Frank's Bible Blog

Psalm 62-- Walk Across the Street to the Lake

Just a few blocks from our house is a busy six-lane road which is a major thoroughfare for our city. During the morning and evening rush hours the street is filled with cars making their way in and out of our bedroom community near Dallas, TX. If you were to stand on the side of that road you would see a lot of movement and hear a lot of noise as thousands of commuters busily head to their destinations.

Across the street from our house is a small lake--a reservoir built years ago to control flooding in the area. You can't actually see the lake--it is hidden behind a large embankment that forms its south side. You wouldn't know it was even there unless you saw it on a map or someone told you about it.

We had been in our house about five months when my wife and I decided to walk over and explore the lake. We made our way across the large field and up and over the embankment. When we got there, we couldn't see our house. We couldn't hear any noise from that busy roadway. We couldn't see the cars that drive through our subdivision. It was calm. It was peaceful. It was pretty.

It was as if we had strolled into another world.

The challenge for many of us is that we live our lives in the fast-lane. We are so busy going and making noise that we never stop to listen or rest. We never walk across the street and sit down beside the lake.

David said in Psalm 62, "Truly my soul waits upon God" (v1). Another translation puts it, "My soul finds rest in God alone." And another, "My soul waits in silence for God only." Put these three together and you get a good picture of what David was trying to communicate in the original--he had come to the place where he would silently wait upon God and find rest in the process. He had walked across the street to the lake. He had shut out the noise, stopped the commotion and allowed himself to discover God. When he began to silently wait on God, he was able to rest because he saw that God is strong (v11), loving (v12) and rewards man according to what he has done (v12).

George Muller wrote in his 1856 work A Narrative of Some of the Lord's Dealings, "The natural mind is ever prone to reason, when we ought to believe; to be at work when we ought to be quiet; to go our own way, when we ought to steadily walk on in God's ways."

Is it time to believe? Is it time to be quiet? Is it time to go in God's ways? Is it time to walk across the street to the lake?

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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.

Psalm 61-- When the Storm Obscures the Rock

The Alaskan fishing boat was in trouble.

A terrible storm had hit, churning out massive waves and tossing the ship around like a toy. The five member crew put on their bright red survival suits and did all they could to survive.

The boat was taking on water, and soon it was halfway on its side. There was a large rock formation that jetted into the sea from a nearby shoreline. The boat eventually found itself up against that rock, with the rain, wind and waves still beating against it.

Three members of the crew climbed to the top of the boat and made their way close to the rocks, which towered above the boat. With a momentary calm in the waves, the three scampered onto the rocks and dragged themselves to the top, where they were protected from the waves.

The other two crew members began to do the same, working their way over the top of the boat and onto its side. They were trying to reach the rocks when the rain and waves intensified. They could hardly see and were now flat on their stomachs holding on for their lives.

One of the guys who had reached safety worked his way back down a portion of the rocks so that the remaining crew could see and hear him. He yelled to them, giving them directions on how to make it to the rocks. Once there, he helped them navigate their way to the top. It was a harrowing experience, but now the entire crew was safe on top of the rock and in a position where a Coast Guard helicopter could reach them.

The rock was there but the last two members couldn't find it on their own. They needed to be guided to safety.

In Psalm 61 David says, "From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." There are those times when we are so overwhelmed that we feel like those fishermen being covered by waves.

It's easy to fall when you are in those times. It's easy to lose your way when your heart is blinded by a life storm. But like those fishermen experienced, there is a Rock nearby but you may not be able to find it on your own.

David begged God to lead him to the rock because he couldn't find it by himself.

God did, in fact, lead him to that rocker that was higher him. God became his shelter and strong tower (v3). But to get there, David had to trust and follow the Lord. God didn't pick David up out of the storm and place him on rock. No, God led David in the midst of the storm so that he could find a safe place.

"Lord, lead me to a new level. Lead me to the place where I can gain a better perspective of the storm. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

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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.

Psalm 59-- What If...

What if that tragedy had never happened to you?

What if you never had to face that circumstance?

What if that health problem hadn't occurred?

What if that relationship hadn't fallen apart?

What if...what if..what if....

We often look at present difficulties as something to avoid. We often look at past difficulties and still feel pain. We tend to focus on the negative aspects of what happens to us. But have you ever stopped to think about the positive things that came out of bad situations? Have you considered that good you would have missed out on if that tragedy hadn't happened?

It struck me while reading Psalm 59 that if David hadn't had so many difficulties in his life we would not be able to benefit from his experiences today. In this Psalm David writes while his house is being watched by forces sent to kill him. Okay, if I was ever in that situation, I don't think I would be writing praise songs to the Lord, but David did. He said to the Lord, "O my strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress" (v9).

So David undergoes the stress of having his house spied on and we get a lesson in trusting God. David anguishes over whether his next breath will be his last, and we learn how to praise God.

