http://ichthys.com/ 
Finding a Church – or Something Better? III
Question #1:  
Hello Robert,

Happy New Year. I hope you are well and things are going well for you.

It has been a few months since I last wrote (or responded to you). In the first week of August of last year I was diagnosed with Bone Marrow Cancer. I spent several weeks in the hospital - which I hated - but was glad for the care. I have received chemo and numerous blood and platelet transfusions. Add this to the nerve damaged lower body and I think it is safe to say I am a wreck. Nevertheless, I study scripture and your teachings daily. I also believe these physical problems can be used by the Lord to His Glory, so I am at peace. I would appreciate prayers to heal these ailments.

I have continued in the church I had been attending...but I am becoming more and more disappointed with events there. The pastor's message on Sunday is more of a motivational talk, an expository talk, which he uses the same examples ad nauseum. The actual teaching of the text in an exegetical teaching is rare. There is more but I don't want to sound like a whiner. I am rapidly approaching the point where I forego the traditional church. 

I thank God for your website and efforts in teaching God's Word. Well, just catching up.
Response #1:
Sorry to hear about your illness, my friend. I've put a prayer request up for you at Ichthys and will add this to my list too.

As to the church situation, it's a very familiar story . . . and a big part of the reason why Ichthys is on the internet. If your pastor was willing and able to teach the truth in depth and also so inclined, he'd probably find himself out of a job PDQ.

Your welcome to everything at Ichthys!
Here are a few pertinent links:
Fighting the Fight III: False Teaching, Local Churches, and the Truth
Finding a Church – or Something Better?
Can you recommend a church?

Mega-Churches, Emergent Christianity, Spirituality and Materialism.

Christian Unity and Divisiveness.

Dysfunctional Churches.

Church: The Biblical Ideal versus the Contemporary Reality.

Red Hot or Lukewarm?

The Meaning and Purpose of True Christian Assembly

Spiritual Growth, Church-Searching and "Discipling"

Ichthys and Contemporary Christianity
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
I haven't emailed you in a while and just wanted to see how you are doing. I don't email often because I assume that you spend a good chunk of your time responding to your students' emails, and usually when I have a question I will pray about it and then I find the answer, either in the Bible or through something I read on your site, usually an email question or response. I know from experience that reading your weekly email posts is more spiritually beneficial than a weekly trip to a local church, assuming we are talking about the 99% of local churches, and not the 1% that are serious about growth, wherever they may be, and may they be blessed. Thank you for your hard work and I pray often that you continue to get fulfillment and satisfaction from your work as a teacher of The Word.

I struggle often with my anger toward the local churches and their failures, particularly the ones that teach the proper gospel and appear to have true believers in Christ in attendance. I wish that
they would repent and look to The Lord for guidance instead of seeing the worldly systems that are in place to hamper their spiritual growth. On the other hand, I totally understand the desire of
Christians to go to church, to gather together and surround themselves with other believers. It bothers me that I feel hostility toward some of my brothers in Christ when I hear about some of the particulars of spiritual immaturity, and the fact that they do not respect any instruction or fellowship with someone who does not belong to these watered down organizations. The words of John in 1st John sometimes convict me, but I do not feel the slightest bit of hostility toward you or anyone associated with your ministry, or any who are serious about learning The Truth through faith and helping others to do the same. I hear about "worship services" where they
beat the drums and strum the guitar, and I would imagine they raise their hands in the air and sway back and forth as I have seen at some churches. I worship a risen Christ and when I get emotional about The Truth I never feel a need to raise my hands and sing some repetitive phrase. The urge is not to stand and sway but to fall on my knees metaphorically and give thanks. I hear about mens' retreats, womens' retreats, mission trips etc. Those that participate in these events are seen as great men and women of God, but do they help their neighbors in need? (do I, for that matter.)

I feel so alone in my convictions. I do not look for churches any more. I know I am at the right place here at Ichthys, and I vividly remember the process of finding my way here. It was an ugly time of wrestling for me spiritually, but I was persistent that I needed some Truth in my life and was determined to find why the Bible did not match up with what I was being taught. I just cannot go to these local churches and feel so uncomfortable for a couple of hours. That's a shame isn't it? That one who is serious about the truth (albeit a very flawed individual who needs to continue to grow) can feel so uncomfortable, awkward, and out of place surrounded by so many that profess faith in Christ. It bothers me that I feel this way and still struggle with thinking maybe I need an attitude adjustment. Maybe I don't. I also find the demeanor of so many men
at local churches to be effeminate. I think of some of the "greats" in the Bible and just don't see a guy that grabbed a lion by the mane and struck it dead as being effeminate, and you can bet I see him and others in the Bible as examples to follow.

I ask for your prayers for some wisdom and understanding on these matters. I ask for prayer with my work situation. I have fallen out of favor with my boss, and I am concerned for my job. It might be best to part ways; I'll just have faith in The Lord. I also ask for prayers with my finances, as I have not been able to afford to render unto Caesar for a few April's now. I have no idea what to do there.

I hope all is well with you Bob, and I will keep you in my prayers. May The Lord bless all of your endeavors.
p.s. Feel free to post any of our communication as you see fit
Response #2:
Thanks for the update, my friend.

Re: "not the 1% that are serious about growth, wherever they may be, and may they be blessed", Indeed, and if you know of any that are actually in that 1%, please let me know so I can pass that on. I fear 1% may be a massive over-estimate at this point. There are places that have good doctrinal statements and talk a good game, but once the surface is scratched they tend to be in the same boat as all the rest, not really committed to spiritual growth through the truth but instead engaging in "physical growth" of their organization as the top priority.

Re: "the fact that they do not respect any instruction or fellowship with someone who does not belong to these watered down organizations":  We can be forgiven for some in-control "righteous indignation" about the preference for pablum over substance and certainly about judgmental attitudes directed at those of us who are doing things the right way, but there isn't any point in getting angry. People make their own choices. And, of course, since they are preferring things they prefer instead of what the Spirit is telling them they really need, they're going to be defensive on the one hand and self-justifying on the other (not to mention hostile to anyone who points out their shortcomings . . . by doing things differently). I wouldn't want to be in the shoes of any Christian who is operating on the Laodicean plan. I would feel sorry for them, but I understand that they are the ones responsible for these poor choices, and that the Lord has given them many indications of what is right and what is wrong – to the extent that they are willing to accept any guidance whatsoever. All we can do is keep preferring the truth and keep giving the good witness of the truth whenever we have the opportunity. Paul poured his heart out to the Jerusalem believers in the book of Hebrews, but it wasn't too many years later that the entire city was destroyed, so I wouldn't want to bet on any particularly great reception based on the response to that epistle – which we, like those who may have responded, are certainly blessed to have. So nothing we do that is right and godly is ever a waste or a mistake.

Re: ". . . but do they help their neighbors in need?" Preferring "experiences" in "church" is where Laodicea is, and you are absolutely correct that whatever the "flavor" of experience preferred, Charismatic, musical, traditional, ritualistic, pseudo-fellowship, none of it is accomplishing what the Lord wants. Many groups have substituted works for growth. Doing what the Lord wants is always good and godly. But we have to do so with the correct attitude as well. "Good works" from unbelievers mean nothing. "Good works" from believers who are doing them out of guilt or competition or self-righteousness or any other false motive are also offensive to God – as if they were somehow "helping Him"! None of us is perfect. There is a fine line between being overly judgmental about one's own shortcomings on the one hand and not seeing oneself with sufficient objectivity on the other. Best not to dwell on this sort of thing but rather to resolve what the Spirit leads us to do when He leads us to do it, not to get out in front or lag behind.

Re: "That's a shame isn't it? That one who is serious about the truth (albeit a very flawed individual who needs to continue to grow) can feel so uncomfortable, awkward, and out of place surrounded by so many that profess faith in Christ." Personally, as I've often said, hearing what passes for teaching in any of these places tends to make me sick to my stomach. Also, acting "humble" or as you put it, "effeminate", is just that – an act. It's what is INSIDE that counts, not the particular whitewash that a person puts on to appear one way so as to be considered "godly" by the particular church/organization to which they have attached themselves. That is what the Pharisees did, after all (Matt.23:1-31).

I have been praying for you daily. I'm sorry to hear that you are still under this financial pressure with job troubles as well. I'll keep that on my list, and let me know if you would like me to post a request for you at Ichthys.
A couple of pertinent links:
Finding a Church – or Something Better? I
Finding a Church – or Something Better? II
In Jesus our dear Savior,

Bob L.
p.s., thanks for the permission!
Question #3:
Dear Bob

I hope you’re keeping well? And may I ask you a different sort of question, and I’m glad not to be bothering you with the perennial one!

We are getting a new Pastor in September and the man chosen to fill the place has some ideas I’m not sure about. Well I am sure I’m not happy about him, but perhaps I’m wrong and I’d like you to tell me if I am, please. 

A team has interviewed candidates and prayed about each, we’ve all prayed, and we gave our feedback on how he and his wife preached to us (she translated). I then did my own due diligence and found he’s associated with a group who have members calling themselves apostles. They decree and declare and release blessing, and whatnot, choosing Joel 2:23-, to release financial blessing and restoration, and special miracles to bring plenty, double blessings. I got a bit weary at that point. Until I heard her say that you can seal these blessings with an offering. Sow a seed. There you go. That sounds like Benni Hinn, and I’m thinking about Bethel church and the NAR, seven hills mandate and kingdom theology, but I made a leap there. And name it and claim it and prosperity gospel, all together. These people are the Sisters of the Son, (experienceimagine.com) and they hosted ‘Apostle’ ____ on their video. He is a partner listed on their website. And he’s our new pastor. Hopefully he’s not quite like them.

Then I found a video of one of his short sermons on YouTube and he talks about manifesting heaven on earth by bearing fruit. I think of suitable fruit being Christlike qualities, sanctification and what we read in Galatians 5, but the fruits he seems to be advocating are miracles, healing and deliverance. Power. And if we don’t show those we are not bearing fruit and risk being pruned. I also thought Jesus went to prepare a place for us, not that we have the task of sorting the world out for him to come and rule, although ___ didn’t actually say that, but I know others do. We will enjoy a new heaven and earth, not this one. And yet the Lord’s Prayer has elements they can use to good effect. 

I am nervous of words like “manifest” because it smacks of New Age thinking, or at the very least prosperity, name it and claim it type of thing. I also get a sense here and there of chasing after the power of the Holy Spirit as a strong aim, and yet his whole purpose is to glorify Jesus. Thankfully I’m also hearing Jesus died to save us, but I feel uncomfortable. 

