Frank's Bible Blog

1 Corinthians 1-- Choose Your Own Adventure

When I was a child, there was a series of books I liked to read called Choose Your Own Adventure. Each book had different endings, depending on the choices the reader made. So you read through to a certain point in the book where you were then given a series of choices. Each choice had a corresponding page number where the story would resume. Imagine if we could do that with your life? Imagine if there was a way to do that with the decisions that you have made in your life. Imagine if you could read about what would have happened if you had made a different choice. What if you hadn't made the decision to commit your life to Christ (assuming you have)? Where would you be today without Christ? As 1 Corinthians 1 points out, we have been given the grace of God (v4) and are enriched by Him because we have responded to what many consider the foolishness of the Gospel (v18). We came to a juncture in life where we had to make a decision. The prevailing "wisdom" said to ignore the claims of Christ and live life for yourself (vv19-21) but because "the foolishness of God is wiser than men" (v25) you made the right decision and your life has been forever enriched. Now that you have made that decision, you still must choose your own adventure. You must choose to walk in God's wisdom (v30) or choose to become self focused and even divisive with your life (vv10-17, 31). The decisions that you make even now will write the future chapters of your life. Choose wisely!

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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.

1 Timothy 4-- From Bookshelves to Real Living

Leadership is a hot topic today both in the church and society in general. More and more bookstore space is being given to the topic as it seems a new title hits the shelves daily. Personally, I enjoy reading books on leadership and usually find them helpful. But there is one book, the Bible, that has been guiding leaders for hundreds of years. Its timeless truths don't need any revisions and are applicable to today. Consider 1 Timothy 4 which provides eight instructions for godly leadership. First, godly leaders should point out false teachings (vv1-6). They should be disciplined in their pursuit of godliness (v8). Third, they should continually proclaim the gospel (vv9-11) while also being a consistent example of the believers (v12). They should be able to publicly instruct others in the Word of God (v13). It is also important for them to discover and develop their own spiritual gifts so that they in turn can help others develop their gifts (v14). Leaders should never stop growing (v15). Finally, leaders need to guard themselves and their beliefs (v16). These are timeless leadership expectations that every Christian leader should meet.
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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.