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

Isaiah 41--It All Begins With Vision

I’m writing this sitting in a church in Tanzania, East Africa where today I am helping train pastors from around the city of Musoma. Yesterday I was in the village of Bukabwa training leaders in the church that we helped plant last year. Part of our training includes a discussion on vision. Vision is critical for leaders, but it hit me this week how important vision is for everyone, whether or not they are leaders.

Without vision we have no direction, we stumble through life and we fail to realize our full potential.

I’m here with a team of Americans, 14 of us in all. They are all here because of vision. They have bought into a vision of seeing part of Africa transformed by the power of the Gospel. In addition to leadership training, we are doing evangelism and discipleship as we seek to grow and expand the Bukabwa church. Now, some on our team have never shared the gospel before—at least not cross culturally. Two on our team hate to fly, one being extremely fearful. Others have challenges of family and work issues back home. Yet it is their vision that has caused them to overcome fears and obstacles to come and proclaim Christ.

Vision compelled them--and vision will compel you to move forward with the Lord to accomplish His will for your life.

Isaiah 41 is a beautiful passage of God’s promise to restore and bless His people. I can’t read verses 17-20 without thinking of Bukabwa. “The poor and needy search for water…but I the Lord will answer them, I…will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights” (vv17-18). God is making a river of life flow through this once barren area. But this is happening because God’s people have responded to the vision God gave them. God uses His people to fulfill His plans in this world.

In other words, we act on the vision that God gives us.

I’ve made six trips here to Tanzania in the last 20 months, and it all started with the vision God gave my pastor for our church to do long-term community transformation ministry in Africa. I went on the initial exploratory trip in response to his vision, but along a bumpy dirt road in the middle of northwestern Tanzania God gave me a vision for Tanzania. Now the vision wasn’t only my pastor’s, it had become mine. I could see the unique ways that God could use me to make a difference, both here and in the lives of Americans who would make the 10,000 mile journey to Tanzania.

What is your vision? What has God laid on your heart to do for Him? Maybe your vision will begin as part of someone else’s, but eventually it needs to become your own. Once you find your vision, then you need to act on it—and that is where faith comes into play.

Stepping into the unknown to pursue your vision is difficult. It’s scary! But God says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand” (v10).

Let’s ask God to give us a vision today and then let’s move out in faith to enact what God has placed on our hearts.

_____________________
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 63—How Bad Do You Want It?

For fans of the National Basketball Association’s Dallas Mavericks, 2010-2011 was an exciting year. It was the year that the team won the NBA championship for the first time in franchise history.

As the team worked their way through the playoffs and the eventual finals win, you could see a hunger in the eyes of every Dallas Maverick. You could sense their thirst for victory and their unstoppable determination to let nothing stand in the way of a win. You see, they had been to the finals once before only to come up short. This time, however, it would be different. They played with a focus and intensity that was second to none.

That intensity, however, was lost as the team started the next season going 0-3 and looking terrible in their first few outings. 2011 Finals most valuable player Dirk Nowitzki said after the poor start that they were still riding the wave of excitement from winning and had not yet regained their focus and drive. He was convinced, however, that the veteran team would get back on track.

When I read Psalm 63 I can’t help but think about championship teams and their drive to be the best. Except in this Psalm it’s not about winning a temporal trophy but rather it is about enjoying an intimate relationship with the Creator. One thing that comes through loud and clear in this Psalm is David’s passion to know and walk with God. He had a true hunger and thirst to glorify the Lord.

Look at the words he uses here to describe his focus on God: seek, thirst, long, see, behold, glorify, praise (used twice), lift, satisfied, sing (twice), remember, think, and cling. I look at these words and I see intensity. David wanted God and nothing or nobody else. David was pursuing his relationship with the Almighty with an unstoppable determination greater than the greatest sports champions.

This begs that question: How bad do you want it?

How bad do you want to walk in the Lord’s presence? How bad do you want that intimate relationship with Him? Bad enough to sacrifice for it? Bad enough to put in the time to attain it?

This brings us back to Nowitzki and the Mavs, who spent hours in extra practice time even when it wasn’t expected of them, all so that they could hold a trophy.

