Frank's Bible Blog

Psalm 60--Moving from Politics to Prayer

Several years ago I had the opportunity to attend a dinner held in conjunction with the National Prayer Breakfast. The annual breakfast is actually more like a series of lunches, dinners and other meetings that culminate with the breakfast. Its history dates back to the 1930s.

The dinner I was at was made up of politicians, business leaders, and ministers all from the same state. It was an interesting group, with people holding polar opposite political views from each other. But for a short time they put aside their differences, visited with each other over a meal, and prayed together.

Too bad this is only once a year!

Yes, politicians need to spend more time considering the Lord and praying for their nation, but so do those of us who aren't elected officials. We all need to be in prayer for our nation. (This blog is read by folks all over the world--and whatever country you live in, your nation needs prayer as well.) We should pray for our lands and for our leaders that they would acknowledge God and bring Him glory in what they do.

Psalm 60 could be considered a national psalm or prayer. It was written by King David when his country was having a tough time militarily. The nation's enemies were winning some battles, but as David turned to the Lord, they experienced an overwhelming victory. Notice seven things about David from this psalm, and pray that our leaders would emulate them:

1. David looked at his nation from God's perspective. Were they pleasing Him or had they turned their back on the Lord? (v1)
2. Although David was a warrior and had an army, he knew that ultimately any victory would have to be from above (vv5,11). History is full of stories where smaller, less-skilled forces defeated large armies of skilled warriors. David's faith was in the Lord not his military.
3. David saw the hardships that were facing his nation as lessons God was using to get their attention (vv3,10).
4. David shifted his primary focus from politics and war planning to spiritual matters. He would pray and lead his people to seek God's face (v6).
5. David asked for God's intervention in the nation. He saw himself as a steward, not the owner, of the nation. It belonged to God (vv6-7).
6. David praised the Lord when God responded and the tide turned in his favor. He didn't take the credit for victory; instead, he gave all the glory to God (v12).
7. David continued his focus on the Lord after the crisis was resolved.

Stop now and pray these seven points for your political leaders. Then, let's not let prayer for our nation be just an annual event, but rather let's make it a regular part of our prayer 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.

Psalm 45-- Carry It or Watch Others Carry It: The Choice is Yours

It has marked the beginning of every Olympic Games since 1928.

The Olympic Torch lights a large cauldron during the opening ceremonies and the cauldron stays lit until the end of the games.  Since 1936, the flame that ignites the cauldron originates in Greece and then is carried by relay to the Olympic stadium. Typically hundreds, even thousands, of people participate in the carrying and passing of the torch as it makes it way around the world before finally lighting the cauldron.

There are those individuals who get to be part of history--the passing of the flame to the next runner--and then there are the rest of us who just watch.

When I think of the Olympic Torch relay, I can't help but think of the Torch relay all of us are to take part in as followers of Christ.

In Psalm 45 we are prophetically introduced to Christ. We are told about His majesty, righteousness and might. We are given a sneak peak into His everlasting kingdom. Then the chapter concludes by saying "I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever."

Just like the flame of the Olympic Torch is passed from one runner to the next, the Name of Jesus will be praised, exalted, and passed on from one generation to the next. But unlike the Olympic torch, which eventually is extinguished, the Name of Jesus will be remembered for eternity.

Think about that for a moment.

Since the resurrection of Christ different people have joined the relay to pass along Christ to the next generation. They have been part of an unbroken chain prophesied here in Psalms 45. Now, there were those in every generation who embraced Christ, but who failed to pass Him along to the next generation. They watched as others did, but they did not have that legacy for themselves.

They watched while others made history.

The question comes to us today: Will we watch or will we make history? Will we sit on the sofa while others in our generation proclaim the life-changing message of Jesus? Will we rest on the bench while our peers pass the torch to another generation? Or will we rise to the occasion and take our place in history by handing the Flame to those who will carry it the next leg?

Will we go into eternity knowing that we helped carry the Name, or will we go into eternity knowing we missed the opportunity to make a difference in our generation?

The choice is ours!

_________________________

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.

Psalm 27--What the Lion Missed Pursuing Courage

In the classic movie The Wizard of Oz, one of the characters that Dorothy met was a lion who desperately wanted courage. He ventured with Dorothy to Oz to seek courage from the Wizard. In his mind, the only way he could get courage was to have it bestowed upon him. Have you ever thought about where courage comes from? We know we can't get it from a magical wizard in a fantasy story, but how can we get it? What makes courageous people courageous? What gives the police officer, for example, the courage to venture down a dark ally alone when he suspects trouble? Or the soldier the courage to enter a terrorist strong hold? I think there are four things: training, experience, protection and determination. Both the police officer and soldier have been taught what to do in these situations. They both had past experiences, even if simulated, that gave them a feel for what to expect. They both had protection--guns, rifles, bullet-proof vests, etc. They also had the will and determination to put those three things together and in order to place themselves in harms way. In Psalm 27, David challenges all of us to have courage as we journey through life. I believe we get that courage in the same way that the police officer or solider got theirs. Our training comes when we spend time in God's house, in His presence, and as we wait on Him to teach us His ways (vv 4, 6, 11, 14). We gain experience as we daily walk with Him and learn to trust Him with bigger and bigger issues (vv 2,13). We, too, have protection--and it is much greater than vests or guns. David put it this way: "The Lord is my strength" (v1), "Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear" (v3), "He shall set me high upon a rock" (v5), and "Then the Lord will take care of me" (v10). Even with all of this, we must have the will and determination to utilize our training, experiences and protection. When we do that, then we will have courage! "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (v14).

_________________________
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.

Psalm 21--Lasting Leadership

"I guess it was easier to fire one guy than to fire 15." Those were the words of an NBA player following the announcement that his basketball team's head coach had just been fired. This particular coach had good success with the team early on, but as trades occurred and personnel changes were made the coach found himself having a difficult time leading. His style, personality and approach just didn't work anymore. It is common in sports for a leadership change to be made and then the team begins to flourish under the new coach.  Successful leadership in sports is one thing, but what about successful leadership in life? What about successful leadership for a business, ministry or even a nation? Psalm 21 is a great chapter on great leadership--godly leadership. Notice some things about the leader mentioned here, who happened to be King David, the leader of Israel. He found joy in God's strength, not his own (v1). God gave him his heart's desire because his heart was set on God (v2). Likewise, God listened and responded to his prayers (v4). This leader discovered his glory by focusing on God's glory (v5). This leader loved to spend time in God's presence and trusted Him fully (vv 6-7). This leader saw the big picture of what God was doing in the world (vv8-12) and realized that the world revolved around God and not himself. Finally, this leader publicly praised the Lord (v13). Do you want to be a great leader that lasts? Then learn some leadership lessons from David's example. Let your leadership be an extension of God's glory not you trying to create your own glory.

