NOEMI: 3 TRACES OF MATURITY IN CHRISTIAN LIFE

NOEMI LOST HER SPOUSE, THEN HER TWO CHILDREN...

Charming, nice, smooth, sweet...

The name of the person I would like to talk about a little means all of these adjectives above, and his story teaches us to trust in the providence of a kind God.

Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, begins to have her story told in the first chapter of the book of Ruth, within a context in which Bethlehem, where she lived, despite being known for the production of grapes, olive trees, wheat, among others, and, from literally meaning the “house of bread”, it was going through a period of famine. As a result, her husband Elimelech, she and her two sons decide to leave there and go to live in Moab, a pagan nation born from the incestuous relationship between Lot and his eldest daughter (Gen. 19:36-37).

After that, Naomi becomes a widow and her two children marry Moabite women: Ruth and Orpha. The Bible reports that Naomi dwelt in Moab for ten years, at which time she too lost her two children, becoming helpless.

Many of us can identify a lot with Naomi, can't we? We are living our lives and serving God normally, until the “hunger” comes over us, and then, instead of waiting and trusting in the Lord, we think that perhaps going to Moab is the best way. We take the reins of the situation and choose the fastest and easiest, even if it is a land cursed by God.

In the case of Naomi and her family it was really the shortage of food, and in ours? Is it the job we can't get? The wedding that never comes? Poor health? Will it be passing the course of dreams? Whatever it is, we can't go to Moab. That is, we cannot leave the place of God's blessing, the place of obedience to Him, together with His people, in order to seek supplies in other lands. Going to Moab is never the solution! As difficult as things are, let's stay in Bethlehem of Judah, stay in the promised land, that way we won't be helpless.

The story follows in verse 6 of chapter 1: "Then she arranged herself with her daughters-in-law and returned from the land of Moab, because in this she heard that the Lord had remembered her people, giving them bread." Here we see that God never forsakes us. At the right time, even after years of famine, He sent the bread and supplied the people. Even if years pass, dear reader, God will send the bread that will supply his need! Not only that, but just as Naomi decided to come back, so can you. If you ended up in Moab, don't be discouraged, you can come back! Remember that God is good, meets our needs, and it is worth returning to his presence and the safe territory of the Church.

When she decides to return, her two daughters-in-law want to accompany her, so she says: “(…) No daughters of mine! For because of you I am bitter that the Lord has laid his hand against me. Then again they cried aloud; Orpha, with a kiss, said goodbye to her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her” (Ruth 1:13b-14). At first, Naomi did not realize that the Lord had provided Ruth to take care of her and be taken care of by her. Young man, the Lord doesn't want you in Bethlehem of Judah just for positional reasons, but also purposeful. He wants to work on you, he wants to trust you with people, and, don't forget, he will also send people to look after you.

In chapter 2, we see that Ruth goes to pick ears in the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech, who comes to favor Ruth because he recognizes what she has done for her mother-in-law and because she left everything and went to join God and his people. Upon hearing her daughter-in-law's account of favoring Boaz, we see in Naomi's response the first trace of God's work in her life, when she says: “Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who still he has not left his benevolence neither to the living nor to the dead. Naomi said to him more: This man is our close kinsman and one of our rescuers. Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Ruth: It will be good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidservants, so that, in another field, they will not molest you.” (Rt 2:20 and 22)

Naomi now recognizes the Lord's provision in the figure of Boaz and knows he is a rescuer. Naomi also learned the lesson: she demonstrates trust in God's provision, and stays in the place where she can receive His blessing. So she instructs Ruth to stay with the servants of Boaz so that elsewhere she will not be molested. Now who rescued us? Boaz typifies the Lord Jesus! And being with his servants keeps us from being molested! Thanks to the Lord!

The second trait of God's working in Naomi's life is revealed in the opening verses of chapter 3 when Naomi, loving Ruth and wanting her to have a home to be happy, outlines a bold plan to be followed by Ruth, which consisted, in short, , in getting ready, going to Boaz, discovering his feet and waiting for what he said. With this second trait, we see the need to love the people who take care of us and those given to us to take care of.When we love people, we and they are blessed. Furthermore, we see that under God's blessing we are able to make plans that will be successful because He is with us! Making plans under God's blessing is a characteristic of those who are maturing.

The third and final trait of God's work in Naomi's life shows that the good work the Lord begins in us is completed. After Naomi's plan is fulfilled, Boaz tells Ruth that he has a rescuer in front of him and that he will go to him so that if he refuses to rescue, he can do it. When reporting such an episode to her mother-in-law, we wisely have: "Then Naomi said to her: Wait, my daughter, until you know where things will happen, because that man will not rest until this case is resolved today" (Rt 3 :18). Here we see that Naomi trusted the people who were close to her and saw his plans fulfilled to the end.

What a growth the Lord wrought in sweet Naomi's life! If before she left Bethlehem of Judah for not waiting and trusting in God's providence, now, as a grown daughter, she not only waited (and told Ruth to wait too) but also trusted that Boaz would not rest until he did. resolve that situation.

And do you know what happens in the end? Ruth and Boaz marry and beget a son, Obed and the Bible reports: “Then the women said to Naomi, May the Lord be blessed, who has not failed to give you today a grandson who will be your ransom, and be famous in Israel the name of this. He will be the restorer of your life and the comforter of your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, gave birth to him, and she is better for you than seven children”.