Are we willing to do whatever it takes to bring honor to the Lord? Or do we find ourselves in the same position as the Mavs were starting the season after their victory. Have we lost the focus and drive that we once had? Are we resting on our past faith rather than pressing forward in renewed faith? Are we basking in the glory of what was rather than attempting new things for God?

I’ve been pondering the “How bad do I want it?” question. Hopefully today you will ask yourself the same thing.

_____________________

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 45-- Carry It or Watch Others Carry It: The Choice is Yours

It has marked the beginning of every Olympic Games since 1928.

The Olympic Torch lights a large cauldron during the opening ceremonies and the cauldron stays lit until the end of the games. Since 1936, the flame that ignites the cauldron originates in Greece and then is carried by relay to the Olympic stadium. Typically hundreds, even thousands, of people participate in the carrying and passing of the torch as it makes it way around the world before finally lighting the cauldron.

There are those individuals who get to be part of history--the passing of the flame to the next runner--and then there are the rest of us who just watch.

When I think of the Olympic Torch relay, I can't help but think of the Torch relay all of us are to take part in as followers of Christ.

In Psalm 45 we are prophetically introduced to Christ. We are told about His majesty, righteousness and might. We are given a sneak peak into His everlasting kingdom. Then the chapter concludes by saying "I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever."

Just like the flame of the Olympic Torch is passed from one runner to the next, the Name of Jesus will be praised, exalted, and passed on from one generation to the next. But unlike the Olympic torch, which eventually is extinguished, the Name of Jesus will be remembered for eternity.

Think about that for a moment.

Since the resurrection of Christ different people have joined the relay to pass along Christ to the next generation. They have been part of an unbroken chain prophesied here in Psalms 45. Now, there were those in every generation who embraced Christ, but who failed to pass Him along to the next generation. They watched as others did, but they did not have that legacy for themselves.

They watched while others made history.

The question comes to us today: Will we watch or will we make history? Will we sit on the sofa while others in our generation proclaim the life-changing message of Jesus? Will we rest on the bench while our peers pass the torch to another generation? Or will we rise to the occasion and take our place in history by handing the Flame to those who will carry it the next leg?

Will we go into eternity knowing that we helped carry the Name, or will we go into eternity knowing we missed the opportunity to make a difference in our generation?

The choice is ours!

_________________________

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 33-- An Unusual Sight on the Capitol Steps

It was an amazing sight. Standing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol our nation's representatives were singing God Bless America.There were Democrats, Republicans, Independents standing together and singing in unison. It happened right after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. For a period of time--although brief--we weren't identified by party or philosophical affiliation. No, we were identified as Americans. It was a good feeling, but tempered by the sadness of 3,000 of our fellow citizens losing their lives. Unfortunately it didn't take long for the unity of being American to depart and the divisiveness of labels to reemerge. When those representatives joined together in song they did so because they had something in common--they were first and foremost Americans. That fact caused them to break into song. As believers, we have many things in common regardless of the different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, politics or other factors that might otherwise divide us. Psalm 33 tells us that we have cause for singing--not because of a tragedy but because of the power and majesty of the God that we worship and serve. Because the word of the Lord is true (v4), because He is faithful (v4), because He is loving (v5, 22), because He is all-knowing (vv 10, 13, 14, 15), because He is the Creator (vv6,7,9), because He lives and stands forever (v11), and because He defends and delivers us (vv18-21), we can join together in song. We must remember that we are first and foremost Christians and in unison praise the Lord with our lips and with our lives. We must remember the call for us to live righteously and lead our nations to do the same because "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (v12).

_________________________

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.

_________________________
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.

_____________
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 45-- Carry It or Watch Others Carry It: The Choice is Yours

It has marked the beginning of every Olympic Games since 1928.

The Olympic Torch lights a large cauldron during the opening ceremonies and the cauldron stays lit until the end of the games.  Since 1936, the flame that ignites the cauldron originates in Greece and then is carried by relay to the Olympic stadium. Typically hundreds, even thousands, of people participate in the carrying and passing of the torch as it makes it way around the world before finally lighting the cauldron.

There are those individuals who get to be part of history--the passing of the flame to the next runner--and then there are the rest of us who just watch.

When I think of the Olympic Torch relay, I can't help but think of the Torch relay all of us are to take part in as followers of Christ.

In Psalm 45 we are prophetically introduced to Christ. We are told about His majesty, righteousness and might. We are given a sneak peak into His everlasting kingdom. Then the chapter concludes by saying "I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever."

