http://ichthys.com/ 
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XXIV

Question #1:  
Dear Professor,

We were discharged from the hospital two days ago. __’s recovery is slow and had us worried for a bit. Looking back on how the Lord has been merciful has cleared that worry. We will simply nurse her as best we can, trusting that He will perfect her healing. She even gave us a scare last night where she was in so much respiratory distress and we went to look for a pulse oximeter around 11pm last night, didn’t find it, went to the hospital and even got to the door but changed our minds considering she could pick something up there and went back home. She has been sleeping peacefully ever since. She seems to get in respiratory distress when she is crying or upset.

When we first went to the hospital it was for the respiratory distress. We were admitted in the emergency and started on antibiotics. She developed a fever. The fever was what made everything worse. Fevers are good because they are a sign that your body is fighting but they are a double edged sword cause once it starts approaching 39 degrees Celsius, it’ll put the person at risk for seizures. __’s was high grade and unrelenting. She was put on a six hourly paracetamol injection to manage the fever. Too much paracetamol can harm your liver. 2 hours after she got each pcm shot, her temp will start rising again so we had to keep tepid sponging her round the clock which was so draining. We had to check her temp at least 4 times an hour and even with the tepid sponging and pcm, she still got to 40 degrees Celsius twice and had two tiny 3 sec seizures. I read that febrile seizures do no harm so that calmed me.

That terrible fever lasted 10 whole days. I have no idea how we survived. The Lord literally wrapped us in his arms. She was lifeless for these ten days. We picked her up and fed her and kept her back. She wouldn’t move or make a sound or do anything. No matter how she was injected or poked, she made no sound. We cried day and night and had even made our peace with losing her and thanking the Lord for what time we had got to spend with her and even though we would miss her terribly, at least she won’t go through the tribulation. 

Then the fever broke. She had been on oxygen because her saturation was low and also on a feeding tube. When the fever broke, she started opening her eyes for little periods. Three days later she was taken off oxygen and the feeding tube and she could sit up for a few minutes. She couldn’t hold her neck till the next day and started watching cartoons for short periods. Her first smile was on the day we were discharged and she has started talking a bit too even though her voice is hoarse. She eats well, still won’t walk and is very cranky.

We had an aunt who cooked every single day and brought food for us in the hospital. I have three cousins who uprooted their lives and took turns to stay with us in the hospital and run errands. A lot of people visited and prayed. I was always comforted that Prof Robert was praying for us.

We experienced so much death and pain around us. So many children are now having various types of cancers and they mature at such tender ages because of the pain and suffering they go through.

Thank you Professor. Thank you. Thank you a million billion times over. That’s all I can say.
Response #1:  
Thanks so much for the detailed update.

You two must be absolutely exhausted!

God is SO good in giving you this great deliverance. I rejoice in that and also in the fact that you passed this VERY difficult test so well.

You are wonderful believers, and it is such a great joy to know you both. 

Re: "prayers"
Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1 NIV
Thank you so much also for YOUR prayers!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:  
Hi Bob,

I hope your week is going well. Prayers for your rodent troubles (what a pain!). How is it going?

I've expanded what I've written for our friend who lost her son and sent it in a separate email to you. I've included the first paragraph I sent to you at first. If you think it might be helpful for others please feel free to post it as well.

The Spirit had impressed on me the "cast your cares" verses and then the rest just followed on from there. I used your translations on a couple of verses - I hope you don't mind. It took me a while to write it - I think you could have written it in five minutes - LOL! Could you have a read for me Bob just to check that it's all OK? I hope it encourages her heart.

Keeping you in my prayers!

In Jesus

text:
Hi Bob,

I'm so very sorry to hear about __. As a mom, I can't imagine anything more painful to go through than this. I'm praying for her and I hope she's managing to draw closer to the Lord. I know she'll find comfort, strength and healing in Him. Psalm 34:18 comes to mind - "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." And Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. She is God's precious daughter and He loves her deeply with a perfect, everlasting love.

These verses came to mind as well.

Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1st Peter 5:7

Whatever burden the Lord has allowed in our life, whatever the care or anxiety, He wants us to cast it over to Him. It isn't always easy for us to do, but this is where our faith comes in. By faith we rely on the Lord and not on ourselves (Proverbs 3:5-6). By faith and prayer, we throw the whole weight of our burdens onto Him and we leave it in His hands. He is all-powerful and all-knowing and able to handle all our cares. When we do this in obedience and humility, He promises to be our strength and support - mentally, emotionally and spiritually. He will not allow us to be overcome by those burdens. He promises never to allow any test or trial to come into our lives that we are not capable of bearing in the power of Christ (1st Corinthians 10:13).

