Living in the Last Hour

You may die tomorrow…

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Irm

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You may die tomorrow…

Well, it’s the day before Christmas Eve. Shoppers are still out fighting the crowds to get that last minute gift. Every year we go through the same motions. It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without people flocking the stores Christmas week. My husband and I did all our shopping early to avoid the crowds and the insane traffic. All the gifts are wrapped and under the tree. Ah…but one thing we can’t buy to early is the food for Christmas dinner. For that we have to wait in those long lines at the grocery store. Ugh! I thank God my husband doesn’t mind shopping for groceries. He gets up early to beat the crowds. Anyway, earlier this afternoon I had a prescription to pick up at Walmart. As expected the lines to turn into the Walmart were backed up. The parking lot was full, but not to bad. We were just going to the pharmacy. I wasn’t expecting a crowd there. Anyway, as we walked up to the store I noticed a bumper sticker on a car that read “You may die tomorrow” I thought it odd… so… I took a closer look and in tiny, almost faded letters it read “so live it up today.”

I started thinking of so many comebacks “If you’re lucky you may die tomorrow and not today.” “Who’s to say you won’t die today?” I know some people have a difficult time talking about death and dying, but for me…death is a part of living. A spiritual death draws us to God. A physical death puts us in His presence.

So, sure we may die tomorrow and for sure we will all die – one day.

One of my favorite quotes from Rich Mullins –

“I’ve been traveling around now for about fifteen or twenty years. Do I look like it? Everyone always says, ‘You look so tired – can we pray for you?’ I’m like, ‘Man, if I didn’t look tired, you should pray for me. I would’ve had to have made a deal with the devil to not look tired. I deserve to look this way.’ I abused myself as much as possible in the last twenty years. Which is fine with me. ‘Cause I figure, sooner or later, life’s gonna kill us all – you may as well go out doing something you love to do. Or eating something that you like to eat, like cholesterol.” — R. Mullins

Who would have thought that Rich Mullins would leave this earth so young? Yet, he did. Only the Lord in heaven knows when our time is up.

Proverbs 27:1 (NKJV) “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

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.”

Proverbs 16:9
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Job 14:5
Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.”

Meanwhile, we should live – live as if today is our last day on earth. Live grateful for the grace and mercy of loving God. Giving thanks for His birth, this Christmas and every day, that the God of the heavens sacrificed His only Son that we may live. We are so familiar with this story – the story of Christmas. But for all who place their faith in Jesus – it’s more than a story…

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Be blessed!

 

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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!