Frank's Bible Blog

God is Answering Your Prayers: Thank you!

In Jaunary I asked my blog readers to pray wisdom, clear direction from God and provision for MaxPoint (our ministry) and my family. I’m glad to report that many people accepted that challenge. Since then, I have been sprinting to catch up to all that God is doing—and that is a direct result of your prayers. Thank you!

Through that season of intense prayer, God showed me that clarity is absolutely vital, that wisdom often calls for thinking outside the box, that provision follows responding to God’s direction (not before), and that pride is an obstacle to realizing God’s provisions.

It became clear that direction was the most important of the three things we prayed about--even more important than wisdom. While the two are related, I see wisdom as showing us how to walk once we have chosen where to walk. During this process the Lord cleared the fog and clarified the vision for MaxPoint: Change the world by transforming villages into Christ-centered, self-sustaining communities (see more at www.maxpoint.org).

Second came the wisdom to know how to move within that path. God started bringing people to me who shared my vision and were interested in joining in its fulfillment. In order to fully utilize them, however, I would have to think outside the box. For MaxPoint, this means becoming a missionary sending agency with missionaries living both abroad and in the U.S. It also means a name change from MaxPoint Ministries to MaxPoint Missions, which our Board recently approved.

God convicted me a lot about my third request which was for provision. Even though I knew better, I had slipped into backwards thinking: Where God provides that’s where He guides. I had been looking for ways that God might provide rather than looking for the ways He was guiding. Throughout Scripture and history, however, we see God guiding first then providing for those who step out in faith.

I also saw that pride can block God’s provision. God is reminding me that when He gives a vision it is usually much bigger than the person He gives it to—and it requires the participation of others to be realized. Pride says don’t ask anyone for help. Pride says you can do this alone. But vision says you must bring others onboard, which means mobilizing laborers, prayer partners and financial supporters. When the Apostle Paul invited others to financially support his ministry, he gave them an opportunity to experience the power of God in their lives and receive His blessings (Philippians 4:10-20). Recently I shared my ministry vision and strategy with a friend and invited him to become part of our support team, which he gladly accepted. “Thank you for letting me be part of your team. I’m glad that I get to help reach these villages.” His words were a flashback to what Paul said and a reminder that I have to get pride out of the way and allow others to share in the blessings of the Lord’s work.

In the days ahead I will be reaching out to many more people to share this vision and the various ways they can get involved with MaxPoint. I would love to personally connect with you! If you have any interest please call, email or reach me through the “Contact Us” page at www.maxpoint.org and let's talk. Who knows but the Lord just might want us working together to impact this world for Him!

Thank you for your prayers—both past and future.

--Frank

Psalm 62—Avoiding Syncretism

Although I’ve seen it often as I visited different cultures, it never really dawned on me that true Christians can be guilty of it as well. That was until I read Psalm 62.

What I am referring to is syncretism—the blending together of different religions. In particular, I’m talking about to the adding of Christianity to other religions. In Haiti there are those who try to combine voodoo with Christianity. In Africa and elsewhere Christianity is tacked onto ancestral worship.

In missions, we are always quick to point out that anything added to Christianity isn’t true Christianity. Jesus said He was THE way, THE truth and THE life and that no one could come to the Father apart from Him. It is Jesus and Jesus alone—not Jesus plus animism or anything else.

Now before you “amen” that last statement too loudly, consider this: Do you always trust the Lord and the Lord alone to see you through difficulties? Or do you blend a trust of the Lord with a trust in yourself or in something else?

Throughout this Psalm David repeats some form of the phrase “God alone.” God alone was David’s rock, salvation and fortress (vv 2, 6). It was in God alone that his soul found rest and hope (vv1, 5). We are instructed to trust God alone and not in our pride, trickery, or our increased wealth (v10).

How is it that we can trust God and God alone when faced with trials, opposition or other challenges?

There are three things that we have to be absolutely confident about: God is all-powerful (v11), God is loving (v12) and God will reward everyone according to their deeds (v12). God is bigger than the biggest giant you might ever face in your life. God loves you more than you could possibly understand. And God is faithful to reward those who are faithful to Him. If we firmly hold to these three truths then we can truly trust in God alone. But if we falter on any one of these three then we will be tempted to add other things to our trust. We risk being guilty of syncretism—at least when it comes to our daily walk.

Instead, let us heed the words of David (emphasis mine): “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (v8).
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Frank Banfill is an international speaker and leadership developer who seeks to help individuals and ministries realize their full potential in Christ. Please forward this to your family & friends. To get Frank’s devotionals delivered free to your inbox, or to request reprint rights, visit www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 61—Climbing the Rock that is Higher than I

Towering over the village of Bukabwa, Tanzania in East Africa is a large rock formation. At the base of the rocks is a school—the only school for miles around where the teacher to student ratio is 1:60. Our mission team was ministering in the area when a couple guys on our team decided to climb to the top of the rocks. They had been told by locals that it was an easy climb and wouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.