_________________________
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.

Zechariah 10-- Who are You Following?

Adolph Hitler. Jim Jones. Charles Manson. David Koresh. Today, we know these as men who's leadership led to the death of others. A few deaths--in the case of Manson, to millions of deaths, in the case of Hitler. But what about these men before they became infamous for the deaths of others? These men were all leaders--they had people who passionately followed them. They were accepted by people in main-stream society. Jim Jones, whose actions in the 70s led to the suicide deaths of more than 900 people, was well connected to top political leaders. Reportedly, this included the U.S. Vice-President at the time, as well as officials in Guyana, the country where the suicides took place. Manson had been accepted by well-known music and movie industry people. Koresh's followers included lawyers, accountants, and other well educated people. Hitler, of course, gained the following of an entire nation. The point is that a lot of seemingly smart people made a bad decision to follow the wrong person. In some cases, that decision resulted in their own death. Zechariah 10 is a contrast in leadership. God describes those who led Israel astray by pursuing idols, divination, and giving false visions (vv2-3). God's people got sucked into the leadership of "shepherds" who really weren't shepherds. They weren't really caring for the best interests of their flocks. God, on the other hand, "will visit His flock" (v3) and lead them to "be like mighty men" (v5) as He strengthens them (vv6, 12) and brings rejoicing once again to their hearts (v7). This chapter is an important reminder that we need to be careful who we follow. Just because someone articulates a vision and sounds good doing it doesn't mean they should have our allegiance. We must ask ourselves if we see godliness in their life. Does what they say match the truth of what God says? Is there genuine sincerity and care for those they are leading or is the focus all on themselves? While those you follow may never turn out to be a Jim Jones or David Koresh, they may subtly cause you to stray from truth and God's purpose for your life if you are not careful. Let's examine our leaders in light of the Ultimate Leader, the Lord Jesus Christ.

_________________________

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 share this blog with your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Zechariah 8--Rising from the Ashes

We remember the piles of twisted steel and other debris that sat smoking in New York City as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Massive 100+ story buildings reduced to rubble. We remember scenes in 2005 of flood waters engulfing the City of New Orleans and surrounding environs as the costliest hurricane in U.S. history devastated the Gulf Coast. Looking at those scenes of devastation, the question on many minds was, "Could these ever be rebuilt? Can something new rise from the ashes?" The answer, as we see even today, is "Yes!" But the rebuilding started with a vision--and a belief. A vision of people once again walking the streets of a city and the vision of workers once again filling office buildings. A belief that enormous obstacles could be conquered. In Zechariah 8, God inspires the Jewish people with a vision and a call to believe in order to overcome the destruction of their city, Jerusalem. Some of the elderly Jews who had returned to Israel from Babylonian captivity remember seeing their beloved city utterly destroyed. Even though they now had been back in the land for several years, the city was still in bad shape. The rebuilding of the temple was not yet complete. The city walls were non-existent. Few people actually lived in Jerusalem itself. In the midst of this despair, God gives them a vision of children once again playing in the streets (v5) and people growing old there (v4). But they would have to believe. They would have to believe enough to be strong in their current situation (v9). They would have to believe that God would be faithful to once again prosper them (v12). They would have to believe enough to change their actions by speaking truth and living justly with each other (vv16-17). Vision and belief are what enable the Jews to rebuild. You might be in a situation where you feel like your life is in ruins. "How could something good ever rise out of the ashes of my devastation," you ask. It can if you have two things--vision and belief.

_________________________

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.

Zechariah 6-- Translating the Vision into Action

Vision is one of the greatest attributes that any leader can posses. If you study great leaders, you will see that they were all people of vision. Leaders need both a long-term vision and also a more immediate vision. But what really makes a great leader great is that they are able to translate that vision into action. In Zechariah 6 we find both a short-term and a long-term vision. They are reminders to us that we need to have both of these kinds of visions in our lives. The immediate need before the Jews who had returned to Israel from captivity was the rebuilding of the temple. In this chapter, God shows them that He is well aware of their situation. He also gives them a picture to symbolize that His glory will once again fill the temple. He tells them to construct an elaborate crown and put it on the head of the high priest whose name was Joshua. The crown was an encouragement to Joshua that he would be successful in his efforts. It also was a vision to the future of the Ultimate One, the Highest of high priests, the King of all kings, the Lord Jesus Christ whose glory will fill the whole earth. The chapter closes with a short but critical statement from God: "This shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God" (v15). While the long-term vision had nothing to do with Joshua's and the Jews obedience, the short-term vision had everything to do with it. If they wanted to be the ones to see God move to restore the temple and bring His glory to Israel once again, then they would have to do what God told them to do. They would have to translate that vision into action. Has God given you a vision for what He wants to accomplish in your life? Then translate that vision into action by diligently obeying the Lord one step at a time.

_________________________

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.

Zechariah 5-- The Elephant in the Room

You have probably heard or used the term "the elephant in the room." It refers to the one big thing on everyone's mind in a particular group that no one is brave enough to bring up and discuss. This often happens in meetings where everyone knows there is a problem--usually caused by a particular person who happens to be sitting in the group. They talk about everything else but the "elephant." They deal with all the small issues but are afraid to tackle to big one, the one that ultimately is causing the other issues. This also happens with marriages that are having difficulties. Couples tend to focus on all the small issues rather than dealing with the big things or real root problems. In Zechariah 5 we are reminded that the real elephant in many of our rooms is sin. We dress it up and call it by different names, but it is still sin, and it is something that should not be ignored. In this chapter Zechariah tells of two visions that he had. The first was of a scroll that when unrolled measured 30 feet by 15 feet. "This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth" (v3) because sin was found throughout the earth. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God," we are told in the New Testament. Man is without excuse, and if he remains in that sinful state, he will experience God's judgment (v4). The second vision is of a woman representing wickedness who is stuffed into a basket which then has a heavy lid placed on it. The basket is transported to Babylon where it awaits a house to be built for its placement. Scholars offer various opinions on what this vision represents, but one thing is clear. God deals with wickedness. This brings us back to the elephant in the room. We can either ignore the elephant and wait for God to bring judgment, or we can deal with it and move on with a life that pursues the holiness of God. The choice is up to each of 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.