Here's the point: because of David's difficulties, he became a better person. Because of David's difficulties, we can become better people. Because he suffered, we can learn. The same is true for us when we go through tough times. We not only become better people but our experiences can have a profound impact on others. Our difficulties speak to the next generation and become a primer on faith. We become the David to those who come behind us.

What if you hadn't had that bad experience? Yeah, you would have avoided some pain but you may have missed out on a way to grow and on a way to positively impact others. It's all a matter of perspective.

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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.

Psalm 57--Calm in the Cave

Sixteen year old Jim White was roaming the New Mexico range when he saw a very strange site. At first he thought it was some kind of a volcano, but quickly realized it had to be something else.

"During my life on the range I'd seen plenty of prairy whirlwinds--but, this thing didn't move; it remained in one spot, spinning its way upward," he said.

What Jim saw were bats--millions of them whirling their way upward from the mouth of a cave. He had seen the cave entrance before but never paid any attention to it--until one sunset when he saw the bats. For an hour Jim watched the bats fly out when he realized that, "Any hole in the ground which could house such a gigantic army of bats must be a whale of a big cave."

This got his curiosity up. The year was 1898 and over the days to come, Jim began exploring what we now know as Carlsbad Caverns.

He initially explored the vast cave by himself. On one trip his oil lantern gave out. "It seemed as though a million tons of black wool descended upon me. The darkness was so dense it seemed smothering--choking me," Jim later wrote. 

Jim would make hundreds of trips into the cave over the next couple decades. It was scary at first--but it soon became his most beloved place, and one that he longed for others to see.

In Psalm 57 David found himself in a cave as he was on the run from King Saul. It was a scary time and he was in a scary place. What if Saul discovered where he was? What if he got trapped in the cave? Would the cave be the place of his death?

But in the cave David wrote "I cry out to God Most High...He sends from heaven and saves me...God sends His love and faithfulness" (vv2-3). It was in the cave where David discovered God's faithfulness in a new way. It was in the cave where David felt God wrap His loving arms around him. It was in the cave where his heart was steadfast (v7). It was in the cave where David's spirit was revived (v8). It was in the cave where David burst into song.

Ever felt like life had you trapped in a cave, smothering and choking you?

Yes, the cave is scary at first, but like with David, it may be the place where you make new discoveries about the Lord.

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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.

Psalm 56--Fear Behind Enemy Lines

Imagine that you are an air force pilot and you are shot down over enemy territory.

You eject safely and begin parachuting to the ground. Already you are thinking about your next move--you have got to find a place to hide. You land in a clearing, get the parachute off your back, and begin a mad-dash toward the cover of the nearby trees.

But just before you reach them you are captured. Fifteen heavily armed enemy soldiers surround you, strip you of your weapon and gear, and march you off into the unknown.

Afraid?

Yeah, I would be. I think most would. You have never been in this situation before. You have heard about others who have been there--and what you heard wasn't very pleasant. What will happen next?

While you may never have found yourself behind enemy lines, I imagine there have been times when you were afraid. Very afraid.

You may or may not readily admit it, but there probably have been some times where you were afraid of what would happen next. Times where you were in unfamiliar situations or at a place in life that made you scared.

David in the Bible understood fear. In fact, he understood what it meant to literally be behind enemy lines, and he writes about it in Psalm 56. With men "hotly" pursuing him and attacking him (vv1-2) he needed someplace or someone to turn. He needed a forest that could hide him from the enemy. He needed protection. "When I am afraid, I will trust in you" is what he said to God.

Fear is a part of life. Fear hits even the best of us. The question is, what do you do when it does? If being scared causes you to turn to the Lord and develop a closer relationship with Him, then it can be a good thing.

David turned to God for mercy. David turned to God for strength. David turned to God to relieve his fears. "In God I trust: I will not be afraid" (v4). Fear began to dissipate when David placed his trust in God and then got a godly perspective on his situation. "What can mortal man do to me?" he asked in verses four and eleven. As Christian martyrs throughout the ages realized, man may hurt and even destroy the body, but he can't destroy the soul. God is still in charge, and He can give us peace even in the most fearful situations.

Today, remember that God hears your cries and even records your tears (v8). He knows your fears, and He stands ready to rescue you from the enemy. Will you trust Him? You have sent out the S.O.S.--now will you look to your Deliverer?

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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.

Psalm 54-- Catch It Before Trying to Run with It

It happens far too often, even among professional football players.

The quarterback makes a beautiful pass down field into the hands of the wide receiver--only to be dropped. How could he miss it? These guys get paid millions of dollars each year to do one thing--catch the ball.

When you look back at the slow motion replay, however, you see what happened.

The receiver watched the ball come in and then a second before it hit his hands he turned his head and looked up field to start his run. He was thinking about his next move rather than focusing on the ball.

Sometimes you see receivers do this just before they get hit by a linebacker. They sense the guy is coming, and for that split second take their eye off the ball to see how much time they have before getting hit.

