Flee From the Devil's Hold

Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they breed quarrels. The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will. 2 Tim 2:22-26

Flee means drop everything and run, not stick around and watch through the window. The one who flees is running away from a pursuer. We are being pursued by our enemy. If he is not attacking us, he is attempting to seduce us. 

Don't be deceived, he is constant. If you are not aware of him, perhaps he already has you in jail or you are, regardless of circumstances so focussed on God, nothing will dissuade you. Choose the latter.

When I am struggling under an increasing load and become sick or injured I am a cranky beast. This is when I need to make more room for God. I cannot expect to roll on with the programme and be fine. I need more oil, more rest, more space for God. He restores my soul. Amen!

Being gentle requires presence. I am not gentle when overloaded, unless I am saturated in presence, otherwise I am short and sharp. I did this on Monday. I had spent good time with the Lord but was faced with more and the cranky came out. Yesterday I drew aside to spend more time in rest and presence, much better. Unfortunately my cleaner came in on Monday and did not receive gentle. I had my don't mess with me face on. Poor woman! I will write her an apology card and leave it for her.

One of my planners is being raised in his father's house, a local church. At the end of the day he gently sat down with me and asked: "What is wrong?" I was grateful, it is good to have someone who cares enough to ask and then listen. His listening skills are improving. This helped no end. This young man did a Timothy for me. 

Leading an organisation without peers to talk things through with can have its challenges. I had in fact asked the Lord for someone to talk to. To date I talk to my son, another businessman, men at church who are in business and the Lord. Not having a husband I am it when I go home, not having business partners I am it at work, severely challenging. I listen to a lot of podcasts, webinars, read a lot of books and pray.

However, Timothy seems to be in a similar position, he is leading an organisation and having to create structure and solve disputes. It takes time to creat the team you can trust, it takes time to create relationships you can trust. Amen! Until the structure is there, there is the Lord and who he sends.

On Monday I was in the Devil's trap and was being harassed. Not a good place. I fled. Flee from him, don't give him room. Ameba,


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