Delilah pouted, "How can you tell me 'I love you,' when you don't share your secrets with me?"
Judges 16: 15
My Take Aways Something Old:
Judges 16: 15
"Delilah pouted, How can you tell me 'I love you,' when you don't share your secrets with me?"
I can be so manipulative with my words and actions. What looks good to me is not always good for me.
Something New:
Samson was a judge.
Something to Do:
Be careful with my words, they have power.
Don't nag my husband until he is stick to death.
Commentary about Jephthah's vow
27 Comments:
With less than three hours of sleep last night I was still able to get up and be ready for church before 6 A.M. I was picked up shortly after 7 A.M. The 8:00 service was nice and my pastor preached/taught about the significance of the cross. We then had Sunday school and our 11:30 service. During our 11:30 service seven of our members, some ministers and evangelists, spoke on one of the seven last sayings of Jesus. The choir sang several songs throughout the service. Also our youth orchestra did one song with the musicians while one of our choir directors did a solo. I believe all these young people are under 15 years old and they did not miss a note or hit a note wrong. After all the sayings my pastor spoke briefly on the seven last sayings to wrap everything up. We got out around 2:00. Today was our first 8 A.M. service. We will continue having 8 A.M. services but I don't know if my pastor's wife will be going to this service every Sunday but if she does I'll be there. When I used to work I'd be at work for at least ten hours a day six days a week, not including transportation to and from work, so I should be able to give God this time with no problem. I did feel a little lonely this afternoon being by myself and not with friends or family.
Brandee and Lori, I'm happy your husbands went with you to church.
G and P I'll keep praying for your husband. I'll be praying that everyone's husbands and children who are not saved get saved and turn their lives over to God.
G and P, my pastor's wife picks me up every Sunday and Tuesday night for church unless one of us is out of town. They live on the same street as me about five minutes away.
Lori, you had me smiling when you mentioned where u had to sit during the service. My church only has two sections with eleven rows in each section. Try sitting on the end next to the middle isle in the second row from the front and still not being able to see. (smiling). I do, however, know what you mean about not sitting where you normally would. I don't even feel real comfortable sitting further back and somewhere in the middle.
I may comment later today after doing our reading.
Blessings
Good Monday morning all! Did anyone eat too much yesterday? I was able to fight off the urge to nap in the afternoon and took a walk instead. I do like leftovers though!
When reading about Samson, it seemed like for such a strong man he had a certain weakness; women. It appeared he lusted for them - he demanded his father get him this one; then he was with a prostitute; then the manipulative Delilah entered the scene....yes, women were his weakness.
Once captured, his eyes were gouged out. Is there a correlation here? Did this allow him to truly focus on God and do the work he was meant to do in the first place? Just a thought.
Praising Him for Raising Him!
Morgen
Good morning, GIG's,
The Proverbs 31 daily devotion is very, very good today, I thought. Don't miss it. I must admit I was downright disgusted by all the senseless violence in the readings today and yesterday. Sometimes this OT really gets me down. Then I remember that Jesus brought a very different message, and I look forward to getting to the NT. (I've peeked, and that doesn't happen until September, wah, wah!)
For days now I've been pondering whether to give a book suggestion that's been on my mind. I try not to be too full of advice for others, because that is one of the things that my mother does that I'm not too fond of, but considering what Wendy preached on today, I am going to take it as a green light. The book is "How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It" by Drs. Patricia Love and Steven Stosny. I read it this winter, and it taught me lots about my motivations, and my husband's. Shortly after, what I had learned helped us through a very dicey situation, and lasting (so far:) improvements were made in my marriage.
I hope you all enjoyed your Easter, and that all the hostesses made it through in one piece!!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in Sunny New England
P.S. My library had this book. Maybe yours does, too.
Michelle
Jennifer Renee, I'm so glad you made it! :-) We would've been happy to have you over if you were closer - I'm sorry you spent so much of the day alone.
Michelle, that book looks good. Might look that one up ....
