First of all the deepest sympathies and condolences to all the families and victims of the horrific terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and all the other innocent victims of the hijackings. This kind of situation is beyond words. When grief-stricken Mary and Martha greeted Jesus with the news of Lazarus death, Jesus wept. (John 11:35). And Paul in his writings lovingly instructs us: ...and weep with them that weep (Romans 12:15). Words are of little comfort to the bereaved at times such as these; let us weep with them that weep. A Prayer Father, I ask you to touch the lives of all the many people, I am asking You to minister to their spirit, soul and body at this very moment. Where there is pain & sorrow, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, and strength. Where there is confusion and loss of direction, I ask give them divine guidance through your spirit of Truth, including all the world leaders faced with critical decisions. Where there is spiritual slumber, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You. Where there is affliction and distress. Wrap Your loving arms around them, heal and comfort them with Your Holy Spirit.. Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage. Give each of them insight to recognize the evil forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus holy name. Please everyone; pray this for all that have need. After such a shocking tragedy as this senseless act of terrorist violence against many innocent victims, many unanswerable questions rise up in all of our hearts and minds why? why? why? At such a time it may help to look at how Jesus responded to another report of bad news: There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1-5) Jesus is asked to respond to the suffering and death of innocent people. Jesus gave an answer that they werent expecting, it seemed insignificant to him whether these people died at thirty years old or seventy, after all isnt that just a drop in the ocean of life that does not end; what is important - did they die in their sins or did they repent of those sins before they died bodily. He didn’t answer their questions, It seemed He wasnt concerned how those Galileans died. What Jesus wanted them to understand was that their highest concern should be in how they where living their own lives. When He stated ye shall likewise perish, He meant spiritual death, or life apart from God. It is very clear here what humanity must do to avoid spiritual death; we must each and everyone repent (turn from sin). This latest terrorist tragedy should lead us to examine our own hearts, and ultimately to repentance, if our own personal spiritual house is not in order, and standing on the unshakable rock Jesus Christ. Pray that this tragedy awakens those Christians whose professed Christianity has slumbered in a state of having need of nothing as described in Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Remember that the Bible says in Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Our argument is not against other human beings, but our war, as humans, is against spiritual forces of evil. The good news is that God has not given up on mankind. Just as He allowed Adam and Eve the freedom to choose, so He lets the nations and the nations’ inhabitants go their own way. The eventual result of humanities efforts is that, just before Jesus returns to earth, humanity will teeter on the brink of annihilation. “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elects sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:22, KJV). As a Holy and just God, our Creator will not allow an evil and unjust world to continue forever. He will not allow mankind to annihilate its self. Jesus will return, this time to rule as King of Kings (Revelation 19:16). The Messiah will intervene at humanities gravest hour (Daniel 12:1). Revelation 21:3-4 describes the time when suffering will be no more: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Jesus came to earth to ease our sufferings. He is no stranger to the suffering of humanity. He offers comfort. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29). Tragedies teach us that since death and judgment are imminent, we need to be ready through true repentance. Are you ready friend? Tragedies show us that life is fragile and that we must get right with God before we die and face judgment. Are you ready to face your Creator the holy and living God? Be encouraged by these words: Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:33-36 We may not all be the victims of terrorist violence or a collapsing building, but we are sinners, and the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23, When we realize that fact, the warning of Jesus should pierce our consciousness: “Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” Salvation Message Its simple to be saved. Realize you CAN NOT save yourself. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; ... Isaiah 64:6 .. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Revelations 1:5 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 But it can’t be that simple? Yes. Thank God, it’s that simple. Dont let anyone convince you that when you die it will be all over! And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement. Hebrews 9:27 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelations 20:15 Dont wait until you die to find out the truth about Hell! Tomorrow may be too late! Pray this prayer. Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and unless you save me I am lost forever. I thank you for dying for my sins. I come to you now, Lord, just as You said in Your Word, the best way I know how, and ask you to save me. I now receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:09:05 +0000