Dear reader, our God is the I Am! He is the God who provides! In our lives we will go through periods of famine, when the land is dry, but we can learn, like mature Naomi, that the best thing is to wait and trust in the Lord; He uses the difficulties and ease of life to deal with us. He is our rescuer, and does not rest until he has fully supplied us.

Naomi came back bitter, but was rescued, not just from her financial situation, but from her shattered spiritual state. She is now recognized as a grandmother, has a descendant, and ends the story happily. The Lord worked in it with his providence. Young man, the Lord rescues not only your exterior, but your interior as well. God's work in her gave her, as a delight, Obed. God's work in us will give us, as a delight, Christ and His Kingdom! Hallelujah!

 STAY RELAXED! NO ONE WILL GET LOST...

'ACTS 27'

Paul travels to Rome

1It was that we should embark for Italy. They then handed Paul and the other prisoners over to Julius, a Roman officer who was from the battalion called "Battalion of the Emperor." 2We boarded a ship from the city of Adramitius, which was ready to sail to the ports of the province of Asia. And so we started the journey. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from the city of Thessalonica, was with us. 3The next day we arrived at the port of Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go see his friends and get what he needed from them. 4After leaving Sidon, we sailed north to the island of Cyprus to avoid the winds that were blowing against us. 5We cross the sea in front of the coast of the Cilicia region and the province of Pamphylia and arrive at Mirra, a city in the province of Lycia. 6There the Roman officer found a ship from the city of Alexandria on its way to Italy, and he made us board it.

7We sailed very slowly for several days and with great difficulty arrived in front of the city of Cnido. As the wind wouldn't let us continue in that direction, we passed Cape Salmona on the island of Crete and followed the south side of that island, which is protected from the winds. 8So we sailed very close to the coast and, still with difficulty, we arrived at a place called “Bons Portos”, close to the city of Laseia.

9We stayed there for a long time, and it became dangerous to continue our journey because winter was approaching. So Paulo warned:

10— Men, I see that from now on our journey will be dangerous. There will be great damage not only to the ship and its cargo, but there will also be loss of life.

11But the Roman officer had more confidence in the captain and owner of the ship than in Paul. 12The harbor was not a good place to spend the winter. That's why most people thought we should get out of there and try to get to Phoenix. This city is a port of Crete that has one side to the southwest and the other to the northwest. And they thought we could winter there.

the storm at sea

13A light wind began to blow from the south, so they thought they could do what they had planned. We weighed anchor and sailed as close as possible to the coast of Crete. 14But suddenly a very strong wind called “Northeast” came from the island 15and swept the ship in such a way that we could not make it go in the right direction. So we gave up and let the wind take us. 16To escape the wind, we passed south of a small island called Tail. There, with great difficulty, we managed to retrieve the boat from the ship. 17The sailors lifted the dinghy into the ship and tied the ship's hull with thick ropes. They were afraid that the ship would be dragged to the sandbars that are close to the Libyan coast. Then they lowered the sails and let the ship drift away. 18And the terrible storm continued. The next day they started to throw the cargo into the sea. 19And the other day, the sailors, with their own hands, threw a part of the ship's equipment into the sea.

20For many days we could not see the sun or the stars, and the wind continued to blow strong. We finally lost all hope of saving ourselves.

21 It had been a long time since they had eaten anything. So Paul stood in their midst and said:

“Men, you should have heeded what I said and stayed in Crete; and so we would not have had all this loss and loss. 22But now I ask you to have courage. Nobody will die; we will only miss the ship. 23I say this because last night an angel of God to whom I belong and serve appeared to me 24and said, “Paul, don't be afraid! You need to go to the Emperor's presence. And God, in His goodness, has already given you the lives of all who are traveling with you.” 25Therefore, men, be brave! I trust God and am sure he will do as he tells me. 26But we are going to be dragged to some island.

27Two weeks later, at night, we were still being carried away by storm in the Mediterranean Sea. Around midnight, the sailors began to feel that we were getting close to land. 28Then they threw a rope with a weight at the end into the sea and saw that the water there was thirty-six meters deep. Later they measured again, and it got twenty-seven meters. 29They were very afraid that the ship was going to crash against the rocks. So they dropped four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for dawn soon. 30Then the sailors tried to escape the ship. They lowered the boat into the sea, pretending they were going to drop anchors from the front of the ship. 31Then Paul said to the Roman officer and the soldiers,

“If the sailors don't stay on the ship, you won't be able to save yourselves.

32Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the boat and dropped it into the sea.

33At dawn Paul asked everyone to eat something and said:

“You've been waiting for fourteen days and during that time you haven't eaten anything. 34Now have something to eat, please. You need to feed yourself to be able to continue living. Because no one is going to lose even a hair.

35Then Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat. 36So they got more courageous and ate too. 37On the ship there were a total of two hundred and seventy-six people. 38After everyone had eaten, they threw the wheat into the sea to make the ship lighter.

All arrive safe and sound

39When morning came, the sailors did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay where there was a beach. So they decided to do their best to ground the ship there. 40They cut the ropes of the anchors, and dropped them into the sea, and untied the rudders. Then they lifted the sail from the front side so that they could head towards the beach. 41But the ship hit a sandbar and ran aground. The front part got stuck, and the back part started to be ripped apart by the force of the waves.

