Bible Discussion Thread

Update: I had appendicitus

To GIGI and anyone else praying for me; I just was released after admitting myself for Appendicitis Aug 11 today. The intense spiritual stuff going on in my subconscious and real life as well certainly made prayers appreciated.

I thought it would be prudent here to mention that many have indeed great caution with any medical establishments such as my friend that left the same hospital after he got some special treatment for COVID and after they told him he wouldn't survive it.

Certain places indeed have been so bad with either getting the wrong patient with ID mixed up and other terrible standards that I can see the reason for skepticism. Clearly in my case I needed the treatment I got; mainly afterwards to clear out the blocked colon. There were a few things I think were somewhat improperly done; but overall I have a newfound respect for the nurses in particular who have to juggle between many patients and remember all the details of the job; as well as must be there all hours to fill in; etc. Several individuals were Christians where I was; between one of the young medical student trainees who was willing to walk me as well as one patient and someone else who I asked sensing that they were a godly woman.

Mercifully my insurance covers enough so that I can get through payment (my parents will help). I am asking in prayer that my workplace can accommodate a few weeks without heavy lifting; not exactly sure deadline but one doctor said 6 weeks; when the surgeon has a follow up appointment he will discuss those things; that is my only restraint. I am sadly going to take a respite from by 2 Bible Studies for a month as well; the groups are quite small but people have great interest.

Looks like one or two folks have done some extended studies on this site when I was gone. Primarily understanding my own selfish nature after being hooked up to tubes and IV lines I realize that Christ alone is good in me. ( Jeremiah 17:9).

It's good to hear from you Richard , I was worried because you have been absent from us for a while . I pray that God will grant you a speedy and full recovery , I pray that God will continue to strengthen and sustain you , physically ,mentally , emotionally and spiritually . Much love in Christ .

You seem a new enthusiastic believer in Christ. I am contemplating doing a series on emotions vs the Word of God and the tactics of the enemy based on Jeremiah 17:9. I thought I'd run by a few ideas based on what I feel the Lord has shown me and the temptations the enemy has been trying to ensnare me in; largely in my subconscious mind.

First of all music is basically more of a spiritual thing (whether good or bad) than anything else; no wonder with Lucifer's ministry as stated in Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28. God has used music to repel armies and send angelic hosts of protection through the songs in Psalms and other scriptures. I have put forth the concept of how ANY music that is secular CAN have a demonic attachment; the obvious being things that sound evil which of course set forth men on violent outbursts and perhaps the more dangerous being things that have hypnotic sounds; and/or cause feelings of love; suicide and other self destructive behavior. The allurement of humanism; and some sense that our affections apart from Christ are inherently good is something unregenerate man is drawn into and hence ensnared and powerful enough to drown men in perdition if they are not in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Our relationships of course manifest what seems right to a man (which of course leads to death). I had a dream that I want to incorporate into this concept. I believe that we can do no good and man is inherently evil but don't feel that I need to push it for God will reveal it to His own. The enemy; of course wants us to think we are missing out on something but always has some poison in with his temptations. What is truly sad is that God's pure and perfect love is dulled out in our minds when we chase these carrots. SOMETHING IS WRONG IN US if His presence isn't overwhelming our soul whenever we seek Him. Sadly that is my own experience.

Hope it was ok sharing some of this stuff. Be Ephesians 6 prepared this battlefield isn't child's play.

Agape.

