merica has long stood as the land of opportunity and stability for millions of
people, both those born in the US and immigrants from abroad. When terrorists struck at America on

September 11, 2001, they directed their attack at symbols representing the strength of the American people. They brought down the towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the nation's center of finance and commerceÑand they destroyed part of the Pentagon, the headquarters of the American military, the strongest in the world.

Even as we begin to recover from these terrible events, many have realized that their lives will never again be the same. We hope, and believe, that this nation will not be paralyzed by these acts of terror, yet these events have nevertheless challenged and changed our sense of stability and security which many of us had formerly taken for granted.

Against the backdrop of these tragedies, amid the prospect and reality of war, facing the resulting instabilities of the economic markets, many have found solace in the Word of God. In the midst of the most uncertain times many of us have ever faced, the salvation that the Lord Jesus offers in the Bible stands ever more constant, firm and unchanging. In these times of trouble, God is calling each one of us back to Himself. We have seen how tragedy can strike at any time, and in a moment, the assets of the earth that we have placed our faith in can disappear.

The Bible reminds us, "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves dig through and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not dig through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21). In these verses, the Lord Jesus directs us to place our trust not in the treasures of earth but in Himself, in the heavenly treasure that He has offered to all mankind.

In the Gospel of John, the Lord Jesus said "The thief does not come except to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and may have it abundantly." (John 10:10). The Lord Jesus came to present us with the gift of life, and not only life, but abundant life. His life is the eternal life, the only sure security that we can have.

The Bible tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that every one who believes into Him would not perish, but would have eternal life." (John 3:16). The Lord Jesus is the Son of God, Who came to the earth as a man, faced and overcame temptation, lived a perfect life, was examined by man and by God and died on the cross to accomplish redemption in order to be our Savior. In these times, His overcoming life will take us through.

When we receive Jesus Christ, we receive His eternal life, and the eternal security that comes with it. The way to receive Him is revealed in the Bible,"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."(Romans 10:9). Please pray the following prayer to receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior:

"Lord Jesus,
I repent of everything in my past.
I open my heart
to receive you into my spirit.
Lord, I take you as my treasure in heaven,
and I give my heart to you.
Teach me to put all my trust in you,
and to abide in your love.
Thank you for saving me.
In your precious name, Amen."