The guys asked that I take their picture once they reached the peak. So I waited for them to climb—and I waited and waited. Finally I could see a figure emerge onto the top of the rocks. Even with the camera zoom it was hard to make out who it was—but I was able to figure out that it wasn’t one of our team. It was one of the locals who was serving as a guide.

So I waited longer until eventually our two guys appeared with arms raised in victory. They had successfully made it to the top of the rock that was higher than everyone and everything else. When they came down they told me that the hike wasn’t so simple. At points they had to pass through very narrow areas that required them to get on their hands and knees to crawl through. But they also told of the incredible views and new perspective they gained by reaching the summit.

When I read Psalm 61 I can’t help but think about that experience in Africa. David is praying—crying out to the Lord in a time of adversity. He says, “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (v2). David had turned to the Lord in the past for protection (v3) and God had been faithful. Now he longed to enter once again into the Lord’s shelter (v4) but to do that he would need to be led to that Rock that was higher than he was.

Just like my teammates had to be led to find their way up that African rock formation, we have to be led into the place that God would have us. That means that we have to first humble ourselves and acknowledge that there is something or someone higher than us. We have to admit that we cannot do it all ourselves, that we cannot find our own way out. We have to become dependent on the Lord. And that means that we need to get on our hands and knees as we seek His face and allow Him to take us through even the narrow, difficult crevices to reach the top.

Yes, sometimes that ascent takes longer than we anticipated. Sometimes the going is slow in spots. Sometimes we may entertain thoughts of stopping or going back. But when we continue our ascent, God brings us to a place of perspective, a place of peace, a place of victory. Once you reach that place you realize the trip was worth it.

May we humble ourselves today and trust the Lord to lead us to the rock that is higher than us.
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Frank Banfill is an international speaker and leadership developer who seeks to help individuals and ministries realize their full potential in Christ. Please forward this to your family & friends. To get Frank’s devotionals delivered free to your inbox, or to request reprint rights, visit www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Jeremiah 2—What’s Your Water Source?

We made our way down the dirt trail following village locals on a well-traveled path. Passing us were women and children with five gallon buckets of water on their heads.

We were heading to the water source for much of the community of Bukabwa, a village of 5,000 people in Tanzania, East Africa.

As we approached the little reservoir, a line had formed as villagers waited their turn to dip their buckets into the water and get their family’s water supply for the day. We walked up to the banks where we could see the actual water that these people would drink, cook with and use for cleaning.

It was brownish gray.

Certainly not something I would ever drink from, but it was all that these people had. But imagine if Bukabwa had a fresh spring that gave clean, clear drinking water in abundance. Imagine if that life-giving resource was available but the people ignored it and continued to draw their water from the reservoir. We would think that was crazy. Why on earth would anyone utilize stagnant, dirty water when they could have something fresh and pure?

This is kind of like the word picture that God paints for us in Jeremiah chapter two. Verse 13 says, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Cisterns were typically dug out in the ground and then lined with some kind of plaster to keep it from leaking. A community would then use them to store water. God says Israel shifted its trust and source of sustenance from Him to themselves, substituting as it were fresh water for stagnant. And not only that, says the Lord, but even their efforts to contain the stagnant water was futile. The cracks in the cistern meant that that more water they poured in the more water escaped.

It was a losing proposition. They could never get ahead by trusting in their cisterns.

Each day, you and I have a decision to make. We can get in line with the rest of the world to drink from the stagnant, polluted resources of the world around us, or we can turn to the Spring of Living Water. We can choose to trust in what God offers or we can choose to go it alone, try to build our own life, and solve our own problems. The people of Bukabwa do not have a choice in their water supply. But they, like us, do have a choice when it comes to who or what we will trust in for our lives and to see us through each day.

What will be your water source for today?

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Frank Banfill is an international speaker, leadership developer, and president of MaxPoint Ministries (www.maxpoint.org) which seeks to help individuals and ministries realize their full potential in Christ. Please forward this to your family & friends. To get Frank’s devotionals delivered free to your inbox, or to request reprint rights, visit www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 56--My Tears in God’s Bottle

Sometimes all you can do is cry.

Now, that’s not a bad thing—crying often releases stored up emotions and you actually feel better once they are out. But don’t we wonder if anyone really cares about our tears? Don’t we wonder if our tears will really accomplish anything? After all, when we finish crying the problem or pain that led to the crying is still there. We might feel better but our reality hasn’t changed.

Or has it?

