GOD'S WORD TO ME--Walking with a Limp

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I Kings 18:21

"And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you go on limping between two different opinions?  If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him.'"

Do you ever feel like your spiritual walk is more like a limp?  I know that I do.  Sometimes it is because I have been wounded or beaten up through spiritual attack as I try to traverse this life as a Christian.    But all too often I am reminded of my limp when I consider the great battle that rages between my spirit and my flesh.  More and more I am realizing that this battle is between polar-opposite opinions, God's good and perfect will and plan and the evil that entered the world with the very first sin. 

I  only have two choices in every situation.   I can choose God's way or the wrong way.  The wrong way, the way of Baal, consists of three entities.  I John 2:16 describes the three as "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life."  This is the way of the world, the way of Baal.  How often I take this path and follow Satan's way in the world.  It is no wonder that I walk with a limp in so many situations.

My call is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, for this is the only "Way" to walk without a limp.  When I create my own 'altars of sacrifice,' that I willing lay upon, it is no wonder that I then find myself limping, for I will always limp around altars of my own making.  (I Kings 18:26--Read it!) 

Lord Jesus, today I choose to follow You.  Open my eyes to see those places where I am  sacrificing my trust in You by trusting in my flesh, what I can see, and my own sinful pride, for these are the altars that make me limp.  Lord, continue to show me that a limp can quickly become lameness.  Forgive my idol worship of life in this world while forgetting You. Come, lead me today, that I might walk in Your strength and power! 

Run From Temptation--Genesis 39

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Eve was not prepared to run from the temptation that the enemy slyly sent her way.  Neither was Adam.  It is easy to say to yourself, "Yes, I know I gave in, but it is our nature to do so.  Just look at Adam and Eve.  I promise I will try harder the next time."   Yes, My precious one, they fell, and now that is the nature of all mankind.  But this is not My way.  It is Satan's way for you. He would MUCH prefer you think of Adam and Eve when he is attempting to pull you away from Me.  Let me show you a better example

Joseph is the one I want you to study.  I want you to keep him in the forefront of your mind, and push the example of the first man and woman far from your thought.  For I do not want you continuing in your sins because you have not been trained to think differently about the topic of resisting temptation.  I want you to see My way of handling temptation, and exactly how you can avoid falling prey to it.

Look at the story of Joseph from today.  Here is a young man who has been betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and now lives in a land that is not his own.  I have blessed him in such a way as for him to find favor with a very prestigious man.  Joseph is raised up to a position he would never dreamed of.  It wasn't long before his master's wife took note of him, and desired him greatly.  Satan's temptation was not sly at all.  "Come lie with me," were the wicked words  that spewed forth out of the mouth of  this forbidden woman.  So many times she approached the handsome, young Joseph.  But he never gave in.  Over and over again he turned down her suggestive request.  And over and over again the words came, "Lie with me."

When you are reading the Word it often seems as if events take place quickly, one after another.  But this is not the case.  Joseph was 17 when he was sold into slavery.  Two years before Joseph became the governor (at age 30) he was sent to prison for his "supposed" sinful act with Potiphar's wife.  When he went to prison he was 28 years old. That means that  he spent approximately 11 years running from from a severe temptation! 

How did stay strong for 11 years?  My precious one, there is no answer other than the fact that when temptation came, Joseph refused to "bite", he kept himself away from where she was, and eventually he was in a position where he had to run. 

I have promised you that when you are tempted, I will supply a way out.  Follow Joseph's lead.  That is the way out of every temptation.

• Refuse the temptation INSTANTLY, and over and over if necessary
• Do not put yourself in a place where the temptation can easily occur
• If necessary, leave everything and RUN FROM IT!

Oh how I want you to do more than understand the concept of running from temptation.  I want you  to apply what you know the very next time temptation comes your way.  Be on the lookout.  Evil is everywhere.  Be prepared by thinking about these 3 steps over and over again, so that when you are tempted, you will "see" the the way out I have provided.  It is through the door of refusal, the door of wisdom, and the door of quick escape.  You have the key to pass through all three doors, because you have Me.  I am the Door and I am the Way.

Our Fallout Shelter

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This symbol was very familiar to be as a little girl growing up in the 60's and 70's.  It hung on the door that opened to our tornado shelter in our school.  At the time I never realized that it was a bomb shelter as well.  Protected by my parents, I had grown up never realizing the impact that the "Bay of Pigs" had on them and the difficult thoughts and emotions that hung around long after the danger subsided.

As a tornado shelter this room, where I attended my Brownie meetings at the age of 8 and where I had 3rd hour study hall my junior and senior years of high school, also was a place where I felt very safe when we got on the floor with our heads between our knees when the tornado sirens went off in inclement weather.  It was below ground which lent itself to that great feeling of security.  Not understanding the real meaning of "fallout" I was more than happy to do just that in this shelter from the storm.

Today, I know the reality of the term "fallout shelter."  But my complete trust is in the Perfect fallout shelter--Jesus Christ, my Savior, Protector, and Refuge.  King David knew God as that, as well.  His psalm recorded in Psalm 18 and again in 2 Samuel 22 begins with his thanksgiving for to a God who had always been his "fallout shelter."

Through his words we discover that his shelter looked more like this:

 

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn (strength) of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior. . ."

Are you being battered by a spiritual storm?  Or are you, as David was, under a spiritual attack, led by an enemy of yours?  While our modern "safe places" may not help you in these situations, David's God can.  He is a rock of sure footing that you can walk confidently upon.  He is a mighty and strong fortress that you can run into, and be safe.  He is the shelter that protects you from the enemy who comes out to war with you.  It is He that is the best refuge.  He is your Savior.

What do you usually run to?  What are those things that you try to hide yourself in?  Is it a sin that brings you physical comfort?  Or is it the attitude that flows out of your victim mentality?  Do you seek the Shield that has the ability to deflect the fiery arrows, or do you seek a friend that will sympathize with you and let you stay in your pouting, whining, 'feel-sorry-for-yourself' moods?

As for David, he proclaimed, "I will call upon the LORD. . .in my distress I called upon the LORD, Yes! I cried to my God; and from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears."  (2 Samuel 22: 4a, 7)  Who or what will you call upon?  Your Fortress is waiting for your call!