This devotion has nothing to do with horses.  It is in answer to the many phone calls and e-mails that came in this week in regards to the events of September 11th.  The events have caused much confusion, much fear and many questions. 

I am going to cut right through to the chase - as this is not a time to mince words.  I pray like the apostle Paul...that I may boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and that God may give me the right words to say.  (Ephesians 6:19)

When adversity strikes, we are introduced to ourselves. We see who we are and where we stand and what we stand upon.  We human beings are made up of several parts.  We are doing beings, living beings and human beings.  But at the very core of each of us is a worshipping being.  We were created to worship God.  Our very existence was created to worship and fellowship with God.  When we have not been reconciled to God, the worshipping part of us is hollow and empty.  Sin reigns in our lives instead of God ruling and reigning.  We are in a fallen state.  But, when we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and start to renew our minds and fellowship with God and other Christians, we are reconciled and begin a new life walking with Jesus Christ. 

When adversity and tragedy strikes and we are moved out of our comfort zone (see devotion # 16) then we have an opportunity to see ourselves as we really are.  Adversity causes some to break down and others to break records.  It causes us to look inside and examine our innermost motives.  Many have realized this week that the worshipping part of their being has been non-existent or seriously neglected. May these events trigger a revival in each of us. 

Many of you who have contacted me are unchurched.  By this I mean that you have no steady church that you attend.  You have no pastor that is appointed and anointed of God to care for you.  A pastor is compared to a shepherd in the Bible.  A true, loving shepherd cares for the sheep each day and leads them into safety each night.  The sheep know his voice and follow him.  There are sheep who do not know how to become a part of the flock and sheep who know where the flock is, but choose not to join them.  You need to honestly identify where you are and immediately become a part of a salvation preaching, bible teaching Church body.  That is the first step.  If you have wandered out of the flock, you need to find your way back by repenting and coming back.  If you are part of the flock, but chose to continue in a besetting sin, it is time for you to repent and get your life right with God. 

We live in a nation that was founded upon Christian principles.  God had a protective hand upon our nation from the very start.   I pray that he has not lifted his protection from us because of the sins of the people.  We cannot continue to live in sin, kill babies, take God out of the schools, worship our business more than Him, leave Him out of our lives because we are so busy, etc.  This is spitting in the face of God.  If we do that, how can we expect Him to continue to protect us as a nation?  We need to turn back to Him individually and corporately.  2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. 

The prophets of God have warned us time and time again that this was coming because America has gotten into seeking psychics, pornography, abortions, and so many evil and sinful works.  God will not be mocked.  We will reap what we sow.  David Wilkerson who is the pastor of Times Square Church a few blocks from the disaster has warned us in his newsletters that terrorists would start to come against America and that he had a vision of people in New York running down the streets in terror.   You can receive his newsletters by e-mailing:  texas@worldchallenge.org  and requesting it.  We must search scriptures and listen to Godly people whom God has appointed to be watchman over our souls.  In my Daily Walk Bible the reading for September 11 was Amos 8-9.  Take time to read it today.  Sin must be judged, but a righteous God is waiting and willing to restore His people. 

We must sharpen our discernment.  The bible tells us that we can become strong by exercising our senses to discern both evil and good.  (Hebrews 5:14) Start today and ask the Holy Spirit to sharpen your discernment and help you to clearly hear His voice.  He is the only one that knows what lies ahead for each of us. 

The bottom line is trusting Christ.  I cannot imagine the horror of being in an airplane that flies into a building.  I cannot imagine being in those building when the planes hit.  Nor can I imagine the grief of a missing loved one under all that rubble.  But, this I know, those who had trusted Christ went straight into His presence.  (2 Corinthians. 5:8)   Those who have trusted Christ were covered with His grace. They have gone to a place that I cannot imagine because the bible tells me that eye has never seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the imagination of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him. (1 Corinthians. 2:9)

What about Osama Bin Laden?  If he is guilty of masterminding the attacks, I pray 2 Timothy 4:14 for him - that God will reward him according to his deeds.  Remember that we are racing toward a judgment day when all will be brought to light and everything that has been done will be judged and made right.   

It is a time to ready ourselves for what the Bible says lies ahead.  It warns us that in the end times we will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  We will see famines, deceptions, false christs, earthquakes, diseases, etc.  It tells us that this is not the end, but the beginning of many sorrows. 

God has given America a president who proclaims the name of Jesus Christ.  May we all commit to pray for him each day.  May we also pray for ourselves and each other to take a step beyond prayer.  It is not enough just to pray.  We must obey.