Christian Youth

[Shylynne]

The following  may have been around for awhile now, but I had never read it before, and thought it was fantastic!  Perhaps having three teens of my own made this letter especially moving, but thank God for young people who are willing to take a stand for Christ in this world!  

[This e-mail message was sent shortly after the tragic church shootings in Fort Worth, Texas. It is still being forwarded from youth groups throughout the country.]

Satan

c/o Hell

Hey Satan! You really shook me up last night! Having someone go into a Youth Rally and shoot people, that seemed cruel even for you! You almost had me discouraged and disheartened. Almost. Then I started to realize what was really going on. My main question was why are you attacking Christian Youth? Then it hit me, fear. You realize that these are the people that will turn the tide of your "battle." You are so afraid because these youth aren't afraid of your conventional weapons. Peer pressure, drugs, sex, greed are all failing as these kids are standing up and saying "NO! I choose to honor God with my behavior." You tried cranking up the heat, making the culture more enticing to them, and they still say "NO!"

So you try to use the weapon that works well with adults, fear.That's not working. You killed them in Paducah, KY, but still they pray. You shot them because they said yes to Jesus in Littleton, CO, and they still choose to walk with God. Now you murder them in Fort Worth, and they will still Worship our awesome God. In case you haven't figured it out yet, it won't work!

Our kids won't cave in to you!! They are going to do exactly what you fear most, they will pray for strength. And God will give it to them! He will give them strength to keep going. They will spark a revival in our nation that will turn millions back to God. Once again, Jesus' love will beat your hate!

Oh, and as for trying to make them feel that life is hopeless, that's where I come in. I won't let that happen. I will fight you every step of the way, showing the hope that is the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. You see, I know we have not been given a spirit of fear, but God calls us His children, and you don't mess with one of God's kids!

So take your shots and try, but we will not cave, and we're finished being on the defensive. Jesus tells us that the Gates of Hell can't stop us, and we're claiming that promise. So get ready for the battle of your life. Problem for you is, you have already lost. You lost 2,000 years ago when you tried to kill Jesus. Now the students that you kill are standing with Him in no more pain, laughing at you and your feeble attempt at victory.

Please understand, this is no less then a declaration of war. You may want to give up now, cause our Dad is on our side and Jesus told us that if He is for us nobody can stand against us. So if you desire, we will accept your unconditional surrender, otherwise, let's get ready to rumble!

Your sworn enemies forever,

Christian Youth

[Shylynne]

Follow Up
 
Shootings at Fort Worth SYATP Rally
Last night, as many of you know, there was a shooting at Wedgewood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.  Mark Marshall, who edits God Knows, writes the following:

On the night of Wednesday, September 15th, the See You at the Pole movement suffered its first martyrs.

At a rally celebrating See You at the Pole in Fort Worth, Texas at Wedgewood Baptist Church, a gunman wearing black and cursing Jesus burst into the meeting, opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun, and exploded a pipe bomb.

Not far from where the See You at the Pole movement was born, three teens and three adults died there for their participation in that movement. A seventh person died at the hospital. Others were critically wounded.

Some may dismiss this tragic event as simply the random act of a deranged gunman. I do not. These deaths have meaning and purpose which one day, perhaps soon, shall be revealed. As I read the following morning, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones." (Psalm 116:15)

I think one meaning is this being yet another wake-up call that it is no longer "safe" to be a Christian in America. In our complacency, we have thought that persecution and martyrdom is something that happens somewhere else at some other time. If that was ever so, it is so no longer.

Combined with the Columbine shootings and recent court rulings taking away religious freedoms, this event brings home that being a committed Christian anywhere is not risk-free. Whether from Christ-haters wearing black, arrogant judges robed in black, or simply those who's hearts are darkened, there are many with the power of government, or with the power of lies and hate, or even with the power of the gun who would take away your freedoms or even your life.

And Christian teenagers seem to be the main target. Teenagers who are committed to following Jesus are a threat to Satan. And I think the next awakening will start with the youth. So the followers of Evil, empowered by Satan, are lashing out.

But who said being a Christian is supposed to be safe? We are to follow Christ, who suffered and died for God and for us. And Christians have been persecuted and martyred again and again through the centuries and today. We still have it easy compared to most. In Sudan and East Timor and elsewhere, claiming the name of Christ is a death sentence. In numerous other countries, it is illegal to be a Christian. Then in countries like China, you can be a Christian, but only if you are a meek member of a state-approved so-called "church". In comparison, most of us haven't come anywhere close to imprisonment or death for our Lord.

But, still, persecution has come and is coming to American teenagers and those who labor with them. So how are we to respond? Are we to timidly keep our faith to ourselves and be closet Christians? Or are we to boldly live for Jesus and pray and tell everyone about Him, no matter who doesn't like it, no matter what the cost?