The biggest thing I think I need to take away is to make sure that I know my King and am keeping my eyes on Him. The people in today's reading had SO MUCH trouble with that collectively! From manipulating with words to sex to money and idols, to sheer laziness on Dan's part - who goes camping for over 300 years? - they have missed the boat. It can be so easy to get distracted and do, though. I need to stay focused!
G & P, I figured out the sleepiness - it wasn't just the fasting, but allergies! Now that I'm on major allergy meds, my eyes aren't so painful and swollen and I feel much better. (I only have allergies in this town and am not used to this yet - slow on the uptake like the Is, I guess!) Much better! :-)
Happy Monday!
Happy, Happy, MONDAY Dear Friends~
Wendy, your verse left me pondering about just the impact us ladies have! We have the ability to create a loving environment just with our words and way. We can choose to do that everyday, or we can let Satan manipulate our emotions -hmm...
Thank you Michelle for rec. the book, as I heard once that we should always be working on our marriage and communication. Our pastor tied this in to a service several years ago, that left me thinking more about it. He said with the tech age, people do not communicate as well. It's a skill that we need to practice, read about and always seek to improve the way we do it!
I have not read the Prov. 31 devo., yet, but will.
Jennifer Renee, you just make me smile, sister! Do you mind me putting my foot in my mouth again, and being nosy, (smile) and asking how long you've been blind? I have a very close friend that I grew up with-our families are great friends. Well, he was born with sight, but developed a disease that affects 3 in his family-and over the years lost his sight. He has not completely lost it totally, but just about. He is able to work full time-I'm just amazed. He cannot drive.
Morgen, you just crack me up, too!
Today's reading made me think a whole lot about our individual, God-given talents. Do we ignore them, or do we use them to further His kingdom? Samson is not the only one who wasted his life on selfishness (6:33).
There are 2 walks we can take, - we get to choose. The majority take the broad road, while the minority & peculiar take the narrow way, living to further God's kingdom. The narrow way leads to every-lasting life. If we do not read God's Word daily, we allow ourselves to get deceived and tend to mix in with the world.
Focusing and will spend some time praying today about my ability here in our home...I desire to sprinkle love in every room. Use my tone, to soothe those around me, rather than to let words become short. To truly empathize and show compassion to my family members, rather than speaking quickly without thinking. To truly, let my light shine:
"a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house" (Luke 11:33-36).
Well, that about sums it favorite, bloggers --- Ya'll, let's let our light shine today!!!
Love, hugs, and prayers coming our way! Lori
Happy Monday, y'all! Oh, how I love Easter! It's what I need to keep in my heart year round!
GIG's--I loved your comments from this weekend. You've been in my prayers, you precious gals.
Wendy, thank you for the reminder as you shared your nugget that we need to watch the pouting and manipulation. Those can be powerful--as we read today.
The story of Samson is s favorite of mine. I continued with the reading for today and got bogged down with Micah and the Levite priest. Mercy! First, why did Micah take all of that silver from his mother? Micah installed one of HIS sons as his personal priest after he made a shrine for an idol that his mother had made for him. There were other household idols as well.Then, he invited a stranger, a Levite priest, to be like a father and a personal priest to himself.
I prayed about this. What are "things" in our homes that we value above God? In verse 6 it says that,"...all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." We do that today as well. Much to ponder as I go for a run! This gorgeous weather is calling me!
Have a great day, sweet friends!
Hugs!
Susan
Me one more time! Sorry! I have a prayer request that I would appreciate your remembering. After much prayer, I began my own business in January. I want to make sure that God gets the glory for this because it is truly a gift from Him. I would so appreciate your prayers that this photography business will grow according to His plan. I need customers, and word of mouth is the best way really to advertise.I've used FaceBook once to mention it. The weather is just perfect now for outdoor shoots, and I am trying to be patient and wait on Him.
Thanks so much for you prayers, GIGs. I truly appreciate them.
Hugs!
susan
Hi All! Just popping in quickly as I'm at work, but I'm hoping someone will comment on this crazy Micah story - what's up with him and his idols?? Why hasn't God "dealt" with that yet - is it coming up in the reading? I was a bit confused by that whole story, although I like what you are saying about it, Runner Mom - what do we have in our household that might be considered an idol. I think the cleanliness/neatness of my house might be my household idol. I worry way too much about keeping everything neat... Will pop in later to check vlog and comments... Back to work!