Zechariah 4-- No Mountain High Enough

We stood along the bank of Alaska's Copper River and listened to our guide tell us the stories of how early settlers had reached that spot. Inspired by the prospects of gold, these adventurers traversed steep mountains, trekked across dangerous glaciers, and stared down the wildest of creatures. Most, however, never struck it rich. In fact, few found gold at all. The real "gold" was in selling supplies to these fortune seekers! I am inspired, however, by the determination of these people who were willing to risk it all in an attempt to better their lives. It also makes me wonder why we so many people give up when they are faced with even the smallest of obstacles. Zechariah 4 records God's challenge to Zerubbabel to not give up. Zerubbabel was called by God to lead the temple rebuilding effort following the Jews' return to Israel from captivity. Zerubbabel had faced various "mountains" of opposition but God said to him, "Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain" (v7). It didn't matter the size of the mountain or the depth of the challenge because God was bigger than it all. There is, however, a critical fact that Zerubbabel, or for that matter anyone who seeks to overcome mountains in their quest to fulfill God's purpose, had to keep in mind. It is "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts" (v6). We fail at "mountain" climbing because we try to do it in our our strength and power. Some fail because the don't even try to venture out with God. They feel so insignificant and they can't see how God could ever use them. "For who has despised the day of small things?" asks God (v10). He has an unending supply (vv2-4, 11-12) of whatever is needed to enable you to fulfill the calling He has placed on your life. Let's venture out with God, knowing that there isn't a mountain too tall to climb when we are relying on His power and Spirit.

_________________________

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.

Zechariah 3-- Behind the Scenes

We finished our waffle cones at the little sea-side village ice cream shop and made our way for the door. "You can't leave," we were told, "they are in the middle of a shoot." The "shoot" the man was referring to was a movie that was filming in the street outside. We were "stuck" in that shop smelling those freshly made cones for another half hour while a major film star filmed a scene.  That scene, which took hours to set up and film, lasted less than a minute in the actual movie. Movie goers didn't see us sitting in the ice cream shop. They also didn't see all of the shops on the street get painted before filming. There were a lot of behind the scenes things that happened which they were unaware. In life, there are a lot of things happening, often in the spiritual realm, of which we are unaware. Zechariah 3 records a vision the prophet saw concerning Joshua who was the Jewish high priest following the Jews return to Israel from exile. Joshua was focused on seeing the temple rebuilt and proper worship restored. He was unaware of what was happening behind the scenes, as well as what was to come. We are told in the first two verses that Joshua was opposed in heaven by Satan, but God rebuked the Devil. As God's leader for the moment, Joshua was in essence standing between heaven and earth enabling the fulfillment of God's plan. With that kind of high spiritual profile position, it was no wonder he would be opposed directly by Satan. We are also told in this passage that
Joshua's iniquity was cleansed (vv3-5) and he was promised eternal prominence if he remained faithful (vv6-7). Even greater than that, we are told that Joshua was a sign of the coming Christ (vv8-10). Joshua was just going about his business trying to faithfully serve the Lord and lead others into His presence. Until Zechariah's vision, he had no idea all of this was taking place behind the scenes. You and I may not know what is taking place in the spiritual realms behind the scenes of our lives, but it is important to remain faithful regardless. One day we will understand it all. Until then, let's stay the course and run with perseverance the race that God has set before 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.

Haggai 1-- How to Stop Spinning Your Wheels

It seemed like a good idea at the time. A buddy and I were on a fishing trip when we decided to drive down a dirt road running alongside a river. We were looking for a good fishing spot. We were a good ways along when we drove through a dip in the road with water in it. Well, the truck we were riding in got stuck in the mud. The more my friend pushed the accelerator, the more the wheels spun. We got out and tried to push it, but before we knew it we were both covered in mud. We were going no where! We finally gave up and called a tow truck. Haggai 1 describes a time in the life of Israel when they were spinning their wheels, figuratively. They had returned to Israel after 70 years of Babylonian captivity with the primary objective of rebuilding the temple. Opposition from non-Jews stopped the project, and it laid dormant for years. The people went on with their business and basically forgot about what should have been their top priority. God said that "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house, therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit" (vv9-10). They were sowing seeds but reaping little fruit. They were working hard but never seemed to be able to get ahead. They were trying and trying but coming up short. They were spinning their wheels! God said it was because their priorities were wrong. They had placed themselves and their comfort above honoring God, and God withheld His blessings from their lives. Do you feel like you are just spinning your wheels? Do you feel like no matter what you do, you can never get anywhere in life? Maybe it is because your priorities are wrong. Instead of falling deeper into the mud, take a step back and prayerfully evaluate how you spend your time, money, and other resources. Look at your attitude and the goals that you have. Consider what you are passionate about and the things that drive you to do what you do. Are you seeking God first in all of these things? Let's fix our priorities and stop spinning our wheels.

_________________________

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.

