One person asked U.S. Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, about the international monetary fund and its strong dependence upon the American dollar. The suggestion was made that perhaps it would be better to have the fund more closely linked with an international currency or a mixture of currencies. Geithner said he would be open to the idea—and the value of the dollar instantly plummeted. Later he amended his statement and the dollar regained its strength.

The volatility of the world financial system demonstrates the growing trend toward a super-international currency. People are talking about steps toward a one-world money system which involve getting rid of the national currencies and going to one currency. This could lead to globalism and a one-world government in the not-so-distant future. I don’t like the whole concept, but these things get me excited because they prove the Lord’s return is very soon. I want to be ready. I want to be serving the Lord when He comes, and I want to make no mistake.

Do recent developments in the news excite you about the Lord’s return? Are you excited enough to examine your life so you will be found blameless at His coming? I encourage you to get ready by getting right. If you have sinned against God or someone else, confess it. If someone else has sinned against you, forgive them. Christ will be looking for purity in His saints when He returns—make no mistake about it.

To be holy is so zealously to desire, so vastly to esteem, and so earnestly to endeavor it, that we would not for millions of gold and silver decline, nor fail, nor mistake in a tittle. — Thomas Traherne

Devotional by Pastor Jim Scudder, Jr.

A heavy winter storm covered the ground with a thick, white blanket of snow. A young woman left work and walked through the dense snow to her car. As she started the vehicle, she noticed the visibility outside was poor. But she remembered some good advice her father gave her, “Honey, if you are ever in a blinding snowstorm, get behind a plow, and it will lead you safely.”

As if on cue, a plow truck passed by, and the young woman pulled in behind it. Now she drove with confidence and satisfaction, because she had listened to her father’s advice. She thought for sure she would be home before long.

About a half hour later, the woman was still following the plow. The vehicle ahead finally stopped, and the driver walked over, motioning for her to roll the window down. The man told her, “Ma’am, I’m going to have to move on to the next parking lot, so I don’t know if you want to follow me there or not.”

Do you ever feel like you are going in circles in the Christian life? Our lives should be linear. The way to keep in a straight line is to look ahead into the future—a privilege exclusive to Christians, who possess the Bible. An understanding of God’s plans for the future will motivate us to be more committed, more serious, and live with a greater sense of urgency in the present.

Just what are God’s plans for the future? The Bible promises all believers will be caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds at the Rapture. As we await this day, it behooves us to examine ourselves and strive for linear living.

Holiness is not something we are called upon to do in order that we may become something; it is something we are to do because of what we already are. — M. Lloyd-Jones

 Devotional by Pastor Jim Scudder, Jr.