Kate in VA
Morning Everyone,
What a gorgeous day here in TN! Susan I have already been out on our Greenway this morning too right after I took my son to school :)
Michelle thanks for the book suggestion, I will look that up. I have done a lot of reading on marriage and one of my favorites is "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerich. It is just a FABULOUS book on communication and how mean crave respect and women crave love, that is how God made us. As God has changed me my marriage is where I see the fruit of that change in amazing ways. When we don't place all our expectations in our men to be our everything that only Jesus can be it takes so much pressure off of them and the marriage is so much better. I have really prayed about the nagging and pouting. I have grown up so much and instead of bugging him all the time I pray about it. Great, great point Wendy.
What does Proverbs say:
Proverbs 21:9 "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
Proverbs 21:19 "Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife."
Proverbs 25:24 "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
Proverbs 27:15 "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day."
Lori, I was just praying about the narrow and broad path this morning :)
I really did not have anything that stood out to me today so I appreciate all your insights. I think I was more focused on Easter and even though I read the reading my heart was somewhere else.
G&P, I am still not eating chocolate :) The service was great though and I know that God touched John's heart. I wrote about it on "Standing in the Gap" this morning. Continued prayers for you and your husband as we pray he will grow closer to the Lord. I was at a place I was ok with which ever way it went yesterday. I know God will save and work in His time. He provided the most amazing example in service yesterday of a man whose life was totally changed by Christ. I know God placed him in John's path yesterday for a reason. It is only a matter of time :) I WILL eat chocolate again one day!
You all have a blessed day. I have got to get off the computer and get my dirty floors cleaned!
Love,
Brandee, TN
Hi girls!
Finally had a chance to catch up...I've been out of town and celebrating Easter! Wendy, have missed your "face-to-face" and GIG's, have missed your comments! Good to be back!
Something Morgen said about why Samson's eyes were gouged out reminded me of a verse in Matthew5:29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." My bible footnote mentions that while Jesus was speaking figuratively, we must not tolerate sins in our lives, that left unchecked, could literally destroy us. Perhaps it was necessary for Samson to be blinded (consequence of his sin) in order to "see" God as his true strength. If this hadn't happened, would Samson have continued on his crazy, lust-filled path??? But, in the end, he did "see" and God used it in a great defeat of the enemy. Just a thought.
Y'all have a great day!!!
Tiffany, TX
Olivia, I read your late night post. That was beautiful. What a memorable experience for you. It shows us what can happen when we let God take over. I bet many lives were touched by your testimony. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Amy, so how was the Daniel fast after the allergy meds kicked in? Are u easing into regular food now?
Brandee, dear sister, you WILL eat chocolate one day.
Jennifer Renee, Praise God that He extensded your 3 hour sleep to give you enough energy to attend not just one but several Sunday services. We had a good one too. Our pastor preached on Matthew 28 and mentioned how the earthquake moved the rock not so Jesus can get out but the disciples can get in! He said earthquakes aren't so bad. God shakes us up to reveal something. A few hours later, guess what happened?
Yes, a 6.9 earthquake in So Cal. I have lived here for over 20 years so I'm used to those little tremors but yesterday freaked me out because it lasted for a loooong time. My siblings & our kids were all together so we shepherded eveyone out into the cul de sac. There were 2 more aftershocks within the hour. Then 12 hours later @ 4:15 am,another one. My DS2 is on spring break so I decided to stay home with him in case we have another one.
This is getting long, so will watch the vlog and comment later when I can get to the laptop. Off the top of my head though, Samson's eyes were gouged because it's what caused him to sin (the lust of the eyes). Courson had a good commentary on it that I read last night which I will share later.
Tiffdany, we posted at the same time. Welcome back!
Hi friends,
We had a beautiful Easter, the warmest one that I can remember.
What I don't get about Samson is how come he was so dumb? Wasn't it obvious that Delilah was setting him up?
