Living in the Last Hour

I see Pharisees! Part 6

Published by

Irm

on

Remember the Widow with the two mites

Luke 21:1-4 “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; or all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

“We do not find happiness by being assertive. We don’t find happiness by running over people because we see what we want and they are in the way of that happiness so we either abandon them or we smash them. The Scriptures don’t teach us to be assertive. The Scriptures teach us—and this is remarkable—the Scriptures teach us to be submissive. This is not a popular idea.” ― Rich Mullins

1 John 3:17-21 “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.”

So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

How many of today’s faith leaders actually hear from God? Your guess is as good as anyone’s. I do know that God speaks to His children not – just faith leaders. The pharisees are here. They will have much to do with ushering in the end times.

It is better to obey God when confronted by a false spirit. God is not mocked. A man reaps what he sows, Galatians 6:7. As Americans what have we sowed? And what have we reaped? If we live in an ever-growing immoral society, it was not one political party that brought it about. It was a people whose heart was far from God that got us here. And the heart of many is still far from God. And many of those people sit in pews every Sunday, Wednesday and every time there is a bible study, or fellowship.

There is a great deception in the world, has been – for longer than any of us have been alive. Yes. Right here in this beautiful, prosperous nation of ours. The one issue that divides this world is salvation – the lost and the saved. The one issue that will keep anyone out of heaven is salvation. Party ID, social class, denomination, race, gender, wealth, or poverty, no such worldly issues will keep anyone out of heaven. And there is only one way to be saved. His name is Jesus Christ. Once you do that, He will take care of the rest. God calls. Jesus saves. He transforms lives. According to His will.

I can say that God loves me right here is America… just like Rich Mullins sang. And I can say with confidence the Lord is working all things according to His purpose. What is God’s purpose in 2020? Wow! There are so many things He is going to before the return of Jesus. The Bible says a lot about some of what we are seeing today, but I don’t think the end is here, yet. I do believe that God is God, that He is who He says He is. And that no one knows the mind of God.

Thanks for reading. Faith leaders are praying for a man. I am praying for God to have mercy on us, to hear the prayers of His children. I don’t pray for God to address one issue, because only He knows what He is doing.

I know that God wishes all to be saved and that it is up to His children to spread the gospel. Help us Lord to keep the faith, to trust in Your promises, to spread the message of good news, the gospel, the truth of God with everyone you send to us. You told us not to worry about the troubles in this world. Jesus said, if we believe in Him, we would face persecution. Give us the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. You are preparing the world for Your will – to be accomplished – as we await the return of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Give us wisdom to prepare our hearts and minds as we wait. Be still You said and know that I am God.

In the name of Jesus…

Leave a comment

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!