42The soldiers agreed to kill all the prisoners so that none could reach the beach and flee. 43But the Roman official wanted to save Paul and would not let them do that. On the contrary, he ordered everyone who could swim to be the first to jump into the water and swim to shore. 44And he also ordered the others to be saved, holding on to boards or pieces of the ship. And that's how we all arrived on earth safe and sound.

#Jesusestanoboat  

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DECLARE IN FAITH!

 NO WEAPONS FORGED AGAINST US WILL PREVAIL!

GOLDEN TEXT.

“And when Paul had gathered a number of vines and put them in the fire, a viper, fleeing from the heat, took hold of his hand.” Acts 28:3.

TRUTH APPLIED.

There is no diabolic onslaught that does not reveal itself before the fire produced by the Eternal or that can stop a believer filled with the Holy Spirit.

REFERENCE TEXTS.

Acts 28:5-8

INTRODUCTION.

The shipwreck experience had been extremely traumatic and rest was all those men needed before continuing on their journey. It was dark and cold and the apostle decided to add wood to the fire to warm everyone, to bring some comfort in that difficult time.

I. A VIPER IN THE MIDDLE OF FIRE.

Much worse than the struggles and situations we live in. Paul still faced judgments by being misinterpreted. People judged that situation as judgment. Paulo had escaped from the shipwreck but “justice” would come through the bite of the snake to not let him live. Paul traveled as a prisoner, had already been wronged by the Jews, had gone through trials and accusations, faced a tremendous storm, survived yet another shipwreck and now a viper clings to his hand (Acts 28:4).

With the viper in his hand.

Paul's life goes through a chain of trials and temptations that don't seem to end. Now, in Malta, a viper clings to his hand (Acts 28:3). There are times when we must choose between mourning or acting, waiting for the screen of probation to close, or shaking our hands. In people's interpretation, some curse was under Paul's life. But he didn't let himself be carried away by the viper or by other people's opinions. There are words that paralyze us and at these times it is important not only to shake the hands, but also the mind (Rom. 12:1,2). The right attitude and hope (Rom 4.18; Col 1.23; I Thess 5.8). No matter how many vipers cling to our hand, God has not called us to be consumed by the vipers of hopelessness and doubt, but to shake them in the fire.

A viper fleeing the fire.

The barbarians were in solidarity with the survivors of the shipwreck (Acts 28.2). Because of the cold and rain, they went to warm themselves by the fire and Paulo gathered some dry sticks to throw into the existing fire. Then, to escape the “heat”, the viper revealed itself from where it was camouflaged (Acts 28:3). The text is clear: “the fire” revealed where the viper was. If we wholeheartedly desire revival in our time, we will be surprised to see Satan at work in seemingly normal places and lives. The fire has the characteristic of illuminating and everything that is covered by darkness must declare itself (Dan 2.22; I Cor 3.13; Eph 5.13).

A viper thrown into the fire.

Everyone expected Paul to die, but he simply shook the viper at the stake and acted as if nothing had happened (Acts 29:4, 5). Suddenly, they saw that Paul was no longer a curse and began to compare him with a “god” (Acts 29:6). In our life, there will always be phases that will mark us and it is up to us to let situations drown us or push us forward (Phil. 3.12, 13). Being in the hands of Jesus is always going beyond the essential (Phil. 4:12). We cannot be stopped by what they think or think of us. Many do not understand how God is acting with us and draw a profile according to what they see. For some we are cursed, for others we are gods, but what really matters is what we are to God and what He is to us.

II. THE DECLARATIONS OF FIRE.

The barbarians were polytheists and the “justice” to which they refer was personified in the goddess “Dike” who, according to their beliefs, intervened to punish evildoers (Acts 28:4). Paul was within the divine purpose and circumstances created possibilities for him to act in the name of the Lord.

Between dry sticks.

Drawing here a parallel of spiritual life, we understand that to be “dry” is to be lifeless (Ezek 37:11; Mk 11:12-14; 20:21). Note that the fire was already lit and Paul was carrying dry sticks to add them to the fire and this would increase (Acts 28:2). The viper among the dry sticks is a symbol of Satan's action in a life without fruit and without fellowship (30:19). When this life is brought into the fire of God's presence, the heat of the Holy Spirit generates discomfort, causing the enemy to manifest and retreat. The anointing that was on Paul's life was stronger than the venom of the serpent and so it is with everyone who is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 10:19; Mk 16:17; Eph 6:16).

Viper grasped in hand.

The fact that the viper bites Paul's hand teaches us how Satan tries to stop us, making useless of our work tools, which, in this case, were Paul's hands (2Co 10:4; Acts 28:3). The bite didn't just happen because the viper fled the fire, it was a retaliatory blow, a last blow before defeat. In several cases of liberation and spiritual battle, retaliation is certain, so we must be prepared like Paul, who did not care about the viper, immediately threw it into the fire, which is its place (Mt 25:41; Rev 20:10).

Wonders on the island of Malta.

