.... flee from all this....

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

1 Timothy 6: 11-12

called to flee from the lure of materialism, basically this worldly, carnal life, Timothy is charged to pursue other "things" instead...

when mediating and sinking deeply into this passage over the last week I took a closer look at what those "other things" are...

righteousness: The quality or state of being righteous; holiness; purity; uprightness; rectitude.  Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it chiefly occurs, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law.

godliness:  Careful observance of, or conformity to, the laws of God; the state or quality of being godly; piety. Godliness is profitable unto all things. 

faith: The belief in the historic truthfulness of the Scripture narrative, and the supernatural origin of its teachings, sometimes called historical and speculative faith.  The belief in the facts and truth of the Scriptures, with a practical love of them; especially, that confiding and affectionate belief in the person and work of Christ, which affects the character and life, and makes a man a true Christian, -- called a practical, evangelical, or saving faith.

love: A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters

gentleness: The quality or state of being gentle, well-born, mild, benevolent, docile, etc.; gentility; softness of manners, disposition, etc.; mildness.

as Paul charged Timothy so we are too challenged today to focus on these things rather than anything this world would make us long for.

thinking about it and asking the Lord to work out His will regarding these things in my life has helped me take my eyes off myself in a healthy way.

I know He calls me to live like this and I am also sure that He is the One enabling me to do it.

I know that there will be no harm done to anyone when this is my focus and that there will be great gain instead. for this life and the life to come.

sharing His love, while pursuing Him and His way of life, being changed into His likeness more and more all the glory will be given to the One who was born that night in Bethlehem.. in a stable, in humble conditions, He came to save us from sin.. to redeem us and to walk with us .. to give us life eternal with Him.... 

Praise be to Him ALONE!!!