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“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11). “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Yesterday we visited with my brother and his wife and attended their church in the Lehigh Valley about 100 miles northeast of us. It was Ester's birthday and her request was to see her Uncle Pat and family. Along the way we drove though Reading PA, which is pronounced Redding (although we bypassed the main city).

When driving through this area I often recall one of the most graphic "truth in advertising" illustrations I've ever seen: a huge billboard coming into Reading which advertised some type of men's club. It showed a photo of one of the women (actually giving her a name) and announced, "really, really wicked".

Such is what so many in the world hunger and thirst for but Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). We, as followers of Christ, are called to flee and overcome evil and daily seek to live for God, hungering and thirsting after His righteousness.

The Bible says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). Among the signs of a culture’s moral decay and downfall is a failure to uphold the Creator’s standards. This leads to great confusion as to what even constitutes evil. That’s just where we are right now.

We are being flooded with perversions and there is much confusion regarding what is good and what is evil. Evil is being called good and good is being called evil. In man’s “wisdom”, the holy standards of God’s Word are often mocked. But here is God’s assessment of fallen man's wisdom, “Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

Paul wrote to Timothy, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11)."But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (1 Timothy 6:11).

This provides a simple outline for all ages: flee and follow. Today let us determine that we will flee from the wickedness of this world and follow after the righteousness of God’s Kingdom.

Be encouraged today! Hebrews 3:13

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