Ezra 10--High Value May Require High Sacrifice

Every day we make decisions about value and sacrifice. We decide if the price of gas is worth the value of our mobility. We decide if certain clothes rise to the value of sacrificing some of our money to purchase them. We decide to give up some of our time to do what we value, whether that is time with the family or time with our favorite hobby. If we perceive that the value is high enough, then we are willing to make greater sacrifices. Now ask yourself this: What value do you place on holiness? What sacrifices would you be willing to make to live right before God? Do you value God's pleasure enough to drastically alter your life if you discovered it was out of alignment with God's nature and will? These were the questions that needed to be answered by the Jews who had returned to Israel from exile. Some of them, including their political and even religious leaders, had intermarried with people from the surrounding pagan nations. This was the very sin that led to their destruction in the first place. In Ezra 10 the Jews face this issue head-on. Would they compromise and allow the sin to continue? Would they eradicate it, even it if meant making incredible sacrifices? Those sacrifices in some cases would include divorcing wives and leaving children. Could they make the ultimate sacrifice to get their lives right before God? Notice how the people handled the situation. First, at the insistence of their leaders and with just three days notice, they all gathered in Jerusalem (v9). Standing outside under heavy rain, they were confronted with their sin (v10) as Ezra pulled no punches in declaring their guilt and calling for repentance. The people then agreed to a process to deal with the situation because "Nor is this the work of one or two days, for there are many of us who have transgressed in this matter" (v13). As you can imagine, because of this kind of sin, it would take some time to put things in order. They did, however, follow through with that process. Repentance started with a decision, continued with confession, and completed with action. It is important to note that under the New Covenant of grace, God does not call us to divorce if we are married to non-believers, even though He says we should not marry non-believers in the first place. God, however, certainly does call us to eradicate sin in our life, even if that means making great sacrifices to do so. So, let's revisit the question we started with: What value do we place on holiness? What sacrifices are we willing to make to live right before God? Ponder these as you go through your day.
_____________
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.

Ezra 9-- Stupid is as Stupid Does

Have you ever seen someone do something and you just shake your head and say, "Unbelievable! Why in the world would they do such a thing?" Sometimes people do stupid things. This was the reaction of the Jews spiritual leader, Ezra, in the Book of Ezra, chapter 9. He could not believe what he saw. He had just returned to the Jewish homeland with a group of exiles and discovered that many of the Jews living there were committing the same sins that sent them into exile in the first place. "How could they be so stupid," Ezra thought. God had been gracious to allow them back into their land and they turned right around and resumed their sinning. Ezra's initial reaction was to pray--and that prayer is the bulk of this chapter. But notice in his prayer that Ezra does not talk about "those people." Instead, he says "Our iniquities have risen higher than our heads" (v6). They were his people, he was their leader, and he included himself with them even though he personally was innocent. That tells us something about Ezra's leadership. He saw sin for what it was and confessed that on behalf of his people. This chapter should also tell us something about ourselves. How many times do we sin, suffer the repercussions of that sin, and then go right back to doing the same thing? We don't learn. Sin should trouble us just like it troubled Ezra, causing him to tear his robe, pull his hair, and sit in utter astonishment. It then drove him to his knees (v5). Does the realization of sin--whether in your life or in the lives of those around you--drive you to your knees? It should. We need to stop the stupidity and get serious about dealing with sin.
_____________
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.

Ezra 8-- Insights for Leading

One of the best ways to learn leadership principles is to read the biographies or autobiographies of great leaders. Looking at their thought processes, attitudes, and how they approach their tasks, we can get some great leadership insights. Ezra was a great leader, and we get some insights into his leadership approach in Ezra 8. He was assembling a group of Jews to leave Babylon and go to their homeland in Israel. In addition, they were going to beautify the temple and improve the Jews' worship. Notice how Ezra approached his task. First, he found other leaders who could influence people to go with him to Jerusalem (vv1-14). Second, he made sure he had the right people on his team (vv15-20). These leaders did a great job in assembling a group to go with Ezra, but they missed some key people. If they were going to improve the worship in Israel, then they would have to have temple servants, namely Levites and those who assisted the Levites, Nethinim. Even in the process of finding these men, Ezra approached "gatekeeper"  leaders who could recruit the needed people (vv15-20). Now with his team in place, Ezra proclaims a fast and humbly seeks God's face before proceeding (v21). It didn't matter that he had a great team. Ezra knew they could not be successful without God's power and protection. Next, Ezra organized the people so that they could safely carry the gold, silver, and other temple articles they were bringing to Jerusalem (vv24-30). Finally, he administrated the process of getting the items into the temple, conducting sacrifices to the Lord, and distributing the king of Persia's orders for support to the various government officials in the region (vv31-36). Ezra made sure things were "written down" (v34) so that there would be no confusion or discrepancy later. So, let's recap: Ezra worked through existing leaders, made sure he had the right team, sought God, organized his people, and effectively administered to ensure that things were done right. Sounds like a great process that every leader should follow!
_____________
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.

Ezra 7-- How to Become an Overnight Sensation

I have a consultant friend who likes to say it takes 10-15 years to become an "overnight sensation." Whether it is business, ministry, music, art, etc. there is almost always a substantial amount of time that goes into becoming something that the public notices. Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers: The Story of Success actually documents that it takes the right opportunity plus 10,000 hours of "practice" to become a true success or true expert. He shows this with The Beatles, Bill Gates and others. We also see this in Ezra 7 as we are introduced to a Jewish priest and scribe by the name of Ezra. Ezra bursts onto the global scene as he leads another wave of Jewish exiles back to Israel and then goes on to institute spiritual reforms. He is seen as a strong leader with close ties to the king of Persia. Look deeper at this "overnight sensation" and you might be surprised by what you see. In verse 6 he is called a "skilled scribe in the Law of Moses." In the same verse we are told that the king gave Ezra "all his request."  The king acknowledged Ezra's "God-given wisdom" (v25) and authorized him to appoint magistrates and judges among the people. Finally, verse 28 says that Ezra gathered the leading men of Israel to go with him. When you put all of this together you see a man who had earned the respect and admiration of leaders over time. He became an expert in God's law through discipline, consistency, and effort. He sought God's wisdom and used that in his every day interactions. Most of all,  "Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel," (v10). Ezra prepared himself to fulfill God's mission for his life. That preparation paid off in a big way! This begs two questions for us to ponder today. First, are we committed to fulfilling God's mission for our life? Second, what are we doing to prepare ourselves to be successful in that mission? If we want to be a "success" in our walk with the Lord, we must be focused and put in a substantial amount of time and effort for that to happen. Remember, overnight sensations rarely happen overnight.

