Frank's Bible Blog

2 Timothy 4-- What will be on Your Tombstone?

While no one really wants to contemplate death, it is interesting to walk through cemeteries and read the grave markers. This is especially true of real old cemeteries. In just a few words engraved in stone, you get a sense of the person's entire life. What will be engraved on your tombstone? If the Apostle Paul had a grave marker, it could read something like "He fought the good fight. He finished his race. He kept the faith." All words that Paul used of himself in 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Could those words be said of you? Did you fight the good fight by not giving up in the midst of adversity (vv5,8)? Did you finish the entire race that God sat out for you by avoiding falling in love with this world (vv9-10)? Have you kept the faith by enduring sound doctrine (v3), having an answer for those outside the faith (v2), and listening only to the truth (v4)? Fought, finished, kept--may these words be true of 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 www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

2 Timothy 3-- Beware of Rip Tides

If you have spent much time swimming or surfing in the ocean, then you probably know about rip tides or rip currents. These are strong flows of surface water that return seaward from near the shore. They can carry away even the best of swimmers and cause about 100 deaths in the United States each year. Swimmers often make the mistake of trying to swim against the current towards shore, leaving the swimmer even more exhausted and susceptible to drowning. The best way out is to swim parallel to shore, as rip tides typically are not very wide. We live in a time when the world around us is pulling us away from truth and righteousness, as described in 2 Timothy 3. It is easy to get caught up in this rip tide, which is characterized by people who are "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power" (vv3-5). The last phrase is particularly telling--this rip tide often has the form or appearance of godliness, but actually denies God. It is easy to get caught up with people or movements like this, especially if they "talk" like a Christian or use spiritual lingo. How do we swim away from this rip tide? We must "continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of knowing from whom you have learned them" (v14). Most of all, we must test everything by Scripture which "is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..." (V16). Then we will be able to navigate the dangerous waters of this 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 www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

2 Timothy 2-- The Marks of a Great Leader

It didn't take long as I walked through the Abraham Lincoln museum in Illinois to be reminded of what a great leader this American president was. Although he was laughed at and scorned by many people of his day, especially the news media, Lincoln remains a symbol of outstanding leadership. He stayed true to his principles even when it wasn't popular. One story is told that during a cabinet meeting about issuing the Emancipation Proclamation to free the slaves, Lincoln's advisers opposed the idea. Lincoln said "all in favor, say 'I' and those opposed 'nay'." Lincoln was the only one to vote in the affirmative. "Well," he said, "it looks like the 'I's have it." While you and I may never lead a nation, we can be godly leaders in our sphere of influence. Here are seven characteristics of great Christian leadership from 2 Timothy 2:

1. They reproduce themselves (v2). The mark of a truly great leader is not what he or she can accomplish alone but how he or she equips and empowers others to reach great heights.
2. They don't quit (vv3-13).
3. They avoid getting caught up in battles of words and useless talk (v14, 16, 23).
4. They live to please an audience of One--the Lord (v15).
5. They run from sin in order to be a clean vessel that God can use (v19-22).
6. They embrace a lifestyle of righteousness, faith, love, and peace with others (v22, 24a).
7. They patiently teach and guide others, even those who oppose God (v24).

You may never be mentioned in the history books, but you can have a lasting legacy by how well you demonstrate godly leadership. Whether you consider yourself a leader or not, these are outstanding traits that we all should strive for in our lives.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

2 Timothy 1-- Olympic Toughness

As the world watches the Beijing Olympics, we are reminded that behind the records being set and the medals being won are real people--people with stories of both triumph and tragedy. But those who rise to the top are the ones who refuse to quit in the face of adversity. They overcome opposition, shatter their fears, and press on for the gold. How much more should all of us have this kind of an attitude when it comes to the journey called life. 2 Timothy 1 is a great reminder that life often is not easy, but we must battle through the challenges by keeping our eyes on Christ. Paul, who was imprisoned and had been deserted by many of his "friends," challenges timothy to stand firm in the faith even when faced with hardships (v8). The spirit of fear, he reminds his former protégé, is not from above. Paul reminds all of us of the victory that Christ provides us because He "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (v10).Here is Paul's gold-winning life strategy: 1)use your god-given gifts (v6). 2) Don't be ashamed of Christ (vv8,12). 3) Hold fast to sound doctrine (v13) and 4) Walk in the Spirit (v14). Sounds like a great plan that we all can use to be winners 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 www.maxpoint.org/message_board.