There is hope in the midst of tragedy!

As we remember this day and the terrible tragedy of September 11, 2001, when evil struck our land let us remember the cross that stood in the midst of the rubble, as a sign of hope, that God is still on the throne, that He is for us and He has kept His promise from the beginning He sent us a Savior, a Redeemer and He rescued us from the rubble through Jesus Christ.

God sent Christ to rescue His enemies, mankind, not angels, you and I, and every living breathing human that ever lived.

There are those who will reject Him, we can not change their hearts or minds, the cross is foolishness to them, but we can tell them that Christ died for them as He did us.

There is evil in our world, but we don't have to submit to it, or participate with it, we can live in freedom of it in Christ.

We have the promise of God, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are His sons and daughters, and we need not fear any man, for if God is for us, who can be against us?

We carry in us the hope of the world, Jesus Christ, the world longs for who He is, today speak of His love, mercy, and grace as you share your hope with others.

The empty cross stands as a universal sign of hope, triumph in the midst of tragedy, the hope of forgiveness, grace, eternity and love, the place where God sacrificed Himself for mankind, so we could know Him.

God’s word says this:

“For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: “I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.”
And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”Hebrews‬ ‭6:13-20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“Do not be agitated by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong. For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender green plants. Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the person who carries out evil plans. Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated — it can only bring harm. For evildoers will be destroyed, but those who put their hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” “A little while, and the wicked person will be no more; though you look for him, he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity. The wicked person schemes against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him. The Lord laughs at him because he sees that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the bow to bring down the poor and needy and to slaughter those whose way is upright. Their swords will enter their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.” Psalms‬ ‭37:1-15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent. Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:18-25‬ ‭CSB‬‬​

“For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God. For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter‬ ‭2:19-25‬ ‭CSB‬‬