Thought for the Month - October 2001

Terrible Times - By Barry Adair

As I sit down to write, the TV channels are still filled with reports on the aftermath of the abominable terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC.

The American people, and indeed most of the world's population, are still in some form of shock that such events have actually happened. This initial shock and bewilderment is now turning to anger and a desire for revenge. So what does God's Word have to offer at a time like this?

This is what we will spend a few minutes on this month. If one thing stands out to me more than anything during these last few days, it is this - our life on this planet is temporal.

"For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" James 4:14

Nobody talks much about the devil anymore - even Christians. Most of the press did actually
describe the events on Tuesday 11 September as 'satanic'.

A literal Satan was behind these events and will be increasingly active as his time gets
shorter and shorter.

The Bible is very clear that Satan and all his demons are already defeated and will be cast
into an eternal hell. (Revelation 20:10)

With death, and tragically there have been far too many of these recently, comes an eternity
- but an eternity where?

There is an eternal hell and, thankfully, an eternal Heaven for all those who have accepted
Jesus as their personal Saviour.

"And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement" Hebrews 9:27

In life, to deal with every day life we need the help only our Creator God can provide. It is only when you know, really know, that you are a child of God that you have the inner peace to live as you ought to live.

Still not sure you are a child of God on your way to Heaven?

"if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" Romans 10:9

We all have a need for love and a desire for justice.

Truly God is love (1 John 4) and we all need that love which we were designed to receive.

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us" Romans 5:8

Although the language and meanings of the end-time prophecies in Daniel and Revelation can
be difficult to understand, everyone can see that events such as New York and Washington
will pale into insignificance during the great Tribulation.

Please make sure you will escape a righteous God's wrath towards evil in the world.
We will have justice for these recent, and indeed all, evil deeds, but it will be in God's
time and in God's way. (Romans 12:19)(Hebrews 10:30)

We in Grove will continue to pray for all those families whose lives have been shattered
by the death of loved ones in terrorist attacks.

Sadly many in our own land (Northern Ireland) have also faced times like these.

"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you" James 4:8

At this time, truly 'may God bless America'.

One world
One God
One source of evil
One Saviour
One Hell
One Heaven
One Way
God's Way
One decision
YOUR DECISION

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!