Date: 2024-08-02

AO: 3rd-f

Q: Schnitzel

PAX: Bishop, Dipstick, Mr Rogers, Pinto, Schnitzel

FNGs: None

COUNT: 5

CONDITIONS: Super Muggy…but worth getting up and showing up for!

WARMUP:

Chatter about community concerns and prayer opportunities.

THE THANG:

Bruce Banner after being exposed to gamma radiation had a real problem with anger; which would lead him to become the Hulk and wreak havoc and destruction on anything or anyone in his path…Banner realized that this power was a curse and knew in order to control it, he had to be intentional about environment, who he was around, and even understand himself in order to overcome this obstacle.

Bruce’s super power wasn’t his strength…it was his heart for others.

Much like Samson in Judges 13:24 – 16:30, Samson was certainly a man of contrasts. He was childish in some of his plans yet courageous in battle (by God’s strength). He was mighty in strength yet weak in resisting temptation. Samson had a bit of a chip on his shoulder and he didn’t always value the strength that God gave him.

Examples were:

Judges 14:5-6 – his encounter with the lion and then hes distracting after seeing a woman

Judges 14:15-19 – Samson’s riddle – Dipstick said Samson was not very good at riddles. But again the strength of the Lord helps him kill 30 and he responds poorly in anger

Judges 15:11-19 – Samson uses a donkey jaw to kill 1,000 by the strength brought on from the Spirit of God and then responds by pouring about no water and then God of course takes care of him.

Judges 16:1-31 – everything that Samson had was the Lords and his self-indulgences laid waste to the path God had him on (as Samson judged the people for 20 years) – Samson’s desire for Delilah made him weak, giving in to temptation which led to self bondage, self-humiliation and eventually death.

He gave his power to his hair and not to God, leading to his loss of strength. God however allowed Samson to have the strength one last time, killing more people Samson had over the course of his entire life in one moment.

This teaches us that the gifts of the Lord are bestowed and retained as it depends on our obedience to God.

We read David’s reminders to be transparent with the Lord and give reverence and glory to God…looking at God’s character and being intentional, while relying on the Holy Spirit to model that same character as men. Truth & Grace – those should be what spills out of us as we engage others.

Psalm 28 & 31

Psalm 19:7-13

It wasn’t Hulks power or Samson strength that made them powerful. It was realizing to fear this power and respect the responsibility that came with it. As men we can possess great power and strength, however we need to remain grounded by a humble heart, knowing that true power lies within a Godly heart!!

Let’s pursue that!

PRAYER REQUEST:

Our schools – Royal Elementary

Spartan travels

Unspoken

MOLESKIN:

Some things are worth pursuing, but only if God gets the glory!!