Welcome to Day 22 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize is II Timothy 2:22:
~
"Flee also youthful lusts, but follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them
that call on the Lord out of a pure heart"
~
In meditating on this verse the Lord reminded me that "youthful lusts" may not always be things that appear bad or negative at first. Often a lust or temptation is a good thing that Satan twists and uses for evil. It can also be a good desire or goal that has become too predominate in my life, thus taking Christ’s place in my heart.
What do I value the most in this life? Where do my thoughts go when I have "free time?" What do I have the greatest desire for? A certain material possession? Popularity? Relationship? Success in my vocation? More friends? Granted all these 
things are good in their place as God has given us the desires and drives for these things, however, are they taking the first place in my heart? Do I place a higher value on them than on my relationship with Jesus Christ—the One Who created me, Who gave His life for me, Who now lives for me and wants to bless my life beyond what I could ever imagine?
"Flee youthful lusts . . ." This brings to mind the idea that they are the enemy of our souls and our walk with Christ. They will steal away pieces of our heart until all of a sudden we realize that we have nothing left with which to serve Christ. "Love the Lord your God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind" (Luke 10:27). No competing affections allowed here.
Every now and then it is a good idea to re-evaluate my priorities. Is Christ still on the throne in my heart or have I let some goal, person, item, relationship take that 
preeminent place? "If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:1-3). We have been redeemed for greater, higher and more rewarding deeds then our small ideas of life could ever bring about. Why sacrifice the impact we could have on this world for Christ and the incredible fulfillment and joy it brings for the small pleasures of our own way?
This is just one perspective on this verse. There are many more truths and applications in simply looking up the definitions of the key words. May the Lord open your eyes and heart to the truth in His Word and the high calling that He has for your life.
~ Jessica Friesen
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January 22nd, 2009 at 6:34 am
This makes me think of a quote: “Don’t let any good thing take the place of the best thing.” The importance of this principle is next to none because it affects our love for the Lord above all. Thank you for the great reminder Jessica!
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:31 am
Thank you, Jessica!
As I read this I immediately thought of some priorities that I need to re-evaluate…things that ARE good BUT are becoming just a little too important in my life. It’s amazing how quickly those “youthful lusts” can work into my life when I stop fleeing! One of my bigger struggles is focusing too much on all the hopes, dreams, & desires that a teenage girl has…and too often I forget to be totally surrendered to God’s plan!
This verse-and your thoughts on it-remind me of something my pastor has said many times. You can’t just say “I don’t” to something-you need to say “I do” to something else. We are to “flee youthful lusts”…but I’ve found that the rest of the verse is pretty important as well. I have to flee TO “righteousness, faith, charity, peace”. I find it interesting what Paul says in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” He doesn’t just give a list of what we’re NOT supposed to focus on-he clearly states what we ARE to think on. And filling my mind with the verse of the day that I need to memorize surely helps me focus my thought life & imaginations!