David in Psalm 56 was at a point in his life where all he could do was cry—and call out to the Lord. Try as he might, he couldn’t fix his situation. He couldn’t strategize a way out. All that was left were his tears as his adversaries hunted him down to attack him in their pride (v2). But David points out that his tears did not go unnoticed, but rather Almighty God would remember and record them. “Record my lament,” David cried, “list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?” (vs. 8) The scroll or possibly a better translation, wineskin, is the visual David gives as his tears are noted in heaven. In 2 Kings 20:5 and Jeremiah 31:18 we are told that God hears, sees, and responds to the tears of His people. That was something that David knew as well. Someone did notice his tears during that season of life when people were twisting his words (v5) and conspiring against him
(v6).

Those were lonely days but David was not alone. The Creator not only saw David’s tears but sustained and delivered him (v13).

The difference between tears that fall meaninglessly and tears that move heaven is two words: pride and trust. Pride says “I’ll fix it or worry about it until I can find a way out.” Trust says “God—you’ve got this one. I release my situation to You and You alone.” Trust will drive us to God’s word (vv4, 10) that we might turn our focus to praise. Trust keeps on keeping on, serving Him despite our circumstances (v12).

Can our tears really make a difference? They can when turn to God and trust Him to store our tears in His bottle and respond to them in His time.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 52-- Don't Want that on my Grave Marker!

Not far from where I live are two very small and very old cemeteries. Most people driving past them never realize they are there as suburbia has grown up around them. These cemeteries have a little metal fence around them and a handful of plots inside. The grave markers are still there, some dating back to the 1800s.

Imagine if you were looking at one of those tombstones and it read:

"Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"

That certainly would be a sad commentary on one's life. Those words weren't written on any of the markers that I saw, but they could be written for many people. They certainly could have been on the tombstone of a guy named Doeg.

In fact, these are the words that David used to describe Doeg in Psalm 52. Doeg worked for King Saul while David was on the run from the king. Doeg lied to Saul and then went on to slaughter 85 priests as well as an entire town of men, women, children and babies (1 Samuel 22:1-23). He was ruthless, and David takes him to task in this psalm of instruction.

This psalm is a vivid reminder that there are and always will be ruthless people who will do anything to get themselves ahead. They will lie, cheat, destroy reputations--whatever it takes to get what they want.

While there may be those who are drawn to people like this, David reminds us that the righteous see through this (v6). They also laugh because they know the fallacy of such living. The contrast to this type of living is the one who trusts in "God's unfailing love for ever and ever" (v8).

Yes, it is easy to get discouraged when you see so many evil and selfish people in the world. But let these be reminders of our need to stay focused on God's unfailing love and living a life that brings Him praise.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 36-- Space Aliens Over God?

It was hard for me to sit there and listen. Even though I was watching the TV screen in my own house, I cringed as I listened to atheist "scientists" bash the concept of God. I was watching the documentary by Ben Stein Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The movie shows how academia and the scientific community have systematically expelled any concept of intelligent design in considering the origins of life. As the movie progressed, Stein showed how the world view of these "elites" actually forbade them from even considering any theory contrary to Darwinism. We all thought scientists were open minded individuals willing to pursue truth no matter what. What we discovered from their own lips was that they were willing to pursue potential truth as long as it fit within their pre-conceived ideas. These supposedly brilliant scholars said they could accept space aliens before they could accept the concept that God exists and had anything to do with the origin of life. Evolution must be believed because if you don't, then it opens the door for the possibility of God who might want to have a say in how we live our lives. Psalm 36 tells us that when there is no fear of God then all sorts of evil is possible (v1), even genocide. When there is no fear of God man turns to flattering himself (v2) and can no longer distinguish good or act with wisdom (v3). Evolution is important to these people because it allows them to hide behind an unproven theory to justify their self-worship. On the video, these "scientists" actually say it is there goal to eradicate religion from the world. Psalm 36 contrasts these people with the one true God who is righteous like the mighty mountains (v6) and stands ready to offer His priceless love (v7) to those who believe (v10). Don't fall into the evolution trap just because that is all you hear. Challenge the so-called science. Ask tough questions that move beyond the presumptions of those with an anti-god world view. Most of all, fear God. Feast on His abundance (v8) and you will see the fountain of life (v9).

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 23--The Psalm You Thought You Knew

It is arguably the most well known passage in the entire Bible. Even many non-believers have heard of it. Countless numbers of people have turned to it for encouragement and strength in difficult times. You have probably read Psalm 23 many, many times. You may not, however, have read it in the way that truly unleashes its full power and meaning. Most of us read this beloved psalm with an emphasis on the words "me" and "my." The Lord is my shepherd. He leads me beside still waters. Though I walk through the valley, and so on. We make the emphasis of the psalm about us. It certainly does relate to us--but that is not where the power and real meaning is at. If you want to fully appreciate and really grasp what this psalm is all about, then you must read it with the emphasis on the Lord. He makes me lie down...He leads beside...He restores...You are with me...Your rod...You prepare...You anoint. Why does God do all of these things for us? Is it because we are so wonderful, great and deserving? No. It is "For His name's sake" (v3). It is not about us. It is about Him--and that's a good thing! You see, if it was about you then what happens when you blow it? What happens when you don't live up to your God-given potential? What happens when your faith falters? God's ability to be your good shepherd is all about His nature and character, not yours. Do you really want the power and comfort of this psalm? Then don't focus on what you get; rather, focus on who God is and what He can and is doing in your life for His name's sake.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 21--Lasting Leadership

