3 Jul, 2007
Are we ever safe?
'We are safe,' Homeland Security chief says
WASHINGTON - The United States remains safe after the attack at a Scottish airport and two foiled car bombs in London, and no raising of the terror alert status is planned, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Monday.
"We are safe, but we are safe because we continue to pay attention and we continue to add security measures," Chertoff said as the Fourth of July holiday approaches.
The homeland security chief noted the incidents over the past several days in Great Britain sent a message that would-be terrorists have a wide variety of ways to attack.
"If you look back at all the plots, you've seen a wide variety of techniques," he said on CBS's "The Early Show." But Chertoff said authorities in the United States must prepare for a wide variety of threats, even though the suicide attacks often are the most spectacular.
He also said the country needs to be especially vigilant about how and under what circumstances the threat increases.
"I think we've been saying for some period of time that we need to be looking not only at homegrown terrorism, but that international terrorism might come to the United States through Europe," Chertoff said.
Chertoff also played down a report that al-Qaida was planning a big attack in the United States. "We do not currently have any specific threat information that is credible about a particular attack on the United States," Chertoff told Fox News.
photo & story courtesy msnbc.msn.com, 7/2/07
1 Peter 5:8-11 (NLT)
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.
What does today's God’s Story scripture teach us about fighting our spiritual enemy?
In today’s scripture, Peter is warning believers (anyone who knows Christ as Savior and follows Him) to watch out for Satan, the enemy of God and His family. Satan, our worst enemy, is like a terrorist, who can pull a surprise attack at any time, any place, and against anyone.
Have you been feeling alone, weak or helpless, and not hanging out with other followers of Jesus? LOOK OUT!
Maybe you’ve been harassed for your faith in Christ or you’ve been going through some other suffering? BE ON GUARD!
Perhaps you’ve been focused on your own desires? Not spending time focusing on your relationship with Jesus? HIGH ALERT! HIGH ALERT!
Today’s story about the terrorist incidents in Great Britain is a reminder that terror is on the increase around the world. England and the US are challenging other world leaders to unite together to fight the war against terror.
There is a spiritual parallel. Satan attacks all followers of Jesus everywhere. We must remember to unite together in praying for each other to be alert and to resist the Devil.
How can we connect today’s God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Begin each day by praying for Christ’s protection and victory as you will face attacks from Satan.
- Unite together with other Christ followers by starting an accountability group in your neighborhood, at school, at church or maybe even at your place of work. Get together once a week with at least 2 other Christian friends for the purpose of praying together and helping each other to resist Satan and live for Christ.
- Pray every day for your brothers and sisters in Christ all around the world. Like you, they face attack from our worst enemy – Satan.
- Talk to God right now…..Thank God for His loving protection. Confess any way in which you have been letting your guard down and losing battles to the enemy. If you have been a victim and have suffered in some way for Christ, ask Jesus to give you strength while you trust Him to get you on your spiritual feet again. Praise Jesus that He will give you victory over Satan!
- Whenever you see news reports about the global war on terror, let Jesus use that moment to remind you to unite with His followers and stay alert to Satan's attacks.
How can we connect today's story and God’s Story scripture and our story to others?
- Use today’s DAILYBIDE to encourage other followers of Christ. Share your story with them by being vulnerable about how you’re doing in facing Satan’s attacks in your life.
- Use today's story about the terrorist incidents in Great Britain and the terror alert system in the US as a conversation starter. Ask others in your storysphere what they think about from a spiritual perspective when they see evil attacks in our world?
- In your ongoing friendships with those who don’t know Christ yet, ask them how they’re doing. Do they have a need or a struggle you could help meet? Depending on their vulnerability, you may have the opportunity to tell more of your story by being real about how Jesus is helping you face the tough times in your life.
- July 2008 [17]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [17]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [19]
- August 2007 [18]
- July 2007 [13]
- June 2007 [11]
- May 2007 [14]
- April 2007 [11]
- March 2007 [12]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [5]
- November 2006 [14]
- October 2006 [18]
- September 2006 [12]
- August 2006 [17]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [4]