_____________
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.

Ezra 6-- How to Get God to "Show Up"

I've had the wonderful privilege of taking people on numerous missions trips around the world. It is always exciting to watch what God does in people's lives as a result of their stepping out of their comfort zone and into the Great Commission. I especially love watching the "first timers." Inevitably they come back with similar stories--"I didn't think God could really use me, but I went and saw God do amazing things." Before they could see the work of God they had to first respond to the word of God. When they stepped out in obedience to God's word, then they saw God's might. The Jews who returned from exile to Israel experienced this process first hand in Ezra 6. After their work to rebuild the temple had been stopped by their opponents and the construction site laid dormant for years, they listened to God's word. They started working again as they sought official permission from the Persian King Darius. Not only did Darius allow them to continue, but he offered to pay the costs from his treasury (v8). He went even beyond that and said that if anyone tried to change his decree allowing the rebuilding, "Let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it, and let his house be made a refuse heap," (v11). Wow! No one wanted to block the reconstruction efforts after that! God showed up in a powerful way, moving the hearts of the powerful and empowering the hearts of His people. The Jews finished the temple, dedicated it, and re-instituted the sacrificial system (vv19-22). They heard God's word. They stepped out of their comfort zone, overcame opposition, and acted on God's word. Then they saw God "show up" and provide everything they needed. The problem with many of us, however, is that we want God to show His might first before we respond to His word. It doesn't work that way! Respond to His word, then you will see His 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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Ezra 5--Everyone Needs a Cheerleader

Let's face it--life can be tough at times. Things don't go the way you expected them to, plans are frustrated, and you are uncertain how to proceed. It's in these difficult days that we especially need a cheerleader in our life. We need someone who believes in us, who can encourage us, and who can help us see the big picture. Cheerleaders are exactly what God provided to Zerubbabel in Ezra 5. Their names were Haggai and Zechariah. We can read their messages in detail in the books that bare their name, but basically they told Zerubbabel to move forward with the mission that God had called him to do--rebuilding the temple. At the end of Ezra 4 we see that Zerubbabel and his team were compelled by force to stop building. Fourteen years later, construction resumed. Imagine how discouraged Zerubbabel must have been during those years! At the right moment in time, however, God sends in Haggai to tell Zerubbabel how special he is to God (Haggai 2:23). Along with him is Zechariah, reminding Zerubbabel that his mission will be accomplished "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). These were just the words Zerubbabel needed to hear to renew his vision and move forward. Friend, who are the Zerubbabels around you that might need encouragement today? Who are those who God would have you speak a word into their lives? You may be just the one that God uses to help that person renew their vision and go on to accomplish great things for the Lord. After all, we all need a cheerleader.
_____________
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.

Ezra 4--Removing "Quit" from the Dictionary

"There are two words that should be removed from the Christian's dictionary: quit and cannot." I can't tell you how many times I heard the late Dr. Jerry Falwell say those words while I was a student at Liberty University where he was chancellor. They would always come at the most difficult times in the school year, when professor after professor was piling on the work and it seemed that graduation would never come. Now more than 20 years later, the pressures of college life seem so trivial. But they weren't at the time. Just like the pressure and opposition you might be facing today as you seek to fulfill God's purpose for your life are far from trivial. Ezra 4 is a great story of how the Jewish leader Zerubbabel and the other Jews who had returned to Israel from captivity handled the temptation to quit. Team Zerubbabel faced fierce opposition as it sought to rebuild the temple. First it was subtle. "Let us help you," said their opponents, "after all, we believe just like you do." They sought to infiltrate the Jewish ranks and stop their work from within. Zerubbabel, however, was wise to this and would not give the opposition a foothold (v3). When infiltration didn't work, they moved to intense discouragement, even hiring people to try and dissuade the Jews from fulfilling their mission. Still no success, so they wrote lies to the Persian king. Again, without success. The opposition, however, was relentless and continued their attacks until a new king was on the throne who was sympathetic to them. Notice, though, that once they got the ruling they wanted from the king they "went up to Jerusalem against the Jews and by force of arms made them cease" (v23). The only way Zerubbabel and his team were going to quit was if the opposition overpowered them with force. Zerubbabel is a great example of someone who knew his God-given mission and would not let opposition get in the way of accomplishing it. They only reason Zerubbabel stopped was because it was physically impossible to proceed (at least for a while). Here's the point: we should not allow fear (Ezra 3) or opposition from others (Ezra 4) keep us from pursuing the calling that God has placed upon our lives. Now some times the fulfillment of that calling gets interrupted, with no fault of our own (as it did with Zerubbabel). But as we see in later chapters, God in His time provides what we need to finish the task. Don't let the Deceiver infiltrate your thinking. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might! Eliminate quit and cannot from your dictionary!

_____________
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.

Ezra 3--Fear Factor

There was a long running TV reality game show called Fear Factor where contestants would have to do a series of tasks in order to win the prize. These tasks usually involved something that most people would not want to do--jump across objects suspended high in the air, wade through a pool of snakes, or eat live bugs. The contestants tried to overcome their fears in order to win the cash. Honestly, you couldn't pay me enough money to do some of the things that they did! Now some of the contestants did quit--their fears got the best of them, while others stayed focused on the prize and overcame their fears. In Ezra 3 we see the Jews who recently returned to Israel from captivity overcome their fears in order to worship God. They gathered in Jerusalem "as one man" (v1) to sacrifice, worship, and begin the process of rebuilding the temple. Verse three tell us that, "Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases, and they offered burnt offerings." You see, they were not alone in Israel. There were many other people living there--people from foreign nations who had been captured and placed there. They didn't worship Jehovah, and I'm sure they were not too thrilled when 50,000 people suddenly showed up in their backyard! So even though this was the Jews' homeland, they were the outsiders. But they overcame their fears of "what would the neighbors think" and went ahead with their worship. They also freely gave of their money and possessions to rebuild the temple, overcoming whatever fears might have been associated with losing some of their assets. For some, there also was a fear that the future would not be as good as the past. When the foundation was completed, the older people, those who had seen the original temple, cried (v12). They feared this new temple would not be as good as what they experienced in the "good ole days." The younger folks shouted with joy--they had nothing to compare it to and were thrilled to see their dream starting to take shape. Whatever our fears might be--people, failure, loss of security, or the future--we cannot allow these to crowd out our faith or we will accomplish nothing for the Lord. Fear is a factor, but as people of faith, God's Spirit living in us enables us to do what otherwise would be impossible.
_____________
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.