Also, how could the tribe of Dan kill that peaceful town? Times were sure different back then, it is sometimes hard for me to understand.
Great verses from Proverbs, Brandee! So true!! My husband hates when I nag him.
Have a great day!!
~Anna, MA
Hope everyone had a blessed Easter. It was beautiful here. Thank you all who prayed for my brother. An update, God in His glory is working in & through this issue. Please continue to lift him up. The lies are being found out. Justice will happen. PTL!
I thank God for this study & all of you. Watching God work has been a joy & blessing.
Blessings & Peace Mary
Old: Samson didn't understand that his strength was in God NOT his hair.
New: The tribe of Dan worshiped and idol made to honor a man who stole from his mother and then confessed (though didn't repent) the sin.
Neither had right knowledge or understanding of the True God.
Do: Continue to study the Bible so I don't misunderstand who God is.
Grace and Peace, I loved it! I feel like I have learned so much about being healthy and my attitudes towards food and about how abundantly well God provides for us. I am slowly beginning to eat 'normal' foods again, as I have read that eating through too many food groups too fast could make me sick, but I'm trying to continue with mostly unprocessed stuff and no sugar, at least for a while. I have lost lots of weight, which for me is really hard, and while that wasn't the point, I feel SO much better. Now that it's nice outside I'm planning lots of outside activities - I want to learn how I need to balance food and exercise for myself to keep myself healthy. :-)
Also, I was thinking and praying for you yesterday when I heard about the CA earthquake. I'm glad that your family is okay!
Runner Mom, I looked you up to see where you are, because some photographers visit this area to do fancy shots and do well, but you're a bit away. I'll be praying for your business, though!
Hi All,
Yesterday and today, beautiful days in S.W. Florida. My first hibiscus bloomed. The space shuttle went off safely and I missed it in our sky. Makes me wonder if I would have gotten up early on the original Easter morning to go to the empty tomb or more than likely, slept in! I am convicted of that...
My old - the story of Sampson and Delilah. Hollywood loves to make movies about sex and sinners - I remember seeing about Salome dancing and Samson long before I saw a movie on Jesus's life and rising from the dead.
My new - same as Wendy. I did not know (from the movie) Samson was a judge.
My nugget - Samson was blinded and forced to walk around in circles grinding grain. Would that I not be blind to the needs of others and walking endlessly in circles.
My to do - stop watching the "Hollywood" versions of the Bible stories and continue on daily Bible reading with y'all. I did see some stories on the Discovery Channel that were impressive - The Exodus DeCoded - various scientific proofs about the Exodus including finding 7 of Joseph's rings with his seal of Egypt proven to be buried at the same time as the Bible story stated. The Shroud of Turin - an imprint of Jesus's face and body that could not have been painted on it as some claim. After 1,000 tests, it was permeated with a light like a laser but not with any light known to date to mankind. Awesome!!!
I ask your prayers for my Navy daughter, Laurie, a Lt. and social worker who is this week journeying back to her deployment in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Not only a safe trip but that what she learned at a conference in New Orleans can be applied to help some lives.
As Dr. and Rev. Schuler in California used to say in closing - God loves you and so do I. GIGs.
God, I am sure, is sooooo very pleased with you all for your faithfulness, dedication and re-dedication.
Dixie
One of my Easter goals is to comment. Time to stop being a chicken.
OLD: Samson. Samson. Samson. Yes the women nagged, but he was weak in his trust of the Lord.
NEW: The Levite priest in Miclah's story. To me what he did was worse than Milcah. He was a Levite priest! He quit serving God for money and job security. Hmm..how many times do we see that happening around us? It was just so shocking to me because he was a priest.
OLD: I read the OT and think, "What is wrong with these people? They keep screwing up again and again." Then I stop and look at my own life and don't I do similar things?!? Don't I commit the same sins and ask God for forgiveness over and over again?!?
Today I will be thankful that God always welcomes me back with open arms and to strive to follow the path of Christ.
