Frank's Bible Blog

Psalm 41-- Nightmares Disappear in the Presence of Father

It was late at night when the faint knock came to my bedroom door. It was my son and he had had a bad dream. He had climbed out of the top of his bunk bed and journeyed down the stairs to my bedroom.

 

You see, he needed to be in the presence of his father.

 

I opened the door and we made our way to the living room, where he sat on my lap and told me about his nightmare. I held him, prayed over him, and then he promptly went back to sleep.

 

All was well.

 

When he spent time in his father's presence, he gained emotional strength. When he spent time in his father's presence, he was able to forget what had troubled him. When he spent time in his father's presence, he was able to move on with life.

 

In Psalm 41 David reminds us of several things, the greatest of which is the importance of being in God's presence. David tells us of the blessings that come when we give consideration to those who are poor, weak, and in despair (vv1-3).

 

He then goes on to ask for God's mercy and healing for sin he had committed, which apparently also affected his health (vv4-8). In the midst of his personal struggles, he felt abandoned and despised both by his enemies and those close to him (vv5-9), prompting him to cry out to God.

 

The turning point for David came when he realized that God, his Father, was pleased with him (v11) and that God would uphold him.

 

"Set me in your presence forever" is how David worded it (v12). When he realized he was in the presence of Father, he knew everything would be alright.

 

Friend, when you and I spend time in Father's presence we will have compassion for those who are struggling in this world. When we spend time in Father's presence we will become acutely aware of our sin and seek to repent of it. When we spend time in Father's presence we have a sense of security and belonging that rises above life's circumstances.

 

Maybe today it's time to climb out of life's "bunk bed" and make your way into Father’s presence.

_________________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Keeping Your Pants Up and Groupies4God

Recently I was leading a discipleship group and we were discussing the armor of God in Ephesians 6. There were two particular parts of the armor that generated a lot of discussion--the belt of truth and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

We were reminded that the belt does several things--not the least of which is holding your pants up! One of the group members commented how in BIble times people would tuck the end of their robe into their belt so that they could move freely and quickly--such as when going to war.

Truth keeps everything together and allows us to successfully navigate life.

The question was raised "How do you get truth?" Well, we know Jesus is Truth (John 14:6) and God's Word is true.

That led us to the sword of the Spirit.

Another participant commented how if we don't know God's Word, then we have nothing that the Spirit can use in our lives. With both truth and the sword it is clear--we need to know God's Word. We need to read it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize it.

Okay, we know all that--but it's especially hard to memorize.

Well, let me introduce you to Groupies4God.

This is a group of people who recently started meeting on Facebook to learn verses together. Each Monday a new verse(s) is posted on the site Groupies4God.com and the group commits together to learn that verse over the coming week. As a way of accountability, if you are a Facebook member, you can indicate to everyone once you learn the verse. Facebook, of course, is free to join. If you don't want to join that's fine--you can still see the verse of the week. It's just nice to be part of a group that is committed to helping each other learn God's Word.

So, let's "keep our pants up" and take up the "sword" by learning the Bible. Let's start a movement to hide God's Word in our hearts. Gather some friends and commit together to weekly Bible memorization. 

Join us at Groupies4God.

_________________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Ecclesiastes 12-- The Ghost of Christmas Future

 

Do you remember the classic tale A Christmas Story?

Ebeneezer Scrooge lost perspective on life. That impacted his priorities and how he treated others. It took the Ghost of Christmas Future to help Scrooge see how he would waste his life if he continued living like he was living.

In a sense, Solomon is our "Ghost of Christmas Future" as he in Ecclesiastes 12 walks us to the edge of the end of our lives and invites us to look back.

The time for procrastination will end. There will be no more "I'll get serious about this tomorrow" because the days of being able to do anything will have ended. Let me encourage you to carefully read Solomon's description of what it is like when we get older (vv 2-8).

As he entered his later years, Solomon realized how much of his life was wasted pursuing temporary things. Every day we spend focused on our own priorities and living for ourselves is a day that is wasted--and a day that can never be recovered. It is a day that we one day will regret.

So how can we live our lives without regret? How can we maximize our lives and live them to their fullest? Three things.

First, start now (v1). Don't delay! No matter what age you are, this is the time to put God first in your life. Don't wait another day.

