1 John 1:1-7

IrmMa

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

To do the will of my Father… Does anybody know what time it is?

IrmMa

Galatians 3:28 (KJV)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

These days there is much controversy over words, terminology, doctrines, etc… Everyone seems to be a false teacher, preacher and such. Seems believers can’t agree on who is a true messenger of God. Some that have been identified are from the Word of Faith movement, others popular evangelicals, and mega-church pastors, some obscure names as well.  Are popular Christian authors just in it for the money? Is anyone capable of teaching, and preaching the simple truth? Even the simple message of the gospel is disputed? Repentance, confession, acceptance..

John 3:16 (KJV) is the scripture that probably led most people to believe in Jesus.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:17-18 (KJV).

Believing in Jesus seemed to be the only requirement for salvation. For God so loved us. Yes… God so loved us that He gave up His only Son so that He could be reconciled with us, His creation. Believe on Him that’s it. If we do that, He does the rest. 

“I grew up hearing everyone tell me ‘God loves you’. I would say big deal, God loves everybody. That don’t make me special! That just proves that God ain’t got no taste. And, I don’t think He does. Thank God! Because He takes the junk of our lives and makes the most beautiful art.”
― Rich Mullins

If we can believe that the living God loves us, that He sacrificed His Son for us, He does what no man could ever do in his own power.

Words, words, words, but not the Word. Seems to me what man has to say about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Bible and the things of God is more important and gets more attention than what the Word says about Jesus Christ, God and all things of God.

2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

Matthew 12:37 – For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Psalms 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Matthew 12:36 – But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

What is that? We will be held accountable for every word that comes out of our mouth. Let those words not lead another into darkness. 

To do the will of my Father… that is the only mission on this earth for Christians. Time is short. While Americans are crying make America great again! God is unraveling His perfect plan for His chosen few. Yes. Few. Because many are called, but few are chosen, says Matthew. Choose ye the narrow road. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Why are God’s people concerned with the moral state of this land? Did not the Lord say to expect this in 2 Tim 3? Did He not say it was only going to get worse in the last days? Are we in the last days? It sure feels like it.

Romans 13:11 “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

I asked myself if anyone knows what time it is? Does anybody really care?” Then I remembered a song from my youth, that my favorite group, Chicago sang – “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” I hadn’t heard it in decades so I looked up the lyrics.

As I was walking down the street one day
A man came up to me and asked me what the time was that was
on my watch, yeah
And I said
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don’t
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can’t imagine why
about time
We’ve all got time enough to cry
Oh no, no
And I was walking down the street one day
A pretty lady looked at me and said her diamond watch had
stopped cold dead
And I said
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don’t
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can’t imagine why
about time
We’ve all got time enough to cry
Oh no, no
And I was walking down the street one day
Being pushed and shoved by people trying to beat the clock,
oh, so I just don’t know,
I just don’t know
And I said, yes I said
Background Vocal:
People running everywhere
Don’t know the way to go
Don’t know where I am
Can’t see past the next step
Don’t have to think past the last mile
Have no time to look around
Just run around, run around and think why
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don’t
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can’t imagine why
about time
We’ve all got time enough to die
Oh no, no

Seems like the hour has come upon us and we are still running around like chickens … well you know how the rest goes. If we don’t know what the will of God is … we need to find out and quick!

Be blessed. If you are ready…like Rich Mullins used to sign…Be God’s!

Thanks for reading.

IMG_6215
The Coming King Sculpture at The Cross at Kerrville Texas. Jesus Christ returns in glory Revelation 19:11. 

 

Where do you get your confidence?

IrmMa

“I want to know if the life we have in Christ is really true.”  asks the pastor.

I recently read where a pastor made this comment to an author/speaker. Have you ever wondered about this? Are you asking yourself the question.. Is the life we have in Christ really true? It appears this person/pastor needs confirmation as to the reality of the life in Christ. I wondered why a pastor would need such confirmation.

