Frank's Bible Blog

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Genesis 21-- Better than the Midas Touch

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

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

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.
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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 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.
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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 13-- Keeping a 20 Foot Long Nose in Perspective

Mount Rushmore is amazing! I vividly remember my first visit. We drove around a curve in the road and there it was--larger than life! For our international readers who may not be aware of it, Mount Rushmore is where the heads of four U.S. presidents are "engraved" (blasted is a better word) into the side of a mountain. Each head is massive--60 feet tall. Their noses are 20 feet long. It took 14 years and the removal of 800 million pounds of stone to complete the project. I imagine it would have been easy when working on, say Lincoln's beard, to get so caught up with the small details that workers would lose sight of the bigger picture. But they didn't. They had to make sure that each smaller detail was proportionate to the whole. It is important, not only in constructing monuments but also in life, that we keep things in perspective. Sometimes that means making small sacrifices in order to accomplish something bigger. Abraham in Genesis 13 is a good example of this. When the livestock and possessions of both Abraham and his nephew Lot grew to the point that they couldn't stay in the same area (vv6-7), Abraham dealt head-on with the situation. He offered a solution rather than allow strife between members of his family and between their employees. He allowed Lot to choose any of the land that he wanted and Abraham would move his enterprise the opposite direction. It is interesting that although Lot chose what looked like the best land, his move almost cost him his life. He moved toward the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (v10). Abraham took the less-desired land but in the end, got it all. "Look from the place where you are," God said to Abraham, "for all the land that you see I give to you and your descendants forever" (vv14-15). Abraham made a temporary sacrifice for the sake of others but God rewarded him many times over. I have seen this over and over again in my life. When I kept perspective of God's bigger picture and willingly made sacrifices to achieve His will, God blessed far beyond anything I could have imagined. I wonder how many people there are who will never experience all the incredible things that God has for them in this life because they lose perspective or fail to make the necessary sacrifices. Let's do what's right, even if it is inconvenient, and leave the outcome to 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.

Genesis 10-- Standing Out from the Crowd Isn't Always Good

When you hear the names "Hitler" or "Stalin" what comes to your mind? Men like this stand out in history, not because of the good they did but because of how their lives negatively impacted the world. In Genesis 10 we see someone similar. His name was Nimrod (vv8-9). In the midst of a "begot" chapter that establishes Noah's descendants, one man stands out. Nimrod was the first person who sought to dominate his world. He went on to found what would become Babylon. He apparently gained such renown that everyone knew about him, but not always for the best of reasons. His self-exaltation stood out even before the Lord. We should stand out from the crowd--but in a way that honors God and brings glory to Him, not ourselves. We need leaders today, but not those like Nimrod who try to lord over others and exalt themselves. We need leaders who lovingly help those around them fulfill their God-given purpose. We need leaders who build people up not crush them in order to get their way. While we may think that we could never be a Hitler, Stalin or Nimrod, our lives could still have a negative impact if we adopt a Nimrod spirit. Christians can take their eyes off God, become filled with pride, and lead a self-serving life. Don't let that be 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.

Nehemiah 13-- Inspect Don't Just Expect

There is an old leadership saying that I have found to be absolutely true: people don't do what you expect they do what you inspect. Sometimes when we delegate tasks or turn over leadership responsibilities to others they do not approach their new challenges with the passion, diligence and care that is needed. It is important that we don't just assume that the right things are getting done; we must inspect to ensure things are being handled properly. This is especially true when we have put someone in charge of something who doesn't have a lot of experience or a strong reputation of getting things done right. In Nehemiah 13, Nehemiah's closing narrative on the reconstruction and reestablishment of Jerusalem, we see a similar situation. Nehemiah, of course, was a strong and capable leader. The time came, however, for him to leave and return to his primary responsibilities which involved direct service to the king. He departed Israel with what he thought were the right people and right policies in place. The problem was that those people--those leaders--dropped the ball. No one stepped up and really led. They allowed the nation to return to its "default" position, which was a place of disobedience to God. Nehemiah, however, as a good leader returned to Jerusalem to inspect what he left behind. He said that what he saw "grieved me bitterly" (v8). So he took immediate and firm action. He gathered the leaders together and "set them in their place" (v11). He then replaced people with those who "were considered faithful" (v13) even using his own servants to guard the gates (vv19-20). Nehemiah did not live in a fantasy world. He did not stick his head in the sand. He did not assume that just because things were going well at one point that they would stay that way. Instead he inspected the situation and took whatever actions were necessary to ensure the integrity of the project. Why? Because that's what good leaders do, especially those who see their work as a stewardship from God (vv14, 22, 31).