Second, pursue wisdom throughout your life and not just knowledge (vv9-12). Learning is good and we should be life-long students, but knowledge for the sake of knowledge is shallow. Wisdom, however, will enable us to successfully navigate life and help others to do the same.

Finally, do what God says to do (v13). It is just that simple. Have enough fear, appreciation, reverence, love, etc. for God that you follow what He says to do. That is our purpose. That is what life is all about. That is what will give our life meaning, fullness, and true joy.

There is no such thing as the Ghost of Christmas Future, so if you are waiting for him to show up, you are out of luck. Learn from the mistakes of Solomon--don't waste any day of your life.
_____________________
Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Do you remember the classic tale A Christmas Story?

Ebeneezer Scrooge lost perspective on life. That impacted his priorities and how he treated others. It took the Ghost of Christmas Future to help Scrooge see how he would waste his life if he continued living like he was living.

In a sense, Solomon is our "Ghost of Christmas Future" as he in Ecclesiastes 12 walks us to the edge of the end of our lives and invites us to look back.

The time for procrastination will end. There will be no more "I'll get serious about this tomorrow" because the days of being able to do anything will have ended. Let me encourage you to carefully read Solomon's description of what it is like when we get older (vv 2-8).

As he entered his later years, Solomon realized how much of his life was wasted pursuing temporary things. Every day we spend focused on our own priorities and living for ourselves is a day that is wasted--and a day that can never be recovered. It is a day that we one day will regret.

So how can we live our lives without regret? How can we maximize our lives and live them to their fullest? Three things.

First, start now (v1). Don't delay! No matter what age you are, this is the time to put God first in your life. Don't wait another day.

Second, pursue wisdom throughout your life and not just knowledge (vv9-12). Learning is good and we should be life-long students, but knowledge for the sake of knowledge is shallow. Wisdom, however, will enable us to successfully navigate life and help others to do the same.

Finally, do what God says to do (v13). It is just that simple. Have enough fear, appreciation, reverence, love, etc. for God that you follow what He says to do. That is our purpose. That is what life is all about. That is what will give our life meaning, fullness, and true joy.

There is no such thing as the Ghost of Christmas Future, so if you are waiting for him to show up, you are out of luck. Learn from the mistakes of Solomon--don't waste any day of your life.
_____________________
Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Ecclesiastes 11-- Whose the Center of Your Universe?

 

Unfortunately we see it all the time. From athletes to Hollywood celebrities to the guy next door, we live amongst people whose worlds only revolve around themselves. They know little to nothing about generosity.

Then there are the politicians who say we need to look out for each other and stop being so greedy--but when their own finances are revealed, we discover that they made millions but only gave away a couple thousand dollars.

We each have a fundamental choice that we must make. Are we going to live for ourselves exclusively or are we going to live for God and others?

It is one thing to talk about being our brother's keeper; it is quite another thing to do it. This is the focus of Ecclesiastes 11 where we are told that we need to be generous to others (vv1-8) and not make excuses for not giving.

Solomon, who spent years acquiring things for himself, finally realizes the shallowness of stuff and the importance of helping others. God does reward us when we give (v1) but that reward is not always immediate. Solomon also encourages us to give when we have the opportunity to do so and not delay (v2) because we do not know what might come in the future that would prevent us from giving.

Self-focused living is not only about what we do with our money and possessions, but whether or not we allow God to direct us. "Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes," Solomon says, "but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment" (v9). When we live for ourselves we only end up bringing grief upon ourselves (v10).

Today you have a choice. Who are you going to make the center of your universe?
_____________________
Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Unfortunately we see it all the time. From athletes to Hollywood celebrities to the guy next door, we live amongst people whose worlds only revolve around themselves. They know little to nothing about generosity.

Then there are the politicians who say we need to look out for each other and stop being so greedy--but when their own finances are revealed, we discover that they made millions but only gave away a couple thousand dollars.

We each have a fundamental choice that we must make. Are we going to live for ourselves exclusively or are we going to live for God and others?

It is one thing to talk about being our brother's keeper; it is quite another thing to do it. This is the focus of Ecclesiastes 11 where we are told that we need to be generous to others (vv1-8) and not make excuses for not giving.

