Frank's Bible Blog

Genesis 31-- When Your Dishonest Boss is also Your Father-in-Law

Talk about a hostile work and family environment! Jacob in Genesis 31 was getting it from both sides as his employer, who also was his father-in-law, was making life very difficult for him. Jacob could read people--and it was very evident to him that things had changed in his relationship to his father-in-law Laban. He had a sense that things were going to turn south in a hurry. God confirmed that to Jacob and told him to leave the area. It was time to go home to the land of his fathers (v3). God promised to be with Jacob in the midst of this transition (v3). He had protected Jacob and blessed him even though Laban was dishonest and tried to take advantage of Jacob (vv6-9, 15). Laban was greedy and lived for himself at the expense of his own family (vv14-15). Contrast that with Jacob who tried to do what was right for all in the midst of a very difficult work situation. Now God was giving him relief from this dishonest boss. Jacob slipped away with his family and possessions but Laban eventually caught up to him. Even then, God protected Jacob (v24). When Laban accused Jacob of stealing his "household idols," Jacob had enough and spoke his mind to Laban (vv36-42). In this he made it clear to Laban that God was the reason Jacob had been blessed (v42). Without God, he would have nothing. Jacob and Laban eventually come to terms that included staying separate from each other (vv51-52). Now let's draw out three principles from this story. First, God does not promise to always take us out of difficult situations, but He does promise to always be there with us and see us through. That was Jacob's situation as he labored for a difficult boss. Second, God does work all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Jacob is a perfect example. Finally, sometimes in order to maintain peace, there are some people that you will have to agree to disagree with and then go on with life. Challenging work situations are a part of life. Let's learn from Jacob and rely on the Lord to navigate us through the troubled waters.
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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 30-- True Business Success

The audience listened intently as the chairman of a billion dollar business told the audience about his personal struggles and emptiness as he was building his great enterprise. Success at work did not translate to success at home, nor did it leave him with a sense of true fulfillment. Externally it looked like he had it all, but that was just a facade. "My life was spiraling out of control and I did not like the person I was becoming," he said. That all changed, however, when he discovered salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. His company's mission statement now reads, in part, "To glorify God as we supply our customers world-wide..." This man discovered that when God is first in his life everything else falls into place. In Genesis 30 it is evident that God's hand was on Jacob's business affairs. Jacob worked smart (vv37-43) finding innovative ways to prosper his livestock business. You can look at this story as two sides of the same coin. On one side was the desire to honor God and the acknowledgment of Him in all that Jacob did (v30). On the other side was a solid, smart work ethic. That is a great combination. God's doesn't put His hand of blessing on laziness or poor decision making, nor is it on those who are self-sufficient or self-focused. There was balance. Evangelist Billy Graham, when training workers for his great evangelistic crusades, would say that they needed to pray like everything depended upon God but they needed to work like everything depended upon them. Jacob was experiencing true success--not just material success but the success of a life lived for God. Now that didn't mean that everything went smoothly for Jacob. There was a lot of drama at home with his wives Leah and Rachel (sisters) vying for his attention and having children (vv1-24). (By the way--the Bible never condones polygamy, it just reports what happened as this was an acceptable custom at the time. Actually, in every instance of polygamy in the Bible, we see heart-ache, grief, and trouble). In the midst of everything, Jacob did his best to stay balanced. That is a good lesson for all of us!
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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 29-- When Years Seem Like Mere Days

It reads like a great romance novel. "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her" (Genesis 29:20). That is romantic--but it also gives us a great principle for living. Hardships go much easier when their is a goal--a prize--for which to strive. A goal gives hope. This chapter describes Jacob's search for a wife (vv1-10), his love at first sight when he sees Rachel (v11), and their eventual marriage (v28). But it wasn't all storybook. To have Rachel, her father required Jacob to labor for him for seven years which, as we saw in verse 20, Jacob did with ease. Then the father does the bait and switch, substituting his older (an apparently much less attractive) daughter for Rachel on their wedding day (vv23-26). Imagine Jacob's shock the next morning when he finds out that the woman he worked seven years to marry wasn't the one he actually married! He could have Rachel, the father said, but Jacob would have to work another seven years. Jacob did his "time" putting in 14 years to get the love of his life. That is a long time and certainly was not part of his original plan. Now think about this: when things take a wrong turn in life and we end up facing something we didn't expect, it is easy to get swallowed up in self-pity. It is easy to want to quit. Things didn't go the way we planned so let's throw in the towel. But if we will set our eyes on something beyond the immediate, then we will have hope. What goals do you have in your life? What special thing do you have to look forward to? Everyone needs something. It doesn't have to be extravagant, just something that will encourage you and motivate you to press on. Marriages need this as well. We need something special that we are looking forward to doing together. Maybe it is an annual vacation, a weekend getaway, or just a relaxing day walking in the park, but we need something that we periodically plan for that will help us to look beyond the immediate.
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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 28-- The Desperate Tale of Two Brothers