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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.

Nehemiah 12-- Managing the Ebb and Flow

It has rightly been said that the only things constant in life is change. How true that is! Life is not static, even though sometimes we wish it were. There is an ebb and flow to life. There are ups and there are downs. We ascend to the highest mountains but eventually come down into the dark valleys. Nehemiah 12 teaches us that leadership is all about managing the ebb and flow. Sometimes the most dangerous time for a person, ministry or organization is when things have been going good for a long time. It is easy to become complacent and take your eyes of God when everything seems to be going your way. There are three great lessons in this chapter about managing the ebb and flow. First, celebrate the victories (vv27-43). Yes, celebrate! When you and your team do well, give praise to God and spend time rejoicing over what you have seen accomplished. That is exactly what Nehemiah did when they completed the rebuilding of the walls. Make a big deal about it--just make sure the glory and focus stays on God. The second lesson is that we must maintain our responsibilities (v44). It is easy when we are in the midst of a celebration to slack off on the things that brought us to that point. Nehemiah didn't. Even while celebrating, he was making sure that the right things were getting done. Finally, establish a godly legacy. This happens when we consistently live for God regardless of what is happening around us. Twice in this chapter there are references to Israel's King David, someone who lived hundreds of years prior to Nehemiah. In both mentions he is called "David the man of God" (vv24, 36). Imagine if hundreds of years after you were dead people still spoke of you and referred to you as the man or woman of God! What a great legacy. Let's learn from this wonderful chapter to celebrate the successes in life, faithfully fulfill our responsibilities, and live consistently for God so that we can establish a godly legacy.

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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.

Nehemiah 11-- The Leadership Forest

It was a picture-perfect day with incredible visibility as our plane flew over a massive forest in Europe. I looked out the window and admired what I saw--it seemed as if every tree was perfectly aligned. I could see all of the forest and the clear areas around it. I remember thinking "this is beautiful from up here, but if I were in the middle of that dense forest I would have a hard time finding my way out. It is so big." That picture is a reminder to me of how important it is for leaders to keep an aerial view of their "forests" and not get lost "on the ground" looking at only the trees in front of them. When looking across your "forest" there are three "Ws" with which you should pay special attention. These are illustrated in Nehemiah 11 as Nehemiah continues to showcase great leadership in action. The three Ws are: Who, What and Where. I must admit it is easy to doze off reading this chapter because it is a collection of names, but look closer. These names represented specific people who Nehemiah knew, either personally or by reputation. Nehemiah assessed his personnel. The second W is "what"--what needed to get done. Notice from the chapter that the "what" in this case was very diverse. Everything from scheduling singers for the temple to repopulating Jerusalem. Again, it was a big picture assessment of the whole situation. Finally the "where." This was the matching of the "who" to the "what." In other words, getting the right people in the right places to do the right things. So, if you are a leader, let me encourage you to every so often take a 10,000 foot view of the "who, what, where" forest you are managing.

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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.

Nehemiah 10-- The Midnight Ride and Revival

In The Tipping Point, author Malcolm Gladwell shows how little things, done in the right way, can make a big difference. One example he uses is Paul Revere's midnight ride which was effective in rallying fighters against the British in colonial America. The reason this event was so successful and people actually responded to Revere, rather than dismissing him as a crazed lunatic, had to do with a couple of key factors: who and when. Paul Revere was the right person to make that ride because he had a good reputation and was known in those parts. In other words, when Paul spoke people listened. The second factor was that the ride took place at midnight--which would have really gotten people's attention and heightened their sense of urgency. When we look at the history of great revivals we see these two factors playing an important role. In Nehemiah 10, we see the climax of a great revival that was started in chapter 9 when the Jewish people were exposed to God's word (the when). Nehemiah, as the political leader, accompanied by religious leaders and other well respected people (the who) made a solemn covenant to God. Then "everyone who had knowledge and understanding joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into...an oath...to do all the commandments of the Lord" (v29). That covenant involved no intermarrying with pagans, keeping God's commands about the Sabbath and sacrifices, tithing, and caring for God's house. The people demonstrated true repentance--they changed their sinful ways both in what they did (sins of commission) and what they didn't do but should have done (sins of omission). You may not consider yourself to be a Nehemiah or a Paul Revere when it comes to leadership, but you do have those around you whom you influence. If revival grips your life then that could be the spark that leads to revival in others. You could be the who that God uses to initiate a great awakening in your family, work, church and even your community.