Paul did not allow rejection and criticism to frustrate God's projects in his life. Publius, the chief of the island of Malta, was the main Roman representative of that island. His father was sick and Paul had the opportunity to exercise his gift of healing and bring him comfort. After being informed about the miracle, the other inhabitants of the island who were sick also came and were healed by the hands of Paul (Acts 28:9).

III. REVIVAL AND PROVISION.

Experience teaches us that great trials are signs of great wonders on the part of our God. After the battle with the viper, Paul becomes the hope of those natives and, in gratitude for the blessing achieved, they both honored and supplied the apostle's needs (Acts 28:9, 10).

The wind of the Spirit.

The Spirit propelled Paul to Malta and what for many was a great trial, for God it was an opportunity to act with his Servant. Paul would never get there if it weren't for the force of contrary winds (Acts 27:4). He wasn't in his plans to be in Malta; His target was Rome (Acts 23:11). That viper did not bite anyone other than Paul, it was his action that revealed it and because of this incident a revival and the glorification of the name of Jesus was triggered.

The divine provision.

We gain credibility when we connect with individuals and show a genuine interest in helping them. By touching the hearts of the people on that island, Paul and the entire crew were provided for their needs (Ac 28:10). Look at your hands! Shake your hands. What do you have in your hands? Nothing, because the storm took over. Shake your hands and be ready to see what God will be putting on them. More important than full hands is to see how God can use those empty and scarred hands to heal the sick, perform miracles and embrace those who need hope (Rom. 4:18).

The purpose of God's supernatural power.

The moment people saw the viper clinging to Paul's hand, they drew their own conclusions, misinterpreting that situation. If at this very moment Paul was not aware of his mission and firm in the faith, the comments could alter his situation. Why did Paul shake the viper in the fire? Because he knew who he could trust. When we trust in God and remain faithful to His Word, He turns shame into honor and scarcity into abundance (Is 61:3; Acts 28:10).

CONCLUSION.

Nothing will happen to us until God does to us what he has determined to do. What will motivate this is our attitude towards each new stage we face. Let's shake hands, throw the viper into the fire, and walk steadily into the next phase of our lives.

 

Posted by: Pb. Ademilson Braga/ Lucilene adaptations

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ANALYSIS...

 WHO IS YOUR FATHER?

In 1 Corinthians the apostle Paul said, "Become imitators of me, as I am of Christ." But is it possible to be an imitator of Christ? Yes! God made us in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). We change and we can imitate him because the Holy Spirit is what transforms us.

If you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit that dwells in you will be able to mold you and make you like Him every day. This will reflect in your actions and in the fruits of your attitude.

In simple terms, having the image and likeness of God means that we were made to resemble Him. The Holy Spirit is the transforming agent who, as you seek Him, will make you an imitator of the Father in spirit in truth.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR WORKS? DO AN ANALYSIS!!!

Galatians 5:16-24

The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit

16 But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these oppose one another; so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 For the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: fornication, uncleanness, lust, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, emulation, anger, strife, dissension, heresies, 21 jealousy, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, and the like these, of which I declare unto you, as I have told you before, that those who commit such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. 23 Against these things there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

Become my imitators, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, Ephesians 5:1

In fact, you became imitators of us and of the Lord, because, despite much suffering, you received the word with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24

May your attitude be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, although being God,

did not consider

that being equal to God

it was something to cling to; but he emptied himself,

coming to be a servant,

becoming similar

to men. And, being found

in human form,

he humbled himself

and he was obedient to death,

and death on the cross! Philippians 2:5-8

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. Let him rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the great beasts of all the earth, and over all the small beasts ¬ that move close to the ground". Genesis 1:26

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen them and keep them from the Evil One. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

OR

"You belong to your father, the Devil, and you want to fulfill his wish. He was a murderer from the beginning and did not cling to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his own language, for he is a liar and father of lies. John 8:44

He who commits sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this the Son of God was manifested: to destroy the works of the devil.1 John 3:8

Be alert and watch. The Devil, your enemy, walks around like a lion, roaring and looking for someone to devour. Resist it by standing firm in the faith, knowing that the brothers you have all over the world are going through the same sufferings.1 Peter 5:8-9

This is not surprising, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

"When you get angry, do not sin". Soothe your anger before the sun goes down and don't make room for the Devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Then there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But these were not strong enough, and so they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was cast out. He is the ancient serpent called the Devil or Satan, who deceives the whole world. He and his angels were cast down to earth. Revelation 12:7-9

"Then he will say to those on his left: 'Cursed, depart from me into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41

When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations that are on the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle. Number of him is like the sand of the sea. The nations marched across the surface of the earth and besieged the camp of the saints, the beloved city; but a fire descended from heaven and devoured them. The Devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet had already been cast. They will be tormented day and night, forever and ever. Revelation 20:7-10

We know that everyone who is born of God is not in sin; he who was born of God protects him, and the Evil One does not harm him. We know that we are of God and that the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.1 John 5:18-19

In this way we know who the children of God are and who the children of the Devil are: whoever does not do righteousness is not from God, nor whoever does not love his brother.1 John 3:10

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JUST FOR A MOMENT...

THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS, IT MUST BE ENTERED INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE ETERNAL...

As a Christian, since you received Jesus, have you felt pressured from all sides?