Ezra 1--Going Behind the Scenes

When I was just starting into full time ministry, a veteran ministry leader said to me, "Frank, there are people today making decisions that will affect your life five years from now." His point was that God is always at work, often unknown to us, putting things in motion that will accomplish His will at some future point in time. Ezra chapter 1 is a great example of the culmination of God's "behind the scenes" work. In this chapter we see Cyrus, the king of Persia, mandating that the Jews, who had been taken captive under the now defeated Babylon, could return to Jerusalem. He makes a beautiful proclamation about who God is, how God had brought him to global power, and how God desired for him to allow the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. He then made provisions for the building and to return some of the original articles taken from the temple before it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. What you don't see in this chapter is how God had been working "behind the scenes" to make this day occur. Isaiah 45:1-13 prophecies this day, even naming Cyrus, and telling how God would move so that Cyrus would recognize God's might and deliver His people. God was working, even when it must have seemed to His children that they had been forgotten. Plus, God was moving in the lives of individual Jews to take part in this rebuilding. "All whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord" (v5). These people's lives would forever be changed as they made the move to Jerusalem to pursue what God had placed on their hearts. So here's the bottom line: just because you can't see God working doesn't mean that He isn't working. He may very well be putting things into motion that will one day intersect with His Spirit moving your heart to accomplish something great for Him.

_____________
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.

Psalm 20-- Leaders with Praying Followers

We often talk about praying for our leaders, whether they are political officials, church leaders, or our boss at work. We need to pray for those who lead us, but what if we are in some kind of leadership role? Do we have people praying for us? If so, what are they praying? The kind of leader you are influences the types of prayers that followers can pray for you. A great example of this is Psalm 20, written by David while he was king of Israel. Although David penned this psalm and set it to music, it really was the prayer of the people he led concerning him. This psalm is how David's followers prayed for him. Notice a couple specific things in this prayer that reflect on David's leadership. They prayed that God would remember the offerings and sacrifices that David had brought to the Lord (v3). They had seen David's example when it came to sacrificing for the Lord. They knew he was someone who brought his best to the Lord. They prayed that God would give David his heart's desire and fulfill all of his plans (v4). They knew their leader's heart sought after God's heart and that he pursued God's plans above his own. They also knew David was a man of prayer (v5) and that he prayed the kinds of prayers that they would want answered. Thanks to David's example, the people had learned to put their trust in the Lord, not in their armies, military weapons, or anything else (v7). They had all of those things--but they knew ultimately that only God could deliver. They also knew that David was a leader responsive to their needs and concerns (v9). This chapter, then, begs the question, "What kind of leaders are we?" Are we the kind of leaders that exemplify godly sacrifices? Are our hearts set on things above and not on the earth? Do we seek God's direction first rather than planning first and asking Him to bless our plans later? Are we mature in our praying? Do we encourage others to grow in their faith? Are we cognizant of the needs and concerns of those we are leading? Maybe there is even a more basic question--do we desire and seek the prayers of others that we might be great leaders? These are some great questions for every leader to ponder.

_____________
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.

Psalm 18-- Count Your Blessings and Make Good Decisions

Growing up in church, there was this hymn that we sang all the time titled, "Count Your Blessings." I don't think I have sung that song in years, but I still remember the lyrics. I sang the song as a child, but didn't understand lines like "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed." I did, however, understand, "Count you blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God hath done." It is important to have regular times in our life where we pause and specifically take note of what God has done for us. This is the case in Psalm 18. I get the impression that this psalm or song was one that David sang regularly as he paused to look back over his life and note what God had done for him. David was very specific in exulting God and describing all that He had done for David. This is also an anthem celebrating the benefits of making good decisions. In verses 20-24, David praises God for rewarding his choices to live right and blameless before God. I'm sure David had in his mind those occasions where King Saul was trying to kill him and David actually had the opportunity to kill Saul instead. His soldiers justified the killing to David, but David would not go along with them. He went against peer pressure, avoided rationalizing the situation, and stuck to his convictions. Now years later, David looks back at those decisions and rejoices. There are two questions that we are faced with as we look at this psalm. First, are we making decisions today that we will be proud of 25 years from now? Second, do we have regular times in our life when we pause and enumerate the blessings of God? Two very important questions for all of us to ponder.
_____________
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.

Psalm 15-- Changing the Rules in the Middle of the Game

It was a tough-fought game as my daughter's volleyball team battled one of the top teams in their league. The score was very close and the game nearing completion when the referee called an infraction on the opponents. According to the league's rules, our girls should have been given a point and possession of the ball. Instead, the ref gave the team a warning and allowed them to continue to serve. This gave them the advantage and they went on to win. Obviously, we were very frustrated because the rules were changed in the middle of the game. After all, you decide on rules ahead of time so that the game can be played smoothly and everyone knows what is expected. Most people go through life without determining their rules or values ahead of time. Like that referee, they change their position and response to fit their immediate circumstances rather than having a preset value system that does not change. Even Christians are guilty of doing this. God says in Psalm 15 that if we want to have an intimate, vibrant relationship with Him, then there are some rules or values that we need to hold to regardless of our circumstances (v1). There are three characteristics of the person who follows these values (v2). First, they "walk uprightly." They live a consistent, godly life. This is demonstrated by how they view sin and how they keep their word (v4). Second, they work "righteousness." This is demonstrated by how they treat others (v3), handle conflict (v3), and avoid taking advantage of people when their position or finances would allow them to do so (v5). Third, this person "speaks the truth in his heart." What is spoken in the heart eventually is spoken with the lips. This person doesn't backbite others (v3). These characteristics or values are reflected in the person's lifestyle. The person determined ahead of time to live like this--and not to change the rules in the middle of the game. "He who does these things shall never be moved" (v5). Consistency is pretty important in sports, but it is vital to living a God-honoring 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. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Psalm 3--The Ultimate Sleep Aid

