Living in the Last Hour

Behold the glory of God!

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Irm

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Matthew 24:12 “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 

Matthew 16:13-20

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

2 Timothy 2:1-4

Election 2020 is Tuesday, November 3. How different will our nation look the day after? Probably not different at all. Will there be riots and chaos? Will there be a knock-out-drag-out match on social media over election results? More than likely. Or will Americans go back to a somewhat normal life after the election? We’ll just have to wait and see. For sure, we still have to deal with COVID-19, masks, social distancing, shutdowns and more. As numbers continue to rise around the country some Americans don’t care about following mandates. And I find it disturbing that many of these individuals are people of faith. These are people that claim it’s a matter of religious persecution and one man is protecting-saving our god given rights. Frankly, as a believer, a woman of faith – I don’t see it. The evangelical’s response during this pandemic has not made any sense to me. It certainly doesn’t align with Scripture. I have a difficult time understanding how they can justify their rebellion towards social mandates. If someone was asking me to denounce my faith, my God. Yes. I would rebel and say “Never!” And I don’t understand why they fly Trump flags. If they are standing for their faith – their God, why not fly the Christian flag?

Today, on the road to Castroville, I saw a pink “TRUMP LAND” bumper sticker on the rear window of a pickup. Who changed the name of my country and didn’t tell me? I thought I was living in the United States of America, not in Trump Land. I have yet to read in my Bible of a man that will save American morality, American morals?

There are millions of Americans seriously concerned about COVID 19, for many reasons. But, some Americans feel “they” are paranoid. These Americans believe that many of us have believed a lie. And to make it worse, they’ve spread distrust. We can’t trust anyone to provide accurate information about the virus itself. Seems there’s nothing but fake news on the airwaves, and in print. We can’t even trust government agencies that were created to keep us healthy and informed. Oh my!

This evening, sitting here waiting for dinner, watching the Flintstones I can’t help but wonder why God appointed such a divisive man, a man of dissension to serve as leader to the wealthiest, most powerful nation in the world. And here again, we are faced with the possibility of reelecting the same man. And the thing is that God may be all for it. And that decision again begs the question, “Why?” Well, I can’t even fathom the thoughts of God – to even take a wild guess. I’ve found it difficult to believe that GOD would allow all this chaos because of the issue of abortion. I am though – fully convinced that as a nation, we get so tired of partisan politics. We get fed up with a two-party system. We’d rather note vote, or throw our vote to one of the underdogs, rather than vote for the worst of two evils. That’s just the way it is. So, a man spewing all the words we long to hear – would feel – like a savior. Abortion is the one issue that really bugs Christians. So, “Finally, a man willing to stand against abortion!” Wouldn’t that make you believe that God had sent someone to end abortion?

Well, that’s not what my spirit tells me. That’s not what the Spirit of God wants me to believe. Is abortion cruel? I would say so, but I haven’t been in the shoes of a woman that was compelled to have one. I don’t know where aborted babies go after a pregnancy is terminated. But – I do know and believe – that anyone that dies without Christ will “definitely” NOT see heaven. Until we find Jesus – we are lost and without hope of salvation. Once man is aborted from this world – there is no salvation. Whose responsibility is it to share the good news of salvation?

The man on the right want us to believe that the enemy on the left is responsible for all the woes in this land, all the evil in this land. Does he really think we are so blind?

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Matthew 15:19

Come on. That’s every man’s heart. I do believe that what we are witnessing is God’s glory – the all sufficiency of God’s grace. God has not left us and He never will. God is right here – in America – no matter who leads this nation. And while the right and the left fight it out, the pharisees will be right in the mix. That’s their role. God has allowed us to see that it won’t take much to deceive, even the elect. We are not talking about the false prophet, or the AntiChrist, just another man a “politician” saying what we want to hear to win an election. If you must vote R or D, vote because it’s your civic duty, because you believe that he will best represent your ideals, not because the man you voted for will do your bidding. He has been ordained to accomplish God’s purpose – whatever that may be. Our heart needs to be for God and right with God. As for the teachers of the Scriptures….

 For the leaders of this people cause them to err,

And those who are led by them are destroyed.

Isaiah 9:16
As the late great Rich Mullins would sign off – Be God’s.

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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!