I have the strength to endure all things in the One who empowers me to do so.
Phil.4:13

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

The Lord cares for us deeply. When others in the world forget us, neglect us, leave us, betray us, the Lord never will. He loves us and will always love us. He will never leave us or forsake us.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deut.31:8

When we remember and believe the Lord's promises to us, we are abiding in His faith-rest. When we have faith in Him we find spiritual rest and peace in spite of all the opposition we presently face as those who belong to Him.

(6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil.4:6-7

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3

We can rest in the Lord at all times having absolute confidence and faith in His love and care for us.

(28) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2

We trust the Lord in everything, remembering that He is in complete control. He is working for our good and for His glory.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Praying this gives some help and encouragement, Bob.

Your friend in Jesus
Response #2:  
That's really wonderful!

It ministers to me too, and I'm sure also to yourself . . . and will to others too.

I don't know how long it would take me to write it, but it's taking a very long time to fully live up to it! Very good to be reminded of all these wonderful verses and principles of faith, my friend.

Got a sore throat today and feeling very off this evening. Blessedly I can work from home tomorrow, so I'll just "pull in the horns" and hope to live to fight another day for the last batch of classes on Friday.

Thanks much for the prayers! Keeping you and yours in mine too.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:   
Hi Bob,

I don't know what happened to me today but I sort of collapsed/fainted after a huge dizziness/nausea spell. I felt very low about a week ago from being stuck indoors with all the cold and dark weather so I pushed myself to go out a lot over the last four days to get some exercise but I must have overdone it as I have felt really rough today. Feel like I have burnt out somehow on all fronts (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually). Really wanted to start this year to a flying start but I feel instead to have crashed and burned.

__ will need a colonoscopy in a few weeks time and __ has been struggling to breathe again so will need heart and lungs tests. I will be having some tests on Thursday. Maybe it is the strain and worry of all that too.

Today I crawled into bed really early feeling as though I would just drop dead on the spot as I felt as though I didn't have an ounce of strength in my body, instead a sort of weary queasiness.

I feel I need to scale back everything that isn't important and concentrate on getting myself strong in mind, body and faith again and then just focus on the immediate demands in front of me.
I have been spreading myself so thinly for such a long time now to no real purpose or gain that it has all caught up with me today and I just crashed.

Feel like I am losing sight of what I should truly be doing and instead feel overwhelmed that I can't make it forward. 

I miss my old zeal and joy and clarity of focus. Everything feels muddied and confusing, dizzying and disorientating around me now.

In Jesus,
Response #3:  
As is often said, "striving for progress rather than perfection" is not a bad standard to hew to.

We are supposed to have peace and joy, but when we are under pressure, it's not a bad idea to focus our joy on what is going to happen in our eternal future – since no one is expected to be joyful about being sick and tired.
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
2nd Peter 3:13 NIV
I know what it's like to wonder if one is doing too much or not enough. The older I get, the narrower the margin between the two! 

Sorry you're not doing well in terms of health, my friend. Try to get some rest. Everyone around here is getting sick and I'm still not 100% either, so do be careful.

Keeping you in prayer for complete and quick recovery.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:   
Hi Bob,

Thank you for this encouragement! I was praying for this depression to lift and the Lord gave me encouragement last night just before I went to sleep!

I know it is not good to look backwards and I try not to do this but the Lord wanted me to look at last year and how much I had been through. I was moved to make a mental list of all the things I went through so this made me realise both why I was feeling tired and weary at the moment but then it (most importantly) showed me just how much the Lord had delivered me through and yes He delivered me through an enormous amount of trials and tribulations last year as I have passed through all of these things and still have my faith. 

It made me focus on how faithful the Lord has been and no matter how impossible at the time the trial was, the Lord did carry me through it!

It was a huge encouragement to me so I was hoping it would encourage you too!

In 2024 the Lord delivered me through :

• a rodent infestation in the house (rats and mice/upstairs and downstairs)
• sore throat and fever that led to temporary hearing loss
• three losses to the family/funerals
• a very last minute and disorganised wedding where I was constantly called upon to deal with many last minute jobs
• having my faith aggressively undermined by a baby believer whilst trying to prepare for my sister's wedding 
• having to organise a lot of the wedding day itself last minute and organise photo albums after
• coping with my sister's estrangement/mind games/bullying
• organise Christmas for the family whilst my mum was really ill and support her through that
• neighbour attacking house through garden
• noisy neighbours on both sides 
• tried to comfort a friend who was depressed from a long distance 
• be available for my mum and dad while my mum was very ill
• comfort the friends of __ after news came of her death
• abandoned by a friend when I was at my lowest

Reading through this list, I am amazed I was able to get through one thing here but I actually got through all fourteen types of trials on this list.