Tribulation comes and goes. You win one and then another. Or several at the same time! If you feel suffocated, harassed, persecuted, dejected, perplexed. Welcome to). For many tribulations it matters to us to enter the Kingdom of the Eternal...

But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium who, having convinced the crowd, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

But, the disciples surrounding him, he arose, and entered the city, and the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.

And having preached the gospel in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium and Antioch,

Confirming the spirits of the disciples, exhorting them to remain in the faith, since through many tribulations it is important for us to enter the kingdom of God.

And having, by common consent, elected elders in every church, praying with fasts, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

After passing through Pisidia, they went to Pamphylia.

And having announced the word in Perge, they went down to Attalia.

And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had already accomplished.

And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported how great things God had done for them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

And they stayed there not a short time with the disciples. Acts 14:19-28

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake.

Because God, who said that light should shine out of darkness, is the one who shined in our hearts, for the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellency of power may be from God and not from us.

In everything we are troubled, but not distressed; perplexed but not dismayed.

Persecuted but not helpless; slaughtered but not destroyed;

Always carrying the mortification of the Lord Jesus in our bodies everywhere, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies;

And so we, who live, are always given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that Jesus' life may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death works in us, but life in you.

And therefore we have the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believe, therefore I have spoken; we believe too, so we also speak.

Knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us up through Jesus, and will present us with you.

For all this is for your sakes, that grace, multiplied through many, may cause thanksgiving to abound for the glory of God.

That's why we don't faint; but even if our outer man is corrupted, the inner man is nevertheless renewed from day to day.

For our light and momentary tribulation produces for us a most excellent eternal weight of glory;

We are not paying attention to the things that are seen, but to the things that are not seen; for those that are seen are temporal, and those that are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Paul's sufferings for the gospel's sake

16 Again I say: let no one judge me foolish, or else welcome me as foolish, so that I may also boast a little. 17 What I say, I do not say according to the Lord, but as for folly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 For as many boast after the flesh, I also will boast. 19 For, being you wise, you willingly tolerate the foolish. 20 For you are suffering, if anyone puts you into bondage, if anyone devours you, if anyone catches you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone smites you in the face. 21 Ashamed I say this, as if we were weak, but in what anyone has boldness (I speak foolishly), I also have boldness. 22 Are they Hebrews? Me too. Are they Israelis? Me too. Are they Abraham's seed? Me too. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as outside of myself.) Me even more: in jobs, much more; in lashes, more than they; in prisons, much more; in danger of death often. 24 I received from the Jews five quarantines of lashes minus one; 25 three times I was flogged with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, one night and one day I spent in the abyss; 26 on trips, often; in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my nation, in danger from the Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, in danger among false brethren; 27 in work and fatigue, in vigils, often in hunger and thirst, in fasting, often in cold and nakedness. 28 In addition to external things, the care of all the churches oppresses me every day. 29 Who weakens, let me not weaken? Who is scandalized that I don't open up?

30 If it behooves me to boast, I will boast concerning my weakness.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is eternally blessed, knows that I do not lie. 32 In Damascus the ruler under King Aretas put guards at the gates of the city of the Damascenes to arrest me, 33 and I was lowered in a basket by a window in the wall; and so I escaped from his hands.

Romans 16:17-27

17 And I beseech you, brethren, to take note of those who cause dissension and scandal against the doctrine which you have learned; turn away from them.

18 For such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but his womb; and with soft words and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 As for your obedience, it is known to all. So I delight in you; and I want you to be wise in good, but simple in evil.

20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21 Give you greetings to Timothy my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosypatro my relatives.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, my host, and the whole church greet you. Erastus, procurator of the city, greets you, and also Brother Quarto.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him who is able to confirm you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which from eternal times has been hidden,

26 But which has now been revealed, and has been notified by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, to all nations for obedience of faith;

27 To the only wise God, be glory through Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.

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THE DANGER OF THE SIN OF THE unequal yoke DESPITE THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON AND THE STRENGTH OF SANSION...

Solomon, son and successor of King David, started well but did not remain until the end in the Statutes and Commandments of the Eternal. For the sin of unequal yoke and spiritual prostitution (idolatry) which is the union in marriage with women of other peoples, these being idolaters, it was his downfall despite all his wisdom. This one, he lacked in a very important area. It was the breach that Satan needed to distance him from the Creator and possibly make him lose his salvation. The enemy is cunning and knows how to wait for the time necessary for the spiritual fall of a man of God. The lesson that remains is: We need to obey and persevere in obeying until the end and understand that the enemy of our souls knows how to wait and we will need to persevere steadfastly more than he did so with the help of the Holy Spirit to remain faithful until the end.

I KINGS 11:1-13

Solomon's idolatry and God's wrath against him

1 And KING Solomon loved many foreign women, besides the daughter of Pharaoh: Moab, Ammon, Edomite, Sidon, and Hittite,

2 Of the nations of which the LORD had spoken to the children of Israel, Ye shall not approach them, and they shall not approach you; otherwise you will pervert your heart to follow their gods. These were joined by Solomon in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his women have perverted his heart.

4 For it came to pass, in the time of Solomon's old age, that his wives perverted his heart to follow other gods; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of his father David,

5 For Solomon followed Ashtaroth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 So Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he did not persevere in following the LORD, like his father David.