Do you lead a flock and ask yourself this …? How do I know if the life we have in Christ is really true? Are you free in Christ?

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

It's impossible!
Hebrews 11:6

I have to ask. Considering the size of this country… the current population at 329+ million people, how many evangelicals, teachers, preachers, authors, bloggers, etc. would you say have a real influence (the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command) on how we think, our beliefs, and how we live our lives. Book shelves are filled with books on the Christian walk.. how to do this and that, how to live a blessed life and so forth. I am of the opinion that the Bible, the word of God as it stands, is not the great influencer as it should be, but that the interpretations (2 Timothy 4:3-4; Matthew 7:15-17; 1 Timothy 1:3-4;  Romans 16:17-18; Colossians 2:8; 1 John 4:1) of those accepted as an “authority” (a convincing force) in the things of God are what we accept as truth.

“Authority” can be determined by any number of factors. The church is the most accepted authority on the things of God. Thus those associated with a church body, a religious organization, and their leaders that author books, these guys are automatically considered an authority.

Now as to the more recent authority of the church – well, I won’t even go there. Nevertheless, how many people in today’s churches, actually read the Bible? There is research data on the high percentage of Bible illiteracy. Many churchgoers don’t even take their Bible to church. True. We now have digital Bibles we can carry. Instant access would indicate users would likely read more often, but do they really?

Other than the church, where do you find your authority(s), or who do you consider an authority on the things of God? And how do you know they are an authority? By their title? Their profession? Their education? Experiences? Revelations? There are thousands of people that influence every moment of our life. And we give them that power over us. It’s how we live and function as a society. 

When you read an article on some blog, or online magazine, a book title from a new author, listen to a podcast… how do you test the veracity of the messenger? I don’t consider myself an authority on anything. What I know I learned through experience, education, my own research. Does that make me an authority? Perhaps, I know more than the average person in certain areas, but anyone can come along and say they know more…and again… 

I like to write. I am compelled to write. And if anything, Scripture tells us that in the last days… 

Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward. That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.

Peter in addressing the crowd… Acts 2:14-21

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.

And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.  I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

 

So… seriously, who is God speaking through? It could be anyone. But… do we listen to just anyone?  Well, maybe. Will you, or I believe just anyone? Probably not. Hopefully, we are knowledgeable in God’s word that we can discern the truth. Consider the great deception that is upon us – at this moment.

Matthew 24:24 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

I like to write about my experiences and some of what the Lord has shown me in my walk with Him. Will anyone read what I write? It really doesn’t matter. It is the Lord who reveals. In the last days, no one will necessarily be an authority. In the OT the prophets were the authority. In the NT, the Apostles. He or she will be/could be you, or me. 

I’ve read some of the stuff that so called authorities write on the things of God and they are as false as can be. How do I know? Because their interpretations/rantings do not align with Scripture. I would not want that on my conscience.. misleading people.

Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said… ” (feel free to fill in the blank.)

Teachers and such are held to higher standard according to Scripture (James 3:1-2). 

I write not to influence others, not to create a following, certainly not to attract spammers. I write to share. I write because it’s very cathartic. And if one person finds comfort, encouragement, or finds a kindred spirit of sorts then that’s great. Because we are not alone in our experiences. We are not alone in our walk with Christ. What does it say in Amos… “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Of course not. Yet, so often we agree to disagree and we wind up in tepid waters. We have to know what we believe in… otherwise, we might wind up chug-a-lugging the Kool-Aid, or Flavor Aid.

We have the Holy Spirit. We have the Bible and that is the only authority we need. We need to read it, meditate on it, so we can learn to discern whether something is of God or not. 

I believe in God, in His Son, Jesus Christ. If we accept that Jesus came to save, that He died for our sins, rose on the third day and then went up and sat at the right hand of the Father, that He came to set us free … then John 8 – tells us that … Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Galatians 5:11… Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

If you are a believer in Christ, knowledgeable in the things of God, if you teach others about God and Jesus and you’re curious to know …

“I want to know if the life we have in Christ is really true.” 