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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.

Nehemiah 7-- Avoiding a Dot Com Bust

When we look back historically at the 1990s, many people will recall how the dot com boom turned bust. The Internet had become a commercial superpower and scores of new Internet based companies were popping up every day. It seemed that stock prices of any company with a dot com in their name were going through the roof, with no end in sight. The party, however, came to a crashing end. By the end of the decade, companies that seemingly could do no wrong had disappeared completely. Very few of the 90s success stories were even around in 2001. Why? What happened that brought these fortunes to an end? Many analysts believe the end came because of leadership issues. Not because of bad products, or difficult economic times, but because company leaders could not transition leadership styles from being entrepreneurs to being managers. It is one thing to get something started; it is quite another thing to keep it going. Nehemiah faced a similar issue in chapter 7 once the Jerusalem walls had been rebuilt. The start-up phase was complete. Now what? Like every good leader, Nehemiah transitioned style, first by giving up some of his power and delegating it to others. But notice who he delegated it to--"the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many" (v2). Nehemiah's key leaders would be those with a proven leadership track record who walked with God. Next, Nehemiah re-assessed the situation (vv4-5) and followed through on what God told him to do ("then my God put it into my heart to..."). Nehemiah continued to grow, continued to improve, and most importantly, continued to be led by God. Complacency was not part of his vocabulary. Nehemiah demonstrates to us that it is not just about starting well; you also have to finish well.

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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.

Nehemiah 6-- Discerning God's Will

IKEA is a Swedish chain of home furnishings stores that have become very popular here in the U.S. IKEA's products are unique and most of them require assembly. Now I must admit that when I read "assembly required" I usually cringe because I know it will probably take me twice as long to put it together as what the box says it will take. Not so, however, with IKEA. Because they sell their products in multiple countries--with multiple languages--they have made them very easy to assemble. Their instruction manuals have no words, only pictures. This means that even I can figure it out! Don't you wish that God revealed His will like an IKEA manual--where we just follow the pictures? But He doesn't for a number of reasons. How then can we clearly discern God's will? Nehemiah 6 gives us five great steps to discovering God's will. First, maintain an unwavering commitment to accomplish God's purpose (VV1-9). Because Nehemiah was totally committed to doing what God wanted, he would not allow anything to distract him from fulfilling his God-given mission. Second, get advice from the right people (v10). Nehemiah was approached by an informant--a "double agent"--who supposedly was trying to give advice on the enemy's plans and what to do about it. Nehemiah quickly recognized that this guy was not the kind of person that he should be listening to. Third, hold to your convictions (V11). Know what is right and what is wrong, and determine ahead of time that you will not compromise and violate God's clear commands. Next, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit (vv12-14). Nehemiah talked constantly to God, he carefully listened to God, and I believe he was quick to act on what God laid on his heart. This made him more discerning. Finally, walk in wisdom (vv17-19). Wisdom is more than just having knowledge; it is doing the right thing with that knowledge. Nehemiah knew the political ramifications of his commitments but he acted in wisdom by not letting it frighten him to the point of quitting. Discerning God's will is much easier when we follow the five steps that Nehemiah took.

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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.

Nehemiah 5-- The Hen and the Hog

You have probably heard the story of the hen and the hog that were walking past a church. The church's marquee announced a breakfast they were having that Sunday. "We should provide their breakfast," said the hen, "there's nothing like bacon and eggs on a Sunday morning." The hog turned to the hen and replied "for you, that would mean a minor inconvenience but for me it is a total commitment."  A lot of us are like that hen--we are willing to be slightly inconvenienced once in a while but like the hog, we won't make a total commitment. We don't want to go too far when it comes to making sacrifices. Serving Christ, however, is a commitment that often requires sacrifices. Nehemiah 5 is a great story of someone committed to pleasing God and doing the right thing, even though it cost him in the short term. Notice five sacrifices that Nehemiah made. First, he sacrificed a pay raise when he became governor (v14-15a). Second, he sacrificed power (v15b). Next, he sacrificed personal comfort (v16a) as he stayed engaged in the building project. Fourth, Nehemiah gave up investment opportunities (v16b). Finally, he gave much of his own income to feed and care for others (vv17-18). All that Nehemiah asked was that God would remember him for all that good that he had done for others (v19). I believe that God certainly did remember him--just like God remembers us and blesses us for doing what is right. So, which will it be for you today? A slight inconvenience or a total commitment?

