Living in the Last Hour

I see Pharisees! Part 2

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Irm

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The Bible is full of things that God wanted us to know

Yes. The Bible is full of the things that God wanted man to know. Certain faith leaders like to preach about our rights. Rights? We are saved by grace, and we get rights too? I wanted to find Scripture that laid out the rights of the children of God.

Has God given His children special rights for choosing to believe and follow Jesus Christ? Why have I never read that in my Bible? I must have missed something. When I read the Scriptures this is how I understand it.

I liken it to choosing to procreate. In choosing to bring life into this world, we choose to love our children and provide for their every need, sometimes every want, we discipline them, we love them, but are they rights? Not really. They are more like gifts that parents provide for their children. Haven’t we seen enough of what happens to children that don’t have parents, or parents that don’t care for them? My children receive what they need because they are my children, but they are by no means rights. When my first child turned 18, she started rebelling something horrible. I remember her accusing me of not wanting to help her. I was the parent and it was my responsibility to take care of her. When my 13-year-old daughter got pregnant, family and friends all weighed in on what I should do to resolve the matter. As if it was a simple matter. I chose to take responsibility for my grandchild. My grandchild received all the same benefits as my own child.

What did Jesus say about our needing proof of His identity, of His power? John 4:28 “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe, and who would betray Him. John 6:64-70

So what do we receive if we choose to believe in Jesus Christ?

  • Everlasting life John 3:16
  • Living water John 4:14
  • As true worshippers we shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, because God is Spirit. That’s what the Father seeks.
  • We receive the mission of reaping and sowing that for which we have not labored.
  • True bread from heaven, the bread of life. John 6:32-40
  • If we abide in His word, we are His disciples and we will know the truth, and the truth shall make us free. John 8:32
  • If we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit, but without Him we can do nothing. John 15:5
  • Peace John 14:27
  • We get a Helper that abides in us.
  • We get to ask for whatever we want in the name of Jesus, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

This scripture is taken to give credence to the prosperity theology, the name and claim it belief, and depending on what Bible version you read it sounds surely sounds like we can ask anything of God and He will grant it – just like a genie.

Keep reading “I see Pharisees” Part 3

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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!