P.S. Further Reading On Samson, God can use people of faith no matter how imperfectly they live their life. Thanks be to God! Dixie
One thing that I thought about while reading the story of Samson is how much he lied about where his strength was. It made me think about choosing my words better so I don't end up lying about something. Perhaps saying "I'm not telling you" or "I can't tell you".
Lori, I was born visually impaired. my retinas were not completely formed but I could see well enough to read large print and play with my sisters and our friends. I could run and play the games they played. I could see clearly but not details. I had peripheral vision but not central. I lost the sight in my right eye around 9 years old. I had cataracts in my right eye by the time I was 19 and had them removed. I started losing all my sight at the age of 22. I now see light and a little shaddow but I'm told I shouldn't see anything. I think that what I see is all in my head. I call it using my mind's eye. I seem to get a mental image of things. When I go to someone's house for the first time, for example, I create a mental map when I'm shown around so I can remember where things are. Another example, I can see my hands moving as I type this. It's like a very foggy day where you can't see an inch in front of you.
Hope this helps a little. Sorry it was so long.
MmcCabe, welcome fr lurkdom. :D
Amy, yay! That's very inspiring. I pray that God will give me the grace to go through that fast as well. Thanks for thinking of us yesterday.
It's later than I thought. My DS2 commandeered the laptop. We found out kids under 18 can enroll free in KI so I registered him. He was excited to take his first lesson in Proverbs and the quiz (10 out of 10!).
Today's reading. I did wonder how Samson can be so dense as not to realize what Delilah was up to. Here's how Courson explained it:
"I suggest he knew Delilah was no good, that he knew Delilah was setting him up. I mean he had already seen that three times previously. He wasn't dumb. But I believe what was happening in his mind was the same thing that happens in ours. You see, God had told him that, as a Nazarite, he must not touch grapes, must not touch carcasses, must not cut his hair. He touched grapes - and nothing happened. He touched a carcass - and nothing happened. So he must have thought that if he cut his hair nothing would happen." (p. 784, Jon Courson's Application Commentary Old Testament vol.1)
He goes on to say that our thoughts might take the same path. That we can get away with compromise because we didn't reap the consequence then.
In Judges 16:21 Courson detailed the progression of sin.
"1. Sin blinds. Long before his eyes were put out, Samson was blinded because he thought there would be no repercussions of his sin....
2. Sin binds. Just as Samson's arms were bound with fetters, sin in our lives holds us captive. We no longer move in the same way we once moved. We no longer experience the same joy we once experienced, the same power we once knew.
3. Sin grinds. around and around...His life literally was spent going round and round in circles."
"But God is a God of second chances...It took time. Yet though Samson had to go through a season of pain, slowly but surely his hair began to grow. But his eyesight never returned. Certain things are lost forever because of sin."
Lastly re Samson's death. Courson said that Samson's moment of greatness came not in the life he lived, but in the death he chose.
"You might not be able to take on the Philistines. You may not be able to call down fire like the heroes of old. But this you can do: You can die. Jesus said, "If any man come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me" (Matt 16:24)
"I'm choosing to let go of my rights, of my reputation, of what I think. I'm choosing to die. Let go. Give up. Die. And watch what will happen. The sooner you die, the sooner there will be resurrection. Right now you can let go of the axe you've been grinding, of the battle you've been fighting, of the grudge you've been holding. Right now you can say, "Let me die that the demons might be brought down, that Satan might be beaten back, that God's kingdom might be brought about in my heart and in my home.
"When a man takes up the cross, it means he's choosing something that might be painful for him, but that will be redemptive to others around him. Therefore I challenge you as I challenge myself to move from mediocrity to greatness not by what we do in life, but in how we let go and choose to die..." (p. 788)
H e also said some pretty good things re"doing what's right in their own eyes" but this is getting so long.
Have a blessed day, everyone!
Thank you all for your insights about today's readings. They helped me a lot.
Lori, I'm with you on the need to work on our marriages always. I've been with my husband since I was 17, married for nearly 33 truly wonderful years, and I'm still reading and trying to get better at this wife thing! Brandee, I just hopped on to our library's on-line catalog and reserved the "Love & Respect" book you recommended. It sounds a lot like the one I mentioned this morning,so it should be great for further study! Thanks, Sistah!
