Living in the Last Hour

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Irm

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At the beginning of the year, I committed to reading the Word of God, daily. Regardless. I am still at it. And everyday…I am amazed at how much the Lord reveals to me about Himself. I cannot contain all that He shows me. It’s so overwhelming. Scripture after scripture, that I have read over and over… I can’t count how many times, just come to life and the true meaning is revealed. Only a living God can do that.

Last night, as I was reading through Mark 14:51-52…

51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

This scripture is not mentioned in the other gospels, so I wondered why the apostle Mark felt need to include this incident in his writings. The young man wore only a linen (FYI, there is commentary on the meaning of the linen, the type used in burials). Why was he wearing only a linen wrap? And that the other young men tried to lay hold of him. The soldiers were only there for Jesus. The fleeing naked? I read some of the commentaries on this scripture, but none that helped me understand, except for the significance of the linen. Could it be that when the time comes…that some will leave the faith, hastily…not realizing their nakedness before God? I don’t know, need to do more research on it. 

Also in Mark 14: 41-42

41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

I have read this scripture, umpteen times, but last night I realized that we are to wait on God…wide awake, aware of our spiritual state.   He came back three times and each time found the disciples sleeping. He had been telling them that He would be betrayed by one of His own. As I read on, I am thinking, it’s like in today’s church environment, no one is quick to consider that someone could not be of God. People are caught unaware when stuff happens in the church. We are so busy playing church, preoccupied with the things of the world, giving little thought to the fact that Jesus is returning. Sure, we don’t know when, but He nevertheless told us to be ready, but are we really ready to face the living God? Seeking the things of the world brings on so many distractions. Gosh, it is not easy to be a Christian…it is a narrow road we walk on…but we have a heavenly Father that loves us, cares for us, and never leaves us. This scripture tells me that even though the disciples were found sleeping, Jesus did not reject them. Praise God!

 

 

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Hello,

I’m Irma

Welcome to my little corner of the blog world. Here, I share my thoughts on Christianity, the things of God, and the ways He has shaped and guided my path through life. My journey with the Lord has been long and transformative, marked by moments of peace and joy and periods of uncertainty. I write, first and foremost, for myself—to process what the Lord so graciously reveals to me in Scripture. Sharing some of these truths has become a mission of sorts, via blogging. His word urges us to bear witness and encourage one another.

As I reflect on my own transformation, I can say that the church itself has transformed over the years and not necessarily for the good. I speak about my own experiences with the church. One lesson the Lord impressed upon me this year is that “truth is not always truth.” What do I mean by that? There have been times when I’ve shared a biblical insight, only to realize that other faithful believers interpret the same passage differently. In that instance, I find that the Lord reveals according to our understanding. When I share the need for a Damascus experience understandings diverged sharply. Believers that have been raised in the church do not feel that such an extreme experience is necessary for spiritual maturity. Our faith is truly shaped by our backgrounds. Spiritual journeys are not for everyone. This taught me that early socialization deeply colors our grasp of faith; what’s true for me may not resonate in the same way for someone else.

Similarly, lately I considered how “ignorance of Scripture was its own blessing,” I remembered my early walk with Christ. I had a blind faith. I knew little of doctrine or debate. I trusted the pastor. In those days, my faith and trust in the church and church leaders was simple—I accepted what was taught from the pulpit without questioning. I did not have the knowledge needed to question any teaching. There was a peace in not knowing all the controversies or complexities. As I grew and studied the scriptures, and did some additional research, as the Lord gave understanding, I found myself questioning everything I had been taught. I did not question my faith, or the existence of God. That ignorance, while limiting, protected me from confusion and doubt, allowing me to rest in childlike faith.

The church itself has seen many changes over the decades. Self-proclaimed prophets have introduced new doctrines, some bordering on heresy, while believers wrestle with their flesh and what it means to follow Christ in a society with so many freedoms. I remember a time, more than thirty years ago, when I trusted every word spoken in church. Now, I understand how easy it is to accept teachings that stray from biblical truth. The Scriptures warned us this would happen in the last days.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NKJV) “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Current events—like the 2024 Election—have exposed deep flaws in American Christianity. Yet, through it all, Scripture assures me that God is sovereign. No wall built by human hands can withstand His judgment; no scheme crafted in darkness escapes His light. These lessons have become more real to me as I look back over my journals, filled with stories of God’s faithfulness during trials, tribulations and abundant grace. By sharing I hope those the Lord leads here will desire to seek God wholeheartedly, to find comfort knowing that He is always at work in our lives—often in ways we never considered.

Check out my books on Amazon for the Kindle App or in print.

Check out my latest title: Where are my Sheep? Available in Print & Kindle

The Diary of A Christian Woman

A Father Takes All: Four Generations of Growing up in Single Mother Homes – Grace Abounds

I Will Not Be Afraid: Living in the last Hour – Reflections of a Christian Woman

The Journey Endured: The Path to Meet God

Praise the God of the heavens!