"I guess it was easier to fire one guy than to fire 15." Those were the words of an NBA player following the announcement that his basketball team's head coach had just been fired. This particular coach had good success with the team early on, but as trades occurred and personnel changes were made the coach found himself having a difficult time leading. His style, personality and approach just didn't work anymore. It is common in sports for a leadership change to be made and then the team begins to flourish under the new coach.  Successful leadership in sports is one thing, but what about successful leadership in life? What about successful leadership for a business, ministry or even a nation? Psalm 21 is a great chapter on great leadership--godly leadership. Notice some things about the leader mentioned here, who happened to be King David, the leader of Israel. He found joy in God's strength, not his own (v1). God gave him his heart's desire because his heart was set on God (v2). Likewise, God listened and responded to his prayers (v4). This leader discovered his glory by focusing on God's glory (v5). This leader loved to spend time in God's presence and trusted Him fully (vv 6-7). This leader saw the big picture of what God was doing in the world (vv8-12) and realized that the world revolved around God and not himself. Finally, this leader publicly praised the Lord (v13). Do you want to be a great leader that lasts? Then learn some leadership lessons from David's example. Let your leadership be an extension of God's glory not you trying to create your own glory.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 20-- Leaders with Praying Followers

We often talk about praying for our leaders, whether they are political officials, church leaders, or our boss at work. We need to pray for those who lead us, but what if we are in some kind of leadership role? Do we have people praying for us? If so, what are they praying? The kind of leader you are influences the types of prayers that followers can pray for you. A great example of this is Psalm 20, written by David while he was king of Israel. Although David penned this psalm and set it to music, it really was the prayer of the people he led concerning him. This psalm is how David's followers prayed for him. Notice a couple specific things in this prayer that reflect on David's leadership. They prayed that God would remember the offerings and sacrifices that David had brought to the Lord (v3). They had seen David's example when it came to sacrificing for the Lord. They knew he was someone who brought his best to the Lord. They prayed that God would give David his heart's desire and fulfill all of his plans (v4). They knew their leader's heart sought after God's heart and that he pursued God's plans above his own. They also knew David was a man of prayer (v5) and that he prayed the kinds of prayers that they would want answered. Thanks to David's example, the people had learned to put their trust in the Lord, not in their armies, military weapons, or anything else (v7). They had all of those things--but they knew ultimately that only God could deliver. They also knew that David was a leader responsive to their needs and concerns (v9). This chapter, then, begs the question, "What kind of leaders are we?" Are we the kind of leaders that exemplify godly sacrifices? Are our hearts set on things above and not on the earth? Do we seek God's direction first rather than planning first and asking Him to bless our plans later? Are we mature in our praying? Do we encourage others to grow in their faith? Are we cognizant of the needs and concerns of those we are leading? Maybe there is even a more basic question--do we desire and seek the prayers of others that we might be great leaders? These are some great questions for every leader to ponder.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Exodus 9--What Will It Take?

It's painful to watch those who you love make terrible, even tragic, mistakes with their lives. They push people away, reject God, and choose a lifestyle that ultimately has a very bad ending. You want so desperately for these people to wake up and realize their need before it is too late. For some people, however, it takes tragedy to get their attention.

Such was the case with Pharaoh and many of the Egyptians that we see in Exodus 9. Up to the plague of hail in this chapter, the previous plagues hit all the Egyptians--there was no avoiding them. But here, God gives them a chance to avoid it. He gives them advanced warning of impending destruction. They could bring in from the fields their livestock, servants, and anything else perishable and put in them shelter. Verse 20 tells us that there were some of Pharaoh's officials who did fear the Lord, and they obeyed and were spared. Those who chose to ignore suffered the consequences, Pharaoh included.

After this devastating plague that did in fact wipe out people and animals, Pharaoh acknowledged his sin for the first time and admitted that the Lord was right (v27). Moses knew better, however, than to get excited by Pharaoh's confession. You see, it is one thing to acknowledge that you were wrong; it is quite another thing to do something about it! Pharaoh once again hardened his heart.

With some people, it does take tragedy after tragedy to get their attention before they will even recognize their sin. That was the case with Pharaoh. But recognizing is not enough--there has to be action. Something has to be done about it. That's where choice comes in. We can choose God's remedy for sin, or we can ignore it and keep doing what we were doing.

