A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse October 22, 2018 Forward Looking Scripture Reading – 2 Peter 3:12 - 13 "Looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness."     

Most certainly I do agree that all of us need to be good stewards of the earth. Whether that means paying attention to the causes of global warming, or looking out for everyone as we are able to in sharing resources that needs will be met, I am in favor of these things.

However, have you ever stopped for even a millisecond to consider that if God were just to allow the earth to go off of His pre-ordained axis, or move the sun either a bit closer or a bit further - you and I and everything that exists would cease to be.

Not that we should be fatalistic at all, for the people of God should be certainly the happiest people on earth. Rather we should be both optimistic, and 'Forward Looking', as we live our lives for Jesus Christ. Truthfully, this world in these end days will get darker and darker as men turn away from the truth; but at the same time, God will also pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh and people worldwide will come to know forgiveness and freedom that only Christ Jesus is able to bring.

As the world becomes darker, and we set our faces to heaven and live for righteousness, we will shine even more brightly. The darker the night - the brighter the light! So go ahead and in Jesus name let us all shine the love and light of the glorious gospel for more and more to see. For truly Jesus is coming soon! 

Prayer Father may Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I pray that You will use me and those of us in the body of Christ to be bright lights in these dark nights and may many more come to know salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Memory Verse:  Deuteronomy 20:4 "For the LORD your ____ is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!”