Apparently a lot of people are having trouble sleeping. At least, that is the impression I get from all of the ads I hear about sleep pills. Often there are medical reasons why people can't get to sleep, but many times people can't sleep because they are worrying. They are distressed and lie awake at night thinking about how bad things are going. David in Psalm 3 could relate. Life was pretty stressful at the time he wrote this psalm. You see, his own son had kicked him off the throne of Israel, and David was literally fleeing for his life. "Lord, how they have increased who trouble me," David exclaimed in verse 1 as more and more people turned against him. Israel's once beloved son had been rejected by none other than his own flesh and blood. What would happen to him? What would happen to the rest of his family--his other children? Would they be put to death by their brother? Would David ever regain control? How would he survive? What about all the people who worked for him--who would sustain them? There was a lot that weighed heavily on David as he went to sleep those nights, but notice what happened. "I lay down and slept; I awoke for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people..." (vv5-6). What was David's sleep aid? It was turning over his situation to the Lord and trusting in Him fully. That worked well for David--I bet it will do the same for 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. 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 50--Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Have you thought about your legacy? Have you thought about the impact you will have even after you are gone? Most people never think about their legacy until it is too late to do anything about it. It is unfortunate that many people squander much of their lives when they could be living in such a way that glorifies God and impacts the next generation. In Genesis 50 we are told about the end of two men's lives--two men who made a difference in their world. Two men who left a lasting legacy. They were Jacob and his son Joseph. Jacob had moved his entire family and all they had to Egypt, at the request of his son Joseph who had become second in charge of the country. Verse 3 tells us that when Jacob died the Egyptians mourned for him 70 days. Jacob's body was moved to his homeland of Canaan for burial and it was accompanied by "chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great gathering," (v9). On the way to bury him the group stopped and mourned for seven more days, causing the people there to proclaim "this is a deep mourning of the Egyptians" (v11). Jacob wasn't an Egyptian, but because of his influence and the influential life of Joseph, even the Egyptians were impacted. Jacob lived 147 years. His son Joseph's life was characterized by forgiveness and perspective, which we see again right after his father's death. His brothers, fearful that Joseph would seek revenge for the way they had mistreated him, begged his forgiveness (vv17-18). Joseph had already forgiven them because he realized "you meant evil against me; but God meant if for good...in order to save many people" (v20). Joseph died at 110 (v22) having saved not only his family from destruction but countless others as well. "One day," he told his family just before his death, "God will take you back to our homeland, the land of Canaan. And when you do, take my bones with you." Joseph's life impacted their past, their present, and even their future. Jacob and Joseph--what a beautiful legacy and what a great example they are to all of us. Pause for a moment and think about your own legacy. What kind of a legacy will you leave?
_____________
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 49-- Same Parent, Different Children

We have several friends who have large families of eight or more children. It is fascinating listening to them describe the differences of each child. Even though they try to be consistent in how they parent, the children still react to things differently. They each make their own decisions. As with all children, as they become adults they think for themselves and make their choices. Sometimes those choices are good, sometimes they are not. Jacob had 12 sons, all very different. And although Jacob loved God and worshiped Him with his life, his sons did not always make the right decisions. He certainly taught them the things of the Lord, but not all of them made choices that were honoring to God. When we think of Jacob, we usually don't think of him as a prophet, but he was. Genesis 49 is a fascinating passage where Jacob blesses his 12 sons and foretells their future. Five of the 12 predictions especially stand out, and they give us insights into the differences of these children. Jacob said his firstborn, Reuben, was "unstable as water" and "shall not excel" (v4). Reuben had an illicit relationship with one of Jacob's concubines. More than 40 years later his act was still a stain on the family. Instability characterized Reuben's life and it ruined him. Simeon and Levi were called "instruments of cruelty" by Jacob as he noted their fierce anger which led to them slaughtering an entire town of people (vv5-7). How crushing it must have been for these two men to hear their father, on his death bed, say in effect that he did not want to be associated with them. Judah, on the other hand, is predicted to be the fore-father of Christ (v10). Jacob eventually turns to Joseph and gives a beautiful summary of Joseph's life. "The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. But his bow remained in strength and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob" (vv23-24), which is a reference to the hatred he had received from his brothers. Joseph was made strong and became a "fruitful bough" (v22) because of his walk with God. There are a lot of principles that we can learn from this passage, but notice two principles for parents. First, we need to teach our children how to make good choices and to stick with them. Second, we need to be sure that they see the Mighty God through our lives. While there is no guarantee that our children will always make the right decision, we can be at peace knowing that we did all we could as parents to set them up for true success in 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. 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 47-- Employee of the Decade

I walked up to the jewelry counter at a well know discount store to ask for help replacing my watch battery. The associate proceeded to tell me how she should have been on brake 15 minutes ago, what a terrible job the store does with staffing, and what an all-around lousy company it was to work for. I really didn't want to hear all of that--I just wanted a watch battery! My thought was, "Wow, I sure wouldn't want someone like that working for me." Whether we realize it or not, we reflect Christ in how we conduct ourselves on the job. I don't know if that woman was a Christian or not, but if she was then she sure had a poor testimony. Whether or not you like your employer is immaterial. You see, we ultimately work for God. The effort, quality, care, etc. that we put into our jobs are a direct reflection on our Lord. Joseph is a great example of what every employee should be. His boss was tough and powerful, yet he trusted Joseph with everything because Joseph had proven himself. In Genesis 47 we notice five things about Joseph that made him an outstanding employee. First, he was a good communicator. Joseph used wisdom and tact in how he communicated with others (vv1-2). Second, he was caring. God had blessed Joseph and Joseph used his abilities to take care of his family (vv11-12). He also found innovative ways to help others while also making his boss successful (vv23-24). Third, Joseph was extremely competent (v14). He knew how to make money for his employer and how to successfully manage his affairs. Fourth, he was creative. When the people ran out of money and livestock with which to buy food, Joseph came up with a creative way to not only help the people but to also benefit his employer long-term (vv23-26). Finally, Joseph was celebrated. The Egyptians knew that Joseph's wisdom and organization had saved their lives (v25) and they praised him for it. You see, great employees not only benefit their bosses but they positively impact their customers and everyone else around them. So as you go to work today, don't think of it as just time that you have to put in to get a pay check. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to glorify God and make a difference in the lives of others.