Am I being hypercritical?

I’d really appreciate your opinion. I’m disappointed at the choice because he’s quite loud and emotional on stage and likes to preach against a background of music. It’s not what I’m used to but that’s no reason not to welcome him, in and of itself. I must be getting old, not liking change!
Change I can do, but are these ideas sound? I didn’t think so.

I hope it’s ok to ask about this, please.

Thank you.

God bless and keep you
Response #3:
Good grief! If I had to make a check list of all the things a believer should be on the look out for before getting involved in anything,  I think your email probably ticked most of the boxes – even some things I might have forgotten about.

It's your business, but I can't see anything good coming out of this.
"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false."
Revelation 2:2 NIV
As I have no doubt mentioned before, the Christian life is all about building up our faith through spiritual growth, passing testing to make progress in becoming "veterans" in this fight, then coming into the ministries the Lord has for us. That is what the Lord wants from us all, and that is available for us all, but here in this era of Laodicea, most Christians are more interested in "fellowship", "community", and some version of ritual or tradition or excitement or ecstatics or entertainment . . . or a blend of these extraneous things which do NOT promote true spiritual growth.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
This passage is often adduced to suggest that someone who is not a part of a "local church" is somehow falling down on the job as a Christian, that "even a flawed church is better than no church". But it is good to consider that the people to whom this passage was addressed WERE "involved in a church", a very bad one at that moment, one composed of unbelievers who were doing things the Lord was not pleased with, the "church of churches", the temple in Jerusalem. Paul tells them that it would be better to get together with actual Christians who are actually aware of the times and who are intent on growing in love and helping others grow spiritually. That was not happening in the temple – since the rituals had been fulfilled by Christ's sacrifice. That is not happening in most church-visible churches today. And in the analogy – and in many contemporary churches too – it is a case of "your meetings do more harm than good" (1Cor.11:17). 

The fact that some true things are being said does not, in my view, change the fact that "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (1Cor.5:6; Gal.5:9). And from your report, it sounds like a lot more leaven than lump.

In addition to the material at Ichthys – more than sufficient to grow to maturity and to keep up spiritual momentum – I also recommend Bible Academy (at the link).

How is your health? I have been praying for you.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Dear Bob

Thank you so much for your reply, and for your prayers. Health, well, in my ___th year things do go a bit sideways! [omitted] But my lot has fallen in pleasant places, for which I thank God for his goodness. I hope you are faring well in work and health? I thank God for you. 

I considered and decided to keep my peace for a while and see what the new man brings, and to keep myself in reserve so as not to create a disturbance before I know more. Our study group leader, whom I respect, called after me as I departed and we had a good long chat about it. Because I shared my concerns. He was keen to point out some preachers can rightly be judged by the company they keep, assuming they agree, or there may not be much cross pollination. So we can wait to see which camp our guy falls into as he settles in.

Because of my feedback, they did ask him about these things, and he was puzzled, didn’t know what the NAR is (well they don’t tend to call themselves that). I’ve since learned that the NAR come out of some white supremacist thinking, so it’s not likely we’d see a __ leaning that way, but I shall still watch out for word of faith and prosperity teaching etc. And for a pursuit of Holy Spirit wonders rather than Jesus himself in the Word. 

Other than my friend and his wife, I find my bunch are being led further into charismatic evangelicalism, yet we do need a good kick up the backside! I think the consensus to chose ___ was emotional, especially given his call up to form a prayer line at the end. Not choosing anyone was an option, but we’ve been looking for over 18 months. And the other candidate would have been even more extreme; __ hinted I’d have left. 

This is a quite impoverished area and study pure and simple doesn’t happen much. Our Bible group follows a reading plan and we discuss points of interest each week. ___ has it all mapped out if no one says anything, and draws out important points. I try not to be the eager beaver! ‘No ___, let someone else have a turn!’ And it has encouraged people to read their bibles. And these people are now my family, although I have little in common with them other than our faith. I find I do love them and don’t want them led astray, even though they are enthusiastic to listen to some weird ideas. I've already battled against contemplative prayer and lectio divina etc, without denting them much. My only hope is that mostly the average Joe and Jane haven’t actually done much about it either way to use those tools! 
I hope for continuing fellowship with ___ and ___, and that my ___ will also have some common ground with them as they are fairly intellectual and that appeals to him. 

I did find another Christian in my village, (which is 20mins away from my church) but I think she has a smattering of new age thinking in her outlook. She’s also quite keen on spiritual ‘experience’. So I don’t think I’d go to her church. Still, we’ve had some talks and she’s keen to have me visit. 

I’ll keep praying, of course I will, and try to be Berean about any teaching, but also to discern what’s just a cultural difference I’m objecting to, and what is pushing the doctrinal boundaries. Just when I’m tired and wanted to take things a bit easier! No such stage of Christian life, it seems! Just as you say. 

What I miss is likeminded fellowship, To go to church and enjoy worshipping together in a manner that doesn’t jar. To be of one accord, not constantly wondering whether there are bones in a particular mouthful. I will keep on and try to warn, for now, and not mind when they say I’ve just been triggered, reminded of my new age experiences in times repented, as if it’s a psychological deficit or PTSD! They thought they were being considerate! I thought they just weren’t listening, and in regards of new age stuff, I have more experience than they, to spot the dangers. 

And to be realistic, any church with me in it isn’t perfect. 

Thank you for your guidance, confirmation, prayers, Ichthys, and that I knew I could get good straight sense from a trustworthy source if I asked you. That is marvellous. Thank you!

In Jesus
Response #4:
You have had a ride! I know what you mean about over-rest. I made the very bad mistake of babying my shoulder a few years back because I'd injured it. After a couple of months I found I couldn't raise my right arm high enough to write on the blackboard! It took about of month of really grueling physical therapy to break it free. VERY painful (more painful than having my ankle crushed by a tank when I was younger). So now I try to balance babying and ignoring injuries. Getting the balance right can be tricky, especially at our age!

I'm certainly not counseling you to make waves at your church. My feeling about that is that if a Christian decides for any reason that a local church they are attending is not good or for whatever reason no longer right for them, they should move on quietly without kicking up a fuss. Given that many people develop very strong emotional attachments – to the people past and present, to the tradition, to the building – I do understand why that doesn't always happen. But on the other hand I've never seen nor even heard of a "change for the better" that ever came "from the inside".

We are supposed to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. But that doesn't mean letting ourselves be dragged down spiritually by accepting poor substitutes for the truth just because they are doing so. These are never easy situations.

Re: "any church with me in it isn’t perfect", LOL!, that is certainly true of us all. The real question is, what does the Lord want us to do? And the Spirit is perfectly capable of directing us aright . . . if we are willing to listen and respond.

Thanks for all the good words and insight, my friend. I'm continuing to keep you in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
There's this idea a lot of Christians have that being overly jovial is a bad thing, particularly when it's an attitude that permeates things needlessly or constantly.

And for context I don't mean the God-given joy that comes with the Spirit, I mean basically a party life personality or other needless revelry/making being "happy" all the time about anything positive a mindset you're steeped in. I agree but what's your take on this?
Response #5:
As long as it's not artificial, I have no problem with people expressing their personalities in a natural way. We are all different. But of course if it IS an act which the cult-church pushes on its members in order to "be attractive" to potential victims, then of course that is wrong. There is the other side of the coin too, namely, groups which want their members to always appear sullen and somber. Any such changes we make to how we naturally "are" are only godly if they come through the Spirit "from the inside out" through the process of genuine spiritual growth. Adopting any false persona for non-biblical reasons is something to avoid – and we are wise to avoid groups which foster this and individuals who are acting it out.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Wow Bob!

This is insane!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XEuMYO6JWxg 

Things are heating up for us Bob,

Louisiana has mandated the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all of its schools. The backlash on social media was swift and ugly. I have to say that I did cry last night to see the kind of things they were saying about us Christians (mostly lies of course) but our loving Saviour did warn us ahead of time so as not to be offended.

I am just keeping my head down and focusing on getting my ministry up and going forward in the next few weeks and getting on with everything I have going on here. I do wonder if I will be able to do my art work as so many artists seem to be very anti-Christian now. It might be that my only customers will be Christians. I know that God is with us though so who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Someone did say something that made me think. Some Pastor (think he might be an ultra-conservative dominionist type) said 'Everyone is talking about the Ten Commandments now'. So it's interesting as God is giving a great many people pause to think about this. It is a great opportunity and also will show God who has completely hardened their hearts against Him. I know there is the constitution and separation of church and state but the kind of hard heartedness people have towards the Commandments has really shocked me. People are talking about them as though they are the epitome of evil itself! God forbid! Again though our Lord warned us these days would come. (Matt 10:25)

I think your calculation for the Tribulation is looking to be spot on. We couldn't take more than a decade of this downward spiral. Everything is already on a knife edge.

The Lord has shown me something this morning [omitted]. The Lord has shown me this morning that they do not have a home but a temple. They believe (without fully understanding) that their house is a 'holy' temple to mammon. It reminds me of when people take their shoes off when they enter peoples' houses as though they were entering a holy place. I know that the usual reason is that shoes can be dirty but I realise that as people remove their shoes to enter a temple then there must be a parallel. I will make a note of this for my ministry.

The Lord has pinpointed exactly what this is all about. We can't relax there because it isn't a home but a 'holy temple to mammon' and because the worship of mammon is demonic and not holy, it makes perfect sense that looking after aged and sick parents is not as important as maintaining the pristine appearance of this temple. Satan can only 'do' surfaces and shallow counterfeits of the truth. He can make a person feel as though they are righteous because they wear designer labels and have an expensive car and a temple for a home. He can make a person feel they are divine this way.
We know though that what it is about miraculous and spiritual inner change, about becoming holy on the inside (1 Pet 1:16) not to be 'whitewashed tombs'. Satan can only influence a person to believe he/she only needs to look the part to be special, that they can 'become as God' just by surrounding themselves with luxurious goods. Luxury goods will be the trappings of Babylon after all.

Hope you are doing okay there in Louisville.

Keeping you in prayer.

In Jesus,
Response #6:
Wow indeed! The only other such temple I ever bumped into in this country before was in Lakeland, FL, where my mom used to live. It wasn't much more than a store front. But the massive place in that video! Sign of the times indeed. 

Also interesting in respect of the comparison you made to people treating their homes like temples. Seems everyone has time and effort and funds available for just about everything in this life . . . except for what the Lord wants.

We see both in the church visible too. Buildings and building worship constitute a huge part of the focus of Christian groups today. If there isn't a wonderful building, your church doesn't actually exist . . . or it isn't a "real church". In that regard, I couldn't be more pleased that Ichthys isn't "a real church" – also distinguishable by the fact that there is substantive, orthodox Bible teaching at Ichthys (something most "real churches" absolutely lack).

See in BB 6B: Etymology and Meaning of the word Church

I did put up an addition on the Ichthys list about your mom, and I've said a prayer for her. 

You have a lot on your plate. Take care of yourself for the sake of your health, my friend.

Keeping you and yours in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

Apologies again for the delay, I was out of town again helping with my cousin's wedding. I hope you had a good Monday!

Thank you for John 14:27. Although I have read and heard this verse so many times, I don't think I ever actually thought that it could apply to my life. Would it be correct to say that if we are unsettled or afraid, we either need to correct something that the Holy Spirit is convicting us of or it's an attack from the enemy? And the Holy Spirit won't leave us in doubt if we are truly seeking God? I was thinking yesterday and was reminded that all the fiery arrows of the enemy can be extinguished by faith in Jesus!

I want to thank you again for your Bible studies. Several things happened this past week, talking with people about God and denominations/religion and I was grateful that I knew the truth. I am so thankful to have you as my Bible teacher!! Your work has helped me understand God so much more than I thought was possible, honestly.

Sometimes my boss and I talk about God together. This week she told me she is afraid that God is mad at her or going to punish her since she is not going to church. She was going but stopped since there is some division going on. She is still a young Christian and I just want to tell her all the things I have learned. I remember having some of the same questions and I just want to help her understand God, she still needs the very basics and I don't think she will get that even if she goes to a church. I don't think she will read Ichthys either - she has 3 children, including a baby, and I'm not sure she would devote the time to getting through the material with her crazy life.

I had such a good foundation of the Bible to start with, that when I started to read seriously into your ministry, it was amazing! I understood so much more! And I know that it's the Holy Spirit that does the work in converting truth into our hearts, so I am not trying to underestimate His power, but I don't think she knows the Bible very well yet.

Sometimes, like after I talk to my boss, I just want to come home and write out what I want to tell her, like how God won't punish her for not going to some church building, that He actually just wants her to grow in her faith. That while He does discipline us, it's in love, not vindictively (like you told me) and that it's only for actual sin, not for not attending a traditional church service. And then she asked me if it was ok to get her "church" from the Internet since she wasn't going to church and gave me the name of a pastor she was listening to online. And I'm thinking, "that's ok, if you find one that's actually teaching the Bible accurately!"

I'm finding myself starting to get irritated and judgemental of some of the churches I have gone to (I visited another one yesterday, with my family and some friends, since we were out of town) since they either get the truth wrong or it's not very helpful cause it's just a couple verses and they don't actually tell you how to accomplish anything in your walk with God. But God is convicting me on that poor attitude, cause I know some of them are truly believers in Jesus.

I do think that God has used the truth I've learned to help prepare me for some of our talks. I usually find myself wanting to say so much but not sure how to say it. I've actually started to write a couple times and then I get in and I think, "well you can't mention this without talking on this". And suddenly I had much more appreciation for how hard you work on your studies. I wonder if my ministry might be helping other ladies learn some of the simple truths. I know that as a woman I am not a Bible teacher or have authority over a local church (more than happy to give that task to the qualified men!), but I am allowed to share truth with other women right? And I wouldn't be teaching so much as just sharing the truth I leaned from Ichthys, just in smaller size chunks? But I also don't want to water down the Word of God and I would try not to do that. (I hate watered down anything). I just want to share the truth with people in an accessible way, since most people don't take much time for anything. And a little growth is better than no growth right? Or am I missing something?

My cousin and her fiance almost canceled the wedding over Lutheran doctrine, since one of them likes the way the Lutherans baptize by sprinkling and do communion. And the one who wants to be Lutheran is concerned that if babies aren't sprinkled, they might not go to heaven. So even though they say they believe it's faith in Jesus that saves (and they probably are truly saved themselves, not implying that), I'm worried that their understanding of salvation might have a rocky spot.

I'm sorry that I've been so dense as you try to tell me that God is guiding my steps, to just keep walking. Other people keep reminding me too, my Grandma sent me that verse one day without knowing all the wrestling I have been going through this year. I think I finally am starting to understand why God was making me wait. Still don't know exactly what for but I think I have a little more calm now. Is waiting a test for me do you think? I read in one of your studies how Abraham went when God called, he just didn't know where he was going. Well, Abraham had way more faith so not comparing myself to him, but it did comfort me. I have way too much to work on in my life.

Just so you know, I do pray for you sometimes as I go on my day and when I read things like 1 Peter 5:1-4, I think of you. Thank you for all of your hard work.

Respectfully,
Response #7:
Hope you had a good time!

I wouldn't want to reduce it to a formula, but it is certainly true that the more we grow and the more we get into the habit of believing and applying the truth, and of listening to the Spirit, the less we doubt and fear. It is a fight, however. No two days are the same. Failure today does not mean we have to fail tomorrow – and the reverse is true as well. So keep fighting the good fight of faith (1Tim.6:12).

Thanks for the good words. Interesting about your boss. You are a perfect example of how the Spirit works with us. Scripture is (often) un-distilled truth; putting a lot of scripture together with principles of truth is the best way to give the Spirit the latitude to produce growth. Not enough Bible, and a person can misunderstand principles of truth (and be mislead by inaccurate or false teaching); not enough doctrinal teaching and a person can misunderstand much about the scriptures. The two work together with prayer and the Spirit's guidance to produce the growth the Lord wants for us all. So good for you in doing things the right way! I'll say a prayer for your boss.

Re: "I don't think she will get that even if she goes to a church", that is sadly almost a given in today's Laodicean church-visible.

Re: getting upset with "churches", personally, hearing lukewarm pablum makes me nearly physically ill. I don't think that's a wrong reaction. We can pray for these people. We also need to recognize that most of them are "there" because that is what they prefer. 

Re: "I wonder if my ministry might be helping other ladies learn some of the simple truths." This seems very reasonable to me and I agree with everything you say here. In terms of how to do it, it's also important not to "over think" the mechanics. If the moment is right, listen to the Spirit and follow His lead. He is able to help you get across what you know. I'm not saying don't prepare. Preparation is always good. But don't let the fact that you are not perfectly prepared keep you from ministering when you have the chance to do so. You can't hit a golf ball if you don't swing at in (or in my case, often even if you DO swing at it).

Re: "I'm worried that their understanding of salvation might have a rocky spot" – this is an excellent example of how water-baptism has caused so much totally unnecessary trouble in the history of the Church Age (link), and also of how traditionalism can come to dominate everything, even if the tradition started out having something to do with the truth.

Re: "Is waiting a test for me do you think?" ALL tests involve waiting. If we got what we needed/wanted from the Lord instantaneously, where would the opportunity be to exercise our faith? We believers are always "waiting on the Lord", or at least we should be, right up until the glorious moment we finally see Him face to face.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 27:14 NKJV

For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the LORD,
They shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:9 NKJV

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.
Psalm 37:34 NKJV

And I will wait on the LORD,
Who hides His face from the house of Jacob;
And I will hope in Him.
Isaiah 8:17 NKJV

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 40:31 NKJV
From my perspective, you are making excellent spiritual progress. Keep on running your good race; that's the way to a great reward (1Cor.9:24).

And thanks so much for those prayers, my friend! They mean a lot to me. Keeping you in mine day by day as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

I did have a good time, thank you!

My brother put in a request to our server and they said to test it again and let them know if the problem persists, so I hope it works this time!

Do you mind clarifying when you say, "un-distilled truth"? The dictionary says distilled is "extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of". Are you saying that Bible teaching extracts the main principles from Scripture? Just want to make sure I understand.

My boss and I were texting the other night (since it's a small business, our relationship is more of a friendship at this point) and she said something, so I mentioned our conversation of last week on God and punishment, hoping that I might get to talk more with her.

She told me that she and another friend were talking, and she said something about God listening, and then all of a sudden there was a clap of thunder and a downpour and then it just stopped. So she was like, "God IS talking to me!" And then she mentioned the story in Luke, about Zechariah and how he was mute until John was born, and somehow she got that it was ok to ask God for signs. Sometimes I think she puts too much emphasis on external circumstances. I probably should have said something more, since he was mute as a punishment, I'm not exactly sure how she connected it to signs. Sometimes she says things that I don't quite know how to respond to. I know that what she needs is principles of truth, I'm just trying to see what (if anything) I can do to get those to her. I try to say things when I can, when we have talks.

Laodicean church-visible is hard cause there is so much potential, and I even see people who do have hearts for God, just no in-depth teaching. I want to avoid a judgmental attitude. Other times, I'm just upset at things that are said or things that aren't said.

Thank you for the encouragement! I think I fall far short of excellent, but I think I am making progress. I do want to earn a good reward! I get excited about that sometimes, and then other times I don't work at it like I should. Lots of room for improvement.

Hope your week ends well!

Respectfully,
Response #8:
Good to hear my message got through. I contacted my hosting company and they tell me that, for whatever reason, if another service "blacklists" a site such as mine, right or wrong, that will stay in place for a week or so and then drop out, and that, even if the listing is a mistake, there's nothing that can be done about it (except your placing the address on your safe list and changing junk/spam settings, and sometimes this also won't work). Some services are more "touchy" than others, as mentioned, so, in future, if I get a bounce from your address, I'll resend via Proton (but please remember I don't check that account so always reply to Ichthys).

As to "distilled", yes, that's right. What I'm trying to say is that truth in the Bible is a good deal like wheat in the field vs. a good loaf of fresh, hot bread. The former is not as easy to derive nutritional value from, although it's certainly not wrong to pluck wheat and eat it. It's just not the best way to provide from growth as a steady diet. As in the Peter series, I often compare the pastor-teacher doing his job to a cook. Believers can get a certain amount of "food" from reading the Bible for themselves, and they certainly should, but not enough "distilled" material in order to grow to spiritual maturity. Now of course just as there's nothing better than a good cook, there's nothing worse than a bad one. Better to pluck wheat than eat food which is contaminated.

In terms of your boss, I think you demonstrated good spiritual discernment here. It's always a mistake to try and correct those who are not up to our level spiritually over every small thing. So unless they say something that sets off a loud alarm (something like doubting the deity of Christ), we are usually better letting them learn their own way, encouraging them, dropping pearls of wisdom when the occasion is right. And we've probably all experienced situations where the Lord did in fact get our attention in ways that might not seem to others to be supernatural – but we know that He was involved. 