Just like the flame of the Olympic Torch is passed from one runner to the next, the Name of Jesus will be praised, exalted, and passed on from one generation to the next. But unlike the Olympic torch, which eventually is extinguished, the Name of Jesus will be remembered for eternity.

Think about that for a moment.

Since the resurrection of Christ different people have joined the relay to pass along Christ to the next generation. They have been part of an unbroken chain prophesied here in Psalms 45. Now, there were those in every generation who embraced Christ, but who failed to pass Him along to the next generation. They watched as others did, but they did not have that legacy for themselves.

They watched while others made history.

The question comes to us today: Will we watch or will we make history? Will we sit on the sofa while others in our generation proclaim the life-changing message of Jesus? Will we rest on the bench while our peers pass the torch to another generation? Or will we rise to the occasion and take our place in history by handing the Flame to those who will carry it the next leg?

Will we go into eternity knowing that we helped carry the Name, or will we go into eternity knowing we missed the opportunity to make a difference in our generation?

The choice is ours!

_________________________

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 33-- An Unusual Sight on the Capitol Steps

It was an amazing sight. Standing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol our nation's representatives were singing God Bless America.There were Democrats, Republicans, Independents standing together and singing in unison. It happened right after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. For a period of time--although brief--we weren't identified by party or philosophical affiliation. No, we were identified as Americans. It was a good feeling, but tempered by the sadness of 3,000 of our fellow citizens losing their lives. Unfortunately it didn't take long for the unity of being American to depart and the divisiveness of labels to reemerge. When those representatives joined together in song they did so because they had something in common--they were first and foremost Americans. That fact caused them to break into song. As believers, we have many things in common regardless of the different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, politics or other factors that might otherwise divide us. Psalm 33 tells us that we have cause for singing--not because of a tragedy but because of the power and majesty of the God that we worship and serve. Because the word of the Lord is true (v4), because He is faithful (v4), because He is loving (v5, 22), because He is all-knowing (vv 10, 13, 14, 15), because He is the Creator (vv6,7,9), because He lives and stands forever (v11), and because He defends and delivers us (vv18-21), we can join together in song. We must remember that we are first and foremost Christians and in unison praise the Lord with our lips and with our lives. We must remember the call for us to live righteously and lead our nations to do the same because "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (v12).

_________________________

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.

_________________________
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 6-- Translating the Vision into Action

Vision is one of the greatest attributes that any leader can posses. If you study great leaders, you will see that they were all people of vision. Leaders need both a long-term vision and also a more immediate vision. But what really makes a great leader great is that they are able to translate that vision into action. In Zechariah 6 we find both a short-term and a long-term vision. They are reminders to us that we need to have both of these kinds of visions in our lives. The immediate need before the Jews who had returned to Israel from captivity was the rebuilding of the temple. In this chapter, God shows them that He is well aware of their situation. He also gives them a picture to symbolize that His glory will once again fill the temple. He tells them to construct an elaborate crown and put it on the head of the high priest whose name was Joshua. The crown was an encouragement to Joshua that he would be successful in his efforts. It also was a vision to the future of the Ultimate One, the Highest of high priests, the King of all kings, the Lord Jesus Christ whose glory will fill the whole earth. The chapter closes with a short but critical statement from God: "This shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God" (v15). While the long-term vision had nothing to do with Joshua's and the Jews obedience, the short-term vision had everything to do with it. If they wanted to be the ones to see God move to restore the temple and bring His glory to Israel once again, then they would have to do what God told them to do. They would have to translate that vision into action. Has God given you a vision for what He wants to accomplish in your life? Then translate that vision into action by diligently obeying the Lord one step at a time.

