YS STUDENT E-MAIL
NEWSLETTER #162
December 6, 2004
Contents
1. Something for Your Heart
2. Surf Report
3. Forgettable Fact
4. Potent Quotables
5. Parting Shot
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GET TO KNOW CHRIST
It's the time of year when we celebrate the birth of our
Savior, but do you really know much about Christ's life?
What kind of a life did he lead? Who did he hang out with?
What miracles did he perform? How could he raise the dead
and give sight to the blind? "The Case for Christ"
takes an investigative approach into the life of Christ.
Retrace the events of Jesus' life and get to know the Savior.
http://www.YouthSpecialties.com/linker/index.php?id=4756
Also available at your local Christian bookstore.
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1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
This week marks the 63rd anniversary of the "day that
will live in infamy," as President Franklin Roosevelt
called it. On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes launched
a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, a U.S. naval base in
Hawaii. The results were devastating. Over 2,400 people
were killed. One hundred and eighty-eight planes were destroyed.
Eight battleships were damaged or sunk.
The attack was planned by a Japanese admiral named Isoroku
Yamamoto. But Yamamoto wasn't convinced that the attack
was a good idea. He was simply following orders.
Afterward, when one of his men congratulated Yamamoto on
the overwhelming success of his plan, the admiral offered
this solemn reply: "I fear that we have awakened a
sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve."
Admiral Yamamoto's words proved to be prophetic. The "slumbering
giant" was the United States, which had steadfastly
refused to enter World War II. Despite the fact that the
Axis powers were wreaking havoc across Europe, and that
country after country was falling to Hitler's war machine,
American leaders chose to remain neutral and stay on our
side of the Atlantic.
Until December 7, 1941.
What the Japanese intended as a crippling blow turned out
to be instant motivation to the United States. Rather than
burying its head in the sand and fretting over its losses,
the nation unleashed the most potent military force the
world had ever seen.
In less than four years, the Allied forces, led by the United
States, defeated Germany, Italy and Japan, and put an end
to the most destructive war in the history of mankind.
All as a result of an attack that was meant to devastate
and defeat.
As followers of Christ, we too have an enemy who is bent
on destroying us. The Bible describes him as "a roaring
lion, looking for some victim to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
He is Satan, and his attacks are relentless.
You may not be able to avoid his attacks, but you can decide
how you will respond to them. For example, what will you
do when Satan launches a barrage of tempting situations
at you? What will your response be when he tries to discourage
you from doing what you know is right? How will you counter
when he bombards you with distractions during your Bible
study or quiet time with God?
Will you wave a white flag and give in to temptation or
discouragement or distraction? Will you allow his attacks
to sink you, spiritually speaking?
Or will you use those attacks to motivate you as a follower
of Christ? Will you rise like a sleeping giant, full of
resolve to resist the devil and send him running?
That's what Satan's afraid of. He knows that with every
attack that fails to set you back, he loses a little more
power in your life. And he knows that the more power he
loses, the greater your chances are of impacting your world
through your commitment to Christ.
You have the power to defeat Satan, day in and day out.
The power comes from God, and it's available to every believer.
The question is, are you ready to unleash it?
On your own ...
Read Ephesians 6:10–18.
http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=NLT&passage=Ephesians+6%3A10-18
How does the thought of battling Satan make you feel? Do
you believe you're up for the fight? In what areas of your
life are you most vulnerable to Satan's attacks? What steps
can you take this week to protect yourself better?
2. SURF REPORT
~ Reflections: Advent
Advent is the four-week period that leads up to Christmas.
It's also an ideal time to think about our heavenly Father
and his work in our world. At this site you'll find some
thoughts on advent from famous Christians to help spur your
own thinking.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/012/19.55.html
~ La Torre di Pisa Official Website
You may know it better as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If
you're interested in finding out more about this architectural
oddity, check out this site.
http://torre.duomo.pisa.it
3. FORGETTABLE FACT
There is enough phosphorus inside you to make about 250
match heads.
4. POTENT QUOTABLES
God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you
to go through it, not without pain but without stain.
- C.S. Lewis
Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've had
only wonderful things happen to you.
- Mary Tyler Moore
If God sends you a cross, take it up and follow him.
Use it wisely, lest it be unprofitable.
Bear it patiently, lest it be intolerable.
If it be light, slight it not.
If it be heavy, murmur not.
- Quarles
5. PARTING SHOT
Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky
and I thought to myself, "Where the heck is the ceiling?"
Copyright 2004 Youth Specialties
