This is a day to be “on guard” as the world takes stock of all that has happened since Friday. Not only was there a horrific commuter train crash in southern California and Hurricane Ike; now we have the crashing and burning of two Wall Street giants in one weekend. If what is going on around the world in financial markets is any indication; this day could be one of the worst days ever on Wall Street.
Whenever the world is going through convulsions, the shock waves are bound to reach each of us in one way or another. Whether higher gasoline prices, sudden loss of investment income or dealing with the growing fear among many people that there is something going on that is not being reported; there are numerous ways events taking place in the world manage to influence us.
This would not be a good time to take a mental vacation, let alone a spiritual one. Don’t be surprised if the Lord brings out the “cattle prod” and gives you a good jolt today. There is massive need for prayer today. The situation in southern Texas and Louisiana is 1,000 times worse than is being reported. FEMA and other agencies are hiding the real statistics as to fatalities and damage. Sooner or later the whereabouts of the 140,000 people told to evacuate or face certain death must be accounted for.
Political turmoil is boiling over in Bolivia, Thailand and other remote countries. The military situation in Afghanistan is growing worse by the day. Threats being made by Israel towards Iran indicate an attack is imminent. The problems between the United States and Venezuela and Honduras are reaching the critical point. Nations such as Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas are tattered and lay in ruins due to relentless hurricanes over the past few weeks.
The wise person should take stock of their situation and do whatever is necessary to not be directly impacted by anything going on in the world, especially in the financial markets. The bombshell which was dropped yesterday and that will be manifested later this morning when the markets open is going to adversely affect many people. In the same vein, the possible gasoline shortages due to the hurricane may temporarily drive up the cost of gasoline to record highs even as the price of oil keeps dropping.
Certain items are always in short supply after a major hurricane hits a port city. The laws of supply and demand dictate if an item is in short supply, the price will go up. A prudent person would stock up on any items that are vital to survival and relative comfort. Time does not allow me to share details of the horror stories coming out of Houston from people who failed to prepare for the storm they all knew was coming. There is no excuse for having a generator but never thinking to buy gasoline to run it.
Whether this day turns out to be just another day or ends up being one of those days the world literally shudders, we as believers need to pray for personal protection, guidance and avenues where we can share the love in our hearts with those in need. The only reason to pray for God to take care of us in times of trouble is so that we are able to help others. God knows there are countless people locked in the throes of staggering circumstances literally pulling them apart.
I beseech you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to prayerfully consider all that is going on this day and with great humility ask the Lord what you can do to help Him. After all, the very reason we are alive is to be a blessing to the Lord and His people. We were not given all we have from Him just so we could sit around laughing at the trials and tribulations of those around us. To the contrary, we have been charged to do the work of an evangelist and to comfort, encourage and edify with all the love of Christ in our hearts.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080915100149.qdzqexmo&show_article=1&catnum=0
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N14363975.htm
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/14/america/arms.php
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080915/ap_on_re_us/severe_weather
spiritual food for thought 