Frank's Bible Blog

Nehemiah 9-- Time to Get Serious

 

The terrorist attacks on the Word Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001 were a defining, history-altering moment for the U.S. as a nation, and certainly for the hundreds of families who lost loved ones in the incident.

I remember the incredible seriousness that spread across the country. The guys that did comedy sketches on the local news radio were silent. The Jay Leno and David Letterman shows went dark. Nobody could laugh.

This was a time of national mourning where somberness replaced joking.

There are times when not only as a nation but also as individuals where we are called to seriousness. We are called to face the reality of an unpleasant situation. This was the case for the Jewish people in Nehemiah 9 after they had heard, many for the first time, God's Word. It was a sobering time as they faced the reality of their situation and how sin had brought them to that place.

"We are in distress," (v37) the cried. They used this serious, sacred assembly of the people to deal with sin--both theirs and their ancestors. First, they acknowledged God's righteousness (v8) and His goodness (vv5-15). Next, they acknowledged their sin and rebellion against that righteousness (vv16-18). Then they recognized God's incredible mercies (vv19-32) and His justice in punishing them (vv33-37). Finally, they decided to do something about their sin and change their ways--which is the topic of the next chapter.

Today, maybe it is time for you to get serious for a little while. Maybe it is time for you to pause and take a long, hard look at your life and the effect sin has had on it. Maybe today is the day for you to do what Israel did and repent.

_____________________

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.

The terrorist attacks on the Word Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001 were a defining, history-altering moment for the U.S. as a nation, and certainly for the hundreds of families who lost loved ones in the incident.

I remember the incredible seriousness that spread across the country. The guys that did comedy sketches on the local news radio were silent. The Jay Leno and David Letterman shows went dark. Nobody could laugh.

This was a time of national mourning where somberness replaced joking.

There are times when not only as a nation but also as individuals where we are called to seriousness. We are called to face the reality of an unpleasant situation. This was the case for the Jewish people in Nehemiah 9 after they had heard, many for the first time, God's Word. It was a sobering time as they faced the reality of their situation and how sin had brought them to that place.

"We are in distress," (v37) the cried. They used this serious, sacred assembly of the people to deal with sin--both theirs and their ancestors. First, they acknowledged God's righteousness (v8) and His goodness (vv5-15). Next, they acknowledged their sin and rebellion against that righteousness (vv16-18). Then they recognized God's incredible mercies (vv19-32) and His justice in punishing them (vv33-37). Finally, they decided to do something about their sin and change their ways--which is the topic of the next chapter.

Today, maybe it is time for you to get serious for a little while. Maybe it is time for you to pause and take a long, hard look at your life and the effect sin has had on it. Maybe today is the day for you to do what Israel did and repent.

_____________________

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.

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).

_____________________

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.

_____________________

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 9-- Time to Get Serious

The terrorists attacks on the Word Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001 was a defining, history-altering moment for the U.S. as a nation, and certainly for the hundreds of families who lost loved ones in the incident. I remember the incredible seriousness that spread across the country. The guys that did comedy sketches on the local news radio were silent. The Jay Leno and David Letterman shows went dark. Nobody could laugh. This was a time of national mourning where seriousness replaced joking. There are times when not only as a nation but also as individuals were are called to seriousness. We are called to face the reality of an unpleasant situation. This was the case for the Jewish people in Nehemiah 9 after they had heard, many for the first time, God's Word. It was a sobering time as they faced the reality of their situation and how sin had brought them to that place. "We are in distress," (v37) the cried. They used this serious, sacred assembly of the people to deal with sin--both theirs and their ancestors. First, they acknowledged God's righteousness (v8) and His goodness (vv5-15). Next, they acknowledged their sin and rebellion against that righteousness (vv16-18). Then they recognized God's incredible mercies (vv19-32) and His justice in punishing them (vv33-37). Finally, they decide to do something about their sin and change their ways--which is the topic of the next chapter. Today, maybe it is time for you to get serious for a little while. Maybe it is time for you to pause and take a long, hard look at your life and the affect sin has had on it. Maybe today is the day for you to do what Israel did and repent.

_____________________

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 8-- Don't Take It for Granted

It is easy to take something for granted when you see it all the time, isn't it?

Think about those things that you pass each day to work. You've seen them so many times that you don't give them a second thought. Unfortunately, some of us are like that when it comes to the Bible. We have not just one Bible but multiple Bibles. We may have access to Christian TV or radio where the Bible is read and taught.

We are so accustomed to having the Bible around us that we may forget its importance. I've been in places, however, where there were no Bibles, where I have given someone their very first Bible. It is an entire different reaction in these settings.

Those who have not had God's Word cherish it and desire to read and understand it, while many of us who have multiple copies of God's Word sitting around our houses never open one. In Nehemiah 8 we see the Jewish people, those who had returned to Israel following years of captivity, gathered to hear God's Word. Common people did not have access to God's Word.

Most of the people assembled that day had never heard God's Word read before. They had heard about God's Word and had teachings from it passed down over history, but they had not experienced it for themselves.

Three simple things happened in this chapter, but they had a profound impact.

First the people heard the Word. "Then he [Ezra] read from it...from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand" (v3).

Next, they understood the Word. There were "preachers" scattered amongst the assembly who explained to the people what was read. We are reminded that there is a need still today for people to explain God's Word to those who do not know it (see Romans 10:14-15).

Third, they allowed God's Word to truly impact their lives as they started obeying it (vv9-18).

Let me encourage you to do two things today. First, make a commitment to spend some time in God's Word each day. Second, each time you open God's Word, ask God to make that reading like the first time you ever touched a Bible.

Look for something new--something you have never seen before. Keep God's Word fresh in your life--and do what it tells you to do!

_____________________

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.