The results are the same--a dropped ball. A missed opportunity. Another down wasted. No forward progress.

Focus is critical in sports and even more so in life. David in Psalm 54 reminds us of the need to focus on the Lord, even if you are on the run. He literally was on the run from King Saul. He was running for his life. But in the midst of this, he was still able to keep his focus. He didn't take his eye off from what was most important--the Lord.

"Here my prayer, O God," David exclaimed in verse 2. "I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good," is what he says in verse 6.

Yes, David was at a difficult time in his life. He could sense the "linebacker" closing in on him. But instead of looking at his adversary, he looked at his deliverer. He watched the Quarterback and kept his eye on the ball.

A good lesson for all of us, especially when it looks like we are about to get tackled by a giant linebacker called life.

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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.

Psalm 48-- The Guide

We settled into the Range Rover excited about spending the next couple days on safari in Africa. Frank was our driver and guide, and he took us into two of Tanzania's national parks to explore African wildlife up close.

I wasn't nervous when he drove us right beside two sleeping lions. I figured we were safe in the vehicle. But when we stopped alongside a herd of elephants, I must admit there was a moment of concern. They were SO big and could easily trample us if something spooked them.

The concern quickly left as I realized we were in the care of an experienced guide. Plus, he was in this with us, so whatever happened to us was also going to happen to him!

Knowing that you have an experienced guide to see you through unchartered territory is very reassuring.

In Psalm 48, we are introduced to the ultimate Guide--God. We are told how He led His people to overcome opposing nations. We are told of His great loving-kindness.

We can exclaim with the psalmist, "For this is our God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death" (v14). A better translation of the last phrase might be "through death" or "beyond death."

You see, our Guide knows everything that we are going to face. Our Guide knows the best path to take in every situation. Our Guide knows the way forward. Our Guide will never leave us or forsake us--He's in this with us! He will see us through, not just life, but into eternity.

Our Guide is worthy to be praised (v1) and introduced to future generations (vv12-13). Most of all, our Guide should be followed no matter how scary, uneasy or complicated life may get.

Let's follow the Guide!

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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.

Psalm 46--When It Starts to Hail

We were driving our mini-van through Minnesota on a family vacation when we suddenly found ourselves in a hail storm. As we made our way down the interstate, large chunks of hail began to pummel our van.

I looked for an overpass that I could get under or some other place where our vehicle would be safe--but everyone else on the road had the same idea and beat me to it. We would just have to keep on driving and try to get through it.

It was stressful as we watched the hail put a couple small cracks in the windshield and a ding or two in the hood. It certainly could have been worse.

Sometimes in life it is as if we are trekking through a hail storm. We have a bad day--week--or even year--where it seems like the sky is falling in on us. We are desperate to find our way out of the storm before we get pummeled even more.

Psalm 46 paints a beautiful portrait of a place of safety when we find ourselves in life's hailstorms. "God is our refuge and strength," the psalmist states, "an ever-present help in trouble." He goes on to say that even if we are having the worst time possible--even if the earth is collapsing and the mountains are falling into the seas (v2)--we have nothing to fear.

God is not shaken by the affairs of men. God is not overwhelmed by the difficulties of this world. He is above everything and every nation. The Almighty, we are told, is with us--you and me! He is our fortress (v7). He is the place to run to when the sky is falling.

How can we escape to His protection? How can we discover peace in the midst of the storm?

Two things--come and see, and be still.

First, come and see all that God has done (v8). Look at His many blessings. Recount the ways He cared for you in the past. Then be still (v10). As one translation puts it, "cease striving."

Just calm down and be quiet!

Stillness is essential to learning. Talk less and listen more to what the Lord is telling you in this situation. Take a deep breath, move your eyes off the horizontal and start looking vertical. When we do this, then we will see God for who He is. We will watch Him be exalted not only in our lives but through the earth.

Come and see. Be still.

That's the way to safety the next time it hails on your life.

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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.

Psalm 41-- Nightmares Disappear in the Presence of Father

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

 

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

 

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

 

All was well.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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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.

Psalm 40--Slipping and Sliding

Although it was late April, snow still covered much of the mountainous parts of Romania where I was visiting with a team of Americans. We made our way up one of the mountains in a mini-van until we couldn't drive any farther. There was a family that we were going to visit who lived on a hill.  They were the only believers in this remote area and recently had suffered some personal tragedies. We went there to pray with them and try to encourage them. We parked the van and made our way up the steep hillside to their modest home. The area immediately outside their front door was flat and we could see they planned to use it for a garden. The rest of the area was un-level. We finished our visit with the family and began to make our way back to the vehicle over the mostly snow covered ground. As I moved off the flat surface my feet slipped. Before I knew it, I was on my backside sliding down the steep walkway into a pool of mud. What provided great amusement for my colleagues wasn't so amusing to me--one side of me was covered in mud and it would be a long ride before I could get dry clothes! That incident reminds me of how life often is--slippery. We have a hard time standing and sometimes even find ourselves in the "mud." In Psalm 40 David explains how God responded to him when he was in "the mud." "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand," is how David put it in verse 2. He goes on to tell how God "put a new song" in his mouth (v3) and blesses those who trust in Him (v4). God is our help and deliverer (v17) who is able to show us the way and provide stability when the world around us is shifting. How can we access the unmovable power and perfect plans of God? Look to Him for direction (v4). Focus on all the incredible things that He has already done (v5). Give yourself as a living sacrifice to Him (v6). Seek His will (v8) and proclaim His righteousness wherever you go (vv8-10). If we will do this, then we can avoid some embarrassing slides into the mud of life.

