Episode 28

TODAY’S READING:

27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap

 without his clothes being burned?

28 Can a man walk on hot coals

 without his feet being scorched?

29 So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife;

no one who touches her will go unpunished.

30 People do not despise a thief if he steals

 to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.

31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,

 though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

32 But a man who commits adultery has no sense;

 whoever does so destroys himself.

33 Blows and disgrace are his lot,

 and his shame will never be wiped away.

34 For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury,

 and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

35 He will not accept any compensation;

he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.

Proverbs 6:27-35

 

Today’s Devotional is brought to us by my friend Geo Valdez!

 

We all know the obvious answers to these questions, and it’s a big fat no. The interesting thing about this particular scripture is that it resonates with different phases of my life. If you really look at it, we can all relate to this scripture. Although we are not walking on hot coals or stepping into fire, in one way or another, we are all encounter, and we deal with situations similar to this. 

 

Whether that’s shutting down toxic relationships, maybe it’s eliminating dialogue with those that case strife in our lives. Maybe it’s overcoming addiction. There is always something we know we shouldn’t be associated with. Yet we do it anyway. 

 

This reminds me of the story of Samson in the bible. If you are not familiar with him, he is a man in the bible with superhuman strength and nonetheless couldn’t escape tragedy. If you want to read more about his story, you can find him in Judges. 

 

Chapter 13 of Judges tells us the story of Samson’s mother. 

 

Samson was set aside from birth. He called to live a life that was somewhat different than others so that he can ultimately live his destiny. As Samson grows up, we see a few instances where he puts his abilities and gifts to the test and ultimately defeats the Philistines and saves his people from the enemy. 

 

You would think Samson would get the picture? But no, he decides to get close to his enemy. He meets a woman by the name of Delilah. She asked him three times what the secret to his strength was. I don’t know about you, but if someone is asking me for my secret, don’t you think that’s a red light? Instead of saying “none of your business,” Samson tells her everything. 

 

You can guess what happens; next, he lost his strength and was given over to the hands of his enemy because he decided to play with fire. 

 

Do you know the great things of the God we serve? He is a redeeming God. You see, one day, he was tied up, and his hair grew back—God, as merciful as he is, allowed him to receive his strength back. In the end, he was stronger than before. You see, God works everything our for our good. 

 

Could you imagine all that he could have accomplished had he decided to answer with “new phone, who’s this?” rather than “where you at?” 

 

So what is that one thing that you want to avoid? Is it a relationship, an addiction, social media? Whatever it is, you can overcome it. 

 

God has called YOU, yeah, you because you were set apart from birth. 

 

PRAYER

Father God, we just want to thank you first and foremost because you are a merciful God. You are a God of everlasting power and grace, and you are a God that set us apart from birth. I pray for the person reading this; may they have the audacity to pray for more. To wish for more! I pray they reach for the stars, that they strive to be greater. Eliminate anything that is deviating from them. Father, we put this on the table, release it and give it to you. I pray this Wednesday we can start fresh, we can start with purpose, and we can start with love and compassion for others. In your name Jesus, we pray, Amen!