Living in the Last Hour

Prophetic Lyrics that tug at the heart…

Published by

Irm

on

When these songs were first released I was still piddling around with my Christian walk. Rarely, did I get into the Word. My church attendance was mediocre. I listened to many a message, but none that really penetrated my soul. The one mainstay in my Christian walk, was Christian music. The things of the world kept me busy, distracted and bound, but God in His infinite wisdom was working to draw me near to Him. There were only a handful of songs that He used to tug at my spirit. These four songs represented all that God wanted from me…my heart. He wanted me to surrender my heart, to surrender my life, so He could heal it, so He could lead me, so He could love me…like no one ever could, or ever would.

I was save back in 1982, except for a couple of country music artists all I listened to was Christian music. My thoughts were always on God, but my heart was nevertheless, far from Him. In 1995, divorce had left me alienated in many ways, yet…I felt good about my place with God. As time passed, the Lord would reveal to me how wrong I was…about the condition of my heart and my relationship with Him. Everything was perfectly timed. These songs were the prelude to what the Lord would eventually work out in my life and in my walk.

From 2004 to 2012, I went through a real dark time in my life and I had no one to turn to. It seemed my Christian friends had all but deserted me. In my dark time I found myself turning to God as never before. It’s a long story, but God did all the teaching. He took me through every closet, every crevice of my being to reveal who I was and who He wanted me to be. He used a handful of instruments, a handful of vessels.

After years of listening and singing songs about surrendering, when I listened to Rich Mullen’s “Hold Me Jesus”, for the umpteen time, the lyrics, and his reason for writing the song, I finally realized what it meant to surrender. I finally realized surrendering was not something I could do on my own. I find it so amazing how God can use a three minute song to create real transformation.  That’s God. That ‘s why it’s so vital to our walk to take in, to breath in, to consume the real truth.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Before God can truly use us, we must first learn to surrender.

Last night, I was sharing with a friend all the Lord has shown me the last few days, and one major lesson had to do with all the spiritual gibberish we learn and accept as gospel truth. We learn and accept, and expect all the goodness of God, while ignoring all the requirements that must be fulfilled, especially when it comes to prayer.  And how much of what we gather as gospel truth comes from the music we listen to?

4 responses to “Prophetic Lyrics that tug at the heart…”

  1. Levi Thetford Avatar
    Levi Thetford

    Good testimony of your surrender to Christ. He is the Good Shepherd and He pursues His sheep until He gets them. Blessing, Irma. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  2. IrmMa Avatar
    IrmMa

    Yes, He does. He will not let any of His sheep be lost. Praise God. Blessing to you as well, Levi.

    Like

    Reply
  3. sonworshiper Avatar
    sonworshiper

    There are so many songs that spoke to my need at one point or another. I totally relate. Some, I’d not care much for either because I didn’t get the style or didn’t appreciate the meaning of the lyrics. Then suddenly, I’d hear it and say, “That makes sense! I needed that!” Rich Mullins’ songs were that way a lot for me. Dennis Jernigan wrote a lot of songs of ministry and such, and I’d blow them off at first, then think they were the best ever. Some of our modern choruses turn me off on 1st hearing too. Then something happens and they click.
    Thank God He continues speaking to us even when we plug up our ears and don’t listen.

    Like

    Reply
    1. IrmMa Avatar
      IrmMa

      Yes. Isn’t that wonderful how the Lord does that…what an awesome God we serve!

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to IrmMa Cancel reply

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!