Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and clear and absolutely beautiful on this November morning. The view is something I never take for granted because I know how fast things can change. One minute it could be clear and sunny and the next minute torrential rains…the same as it is with the Journey of Life. One minute I could be strong and able and the next minute I could be as weak as a kitten…the same as it is with the Journey of Faith. There’s a pretty good chance of me getting caught outside in the rain with no umbrella, but there is absolutely NO chance that I’ll get caught off guard when God does some Spiritual “shifting” that will impact us all. I do my best to prepare for the rain but I give it my EVERYTHING to Prepare for the Last Days and I’m “working out my own salvation with fear and trembling” just the way I’m taught to do. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith too?

I’m not sure how much warning about the Last Days is enough warning for the people who proclaim to know Jesus. They seem to believe that as long as you proclaim to Know Him then you’ll be good to go when the King comes calling as if you earned a one-way ticket just by saying “yes” to the King of all kings and absolutely nothing more is expected of you in the Journey. But it involves a little more than that. For example, the Parable of the 10 virgins is a warning straight from the Throne of God about what happens if we aren’t prepared for the Bridegroom when He comes for His bride. In this case, all ten of them knew the Bridegroom was coming, but only 5 of them were Prepared for the day. The other five, even though they Knew who the Bridegroom was, even though they were excited about His coming in the beginning, had fallen away in the process and they perished because they weren’t ready when He arrived. There are countless other examples of how narrow the Gate to Heaven is and what God expects of His people BUT these days the church would rather not talk about the “scary stuff” and withholding the Whole Truth about Salvation has become the “norm”.

Not hearing the name of Jesus Christ day in and day out, from one corner of the earth to another should never be accepted as “norm” but that’s what it has become. Rarely hearing of a life that has been Transformed by the Power of Jesus Christ is another. Not seeing Bibles toted around like appendages for all the world to see should never be accepted as the “norm” – but we’ve opted for technology to access His Word for the sake of convenience instead. Witnessing a prayer in public shouldn’t be a rare thing for God’s people, but we’ve opted to pray in silence instead so that we don’t take the chance of offending someone. Here’s a news flash for you – If they’re offended by prayer whispered in public, just imagine how offended they’ll be One Day when they’re escorted to the Eternal place that nobody wants to talk about these days.

Jesus was soft and gentle when He walked the earth (in part) to show us what Love looks like, BUT watch out because He’s coming back like a LION! Sadly, all the ones who believe that just saying “yes” to the King is enough to see them Through Eternity will be regretfully (and eternally) surprised…and that’s where I come in. Hiding my Faith will never become the “norm” for me, and as long as there is breath in my body I’ll do my Part for it not to become the “norm” for anyone God puts in my Path. I proclaim the name of Jesus Christ day in and day out so His Name is heard by all and, as the Bible tells me, even the demons shudder at the sound of His name. I pray anywhere and everywhere without fear of the consequences…and I don’t concern myself with offending someone else. If seeing my Bible in hand makes someone squirm, I’ll know that what I’m seeing is the kind of Conviction that happens supernaturally when darkness is exposed to the Light. I’m honored to be called a Child of God and it shows. You’ll see Jesus IN me for as long as I live and I’ll Share the Glory of God until He calls me Home and there “ain’t nothing normal” about that!

How about you?