_________________________

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 5-- The Elephant in the Room

You have probably heard or used the term "the elephant in the room." It refers to the one big thing on everyone's mind in a particular group that no one is brave enough to bring up and discuss. This often happens in meetings where everyone knows there is a problem--usually caused by a particular person who happens to be sitting in the group. They talk about everything else but the "elephant." They deal with all the small issues but are afraid to tackle to big one, the one that ultimately is causing the other issues. This also happens with marriages that are having difficulties. Couples tend to focus on all the small issues rather than dealing with the big things or real root problems. In Zechariah 5 we are reminded that the real elephant in many of our rooms is sin. We dress it up and call it by different names, but it is still sin, and it is something that should not be ignored. In this chapter Zechariah tells of two visions that he had. The first was of a scroll that when unrolled measured 30 feet by 15 feet. "This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth" (v3) because sin was found throughout the earth. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God," we are told in the New Testament. Man is without excuse, and if he remains in that sinful state, he will experience God's judgment (v4). The second vision is of a woman representing wickedness who is stuffed into a basket which then has a heavy lid placed on it. The basket is transported to Babylon where it awaits a house to be built for its placement. Scholars offer various opinions on what this vision represents, but one thing is clear. God deals with wickedness. This brings us back to the elephant in the room. We can either ignore the elephant and wait for God to bring judgment, or we can deal with it and move on with a life that pursues the holiness of God. The choice is up to each of us.

_________________________

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.

Ezra 8-- Insights for Leading

One of the best ways to learn leadership principles is to read the biographies or autobiographies of great leaders. Looking at their thought processes, attitudes, and how they approach their tasks, we can get some great leadership insights. Ezra was a great leader, and we get some insights into his leadership approach in Ezra 8. He was assembling a group of Jews to leave Babylon and go to their homeland in Israel. In addition, they were going to beautify the temple and improve the Jews' worship. Notice how Ezra approached his task. First, he found other leaders who could influence people to go with him to Jerusalem (vv1-14). Second, he made sure he had the right people on his team (vv15-20). These leaders did a great job in assembling a group to go with Ezra, but they missed some key people. If they were going to improve the worship in Israel, then they would have to have temple servants, namely Levites and those who assisted the Levites, Nethinim. Even in the process of finding these men, Ezra approached "gatekeeper"  leaders who could recruit the needed people (vv15-20). Now with his team in place, Ezra proclaims a fast and humbly seeks God's face before proceeding (v21). It didn't matter that he had a great team. Ezra knew they could not be successful without God's power and protection. Next, Ezra organized the people so that they could safely carry the gold, silver, and other temple articles they were bringing to Jerusalem (vv24-30). Finally, he administrated the process of getting the items into the temple, conducting sacrifices to the Lord, and distributing the king of Persia's orders for support to the various government officials in the region (vv31-36). Ezra made sure things were "written down" (v34) so that there would be no confusion or discrepancy later. So, let's recap: Ezra worked through existing leaders, made sure he had the right team, sought God, organized his people, and effectively administered to ensure that things were done right. Sounds like a great process that every leader should follow!
_____________
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.

Ezra 6-- How to Get God to "Show Up"

I've had the wonderful privilege of taking people on numerous missions trips around the world. It is always exciting to watch what God does in people's lives as a result of their stepping out of their comfort zone and into the Great Commission. I especially love watching the "first timers." Inevitably they come back with similar stories--"I didn't think God could really use me, but I went and saw God do amazing things." Before they could see the work of God they had to first respond to the word of God. When they stepped out in obedience to God's word, then they saw God's might. The Jews who returned from exile to Israel experienced this process first hand in Ezra 6. After their work to rebuild the temple had been stopped by their opponents and the construction site laid dormant for years, they listened to God's word. They started working again as they sought official permission from the Persian King Darius. Not only did Darius allow them to continue, but he offered to pay the costs from his treasury (v8). He went even beyond that and said that if anyone tried to change his decree allowing the rebuilding, "Let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it, and let his house be made a refuse heap," (v11). Wow! No one wanted to block the reconstruction efforts after that! God showed up in a powerful way, moving the hearts of the powerful and empowering the hearts of His people. The Jews finished the temple, dedicated it, and re-instituted the sacrificial system (vv19-22). They heard God's word. They stepped out of their comfort zone, overcame opposition, and acted on God's word. Then they saw God "show up" and provide everything they needed. The problem with many of us, however, is that we want God to show His might first before we respond to His word. It doesn't work that way! Respond to His word, then you will see His work.
_____________
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.