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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.

Psalm 37--Lower Your Blood Pressure

It was my first time out of the house alone with our new baby. I had a doctor's appointment and had to take her with me. As soon as I sat down in the waiting room I realized I had forgotten something very important--food. I was a brand new dad and the thought that the child would need to eat again before I got home totally slipped my mind. Well, no sooner did I get seated when my daughter started to cry, and cry and cry. I tried everything I could think of to calm her down but nothing worked. I just knew everyone was staring at me and thinking what a lousy dad I was. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I am ushered into the exam room. The nurse took my blood pressure and was shocked at the reading. My normally low blood pressure was through the roof! I had let all the commotion get to me. I was stressed big time! Today my baby is a teenager and I look back at that incident and laugh. I just needed to calm down! Well, that is the word from the Lord to all of us in Psalm 37--just calm down! Don't worry and fret (v1,8). God has everything under control (v24). Whether it is people treating you badly (v1, 14), disastrous times (v19), personal failure (v24), or struggles to make ends meet (v25), God is there for you. But what must we do to stay calm in difficult times? There are eight things. Trust in the Lord (v3). Feed on His presence (v3). Delight in what delights Him (v4). Commit your plans to the Lord (v5). Be still and wait on Him (vv7, 34). Don't get angry (v8). Stay humble (v11). Do good (v27, 30, 31). This a great prescription for dealing with the ups and downs of life!

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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.

Psalm 32--A Saint in Sin

For many years "Jill" ran from the Lord. She had grown up in a preacher's home and made a commitment to Christ but in her later teen years she began to stray. Caught up with the wrong crowd, Jill began to make terrible choices. Her life, it seemed, was spiraling out of control. Her parents continued to pray for her...and love her. They made it clear that the way she was living was wrong. But they also made it clear that when the day came that she realized she was on a sinking ship they would be there in the life boat rowing beside her. Although she acted tough on the outside, inside Jill was in turmoil. In her heart of hearts she knew she was throwing her life away. The weight of her poor choices began to bear down on her. She actually felt a physical heaviness...like she couldn't breath. Then like the prodigal son in Jesus' story, she finally came to her senses and returned home. She got rid of everything in her life that remotely resembled the life that she had been living--even her cell phone and apartment furniture. Today, she is a shining example of a godly young woman who seeks to glorify God in all that she does. I'm sure that Jill could relate to David when he wrote in Psalm 32 "When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer" (vv3-4). What turned things around for both Jill and David? "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord' and you forgave the guilt of my sin" (v5). Sin separates us from God. For the believer, sin separates us from fellowship with God and from His hand of protection on our life. However, when we do what Jill and David did and repent, then we are able to say to the Lord "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance" (v7). They experienced the blessings that come when our "transgressions are forgiven" and our sins are covered (v1). What about you today? Is there sin hindering your fellowship? Maybe you like David and Jill need to stop covering it up and seek His forgiveness.

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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.

Psalm 31-- The Fort

As pioneers made their way across the American western frontier the only place of safety for many of them was a fort. The various forts that sprang up across the west became an oasis not just for pioneers but also for traders, Pony Express riders, stage drivers and homesteaders. Outside of the fort anything could happen from wild animal attacks to attacks from bandits and others. Inside the fort there was community and security. In Psalm 31 David likens the Lord to a fort (vv 2,3). Like a fort, God is our refuge (vv1,2, 19, 20) and a welcome site for those struggling in the wilderness. There are those outside the Fort who lie about us (v18) and are full of pride and contempt for anything or anyone who is righteous. They bring grief, pain and affliction (vv9-11). David lived through this day after day, prompting him to write "For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life" (v13). But David knew the Fort. He knew where he could run. He knew where to turn. Because of the Fort, David could encourage us to "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord" (v24). The Fort is always there--but it is up to us to utilize the Fort. It is up to us to commit our spirit to the Lord (v5) and seek His protection. It is up to us to reject "worthless idols" and trust only in Him (v6). It is up to us to cry out to Him and seek His face. It is up to us to turn into the Fort and find peace.

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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.

