Living in the Last Hour

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To obey…the words of Jesus

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Irm

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Well, I will start this post as if I was in the middle of a conversation. Because I was. I was talking to God about stuff. With all the turmoil in the country my first thought is to speak out, but God says to be still. It’s not an easy thing to do. First instinct is to fight back, to get angry and lash out. I wanted to blog about something else, but then I got a text from my daughter that my granddaughter had been served by the Constable. I have been praying about my granddaughter’s situation. I know it’s hard on her. She feels powerless to help her child. That’s how I feel, not just about her situation, but about the social upheaval that has made its way to my community, in the form of graffiti about the recent killing of a mom in Minneapolis.

We are not ignorant. We expect child custody issues to be messy. Rare is the couple who can co-parent and be respectful of each other. What a blessing, Christian or not. So, we trust God in this messy, and confusing time. I mean, why would God put a small child through such tribulation. She has no ability to articulate her emotions or her desires. Even if she could, the response from both teams would be that she is unable to know what is best for her. This little girl does not know that she has the all-powerful, Supreme Ruler on her side. We pray against injustice. We pray for mercy and grace.

As a woman of faith, it is difficult to dismiss the lack of compassion and God’s love among the people of God. Today’s social milieu and political landscape have distorted everything we know to be true, and just. A few people joke about the cruelty, others cheer it on. Still more are concerned about the direction this country is headed. Through all this, Jesus said we should not fear, but – if we are going to follow Him we should expect it. The Scriptures are very clear on how Christ followers are to live, interact and behave in a fallen world. This world is not our home. What awaits us in glory is far greater than anything this world offers.

Judas betrayed Jesus, he sold his soul for thirty pieces of gold. Haman built the gallows he would hang from. Sometimes, we don’t realize what we have done until it is too late. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. True spiritual transformation changes the heart. It appears to me that the heart of many has grown cold.

Like my great-granddaughter we must submit to the authorities that are appointed to rule over us. She has no control. I pray for my great-granddaughter. At this point, there seems to be no control over current leadership. Civil war is ugly. But at some point, as Peter did when confront by the Sadducees, “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard (Acts 4).” The Lord will hold every man accountable. We should not doubt that truth.

As little children, we must trust that the God of the heavens is sovereign and omnipotent and sent His only Son to die for the sin of all men. Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets (Mat. 22)”

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Gal. 6:7).”

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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!