The only reason I managed to get through this and be delivered through all this was because the Lord was beside me all this time.

It was a staggering year really but many items on this list will be relatable to many readers of your ministry : whether it is attacks on the house or bad neighbours, family disputes/estrangement, illness that leads to disability/impairment, loss of family members and friends, being put under enormous stress or pressure to fulfil an obligation in a limited amount of time, bullying/cruel treatment, faith mocked and undermined.

I went through all of this in just one year but here I am still with my faith and still fighting the good fight and still looking forward to the Day of the Lord and the New Jerusalem.

I am certainly not 'looking for trouble' so to speak but I have now fully accepted that trials, tribulations and sufferings are an expected part of a Christian's walk and they occur to temper our faith and bring forth patience and proven character, a complete reliance and trust in God which has been proven time and time again and a letting go of our grip on this world and to see that it is all temporary and passing away and there is no such thing as lasting reward or happiness here. It is all going away and falling apart and ultimately unsatisfying.

It is all on its way out and soon will be over and finished with, so we need to look towards the permanent, the perfect and the eternal which is very soon to come where we will have our eternal rewards and will not regret one moment of our continual abiding in faith and overcoming tribulation.

Because it will all be so wonderful! Indeed so wonderful that even the worst we are passing through now can honestly be referred to as a "light affliction" due to the incredible and forever glories that are about to come to all of us here if we remain faithful!

As it is written, just a little while longer and we will be delivered through whatever affliction we currently have and then we will be delivered from all affliction into beholding His wonderful majesty and glory forever more!

Being in this faith, the only true faith is a great honour and so yes I see how we can, though we suffer now, can consider it all joy because we CAN overcome through Him, we CAN abide in Him and we CAN completely rely and trust in Him. We CAN and we MUST look forward to what is coming, what is glorious and what is eternal! AMEN!

Marana-tha!

Your friend in Jesus,
(You can publish this as I hope it is an encouragement to others!)
Response #4:  
That's quite a list!

I've got one of those for '24 as well (and I'm working on another one for '25!). But the Lord ALWAYS brings us safely "through" in all instances where it is not His will for us to just be immediately delivered "from" some trial. We are on a pilgrimage to Zion (Ps.84:5ff.), and our destination is our delight no matter how inhospitable the desert we are traveling through on our way may be at the moment.
[A]nd the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:10 NIV
Re: "[We] can consider it all joy because we CAN overcome through Him!" Amen to your Amen!

Thanks for the permission.

Let me know what you find out from your specialist (for __ too). Keeping up the prayer – thanks so much for yours!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:   
Is there an address I can write to please?

I'd like to send a card because of my heartfelt thanks for your site!

I have been in a desperate state for several months, fearing that I have lost my salvation, because I remarried unbiblically years ago.

Both myself and my child are disabled, and apart from anything else, I couldn't care for them alone, if I were to separate. Their father helps them a lot.

I have so much joy believing that I am safe, and not condemned - thank you Jesus!

Your website is such a wonderful combination of grace and holiness - such a beautiful blessing - thank you again and I pray you are mightily rewarded in heaven!❤ 
-- 
Please excuse my brevity. 
Response #5:  
Dear Friend,

Good to make your acquaintance. 

Your email is more than enough thanks! I appreciate your good and encouraging words very much.

It sounds as if you have "been through the wringer". I just want you to know that there are very many believers who have experienced similar trials as you have, my friend. But we are all beloved by our Savior Jesus Christ, and we all have the opportunity of growing while we're here – and earning a "well done!" from Him. So keep running your good race for our Lord!
Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:4-5 NIV
Do feel free to email me any time.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:  
Thank you so much for your prompt reply Robert!

I will remember what you have said, and I really appreciate every kind word

God Bless
Response #6:  
My pleasure!

Feel free to email me any time.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:   
[omitted]
Response #7:  
I'm sorry to hear that things may not have worked out with/for __. I have been keeping him and you in prayer on this, and also of course for his salvation. We never know exactly how and why God does things the way He does them – but after the fact we can often see that what we imagined a disaster was actually Him working things out for good.

I hope and pray (and will pray) that you have a good time with your parents. No job or situation is ever perfect – just like no battlefield ever shaped up precisely the way the commander wanted it to. We have to react to events, to a certain degree, doing our best to bring order out of chaos day by day and making space for the things that really matter amid the clutter. That's the fight, and it will always be a fight. Best thing is not to get frustrated that it is what it is, but to make the best of it and be grateful for the space the Lord does allow us to win free for time with Him on any given day.

Congratulations again on all the well-deserved success the Lord has blessed you with, my friend.