Solomon, who spent years acquiring things for himself, finally realizes the shallowness of stuff and the importance of helping others. God does reward us when we give (v1) but that reward is not always immediate. Solomon also encourages us to give when we have the opportunity to do so and not delay (v2) because we do not know what might come in the future that would prevent us from giving.

Self-focused living is not only about what we do with our money and possessions, but whether or not we allow God to direct us. "Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes," Solomon says, "but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment" (v9). When we live for ourselves we only end up bringing grief upon ourselves (v10).

Today you have a choice. Who are you going to make the center of your universe?
_____________________
Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Ecclesiastes 10-- Done in by the Little Things

 

The world watched with amazement as swimmer Michael Phelps took home a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics. Before Phelps was even out of the pool, his agent's cell phone began to ring non-stop with endorsement offers for the 23-year old super star. Those endorsements evolved into what some estimate as $100 million or so in Phelps' pocket.

But a lot of that might have disappeared thanks to a moment of "folly" at a college house party when Phelps was photographed apparently using marijuana.

The words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 10 ring loud: "Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor" (v1).

One moment of "folly" can undo years of respect--not just for the super stars but for each one of us. So how do we avoid getting tripped up in life? Here are five areas in this chapter that may seem "small" but can come back to haunt us if we are not careful.

1) How we respond to authority and power, both ours and others (vv4-7).

2) How we respond to risks in life (vv8-11).

3) How we talk to others (vv 12-14).

4) How we view work and what we hold as our personal work ethic (vv15-19).

5) Whether or not we are engaged in gossip or negative discussion of others (v20).

While these may not seem like big issues, any one of these areas can entangle us. Let's be vigilant to protect our character, reputation, and most of all our Christian testimony. One careless moment can erase years of hard work.
_____________________
Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

The world watched with amazement as swimmer Michael Phelps took home a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics. Before Phelps was even out of the pool, his agent's cell phone began to ring non-stop with endorsement offers for the 23-year old super star. Those endorsements evolved into what some estimate as $100 million or so in Phelps' pocket.

But a lot of that might have disappeared thanks to a moment of "folly" at a college house party when Phelps was photographed apparently using marijuana.

The words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 10 ring loud: "Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor" (v1).

One moment of "folly" can undo years of respect--not just for the super stars but for each one of us. So how do we avoid getting tripped up in life? Here are five areas in this chapter that may seem "small" but can come back to haunt us if we are not careful.

1) How we respond to authority and power, both ours and others (vv4-7).

2) How we respond to risks in life (vv8-11).

3) How we talk to others (vv 12-14).

4) How we view work and what we hold as our personal work ethic (vv15-19).

5) Whether or not we are engaged in gossip or negative discussion of others (v20).

While these may not seem like big issues, any one of these areas can entangle us. Let's be vigilant to protect our character, reputation, and most of all our Christian testimony. One careless moment can erase years of hard work.
_____________________
Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Ecclesiastes 9-- Getting the Most Out of Life

 

John was a tall, distinguished looking man who joined us for one of our staff chapels. Looking at John you didn't notice anything different or out of the ordinary.

John, however, was dying.

We all are dying--but John had been given a time frame for it. He shared his remarkable journey with the staff and how the news of his impending death had changed how he lived.

What if you knew the month that you would enter into eternity? What if that time was much sooner than the time you have in the back of your mind? What would you do different?

Most of us will not be given a significant advance warning of our death. So, according to Ecclesiastes 9, we need to maximize every day that we have. How do we do that?

First, place your work in God's hand (v1). This includes not only your vocational work but the service "work" that you do for your family, church, etc. Allow God to take control of it all.

Second, recognize that life happens to everyone--there are ups and downs for both the evil and the righteous alike (v2). Don't be discouraged when it seems that those who reject Christ are doing better than you.

Third, have hope. Even if you have wasted a large portion of your life, there is hope for the future. As long as there is life there is the opportunity to give God control of our lives and allow Him to make them matter (vv3-6). Don't live in the past but instead allow God to make the most of the moment.

Fourth, live holy with works that are acceptable to God (v7-8).

Fifth, enjoy your marriage (v9)! Yes, marriage is one of the wonderful gifts that God gives us to maximize our lives. Unfortunately, many couples allow the joy to leave and their marriage becomes a drain. Don't let this happen to you if you are married!

