Daily Devotional For Friday, September 11, 2026
Good morning Southside. Today marks the 25th anniversary of 911 – the worst terrorist attack on American soil. We lost over 3,000 that day between the attacks in NYC, the Pentagon, the open field in Shanksville, PA. Since 911, another 9,000 have died from the dust, debris and smoke of the 911 attacks. Currently there are 140,000 people enrolled in the The World Trade Center Health Program receiving medical help from that day. I felt that for today, using the One Year Chronological Bible’s suggested reading would be insensitive to those who died that day and to those in our church who lost loved ones that day in the attacks.
If you are old enough you probably remember exactly where you were when you learned of the terrorists’ attacks. Like the Greatest Generation before us, their motto was, “Remember Pearl Harbor.” Ours has been, “Remember 911!” While these terrorists and their groups were celebrating, 911 backfired on them. This one event united Americans across all levels. It did not matter what your political party was, your faith or denomination was, or your educational level or your wealth, or your race, we were united as a nation. Everyone set aside their differences that had divided us for something more important that would unite us – freedom.
Wouldn’t it be great if all Christians would unite under the call of freedom from sin in Christ? Wouldn’t it be great if all Christians set aside their personal agenda for a greater agenda – winning people to Christ? Instead we allow our enemy to hit us with his terrorist attacks such as: our preference for worship style, our preference for environmental issues such as pews or chairs, or lighting, band or choir, or time of start and finish of worship; our preferences for which translation of the Bible to use. Do you know churches have split over arguing about the selection of the color of carpet or their by-laws, or their buildings and even their budgets.
All the while our enemy the devil and his demons celebrate our division and get diverted with diversions that have nothing to do with sharing the Gospel and building the kingdom of God. He gets us to be divisive over what we want, not the Lord. The early church was not divided on sharing the Gospel, making disciples and helping people experience freedom from sin. Jesus said this in John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (NLT). Not buildings, not by-laws, not budgets, and not our personal beliefs sets us free.
Truth sets free. Truth is not a principle or a belief or a doctrine or a what. Truth is a Who and His name is Jesus. Jesus said this in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me” (NLT). The truth that sets us free from sin is Jesus. Truth is not our doctrine or liturgy or our music. Truth is Jesus. Every day people die in their sins while we debate our personal preferences when it comes to our faith and church.
Reflection Assignment: Every Sunday at the end of our worship service we recite our mission statement. What do you think would happen if everyone who attended Southside was united to fulfill our mission statement? What do you think would happen if we were united in our budget, our programs and our ministries to fulfill our mission statement rather than be divided on stuff that will not matter in eternity? We can play church or we can be the church? Which do you prefer?
Scripture To Meditate On: Galatians 5:13, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I want to join You where You are already working. I want to be part of Your mission and vision for the church – sharing the Gospel and making disciples. I no longer want to let my enemy the devil and his demons win in this war of slavery to sin. Use me Lord to be Your light and salt. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly