[S]ince we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . . Hebrews 12:1-2

PURSUING POTENTIAL

SAMSON

You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

Judges 13:5

After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him.

Judges 16:19

Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison.

Judges 16:20-21

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Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little, is also unrighteous in much.

Luke 16:10

You will grow what you feed.

You grow your strength

by serving others.

You grow your purpose

by doing the good you know to do.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. . . . 1 Peter 4:10

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. . . . To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

But the hair on his head began to grow again . . . .

Judges 16:22

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more. . . .”

Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood.

Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!”

Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

Judges 16:25-30