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Editor’s
journey
Where
from here?
KANSAS CITY, MO. —
Four jetliners, three buildings, 19 terrorists, and a death toll
of 2,823 are only part of the story of September 11. That day something
also happened to the nation’s soul. Americans were forced to
re-examine their values and reassess their spiritual convictions.
A year later, angry and
fearful, many are still seeking spiritual guidance and meaning.
Many have asked, "Where do I go from here?"
The Bible says Joshua
faced a similar question following a tragedy — when the Israelite
army was defeated in the city of Ai. Joshua 7:5 says they were "chased
… from the city gate" and "the hearts of the people melted
and became like water" (NIV).
Upon learning that 36
soldiers were killed in the battle, Joshua was angry and terrified.
He realized his army went to war without God’s blessing and
protection. Devastated by the defeat, Joshua fell on his face in
mourning. He feared the future and didn’t know what to do.
So he turned to God for direction.
In response, God urged
Joshua and the Israelites to put their trust in Him. Regardless
of their past mistakes and self-reliance, He promised to give them
a new beginning, to walk before them and protect their way if they
would …
• Acknowledge their
sins and live in obedience to God.
• Acknowledge their
need for God’s guidance.
Where are you going from
here? Some Americans have allowed hatred to seize their hearts and
fear to terrorize their minds. But others have acknowledged their
sin and invited God to walk before them. They have staked a claim
to the promise found in Proverbs 2:7,8: "[God] holds victory in
store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his
faithful ones."
If you want God to walk
before you, repeat the prayer below. You’ll discover nothing
compares to having the God of the universe watching over you.
– Hal Donaldson
E-mail the author at
pe@ag.org.
You can receive Christ
as your Savior right now, this moment! You don’t have to be
in a church or special place, or have the help of a minister or
priest. You can pray now, wherever you are. God is listening. Tell
Him in your own words that you are sorry for your sins and that
you want to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Ask God
to help you change your heart and life. It’s your prayer He
wants to hear. You can pray the following prayer, but it is not
enough just to say the words. You must mean it from your heart:
“God, I believe
you have a purpose and plan for my life. But, I know I have sinned.
I believe Your Son, Jesus Christ, died to take the punishment for
my sin. I believe Jesus came back to life from death and has the
power to forgive my sin and change my life. Forgive me. Come into
my life and change me. I want to live for You and follow Your plan
for my life, in Jesus’ name.”
God has forgiven you
if you prayed this prayer and meant it from your heart. God knew
you before you were born. Now you can begin the life He has planned
for you. Step by step God will lead you to what He has chosen for
you. He will show you the way to live and will teach you each day
as you grow spiritually and become the person He planned for you
to be.
If you have made a decision
to follow Christ, please contact the A/G church nearest you for
spiritual help and strength in your new life.
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