We all fall short (Rom.3:23), but if we are moving forward as you are doing, we will get to where we want to go – where the Lord wants us to go. There's great reward in store for that approach.

Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Bob, 

I hope you are well on all fronts! Thanks as always for continuing feeding us with new material(s). I'm still digging into and going over the other previous offerings...learning a little more each time...time well spent, that's for sure.

Your recent Heb. 7 study is a great reminder to appreciate the fuller details of what our Lord has done by bringing salvation to the forefront, replacing the past beggarly elements of bondage by following the inferior Law, to now living under the New Covenant of the perfect and superior Law of Love. You clearly presented and explained, but, I'm sure I'll need another run at it to fully digest it, due to all the depth, and fully understand by connecting the dots to get a correct application for us believers living in today's world. Thank you for all the help I'm getting in these late innings. Looking Forward to Heb. 8., but I know you have a lot on your plate. I don't know how you keep up so well, but I'm sure God is helping you along, as He does for all of us who are diligently seeking Him.

While I was checking things out in the study, for a brief moment, it did bring a few not so fond memories from the stint I had to endure by being brought up in the legalistic RC "religion". My parents just didn't know the implications of belonging to that "church". (this is how we "do it" generation after generation application). Not sure where they ended up, however I do know for sure they loved our Lord and were quite serious about obeying Him by living a righteous life.

But, there was a lot of garbage to wade through, which I have doubts that they possibly didn't slough off enough to "make their election and calling sure" in the end (2 Peter 1:10-11). I know "works" will not save anyone, so I'm not sure if they believed "all of it" that their priests were telling them. I do remember telling them that we're saved by grace through faith alone, (the subliminal warning to "test the tree"), but only they and God know their final outcome. I'm glad you didn't have this dilemma to ponder with your Mom and Dad. We can't know much about it all without our personal discernment in our own circumstances. (who, what, where , how, and why introspection). But I know God will judge everything perfectly correct in all cases.

I did not get much out of RC, with all of their complicated false doctrines and rituals, like the Mass ceremony with their false "transubstantial" communion; praying to Mary or the appropriate patron saint of "expertise" to get your petitions to God heard; confession of "venial or mortal sins" to a priest in a dark confessional, with the "appropriate" penance prayers to "clean the slate", following up with the anticipation of making sure you died in a "state of grace"? (whatever that means?); or possibly to be sentenced to Purgatory (for how long?...days, months, or years?) if you weren't quite good enough for Heaven; of course, dying with a "mortal sin" on your "slate" was a deal breaker, with an eternal life sentence in hell; some further puzzles were their re-invention of the levitical priesthood, with all their regalia of different (appropriate) vestments, chalices, altars, incense, beeswax candles, etc., added to the complicated mix. Whew! You can't make this stuff up!...but look at the LARGE following. Pretty effective manipulation and brainwashing I have to say! Of course, the other churches are onto this very same ploy to stay "in control".

I guess I was "present", but not truly realizing all the ins and outs of such a complicated religion. Lucky me to be born into the "one true Church" though! When I was a teenager I was losing "interest", but all the same I hung in there together following Mom and Dad's perfect attendance. I was an obedient child for the most part. (Commandment #4 for RC, Honor them...so your days would be long in the land...). I think it was #4 to keep the Sabbath in the Bible (why the mix-up?). Only the Catholic authority might have that answer? I probably wasn't that good at learning their Catechism, to see if something was said about it, or learn the other important stuff. I got an "A" in Religion class somehow anyway!

However, because I wasn't dyed in the wool enough, it all came to an abrupt end when I left the nest to attend college. I bailed out of the last service vowing never to return, because of hearing the priest in the pupit yammering to the congregation to (cough up) and "offer" their church some more money for something or other. This annoyed me a lot, so I got up from the pew and walked out as the priest was saying something to/about me for leaving the scene while he was giving his persuading spiel (probably to guilt or embarrass me)...I never looked back, and was glad it was finally over!

The bad part is that not only did I leave the RC offensively wrong religious monstrosities, I, in addition, put God in my rearview mirror as well, completely tanking what little faith I did have. I was thinking all denominations (without any further investigation) were only into "mind control" and I didn't want any part of that. And my secular college was rife with humanist atheists (teachers and students) who didn't help me figure out what I was setting myself up for...apostasy. It was all darkness, being deceived by vain words of "unreality" (Eph. 5:6-14).

It was the worst possible situation that occurred, and it lasted for nearly 15 yr., before I woke up. "Reality" finally kicked in when the Holy Spirit got a hold of me to show me what a sorry condition I was in. I got that message loud and clear and realized I was on that "broad path" (big time), and lacking the One Person I needed desperately to be on the right path.

I even remember [omitted]. That "displaced aggression" still haunts me when I think about how rude and callous I was in that incident. (going from being good? sober Catholic boy to a rebellious kook). Leaving Catholicism was great, but I am sorry to be so foolish when I went off the deep end, leaving God out of the equation entirely. I still feel that shame, even though I do know He forgave my rebellious trespass against Him. Other mis-steps after confession didn't hang on as bad as this one. Naturally, I have learned it's always best to stay as close to Him as possible, to avoid any more "problems" by not paying close attention to His point of view (the only one to follow to please and bring glory to Him). The world view is NOT our friend!

I told you how God reminded me of how He spared me from His wrath in the fire (in several near-death experiences, before being saved) long enough for me to make the right choice for Him. He showed me just how great His love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness truly is, if we humble ourselves and repent, confess and receive His forgiveness, and go forward, to put our trust in Him alone no matter what our circumstance. Lesson learned...Thank you God for your patience for saving me from myself. He is the only Way, the Truth, and the Life! It was a true miracle (and just in time), so I will never forget what He did for me over 40 yr. ago!

God knows all and He didn't want me to perish. I am grateful that I got my "gospel moment", to enable me to change course. That was the best moment in my life when I finally surrendered to God and was born-again (again?). That other guy died, all to my eternal benefit!

I know it's never good to dwell on the past which we can't fix anyway (Phil. 3:13-14), but it made me wonder about the apostate vs. the prodigal son comparison that you focused on in #12 of last weekend's email response. It's a misplaced guilt I felt, when you opined that "it's highly unlikely after "completely" denying Christ to want to come back to the faith". (with the most likely implication of one never coming back). You deduced that as long as we are here alive on earth we have our free-will choice to come back to the faith.

Granted my case was tipping on that precipice of having no later forgiveness acquired from Him to be saved (again?). God's love and mercy is all encompassing if we endure in faith until the end (Matt. 24:13; John 3:18: Rom. 8:1). So, I'm not worried about my status today...Thank God! Going forward, now it's a matter of growing spiritually and pursuing sanctification daily, and keeping the armor of God on at all times to withstand any further attacks or setbacks (that are bound to keep coming). The fight of faith continues (1 Tim. 6:12).

Here's the case reference of how it all happened: At __ yr old I went from trying to be a believer of sorts, (but not truly "getting it", by listening to the dismal lacking in merit RC standards) later to end up by subscribing to atheism, which made me think maybe I wasn't just being the "prodigal son" who "went off into a far country", but rather more like a lost sheep who wasn't listening for the Shepherd's voice to come back into the sheepfold. However, I did buy into atheism, hook, line, and sinker. So, in hindsight, looking at that time in my life I wouldn't be eligible for the "sin unto death" and still be saved, because my faith had seemingly died from my own stupid choice(s) from my faulty reasoning.

"Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Cor 15:33), but nobody forced me to become an unbeliever. I was merely deceived by them and myself, thinking it didn't matter whether you believe it or not. (Taking "the mark" during the coming Tribulation will be an imponderable disaster and unpardonable sin, and we know that 1/3 of the believers will succumb to that ruse). We're getting ready for what is coming shortly, staying aware as Jesus instructs us (Matt. 24, and elsewhere).

My "awareness" mind had failed when I was young and not paying proper attention. Mom and Dad raised me right, but I didn't consider doing the right thing after I left the nest (given the input of the sorry state of RC, and believing all "churches" were of the same deception). This has to be a familiar story for more than a few people, who take that dangerous detour (actively or passively) to choose becoming or staying an unbeliever.

In fact, it's not about mere knowledge...It's about knowledge mixed with faith (and believing in the truth) and following it with the Spirit's guidance, by applying it to your life through faith. The fact of the matter is that our life is solely vested in and all about Jesus Christ, whether we want to believe it or not. He created us to please and bring glory to Himself, our true object of worship. Lesson learned.

My conclusion: Can we get saved a second time? I do believe we can, as long as we receive the truth and believe it (again) in time, and don't toss it away ever again. God may give anyone over to a reprobate mind (eventually) at His choosing (Rom. 1:28). But, we can enter His rest if we don't repeat the mistakes we made "in the wilderness" (Heb. 3:12) "Behold the goodness and severity of God...if we continue in His goodness we won't (remain) cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief they shall be grafted back in again: for God is able to graft them back in (again) " (Rom. 11:22-23). 

Anyway, Bob, you know my thoughts about how I recovered after my very poor judgement and performance (worse than Peter's denial of Jesus to save his own skin, or Job's blaming his dilemma on God?). Glad my mind and spirit have been reset! I'm in the race until the end (Heb. 12:1)...and will never forget what He did for me, who is so unworthy yet grateful to be "in Him".

On the homefront things are going about the same (some fortunate, some not). [omitted] Age and 40+ yr. in building construction has caught up with me it seems. I hope your issues aren't plaguing you too much? It will be great when we reach the other side! In the meantime we'll just have to take it one day at a time, with His help.

Those new resurrected bodies are looking better all the time! Also very much eagerly waiting for our ultimate deliverance from all the craziness we see swirling around us in just about every corner far and near. No surprises to know what is right around the corner. Thanks for your prayers for us and the unfortunate family situation(s). You remain in ours for God's provision to/for your every need. Have a good one, Bob!

Your friend in Jesus, 
Response #9:
Great to hear from you, my friend! Happy to hear that you and ___ are doing somewhat better as opposed to somewhat worse. I have been praying for you and will refine my list here a bit. Thanks for your prayers too. I'm doing pretty well. Now that the semester is over, I'm hoping to be able to devote a bit more time to exercise and try to lose some weight. I do have a bit of an issue in my right shoulder (the same one that froze some years back) as the result of a little tumble I took jogging. Also, recovering from a really bad case of poison ivy or the like. Even though I was wearing gloves, I tried to pull up the wrong root, apparently. The whole of my right hand got burned, especially the fingers, front and back. But I can still type!