Psalm 30--Seeing Your Way Forward in the Dark

It's the middle of the night and everyone in your home is asleep. It's pitch dark but you silently make your way to the kitchen to get a drink. Although your hands are out to feel your way through, you don't need them. You walk unhindered to the refrigerator. You have made that walk so many times before in the light that you know your way around even though you can't see a thing. You know without a doubt that the refrigerator is there even though that is not confirmed until you grab the handle. You are able to see your way forward in the dark because of your past experience. Life is like that for the person of faith. As we move forward it is like walking in the dark--we are traversing unchartered territory. But we go forward with confidence because of the experience we have had in the past walking with the Lord. Psalm 30 is a great reminder of this. What is especially insightful isn't in the verses themselves (although they are amazing) but what is in the title, which David also wrote.  "A song for the dedication of the temple." David never saw the temple dedicated. David never saw the actual construction of the temple even begin. But David knew it would be completed so he prepared for it in faith. What was the song that would be sung when the temple would be dedicated? "Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (v5) and "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (v11). The night is dark. The night brings sorrow. The night has tear-soaked pillows---but morning is coming! Rejoicing, dancing, singing--it's all coming in the morning! You can see it in the dark because you know the God of the morning. You can see it in the dark because all of your experiences with God declare His mighty power. You can see it in the dark because the Lord has been with you on past journeys and He has never let you down. You can see it in the dark because you walk by faith and not by sight. Faith is the incredible force that allows you to operate in the dark--but it's not blind faith. No, it is a solid faith based on the person and past work of Almighty God and the completed work of Christ on the cross. It is that faith that lets you see your way forward in the dark.

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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.

Psalm 29--Peace in the Thunder

It was an amazing night. I can't recall ever seeing anything like it before as a massive electrical storm lit up the Texas sky. In just a few miles of driving my children counted over 100 lightning strikes. There was no rain where we were, and at that time we could not hear any thunder. We just saw lightning flash after lightning flash. Later that night a storm did roll past, with thunder so loud it shook our house. Thunder and lightning can be incredibly powerful--and they should be reminders to us of the incredible power and might of God. David tells us in Psalm 29 "The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the LORD shakes the desert" (vv7-8). The mere voice of God is powerful and majestic (v4). It is impossible for us to fully grasp the magnitude of God's power and glory. Because of this, we should "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name" (v1). Because of this we should worship and exalt Him daily. And because of this, He "gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace" (v1). Because God is so powerful, He can calm any storm in your life and give you the strength to overcome any adversity. So the next time you hear thunder or see lightning be reminded of God's massive power and know that the God enthroned "as king forever" is right there with you to give you peace.

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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.

Zechariah 11-- When Having It All Costs You Everything

"When I arrest wealthy people, it is always because they feel there is no mystery to life. They have everything and can control everything, so they do illegal things to make life interesting." Those were the words of a veteran Dallas, TX police officer. What really struck me when he said that was the phrase, "no mystery in life." These people had the ability to plan out what would happen to them, and if things didn't go their way, they had the money to make it the way they wanted it. They turned to crime basically because they got bored. I don't know if boredom was the case here, but in Zechariah 11 we see a description of people who felt like they had everything, that they were in control. At the time it was given, Zechariah's words from the Lord were prophetic. There would be those in Israel's leadership who would have all they need and would show no pity to others, nor would they seek God (vv4-5). God told them that they would see their country come to ruin (vv 6,15-17). This is exactly what happened when the Romans later took over. Jesus said it is hard for a rich man to enter Heaven--not because the rich are worse sinners than the poor, but because it is difficult for them to trust in anything other than themselves. When we are all sufficient, we actually miss out on the fullness of this life, and we certainly miss out on the fullness of eternal life. Even for those of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior, we have to be careful that we don't slip into a state of daily self-reliance. A truly abundant and full life comes by allowing Christ to be in control. The "mystery" of the future becomes a wonderful adventure as we follow the Lord.

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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 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.

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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.

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.
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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.

Psalm 16-- "Stay Close, Children!"

The warning signs were abundant as we began walking around the national park--"Stay on the Path." There were numerous hazards if one wondered off the path and no further warnings or protections were available. If you stayed on the path, you would enjoy some of the most incredible beauty of God's creation. But if you strayed, the results could be absolutely devastating. My children were small, so I made sure I had a firm grasp on them and kept them close to my side. In Psalm 16, David is pictured as walking through life just like my children walked that path with me--right at the side of their father. Twice he refers to being next to God (vv8,11) and he says that, "I have set the Lord always before me" (v8). He stayed by God's side and stayed where he could see Him at all times. Because David had put such trust in God (v1) and maintained complete dependency on Him (v2), David experience some wonderful benefits. He received multiple blessings (vv5,6), had guidance for his life (vv7, 11), enjoyed gladness and hope (v9), and had the assurance of eternal pleasures (v11). He also knew that just as Christ would conquer death (v10), God would not leave him in the grave. We too can experience these same benefits as we put our trust in the Lord, and as we walk intimately with Him along life's path. Yes, there are unbelievable dangers in life, but when we hold God's hand and keep our eyes fixed on Him, we have nothing to fear. There is safety in the presence of Father.
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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.