Maybe it is you who keeps making poor choices and causing grief for those who love you.

Are you prideful like Pharaoh? What will it take to get your attention? What will it take to break down that pride and acknowledge God and accept His salvation? Admitting that you blew it is one thing; allowing God to change you is quite another.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and leadership developer. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Exodus 8--One More Night with the Frogs

I was probably 9 or 10 when a Southern Gospel singer came to our church and sang a song I have never forgotten. It was titled "One More Night with the Frogs." (I found someone singing it on the Internet--click below to hear it). It's taken from Exodus 8 and an interesting exchange between Moses and Pharaoh.

Moses, once again, had asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh refused so Moses and Aaron brought a plague of frogs upon the land. Not just a few frogs--but frogs everywhere and in everything! Imagine that!

Eventually Pharaoh had enough and told Moses if he would call off the frogs they could go worship the Lord. "When do you want me to get rid of them," Moses asked.

My reply would have been "right now!" But for some reason Pharaoh said, "Tomorrow." He was willing to put up with them one more night.

Here are two other interesting things in this chapter. When Moses and Aaron first caused the frogs to appear, so did Pharaoh's magicians (v7). Think about that for a moment. Frogs were the problem, not the solution. Workers of evil could "miraculously" create more of the problem, but they could not create a solution.

Second, once the frogs were dead, piled into heaps, and the stench filled the land, Pharaoh had a change of heart. "When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart" (v15). "It still smells really bad," he must have said to himself, "but the worse is over. So what do I need with all this God stuff? I've got it under control."

Didn't Pharaoh act just like a lot of us do today? We want to continue living in sin for just one more night. We turn to the world and ungodly friends for solutions to our problems but only get more of the same. We're willing to put up with some stench in our lives as long as we think we can still manage it. We'll turn to God to get us through our immediate crisis but quickly forget Him once it is past.

We can choose repentance or we can choose another night with the frogs. Which will it be?

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and leadership developer. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 70-- Just as You Are

Growing up in church, we always sang the same two to three songs during the invitation--the time at the end of the sermon where the pastor invited those who needed to make a spiritual decision to come forward. One of those songs was Just As I Am, which also was a trademark of Billy Graham's crusade invitations and the title of his autobiography.

Just As I Am talks about a person coming to God just as he is--"without one plea." It is the song of a person who has gotten real with himself and with God. It is the anthem of those who recognize their great need and humbly admit they do not have the wherewithal to meet their need.

The attitude expressed in Just as I Am is the attitude that God expects from all of us on a daily basis. The reality is that many of us are just the opposite--prideful and unwilling to even admit that we have a need. Even though as believers we have admitted our need for a Savior, we can still allow pride to creep into our everyday living.

In Psalm 70 the psalmist made no pretensions about how great he was or how he could take care of any situation that arose. Instead he cried out, "I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and deliverer" (v5).

There is incredible power in that verse. Read it again.

Before anything could be accomplished, before David could see God's power, before Heaven would move, he had to come to God just as he was. He had to come to God with a humble admission that he had nothing to offer. He had to acknowledge his need.

When you and I reject pride, when we take off the masks and stop playing spiritual games, then we open up ourselves to realize God's deliverance. We place ourselves in a position where we can see God work. We are then ready to receive the rich blessings that our loving Father is ready to pour out on us.

Is it time for you to come to God just as you are?

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 52-- Don't Want that on my Grave Marker!

Not far from where I live are two very small and very old cemeteries. Most people driving past them never realize they are there as suburbia has grown up around them. These cemeteries have a little medal fence around them and a handful of plots inside. The grave markers are still there, some dating back to the 1800s.

Imagine if you were looking at one of those tombstones and it read:

"Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"

That certainly would be a sad commentary on one's life. Those words weren't written on any of the markers that I saw, but they could be written for many people. They certainly could have been on the tombstone of a guy named Doeg.

In fact, these are the words that David used to describe Doeg in Psalm 52. Doeg worked for King Saul while David was on the run from the king. Doeg lied to Saul and then went on to slaughter 85 priests as well as an entire town of men, women, children and babies (1 Samuel 22:1-23). He was ruthless, and David takes him to task in this psalm of instruction.

This psalm is a vivid reminder that there are and always will be ruthless people who will do anything to get themselves ahead. They will lie, cheat, destroy reputations--whatever it takes to get what they want.

While there may be those who are drawn to people like this, David reminds us that the righteous see through this (v6). They also laugh because they know the fallacy of such living. The contrast to this type of living is the one who trusts in "God's unfailing love for ever and ever" (v8).

Yes, it is easy to get discouraged when you see so many evil and selfish people in the world. But let these be reminders of our need to stay focused on God's unfailing love and living a life that brings Him praise.