Ezra 5--Everyone Needs a Cheerleader

Let's face it--life can be tough at times. Things don't go the way you expected them to, plans are frustrated, and you are uncertain how to proceed. It's in these difficult days that we especially need a cheerleader in our life. We need someone who believes in us, who can encourage us, and who can help us see the big picture. Cheerleaders are exactly what God provided to Zerubbabel in Ezra 5. Their names were Haggai and Zechariah. We can read their messages in detail in the books that bare their name, but basically they told Zerubbabel to move forward with the mission that God had called him to do--rebuilding the temple. At the end of Ezra 4 we see that Zerubbabel and his team were compelled by force to stop building. Fourteen years later, construction resumed. Imagine how discouraged Zerubbabel must have been during those years! At the right moment in time, however, God sends in Haggai to tell Zerubbabel how special he is to God (Haggai 2:23). Along with him is Zechariah, reminding Zerubbabel that his mission will be accomplished "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). These were just the words Zerubbabel needed to hear to renew his vision and move forward. Friend, who are the Zerubbabels around you that might need encouragement today? Who are those who God would have you speak a word into their lives? You may be just the one that God uses to help that person renew their vision and go on to accomplish great things for the Lord. After all, we all need a cheerleader.
_____________
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.

Ezra 4--Removing "Quit" from the Dictionary

"There are two words that should be removed from the Christian's dictionary: quit and cannot." I can't tell you how many times I heard the late Dr. Jerry Falwell say those words while I was a student at Liberty University where he was chancellor. They would always come at the most difficult times in the school year, when professor after professor was piling on the work and it seemed that graduation would never come. Now more than 20 years later, the pressures of college life seem so trivial. But they weren't at the time. Just like the pressure and opposition you might be facing today as you seek to fulfill God's purpose for your life are far from trivial. Ezra 4 is a great story of how the Jewish leader Zerubbabel and the other Jews who had returned to Israel from captivity handled the temptation to quit. Team Zerubbabel faced fierce opposition as it sought to rebuild the temple. First it was subtle. "Let us help you," said their opponents, "after all, we believe just like you do." They sought to infiltrate the Jewish ranks and stop their work from within. Zerubbabel, however, was wise to this and would not give the opposition a foothold (v3). When infiltration didn't work, they moved to intense discouragement, even hiring people to try and dissuade the Jews from fulfilling their mission. Still no success, so they wrote lies to the Persian king. Again, without success. The opposition, however, was relentless and continued their attacks until a new king was on the throne who was sympathetic to them. Notice, though, that once they got the ruling they wanted from the king they "went up to Jerusalem against the Jews and by force of arms made them cease" (v23). The only way Zerubbabel and his team were going to quit was if the opposition overpowered them with force. Zerubbabel is a great example of someone who knew his God-given mission and would not let opposition get in the way of accomplishing it. They only reason Zerubbabel stopped was because it was physically impossible to proceed (at least for a while). Here's the point: we should not allow fear (Ezra 3) or opposition from others (Ezra 4) keep us from pursuing the calling that God has placed upon our lives. Now some times the fulfillment of that calling gets interrupted, with no fault of our own (as it did with Zerubbabel). But as we see in later chapters, God in His time provides what we need to finish the task. Don't let the Deceiver infiltrate your thinking. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might! Eliminate quit and cannot from your dictionary!

_____________
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.

Ezra 2-- You're Never Too Old

Hap is a friend of mine and an incredible example that you are never too old to tackle new projects for the Lord. Hap had a colorful life and career. He was a highly decorated military veteran wounded three times in action who worked his way up the ranks to Lt. Colonel. He also worked with some high profile people like J.C. Penney (yes, the man who started the department stores) and others. But his life didn't really start until he was in his 60s--you see, that is when he trusted Christ as his savior. He and his dear wife began taking trips and witnessing behind the "iron curtain" when Eastern Europe was locked in communism and Christian witnessing was outlawed. After the curtain fell, they continued their trips, now as recruiters helping ordinary people go on short-term missions trips. Well into his 80s, Hap was going strong traveling to several countries each year, meeting new people, and impacting everyone he came in contact with. Now 90, Hap continues to display a "can do" attitude even though his body is slowing down. In Ezra 2 we meet a group of people who also had a "can do" attitude, many of whom were 70+ years of age. Numbering nearly 50,000 people, these were the Jews who left the comforts of what had been Babylon to start a new life in Judah where they would rebuild cities and the temple. These were risk takers not satisfied with the status quo. God had moved their hearts to service (chapter 1 verse 5) and now they were putting it all on the line to follow Him and accomplish His purpose. Not only that, but once they got to the land they "offered freely for the house of God...according to their ability" (vv68-69). They sacrificially gave so that the temple could be rebuilt. Hap and these 50,000 Jews are reminders to us that you are never too old to start something new, take risks, or impact others for the Lord.
_____________
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 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.

