Run from temptations...The discerning heart seeks knowledge.

So, I thought I would share with you two amazing devotionals I just found. They are from the "On the Right Note" devotion book from K-Love.

Run from temptations. 2 Timothy 2:22

What do you need to avoid?

According to Greek mythology sirens living along the Mediterranean coast made such compelling music that passing sailors were mesmerized and jumped overboard to their death. So the hero Odysseus ordered himself to be tied to the mast and the crew's ears filled with wax to block the music; that way they sailed past in safety. A wise sailor knows when the storm is more than his boat can handle. An ocean liner can withstand winds that will sink a small boat. Look at Joseph. When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him he didn't (1) try to counsel or convert her; (2) think, 'I'm young, lonely, far from home, and her husband's out of town' maybe just this once'; (3) hand around to see how strong he was. No, he fled the scene saying, "How...could I do such a wicked thing...against God?" (Ge 39:9)

It's good to stretch yourself. It's how you mature. But be aware of your danger zones and don't knowingly put yourself in harm's way. Paul said, "If you think you are strong...be careful not to fall" (1 Cor. 10:12) He told Timothy, "Run from temptations that capture young people...do the right thing." And James said, "Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, 'God is trying to trip me up.' God ...puts evil in no one's way. The temptation...comes from us and only us' (James 1:13-15 TM). The bottom line is this: when you're weak in certain areas you need to steerclear of anything that feeds into them. The Psalmist said, "You are my safe refuge...where my enemies cannot reach me" (Ps 61:3) So, what do you need to avoid?

**The discerning heart seeks knowledge. Proverbs 15:14

Stay teachable

If you're talented, you may have difficulties when it comes to staying teachable. Gifted people sometimes act like they know it all. That makes it hard for them to keep developing. Teachability is not so much about competence and mental capacity as it is about attitude; it's the hunger to discover and grow. It's the willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn. John Wooden said, "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." When you stop learning, you stop leading. Only as you remain teachable will you keep growing and continue to make an impact.

Besides being an astonishing painted and sculptor, Leonardo da Vinci was a genius in more fields than any scientist of any age. His notebooks were hundreds of years ahead of their time. He anticipated submarines, helicopters and other modern inventions. In one notebook he wrote, "Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses it purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind." He was driven by his desire to know more. He was learning and writing discoveries in his notebooks until the very end of his life. And the good news is, you don't have to mind or talent of a Leonardo da Vinci to be teachable. You just have to have the right attitude.

The most important skills to acquire is- learning how to learn. Try this for the next week; ask others for their advice and deliberately withhold the advice you'd normally give. At each day's end write down what you've learned by being attentive to others. You'll be amazed.

***I read these two devotionals, and was quite challenged. I want to be able to stay teachable, because I know that God has many lessons for me to learn, but I have to stay open, and have the right attitude to continue to learn. I hope that these challenge you to have the right attitude.