Emotionally hurt with his world crashed down around him, we find Esau in Genesis 28 desperate to recover his father's favor. Earlier he exchanged his birthright for some stew, then he lost his father's blessing. It seemed that his brother Jacob got everything that should have been his. So when Jacob goes off to find a wife who wasn't from the area, Esau decides he needs to do that as well. He already had two wives from Canaan (much to his parents displeasure) but thinks that if he finds one from his extended family it will bring him back into his father's graces (vv8-9). While Esau (a grown man) is desperately trying to recover from his emotional pain, his brother has his first real encounter with God. Jacob had grown up hearing about God. He knew many things about God. But he didn't know God for himself. Then along a roadside as he journeyed to find a wife, God spoke to him (vv10-15). This was a turning point in Jacob's life. Jacob vows that if God would be faithful to him, Jacob would serve the Lord and put Him first (vv20-21), even in his possessions (v22). Jacob had caused a lot of grief, he was a conniver and a liar. But something started to change in his life as he met God on that dusty road. His focus started shifting from himself to the Lord and others. He went on to become a great man of God whose 12 sons would become the 12 tribes of Israel and the Jewish nation. Where are you at in your life today? Are you like Esau, desperate to recover from your emotional pain? Desperate to find someone who will love and accept you? Or maybe you are like Jacob prior to this chapter. You know all about God but haven't made a personal commitment to Him. Maybe you have done some terrible things, caused a lot of grief, lied to a lot of people. Whether it is the emotional pain of an Esau or the guilt of a Jacob, Jesus Christ is waiting to forgive you, heal your emotional scars, and lead you into an abundant life. If you have never done so, today ask God to forgive your sin, acknowledge that Christ's death, burial and resurrection is sufficient to pay for your sin, and commit your life to the Lord right now. God will make you into a new creation and give you a purpose and peace that you have never known before.
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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 27--The Collapsing Family

Every so often it seems that there is a tragic story of a mine that has collapsed with workers trapped inside. Sometimes the workers survive, but too often we hear of lives that are lost. They are in the mine where they have been many times before, but on that tragic day something happens to weaken the mine's supports and it collapses on the workers. Far more frequent than mines collapsing are families collapsing. The supports give way and the world comes crashing down on many families. Tragically, some families disintegrate. In other cases, they survive. They are hurt, dirty, scared--but they continue. Such was the case in Genesis 27 with Isaac, Rebekah and their two children, Esau and Jacob. Notice some things that caused the "mine" to weaken and eventually collapse. We see that Rebekah elevated her child above her husband (vv5-10). She conspired to trick her husband in order to benefit her favored son, Jacob, and secure Isaac's blessing for him instead of Esau. She also directly lied to her husband (v46). In addition, she underestimated the pain that she caused Esau (v44). She assumed Esau would get over this in "a few days," but he didn't. We also notice that Jacob wasn't concerned with what was right or wrong, only with getting caught (vv11-12). Then we see Esau becoming desperate (v34) and rather than turn to God, he turns to rage (v41). He would harbor this intense anger and bitterness for a long time. As we look back on their lives, we see that Isaac and Rebekah did what many couples do today. They lost themselves in their children. Not only that, but they each had their own favorite child on whom they focused. I have seen this many times--after many years a couple ends their marriage because they no longer have an emotional connection to each other. Everything centered on the children and when the children leave home they have nothing in common. Don't live just for your children! The best gift you can give to your children is the example of a strong marriage. Put your priority on your spouse and then together seek to raise, guide, and nurture your children to realize their full potential in Christ. Do that and everyone will be better off.