_____________
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.

_____________
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.
_____________
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.

Ecclesiastes 4-- Championship Living

You see it every so often in professional sports--the hotshot rookie who thinks he is God's gift to the sport and who thinks he knows it all. It usually doesn't take long, however, for these athletes to get a rude awakening and a heavy dose of reality. They quickly discover that they are one among many on the team and that their coaches actually do know more than they do. If they don't make this discovery, they usually don't last long. The legendary basketball coach of the UCLA Bruins, John Wooden, said "Individuals win trophies but teams win championships." There are two fundamental necessities to winning both in sports and in life--teamwork and being teachable. Ecclesiastes 4 drives these points home. There are those who labor alone and only for their personal gain (v8) but this brings exceptional emptiness. When we connect with others, however, there is synergy, encouragement, support and strength. We are stronger as an individual when we connect with a team (vv9-12). Someone who is teachable, even though he or she may not have the experience of some who are older, is in a much better position (vv13-14). We must never get to the point in our lives where we "will be admonished no more" (v13). All of us have more to learn. None of us have arrived yet. So if you want a rich and fulfilled life become a team player who never stops learning and who consistently allows others to speak into your life. That's the formula that wins championships.

______________

NOTE: WE HAD TROUBLE WITH OUR BLOG DISTRIBUTION SERVICE LAST WEEK, SO MANY PEOPLE DID NOT GET LAST WEEK'S BLOGS. WE HAVE RESCHEDULED THEM STARTING TODAY. THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

_____________________

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 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.

_____________________

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.

_____________________

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.

_____________________

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.

_____________________

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.

_____________________

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.

_____________________

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.

_____________________

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.

_________________________________

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 10- Get Out of Your Box

Two men from different races, different cultures, different positions in life drawn together by the Spirit of God because of a willingness to move out of their "boxes."  That is the remarkable story of Acts 10 as Peter, a Jew, Christian church leader, and former fisherman meets Cornelius, a Gentile with power and prestige within the Roman army.  Cornelius sought after God, but was not aware of Christ.  He moved outside of his box to solicit instruction from someone whom society would have consider his lesser.  Peter radically moved outside of his comfort zone to go to Cornelius and spend an extended time with him, his family and friends in order to explain salvation through Christ.  Peter had seen God work with the Samaritans--but they were "half breeds" with somewhat of a Jewish heritage.  Cornelius, however, was completely different.  No Jewish background at all.  But they both had in common a desire to follow God.  Cornelius's story is lived out today all around the world as God sends His messengers to those who seek Him.  Peter's story is exemplified each time someone moves outside of their culture, their way of doing things, their comfortable box, to engage others with the gospel. When was the last time you moved out of your box?

_________________________________

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.

_________________________________

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.

_________________________________

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 2-- The Comeback Kid

Politics, sports, entertainment, business--they all have their stories of people who were considered washed up who later came back to accomplish great things. Peter was the New Testament's original comeback kid. What an amazing sight it must have been on that Pentecost day when Peter, who a short time before had vehemently denied knowing Christ, proclaimed the risen Lord with power and passion. Along with the other apostles, Peter preached his heart out (vv11-39) and a multitude responded with praise to the Lord. Peter had changed and so did this crowd. Notice the genuineness of those who embraced the message (vv41-47). They demonstrated their faith and repentance by being baptized (v41), caring for the needs of others (vv44-45), meeting together to learn, sharing meals, and living with a simple and pure purpose (v46)—to bring praise to the resurrected Lord. It was clear to everyone around that they were followers of Christ. They clearly showed that by how they lived, how they treated other believers, and by the transformation that took place in their lives. What about us today? Is it clear to those around us that we are Christ followers? Maybe like Peter you have made some mistakes and done some things that have not honored Christ. The good news is that with the power of the Holy Spirit you too can come back. Seek God's forgiveness and allow Him to restore you to a life of fruitfulness for His glory. Who knows--maybe God will use you to win multitudes for Christ just like He used Peter.

_________________________________

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.

_________________________________

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.