It’s without hesitation we take this day to remember the victims of 9/11 and pray for their families. I hope these last 5 years have brought a sense of newness and found strength to those who’ve endured tragedy. May the arms of God surround you today.
Inspired by our pastor’s sermon, I’d like to further elaborate about a terrorist we all have on board our own lives. An enemy that would prefer us to remain seated and calm while he takes over, keeping us ineffective for Christ, destroying as much as possible. This enemy is real. As we live our lives for Christ we can know the following is true: “…He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” It is just like a thief to come into a home when no one is vigilant, or has left a door or window open. It’s similar in our spiritual life. We must be on high alert staying under the covering of our Mighty God.
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:11-18 to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” These are our tools for spiritual battle.
If you got to see the movie Flight 93, you may recall the terrorists wanting to deceive the passengers so they could remain calm not to interrupt their destructive mission. Those brave men and women passengers may have prevented further destruction by their bravery. Indeed, we can sit back and let Satan take control over our lives. Closing our eyes to truth, we may not realize the damage that has been done until it’s too late. The Bible tells us to be sober-minded. We are in battle whether we are fighting or not. The battle is for our souls.
As Joshua tells the children of Israel by the instruction of the LORD all that has been done for them; all the miracles and deliverances in their journey in Joshua chapter 24. In verse 15, he goes on to say, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” In Revelation 1:18 Jesus assures us, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Who will you serve? Who will you have as your ally?
If you pay no other tribute to those who were impacted by 9/11, please, please watch this. It will take time to down load. Viewer discresion is adviced as well as a large box of tissue!
God Bless America!
All Scripture references quoted are from the NKJV.