If someone said that to you…how would you respond?

Where do we get our confidence that the life we have in Christ is really true? The Scriptures … not from the latest bestseller, the man on the pulpit, or any of the popular motivational speakers filling our mind with their new or latest revelations, or some meme.

Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…”

Thanks for reading. Be blessed. A video worth watching. Words of wisdom from the late great Rich Mullins.

Speaking in Tongues

IrmMa

Our lives are shaped by our experiences. Happy childhood = happy adulthood – for the most part. Tragic childhood = strife. And there are always exceptions. Still, no one seems to understand us better than someone who has been in our shoes – for the good or the bad. Someone crosses our path that speaks our language and poof – someone understands me. A kindred spirit – that’s what I’ve heard it called.

Have you ever sat and listened to a speaker and you notice he or she is delivering the same message you heard earlier, but it was tailored for your specific tongue – at that moment? I don’t even know that – that makes sense. But…I attended a conference last weekend. This speaker was teaching on the importance of being free to love. The topic is a familiar one… how can we express love to others, if we are not free to love. Loving others and allowing others to love you go hand in hand – and it includes loving self.

Well, I have been talking to my husband about the whole concept of love the last couple of years. I spent ten years in a very abusive marriage. The Lord had to work in my life to teach me how to love and how to allow myself to be loved, to feel love. Anyway, the Lord did not send me someone that loved me unconditionally, or that stood by me, or any kind of support. He did not plant me in a church. He did not surround me with Christian women, though I knew many. He sent me two friends that walked with me in spirit. One knew my struggles because she too had survived an abusive marriage. My male friend was a bible study teacher. He and his wife held bible studies in our home.

I had three daughters, but this time, they were teenagers and two were in full rebellion. It was not easy raising teenagers on alone. So how did the Lord teach me about love?

The Lord gave me rebellious children, with constant needs, a grandchild to raise, with constant need. He stripped me of my employment. He shut all the doors to any employment opportunities. He left me without a vehicle. All my friends, except for the two abandoned me. I have a huge family, but I might as well have been an orphan…

I was attracted to the teachings of David Jeremiah and Rich Mullins… to completely different voices.

Yes, the Lord taught me about love, to love, to allow myself to be loved by stripping me of all my worldly identities, my worldly resources – non-existent as they were. And he gave me rebellious children as a mirror. For me, it took an absence of the spoken word to allow God to reach through decades of pain and rejection. His word had to penetrate walls so thick and wide… He alone could tear down those walls. I learned the only way to hear the Lord – is to shut my mouth – and limit the other voices trying to get in my head.

Anyway, back to this teacher last weekend. I was listening to this speaker and suddenly I realized – I am so dumb. All these teachers, preachers, authors, speakers and such are speaking the same message they are just using a different language to convey meaning. They all put their own spin on the message. They all believe it to be new revelation. Then it was like the light bulb coming on. If I happen to attend two conferences with two different speakers, the audiences will be different. If I go to the west side and listen to a speaker who rose from the streets to preach the gospel – his message will sound different from the speaker at the convention center – who grew up in middle class America and attended Dallas Theological. The language matters. Experiences matter. American is a very diverse place. Some people need convoluted language to convey/understand a simple messages e.g. soulical plague. Come on! Others need only – the simple message.

So then, if the message of the gospel is a simple message – and it is presented to every man in his own tongue. Then truly, the messenger is the one we need to be cautious of. Different voices appeal to different people. And if someone wants to hear only good things that’s what he or she will gravitate too.

We have to test every spirit – to make sure it is from God. No one wants to be the town crier, but in these last days – deception is on every corner. The Scriptures tell us the deceivers are already in our midst.

So if any message appeals to you, if you feel a connection with the messenger – he/she feels your pain, your struggle – then take the time to make sure their message aligns with Scripture – and not your feelings. The heart is deceitful above all things. I have to constantly remind myself.

