“ These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.  Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.   These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Luke 16) 

Throughout the New Testament, Lord Jesus Christ talks about the future and what events will occur. He warns His disciples about:

* His imminent death

* the persecution to come

* the sorrow, pain and hardship lying ahead

After predicting all these frightful events, Jesus says in effect: "Don't get caught up in that! Make sure that in the midst of these tumultuous times, you focus on Me, and place your trust wholly in Me." If we put our faith in Christ and spend much time in the Word of God and prayer, the tough times can be like a magnet that draws us to the Lord.

Nothing is going to happen in the year 2018 that will catch our Lord Jesus by surprise. He is able to help His children work through anything, and not a single thing is going to happen in the future that can change that. So rather than spending all our time watching the news, reading the newspapers and trying to figure the nuances of what the future might hold, we should spend at least as much time focusing on God and getting to know Him better in prayer and the Scriptures. Then, when the future becomes the present, we will enjoy a wondrously close relationship with almighty God and we'll walk with the Lord Jesus Christ in strength no matter what happens. Hallelujah! All glory and praise be to God! May the Lord help us keep our eyes on Him ALWAYS!