Psalm 13-- How Much Longer?

"Are we there yet? How much longer? When will this be over?" If you have children, you have probably heard these questions many times. We may not realize it, but many adults ask the same questions of our heavenly Father. Four times in the six verses that make up Psalm 13, David asks "How long?" It seemed like an eternity, but David was experiencing a period of his life where it seemed that God had forgotten him. "I can't take much more of this," was what David felt and maybe what you are feeling today. By the end of the chapter, however, David's exasperation had turned to singing. "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me" (v6). What happened between the "How longs" and the "I will sing" that changed his attitude? It was prayer (vv3-4). If you find yourself repeatedly asking "How long," then maybe it is time to intensify your praying. Prayer enlightens us (v3) and enables us to get a better perspective. It shifts our trust from ourselves to the Lord. It transfers the burdens from our shoulders to God. It enables us to rejoice once again. It replaces the "how longs" with a chorus of praise!
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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.

Psalm 12-- All Alone but Not Alone

We made our way deep into the cave when our tour guide stopped and asked us to be quiet. "I'm going to turn off my light and you will experience total darkness," he said. There were probably a dozen or so people in the group, but when that light went out I felt all alone. Even though I had this experience when I was 12 or 13, I remember it vividly today. The incredible feeling that you are all alone. Have you ever felt that way as a faithful follower of Christ? Have you ever felt that you were the only one who cared about living right before God? Maybe it was at school or at work or even in your family, but you felt all alone. David must have felt that way, too, because in Psalm 12 he wrote "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men" (v1). We know the prophet Elijah felt that way--he thought he was the only one who hadn't bowed to a false god. God reminded him, however, that there were many more like him who had remained faithful. You may feel like you are all alone, but there may be others like you nearby--you just may not know it right now. The darkness may be so thick that you can't see anyone else, but take heart. God is always there, and He says "Now I will arise...I will set him in the safety for which he yearns" (v5). David reiterates this fact when he says "You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever" (v7). Stay faithful to the Lord and He will guide you through the darkness. You are not alone!
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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.

Psalm 11-- The View from Masada

I got into the cable car and made my way 1,300 feet up to the top of an isolated rock plateau  known as Masada, which overlooks the Dead Sea. In the Roman era, Masada seemed to be the perfect place for Herod the Great to build a fortress. With its high cliffs and difficult terrain, Masada would be very difficult for any attacking army to penetrate. Plus the visibility from the top was amazing. You could see for miles and miles and certainly would know if the enemy was approaching. Jewish rebels took over Masada and 960 people inhabited the fort. The Romans eventually built a rampart, laid siege to Masada, and finally penetrated its walls to regain control. To this day, Masada is a symbol of pride to the Israelis--kind of like their version of the Texas Alamo. Imagine standing on top of Masada, or any place where you have a full, unobstructed view of everything going on below. In a sense, this is the way God is--except He is in heaven with an unobstructed view of everything happening in this world. In Psalm 11, David notes that "The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven, His eyes behold..." (v4). Even when it seems that the very foundations of our lives or our society are crumbling (v3), God is not taken by surprise. He is not wringing His hands trying to figure out what to do. He has a heavenly and an eternal perspective on things, and He will act at the appropriate time and in the appropriate way. We must say as David did, "In the Lord I put my trust" (v1). He sees all, knows all, and "His countenance beholds the upright" (v7). Friend, God sees your struggles, and He will be your fortress. Put your trust in Him today!

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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.

Psalm 6-- When You Can't Stop the Tears

Have you ever had a time in your life when it seemed that you could not stop crying? Something happened or you were faced with the reality of something so overwhelming that the tears just poured out no matter how hard you tried to stop them? Sometimes we all just need a good cry! David was in that situation in Psalm 6. "All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eyes wastes away because of grief," (vv6-7) is how David worded it. What can we do when we find ourselves in those kinds of situations? First, grieve. That's right, grieve! Grieving is normal, natural and needed. We need to grieve the loss. In the beatitudes, Jesus said "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." If we want comfort, we have to first mourn. Second, acknowledge your weakness (v2). It's okay to admit that you don't have all the answers, you can't fix all the problems, or you don't have the power to change things. Third, turn the situation over to the Lord (vv2,4). Fourth, surround yourself with the right kind of people (v8). Finally, praise the Lord for His intervention in your life (v9). We all face grief at some point in our lives, but by following David's example we can overcome it in the Lord and be stronger as a result.
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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.