Thanks much for this very thoughtful email, my friend. I dearly hope you'll let me post it one of these days. Your experience is not only somewhat similar to the one posted last Saturday but to that of many I've heard from over the years. It's a familiar theme: "I was saved; I rebelled; I thought/said/did awful things that make me doubt I was still a believer; now I love the Lord; am I OK?" And, of course, anyone who loves the Lord believes in the Lord and all believers are saved. So regardless of whether it was a case of faith dying out completely and being born again/again or of the Spirit's seed "remaining in" the person and being revived (1Jn.3:9), the person is saved NOW and NOW is what counts (in addition of course to what will happen tomorrow, but we're all in THAT boat). Worrying about whether it was "death of faith" or "near death of faith", therefore, is an academic question and perhaps even (perish the thought) a theological question. But the one thing as you see from the posting that I have to contend with are those poor souls who are determined to advocate against themselves even though for sure they are saved. The ironic thing is that by upsetting themselves and finding reasons to believe that they are not saved they are actually militating against their own salvation. Because by causing themselves such grief in regard to the Lord they are depriving themselves of the joy that should be theirs and making true backsliding more rather than less likely. So of course the devil is eager to get them to play this no-win game. Better to relax and trust the Spirit. But some people are like a dog with a bone in regard to specific points like this.

I congratulate YOU for working your way through and OUT of this trap . . . by being willing to accept the truth and not being willing to be manipulated by lies. And by the way, your analysis of Roman Catholicism is particularly helpful. I have known a good many wonderful people who were RC and it's probably not too much to say that they outnumber the Protestants in regard to the number who were moral and just fine people. But of course it doesn't mean they were/are saved. From what we can glean from ancient history, there were plenty of Romans who were fine and upstanding people, but of course not saved. And the vast majority of the Jewish people I've known in my life (and I've known many, having grown up in Chicago in a mostly Jewish neighborhood) were likewise fine and upstanding people – but not believers in Jesus Christ. Immature Christians are always problematic. They come in for special attention from the evil one and they don't have the spiritual resources to cope with that. 

So once again, thanks for this great testimony, my friend! I very much appreciate it and, again, would be most grateful to you if you'd be willing to share it (happy to excise anything you don't feel comfortable with being posted).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
p.s., "Those new resurrected bodies are looking better all the time!" Amen to that!
Question #10:
Hi Bob, 

Sorry to hear about the ouches that crept in unawares. Hopefully, I pray recovery will come quickly, and with no residual effects. I can relate to those past injuries, which only reminds me that we're not as bullet-proof as we'd wish we could be (yet).

As far as exercise goes to drop a few pounds, that is a good tactic. I can't seem to lose much weight, probably with the calorie intake superseding the exercise part. Not to mention I do like those types of foods that really help keep the pounds on. How about some yummy cookies or donuts? If I had a box of ice cream right now I think it wouldn't stay in the freezer very long to be gone. I don't know how I'll fare if it's just beans and rice again during the black horse economic downturn that is on its way. But, if I'm still here, any kind of Manna will be great. I'm trusting God will "give us this day our daily bread" one way or another. I can't count all the times He's provided, and it's a lot more than all that good grub that I've consumed in abundance (maybe too much in the 2024 battle of the bulge). A little more discipline wouldn't hurt...maybe I can get closer to that perfect weight? It's not an easy fix. 

As far as that email testimony goes, I wonder how useful it might be for others to view? I was mostly just venting to you to share some of my past (shameful and embarrassing) missteps and unwanted experiences, and how I finally got back on track with God, after practically selling my birthright for what the deceptive world had to offer. As you say, "it's a familiar theme...". Do you think it might tug on someone to increase their faith and trust God more to see them through?

Without a proper foundation the whole above framework will fall apart eventually. Rebuilding is possible, if care is taken to protect the framework from further collapse by shoring things up until a newer and better (plumb, square, and level) foundation is installed. Of course, that Foundation is our Rock, Jesus Christ. Not the RC 1st Pope "little rock" Peter. He said, "I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it". 

I'm glad to report I'm now standing in that perfect "Building", which will never fall. In my youth I fell because I didn't have the proper foundation, but God knew I wanted the Truth, and He not only delivered me from my rebellious collapse (after my surrender), but He also set me onto the real Foundation, for which I am eternally grateful to Him. The only way I got the victory over the world was through my faith and love for Him. He is the one who did all the work to get me here...and He is the originator and completer of my faith. I won't ever throw it away again, and thank Him for all the patience and kindness He's given to such an unworthy servant. I hope to get a "well done" by staying onboard, and doing whatever He wants me to do in these last few years that are left before He returns.

Thank you for listening to my concerns and offering comments with further insight. It helps me to stay encouraged. Praying all is going well for you, and thank you for keeping us in prayer too. Take care, Bob!

In Jesus, 
Response #10:
No worries, my friend. I'm already "molting" so it could have been worse. Re: "If I had a box of ice cream right now I think it wouldn't stay in the freezer very long to be gone", that's my problem too. What I really NEED to do is stop buying the stuff.

Re: "I wonder how useful it might be for others to view", answer: very much, I can assure you. So I would appreciate you letting me post it (with some things excised – whatever you wish). I can't tell you how many readers over the years have shared similar experiences. When you think you're the only one, it's a lot harder than when you realize you've got a lot of company – solid believers like yourself who have likewise turned things around to the glory of Christ.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world.
1st Peter 5:8-9 NASB20
Keeping you and yours in my prayers daily too, my friend – thanks so much for yours!

In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Bob, 

I hope your new growth comes quickly! [omitted] Another sign of the times it seems. There definitely are worse aggravating conditions on the list of problems for both of us to deal with for a while.

Upon reconsideration permission to post is granted. 

Glad I have you for a friend and a wise and trusted mentor, in company with calling on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Cor. 1:9; Rom. 12:4-6).

I'll be checking in later this evening in anticipation of further strength, encouragement, and insight, from our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as your thoughtful responses. Have a good one, Bob!

Your friend in Jesus
Response #11:
Thanks for this, my friend. Probably will be a minute before you see this one "up".

Finally got the preliminary gardening and planting done! And boy do I ache! 70+ is NOT the new 20! At eighty, Caleb told Joshua "As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in." (Josh.14:11 NKJV). Must have had something to do with eating manna for forty years. Because I sure can't say the same. But at least it all got done. It's been a busy summer of work on house and yard. Sometime this week I plan to get my toes wet with research too. 

I keep you and your families in my daily prayers, my friend.

Keep fighting the fight.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Hi Bob,

Good going, Bob! You're ahead of me in the gardening game! I have not even started working the outside garden yet. The Golden Horde of rabbits is laying in wait to invade and attack if they find the least evidence of a shoot poking out of the ground. So, I have to build the small wall of China first to thwart any danger of a stealth invasion. (Too bad didn't care to keep the big gate shut to keep out some undesirable varmints...but It's all part of the "plan" to eat up the resources and create his socialist utopia). I'm glad God is in control of these rascals, and He will exterminate them very soon. So, no need to get riled up. We do know the "rest of the story" as Paul Harvey used to sign off with. This does give our "how old are you" away, doesn't it?

I'm sure to be in the same category of aches and pains when I get rolling on things this coming week. Probably will be rolling on some Bengay too! 70+ is where I'm at too, and I have noticed in the last 15 years or so I don't move like I once did. A good diet and exercise is key, but my motivation for doing both seems to have slacked off, since I retired from climbing ladders and lifting heavy weights. I have been picking my battles of late. Probably should have a talk with myself to see if I can improve my outlook.

Caleb probably did have an edge on us, with his special gung-ho experience(s) and great character. I wonder what that manna tasted like? I get a kick out of seeing all those crazy commercials about taking this or that capsule, and being ready to fight George Foreman or run a 4 min. mile soon after. Showing a pile of great looking fruits and veggies, and then saying that if you take several of these "expensive" supplements instead you'll be living great for another 5 min. longer or so (I made that 5 min. part up). 

Summer is right around the corner. I hope we'll both have a good one, and enjoy all that He gifts us with. Keeping you in prayer, and thank you for praying for all of us. 

Your friend in Jesus
Response #12:
We plant flowers only and the rabbits don't bother them much. So we live and let burrow. 

On manna, scripture says "tasted like wafers made with honey" (Ex.16:31).

Re: "Paul Harvey", most of my students now are "Zoomers", and I'm finding that nearly all of the cultural references I tend to use are falling on deaf ears now. I guess I would need to spend some time on Tik-Tok to be relevant . . . but the price is too high.

I try to avoid ladders as well. Just prudent at this point. I don't bounce as well as I used to.

I'm trying to hold onto the exercise. The diet is more problematic. Good days and bad ones on that score. Unfortunately, losing weight takes consistency. Supplement pills are clearly not going to do it. I try to stay away from all pills, if possible.

We're already "summery" here in L-ville. A bit rainier now than it's likely to be a little later on, but that is good for all the seeds we just put in. Should have gotten to it earlier, but it's been a very busy couple of months. Hoping to have things calm down a bit so as to get to research earlier than last summer. I'll appreciate it in August if I do.

Thanks for your prayers too, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Bob, 

Re: At least they don't bother the flowers much. Not always the case here, but I guess the rabbits and us will just have to let bygones be bygones on that disagreement. But not with the vegetable garden...that war will continue unfortunately. Good fences make for good neighbors (Robert Frost's "Mending Wall"--1914).

That manna sounds like pretty good fare. When I was young I raised bees and can vouch for how nice it was to eat hot biscuits with butter and some of that very local honey topping it off. Too bad the Israelites criticized and complained so much. That didn't work out too well for them to be greedy to have more than their well supply of manna. Quail is pretty tasty, (similar to the grouse I use to hunt and eat), but you can imagine the horror of what transpired before swallowing and digesting it (Numbers 11:33). "But godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. 3:8). A good takeaway from all this..."Give us this day our daily bread"...we should be grateful to Him for everything He provides to sustain us (Matt. 6:11).

Here's hoping you have a great summer, and get that research behind you before another wave comes in.

Your friend in Jesus, 
Response #13:
Come to think of it, the bunnies did stop us from planting milkweed. The butterflies love it . . . but so do the rabbits. We had a nice stand of it one year but it seemed to be getting thinner and thinner. Then we realized that the rabbits were sheering it down one stalk a time from the inside out of the patch! They don't seem to go for zinnias, nasturtiums or poppies, so I guess we're good for now.