_________________________

Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 36-- Why Evolution is so Important

It was hard for me to sit there and listen. Even though I was watching the TV screen in my own house, I cringed as I listened to atheist "scientists" bash the concept of God. I was watching the documentary by Ben Stein Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The movie shows how academia and the scientific community have systematically expelled any concept of intelligent design in considering the origins of life. As the movie progressed, Stein showed how the world view of these "elites" actually forbade them from even considering any theory contrary to Darwinism. We all thought scientists were open minded individuals willing to pursue truth no matter what. What we discovered from their own lips was that they were willing to pursue potential truth as long as it fit within their pre-conceived ideas. These supposedly brilliant scholars said they could accept space aliens before they could accept the concept that God exists and had anything to do with the origin of life. Stein, a Jew, also showed how Darwinism was the philosophical basis Hitler used for the destruction of millions of lives. Evolution must be believed because if you don't, then it opens the door for the possibility of God who might want to have a say in how we live our lives. Psalm 36 tells us that when there is no fear of God then all sorts of evil is possible (v1), even genocide. When there is no fear of God man turns to flattering himself (v2) and can no longer distinguish good or act with wisdom (v3). Evolution is important to these people because it allows them to hide behind an unproven theory to justify their self-worship. On the video, these "scientists" actually say it is there goal to eradicate religion from the world. Psalm 36 contrasts these people with the one true God who is righteous like the mighty mountains (v6) and stands ready to offer His priceless love (v7) to those who believe (v10). Don't fall into the evolution trap just because that is all you hear. Challenge the so-called science. Ask tough questions that move beyond the presumptions of those with an anti-god world view. Most of all, fear God. Feast on His abundance (v8) and you will see the fountain of life (v9).

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 23--The Psalm You Thought You Knew

It is arguably the most well known passage in the entire Bible. Even many non-believers have heard of it. Countless numbers of people have turned to it for encouragement and strength in difficult times. You have probably read Psalm 23 many, many times. You may not, however, have read it in the way that truly unleashes its full power and meaning. Most of us read this beloved psalm with an emphasis on the words "me" and "my." The Lord is my shepherd. He leads me beside still waters. Though I walk through the valley, and so on. We make the emphasis of the psalm about us. It certainly does relate to us--but that is not where the power and real meaning is at. If you want to fully appreciate and really grasp what this psalm is all about, then you must read it with the emphasis on the Lord. He makes me lie down...He leads beside...He restores...You are with me...Your rod...You prepare...You anoint. Why does God do all of these things for us? Is it because we are so wonderful, great and deserving? No. It is "For His name's sake" (v3). It is not about us. It is about Him--and that's a good thing! You see, if it was about you then what happens when you blow it? What happens when you don't live up to your God-given potential? What happens when your faith falters? God's ability to be your good shepherd is all about His nature and character, not yours. Do you really want the power and comfort of this psalm? Then don't focus on what you get; rather, focus on who God is and what He can and is doing in your life for His name's sake.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 21--Lasting Leadership

"I guess it was easier to fire one guy than to fire 15." Those were the words of an NBA player following the announcement that his basketball team's head coach had just been fired. This particular coach had good success with the team early on, but as trades occurred and personnel changes were made the coach found himself having a difficult time leading. His style, personality and approach just didn't work anymore. It is common in sports for a leadership change to be made and then the team begins to flourish under the new coach.  Successful leadership in sports is one thing, but what about successful leadership in life? What about successful leadership for a business, ministry or even a nation? Psalm 21 is a great chapter on great leadership--godly leadership. Notice some things about the leader mentioned here, who happened to be King David, the leader of Israel. He found joy in God's strength, not his own (v1). God gave him his heart's desire because his heart was set on God (v2). Likewise, God listened and responded to his prayers (v4). This leader discovered his glory by focusing on God's glory (v5). This leader loved to spend time in God's presence and trusted Him fully (vv 6-7). This leader saw the big picture of what God was doing in the world (vv8-12) and realized that the world revolved around God and not himself. Finally, this leader publicly praised the Lord (v13). Do you want to be a great leader that lasts? Then learn some leadership lessons from David's example. Let your leadership be an extension of God's glory not you trying to create your own glory.

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Zechariah 14--The End of the United Nations

Each September the world's leaders gather at the United Nations in New York as the UN begins its general session. You never know exactly what to expect when some of these people arrive--like the leader who wanted to set up an elaborate tent for his stay. Usually you can count on a lot of rhetoric--some comical, some critical, and some that is actually scary--as each of these leaders vie for attention on the world stage. Although no one knows the future for the UN as an organization, Zechariah 14 does describe a time when nations will unite for the purpose of attacking Israel. We are told that the Lord will intervene strike those fighting Jerusalem in such a way that "Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet. Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets" (v12). Some see this as the effects of a nuclear war. Regardless of how it happens, the Lord will conquer and "Everyone who is left of all the nations...shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts" (v16). Today's leaders may view themselves as great and mighty. They may gather to exalt themselves and praise their allies. They may increase in wealth and power. They may think they are invincible, but the day is coming when the King of kings and Lord of lords will take His rightful place and every knee will bow and proclaim Him Lord. In that day righteousness and justice will reign. In that day "Holiness to the Lord shall be engraved on the bells of the horses...Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts"(v21). What a day that will be!
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential.Please share this blog with your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Zechariah 10-- Who are You Following?