Mary, thanks for sharing your good news. Praising the Lord with you.
RunnerMom, my great nephew is starting a photography business, and I hired him to shoot my daughter's Bridal Shower. Maybe that is an area you could explore.
Love you all!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Hi,
I wonder what good things Samson did during his life. He was a judge for 20 years. All I remember about him is the rebellious things, yet God's Spirit was upon him at times.Finally, he killed more Philistines and their leaders at his death than his lifetime.God's purpose for Samson was accomplished, maybe not the way he would have chosen.
Thank you Lord for eyes to see the beauty of spring-flowers amd greenery. Thank you Lord for answering prayers that took 37 years to happen. Thank you Lord my son went to church with his family Sunday. Thank you Lord for Your faithfulness and forgiveness. I have disobeyed many times, but am trying to stay on the narrow way.
Have a wonderful week all,
Linda from Ark.
Hi again
Sounds like the Easter weekend was full of the Lord's work! It is great reading updates about husbands, children, and circumstances. Praise and thanks to you Lord for being here for us all! Knowing that all our needs change from day to day and week to week, I continue to pray for each of you for God's presence in your lives and the lives of your loved ones.
A chapter of my Joshua challenge came to a fruitful conclusion this week. After setting my intention on "purifying" and blessing my house for the last few weeks, I found out that on Holy Saturday my oldest son was bringing his soon-to-be fiance to stay with us! I was out of town till then, and still had lots of chores undone (I am still working on my perfectionism), but I was comfortable enough with the condition of our home to be able to make them comfortable. And I wasn't stressed. For this, I am grateful! I want to continue the challenge, and see how God can keep working to bring peace and harmony in our home environment through me!
Thanks for the book recommendations, I love finding new sources to help me grow as a good wife. I absolutely am guilty of manipulating my words to make me sound better or right, when it only makes my sweet husband feel empty and less valued. Ouch. It is a constant struggle for me. Help me, Lord.
I was puzzled along with you, Kate and Anna, confused about these people in the readings! I often couldn't tell who were the good guys and who were the bad guys, what was right and what was wrong! But isn't that the way I can be too? I can be just as unreliable to my Lord.
Thank you for all the great comments about these confusing tribes and their adventures-- it really helps this newbie a lot!
Blessings to all,
Jacque
Hi Ladies!
Happy Monday! I have been trying to catch up with reading and video blogs. I feel so much better when I dedicate time to my reading everyday. It feels good to be back on track. I like being able to take the time to read everyone's comments. All of you have so much good stuff in your comments.
Jennifer Renee-I am impressed. I am a wreck when I don't get sleep. I am thinking about you and admire your strength. You had a very long day on Sunday it sounds like, but it is amazing how God gives us energy to make through our days.
I like how Samson prayed to God when he seemed so defeated. No matter how defeated we are we can always call on God and he will give us strength. I'm impressed with how determined Samson was event though he had been defeated by the Phillistines and tricked into it at that. He knew his goal was to deafeat the Phillistines and he sacrificed his life to follow through with what God had planned for him. Yes, Samson is a ladies man. I admire him for continuing to fight.
This year has been unbelievable so far. I for the first time really celebrated Easter for what it is. Jesus making an extraordinary sacrifice for me. I was raised in the church, but am just starting to understand who God is and what a relationship with him means. 2010 is really a turning point in my life and I hope to continue to learn and grow in God. Thank you Wendy for leading us all on this journey. You are all amazing women!!!!
Kristin, Wisconsin
Hello
I read today's devotional on the Proverbs 31 site and was SOOOooo blessed! I too had not fully obeyed God. And I too realize incomplete obedience is disobedience. I thank you because God had been asking me to give up my Facebook page. Today I did that!!! Yay!!! I felt a burden lift off me; like walking in the sunshine. I praise God and pray that you continue to write what he tells you. There are many more Christians that aren't walking in complete obedience to God. I felt ashamed because I disappointed my father but I thank Him that He has given me another day to get it right! Be blessed and thank you again!
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