In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,

Bob L.
Question #8:   
Hey Dr. Luginbill,

I don’t really have a question. I do have a praise report though. 

Ok, so you know lately I had been feeling separated from God spiritually. Not because he wasn’t there, but because I had walked away. I wasn’t doing anything bad necessarily. I had just gotten complacent, and neglected my spiritual life. Which I guess is bad. I hadn’t touched my Bible in a few weeks. I hadn’t prayed, or honestly even acknowledged God in about as long. I wasn’t doing spiritual building of any kind. I had even allowed doubts to creep up that I thought were long past. I had just really been allowing myself to be influenced by people who were critical of the Christian faith, and God’s existence. I didn’t realize it at first, but hindsight is 20/20. It happened gradually, like I was slowly bleeding out. Then one day I was just thinking that maybe I had just been deluding myself into being a Christian. I thought maybe I had just been brainwashing myself into believing in God, because I was afraid of the alternative. Afraid of the possibility that maybe this is all there was, and there is no one to rescue us. That when I die I’m going into the ground, and I’m not coming out. I contemplated these thoughts for a while. Then I came to a conclusion that I didn’t fully believe, but is a bad one for a Christian to have nonetheless. I decided that whenever I died it is a possibility that it would be the end of my existence. I could die today, and have nothing to show for my life. This life is the only one we have, and I have been completely squandering mine. I was terrified of spending my life following a god of my own creation. All because I was too weak to face my own mortality. I think this may have been the reason I was having trouble fully giving myself over to God. A small part of me just thought, what if there is no God and I’ve wasted my entire life, the only one I have?

I did come back from that though. It wasn’t a really big thing either. Ok, so I went on this trip with a program from my college [omitted] I had a bit of time to think since it was a pretty long drive. I figured that maybe I should try to pray. I hadn’t done it in a while. I didn’t know how to come back to God, if that makes any since. I was just thinking, how am I going to explain myself and then ask for something on top of that. You see, I still had no money. We had stopped to get breakfast on they way up there, but I had no money. Everyone bought something but me.

Anyway, I asked God to forgive me for my behavior. You know, for not praying, reading my Bible, and not taking care of myself spiritually. Then I asked God to provide for me something to eat. I was just thinking how am I going to get money though. I’m going to a different city, where would I possibly get money from. How would God provide. But I just thought, God will provide and I dropped the subject. I also asked God to bless my day and everyone else's. I asked him to put everyone in the right place, at the right time. I asked that His will be done.

And when we got there, they had breakfast for us and lunch. It was a long day. Towards the end, they gave an improv performance for us. I thought they were so good. I met a lot of people from the school, and I really enjoyed they day overall. [omitted] When I walked up, someone turned to me and asked if I got a gift. I was like what gift. Then one of the men that had been helping out with the event at the school handed me an envelope with a smile on his face, and everyone in the group was good-natured(ly) groaning. It was a Wal-Mart gift card! It was their last one! It wasn’t a lot of money, but that gift card came in handy though. I hadn’t eaten since lunch. So that’s what I wanted to say. The Lord provided. He met every one of my requests I’d say! Everyone was at the right place at the right time. Even though, or maybe because things didn’t go according to schedule. He provided food for me. Maybe it didn’t fall from the sky, but it was close enough! 

And I do think I was forgiven! 
Response #8:  
Praise the Lord!

I'm very happy for you in all these matters. I'm also very proud of you. This life is not an easy one for genuine Christians, but you are clearly passing beyond the novice stage and gaining some "sea legs" in your spiritual growth.
(3) If You, O Lord, kept a close watch on [our] iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand? (4) But with you there is forgiveness, so that you may be revered.
Psalm 130:3-4
Keep fighting this good fight of faith!

In Jesus our dear Lord,

Bob L.
Question #9:  
Hello Dr. Luginbill,

It's been a long time, and I hope that all is well with you and your ministry. I am in a dilemma regarding the biblical meaning of forgiveness, but it involves my older brother. My brother used to love my parents until recently, when he brought up a discussion about chastisement and how my Dad use to spank him (rarely). He said that it was a nightmare (my brother is middle aged) and my parents just thought that he was bringing up past issues and making a big deal out of it. My Dad used to spank us (me mostly and I understood why) because he loved us and wanted us not to make dumb and dangerous decisions Well, to make a long story short, he hung up on my parents during a conversation and says that my parents need to apologize. I see it differently than him. Even though, IF, my parents were in the wrong, my brother should still love an honor them. My brother refuses to speak to my Mom and Dad until they apologize for something that was a long time ago. My question is, is my brother dishonoring my parents by his actions, and what would be the biblical way to to deal with a situation like this?