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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.

Nehemiah 4-- Breaking Through Discouragement

Let's be honest. We've all had discouraging times in our lives. We've all had those times when we just wanted to quit. Maybe you are in one of those times right now. Maybe you are a leader and things in your organization are very discouraging--maybe it is your team that is discouraged. Well, you can take heart from a great lesson from Nehemiah found in chapter 4. First, notice five causes of discouragement:

1. Opposition (vv1-3,8)
2. Physical fatigue (v10)
3. Foggy vision (v10b)
4. Loss of confidence (v10c)
5. Lack of security (v11)--this could be physical, financial, etc.

Nehemiah was a great leader, and as a great leader, Nehemiah chose to lead his team through the discouragement rather than throwing up his hands. Nehemiah addressed the situation--he didn't dismiss it, minimize it or ignore it. He tackled it head-on with prayer (vv4,5,9), organization (vv13, 16-18, 21-22), motivation (v14), and by establishing a rallying point (v19). Most of all, Nehemiah was right there with the people, leading by example. He asked the people to stay vigilant and focused, and he did the same. Notice verse 22, "Neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes except that everyone took them off for washing." Nehemiah is a great lesson on the fact that we can't wish away discouragement but we can break through it with prayer and concrete action.

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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.

Nehemiah 3-- Find Your Section of Wall

What is the biggest project that you have ever undertaken? How did you feel when you started the project? Probably a bit overwhelmed! How did you feel when you finished it? Relieved? Did you have a sense of pride, knowing that you had completed something very difficult? Sometimes when we are faced with big projects or big challenges the hardest part is figuring out where to start. Many people feel that ministry--service for the kingdom of God--is like that massive project. You know you need to be involved but you have a hard time getting started. Or maybe you feel that there is someone else better qualified who should do the job while you sit on the sidelines.

Nehemiah 3 is one of the most remarkable chapters in Scripture when it comes to everyone finding a place on the team and engaging in something significant--something bigger than themselves. Now when you first glance at the chapter is is easy to glaze over it--there are a lot of names that you probably can't pronounce. But go deeper, and you will be encouraged by what you see. People from all walks of life, professions and social statuses took part in rebuilding the Jerusalem walls. There were religious leaders (vv1,22), people from other cities (v2), goldsmiths, merchants, perfume makers, home owners, apartment renters, civic leaders, blue collar workers, white collar workers, men, and women (v12). Some of the people had building skills while many did not. Some could do more--and they did, while others were only able to do small amounts. The project was bigger than any one person, but when all of God's people came together, they accomplished something truly great. Here's the bottom line for us: we need to find our place on the wall of God's kingdom and go to work. No more excuses. There is something that you can do to build the kingdom. Find it, roll up your sleeves, and help make a difference.

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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.

Nehemiah 2-- The Secret to Your Success

How do you achieve success? Much has been written about success and there are many schools of thought on what it takes to be successful. I recently read the book Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell which takes a different twist on why successful people are successful. It is an interesting book with a lot of good food for thought. But there is a time-tested formula for success that comes right out of the pages of Scripture, and it is found in Nehemiah 2. Here is the formula: Prayer+Plan+Opportunity+Strategy+Initiative+Perseverance=Success. Yes, it is somewhat complicated, but all six steps I believe are necessary to achieve the kind of success God would have for us.

Nehemiah, as we saw yesterday, began praying about the terrible situation in Jerusalem, the home of his forefathers. As he prayed, he also planned what it would take to fix the situation. This is evident by the fact that he was ready to give a detailed answer when the king asked what Nehemiah wanted to do about Jerusalem (vv5-8). As we pray and plan, we have to wait for the right time or opportunity. That is what Nehemiah did, waiting four months until the moment was right to approach the king. Opportunity is one thing when you are anticipating it, but it can be quite another thing when you are in the midst of it, and that is where strategy comes in (vv9-16). Nehemiah assessed the situation, which included the obstacles that he would have to overcome, and developed a more detailed strategy. Next, he put action to his prayers and planning by taking initiative to rally a team and begin work. Although it is not described in this chapter, the final step of perseverance is clear as you read through Nehemiah's narrative. Success doesn't come easy and there are many times when we will be tempted to quit, but we must persevere. Prayer+Plan+Opportunity+Strategy+Initiative+Perseverance--that was Nehemiah's secret to success and it can be yours as well.