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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 26-- When Good Work Ethic Causes Trouble

Have you ever had a job where your co-workers were jealous because you did so much better than them? Maybe you always went the extra mile but they did the least amount necessary. One person I know started a new job where he did service calls for a company. Under the union contract, employees were supposed to complete five calls per shift. This guy found that he could usually complete more than that in a typical day. It didn't take long, however, before he started getting heat from his co-workers. If he could do more in a day, then they would be expected to do more--and they didn't like that. It seems that there always are people around us trying to pull us down because our getting ahead makes them look bad. Such was the case for Isaac in Genesis 26. There was a famine in the area, so Isaac relocated his family to Gerar, the same place where his father had spent time. He worked hard and God richly blessed his efforts (vv12-13). Soon he became so prosperous that everyone around him was jealous. They tried to make life difficult for him (v15) and eventually kicked him out of the area. Isaac sought peace with those around him, even giving up wells that rightfully were his in order to avoid strained relations (vv18-22). He had plenty and was able to dig more wells. There are some things worth fighting for, but to Isaac, this wasn't one of them. He did his "thing" and didn't get deterred by those who were jealous of him. Now, before we leave this chapter, there are two negatives that we need to notice. First is that Isaac lied about Rebekah being his wife when they arrived in Gerar. Rather than being honest and trusting God to take care of him, he tried to devise a plan to protect himself. As we saw in the last chapter, he was looking out for his own interests and not that of others. Nor was he thinking about long-term ramifications. The second negative is that son Esau marries not one but two pagan women, causing Isaac and Rebekah great grief (vv34-35). Esau is another example of being self-focused, and he is the product of a dysfunctional family (see chapter 25). So here is the take away from this chapter: do what is right in both your business and family affairs, and leave the outcome to God. Some people give great attention to their work but let their family suffer. Others are lazy and have a poor work ethic. Don't let either be true of you.

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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 25-- Are You the Next Reality TV Show?

It could have been a reality TV show. We'll call it "Isaac's Family." It is the true story that begins to unfold in Genesis 25 as Isaac and Rebekah start their family. It took them 20 years before they could have children, but once twins Esau and Jacob were born I doubt there was ever a dull moment. There were some interesting family dynamics that we notice as we open the window and look in on this family. First, these kids were "fighting" before they even came out of the womb (v22) with each destined by God to father a nation or people group. They may have been twins, but these boys were dramatically different. They looked different (v25), had different interests (v27), different personalities, and they approached life differently. Jacob was a thinker--he planned, thought things through, and even schemed. Esau lived for the moment. He was rugged, tough, and self-focused. The first sign of trouble we see is that Isaac and Rebekah played favorites (v28) with Isaac loving Esau and Rebekah loving Jacob. Then we see how short-sited Esau was because he was willing to throw away his future--his birthright--for some stew. Jacob is far from innocent as he took advantage of his brother. This was a pretty dysfunctional family (it gets worse as the story goes on!). What was the bottom line that caused all of this? Each family member looked only at his or her own interests  and not the interests of the whole family. They also didn't consider the long-term ramifications of their decisions and the impact those decisions would have on others. The more members of your family there are who look only to their own interests, the more dysfunctional your family will be. It is that simple! Don't become fodder for a reality show--consider others before yourself.

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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 24-- Discerning God's Will

When my kids were younger, they really enjoyed watching the cartoon show Scooby Doo. To be honest, so did I. Scooby Doo is a dog (for those not familiar with the series) who helps four teenagers solve mysteries. The teens discover clues (okay, usually it is Velma discovering all the clues!) in an attempt to make sense of something strange and bazaar. They eventually uncover the mystery and bad guys behind it. Sometimes we think of God's will like a mystery--we see it as something that someone (God) intends to hide and make as difficult as possible to discover. The reality is God wants us to know and do His will. He doesn't want it to be a mystery. So how then can we determine what He wants for our lives? Genesis 24 is a great lesson on this. Abraham is getting old and knows he needs to get a wife for his son Isaac. So he sends his servant back to their homeland to find a girl because he did not want Isaac marrying a pagan girl from where they lived. But who should this girl be? How would they ever find her? What if they did find someone, how would they know if she was the right one for Isaac? There is a lot in this chapter, but let me make six quick observations about discerning God's will. First, start with what God has already revealed. Abraham sought out a wife because God had promised to make Isaac a great nation. He determined that Isaac would stay in Canaan because that was the land God had given to them (vv5-). Second, remember God's will is always consistent with his character. "Don't get a Canaanite girl," Abraham told his servant (v3) because she would not be a follower of Jehovah God. Third, take action to discover God's will. The servant went to the homeland and observed women coming to a well outside of the city of Nahor. He also prayed (v12) and determined a reasonable process of verifying God's will. Fourth, prayerfully determine what God's will should look like for you. Although he didn't know who the woman would be, Abraham's servant knew what kind of person she would be (v14). She would meet a certain criteria (work ethic, conscientious, caring). Fifth, when everything does line up, praise God and move on it (vv24-27). Finally, know that discerning God's will is not always a process; sometimes it is a simple choice. This was the case with Rebekah, the woman we become Isaac's bride (vv57-58). No five-step process for her--those were done by the time it came to her. There was just one thing for her to decide--do I see God at work in all of this and if so, will I follow Him? Great truths from a great chapter as we seek to know and follow God's will!
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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 23-- When the Going Gets Tough...

