Run Forrest, Run!!!!!!!!!!

Good morning friends! We had a great day yesterday. We are making additions to our youth worship team and had four new girls come and sing. There are also two more that might be joining! It was so awesome to see these teenagers step up and desire to serve the Lord. Just pretty cool. Well, today I would like to share about a conversation that I had yesterday with a young man and the same topic this morning with someone else. This is a topic that most run from and don't want anyone to know they have a problem with. I want to dig into the good stuff and see what it shows us about lustful desires...........

Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

 Many a person has lost everything due to falling to lustful desires. Families have been ripped apart, jobs lost, relationships destroyed. Over being succumbed by our lustful desires. In this scripture above Paul is talking to Timothy and telling him to run from those youthful desires. He didn't say just turn away. He said "FLEE!" When I was thinking about this, it brought me to remember a movie that I am sure you have seen. Forrest Gump. When Forrest was on the road walking and here came a bunch of boys on bicycles that were up to no good. Jenny told Forrest to "RUN FORREST, RUN" When he finally started to run the braces on his legs really slowed him down. Much like the sin in our lives or maybe the desire to sin. But, the faster he ran away from those evil boys. The harder he tried, all of the sudden those things that were hindering him from getting away fell to the wayside. His running became easy and powerful.

Next, it tells us to pursue or chase after some things. Righteousness, Faith, Love, and Peace. If we are seeking or pursuing these things in our lives it is really hard for the devil to get his foot in the door. Doing what is right and just. Having faith and living it. Showing love to our brothers and sisters, unconditionally. And being at peace with one another when at all possible.

 And last but not least. It tells us to gather with those who seek the Lord out of a pure heart. When we gather together we are a lot stronger. We have sounding boards. We have a brother or sister that will battle with us. That will keep us accountable. Yes, I said accountable. That is a problem for some. Some people do not want to be accountable to anyone. I have said before that we need to have people in our lives that we allow to have access to our hearts and minds. Accountability partners! Do you have one? If not, pray that God can show you who would be best as that role in your life. Make sure it is someone that will tell you when you are messing up or going down a dangerous road. We've all heard the saying "If you play with fire, you are bound to get burnt sooner or later."

I have to add that youthful desires are not necessarily always sexual lusts. They can be pride, ambition, and, above all, the lust of power. God's Word tells us to flee from them. So, as jenny would say "Run Forrest, Run." Have a great day and God bless.