Psalm 5-- Two Kinds of Fish, Two Kinds of People

As the sun was rising on the lake near our home, we were already out on a friend's boat pulling in fish. As soon as the hook hit the water, we had a bite. We found the perfect spot, had the right bait, and saw lots of hungry fish. Now there really was only two kinds of fish there--keepers and non-keepers. What breed they were wasn't as important as whether or not they were big enough to keep. Were they usable or not? I'm a sport fisherman, but the guy whose boat I was on likes to eat them and also gives them away to others for food. So whether or not they were keepers was an important question. In this world there really are only two kinds of people. Those who live for the Lord and those who live for themselves. Those who are wicked and live for themselves, God takes no pleasure in them (v4). He has no use for them (vv5-6). For those, however, who live for Him, they are "keepers" who enjoy God's presence and favor (v12). They are usable to the Lord. The keepers have something to rejoice in because they have put their trust in God (v11). God fills them with His joy and defends them. Let's be a keeper for God!
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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.

Psalm 4-- Standing Out from the Crowd

Have you ever sat in a mall and people watched? Dozens of people walk by and you don't notice anything particular about them, they just blend in with the crowd. Then along comes someone who's appearance sets them apart from everyone else. Maybe they have brilliantly bright neon green colored hair or they are wearing clothes with colors that clash so bad you spot them a block away. Whatever the reason, they just stand out. Well, as believers we should stand out from the crowds around us--not because we dyed our hair or dress like it was 50 years ago--but because we pursue godliness. Psalm 4 discusses what it means to stand out from the crowds (vv1-2) as we seek to be more like God. The godly are special to the Lord--He sets them apart for divine service (v3). The godly know that God hears their prayers (v3). Godly men and women are careful to avoid sin and regularly evaluate their lives (v4). Godly people actively serve the Lord and have an unwavering trust in Him (v5). Godly people enjoy a unique joy and peace that is not dependent upon their circumstances (vv7-8). All of these things make the godly stand out in a world that pursues sin and self interests. What about you? Do you stand out from the crowd because of your godliness? Or does your life look like the unbelievers around 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.

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!
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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 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.
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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 46--The Knock that Changed Everything

You've seen the commercials. A small group gathers at the front door of an unsuspecting person's home. They are carrying balloons and a large cardboard check. They knock on the door, and when the home owner opens it, they all yell "Congratulations! You just won $10 million from the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes." One moment the home owner is watching TV re-runs and the next moment she is a multi-millionaire. I imagine this is how Jacob felt at the end of Genesis 45 and into chapter 46. He is sitting there in his home watching camel races (just kidding!) when he hears a knock at the door. It is his sons, and behind them are carts brought by Egyptian servants. His sons burst in and excitedly tell Jacob that his long lost son Joseph is alive. And not only is he alive, but he is the second most powerful person in Egypt. And, if that wasn't news enough, Joseph had made provisions for Jacob and his whole family to live on the best land in Egypt where they would be well cared. Jacob could not believe what he heard. This was better than winning a sweepstakes! As he began the journey to Egypt, God reassured Jacob that He was in all of this. "I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down into Egypt...I will go down with you to Egypt" (vv 4-5). I love that phrase "I will go down with you." Jacob was starting a new journey, headed to a new place. It was exciting but I'm sure Jacob also had his apprehensions. For years, God had been working "behind the scenes" preparing things for Jacob and the development of his family into a great nation. Now it was time to realize all that God had done for Jacob. Jacob made his way into some prime land in Egypt and soon was reunited with Joseph (vv29-30). What a day that must have been! Jacob lived 17 years in Egypt before his death. These quite possibly were some of the best years of his life. You may not get a knock on your door that positively changes everything for you, but know that God has your best interest at His heart. Know, too, that wherever He leads you and whatever new adventure He takes you on, God will "go down with you" and see you all the way through. God has something great in store for 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 37-- The Story Behind the Story

"What good could ever come out of this?" Have you ever made that statement? Have you ever thought those words? We know intellectually that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, but do we really believe it? What if we don't see that good for 5, 10 or even 20 years? Then what? Consider the story of a father named Jacob as told to us in Genesis 37. Imagine that you are him sitting home one day when your sons come into the room carrying a coat soaked in blood. You immediately recognize the coat because it was one you had specially made for your 11th son--the pride and joy of your life. When your sons tell you they found it out in the wilderness your heart sinks. There is no doubt in your mind--your beloved son Joseph met a violent death by wild animal (v33). Your mind begins to play out a variety of what-if scenarios like "What if I hadn't sent Joseph out alone to check up on his brothers?" Then Joseph's 17 years of life flash before you. You think about all the things you wished you would have done different--like not chastising him when he naively shared his dreams with you (v10). You cry and mourn like never before. No one can comfort you (v33) and you determine that you will grieve until the day you die. Now we know the full story, as we have the rest of Genesis, but Jacob didn't at the time. He didn't know that Joseph actually was alive. He didn't know that his own sons had sold their brother into slavery. He didn't know that Joseph would distinguish himself first in Potiphar's household and then in an Egyptian prison. He didn't know that Joseph would interpret dreams and literally save the lives of countless numbers of people--including his own. He didn't know that his son would become the second most powerful person in the world's strongest nation. Jacob didn't know any of that for 20 years. There was a back-story to which Jacob was oblivious. Yet God was constantly at work even though Jacob didn't realize it. Now Jacob couldn't get back those 20 years of grieving caused by the sin of his sons. He was, however, able to go forward in peace and realize that things did work together for good, not just for his family but for scores of families living in that part of the world. Friend, whatever you are going through today, know this: there is a back-story and God is at work. It may be a long time before you realize it, but if you love Him and are called according to His purpose, you can bank on the truth that this will, some how, some way, work together for good.
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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 35-- You Never Let Go