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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.

Nehemiah 1-- No Auto-Pilot for His Life

Nehemiah had a great job. It was prestigious and probably had plenty of perks. Nehemiah was a cupbearer, an assistant, to the king of Persia. Nehemiah could have just "coasted" through life doing his thing for the king and enjoying all that life had to offer him at the time. But Nehemiah was not the kind of person to put his life on "auto pilot". No, Nehemiah was someone who had a heart for God and was sensitive to the needs in the world of his time--especially those of his heritage, the Jews.

In Nehemiah 1 we see Nehemiah quizzing some of his brethren who had returned to the Persian capital from Jerusalem. He wanted to know in detail how things were going there. What he learned disturbed him. His people were suffering greatly. Now Nehemiah had a choice. He could dismiss this information and simply feel sorry for the Jews who had returned to Israel from their years of captivity, or he could do something about the situation. It wasn't his problem, but Nehemiah chose to act. And what was his first action? It was to pray--but not just any prayer. Part of his prayer was asking God to make him part of the solution, as he planned to approach the king with the situation (v11). Let me ask you today--is your life on "auto pilot"? Are you just going through life, doing your own thing, oblivious to the needs and opportunities around you--to the things where your life could make a real difference? Life is more than just showing up to work, paying the mortgage and trying to get by. Your life has a God-given purpose. Like Nehemiah, God wants all of us to make a difference in this life and this world.

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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.

Acts 16-- West Nile Virus and Your Future

Every summer here in Texas and other western states, we are alerted to the dangers of West Nile Virus, a mosquito-carried disease that in rare cases can be deadly. We are told by health officials to not have any standing or stagnate water on our property as this can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. In our spiritual life, stagnation is also dangerous. It keeps us from becoming all that God would have us to become and it often makes us more susceptible to temptations. The Apostle Paul was never stagnant.  He kept growing, kept moving, and kept doing his part to expand God's kingdom.  In Acts 16 we see Paul and his team on the move once again for God, making their way through various cities and regions.  Notice several things that Paul did as he moved for God. 1) He expanded his team.  Paul kept his eyes out for people whom he could mentor (vv. 1-4).  2) He was Holy Spirit led.  He went when and where God wanted him to go (vv. 6-10).  3) He engaged people, sharing Christ with a group of women (vv. 13-15).  4) He worshiped God even in difficult times and in difficult places (v. 25).  5) He was fearless in his mission (vv. 35-40).  These are good steps for us to follow as we stay on the move for God and avoid stagnation.

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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.

Acts 9-- Best Supporting Characters

The Academy Awards has two categories called "Best Supporting Actor" and "Best Supporting Actress."  These are film actors who help make movies successful--although they aren't the main stars.  The movie doesn't revolve around them, but it probably would be lost without them.  Similarly, Acts 9 describes four such characters.  People who are not the focus of Scripture but who had a major impact on those around them.  In the case of two of them, they launched the ministry of biblical "superstar" Paul.  Ananias and Barnabas both stood up for Paul (Saul) before others in the church.  His reputation as a Christian persecutor caused the believers in Damascus and Jerusalem to not trust his claims of conversion.  Ananias in Damascus and Barnabas in Jerusalem put their reputations on the line to be obedient to God and help Paul get started. 

Two others also make the "Best Supporting Character" list.  They are Aeneas and Tabitha.  Aeneas was a paralyzed, bedridden man who was healed.  His healing and subsequent witness resulted in many people in his community turning to Christ.  Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, touched the lives of everyone around her by her generosity and care.  Her impact was so great that when she died, God used Peter to actually bring her back to life.  She continued her ministry and God was glorified through this amazing act.  Four people we hear little about in Scripture but who made a big impact on those around them.  God may not place you in the "lead actor" role with the spotlight and all the attention, but you certainly can have a role equally as important.  History may not write about you, but it may write about those whom you impact.

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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.

Acts 7-- What's Your Picture of Boldness?