Re: "we should be grateful to Him for everything He provides to sustain us", Amen! We are only dimly aware at present what He's doing for us day by day in all manner of unseen ways. When we get to the other side, I'm sure it'll be made clear that the Lord "had our back" in all things at all times, and that there was no point in getting upset or worrying about anything. Here and now, under pressures of the moment, that takes some spiritual maturity and aggressive application of the truth to hold onto sometimes. But that is our mandate.
"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:31-33 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Hi Bob,

I've been listening to and reading a lot about what is called the "deconstruction movement" (supposedly a postmodern term). And about people who have left Christianity and call themselves "exvangelicals".

Just wondered if you had heard much about it.

It's something I came across after I told you about the comment ___ made to me. Not at all saying __ has read any of this. Just that it's plastered all over the internet. Ex-Christians or "exvangelicals" giving their testimonies about why they left Christianity. Basically trying to rip the Bible and the Lord apart. They say they're not trying to deconvert anyone (don't believe that) but just trying to help those who are in the process of "deconstructing their faith". Anyone who listens to this and isn't strong in the Word and their faith could so easily be led away from the Lord. 

I could write a lot more about it all but I'll leave it at that for now.

Thanks Bob.

In Jesus
Response #14:
The only thing I know about deconstructionism is as a literary theory (which I abhor but have to pretend to be open to on the academic front lines). If it's applied to the truth it will be a weapon to attack the truth in the name of intellectualism. 

I'm not surprised that so many traditional-only Christians-in-name-only are leaving traditional churches and that the church-visible is hemorrhaging membership – unless they've mastered the "new circus" techniques.

For individuals parting with something that was part of their family tradition, it's not surprising that they would be attracted to a good excuse-set. For those who are really seeking the Lord, none of that is necessary; just perseverance until they find what He has for them. But for unbelievers who are fed up with the tradition for any number of reasons, this seems as good a port in the storm as any to justify what they're doing. Believers who are, as you mention, "strong in the faith" are not going to be misled by such things, as if there were anything "there". But the devil has all manner of traps for those who are not serious enough about what ought to be the most important thing in their lives.
And [in hopes that God may grant them] to wake up from the devil's trap, when taken captive to do his will.
2nd Timothy 2:26
Grateful for your steadfast love of the truth, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,

What you've written sounds spot on to me. 

One woman who calls herself an "outspoken ex-Christian" has her own YouTube channel and she said deconstruction is all about taking the beliefs that you hold, beliefs that were given to you or indoctrinated into you from birth and carefully critically examining them to make sure that what you believe is true - that it rings true for you. She said it doesn't always lead to deconversion but all the testimonies I have listened to were from people who had deconverted.

If they have questions they're not looking for a true answer from the Bible. They're looking for an answer that aligns with their own personal preferences or cultural beliefs. They're looking for exits not answers. Where there is a biblical position on biblical sexuality in the mind of the deconstructionist that's homophobia or oppression. They say it's toxic theology. Anything that makes them feel oppressed or abused or uncomfortable or sad is a toxic belief. When they hear that they are a sinner in need of a Saviour, that Jesus is the only way to God, that hell is a real place, these are considered to be toxic beliefs that are very oppressive and abusive to them. They want to rid themselves of the toxic beliefs. They use the words racism, misogyny, homophobia, Christian nationalism etc. as reasons for why they leave Christianity. There are even deconstruction coaches to help people deconstruct. 

That's just a little bit more of what I read about it. I know there are Christians who have genuine questions or doubts or painful experiences. I also know that the Lord sees their hearts and He knows those who desire the truth and He will never fail to lead them to the truth.

Hope you have a lovely weekend, Bob!

In Jesus
Response #15:
"They're looking for exits not answers." That is so well put. Talk about beliefs. Considering everything you don't like "racism, misogyny, homophobia, Christian nationalism" is definitely "faith based", only faith in oneself and one's made-up theosophy.

As you note, it's not a bad idea for Christians to question things. Every Christian should be reading the Bible for themselves, and all Christians have a right to ask their pastor-teacher "what gives?" if what they read seems greatly out of line with what is being taught. That's the way to find out if they are in the right place or the wrong place. But only those who are really seeking the truth rather than self-justification, seeking what the Lord wants rather than an excuse to do what they want, are going to get the right answers. And it's not so easy. It takes effort to find the right place. It takes effort and patience to grow in the right place – and a great deal of humility. And all progress will be tested by the evil one. There will be plenty of "reasons" to revert and to doubt. After all, no pastor-teacher is perfect. We all have "feet of clay". But for everyone who really is knocking, the Lord will open a door (Rev.3:20). And He will provide the spiritual food necessary in the quality and the quantity that the Christian in question is willing to accept.

But as to these individuals, to be honest I have doubts about their faith in Christ. If they are not unbelievers, this approach will lead to apostasy pretty quickly. Tearing down what you believe in the wrong way leads to throwing out the good with the bad . . . and not replacing it with anything good. We could call this Gnosticism.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
1st Timothy 6:20-21 NIV
Spring break is over, but much got done, so I'm quite relieved. I do plan to relax a little this weekend. Hope you have a chance to do the same, my friend!

Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
-Good morning Professor Luginbill-

I’m currently focusing on Paul’s teachings on legalism, trying to bring it into the application of what we see in the Church today – hence 2 questions:

In 1 Corinthians 3:4, “I follow…..” Would it do an injustice to Sacred Scripture to allegorically substitute a denominational name in place of the reference to the persons listed in the referenced scripture? Isn’t denominationalism essentially a form of legalism?

Just seems to me that when one reviews the membership rituals of many mainline denominations, that the focus is more on loyalty and compliance to the respective denomination that to Christ. Perhaps exemplified by this cliché “I'm a (denominational preference) born and bred and I'll be one till I die”

As always – I so appreciate Ichthys!
Response #16:
Good to hear from you, my friend.

On #1, I think it's a very good point (as long as its made clear that this is an application not a translation). On #2, it certainly has developed that way, in that just by codifying a denomination one has to invent rules and regulations which are ipso facto not biblical.

There is a great deal about legalism in the most recent series, Hebrews (see especially this link in the introduction).

Thanks for your good words of encouragement, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Remember Dan Corner? That supposed false teacher? He claims the countless cases of people converted through his ministry having had "all sin addictions instantly broken" as proof the Gospel he preaches is the true one. Why would the enemy break all addictions they have to any sin after all?
Response #17:
"Remember Dan Corner?" Honestly, no. There are more false teachers out there today than you can shake a stick at. Good job in easily realizing a pack of lies when you see it, my friend.  Link: Peter #39: False Teachers, False Teaching, and False Organizations
Question #18:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

I hope you are doing well! I have a question. My mom and I went to Bible study last night, and the topic was temptation and satan. The pastor directs the discussion and asks the prepared questions and people give their thoughts. One of the gentlemen said he looked up all the passages in the New Testament that referred to satan and he gave 3 chapters of Zechariah, specifically (if I have the passage right) 13:2,

On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. Zechariah 13:2

Then he gave 1st Peter 5:8,

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

And then 2nd Peter 2:4,

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

If I understood him correctly, he was saying that satan isn't active anymore. He said that 1st Peter and 2nd Peter were written 15 years apart, and that the verse "prowls around" is in the present tense and the verse about the angels in chains is in the past tense - I think he's drawing the conclusion that the devil was made inactive within those 15 years (he didn't say those exact words but he sort of implied that), and he also mentioned something on 70 AD. I don't know what he's referring to.

I don't understand the historical/prophetical nature of Zechariah, where it fits in the timeline of human history - I don't know my Old Testament well, but his argument doesn't fit my understanding of Scripture. I thought the angels in chains were ones who had violated God's rules, not all fallen angels. Is my understanding right on this?

Thank you!
Response #18:
Good to hear from you!

To be quite frank, this is a wonderful snapshot of where we are in Laodicea nowadays. In our modern world, we have more opportunities for men with the gift of pastor-teacher to become prepared than every before in history. Ancient mss. of the Bible are online. Commentaries abound. One can learn Greek and Hebrew virtually without having to travel to some far away city. There are many Bible sites where a person can easily search for any passage in scripture in any version. And Bible versions abound in English, too many to keep track of. In terms of doctrine and solid teaching, while there is dearth of good things here, there is Ichthys, and there is Bible Academy (link), and there are places and individuals where and from whom a believer can grow spiritually . . . if interested in doing so. But this is Laodicea. And the vast majority of Christians are not really interested in learning anything. Not even (or perhaps especially even) if they go to church and "Bible study" regularly. As a result, there aren't many truly well-prepared pastor-teachers out there . . . because there is little to no demand for them. 

No offense, but I have a problem with the very idea of calling this sort of gathering a "Bible study". My view of biblical "Bible study" is 1) a Christian reading his/her Bible; 2) accessing good teaching from a prepared teacher (whether in person, or from writing, or, nowadays, on-line or virtual); 3) informally encouraging other Christians and gaining encouragement from them by sharing things learned from the process mentioned. 

In other words, I don't think there can be a biblical "Bible study" without a teacher who is prepared at the "front end" (so that believers can do their job on the "back end"). Not a good one anyway. How do we know that someone random person's random impression of what they think the Bible says is right? Teachers, prepared ones, anyway, are responsible to the Lord to "get it right", and provide abundant proof of the quality of their "fruit" (or lack thereof). But those without the gift and without the training cannot be expected to get anything right. And usually do not. 

Now a Christian who is spiritually mature and continuing to grow WILL know a great deal of truth, and such a person CAN be a benefit to someone who asks them a question or expresses curiosity about the Lord (so as to evangelize them) or about the Bible if a believer (so as to demonstrate to them that, yes, there are definite truths in scripture which can and should be mastered). Further, such a person can gain a great deal of encouragement and reinforcement of the truth by reading scripture for themselves; when bumping into things that aren't clear or troubling – something that happens less and less with growth – well, that is where the pastor-teacher comes in as well.

Case in point #1 here: "If I understood him correctly, he was saying that satan isn't active anymore." That is, of course, dangerously wrong, and there is no biblical evidence to suggest it (certainly not the passages quoted here; the "logic" doesn't work at all, and this is not the way to interpret scripture).

Case in point #2 here: "I thought the angels in chains were ones who had violated God's rules, not all fallen angels." That is absolutely correct! So you make my point. If said person had asked you about this, not in a formal "Bible study" setting, you could have set him straight (if willing to be set straight; I have my doubts about that). 