7 And Solomon built an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

8 And so he did unto all his foreign women; who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

9 Wherefore the LORD was wroth with Solomon; for he had turned away his heart from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

10 And concerning this matter he had commanded him not to follow other gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded him.

11 Thus said the LORD to Solomon, For since this was in thee, that thou hast not kept my covenant, and my statutes which I have commanded thee, I will surely tear this kingdom from thee, and give it to thy servant.

12 Yet in thy days I will not do it, for David thy father's sake; from the hand of thy son I will tear him;

13 But I will not rend all the kingdom; I will give a tribe to your son, for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, which I have chosen.

Samson, called to be a leader. He was chosen by the Eternal to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines. As it says in the passage, the Eternal sent his messenger to talk to Manoah and his wife that they would have a son, whose head would not be razor sharp and recommended that Manoah's wife not eat anything impure, nor drink strong drink, nor wine as well as Samson also! It can be seen from the Scriptures that the promise of the Eternal involved the couple, however, Samson did not seem to respond to that call entirely, since he wanted to do their bidding and was upset when his parents did not agree. He was rash and impetuous in his decisions. He went down to Timnah and chose a Philistine to marry (the text says that this came from the Eternal to find occasion among the Philistines). However, even though his parents instructed him to choose a girl from among the people of Israel as was the custom, he insisted on the Philistine. In addition, in one of his journeys he killed a young lion, when he returned, the animal's carcass had a honeycomb, he ate it and even took it to his parents, without saying where he had taken the comb from. He started breaking his vow. Apparently, Samson despised the directions given by the messenger of the Eternal. He didn't keep them in his heart! When pride and pride took hold of his heart, thinking he was invincible, that was where his fall began. That the Spirit of the Eternal would be with him regardless of his acts, there he sinned and fell into vain confidence.

He trusted the Eternal but he needed to keep the secret of the vow and forgot the guidelines. It was conditional, the strength that came from the Eternal. Satan will always appear with a temptation to lure you into his devices. Satan knew of Samson's promise and vow. Therefore, he used vanity, pride, pride and, above all, a beautiful woman to deceive him. Using human nature itself since, men are attracted by what they see.

Thereafter he went down further...until he hooked up with a prostitute. Soon after, he took a liking to Delilah. And she, insistently blackmailing him day after day, to the point of annoying him, uncovered her whole heart. As a result, he fell asleep in the enga's sleep. In Delilah's lap. This one, she received money to betray him. She had her braids shaved and her strength was gone from him. And when the enemies came they pierced his eyes. He was blind and powerless. It turned to shame and vilification at the hands of the Philistines. That's what the devil does when a faithful Christian abandons his faith for the delicacies of hell. Let's keep watch. Not everyone gets a second chance. Or if you have it, you will have to deal with the consequences... What lesson can we learn: Above all, value the Eternal's commandments and guidelines for all areas of our lives, as well as not playing with sin because it kills!

JUDGES 13:1-25

Israelites' servitude under the Philistines, and the birth of Samson

1 AND THE children of Israel did again that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.

2 And there was a man from Zorah, of the tribe of Dan, whose name was Manoah; and his wife, being barren, had no children.

3 And the angel of the LORD appeared to this woman, and said to her, Behold, you are now barren, and have never conceived; but thou shalt conceive, and shalt bear a son.

4 Now therefore beware of drinking wine, or strong drink, or eating unclean things.

5 For, behold, thou shalt conceive, and shalt bear a son upon whose head no razor shall pass; for the child will be a Nazarite of God from the womb; and he will begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

6 Then the woman came in, and spoke to her husband, saying, A man of God came to me, whose appearance was like an angel of God, most terrifying; and I didn't ask him where he was from, nor did he tell me his name.

7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive and bear a son; now therefore, drink not wine, nor strong drink, nor eat unclean thing; for the child will be a Nazarite of God, from the womb to the day of his death.

Ibzan, Elon and Abdon judges of the Israelites

8 Then Manoah prayed unto the LORD, and said, Ah! My Lord, I pray that the man of God, whom You have sent, will come to us yet again and teach us what we must do to the child who is to be born.

9 And God heard the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again to the woman, and she was in the field, but her husband Manoah was not with her.

10 And the woman hastened, and ran, and told her husband, and said to him, Behold, the man that came unto me the other day appeared unto me.

11 Then Manoah arose, and followed his wife, and went to the man, and said to her, Art thou that man that spake unto this woman? And he said: I am.

12 Then Manoah said, Let thy words be fulfilled; but what will be the boy's way of life and service?

13 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, From all that I have said to the woman she shall keep.

14 Of all that proceeds from the vine he shall not eat, neither wine nor strong drink shall he drink, nor any unclean thing shall he eat; all that I have ordered you will keep.

15 Then Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, Now let us detain thee, and prepare for thee a goat.

16 But the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou doest a burnt offering, thou shalt offer it unto the LORD. Because Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.

17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy word is fulfilled, we may honor thee?

18 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why do ye thus ask for my name, seeing it is wonderful?

19 So Manoah took a kid and a meat offering, and offered them on a rock to the LORD: and the angel did wonderfully, and Manoah and his wife beheld him.