When you read the word "bold" what picture comes to your mind? Would it be that sports fanatic who paints his body, puts on a wig, and boldly declares is admiration for his favorite team? Would it be the employer who boldly asks the boss for a raise? Would it be the teenager who resists peer pressure to do the right things? Some boldness we laugh at (the sports fan) while others we admire (the teenager). I marvel at the boldness of Stephen, who became the church's first martyr.  With boldness he ministered and with boldness he applied God's word to those around him--even though it wasn't popular or accepted.  Most of Acts 7 is Stephen recounting the history of Israel, something his hearers would have known quite well.  I'm sure everyone listening was thinking "yeah, I know all this, so what?"  That was until Stephen made the application that just as their forefathers had rejected God so had they rejected God by rejecting Christ.  Stephen said what needed to be said, even though it would cost him his life.  His sacrifice, however, would have a great impact for the cause of Christ.  I'm sure it made a lasting impression on Saul (who later became the Apostle Paul).  Stephen was filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit.  It is a lot easier to be bold when you are allowing the Holy Spirit to completely control your life.  How bold are we today?  Or maybe the better question is "are we living a Spirit-filled 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.

Acts 6-- Teamwork

Growing up in Southern California, I remember following University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) basketball as a child. When I started paying attention to the Bruins shortly after Coach John Wooden retired in 1975, Wooden was already considered a legend. He is one of the most successful coaches of all time, and led the UCLA Men's Basketball team to an incredible 10 NCAA National Championships, including seven championships in seven straight years. Wooden knew what it took to win. He is quoted as saying "Individuals win trophies but teams win championships." The same is true when it comes to God's work. Notice what it says in Acts 6:7, "Then the word of God spread and the number of disciples multiplied greatly." What caused this breakthrough in the early church that led to increased growth?  It was teamwork.  The first recorded conflict--some of the widows' needs being neglected--could have been a major internal distraction to the young church and its leaders.  The needs were real and needed to be met, yet there were other higher-level needs that also were pressing.  The answer to this predicament was to expand the team by adding what some consider to be the first deacons.  These skillful and godly servants organized to help others and the result was a breakthrough, not just in the church but in the community.  We can experience breakthrough today as each of us finds a place of service in our local churches.  Have you found your place on the team?  If you are a leader, how much effort are you giving to finding, developing and empowering teams?  Maybe the breakthrough you have been praying for is sitting right in front of you. Maybe its time to stop trying to win trophies and start trying to win championships.

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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.

Acts 5-- Glad to be Beaten?

There isn't anyone that I hold in higher esteem then those who have suffered physical persecution--torture--for their stance for Christ. I have met a few of these dear saints who lived under oppressive communist regimes. The stories they tell are horrific. Could you imagine if this happened to you, and you were actually glad about it? I mean, who gets glad about being physically beaten?  Well, Peter and the apostles did in Acts 5--because it meant they were "worthy to suffer shame for His name" (v41).  They were glad because they were worthy--worthy to be counted with Christ.  We see in this chapter the seriousness of the apostles and early Christians.  They weren't playing church.  No games here.  They were committed to live for Christ and proclaim His message.  We see their commitment to purity when they held Ananias and Sapphira accountable for their lying and selfish motives (vv1-11).  We see their commitment to persevere in their message even when faced with impending persecution (vv17-32).  We see their commitment to identify with Christ by viewing a negative situation--being beaten--as a positive one.  Do we do what is right only when it is easy?  Or are we committed to live for Christ no matter what?

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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.

Acts 1-- Minutes Before Kick-Off

It's just minutes before the big game. The team gathers around the coach in eager anticipation of what he will say to fire-up the players and motivate them to victory. It  will be the last moment he speaks to them as a group before they take to the field and assume their individual positions. Will he review strategy? Will he cast vision for victory? Will he give some game-changing insight? Will he reach into his players' hearts and give them new motivation? As exciting as these moments may be for sports teams, they pale in comparison to the moment described in Acts 1 when Jesus assembled His team of followers. Jesus gave his final charge to his disciples prior to his ascension back to heaven. It was a visionary charge, nothing less than impacting the whole world with His message. As soon as Christ was gone, the eleven apostles gathered with the other disciples. The first order of business was to find a replacement for the betraying and now deceased Judas. Why? To fulfill Scripture and to prepare to carry out Christ’s final charge. They had to organize before they could effectively evangelize. They also needed to wait for the Holy Spirit—the One we would empower them for such a daunting task. They then went on to turn the world upside down with their teaching, an amazing accomplishment given the lack of technology, air travel, and other advances that we enjoy today. For the mission to continue, we must heed Christ’s words, get organized, seek God’s power and then launch out to reach this world with the gospel. Read Acts 1 and let Christ's final words to His team challenge you to be victorious for His kingdom.

