of His glory to be powerfully strengthened in your inner person through His Spirit, (17) so that, rooted and grounded in love, Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, (18) so that you may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height [of His love for you], (19) [that is], so that you may know the love of Christ which outstrips [human] understanding [in every way], and so that you may be filled up [to the brim] with the entire "fullness" of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
It's a great pleasure to have such a great friend in Christ who loves Him "with
all your heart and soul and mind and might and strength".
In Him,
Bob L.