29 Apr, 2008

Tourist Tangles With Killer Lion

The big cat pounced on Kate Drew from behind and dragged her to the ground, sinking its teeth into the back of her neck.

As wardens on a Zimbabwe game reserve rushed to help, the 180kg lion kept the 28-year-old tourist firmly in its grip.

But, mercifully, its powerful jaws just missed her brain stem. Seconds later, she was rescued, dripping with blood.

The bite wounds on her head left her needing 13 stitches.

Recalling the attack just over a month ago, Miss Drew, from Essex, said she had assumed she was a "goner'' after the lion pounced on her.

As it held her down, she was even more terrified to glance up and see two more lions coming her way.

She was saved only when the wardens rushed in with sticks and wrestled the animal away.
It is thought the lion intended only to "play'' with her after being attracted by her mane-like long blonde hair.

Miss Drew, who is now helping at an orphanage in Peru, said: "I was a bit apprehensive, but we were just leaving and everything seemed to have gone well - until one jumped at me from behind.

photo & story courtesy news.au.com, 3/29/08

Have you seen the lions?

One is your enemy and one is your Savior.

1 Peter 5:8-11

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:5

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (ESV)

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about looking out for one lion and embracing the other?

Peter is warning believers (anyone who knows Christ as Savior) to watch out for Satan, the enemy of God and His family. Satan is like a lion, who can pull a surprise attack at any time and place. He usually looks friendly, not scary.

If you have been feeling alone, weak or helpless, and not hanging with other believers - look out! Maybe you've been harassed for your faith or you have been going through some other sort of suffering - be on guard! Perhaps you've been so focused on your own desires that you've spent little time focusing on your relationship with Jesus - you're in danger!

But you have protection. He is the ultimate champion to give you victory over sin! He is Christ, the Lion of Judah!

How can you connect today's God's Story scripture to your life?
  • Thank God for His loving protection. Confess any way in which you have let your guard down to the enemy lion. If you've been a victim and have suffered in some way, ask your Heavenly Father to give you strength while you wait for Him to get you back on track. Praise Him that Jesus Christ will give you victory over Satan!
  • Start each day with a prayer for Christ's protection and victory over Satan.
  • Start an accountability group at your school or church with 2-3 other friends for the purpose of helping each other win the spiritual battle and live for Christ.

How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture and your story to others?

Let the following picture depicting THE LION OF JUDAH remind you to pray every day for your brothers and sisters in Christ who, like yourself, are facing attack from the enemy. And ask THE LION OF JUDAH for the love and power you need to introduce others to Him.

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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

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