It has been said that tough times reveal the true character of a person. When things go bad and the pressure intensifies, then we see the real person. Such is the case in Genesis 23 with the death of Abraham's beloved wife, Sarah. She was 127 when she died (v1). How would Abraham handle this? What would his testimony be in this very difficult time? We immediately notice that Abraham was just like any of us--he mourned and cried for his dear wife. Just what any of us should and would do. It is Interesting, however, that the bulk of this chapter focuses on the business transaction of Abraham securing a burial place for Sarah. We would expect Abraham to mourn his wife, but how would he conduct his affairs immediately after her death? This is where we see several things about Abraham's character. First, he was well respected wherever he went (v6). He had established his character and that did not change when things got tough. Second, he was respectful and considerate of others even though he was grieving (vv7-9, 12). Finally, he did not try to take advantage of others who were sympathetic to him; instead, he made sure his business dealings were fair and above-board (vv12-18). In other words, he didn't try to cut corners or compromise himself just because he was going through a difficult time. Abraham's godly lifestyle was consistent. In fact, the reason he was able to handle himself so well in the hard times was because he learned how to handle himself well in the good times. If you wait until times are tough to establish a good reputation it won't happen. Character is something we work on every day of our lives.
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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 22-- Abraham, D.L. Moody and You

The famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody was known for his incredible commitment to Christ and determination to reach people for the Lord. He shook two continents for Christ in the 19th century, and the impact of his ministry is still felt today. What led to such an incredibly fruitful life? I'm sure there were many things, but one really stands out. Early in his ministry, a close friend said to Moody "It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself wholly unto Him." When Moody heard those words, he said to himself "I will be that man." Abraham in Genesis 22 may not have said those words but he exemplified that sentiment with his life. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac--the son of promise, the son he had waited so many years to have. Now Isaac was not a baby or even a young boy. He probably was in his teens or early 20s. Abraham was so surrendered to God that he was willing to do anything God said. This wasn't just blind, unconscious, cult-like obedience. No, Abraham knew this was the son of promise. He believed that God would keep His word and make Abraham a great nation through Isaac. He believed that "God would provide for Himself...an offering" (v22). You see, Abraham so believed God and was so committed to Him that he believed God would raise Isaac from the dead, if need be, to keep His word (Hebrews 11:19). What will God do with a person who gives himself or herself wholly to the Lord? He will make them into an Abraham or a D.L. Moody--into someone who impacts both their own generation and generations to come. Just imagine the incredible things that God could do through you! Will you follow Abraham's example? Will you take on Moody's mantra and be that man or woman?

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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 21-- Better than the Midas Touch

We've heard the fable of King Midas and how everything he touched turned to gold. A lot of people wish they had that ability--especially in this day. But what if you could have something better than the Midas touch? What if there was something better than the ability to turn things into gold? Well, there is. In Genesis 21, King Abimelech of Gerar makes a profound statement to Abraham. He said "God is with you in everything that you do" (v22). Wow! God with Abraham in everything he did? That is far better than the Midas touch! It was evident to everyone around Abraham that God's hand was on him. But that same statement can--and should--be said of us. When we walk in faith and obedience to God, with a passion to please Him, we have something that others don't. We have God's favor on our lives because our lives glorify Him. In this chapter, we see God fulfilling His promise to give a son to Abraham through his wife Sarah. We see God protecting Ishmael, Abraham's son by his handmaid, as he and his mother tried to survive the desert after being banished by Sarah. We also see God's blessing on Ishmael because of Abraham (v13). Abraham was concerned about what might happen to Ishmael, but God assured Abraham that He would work it all out. Abraham rested on that promise, just like he had on so many other things he had heard from the Lord. You see, when God's hand is on us, we realize His promises, others are blessed because of us, and His presence permeates all that we do. This didn't happen to Abraham by accident, nor does it happen to us accidentally. Can it be said of you that God is with you in all that you do? If not, maybe it is because you haven't included God in everything that you do--from the very beginning. Too often we plan and then ask God to bless our plans. Too often we ask God to bail us out of a mess when we should have asked God for direction in the first place. We want to tack God onto what we are doing rather than seeking Him from the very beginning. "Seek first the kingdom of God," Jesus said. If we will do that, then we can experience the hand of God on our lives just like Abraham did. Having God with us is better than any fabled super-human ability!

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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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.