If we choose to be courageous for Christ, then the deaths of those in Fort Worth and at Columbine will not be in vain.

So with these young martyrs and with martyrs through the centuries, let us put our lives on the line for Jesus. Many have died for this proclaiming this truth -- let us proclaim it also:

JESUS is LORD!

http://christianteens.about.com/library/weekly/aa091799.htm

[Jemidon2004]

I applaude you for those two posts. It seems  that we are targeted daily by satan, but that ole twerp ain't gonna get us. Daily it suprises me to see my friends who aren't christian go through things that would even make someone with God feel down and out. It saddens me to what this nation has become. Threats, vulgarity, crude humor have little effect on me anymore because i've learned to let it roll off of me, but what can I say...How much more longer, How much more longer. Even so I join in the Apostle John's cry "Come Lord Jesus" But you know what Christ will get us through these dark days
 Left and right those Christian teens who are living for Christ are being attacked. I know, I'm one of them. I may live in the Bible belt so to speak, but it's just as bad down here. Daily I live that my life could very well end, and you know what...those who threaten to kill me would only be doing me a favor should they commit the act. I have Jesus as MY Lord and Savior, this is why I can say this. My friend young or old...can you honestly say that you are willing to stand up for Christ and forsake all? I can...will you join me. Hold each other accountable, as I have those who hold me accountable. i believe through prayer and trust in God we can knit this nation back together my teenage brethren. May this message find you in God's will and not your own. "Blessed is the man that endureth persecution..." God Bless

In His Service,
Joshua

[Shylynne]

Left and right those Christian teens who are living for Christ are being attacked. I know, I'm one of them.  

amen Joshua, and thank you for sharing this!
God bless and use your testimony to encourage and strengthen and be a  witness of the power of God in the lives you touch.

[Andrapple]

AMEN..i actually never heard of the shooting..but it really opend my eyes!

and i must agree with Joshua..i too have felt that he has been attacking alot lately

Ex. our church youth group has not had a youth pastor for over 1 year, why...who knows. but we have grown in faith over the years because our wunderful youth director and college members doing there best to help the youth, but since then...i have seen more and more attempts by saten.

I am part of my churches tech crew and At our churches 2004 Summer retreat.. our primary computer and mixers both broke for a reason we do not know....the backup mixer worked fine, but the backup computer also fried...and then the power amp got hit by lightning...but even with all that happening, a janitor there had a laptop with "Fowler Song Show Plus"(the program we use) on his computer and graciously let us use it. even with all that happening, out father pulled through just when we where about to make a 13h drive down to get the other computer.

GOD IS GOOD

[Shylynne]

When you stand up for Christ, He never lets you stand alone!

1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
1Pe 3:13  Who will do you any damage if you keep your minds fixed on what is good?
1Pe 3:14  But you are happy if you undergo pain because of righteousness; have no part in their fear and do not be troubled;
1Pe 3:15  But give honour to Christ in your hearts as your Lord; and be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you, to give an answer in the fear of the Lord and without pride;
1Pe 3:16  Being conscious that you have done no wrong; so that those who say evil things about your good way of life as Christians may be put to shame.
1Pe 3:17  Because if it is God's purpose for you to undergo pain, it is better to do so for well-doing than for evil-doing.
1Pe 3:18  Because Christ once went through pain for sins, the upright one taking the place of sinners, so that through him we might come back to God; being put to death in the flesh, but given life in the Spirit;
 

[Shylynne]

I have talked to a few youth who say this book  "The Greatest Miracle in the World"  is a must read for young people. I havent read it yet but plan to, (not that i`m young, simply curious lol)  but I want to share this  link because the excerpt "The God Memorandum" is an INSPIRING read also.

http://came2believe.freehomepage.com/memorandum.html

[Shylynne]

Did you know that most people make decisions to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ during their teen years. Oh sure others trust in Jesus as their Savior at other times in life, but statistically, young people seem to be more sensitive to the gospel message. Also, it's during the teen years that most believers make decisions to serve the Lord in full time ministry. For these reasons, teens have important responsibilities toward other teens. A responsibility to tell their friends about salvation through Jesus Christ and a responsibility to encourage other Christian teens to commit their lives to serving God.
 
 Of all the age groups in our society, teens are most susceptible to peer pressure. No other age group cares more about what others their age think and believe. So, teen age Christians, potentially have the greatest opportunity for reaching and impacting other teens. They know the struggles and issues of the day that teens wrestle with. They spend great amounts of time with other teens.

 OK! So you see you have this incredible mission field right in front of you, but are you taking advantage of your teen advantage? Think of your own testimony before your teen friends. Is it making them thirsty for spiritual things or do they see you as being "just like any teen"?

 There's a song that says, "you're the only Jesus some will ever see." Think about that for a moment. What do your friends see in you?

http://www.wolfeborobible.com/teen3.html