20 And it came to pass, as the flame of the altar went up to heaven, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar; who, seeing Manoah and his wife, fell to the ground on their faces.

21 And no more did the angel of the LORD appear to Manoah, nor his wife; then Manoah understood that he was the angel of the LORD.

22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

23 But his wife said to him, If the LORD were to kill us, he would not accept the burnt offering and the meat offering at our hand, nor would he show us all these things, nor let us hear such things at this time.

24 After this woman had a son, whom she called Samson; and the boy grew up, and the LORD blessed him.

25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him up from time to time to the field of Mahanah-dan, between Zorah and Estaol.

JUDGES 14:1-20

Samson's wedding

1 AND Samson went down to Timnath; and seeing in Timnath a wife of the daughters of the Philistines,

2 He went up, and told his father and mother, and said, I saw a woman in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore take her for a wife.

3 But his father and mother said unto him, Is there not a woman among the daughters of thy brothers, nor among all my people, that thou shouldst go and take a wife from the Philistines, from the uncircumcised? And Samson said to his father, Take this from me, for it pleases my eyes.

4 But his father and mother did not know that this was from the LORD; for he sought occasion against the Philistines; for at that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.

5 So Samson went down with his father and with his mother to Timnath; and when he came to the vineyards of Timnath, behold, a roaring lion came out to meet him.

6 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him so mightily, that he tore the lion in pieces, as one who breaks a goat, having nothing in his hand; but neither his father nor his mother revealed what he had done.

7 And he went down, and spoke to that woman, and she pleased in the eyes of Samson.

8 And after a few days he returned to take it; and turning away from the way to see the body of the slain lion, behold, there was in it a swarm of honeybees.

9 And she took it in her hands, and went walking and eating of it; and he went to his father and mother, and gave them honey, and they ate; but he did not let them know that he had taken the honey from the lion's body.

10 And his father going down to that woman, Samson made a feast there; because that's how the boys used to do it.

11 And it came to pass, as they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

Samson's riddle

12 And Samson said unto them, I will give you a riddle to decipher; and if in the seven days of the wedding you decipher it and discover it, I will give you thirty sheets and thirty changes of clothes.

13 And if you cannot decipher, you will give me thirty sheets and thirty changes of clothes. And they said to him, Give us your riddle to decipher, that we may hear it.

14 Then he said to them, Out of the eater came food, and out of the strong came sweetness. And in three days they couldn't decipher the riddle.

15 And it came to pass on the seventh day that they said to Samson's wife, Persuade thy husband to tell us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire; you called us here to take possession of what is ours, is that not so?

16 And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, You only despise me, and love me not; for you have given the children of my people a riddle to decipher, and have not yet told me. And he said unto him, Behold, I have not declared it unto my father nor my mother, and would I declare it unto thee?

17 And she wept before him the seven days when they celebrated the wedding; and it came to pass on the seventh day that he declared it to him, because he troubled him; then she declared the riddle to the children of her people.

18 And the men of that city said to Samson on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than the lion? And he said to them: If you had not tilled with my heifer, you would never have discovered my riddle.

19 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him so mightily, that he went down to the Ashkelonites, and slew thirty men of them, and took their garments, and gave the changes of clothing to those who told the riddle; but his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

20 And Samson's wife was given to his companion who had been with him before.

JUDGES 15:1-20

Samson sets fire to the Philistines' crops

1 And it came to pass after a few days, that in the harvest of the wheat, Samson visited his wife with a goat, and said, I will go into my wife's chamber. But her father wouldn't let him in.

2 And her father said unto her, Surely I thought that ye despised her most; so that I gave it to your companion; but is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? So take it instead.

3 Then Samson said concerning them, This time I am innocent to the Philistines, when I do them harm.

4 And Samson went, and took three hundred foxes; and, taking torches, he turned them tail to tail, and put a torch in the middle of every two tails.

5 And fire came to the torches, and left them in the harvest of the Philistines; and so he scorched the sheaves with the harvest of wheat, and the vines and the olive groves.

6 Then said the Philistines, Who did this? And they said, Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he took his wife, and gave her to his companion. Then the Philistines went up, and burned her and her father with fire.

7 Then Samson said to them, Is this how you do it? For, having avenged myself on you, then I will cease.

8 And he smote them with a great wound, legs together with thigh; and he went down, and dwelt in the cleft of the rock of Ethan.

9 So the Philistines went up, and encamped against Judah, and spread out over Lehi.

The men of Judah tie Samson

10 And the men of Judah said to them, Why have ye gone up against us? And they answered: We went up to bind Samson, to do him to him as he did us.

11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Ethan, and said to Samson, Did you not know that the Philistines rule over us? Why then did you do this to us? And he said to them: As they did to me, I did to them.

12 And they said unto him, We have come down to bind thee and deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. Then Samson said to them: Swear to me that you yourselves will not commit me.

13 And they spoke to him, saying, No, but we will bind thee tightly, and deliver thee into their hands; but by no means will we kill you. And they tied him up with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock.

Samson wounds a thousand men with the jaw of a donkey

14 And when he came to Lehi, the Philistines went out to meet him, shouting; but the Spirit of the LORD mightily came upon him, and the cords which he had in his arms became like threads of flax that had been burned in the fire, and his bonds were cast out of his hands.