_____________
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 44-- Stand Up and Take Responsibility!

We live in an age where it seems few people take responsibility for their actions and fewer people keep their commitments. We are quick to try and pass off our responsibilities to others rather than having the determination to see them through. Judah, in Genesis 44, did just the opposite. We see in him someone who stood up and took his responsibilities seriously. Originally from Canaan, he was in Egypt along with his brothers trying to get food during a famine. He had gotten food before but ran out and had to return. The man in charge of food distribution, who actually was his long lost brother Joseph, said that the only way to get more food was if Judah and his siblings brought their youngest brother Benjamin back with them. They did, much to their father Jacob's distress (see chapter 43). At that time, Judah told his father that he would personally take responsibility to make sure that Benjamin returned safely to Jacob. Now after this second trip, as Judah and his brothers were returning home, Joseph's servants stopped them and found Joseph's silver cup in Benjamin's bag, which Joseph purposely placed there. Now back before Joseph, who they still did not know was their brother, they were told they could go home but they would have to leave Benjamin behind. At this point Judah respectfully but forcefully articulated to Joseph why Benjamin had to go home. He then offered himself in Benjamin's place (vv 24-34). Benjamin was his responsibility and he was going to do everything in his power, even sacrificing himself, to make good on his commitment. Do you have that kind of determination when it comes to fulfilling your commitments? Do you keep your word even if it might cost you personally? The world is full of people who fail to fulfill their responsibilities. Don't you be one of them!
_____________
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 41-- Your Big Moment

Have you ever been in one of those "big moment" situations? You know, where you have the potential for the opportunity of a lifetime if you don't blow your chance? Maybe it is interviewing for your dream job or auditioning for a theatrical or even television role. I had one of those big moment situations when I was a teenager. I grew up in southern California and had won several local talent shows doing ventriloquism. I managed to get an audition for a children's TV show. My big moment came in a small office in Hollywood as I performed for the show's executive producer and director. I think the director liked me but not the producer. I never got called back. So much for my big TV moment! Well, Joseph in Genesis 41 didn't have a big moment in front of TV producers, he had something even bigger. He had an audience with the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Joseph, as you may recall, was in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Pharaoh had a dream that greatly troubled him and no one could interpret it for him. His butler, who had spent time in prison with Joseph, remembered his cell mate and told Pharaoh about his ability to interpret dreams. After a quick shave and a change of clothes, Joseph now stood before the most powerful person in the world at that time. This was his big moment! He could plead his case and beg Pharaoh to release him from prison. This was possibly a once in a lifetime chance for a pardon. But that is not what Joseph did. Instead of focusing on himself, he focused on Pharaoh's situation and on the Lord. When asked to interpret, Joseph immediately replied, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace" (v16). You see, Joseph's life did not revolve around himself. His first reaction was not to save his own skin but to glorify God with the abilities God had given him. He put God and others first, and God greatly blessed him. He not only was released from prison but was made the number two leader in all the kingdom. More than that, he became the savior of countless numbers of people as a famine griped the world--a famine for which Joseph had prepared. "So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands" (v57). By placing his focus on God's glory and not his temporary gain, Joseph not only got what he wanted (freedom) but more than he could ever have imagined. You see, God's definition of "big moments" and how they are to be handled may be very different than ours. Let's seek to glorify God, use our gifts and abilities to help others, and then we can leave the "big moment" outcomes to the Lord.
_____________
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!
_____________
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.
_____________
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?

_____________
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!

_____________
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 19-- When Dirt Doesn't Bother You Anymore

Dirty Jobs is a television show about some of the dirtiest jobs in America. The show's host spends a day on a "dirty" job doing exactly what the workers do. One day it's cleaning up dung at an alligator farm, the next it's cleaning out the inside of a garbage truck, then it's on to scrubbing the inside of a city's sewer. There also was the show where he had to catch snakes and cause them to regurgitate their last meal. The host often finds himself waist deep in various "stuff" in his attempt to show what it would be like to do that particular job. At first you wonder how anyone could do these jobs, but for the people who do them, it is no big deal. After a while the workers get use to it. It doesn't seem dirty to them. Genesis 19 is a study of how a good person can get caught up in the "dirt" of this world to the point where the dirt no longer bothers him. In this chapter, God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. Before He does, however, He mercifully allows Lot and his family to escape. The fact that Lot was even living in these cities is a testimony to how desensitized he had gotten to the "dirt" around him. These cities were so incredibly wicked that God had to destroy them. Just the little bit we learn about these places here in this chapter is enough to make us cringe. Yet Lot, who is from a godly family, was right in the midst of them sitting at the gate (v1). Typically, people who "sat at the gate" were either political leaders of the city or businessmen. Lot knew the kind of people who lived in that city, which is why he feared for the safety of the visiting "men" (angels actually) who had come to warn him of the city's demise. When he told his sons-in-laws that they needed to get out with him, they laughed at him, which says a lot about the kind of people they were. Lot was reluctant to leave. His wife's heart was there. His daughters were very depraved in their thinking and later in the chapter did an unimaginable thing with their father. This family, under Lot's leadership, had gotten waist deep in filth--and it ended up costing them greatly. Lot lost his wife, his dignity, his influence and his wealth. It all started when Lot set his gaze towards Sodom. Before long he was engulfed by its dirt. Don't let this happen to you! Don't set your gaze towards the wickedness of this world or move towards its filth.
_____________
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 14-- Decisive Action Needed

It was called the "Miracle on the Hudson" when US Airways flight 1549 heading from New York to Charlotte made an emergency landing on the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. Hailed as a hero, Pilot Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger took decisive action and saved the 155 passengers and crew, and countless more lives, by keeping the plane from crashing into the densely populated city. His quick-thinking and clear-headed action averted a catastrophe. This reminds me of someone in Scripture known for his decisiveness, and that was Abraham. The more you read of Abraham's life, the more you realize that he was a man of action. When God said go, he went. When something was wrong, he took action to fix it. When he saw what he felt was right, he did it. In Genesis 14 the area where Abraham's nephew, Lot, resided was attacked by invading armies. Lot and all of his possessions were taken captive. When word reached Abraham about Lot, Abraham immediately moved to do something about it. He put together his own mini-army and successfully attacked Lot's captors. Afterward, Abraham meets someone called Melchizedek who is identified as "the priest of God Most High." While scholars differ on exactly who this was (some say it was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) it was clear how Abraham responded to him--he gave Melchizedek a tithe of all he had. Again, Abraham took action even though it cost him greatly (this was long before the tithe was given as a command through Moses). When God says "go," do you? When the Holy Spirit prods you to do something, do you take action? There are some things that are so clear we don't need to pray about doing them--we just need to take action and do it. How many opportunities do we miss because we fail to act? How much do we short-change ourselves because of our indecision? Let's learn to listen closely to God and then be quick to respond to what He says.
_____________
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.