Adolph Hitler. Jim Jones. Charles Manson. David Koresh. Today, we know these as men who's leadership led to the death of others. A few deaths--in the case of Manson, to millions of deaths, in the case of Hitler. But what about these men before they became infamous for the deaths of others? These men were all leaders--they had people who passionately followed them. They were accepted by people in main-stream society. Jim Jones, whose actions in the 70s led to the suicide deaths of more than 900 people, was well connected to top political leaders. Reportedly, this included the U.S. Vice-President at the time, as well as officials in Guyana, the country where the suicides took place. Manson had been accepted by well-known music and movie industry people. Koresh's followers included lawyers, accountants, and other well educated people. Hitler, of course, gained the following of an entire nation. The point is that a lot of seemingly smart people made a bad decision to follow the wrong person. In some cases, that decision resulted in their own death. Zechariah 10 is a contrast in leadership. God describes those who led Israel astray by pursuing idols, divination, and giving false visions (vv2-3). God's people got sucked into the leadership of "shepherds" who really weren't shepherds. They weren't really caring for the best interests of their flocks. God, on the other hand, "will visit His flock" (v3) and lead them to "be like mighty men" (v5) as He strengthens them (vv6, 12) and brings rejoicing once again to their hearts (v7). This chapter is an important reminder that we need to be careful who we follow. Just because someone articulates a vision and sounds good doing it doesn't mean they should have our allegiance. We must ask ourselves if we see godliness in their life. Does what they say match the truth of what God says? Is there genuine sincerity and care for those they are leading or is the focus all on themselves? While those you follow may never turn out to be a Jim Jones or David Koresh, they may subtly cause you to stray from truth and God's purpose for your life if you are not careful. Let's examine our leaders in light of the Ultimate Leader, the Lord Jesus 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 share this blog with your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Zechariah 9-- The Only Thing Constant is Change

I enjoy learning about history and the epic stories of generations gone bye. Whether or not you are a history buff, one thing is clear from even a cursory look at the past--things change. One day there is a global power and the next day that nation or empire's power is gone. We often think things are static and will always be as we know them now. The Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman and other world empires all thought their power and influence would continue forever. It didn't. God reminds us in Zechariah 9 of how quickly He can change the global scene, especially when an entity is known for being evil. We are told in verses 3-4 about great cities which had amassed enormous wealth but God promised to destroy them. We are promised in verses 9-10 that there is a coming King, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change the global power structure once and for all. We also see in verses 11-17 the promise of the ultimate deliverance of God's people. These are all reminders that what we see now is temporary and that no nation is rich enough or powerful enough to sustain itself when God rejects it. This is also a reminder to each of us that we cannot expect the future to be the same as the present if we get too proud. Whatever wealth, prestige, power, or accomplishments we have amassed could be gone in a moment. 

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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 20-- Leaders with Praying Followers

We often talk about praying for our leaders, whether they are political officials, church leaders, or our boss at work. We need to pray for those who lead us, but what if we are in some kind of leadership role? Do we have people praying for us? If so, what are they praying? The kind of leader you are influences the types of prayers that followers can pray for you. A great example of this is Psalm 20, written by David while he was king of Israel. Although David penned this psalm and set it to music, it really was the prayer of the people he led concerning him. This psalm is how David's followers prayed for him. Notice a couple specific things in this prayer that reflect on David's leadership. They prayed that God would remember the offerings and sacrifices that David had brought to the Lord (v3). They had seen David's example when it came to sacrificing for the Lord. They knew he was someone who brought his best to the Lord. They prayed that God would give David his heart's desire and fulfill all of his plans (v4). They knew their leader's heart sought after God's heart and that he pursued God's plans above his own. They also knew David was a man of prayer (v5) and that he prayed the kinds of prayers that they would want answered. Thanks to David's example, the people had learned to put their trust in the Lord, not in their armies, military weapons, or anything else (v7). They had all of those things--but they knew ultimately that only God could deliver. They also knew that David was a leader responsive to their needs and concerns (v9). This chapter, then, begs the question, "What kind of leaders are we?" Are we the kind of leaders that exemplify godly sacrifices? Are our hearts set on things above and not on the earth? Do we seek God's direction first rather than planning first and asking Him to bless our plans later? Are we mature in our praying? Do we encourage others to grow in their faith? Are we cognizant of the needs and concerns of those we are leading? Maybe there is even a more basic question--do we desire and seek the prayers of others that we might be great leaders? These are some great questions for every leader to ponder.

