Not Alarmed—Two2Grow, Friday, September 11
Not Alarmed—Two2Grow, Friday, September 11
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Matthew 24:6 NIV
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of 9/11. I was serving the Lord as a missionary in Kenya, leading a school of ministry there. It was hard to find news, so I went to a hotel that had American cable news. As I watched, I was shocked and had to battle fear. I understood that somehow this changed the world as we knew it. How would things look after this? We called all the students together for a chapel service. I prayed for a Scripture to share with them, and today’s Scripture is what the Holy Spirit gave me. We prayed for America, for the world, and also for ourselves—for comfort for those who lost loved ones and especially that a spirit of fear would not get to us.
Jesus told us that such things not only would but “must” happen, but he also emphasized the importance of resisting fear: “see to it that you are not alarmed.” In the midst of it, we should look to him and resist fear.
Today, on the 25th anniversary, we stop to remember. We pray that God makes his presence known to those who are grieving and for all who were affected by the war that came afterward.
May we be reminded of what Jesus said later in the chapter:
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
Jesus is coming soon, and we have a mission to share the good news of his kingdom in word and deed.
Father, we pray for the world. Let your love be known through us so that people will turn to you. Use today’s anniversary to awaken people to the reality of who you are and that you are coming soon. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of 9/11. I was serving the Lord as a missionary in Kenya, leading a school of ministry there. It was hard to find news, so I went to a hotel that had American cable news. As I watched, I was shocked and had to battle fear. I understood that somehow this changed the world as we knew it. How would things look after this? We called all the students together for a chapel service. I prayed for a Scripture to share with them, and today’s Scripture is what the Holy Spirit gave me. We prayed for America, for the world, and also for ourselves—for comfort for those who lost loved ones and especially that a spirit of fear would not get to us.
Jesus told us that such things not only would but “must” happen, but he also emphasized the importance of resisting fear: “see to it that you are not alarmed.” In the midst of it, we should look to him and resist fear.
Today, on the 25th anniversary, we stop to remember. We pray that God makes his presence known to those who are grieving and for all who were affected by the war that came afterward.
May we be reminded of what Jesus said later in the chapter:
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
Jesus is coming soon, and we have a mission to share the good news of his kingdom in word and deed.
Father, we pray for the world. Let your love be known through us so that people will turn to you. Use today’s anniversary to awaken people to the reality of who you are and that you are coming soon. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD