April 20, 2013 "A WAY OF ESCAPE" Since the beginning of time people have been looking for a way of escape. They may be unhappy, insecure or just bored with their lives and they want to escape reality. Many are looking for a way of escape from emotional pain, physical pain, tormenting thoughts from their past, financial difficulties or toxic relationships. People find ways of escape through alcohol, drugs, eating, sleeping, watching television, or by spending hours on the internet. Some Christians lives are not going in the direction in which they thought that it would go. They want to go back to their past but they can't because they came too far to turn back now. They feel stuck in the middle of two realities, the natural world and the spiritual realm. There is a scripture in the book of John chapter six where many of Jesus disciples no longer wanted to follow Him and they turned back. When Jesus asked His twelve apostles if they would go back, Simon Peter responded: Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Jesus has made a way of escape for us. It is not to escape reality but to come into a higher reality of His nature and His provision. The Lord says, I have provided a way of escape. It is not a way to escape from reality but it is a place where you will make your relationship with Me part of your reality. It is a way of escape from adversity. It is a place of refuge where you could cast all your cares on Me, as you allow Me to bring your life into alignment with My spiritual principles. As you learn how to bring your natural situations into the light of My word, you will find your dilemmas will begin to cease. As you seek My wisdom, you will find the answers to your problems. It is a place to come during trying times. As you take your eyes off your circumstances and turn your focus on Me you will learn how to enter into this place. As you come into this place of abiding in Me, you will experience My ways and learn My voice. As you come into this place of rest you will develop your communication with Me and find peace. This is the place where revelation is deposited, My gifts are cultivated and My Word comes alive. This is where you will receive refreshing to your soul. It is not to escape reality but it is a way of escape out of business and the distractions of the world. I invite you into this place with Me where you could lay your burdens down. I have provided a way of escape from temptations. Here you will find safety and peace. Allow Me to usher you into that secret place and introduce Myself to you in a new way. As you learn how to dwell in this place, you will no longer live in turmoil but you will encounter the shalom of heaven.  As you learn to abide in My presence, you will find fullness of joy. You will be free from the fears and the concerns of what your future may hold. You will be free from others opinions of you. My anointing will be released to you and you will encounter Me in a new way. You will no longer be conformed to the ways of the world as you learn My realities and submit your life to My ways. As you come into My presence, you will find shalom because this is where My glory dwells says the Lord. Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 32:7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah John 6:66 -69 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.  Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away? But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 1 Corinthians 10: 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Elaine Tavolacci "A Word in Season"