Matt Redman sings a song called "You Never Let Go" that has become a favorite in our family. Part of the lyrics go "through the calm and through the storm, oh no You never let go, every high and every low, oh no, You never let go, Lord you never let go of me." We heard that song for the first time in church two days after doctors told my wife that her thyroid cancer had spread to her bones. We had just finished singing that song when the church prayed over my wife. You Never Let Go became our anthem. It was a low time we were going through, but God reassured us He would never let go of us. A few days later when doctors did follow-up testing and additional scans they could not find any signs of cancer. Beth was completely healed! That was, and continues to be, a high for us. I imagine Jacob felt some of these high and low emotions in Genesis 35 as he journeyed back home. Along the way he buried his beloved wife Rachel (vv16-20), who died giving birth to Benjamin. Once he got home, he buried his father Isaac who died at the age of 180 (vv27-29). Besides this, there was other turmoil in his family (v22). In the midst of these low moments God showed Himself to Jacob (v9) and reassured him that His favor was still on Jacob and that He would be faithful to fulfill all of His promises to Jacob and his family (vv11-13). He had protected Jacob on his journey (v5). Jacob responded to all of this by worshiping the Lord (vv7,14). Today, you may find yourself in the midst of a storm. It may be a low point in your life. But know this...if you are God's child, He never lets go of you! He absolutely will see you through every situation. There is hope!
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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 33-- Rotting Wood

I was fixing my damaged wood fence when I pulled off a picket and saw nothing but rotten wood underneath. You couldn't initially see the rotten rail because the picket covered it, but it made that whole section of the fence weak. I got to thinking that this is what happens when there is unforgiveness in our lives. It eats away at us from the inside, weakening our entire lives and potentially causing us to do or say things that we wouldn't do otherwise. In Genesis 33, Jacob came face to face with his brother Esau, the one who years earlier was seeking to kill Jacob. On top of that, Esau was coming to meet Jacob with 400 men. Jacob knew he had done wrong by his brother but wanted to seek reconciliation. But what about Esau? Had he stayed bitter and unforgiving all of these years? Did that unforgiveness rot away his life? Would it now lead to him taking violent action against Jacob and his family? These questions filled Jacob's mind as their meeting time approached. Imagine Jacob's surprise when Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, kissed him, and started crying (v4). Esau had forgiven Jacob! Their relationship was restored and they could now move on with their lives. No longer would Jacob have to be looking over his shoulder wondering if his brother was on the way to hurt him. We don't know at what point Esau forgave Jacob, but we do know that because of that forgiveness he and his twin brother could now go through the rest of their lives with the kind of relationship that brothers should have. What about you today? Is there someone who you need to forgive? Is there someone whose forgiveness you need to seek? Don't let unforgiveness and broken relationships eat away at you and rot your life.
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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 32-- Facing Your Past

When he left home 20 years prior, Jacob was a self-centered, conniving young man who had disappointed his father and angered his brother to the point that he wanted to kill Jacob. A lot had changed in 20 years and now it was time for Jacob to face his past. It was time for Jacob to see his brother Esau and seek reconciliation. Genesis 32 records Jacob's preparation for that meeting, which ended up turning into something much bigger. As Jacob prepared to meet his past, God prepared him to meet his future. Noticed what Jacob did. First, he acknowledged God (vv1-2). Second, he was humble (vv3-5, 13-18). The arrogance that once typified his life was gone. He was coming to his brother in all humility. Third, he worked through his fears. When he found out Esau was coming to meet him and he had 400 men with him, Jacob was scared. And who wouldn't be! Jacob, however, did not give in to those fears and continue to run from his past. What he did do was device a plan to protect as much of his family as possible just in case Esau attacked them (vv7-8). He also prayed (vv9-12). In the meantime, God was at work in Jacob using this encounter to make him into something great for Himself. Jacob got alone that night and "wrestled" with an angel of God refusing to let him go until he blessed Jacob. He had deceived to get his father's blessing, but Jacob knew he needed something greater--he needed God's blessing (v26)! The exciting thing is that God gave it to him. I wonder how many people miss out on God's blessing because they 1) don't ask for it and 2) don't come clean with their past in order to receive it. What about you? Are there some things in your past that you need to deal with today? Are there some things you tried to ignore or sweep under the rug that has haunted you? Remember, God is gracious and forgiving and He will guide us as we seek to do what is right.
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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 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 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.