Monday, August 09, 2010

Frank's Desk - 08/09/10

THE MYSTERY OF SAMSON

Do you remember the story of how Samson lost his strength?

Judges 16:17  . . . he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

Samson is somewhat of a mystery. He was feared by his enemies and revered by his own people. Yet, Samson had a problem that destroyed his life. On more than one occasion, he found himself in deep water because of his undisciplined moral life. That's why he gave away the secret of his strength to a woman who betrayed him. God was able to use Samson to win some great battles over the Philistines. For that he is a hero. But one can only imagine what God might've done through him if Samson had been totally committed to God. What Samson might have accomplished was limited by his unwillingness to walk in obedience.

What about you? What might God do through you if you're willing to obey Him? Learn more about the life of Samson by reading Judges chapters 13 through 16. Discover how God uses people who live obediently to Him. You'll read all about it in the Bible.

Frank Coleman


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Thought for today - 08/09/10

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." 
     ~Romans 13:8

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Sunday, August 08, 2010

TRUST GOD

Some people just don't seem to have much going for them. I know one. His mom was a prostitute, and so he was rejected by his family. His half brothers and sisters tolerated him until their father died. Then they tossed him out. He was on his own with nobody to turn to. He got involved with a worthless gang who robbed people for kicks. Sounds like a movie plot, I know, but this is a real person. His name was Jephthah and Judges 11:1 introduces him as "...a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot." Jephthah had every reason to blame his environment for his failures, but he chose rather to trust God and become a hero of faith. 
    
Now you may feel like you have nothing going for you either. But your background is no excuse for failure. Jephthah reminds us all of what we can be if we choose to trust God with our lives.

Want to know how the story turns out? Read Judges 11 in the Old Testament and see how God used Jepthah. It's a story of a life that started out bad and turned into something good. The Bible has answers for all of life's questions. Read it today.

Frank Coleman


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Saturday, August 07, 2010

Thought for today - 08/07/10

"I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward." 
     ~Charlotte Bronte

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Friday, August 06, 2010

'ASTONISHING' GROWTH OF RELIGION IN CHINA

Read CONNECTIONS For week of August 8, 2010 here:
http://connectionsnews.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/connections-080810/


     'ASTONISHING' GROWTH OF RELIGION IN CHINA 
by Tony Blair 
My interest in China -- her history, her people, and her culture -- began before I was British Prime Minister. During my time in office, I knew power was shifting East and sought to build strong relations with this fast moving new power. 

Since then, I have got to know the country even better still. Today, I am a witness to a new revolution happening here; to the rapid modernization and the opening up of borders, culture, and society both internally and externally. And whilst power is still shifting East, there is a fascination about what that means for China and for the rest of the world. I hope the new partnership my Faith Foundation is announcing with Peking University can, in some way, help to explain.... Read this in full at 
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/07/astonishing_growth_of_religion_in_china.html
Read CONNECTIONS For week of August 8, 2010 here:
http://connectionsnews.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/connections-080810/
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FRUSTRATED?

Can you relate to these words of a frustrated Christian? "The Bible was the dullest, most uninteresting book in existence. And the sense of depravity, the vileness and bad-motivatedness of my nature was terrific."

Sounds pretty grim, doesn't it? Those words were penned by Oswald Chambers during a time of deep soul searching that lasted over four years. He was struck with his own unworthiness and his own inadequacy to live the Christian life. It wasn't until he understood the words of Luke 11:13 that he experienced hope. Jesus said; "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Oswald Chambers finally came to the end of himself and believed that God the Holy Spirit could empower him to be what He needed him to be.

Do you feel inadequate for what God has called you to do, like Oswald Chambers? Begin to read what God has promised in the Bible and take Him at His Word. That means studying His Word daily and becoming intimate with what He has spoken to you. God can use you to do great things for Him if you'll trust Him and take His promises by faith.

Frank Coleman


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Thought for today - 08/06/10

"Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." 
     ~Romans 1:20

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Thursday, August 05, 2010

Thought for today - 08/05/10

"Let the first rule of right prayer then be, to have our heart and mind framed as becomes those who are entering into converse with God.  This we shall accomplish in regard to the mind, if, laying aside carnal thoughts and cares which might interfere with the direct and pure contemplation of God, it not only be wholly intent on prayer, but also, as far as possible, be borne and raised above itself.  I do not here insist on a mind so disengaged as to feel none of the gnawings of anxiety; on the contrary, it is by much anxiety that the fervor of prayer is inflamed.  Thus we see that the holy servants of God betray great anguish, not to say solicitude, when they cause the voice of complaint to ascend to the Lord from the deep abyss and the jaws of death." 
     ~John Calvin, Reformer, 1509-1564, On Prayer

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Wednesday, August 04, 2010

A FRIEND

Loneliness is an epidemic in our world today. In a time when we have more people and communication devices than ever before, people are still lonely. I'm reminding you that friends are valuable treasures.

A friend that sticks by you in good times and in bad is worth more than gold. Luke was that kind of friend. When Paul was in a Roman prison awaiting execution for preaching Christ, Luke stayed by his side to comfort him. Paul acknowledged that when in 2 Timothy 4:11 he said, "Only Luke is with me." Paul knew he was about to reach the finish line of his life. He appreciated the friendship of Luke in his final hours.

Not only do I find myself wanting a friend like Dr. Luke, but I find myself challenged to be that kind of friend to others. In our fast-paced lives we must be careful not to be so busy we have no time for others. Take time to be a friend to those who need your friendship today.

You can learn from Luke's example by reading God's Word. There is no better place to learn about friendships than the Bible. After all, you have no greater friend than Jesus.

Frank Coleman


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Thought for today - 08/04/10

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." 
     ~James 5:16

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