SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATOR!

THINK ABOUT IT:

From the Associated Press - May 20, 2004
 
BOY ESCAPES AFTER GATOR ATTACKS IN FLORIDA
 
DELTONA, Fla. -- An alligator dragged a 12-year-old swimmer underwater in a lake, but the boy punched the reptile and swam safely to shore.

Malcolm Locke was treated for cuts and scrapes that were not considered life threatening.

He was attacked Wednesday in Lake Diana, near his grandmother's house just north of Orlando.

Malcolm, who is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, tried to swim away, but the alligator, which was 4 to 6 feet long, attacked his head and pulled him under water, officials said.

"It took a bite out of my head and a big chunk out of my ear," Malcolm said.

He punched the alligator, and "it just squirmed away," he said. He swam to shore, and a neighbor drove him to a hospital.

A trapper was sent to the lake to remove the alligator.

The boy's mother, Misty Warren, said the family has seen alligators in the area before, but none had ever bothered them.

In television interviews, Malcolm admitted that he had been playing in the weeds, pretending to be an alligator, when the alligator attacked him.

TAKE A LOOK:

Romans 12:2 - (NLT)
2Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

Twelve-year old Malcolm discovered how dangerous it can be to imitate the behavior and the customs of an alligator.
 
WHY IS IT DANGEROUS FOR A CHRISTIAN TO IMITATE THE WORLD?
 
Usually, the customs and behavior of this world are not glorifying to the Lord Jesus Christ.  In fact, they are most often self-centered and infected with sinful desires.  We may think this is no big deal, until the world takes a "bite" out of our relationship with Jesus.
 
WHAT DOES PAUL SAY WE SHOULD DO?
 
Most of us as believers can try real hard and be successful most of the time in refusing to conform to worldly behavior, but this is not the answer.  Paul says we need to let God change the way we think.  His Spirit's power at work in us every day is the only way!
 
The result is that we will grow in Christ-like character and know God's will for our lives!

TALK ABOUT IT:

Confess any way in which you may have been copying the world's behavior.  Thank Jesus for His forgiveness and claim His Spirit's power to change the way you think every day.  Praise Him for His patience and His promise to never leave you or let you down!

TRY IT

  • Write down three ways you often imitate the customs and behavior of this world.  Keep it where you will be reminded to pray every day for God's Spirit to change your thinking about these actions and or attitudes.
  • Memorize Romans 12:2 because the Holy Spirit will use God's Truth in your mind to renew your mind

 

Courtesy of "Youth For Christ"