Can you please pray for my brother and my parents to reconcile, and that he will one day be saved? Thank you in advance for this prayer and all the other prayers you've pray for.

God Bless,
Response #9:  
Good to hear from you. I keep you in my prayers day by day, and will indeed say a prayer for your brother and his reconciliation to your parents. I hope it goes without saying that this would not be my approach nor can I recommend or commend your brother's behavior.

I have been praying for your brother's salvation for a long time (you had mentioned you did not think he was saved, yes?). Perhaps the Lord is working at something here. We'll keep praying in any case.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13 NIV
Yours in the dear Lord Jesus who paid the ultimate price for all of our sins so that we may be saved.

Bob L.
Question #10:   
Hello Sir,

I hope your holidays were blessed. I pray for your deliverance every day.

Sir, I am under great pressure and its becoming very difficult for me to remain composed. My factory is closed for the last one and half months. I had fired an employee who was not very honest and wasn't working properly. He turned out to be the "shrewd manager". I gave him 4 days to clear all accounts, but he ran away before that. And now I have found out that he has stolen raw material worth a great deal of money. This raw material belongs to the companies who had given me the job work. Now they are asking me to pay them. And I know one of the company is lying. I have no idea what to do now. You know my financial condition. Oh Sir, please please please pray for me. 

I am not "wise as a serpent" , and because of this I have been blaming myself and thinking that God will not help me because I am not a good Business man. I know what I am thinking is wrong. But I am not able to get this out of my mind.

I will continue to pray for you.

Your brother,
Response #10:  
I'm very sorry to learn of your recent troubles, my friend. And I am afraid I have to report that things here are not any better [n.b., this email is from many years ago]. We have had a series of setbacks over the past couple of months without at the same time finding any way forward. I have no idea what will happen, but at least I don't think the present situation can possibly last more than a couple of months (so at least the limbo will end). Under these sorts of pressures it is very easy for people to give up – but we have faith in Him "even though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea" (Ps.46:2). When suffering these sorts of set backs and personal tribulation and disaster, many fall away (Matt.13:21), but we "are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Heb.10:39 NKJV). 

You are not at fault, my friend. Only believers who are truly making a spiritual difference for Jesus Christ are tested in this way. God does indeed deliver those who have made Him their refuge. Keep trusting in Him and He will deliver you in a timely fashion – in His right way in His right time. Abraham was not delivered from sacrificing Isaac until the last second – but he was delivered, and his willingness to keep faith with the Lord in spite of the unimaginable difficulty of doing so gained him an eternal reward beyond present understanding. Things may look – and indeed may very well be – impossible from the human viewpoint; but our Lord made the universe in the blink of an eye and it only holds together because of His Word of power. He has done the most – more than we can ever really understand – in saving us with His blood; He will surely do the things we need for Him to do for us in the carrying out of our lives for Him. Our part is to trust Him that what He does and when He does it is "right", even if it may not feel that way to us at the time (we cannot see the future, for example, but He is in control of it).

It does seem to me that if you have been robbed, then legal action is a likely course (a criminal complaint as well as a civil one). I only know enough about the legal system here in the states to know that some professional help is necessary for negotiating it; that might be a good idea for you both "offensively" (in terms of the individual who stole from you) and "defensively" (in terms of the business that is trying to wrongfully put pressure on you).

The one thing that I can do is to pray, and I will continue to do that for you faithfully. Thank you so much for your prayers for me as well, my friend. They mean the world to me. I know that the Lord hears them – yours and mine both – and that while these tests of faith last but a worldly minute, the rewards that fall to enduring faith and faithful intervention for the Body of Christ last forever.

We can't control what happens in the devil's world. Blessedly, however, we belong to the One who has overcome it completely.

In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,

Your friend,

Bob L.
Question #11:  
Hello Sir,

Indeed legal action is a must, this is what I feel too. But I will paying more money to the cops than what I am trying to save (this is not the US, Sir). I have most of the proofs in my favor but, there are a few receipts which they didn't sign, and I thought its ok they seem to be nice people and since they are so busy may be I will approach them later to get them signed. I have made a few mistakes which I don't deny. Biggest mistake was that I forgot that people love money more than my good behavior. My parents have started a new business and they are least bothered about the business they all the time helped me to establish. I don't say my parents didn't help me initially (they are still feeding me and my family), but now I realize they did it only to prove it to me that Jesus won't help, only they can help.

I will get back to you later Sir.

In Him,
Response #11:  
You're under all sorts of pressure then, my friend. Not "only" legal and financial, but also family pressures and also very clearly pointed attacks from the evil one. It's not much consolation perhaps while the spiritual combat continues, but it is no small compliment to your spirituality and your love of the Lord that He would let you be tested like this. This sort of thing is not for spiritual "sissies" or novices.

