Tag: Christian faith

Dying denying God

IrmMa

Most of us know someone, or know of someone who has died never having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Today, many people will die denying God. They will defend to the end their rejection of a Supreme Being, of a risen Savior, of forgiveness of sin, of salvation and eternal life, or any such nonsense. They may also try to convince you that your faith is foolish and misplaced. And they will also try their hardest to make you feel silly for believing in such nonsense.

In November, a dear friend went home to be with the Lord. She served the Lord through the hills and the valleys of this Christian life. To me she was blessed by God tremendously, but as she said…it came at a painful price. A life filled with pain and sorrow, disease and abuse, she lived never taking her eyes of the Comforter. Even in her darkest moments she would not deny her God. Sure, sometimes it was difficult to keep the faith, but she marched on. Now she is with her Lord and all that went before her, singing praises to the one and only true God.

Adversity is something we face at some point in our lives. And honestly, some of us have more than our share and some handle it better than others. Adversity can bring one closer to the Lord, or draw one completely away and still others teeter-toter. It’s about where we draw our strength.

Last weekend a family member, a former believer in God, passed away. Sadly, his faith had gone by the wayside and he passed fully persuaded there was no proof of a living God. And it was not so much that he died rejecting God and His Son, but that on his deathbed he boasted of the fact that he had trained his grandchildren to believe otherwise…in themselves, their own abilities. His children already seem to share his sentiments toward a Supreme Being. I knew he was once a believer, so I encouraged him to reconsider his choice. There was still time, I said. We don’t know the exact hour the Lord will call us home.  His response was so nonchalant. Nah! He took a great deal of pride in his accomplishment. “I trained them! I created them! I stood next to his bed listening to his rant and I could not help but think that truly … this “former Christian” had actually rejected Christ, but that was not enough…he had to teach his future generations that all that God stuff was nonsense. And the only thing we could rely on was ourself.

He knew I was a believer and acknowledged as much, but out of the corner of his eye he gave me this look and said…I would also encourage you to reconsider your belief.

Truly, as a believer in Jesus Christ…how do you respond to such rejection? I prayed for him and talked to God about him for a while. It was sad. Unfortunately, people… people that we love, people that we grow up with, people that we admire…will leave this physical existence completely persuaded there is no God. What a surprise they will get when they get to the other side. While it may be too late for those that died without Christ, the children…they still have hope… We need to pray for our children.

The enemy is walking about…waiting…seriously…

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

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2017 Ready or Not – Here it Comes!

2017 Ready or Not – Here it Comes!

IrmMa

In three short days we will be bringing in a New Year. Even though I can’t wait for this year to end, after some serious thought, I’ve concluded that it’s really not going to make much difference.

It’s so unsettling when adversity strikes a chord in one’s heart. My grandson was in the hospital this past week…for three long days. On one of those nights, so my daughter could go to work, I had to stay over with him. That night was already filled with fear and uncertainty because … well…my grandson had to be hospitalized. I had one of those very uncomfortable pull out beds to sleep on, so as I tossed and turned to find a comfortable spot I had some time to ponder the last few months of 2016. I had been laid off from my job at the end of September, been denied unemployment, which I appealed, but it took almost three months for the Hearing Officer to make a decision, and unfortunately I fell into a financial mess that I won’t be able to pull myself out off, at least not anytime soon. I had not planned on being unemployed ever again, but here I was jobless during the holidays, which always seems to make it worse. The nurses were coming in every couple of hours to check on my grandson, so sleep and getting comfy was not happening. Anyway, I was thinking about my situation and I realized the only change I could count on was the year changing. I was not being pessimistic as much as I was being realistic.

People tend to make New Years resolutions, but for me that never seems to work. I mean I can make personal resolutions like lose weight, or eat better, but in the things that really need to change in my life are really in God’s hands. Even if I do all the right things. Will I find a job? Will I be able to purchase a vehicle? Will I be able to stay in my home? It’s all about faith. Will my faith fail me in the coming months?

So much is in God’s hands. I know, that I know that… He has a plan for all His children, but where His plans will take me and when is what leaves me on the edge of my seat. This waiting on God can get discouraging. It leaves me feeling abandoned. It’s makes me feel like I missed something.And it never fails that the more the Lords reveals of himself to me, the harder the enemy strikes.  Who will save me from myself?! ugh! My Lord, please come quickly!

Waiting on the Lord in the Word and in Prayer in 2017.

Be blessed one and all. Thank you for following me and reading my posts. Have a safe and Happy New Year!

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Psalm 147:7-11

IrmMa

During trying times is when we tend to realize what really matters.  My birthday was yesterday and Christmas is four days out. Any other year these dates would take priority, especially Christmas. 

As a grandparent I want my grandkids to enjoy the holiday season. It’s fun. School’s out, so everyone can stay up later and sleep in, watch more tv, especially Christmas movies, old favorites and new releases, and best of all no homework. 

It was not enough to lose my dear friend in November. I am still missing her. She was my ally. She was my sounding board when it came to my children. We prayed for each other. We had each other’s back. Now she’s gone and only in God can I confide, which is ok. Now my struggles go straight to the ears of God. 

This school break and really most of December has been spent caring for sick grandkids. Ear infections, ruptured eardrums, staph infections, cold and congestion..ugh!!! It’s been messy. My 10 year old grandson’s staph infection required hospitalization. He gave us a scare. His mom was frantic, but she showed tremendous strength dealing with her two sons. I was so proud of her. I pray for my grandsons continually and still they fall prey…

I am so thankful that I serve a God whose eyes are continually on His children. His mercy is immeasurable and His grace sufficient. I am thankful that my grandson made it to the ER before the staph infection could cause more harm. 

These season I am so thankful that my children and grandchildren can experience the mercy and grace of the living God. I am thankful for the nurses that took care of my grandson. He may be 10, but he is just a big baby and the nurses were awesome with him. IV’s are difficult for adults and we understand why we need it, but children don’t always understand that the torture they experience is for their good. My grandson to the nurse…  “I want to wait for my grandma.” Nurse: “No. It can’t wait!” Grandson: “Please! Why are you being so mean? You are being mean!”

Christmas is a time of giving and sharing, but for me it’s a time to remember all the blessings of God that have nothing to do with material gain. It’s a time to remember the mercy that He extends to his children though we are undeserving, but that’s His grace that he gives abundantly. Praise God for His faithfulness this holiday season and all year long. 

Psalm 40

IrmMa

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.

6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”

9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness
In the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You Yourself know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
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11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord;
Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up;
They are more than the hairs of my head;
Therefore my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who seek to destroy my life;
Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor
Who wish me evil.
15 Let them be confounded because of their shame,
Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

16 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”
17 But I am poor and needy;
Yet the Lord thinks upon me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.