Next, give it your all! Work with all your might at those things that God leads you to do because there is "no work...in the grave where you are going."

Finally, walk in wisdom (vv13-18) and make the most of every day that you have. These seven steps will enable all of us to live truly fulfilled and meaningful lives.
_____________________
Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

John was a tall, distinguished looking man who joined us for one of our staff chapels. Looking at John you didn't notice anything different or out of the ordinary.

John, however, was dying.

We all are dying--but John had been given a time frame for it. He shared his remarkable journey with the staff and how the news of his impending death had changed how he lived.

What if you knew the month that you would enter into eternity? What if that time was much sooner than the time you have in the back of your mind? What would you do different?

Most of us will not be given a significant advance warning of our death. So, according to Ecclesiastes 9, we need to maximize every day that we have. How do we do that?

First, place your work in God's hand (v1). This includes not only your vocational work but the service "work" that you do for your family, church, etc. Allow God to take control of it all.

Second, recognize that life happens to everyone--there are ups and downs for both the evil and the righteous alike (v2). Don't be discouraged when it seems that those who reject Christ are doing better than you.

Third, have hope. Even if you have wasted a large portion of your life, there is hope for the future. As long as there is life there is the opportunity to give God control of our lives and allow Him to make them matter (vv3-6). Don't live in the past but instead allow God to make the most of the moment.

Fourth, live holy with works that are acceptable to God (v7-8).

Fifth, enjoy your marriage (v9)! Yes, marriage is one of the wonderful gifts that God gives us to maximize our lives. Unfortunately, many couples allow the joy to leave and their marriage becomes a drain. Don't let this happen to you if you are married!

Next, give it your all! Work with all your might at those things that God leads you to do because there is "no work...in the grave where you are going."

Finally, walk in wisdom (vv13-18) and make the most of every day that you have. These seven steps will enable all of us to live truly fulfilled and meaningful lives.
_____________________
Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Ecclesiastes 7-- Protecting Your Reputation

 

He saved potentially hundreds of lives, but for a period of time Richard Jewell was wrongly labeled a domestic terrorist by news media.

Jewell was a security guard on duty for a late-night concert in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Jewell discovered a suspicious knapsack at the park and alerted authorities before beginning to clear the area of people. The knapsack contained a bomb which exploded killing one and injuring 111 others. The casualty count surely would have been significantly higher if Jewell had not acted.

Four days later, however, speculation began to surface that Jewell must have been the one that planted the bomb. He later was exonerated, as the real bomber, Eric Robert Rudolph, was captured and plead guilty. The damage, however, was done. Jewell's reputation was trashed.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 reminds us that "a good name is better than precious ointment." Richard Jewell discovered this first-hand. While most of us will never find ourselves in a situation like Jewell's, all of us to have to protect our reputations. We do that by protecting our character, and this chapter gives us four ways that we can do that.

First, by having regular times of "soul searching" (vv2-7). We can't just laugh our way through life and only listen to the positive. It is good to have times of seriousness and reflection. It is also good to hear the occasional rebuke rather than everyone always singing your praises (v5). We protect our character by taking regular, serious, and hard looks at ourselves as we seek to identify areas needed for improvement.

Second, we protect our character by living in the present with an eye to the future (vv8-10, 13-14). Too many people are living in the past which only damages their ability to effectively live in the present.

Third, we need to walk in wisdom (vv11-12, 19-29) as we ask God to enable us to make good decisions.

Finally, we need to be balanced in our living (vv15-18). There is a saying that goes "He is so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly value," meaning that we have to balance the spiritual with practical living. We are called to keep our focus on heaven while we live out our lives. Proper balances in life are critical to maintaining our character and finishing well our life race.

Let's protect our good name by guarding our character as we search our souls, live in the present, walk in wisdom, and maintain balance in our lives.

_____________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

He saved potentially hundreds of lives, but for a period of time Richard Jewell was wrongly labeled a domestic terrorist by news media.

Jewell was a security guard on duty for a late-night concert in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Jewell discovered a suspicious knapsack at the park and alerted authorities before beginning to clear the area of people. The knapsack contained a bomb which exploded killing one and injuring 111 others. The casualty count surely would have been significantly higher if Jewell had not acted.