I know that the Lord has a great deliverance in store for you and for me. Our part is to trust and wait.
LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:12 NIV
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Psalm 125:1b NIV
"Your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ" (Rev.1:9).

Bob L.
Question #12:  
If I am being honest I had a rough few days, but I am ok.

I keep watching the time pass and thinking I am not going to get the Greek learned if "it" happens soon. And I won't be able to do the cognitive personality stuff that I really like. And I know that is a wrong feeling, because God knows what He is doing. Just that I keep missing time blocks-like yesterday the power went out and so there went some time, and sometimes I need to discipline better.

How are you?
Response #12:  
I think you are doing great with Greek!
. . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:16 NIV

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Colossians 4:5 NIV
In terms of time, we are none of us ever given more than one day at a time. So while it is legitimate to plan for things that require some long term investment of time and effort, we always have to keep in mind that it is God's plan, not ours.
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
James 4:15 NKJV
I'm sorry you've had some rough days. I am praying for you daily, my friend. I'll say a prayer for you to make it to the weekend and get some respite.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:   
Hi Mr. Luginbill, 

Sorry to write again so soon - I'll keep it short. 

In short, I sinned. I confessed and I read over your material on confession and repentance. I tried to have the right attitude, not hiding my sin from God but acknowledging it and telling Him I knew it was wrong and damaging to my relationship with Him. 

How do I know that I've "done it right?" I know that God wants me to return to Him and does not want to "zap me from the sky" but I am scared about divine discipline. So am I actually repentant or just worried I'll get punished? I'm trying to be repentant and I've confessed several times and I think I am forgiven. I just want to have the correct attitude.

Oh, and does worse sin require more repentance? 
Response #13:  
If you confess, you are forgiven. That is what 1st John 1:9, e.g., says. 
"I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Psalm 32:5 NKJV
Divine discipline is actually a blessing because it helps us stay away from "the sin that easily besets". Paul in Hebrews finds fault with those who "despise" this help. Those like yourself who have the right attitude of wanting to walk closer to the Lord can rejoice in discipline because 1) it means that God loves you, and 2) it serves as a memorial for resistance the next time temptation strikes.
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Philippians 3:15 NIV
So I wouldn't over-think your attitude. Emotions are not the most reliable guide.  The very thing to avoid is associating repentance and confession with emotion, as if we aren't really repentant because we are not emoting enough. If we punish our child out of love, we do so because we want him/her to 1) see that they were in error and 2) not do it again. The two things work together. We really don't gain anything by seeing them terribly upset by the discipline, especially if that means 1) they are just upset and don't understand the "why?", and 2) it doesn't keep them from doing it again.

So have peace about this. You were forgiven when you confessed. Whatever discipline the Lord metes out will be proportional and helpful, so that even though it hurts, it will be endurable and serve as a reminder of His love for you (see the link).
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27 NKJV
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:   
Hi Dr. Luginbill! 
I hope you and the ministry are doing great. Is there are particular way I can be praying for you or the ministry? 

I have a question that kind of touches on the things that have stumped before. I know you don’t recommend dealing in hypotheticals which is not what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to understand the Biblical truth if that makes sense. 

As believers, we should be living out the truth of God's Word which includes being honest so as much as we can in our day to day life. What do we do when we don’t really know what something is/was/entails? 

My general approach is to wait it out, but that doesn’t seem to always be the case, and this world seems to really like concrete black/white yes/no at times. 

I am going through parts of the Peter Series again, so may have some questions there. It’s neat how new nuggets pop out with other go’s. 

Have a wonderful day!
Response #14:  
On any requests, I seem to be fighting off a cold or flu – thanks in advance for prayer, as long as you ask!

On your question, if I'm understanding it correctly, you mean what if, say, one of our children asks us if it's going to snow tomorrow. If we say "yes", we could be wrong about that, regardless of the fact that the forecast is for 100% snow. I don't think it matters too much, but we could say "probably". Qualification of answers rather than a straight yes/no has always been a good way to indicate that we don't have absolute certainty about something. The only place I'm aware where that is sometimes not allowed is court – and even there even the courts generally understand that there is in many situations a less than 100% knowledge about many things.

If we know the answer is "yes", it's not good to say "no", unless we are trying to protect someone: Criminal: "Is there anyone hiding in the bathroom"; us: "No" (even though there is). Vice versa too. But my question regarding more general situations is why would we HAVE to answer. As Proverbs says, even a fool is thought wise if he keeps his mouth shut (Prov.17:28). Sometimes the best answer is no answer. Or as my parents were fond of saying, "We'll see".