15 And he found a fresh jawbone of an ass, and stretched out his hand, and took it, and smote a thousand men with it.

16 Then Samson said, With an ass's jaw, heap upon heap; with the jawbone of an ass I wounded a thousand men.

17 And it came to pass, when he had finished speaking, that he cast the jaw of his hand; and he called that place Ramath-Lehi.

18 And as he had a great thirst, he cried unto the LORD, and said, By the hand of thy servant thou hast given this great salvation; shall I now die of thirst, and fall into the hand of these uncircumcised?

19 Then God split open a cavity that was in the jawbone; and he came out of it water, and drank; and he regained his spirit and revived; therefore he called that place The source of the one crying, which is in Lehi to this day.

20 And he judged Israel, in the days of the Philistines, twenty years.

JUDGES 16:1-31

Samson is betrayed by Delilah

1 And Samson went to Gaza, and saw a harlot there, and he went in to her.

2 And it was said to the Gazites, Samson is come in here. They surrounded him, and all night they put spies for him at the gate of the city; but all night they were silent, saying, Until the morning light we will wait; then we will kill him.

3 But Samson lay down until midnight, and at midnight he rose, and tore down the gates of the entrance to the city with both posts, and took them with the bar, and laid them on his shoulders; and he took them up to the top of the mountain that is opposite Hebron.

4 And after this it came to pass that he became fond of a woman from the valley of Sorech, whose name was Delilah.

5 Then the princes of the Philistines went up to her, and said to her, Persuade him, and see in what her great strength is, and how we might lord it over him, and bind him, that we might afflict him; and we will give you, each one of us, eleven hundred pieces of silver.

6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, in what is thy great strength, and with what thou mightst be bound, that they may afflict thee.

7 Samson said to him, If they would bind me with seven rods of fresh wicker, which were not yet dry, then I would be weakened, and I would be like any other man.

8 Then the princes of the Philistines brought him seven fresh wicker rods, which were not yet dry; and they tied him with them.

9 And the spy was with her in the inner chamber. Then she said to him, The Philistines are coming upon you, Samson. Then he broke the wicker lintels, as one breaks the thread of the tow in the smell of fire; so it was not known what his strength consisted of.

10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and hast told me lies; now declare to me what you could be bound with.

11 And he said, If they would bind me strong with new ropes, which had not yet been used, then I would weaken me, and I would be like any other man.

12 Then Delilah took new ropes, and bound him with them, and said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. And the spy was in the inner chamber. Then he snapped them from her arms like a thread.

13 And Delilah said to Samson, Until now you have mocked me, and told me lies; therefore declare to me now, with what could you be bound? And he said to him: If you will weave seven braids of the hair of my head with the heald of the web.

14 And she fixed them with a stake, and said unto him, The Philistines are coming upon thee, Samson: Then he awoke from his sleep, and plucked the stake out of the woven braids, together with the heald of the web.

15 Then she said to him, How shalt thou say, I love thee, thy heart not being with me? You have mocked me three times already, and you have not yet declared to me what your strength consists of.

16 And it came to pass, as she harassed him daily with her words, and harassed him, her soul was grieved unto death.

17 And he uncovered all his heart to him, and said unto him, There has never been a razor through my head, for I am a Nazarite of God from my mother's womb; if I were to be shaved, my strength would depart from me, and I would be weakened, and I would be like any other man.

18 And when Delilah saw that he had uncovered all his heart from him, he sent for the princes of the Philistines, saying, Go up this time, for now he has uncovered all his heart to me. And the princes of the Philistines came up to her, bringing with them the money.

19 So she made him sleep on her knees, and called a man, and shaved off the seven braids of the hair of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength departed from him.

20 And she said, The Philistines are coming upon you, Samson. And she awoke him from his sleep, and said: I will go out again this time as before, and I will shake myself. Because he did not know that the Lord had already withdrawn from him.

21 Then the Philistines took him, and plucked out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with two brazen chains, and he turned a mill in the prison.

22 And the hair on his head began to grow, like when he was shaved.

Samson brings down the temple of Dagon

23 Then the princes of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon, and to rejoice, and said, Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.

24 Likewise, when the people saw him, they praised their god; for he said, Our god hath delivered our enemy into our hands, and him that destroyeth our land, and him that multiplied our dead.

25 And it came to pass, as their hearts rejoiced, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may play before us. And they called Samson from the prison, who was playing before them, and made him stand between the columns.

26 Then Samson said to the young man who had him by the hand, Lead me so that I may feel the pillars on which the house stands, that I may lean against them.

27 Now the house was full of men and women; and also there were all the princes of the Philistines; and on the roof there were about three thousand men and women, who were watching Samson play.

28 Then Samson cried unto the LORD, and said, Lord GOD, I ask thee to remember me, and strengthen me now just this once, O God, that I may at once avenge the Philistines by my two eyes.

29 And Samson embraced himself with the two pillars in the middle, on which the house was supported, and he supported himself on them, with his right hand in one, and with his left in the other.

30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed down with force, and the house fell on the princes and on all the people that were in it; and it was more the dead he had killed in his death than those he had killed in his life.

31 Then his brothers went down, and all his father's house, and took him, and went up with him, and buried him between Zorah and Eshal, in the sepulcher of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.

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