So you are a perfect example of what believers are supposed to be doing: growing in the truth. As a result, you are able to see immediately when some "teaching" is wrong (#1), and also often able to remember and apply what is in fact correct in the face of some false teaching (#2). 

Your "spiritual common sense" is also evident in this email. You were able to discern that these impressive sounding "facts" about dates and historical background were not really germane but merely obfuscating the truth. People do this with Greek and Hebrew words too (and also by name-dropping "scholars" and theologians). . . usually people who in fact know very little about Greek or Hebrew or theology or history.

So kudos to you, my friend! Keep growing in "grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2Pet.3:18). That is best way to stay spiritually safe – and to earn a "well done!" from our Lord on that great day to come.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

Thank you for this. I knew what he was saying was wrong (honestly I'd never considered that, it was a new thought) I just didn't know enough about the Zechariah passages to understand their correct interpretation. I am more familiar with 1 and 2 Peter, since they are New Testament.

No offense taken, you are right and I am very appreciative that you are gifted and prepared to help others understand God's Word. Thank you for always encouraging me! 
Response #19:
It's my pleasure!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Bob,

Alrighty then! I fasted (a touch over 30-hours) and prayed (here and there throughout the day), and received (I think?) what I call a "whisper". If I'm understanding it correctly, I'm supposed to stick with pestering ___ for answers to my questions. I will honor that nudge, but this note will still be fairly beefy, because there are a few things I would like your direct opinion on. I'll likely ask ___ the same questions at some point, to get his take on them, too.

By the way, on behalf of we who wrestle with God, I would like to thank you, in advance, for your time and attention. I know you're busy, and I really appreciate your ministry. I'm especially grateful for the ripples...without them, I wouldn't have found ___.

1) How do we cast our burdens on the Lord? I've been trying to capture every thought (those that are negative, as well as ruminating thoughts of past guilt, shame, etc.) so as to give them to Him... "Let go and let God" if you will. However, it seems that I'm doing it wrong, because much of the time these thoughts come every hour on the hour. I've prayed to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, asking one or are all three of them to help me with this ongoing issue. And, nothing seems to be changing, or the changes are imperceptible to my feeble human mind.

2) Adiaphora. As Jesus said in Matthew... is it truly what comes out of a man's mouth that defiles him? If I have that right, can I smoke a few (not a few hundred) cigars on the weekend, and wash a burger down with a few beers, as long as I'm not a raging alcoholic and fully replacing cigarettes with cigars? I'm confused on this issue, because... well, let's just say that back in the day, I probably did YOUR share of illicit drugs, Bob. Not to mention the onslaught of allopathic medications I was forced to take by my dear ol' mum (a retired RN), when I was seven or eight.

I used to smoke an average of 30 cigarettes per day, and when I was in my 20s and early 30s, I did party quite a bit, but I was never what I would call addicted to drinking. Caffeine and nicotine managed to sink their claws into me, but I was always able to take or leave a shot of Crown Royale. Now that I'm ___, and a baby in Christ... I'm wondering if honoring God's temple means that I should only eat health food and drink water all day (neither of which would be "bad"), or if it's OK to enjoy things that might not be "good" for the human body, as long as it's in moderation.

3) 1611 KJV. ___ has a video on how people are willfully ignorant these days, and I think it's based on some of the writings on your website. Anyway, he credits you as his teacher, and if I'm not misapprehending what I think he said in the last six-months or so, my question is: are people ignorant (no doubt, many are) or is there something more sinister at play? 

With regard to the 1611 KJV Bible... I did a couple of weeks worth of diligent research on which Bible I should study, only because there are 97 versions. Using logic, I wouldn't think that every iteration of the Canon is accurate. It didn't come right away, mostly due to all the disinformation and conflicting information that's out there nowadays, but I finally stumbled on a handful of websites (one that's reminiscent of yours in terms of the sheer volume of information, as well as the layout), that seemed to have thoughtfully-argued dissertations, and even novellas, on how/why the 1611 KJV is the most authentic Bible in existence.

What are your thoughts on the long, rambling paragraph above? 

4) Feelings. Should I not feel the Holy Spirit... at all times? Is it impossible or unimportant to, "Know that I know that I know", that I'm saved? "Once saved, always saved", is a prevalent teaching that is expressed in the ecumenical zeitgeist... to think that our names can be written, with indelible ink in the Book of Life (although, I do pray and ask God to do that, to not let me burn in hell)... is that a meritorious, lofty goal or wishful/delusional thinking? Is it not more important for Jesus to know you and me, than for us to know Him? (Matthew 7:23)

There are several questions mashed-together in question number four... they're so similar and related that I didn't want to parse them out. For context, I studied Buddhism for 20 years. My mom's a proud witch who belongs to a coven, sister is agnostic and my dad is an atheist. My whole family lineage, as far as I can tell, is cursed up one side and down the other, replete with mental illness, suicide, poverty and the like. 

____, so most on that side are adherents of Islam. I'm pretty well estranged from my whole family and most of my old friends since the Plandemic. Not sure why I, the black sheep, saw that this was all a ruse and that the death-jab should be avoided at all costs... suffice it to say, 99% --no exaggeration-- of everyone I'm related to or know, took the clot-shot, drank the kool aid and many, still to this day, wear masks. I mean, Stephen King himself would be hard-pressed to dream up a dystopian nightmare like the one we're living through. Incredible.

I don't think I'm special, nor do I tell you all of that to give the impression that, "My family bad, me good and saintly". I've been as much of a sinner as the next guy, and in some cases... well, use your imagination. So, it's not that I think I'm above or beyond anyone else. I do think that, as a baby in Christ (I had a divine experience a little over seven years ago), I have challenges and obstacles to overcome that surpass that of your average bear. Not everyone who now considers themselves a Christian made a "deal" (with you-know-who) when they were 15 years old, because their life was so miserable and they weren't raised-up in the word.

Case in point, I pray regularly for the peace that surpasses all understanding, but I rarely feel it. Not only that, but I have slightly more than a mustard seed of faith that I want to grow... but, I still have so many questions and doubts, add that with the enemy's near relentless attacks, and I still, over seven years later, wonder why I haven't been able to see God's face, even though I seek it regularly. 

I can't hear Jesus speaking to me, and I often wonder whether or not He's in my heart. There's a term we have here in this fallen world for people who talk to beings that aren't actually there, and there are times when I wonder if I'm losing it. My intention is not to tempt or ask THE God who created you, me and everything else for circus tricks... I just want clarification, I would like to know that I've sufficiently turned away from my old, occult ways and that I'm part of God's family now. 

I have an understanding that the disconnect is not on God's end... but, the fact remains that I'm seeking, knocking and asking, yet I don't seem to be finding like I thought I would; the door doesn't seem to be as open as envisioned, and I'm not receiving. Again, I don't blame Jesus or God... I do acknowledge that, due to many circumstances that are beyond me and my control (and several that I've admittedly had a hand in, as well), I'm having a hard time KNOWING that I'm on the right track. And, after 40 years of being on the wrong path, I don't want to slip further away, or worse — be discarded like a fig tree, because I'm discouraged or lukewarm or not bearing the right amount of fruit in the allotted time. 

5) Repentance. From what I understand, the Greek word is Metanoia, and means to turn away, to change your mind. Here comes that "feelings" word again (which, many say not to trust, because of their volatile nature and because it might be heartburn or the like ), but it doesn't "feel" like I'm doing it the way I'm supposed to. 

While I'm still thoroughly imperfect, I've turned away from many sins. One example is my speech... where I grew up, swearing and having a generally foul mouth was a right of passage, nothing to be looked down upon. In fact, the more the funnier and so much the better. Something like that anyway. Here I am __ years old, and for the first time, maybe three or four years ago, I had the inclination, out of the blue, to remedy that situation, to cleanup my mouth.

I give those examples to show that... with regard to all of my many questions and doubts, it's not like nothing whatsoever is happening. Non sequitur alert — before I forget again, I want to say that I really hate when these young kids say "I feel like" all of the time, and yet here I am talking about how I don't feel this and that. I attribute the incessant talk about feelings with the "Woke" ideology/mind virus that's largely responsible for destroying our once-great country. 

Anyway, I know I'm not the keeper of time, and ___ and I have actually talked about this before, that God is perfect and knew the end from the beginning. I get it. The issue I'm having, within the understanding of what I wrote a sentence ago, is that... I want to be further along than I am, because I'm watching the end of all things manifest before my very eyes. I'm not looking for sympathy or anything else... it's just that I've been up and down, and all around in life, and the last 15 years or so have left me completely submerged in the nadir of despair.

I thought that being born again meant that a new, better life was afoot. That joy, and peace and, "... life more abundantly", were for the taking if one would believe on Christ. Instead, while some things have changed, a countable number have remained the same. As stated (probably a couple times now), I'm __, living in government/subsidized housing. Everything I've tried to do in the last decade or more has led me to take three steps forward, and then NINE steps back. I can barely pay attention most days, much less all of my bills, especially as inflation seems to never stop inflating. Based on my lovely upbringing, I can't seem to find decent human beings to have fellowship, and can count the people I associate with using three fingers.

With all of that said (and, like with your life and everyone else's life, there's a lot more to the story than can be captured, even in a monumental email), I can say that I've been in the refiner's fire; God has been chastening me, as is written in John, I've decreased so that He can increase. I get it. But, here I sit fairly helpless and unable to do much for myself, much less THE Kingdom, hoping and praying and begging God to guide me and bless me so that I can do more than just sit here and rot away... and nothing. Once again, I didn't think it's God's fault, I'm sure the wires are crossed on my end, but none of my prayer or troubleshooting is leading me to the root of the problem.

Well, I have more questions, but before this letter gets too much longer or more out of hand, I should end it. Any illumination or critique of what I've written above, will be welcome and appreciated. And, please don't hold back... I'm on a quest for truth, understanding and God, and from what little I've been able to glean — said quest isn't always about rainbows, sunshine and cotton candy.

Prost,
Response #20:
You're talking about ___? Apologies, but, again, you haven't let me know which "___" you're mentioning. I'm happy to take your questions in any case (I just don't do phone calls).

As to fasting, it's not something that I recommend. I don't dissuade believers from doing it either, but it's an often misunderstood and more often abused thing (see the link which leads to other links).