Do feel free to write back if I've misread your question.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:   
Hi Dr. Luginbill,

Oh, no apologies necessary! I assume this slowdown is due to some block in my own understanding or maturity. I would like to charge ahead, but I’m just not at peace about it all quite yet. 

Yes, that is true about the waiting across the board - at least, it should be! We should be keeping it at the forefront. 

I read a bit from the site, but I was hoping you could expound a bit on what it means for us to forgive- particularly if the recipient isn’t repentant. 

I know it’s imperative we forgive, ensure we’re free of bitterness, but as often as people may talk about or reference it, I’m not entirely confident on what it means Biblically. 

As an aside, I do believe that forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean we drop common sense or consequences in future interactions. 

Is forgiving the freewill choice - regardless of emotions - to entrust the judgment, outcome, and our well-being to the Lord? Are we supposed to exercise a Christ-like love and, perhaps if led, turn our salty frustration to instead prayer for them?

I hope you have a wonderful week! 
Response #15:  
On forgiveness, yes indeed we are commanded to be forgiving . . . and in no uncertain terms, e.g.:
"But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Mark 6:15 NIV
It is certainly true that the number of times someone will come to us and say, "Forgive me!" are probably very small. If someone does, we are to forgive them even if they offend us and ask for forgiveness many times in a day (Matt.18:22).

Practically speaking, we all need to be walking with Jesus in an attitude of forgiveness. By that I mean, we have to be very careful NOT to adopt any sort of unloving or hostile attitude towards ANYONE. Clearly, if someone robs us, e.g., we are not going to like it or them for doing it, and scripture does not tell us we have to. As you rightly discern, being forgiving does not mean being stupid and/or jettisoning our common sense (particularly not our spiritual common sense). Our Lord told us that in addition to being harmless as doves we need to be wise as serpents (cf. also 1Cor.14:20).

So there are worse applications than just making it policy to forgive in our hearts anyone we are tempted to feel negatively towards for any reason (directing that prayer of forgiveness to the Lord, NOT to the person or persons), and moving on. As you correctly intuit, He has all things in hand and our relaxed mental attitude towards others is not going to disadvantage us in any way. After all, it's not as if we are going to give them the keys to our house or our car or the password to our checking account (as if the latter would do them any good, LOL).

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:  
[omitted]
Response #16:  
It does seem "an impossible situation", but as you note, that is where we believers can relax and trust the Lord. We can't do anything in such cases, but there is nothing impossible for Him. So we can relax from our own efforts more affirmatively at peace with the fact that since we cannot "do it" it's completely up to the Lord to "do it".
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Re: "Whatever happens with this and all these things, I know the Lord is with me, whatever will happen in the future." That is the right mind-set to keep hold of . I don't know if I'd have advised you any differently. You've been getting these same reactions consistently from all parties as long as I've known you, so it wouldn't be realistic to expect anything different. But YOU have been growing in grace. People see that (even if they don't want to admit it).

Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:   
Hello Dr.,

Just checking in and saying hello. Usually I would have some audio files for you by now, however, circumstances dictate otherwise. My PC has been in the repair shop twice in the past month for the same problem (currently in there now for the second go around) so audio files are on hold for the time being. I was still able to do the online editing/conversion on __’s computer in the early a.m. but the TTS platform underwent an update a couple weeks ago and hasn’t worked right since (so much for stability!). I’m hopeful that the platform will work out the kinks in the next update, they do one approximately once a month, so we’ll see. Also I hope to get my PC back around the same time since I need access to the recording software on it to build the files I send to Ichthys.

It’s been an interesting winter here. Aside from the computer/TTS platform problems I’ve caught just about every virus that has come through the area, been subject to what appears to be vandalism/criminal mischief on two of my vehicles resulting in thousands of dollars of repair damage (__ and I are sharing one vehicle at the moment), have been dealing with an individual who is a textbook case of Paranoid Personality Disorder who believes either myself or someone else at work is trying to secretly “stab him in the back” and said if he discovers it is true that I/we would see a side of him that I/we have never seen before” (vandalism to vehicles?), had three back to back winter storms resulting in loss of power for a couple days with many downed trees resulting in chainsaw work and of course__’s __ has been acting up in an extreme way causing a great deal of pain (during the busiest time of year).

Please understand that I am not complaining at all, just relating the facts so you get an idea of what is going on. I completely understand that this a test and that the Lord has everything under control and that He will work it all out to His perfect plan. Bottom line … I’m fine.

How are you Sir? Hope things are well for you in Louisville. I’m going to try getting in my first garden this year, just a small plot and not expecting much, I know it takes time to learn the soil and what it takes to make it work. Got you in prayer and thank you for yours.