Hi Richard and thanks so much for your reply to me , I appreciate it . Please be aware that your recent illness and the treatment that you had for it , could be contributing to your nightmares . I am not a new Christian :) I've been reading the Bible every day for almost 30 years , some days it's only one chapter but most days I manage more than that . As for my enthusiasm , it just gets stronger :) The more time I spend in this world , listening to it and seeing it , all its horrors and injustices and vanities , the more I cling to God and His Truth . I don't consider myself to be much of a worldly person , I have my weaknesses , as we all do , but I don't watch TV except to check out the news , don't go on internet except for news and this site , don't have internet in my house , just on my phone , don't spend much time with worldly atheists and when I do I'm a bit lost , don't know what to talk about . It's a balancing act we all have to master , being in this world but not of it , it starts in the heart , I don't feel connected to this world at all , just to one person in it , my husband . I always try to be kind to everyone but all I really want is to be close to God and Jesus , only they can change this world . I do read novels for entertainment , I like older books , Russian and French and American authors , always human dramas . I love music , all kinds from Beethoven to the Beatles , it makes me happy and gets me through the boring household chores . We have to live in this life and try to be happy in it , Romans Ch 14 is very helpful in this regard especially Ch 14 V 14+22+23 but the whole chapter . How joyous was Abraham and his family and all those servants born in his house ? How joyous was the kingdom of Israel in the days of King David and Solomon ? We are aloud to rejoice and be happy in this life . I'm very aware of God's generosity to me and I thank Him every day for His kindness to me . Every smile on my face is because of Him :) much love to you

I am still somehow being spiritually attacked in my sleep. Went through some strange dreams-since this is a public platform probably better not to get into it. One of them though was associated with the fifth trumpet and I dream often about telling others about the Tribulation and preparing for the Rapture.

Since I had about 6 people contact me from my church I am confident the Lord is going to work mightily there in time; as to my own walk matures perhaps I am in an intense season of testing.

You are certainly appreciated; only the Lord can ultimately console me in these valleys. Trying to put into words some of this stuff is hard. It did seem there was literally a Satanist near my room at thehospital as well as other strange goings on. Still the Lord revealed to me a couple Christians as it seems if someone is a believer I just ask and get a positive response.

The enemy has tried as hard as he can to continue to have me love myself and the world but I have resisted things for quite some time so apparently he is angry.

That's it for now. I guess all this helps me to focus on what I say but saddens me that it seems I am still lost sometimes; I don't have dreams of anything of the Lord it seems. I have gotten pretty adept when for instance I dream of some beautiful woman not to be drawn in and enticed; the mind of Christ thankfully taking command over the flesh.

SOrry don't want to be too long here. It is almost laughable to me how some act like our state ( Jer. 17:9) isn't utterly hopeless without Christ. We need to trust God that whatever He has no matter how uninteresting it seems compared to the enemies bait is indeed worthwhile and joyful in the end.

Anyway hopefully I will have worthy; not worthless words in further commentaries and live by example.

Agape; Rich P

Hello, Richard, so sorry that appendicitis was the cause of your ailments, but thankful that you checked yourself in at the hospital to have it treated in a timely way. It can be deadly if not treated and also a blocked bowel can also be deadly or else one could lose the bowel below the blockage and end up with a colostomy bag. So, I am thankful that your surgery went well and you are on the mend. It is normal after major abdominal surgery to not lift anything past 5-10 lbs. for 6 weeks. it's amazing how much we use our core abdominal muscles for so much of the activities we do without even thinking: balance, sitting and standing up from a sit, standing and walking, turning over in bed, etc. Take it easy my friend.

I am so glad you brought this situation to us for prayer.

When one is hospitalized one gets a real picture of all that the staff need to do for patients everyday round the clock, working long shifts of 10-12 hours. Nurse and nurse's assistants do so much for patient care. And the skill and expertise of doctors is valuable. I, for one, am not afraid of medical treatments because I know that there are so many things that can go wrong with our bodies that need such care. The errors of the medical staff are small in comparison to what can go wrong with our bodies all by itself.

You were in the hospital 10-11 days.

That's a long time! Bet it feels good to be home finally even if you are still somewhat weak. I pray that you will have someone over to help you with some tasks. Be careful and sensible in your recovery, Richard, and I will pray that you recover well and heal without any troubles. You've had enough trouble in this episode for sure.

Thanks for the update. Much love brother.