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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 Corinthians 16-- Strategic Planning

What makes a great leader great? I'm sure if you asked 10 people you would get a variety of answers. There are many things that go into great leadership but one of the foremost is planning. Great leaders have a clear vision and a plan for where they want to lead their people. They also do a great job at communicating that plan to their team. Strategic planning is simply having a vision for where you want to go and then establishing the priorities and steps necessary to get there. In 1 Corinthians 16 we get some insight into strategic planning from one of the early church's greatest leaders--the Apostle Paul. Notice six principles that went into his strategic plan. First, there was proper preparation (vv1-4). Paul discusses a collection the Corinthians were taking for needy believers in Jerusalem and exhorts them to have everything done and in place before he arrives. This would allow him and the church to maximize their time together. Second, remain flexible in your planning (vv5-7). If they are not careful, leaders can become slaves to their plans. Plans are a means to an end, not the end in themselves. Paul stayed flexible when it came to the amount of time he would spend in Corinth.  Third, capitalize on your opportunities (vv8-9). Paul saw enormous opportunities where he was at in Ephesus and wanted to do all he could to capture them. Fourth, be realistic (v9). Yes there were enormous opportunities but Paul also realized their was much opposition. He didn't sugar-coat the reality of the difficulties he would have to go through to accomplish his plans. Fifth, fully utilize your team (vv10-20). In these few verses we see how Timothy, Apollos, Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus, Aquilla, and Priscilla all had roles to play in this plan. Finally, maintain the proper attitude. (vv13-14). This means having courage, faith, determination, attentiveness, and most of all, love. If you want to be a great leader, then learn from one of the best and apply Paul's six principles to your strategic planning.

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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 Corinthians 14-- Driving in a Fog

Have you ever driven in a real thick fog? No fun is it? It is stressful because you have to pay such close attention to what is right in front of you. It is especially difficult if you are on the freeway. You focus intently on the tail lights of the car in front of you, trying to stay close enough to see them yet far enough back that you can stop if that car suddenly hits its brakes. In a fog, you lose sight of the big picture. It doesn't matter how beautiful the scenery around you might be, you can't see it. Some people approach church, Christian service, and spiritual gifts like they are in a fog. They lose sight of the big picture and focus only on certain gifts or abilities. 1 Corinthians 14 is a reminder that we need to stay out of a spiritual fog and keep things in perspective. The most important thing that we can do is proclaim God's word (vv1,3,5,31,39) but we must do it in an orderly way (vv33,40). Our focus should not be on the minutia of particular gifts but rather on people hearing from God and growing in Him.  Keep that purpose in view and you will keep yourself out of a paralyzing spiritual fog.

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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 Corinthians 12-- Snowflakes and Churches

We used to live a few miles from Lake Erie in Ohio. Every winter we would see snow--lots of it! After a while, the snow started to pile up and you just wanted to say "enough already!" But if you paused and looked closely at the snow--especially the flakes as they fell--you saw something beautiful. You saw their incredible diversity. So many flakes yet each one different. If God can make snow flakes so unique, think about how much more special He as made each of us! 1 Corinthians 12 both celebrates the unique gifts that we have from God as believers and challenges us to use them properly. When it comes to our gifts, abilities, uniqueness, etc. we basically have two choices: focus on these things in a divisive way (I'm better than you, or I want what you have) or use them to unite and improve the Body of Christ. God obviously emphasizes team work and the use of our gifts to unite. This is one of the major passages of Scripture dealing with spiritual gifts, and God makes it clear that every believer has at least one (you got it at the point of salvation). How you grow, develop and utilize that gift(s) is up to you.  Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?  If so, are you using them to build up the church?  Or are you squandering something wonderful with which God has entrusted you? If you don't know how God has gifted you, the best way to find out is to get involved in different types of Christian service and see what comes "natural" to you. God has created you unique. He has beautifully gifted you. He has empowered you to make a difference in this life. Join the team, work together with other believers, and impact eternity.