Four days later, however, speculation began to surface that Jewell must have been the one that planted the bomb. He later was exonerated, as the real bomber, Eric Robert Rudolph, was captured and plead guilty. The damage, however, was done. Jewell's reputation was trashed.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 reminds us that "a good name is better than precious ointment." Richard Jewell discovered this first-hand. While most of us will never find ourselves in a situation like Jewell's, all of us to have to protect our reputations. We do that by protecting our character, and this chapter gives us four ways that we can do that.

First, by having regular times of "soul searching" (vv2-7). We can't just laugh our way through life and only listen to the positive. It is good to have times of seriousness and reflection. It is also good to hear the occasional rebuke rather than everyone always singing your praises (v5). We protect our character by taking regular, serious, and hard looks at ourselves as we seek to identify areas needed for improvement.

Second, we protect our character by living in the present with an eye to the future (vv8-10, 13-14). Too many people are living in the past which only damages their ability to effectively live in the present.

Third, we need to walk in wisdom (vv11-12, 19-29) as we ask God to enable us to make good decisions.

Finally, we need to be balanced in our living (vv15-18). There is a saying that goes "He is so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly value," meaning that we have to balance the spiritual with practical living. We are called to keep our focus on heaven while we live out our lives. Proper balances in life are critical to maintaining our character and finishing well our life race.

Let's protect our good name by guarding our character as we search our souls, live in the present, walk in wisdom, and maintain balance in our lives.

_____________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Ecclesiastes 6-- I Can't Get No Satisfaction

 

It is considered to be one of the top rock songs of all-time.

The Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction could be considered an anthem, not only to the generation of the 60s when the song was released, but really to every generation. Every generation looks for satisfaction in a myriad of things but ultimately comes up short if they don't have God in their lives.

In a sense, Solomon was singing this song long before the Rolling Stones when he wrote in Ecclesiastes 6 "All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied" (v7). God has placed within every person a longing for Him. No matter how hard we work or how much we attain, we can never have true satisfaction as long as that God-void exists. Life is uncertain (v12) but death is assured for all (v6).

The only answer to life's uncertainty, death's certainty, and mankind's desire for satisfaction is to embrace Christ and fill our lives with God's goodness (v3). Do that and you can get satisfaction!

_____________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

It is considered to be one of the top rock songs of all-time.

The Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction could be considered an anthem, not only to the generation of the 60s when the song was released, but really to every generation. Every generation looks for satisfaction in a myriad of things but ultimately comes up short if they don't have God in their lives.

In a sense, Solomon was singing this song long before the Rolling Stones when he wrote in Ecclesiastes 6 "All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied" (v7). God has placed within every person a longing for Him. No matter how hard we work or how much we attain, we can never have true satisfaction as long as that God-void exists. Life is uncertain (v12) but death is assured for all (v6).

The only answer to life's uncertainty, death's certainty, and mankind's desire for satisfaction is to embrace Christ and fill our lives with God's goodness (v3). Do that and you can get satisfaction!

_____________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Ecclesiastes 5-- Your Money and Your Mouth

 

There are two things that can get us into quick trouble--our mouth and a love for "stuff."

Everyday I hear or see numerous advertisements either encouraging credit card applications or telling how they can fix your credit card problems. Here in the U.S. many people have taken the "I have to have it now" approach to things rather than asking if they can afford it or not. Materialism has led to all kinds of social and political ills.

And then there is our mouth.

Every one of us knows what it is like for our mouths to get us into trouble! Ecclesiastes 5 provides an important lesson on the need to control both our mouth and desire for "stuff." So many times we are quick to speak but we don't listen--and we miss out. Even when we go to church we often don't listen. Solomon encourages us that when we go to God's house we should "draw near to hear" (v1). Guarding our mouth is important every day. We should not be so quick to speak that we don't think through what we are saying (v2). Rather, we should fulfill our promises (vv4-5) and not make excuses when we do say things we shouldn't.

The other subject this chapter explores is that of materialism. One of the most misquoted verses in the Bible is the verse in James that says "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Many say that "money is the root of all evil." Solomon makes it clear here, just as James did in his epistle, that the issue isn't money or material things, rather it is our hearts and where we place our love and focus.