All the best.

Rev.22:20
Response #17:  
I'll add this concern to my prayer list. We have had analogous problems. We got a video camera (motion activated). Not terribly expensive and well worth it. I pray for your and __'s safety and health daily.

No worries about the MP3's. As I've probably said before, you've already produced so many great files that a person could listen non-stop for days, maybe weeks, on end without a break. Having everything is always nice. Having a whole lot is not bad!

I'm happy to hear that you have come through such a stormy period without even having your faith application dented, my friend! A true mark of being a solid believer in Jesus Christ.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1st Peter 1:7 NIV
Here's hoping (and praying) for the spring to be easier and filled with better news for you both.

Thanks for your prayers too. Things likewise here were stormy of late but with the sprouting of the tulips it's all looking better at the moment. Had some struggles with flu / Covid(?) but doing much better now. And the weather is better which has allowed me to start to get back into exercise. I'll be sweating the summer research push soon enough!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:   
Good morning! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas day! 

We are in visiting our kids. __ stayed in __. We invited him last month to come be with us. He said he would let us know but he never did. We did send him a nice gift and spent some time on the phone with him yesterday. I'm not sure if the reason he isn't coming to see us is that since we aren't agreeing to the way he is living or if his partner is putting pressure on him because we are being not accepting their relationship. We have never met or talked to his friend. I'm not sure how to go about this other than just let time handle it. Something to pray about. 

On another note we have been getting up early around 3:30 - 4 drinking coffee and reading "Bob". It's the best time of our day! __ is so so hooked and is on his 3rd time reading The Coming Tribulation. 

We are so so thankful! 

Hope you have a wonderful week. 
Response #18:  
Wonderful to hear that you were able to see your children over Christmas! When they have lives of their own, that gets harder and harder (especially when the zip-code numbers aren't even close). Sorry to hear about __. I do keep that situation in my daily prayers. For what it's worth, I think you two are walking that tight-rope just right: keeping the lines of communication open without at the same time sending the wrong signal. There are so many pressures in today's world to get involved in one aberrant thing or another that I really feel for the young people in my classes (I can't even use pronouns anymore lest I offend someone). I'm sure glad that your youngest has a solid set of parents to protect him and give him a good launch. The lack of that is at least half the problem in many cases, but there is free will and there are more and more traps out there. As to __, you raised him right. I'm betting on him coming around eventually. These things always seem to take longer than we want. We'll keep up the prayer.

Thanks for the encouraging words! And thanks for sticking strong with the truth.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:  
Thank you for your prayers and kindness.

[omitted]

Going back to your email, I totally see where Satan has hit us with so much and I sometimes feel I can't handle anymore but then I realize I apparently made it through so I will with the next one.

With that said [omitted] He knows we don't agree with him. We haven't talked about it much but I feel if we do it won't go anywhere and I'm afraid that if we do he could use anything we say against us to support his decision. I wanted to call or text him and tell him what he was doing was tearing my heart up but I haven't quite decided what to do. I'm kinda up in limbo. I feel he is going deeper and deeper and I just want to stop it but he is an adult and apparently wants to do his own thing regardless of what his loved ones think but then what's wrong with reminding him again. Something to think about.

[omitted]

Last month he sent me a few messages regarding politics. I was able to have a conversation with him that lead into talking about the Bible. He seemed to connect and admitted on his own that he believes in Jesus. I really don't know what's in his heart as only God does but I can only hope he still haves some believe. 

Well hope your having a great day. 

Talk soon, 
Response #19:  
It's my pleasure, my friend. 

I'm thrilled about this news, and I pray for you two and your business daily. May there be many more successes! A good example of how doing things the right way is always the right thing.

Regarding your son, I am sure that is very painful. You two are blessed to have three children who are good Christians and who are not rending your hearts, so you are way ahead of most people these days. As to __, it is encouraging that you two still have the lines of communication open and also that he says he is a believer. One thing I can tell you about that: if he does still believe in the Lord, the Lord will not allow him to go down that dark road forever. There will be increasing discipline until a decision is forced, one way or another. So, in short, I can't see any better way to handle this than you two are handling it. You can tell him the truth, but in my experience and observation while that is good, the Lord is the One who is going to have to get his attention. I'll be praying that this comes quickly and without as much trouble and pain as might be the case if he is stubborn and persists. 

One more thing. God knows that you two are good, stand-up believers and He certainly honors that. He knows that you love your son dearly. He hears our prayers. So while "Weeping may last for the night" we can be confident that "a shout of joy comes in the morning" (Ps.30:5).

Keeping you two in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/