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Note: There are many different spiritual gifts surveys or inventories that you can take which can help guide you toward discovering your gifts.  One place you may want to look at is www.churchgrowth.org. Ultimately, however, the only way to really know is to ask the Lord to show you as you engage in ministry.

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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 Corinthians 9-- Lessons from Nordstrom

When it comes to business transactions, we live in a culture that expects great customer service. Companies that excel today do so through exemplary customer service. Some businesses, like the upscale department store Nordstrom, have become almost legendary in their pursuit of customer care. These companies have a "whatever it takes" attitude towards business. How much more should we as believers have this attitude towards reaching people for Christ? We need a "whatever it takes" commitment. I Corinthians 9 tells us that it is an honor and privilege to preach the gospel (vv16-17). Those who benefit from its preaching should support financially those who are preaching (VV1-12), but our motivation to share Christ should never be financial (V15). We must be willing to do it for nothing. We also must be willing to adapt our culture and move from our comfort zone in order that we can win people to Jesus (VV19-23). We become as much like them as possible. In other words, we have a "whatever it takes" approach. But that approach is not only an attitude but also a strategy. There should be a method or a plan to our work to reach people for Christ (V24). If corporations can spend countless hours and resources planning new ways to reach more customers, should we not spend some time considering the best ways to connect people to the gospel? Great companies do not deliver great customer care by accident. Instead, they take a disciplined approach that involves training, rewarding, and focusing their employees. The same is true when it comes to the gospel. We must be disciplined if we want to be successful (V27). Whatever it takes--is that your approach towards reaching your world for Christ?

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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 Corinthians 8-- Ice Sculpting

Each year in Fairbanks, Alaska there is an ice sculpting festival. Massive chunks of ice are cut out of the area's frozen ponds and fork-lifted to the carving area where teams of sculptors from around the world assemble. Using chain saws, chisels, and even hair dryers, the artists transform the frozen water into life-sized works of art while an audience looks on. The assembled group watches the sculptors' every move, anticipating the outcome.

While you may never find yourself carving ice in front of an audience

, it is important to note that people are watching how you sculpt your life. They notice where you go and what you do. I Corinthians 8 is a reminder to all of us that we need to be other-focused. Paul tells us of the importance of not doing things that other believers consider wrong, even though there is nothing wrong in and of itself. Our focus should be on the growth and development of other believers, especially those who are young in the faith (v9). Sometimes that means we sacrifice some of our own freedoms so that we do not become a stumbling block to those who may be weak in the faith (v13). These brothers and sisters in Christ are watching you--they are looking up to you--and if you do things considered wrong, then it can really rock their faith, cause them to violate their own conscience, and even slip into a sinful lifestyle (v11). So let's always be aware of other believers. Let's help them as they sculpt their lives into something beautiful by watching how we sculpt our own 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.

1 Corinthians 3-- Proper Foundation

It was exciting to each day drive past the lot where we were having our new house built. We lived just a couple miles away, so it made it easy for us to watch the progress. First thing, of course, was the construction of the foundation. If this wasn't done properly, then the rest of the structure would be unstable. It didn't matter how nice the materials were that went into the house, if the foundation was faulty then everything else would have been in jeopardy. We've been in that house several years now and haven't had any problems--so they must have laid a good foundation! 1 Corinthians 3 discusses laying the proper spiritual foundations in our lives as well as us laying foundations in the lives of others. To do this right, we must be walking in a proper relationship with God. We must understand that our life is the temple of God and we must keep it holy (vv16-17).  We must be growing. We cannot remain as babies or be "carnal" in our thinking by being divisive and causing strife with other believers (vv1-4). One of the secrets to becoming a good spiritual foundation layer is to focus our glory on God and not on the achievements of men (vv5-8). Then we must be sure that the foundation is solidly Christ (v11). It is not traditions, or personal opinions, or anything else. If you want a solid foundation in your life, and you want to help lay solid foundations in other lives, then get to know Christ. Study carefully the gospels. Pay particular attention to the commands He gave. In the Great Commission, Jesus said that part of how we make disciples is by teaching them to obey whatever He commanded. Jesus' commands fall into nine categories (for more details, see my book Maxpoint, which has a chapter on this). By keeping our focus on Christ, we will be able to build beautiful lives that add great value to God's kingdom and reach their full potential.

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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.