When we love things we will never be satisfied (vv10-11) and we will spend our lives laboring in vain (vv12-17). When our focus is on the Lord and pleasing Him with our work, then we can be satisfied with what God brings our way because we see it as "the gift of God" (v19). We have a promise that our work will have significance "for he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart." Our work becomes our joy because we are doing it for the Lord.

Let's take to heart the two great teachings of this chapter--be careful with our words and keep our hearts focused on God rather than the "stuff" around us.

_____________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

There are two things that can get us into quick trouble--our mouth and a love for "stuff."

Everyday I hear or see numerous advertisements either encouraging credit card applications or telling how they can fix your credit card problems. Here in the U.S. many people have taken the "I have to have it now" approach to things rather than asking if they can afford it or not. Materialism has led to all kinds of social and political ills.

And then there is our mouth.

Every one of us knows what it is like for our mouths to get us into trouble! Ecclesiastes 5 provides an important lesson on the need to control both our mouth and desire for "stuff." So many times we are quick to speak but we don't listen--and we miss out. Even when we go to church we often don't listen. Solomon encourages us that when we go to God's house we should "draw near to hear" (v1). Guarding our mouth is important every day. We should not be so quick to speak that we don't think through what we are saying (v2). Rather, we should fulfill our promises (vv4-5) and not make excuses when we do say things we shouldn't.

The other subject this chapter explores is that of materialism. One of the most misquoted verses in the Bible is the verse in James that says "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Many say that "money is the root of all evil." Solomon makes it clear here, just as James did in his epistle, that the issue isn't money or material things, rather it is our hearts and where we place our love and focus.

When we love things we will never be satisfied (vv10-11) and we will spend our lives laboring in vain (vv12-17). When our focus is on the Lord and pleasing Him with our work, then we can be satisfied with what God brings our way because we see it as "the gift of God" (v19). We have a promise that our work will have significance "for he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart." Our work becomes our joy because we are doing it for the Lord.

Let's take to heart the two great teachings of this chapter--be careful with our words and keep our hearts focused on God rather than the "stuff" around us.

_____________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Ecclesiastes 4-- Championship Living

 

You see it every so often in professional sports--the hotshot rookie who thinks he is God's gift to the sport and who thinks he knows it all.

It usually doesn't take long, however, for these athletes to get a rude awakening and a heavy dose of reality. They quickly discover that they are one among many on the team and that their coaches actually do know more than they do. If they don't make this discovery, they usually don't last long.

The legendary basketball coach of the UCLA Bruins, John Wooden, said "Individuals win trophies but teams win championships."

There are two fundamental necessities to winning both in sports and in life--teamwork and teachability. Ecclesiastes 4 drives these points home. There are those who labor alone and only for their personal gain (v8) but this brings exceptional emptiness. When we connect with others, however, there is synergy, encouragement, support and strength. We are stronger as an individual when we connect with a team (vv9-12).

Someone who is teachable, even though he or she may not have the experience of some who are older, is in a much better position (vv13-14). We must never get to the point in our lives where we "will be admonished no more" (v13). All of us have more to learn. None of us have arrived yet.

So, if you want a rich and fulfilled life, become a team player who never stops learning and who consistently allows others to speak into your life. That's the formula that wins championships!

_____________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

You see it every so often in professional sports--the hotshot rookie who thinks he is God's gift to the sport and who thinks he knows it all.

It usually doesn't take long, however, for these athletes to get a rude awakening and a heavy dose of reality. They quickly discover that they are one among many on the team and that their coaches actually do know more than they do. If they don't make this discovery, they usually don't last long.

The legendary basketball coach of the UCLA Bruins, John Wooden, said "Individuals win trophies but teams win championships."

There are two fundamental necessities to winning both in sports and in life--teamwork and teachability. Ecclesiastes 4 drives these points home. There are those who labor alone and only for their personal gain (v8) but this brings exceptional emptiness. When we connect with others, however, there is synergy, encouragement, support and strength. We are stronger as an individual when we connect with a team (vv9-12).

Someone who is teachable, even though he or she may not have the experience of some who are older, is in a much better position (vv13-14). We must never get to the point in our lives where we "will be admonished no more" (v13). All of us have more to learn. None of us have arrived yet.

So, if you want a rich and fulfilled life, become a team player who never stops learning and who consistently allows others to speak into your life. That's the formula that wins championships!

_____________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.