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

Psalm 10-- Where is God in the Wickedness?

Does it seem to you like the world is getting more and more wicked? You don't have to watch a TV newscast for very long or read too far into a news story before you see evil. Sometimes it is pure evil, like those who kill large numbers of people. Sometimes it is pure wickedness, those who openly rebel against anything and everything holy and righteous. Psalm 10 gives us some characteristics of people like this and a reminder that we all need to keep before us. The wicked are unrestrained (v3). They do whatever they feel like doing, with no sense of moral obligation. They are self-consumed and give no thought whatsoever of God (vv3-4). To others they seem unstoppable, and to themselves they feel invincible (vv5-6). The wicked look for easy targets, oppressing those who are the weakest and most vulnerable (vv7-10). Finally, the wicked think they can get away with what they are doing and will never have to face judgment (vv11,13). But remember this--God does see everything (v14). Nothing is hidden from God. He can, and has, brought the mightiest of this world to their knees (v16). In His time, God will bring justice (vv14,18)
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Psalm 8--Reality Check

The cameras were rolling and the crowds were cheering when in walked the three stars of a popular TV variety show. My daughter and I were in the audience as each "star" made their way, one at a time, from the back of the theater to the front. As each made their way, the crowd chanted their name. One entered giving high fives to those seated on the end of each row. This was the second such show they had filmed that day, with four more to go while they were in town. I've never personally met any of these three stars, so I don't really know what kind of people they are, but I can imagine that hearing crowds chant your name all the time could affect your ego. It's not, however, just the famous who have to watch their ego. I think all of us at times can get caught up with ourselves, especially if there are people around us cheering our efforts. Psalm 8, however, is a great reality check as it contrasts man to the vast glory and creative abilities of God. "When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingertips," David wrote, "what is man that You are mindful of him?" What is man compared to the incredible glory of Almighty God? Have you ever considered the vastness of the universe? To man, it goes on without end. Yes, God has reached out to us and given us dominion over this world (v6) but we must never lose our perspective of who we are in relation to God. As great as you might become in the eyes of some, the world does not and will not revolve around you! Once we have this reality check, then we can say "O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!" (v9).
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

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

Have you ever had a time in your life when it seemed that you could not stop crying? Something happened or you were faced with the reality of something so overwhelming that the tears just poured out no matter how hard you tried to stop them? Sometimes we all just need a good cry! David was in that situation in Psalm 6. "All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eyes wastes away because of grief," (vv6-7) is how David worded it. What can we do when we find ourselves in those kinds of situations? First, grieve. That's right, grieve! Grieving is normal, natural and needed. We need to grieve the loss. In the beatitudes, Jesus said "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." If we want comfort, we have to first mourn. Second, acknowledge your weakness (v2). It's okay to admit that you don't have all the answers, you can't fix all the problems, or you don't have the power to change things. Third, turn the situation over to the Lord (vv2,4). Fourth, surround yourself with the right kind of people (v8). Finally, praise the Lord for His intervention in your life (v9). We all face grief at some point in our lives, but by following David's example we can overcome it in the Lord and be stronger as a result.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Psalm 2--The Thousand Room Home and Sun Facing Statue

The Palace of Parliament, or the People's Palace as it was once known, is a massive building in the heart of Romania's capital city of Bucharest. I've been to this building several times, and each trip I renew my amazement. Not so much that it is the second largest building in the world, but I am amazed each time I hear its history. The communist dictator Ceausescu was building the structure at the time of his death in 1989 (actually, his execution by a mob). He had 20,000 people working 24 hour shifts to construct the more than 1,000 room edifice (some of those rooms are massive). This would be Ceausescu's crowning glory, a testimony to the world of his greatness. Of course he never lived to see it completed, and he demolished 30,000 homes and two dozen churches and synagogues in the construction process. Nearly a decade after Ceausescu's death, another man in another country, Turkmenistan, was also building an edifice to himself. Saparmurat Niyazov, or "Turkmenbashi" (father of all Turkmen) as he liked to call himself, built a 246 foot tall tower with a 40 foot tall gold statue of himself on top. The statue rotates with the sun. The list goes on and on of world leaders, past and present, who saw themselves as someone great. What does God think of all this? In Psalm 2 we are told "He who sits in the heavens shall laugh" (v4). Man can lift himself up and proclaim himself great but no one and nothing compares to the power and majesty of Jesus Christ, who will be given "The nations for (His) inheritance, and the ends of the earth for (His) possession" (v8). While you and I may not be building 1,000 room homes or 40 foot statues of ourselves, Psalm 2 is a reminder that we all need to keep our pride in check.
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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.