1) This scripture (1Pet.5:7; fr. Ps.55:22) is all about learning to trust the Lord. It's easy to say, "I trust the Lord", but faith is like a muscle. It grows with exercise and feeding (passing tests / learning the truth). It's not too much to say that the Christian life is all about learning to trust the Lord more. We are saved with a mustard seed's worth of faith. But then we can and should grow our faith to the size of a massive tree. But that requires us to respond the correct way. What is the correct way? Spiritual growth, spiritual progress, and spiritual production. The three are at once a progression but also overlap. Growth never ends (or at least it shouldn't); and a believer can begin having some fruit from the very first (although entering into the life-ministry the Lord has for him/her can be a long time in coming); in between, we are all being tested all the time, big and small tests, daily and also special tests which may last for some time. 

Asking how to trust the Lord is like asking how to win an Olympic gold medal in the Marathon. On the one hand, the answer is simple: train! On the other hand, all of the ins and outs involved would take months to explain. And in the end, it's all about the doing, not the knowledge. Similarly, I can tell anyone how to be saved, but they have to "do it" by placing faith in Jesus Christ; and I can tell anyone how to grow, progress and produce so as to win the three crowns, but in the end they are the ones who have to knuckle down and do what is necessary. I will follow your rubric, but as I read your email, it strikes me that this is the essential answer to all of your questions. You won't grow by asking questions only. You can only grow by committing yourself to a disciplined program of spiritual growth, submitting to a solid Bible teaching ministry, learning as much as you can as quickly and as well as you can, BELIEVING the truth you are taught, then applying it with every growing faith in your daily walk with the Lord, ministering to others as the opportunities arise. 

This never happens from the outside in. A Christian can't stop doing this or start doing that or occasionally nodding to God and expect to grow to spiritual maturity – let alone pass the testing necessary to receive the crown of life and prepare for the life-ministry Jesus has in mind for him/her. It takes commitment; it takes consistency; it takes an awful lot of hard work, "in season and out of season" (2Tim.4:2), in order to accomplish the goal, in order to win the gold medal in our Marathon.
(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 3:12-16
2) Re: tobacco and alcohol (et al.), as Paul says . . .
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
1st Corinthians 6:12

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
1st Corinthians 10:23
Is smoking a sin? Not in and of itself. Is drinking alcohol a sin? Not in and of itself. The same could be said of many things which are not, per se, sinful. Yet most of these sorts of things, when taken to extremes, can be not only sinful but spiritual disastrous. This is an area of application. That is to say, we Christians are given a great deal of leeway in this life to live our lives as we wish. Now we can take that freedom and use it to live lives pleasing to Jesus Christ, or we can, in typical Laodicean fashion, seek mainly to please ourselves. 
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
Matthew 16:24 NIV
If what we are doing sends a negative message to others about the gospel, is it profitable? If it compromises our spiritual growth is it helpful? If it causes us to only occasionally do what it is we should be doing, pursuing an aggressive approach to spiritual growth, should we not reconsider? 

None of us is perfect and none of us is running a perfect race. But to go back to my Marathon analogy, I doubt that anyone truly committed to spiritual growth is spending most evenings smoking and drinking and over-eating, then going out for a "short jog", so to speak, on Saturday. There is a big difference between someone who really wants to win gold and someone who is merely fantasizing about it. Similarly in the Christian life. No, none of us is perfect, but there is a big difference – and a notable one – between those who are running to win and those who are not. It's not about staying away from bad or sinful behavior (though that is part of it); rather, it is about doing what the Lord wants: growing in faith, growing in the Word, believing the truth, putting what we have learned and believed into practice, passing the tests, even when they are hard, trusting Him no matter what, and getting to the point of helping others do likewise. This doesn't happen accidentally. This requires commitment . . . and consistent follow through on that commitment. It's easy to commit. Not so easy to run, run, run day in and day out in good weather and bad, when we are feeling it and when we are not, pushing through pain and fatigue, looking toward the upward goal (Phil.3:14).

3) With the exception of cult versions (like the JW's NWT), most English Bibles are fair translations of the Hebrew and Greek. As you read Ichthys, you will see that I take translations from a wide variety of versions, presenting whatever seems to me to hit the mark and the right tone, based on the original languages. And when none of them does (as is sometimes the case), I translate the passage myself. The problem with KJV (any version of it) is that it was based upon inferior manuscripts because none of the main, ancient manuscripts of the Greek New Testament had yet come to light. So it has, for example, passages that are not part of the Bible presented as if they were (classic example is the long ending of the gospel of Mark which actually ends at verse eight; more about all this at the link). Personally, I like the pre-1984 NIV the best (but no version is perfect; second choice is NKJV).

4) The Christian life is about what you KNOW that is actually true; then BELIEVING what you have learned . . . and sticking with that no matter what anyone else says or what you hear or what you see or, perhaps most importantly, what you FEEL. Emotions are important, but, like the woman in the marriage, they are made to respond, not lead; and just like in marriage, where the husband is not directing things aright, so also in our inner person, when the emotions are in control, nothing will go well. So we should "go with that we KNOW (by faith in the truth), and NOT "reel with what we FEEL" based upon all manner of exiguous circumstances and events. Again, the answer to getting feelings under control so that they support our "Marathon challenge" instead of fighting against it is . . . spiritual growth and progress.

Note: I got the one-time J&J shot. It was not something I preferred doing, but I wasn't allowed to teach without it without wearing a mask, and no one can teach wearing a mask. I didn't and don't see anything nefarious in what happened (just gross incompetence and titanic folly). Between positing diabolical conspiracy theories of world domination on the one hand, and virtuous science and government only wanting what is good lies the truth. I wouldn't trust science or government; I wouldn't believe all the hoo-ha on the internet either. This is the devil's world. We all know that (or should). We have our eyes open so as not to be deceived by either side of this equation (Matt.10:16). One of the quickest ways to end up in the ditch in our Marathon training is to get involved in politics. Because politics, getting involved in any variety, any side, to any serious degree, is detrimental to our spiritual advance (link).

5) Repentance (see the link): This is a perfect example of what I said above. The Bible says you are forgiven if you confess your sins to the Lord (e.g., 1Jn.1:9); not believing this is a problem; not believing anything the Bible says is a problem, but this is a BIG problem because the devil is adept at using our feelings of guilt against us. We need to believe what God tells us – and as sinners, if we don't have this issue straight, we will either be wracked with guilt or what is worse: be tempted to redefine what sin is to our own advantage and claim we are not sinners when we are (this is the basis for all legalism, the deadly strain of satanic thinking that is killing the church-visible; link). This doesn't mean that we use this freedom to sin. Far from it! We use this freedom to live godly lives and delight in the fear of the Lord.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13 NIV

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.
1st Peter 2:16 NIV
You've asked me a lot of questions, and I've given you a few answers. But there are hundreds of questions you need answers to – no, thousands and perhaps tens of thousands. And they all intersect. Growing spiritually is like building a skyscraper out of bricks. You don't need just a few. You need them all. And they all have to go in the right places, one brick at a time until you get to the top. It's not an overnight process and it's not easy. But it IS possible. Someone is going to win that Olympic Marathon medal. The great blessing of being a part of the Church of Jesus Christ is that it's not a competition – it's a cooperation. We can ALL win. But we don't get a trophy just for showing up. We ALL have to put in the effort – for something eternal, not merely temporal.
(24) Don't you know that all the runners in the stadium run the race, but that only one receives the prize? Run in such a way so as to achieve what you are after. (25) And again, everyone involved in competition exercises self-control in all respects. Those athletes go through such things so that they may receive a perishable crown of victory, but we do it to receive an imperishable one. (26) So as I run this race of ours, I'm heading straight for the finish line; and as I box this bout of ours, I'm making every punch count. (27) I'm "pummeling my body", one might say, bringing myself under strict control so that, after having preached [the gospel] to others, I might not myself be disqualified [from receiving the prize we all seek].
1st Corinthians 9:24-27
So my advice to you is to commit to reading Ichthys. Read Peter. Read Basics. Read SR. Read CT. Read Hebrews. Read the email responses (all of them). And then read them again. BELIEVE the truth of the spiritual food you are being provided – because only what we have converted in our hearts into "full-knowledge" (epignosis) is of any use to the Spirit in this race we are running with His help (see the link). None of this happens by accident. It takes effort at every turn. But if you do commit to training the way the Spirit is leading you to train, you can get there. You can win that medal. You can win those crowns of victory. We all can. It just takes faith.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #21:
Hi Bob,

You said, "I'm confident in the Lord to lead to the site anyone who really wants to learn and grow." The Lord did that for me. 

You want exactly what the Lord wants from the ministry He has given you. For believers to grow up through the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (2nd Peter 3:18). To help believers grow spiritually and progress in their walk with the Lord. So those He does send your way and who do appreciate and make use of all the materials at Ichthys are those who have the same desire. I agree with you - better to have a few who do learn and grow than huge numbers who do nothing and get nowhere.

I watched a video on YouTube the other day from a Christian ministry. The person was talking about how thrilled they were at hitting a certain number of subscribers. Then they said by the end of next year they're praying that they reach 100k subscribers. They do seem genuine in their love for the Lord and their ministry and people seem to be benefiting from it. Only the Lord knows their heart but something about that felt really off to me. I don't think it should be the numbers that are important or that we're focusing on or getting caught up in. Those numbers don't necessarily mean anything. It reminds me of mega-churches. How many of those who attend these churches are growing spiritually or even saved? Surely it's quality not quantity that counts? Am I seeing this right, Bob? 

I'm so very grateful for all of the hard work you put in for us day after day. And you never ask for a single penny for any of it. All you ask is for our prayers and I do pray for you, your family, the ministry, your work at the uni etc.

And what you wrote about self-encouragement in the Tribulation was exactly what I was getting at. You always describe it in such a beautiful way!

Friday tomorrow - a tough day at work - thanks for your prayers, Bob!

In Jesus
Response #21:
I'll say an extra prayer for you for a good Friday. One last meeting tomorrow (at least I hope it's the last). Today was a lot of angst with the auto. It did get fixed but instead of just an oil change it got multiple filters, brake work, a new battery, spark plugs . . . and four new tires. Needless to say it cost a whole lot more than anticipated. But this one has to last, so I'm not going to defer maintenance if I can help it. Anyway, the break is about to begin in earnest (even if it's a week later than I'd hoped for).

On numbers, that is "the whole game" in the church-visible, and not just on the internet – especially in brick and mortar places, whether large or small, and whatever denomination or disposition. The more people, the better it must be, right? I am SO happy that I don't have to play that game. Pastors who earn a salary for their toil really do have to be careful about not falling into that trap. As Paul said,
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
1st Corinthians 4:1-4 NLT
Thanks for all the good words, my friend – and for the prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/