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Thank you for reading. Be blessed.

Do not be caught unaware…

IrmMa

The Lord uses any and all situations to drive home a message. On Friday, my husband and I were on our way downtown to meet our daughter and her fiance for dinner. We had left early (75 min. early) giving us plenty of time to get to the restaurant, find parking and such. Well, it was Friday afternoon, peak traffic and it was backed up something horrible – unusually heavy. We could not believe it. Nevertheless, we figured, even with the heavy traffic we would still arrive on time. We were expecting traffic, so entering a congested highway was no big deal. We were not expecting a fatal traffic accident.

We had been sitting in traffic for over an hour when I got an alert on my phone about a fatal accident… on the highway we were on, about 3 exits up. Apparently, two trucks were involved in an accident and one rolled over, killing the driver. The news reported the accident had occurred before we entered the highway, less than an hour before.

Sitting in traffic is never convenient, never pleasant, never merciful. Did everyone else get the alert that afternoon? If they had news alerts set up on their phone, they probably did. I imagined not many had, just because of the impatience of the traffic. Traffic never considers why it’s backed up. It only thinks about finding a way around, jumping in front of cars, cutting people off… finding a way off the highway other than the exit ramp, etc. Traffic just wanted to keep moving. So emergency crews had to close the highway to deal with the aftermath, but no one (law enforcement) was directing traffic off the highway. It was every man for himself.

For drivers that are accustomed to traffic, they find ways to deal with the frustration. They are talking on the phone, not paying attention, perhaps complaining to person on the other side, or texting. The reason for the back up is irrelevant. Drivers just want to get to their destination.

Where are we going?

A young man, loved by family and friends died that afternoon (May he rest in peace.), and it was an inconvenience to many. He was a son, a husband, a father, and perhaps a man of God. How will his loved ones deal with their loss? No compassion from the traffic. As we moved ahead, at a snails pace, I couldn’t help but consider my own mortality.

I do not know when or where the bell will toll for me. But in an instant I will be gone. I can imagine a portal from heaven opens up and I will be snatched up and set in the presence of the Lord. Wow! To behold my Savior. I was telling my husband that I have talked to my daughters about this topic. He does not like to talk about it much, death that is. It worried me more when my daughters were young. If I died, I didn’t know who was going to take care of them? Their dad didn’t even try to keep in touch with them. Would he step up to the plate? Or would he continue to reject them? God was merciful to us. These days it’s about my grand kids. Will my daughters be able to protect them? Death can be very inconvenient! It leaves a big hole behind. Who will fill it? Gosh! Trusting in God in life and in death – is all about faith. 

A death disrupted many lives that afternoon. A wife cried out in disbelief. A child couldn’t understand why dad was not coming home. And the traffic was merciless. That’s what happens when we are not prepared for death. But we are never prepared for death, not our own, or that of a loved one. Even when we expected it and plan for it – we are not ready for it. In this case, 

According to police, the man was indecisive about whether he wanted to travel on the highway or get off, making in-and-out changes of direction.

There was no allowance. Do you know where you are headed? Is there a place waiting for you on the other side? So this man could not decide if he wanted to stay on the highway. I hope that before he passed that he had decided to trust in Jesus for his eternal destination. Because when it’s time to get off – there’s no changing lanes. 

So, I considered my own mortality that day. The best way to prepare was to make myself right with the Lord. I have to examine myself moment by moment, so when the time comes, when the Lord calls me home… when the sun sets on my life… everyone will say…”All she wanted was to go home.” And she’s finally home! Praise God!

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.
James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 
John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

What if they Lord were to return overnight, or tomorrow. Would I be ready? I pray that I will be ready when He calls me home, or that I will be found faithful should He return this day. And I pray that my death will not be an inconvenience. But – if the Lord should return and I be taken up – it’s every man for himself on the highways.

I know where I am going after I take my last breath on planet Earth. I pray the reader does too.

Mathew 24:36-44

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.