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 48-- The Guide

Our family settled into the Range Rover excited about spending the next couple days on safari in Africa. Frank was our driver and guide, and he took us into two of Tanzania's national parks to explore African wildlife up close.

I wasn't nervous when he drove us right beside two sleeping lions. I figured we were safe in the vehicle. But when we stopped alongside a herd of elephants, I must admit there was a moment of concern. They were SO big and could easily trample us if something spooked them.

The concern quickly left as I realized we were in the care of an experienced guide. Plus, he was in this with us, so whatever happened to us was also going to happen to him!

Knowing that you have an experienced guide to see you through unchartered territory is very reassuring.

In Psalm 48, we are introduced to the ultimate Guide--God. We are told how He led His people to overcome opposing nations. We are told of His great loving-kindness.

We can exclaim with the psalmist, "For this is our God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death" (v14). A better translation of the last phrase might be "through death" or "beyond death."

You see, our Guide knows everything that we are going to face. Our Guide knows the best path to take in every situation. Our Guide knows the way forward. Our Guide will never leave us or forsake us--He's in this with us! He will see us through, not just life, but into eternity.

Our Guide is worthy to be praised (v1) and introduced to future generations (vv12-13). Most of all, our Guide should be followed no matter how scary, uneasy or complicated life may get.

Let's follow the Guide!

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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.

Exodus 7--Beware of Counterfeits

The U.S. Treasury recently announced it was releasing a new $100 bill with several new anti-counterfeit features. As counterfeiterers get more and more sophisticated, the government has to regularly modify its currency in order to protect it. Some counterfeit bills are so close to the real thing that they fool many people. They are worthless, but because they look like the real thing people fall for them.

In Exodus 7 we see a couple encounters with counterfeiters. Not the ones making the money but ones trying to copy God's work. In the chapter, Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh to request the Israelites' release. They performed two miracles to get Pharaoh's attention--turning Aaron's staff into a snake and turning water into blood. What is interesting is that Pharaoh's sorcerers and magicians were able to do the same thing (vv11,12,22).

Satan has always had his way of trying to counterfeit the works of God. He is a great deceiver and will do anything to keep people locked in darkness. The challenge for us today--even for Christians--is to be able to distinguish the counterfeit from the real thing. There are many things done "in the name of religion" and even in the name of Christianity that are nothing more than thin imitations of what God does and wants us to do.

Just because something looks extraordinary doesn't mean God is behind it. We need to test the spirits, ask the Lord for discernment, and avoid getting sucked into things that, as the New Testament says, "gives the appearance of godliness but denies the power thereof."

Remember, not everything is what it seems to 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 forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Psalm 48-- The Guide

We settled into the Range Rover excited about spending the next couple days on safari in Africa. Frank was our driver and guide, and he took us into two of Tanzania's national parks to explore African wildlife up close.

I wasn't nervous when he drove us right beside two sleeping lions. I figured we were safe in the vehicle. But when we stopped alongside a herd of elephants, I must admit there was a moment of concern. They were SO big and could easily trample us if something spooked them.

The concern quickly left as I realized we were in the care of an experienced guide. Plus, he was in this with us, so whatever happened to us was also going to happen to him!

Knowing that you have an experienced guide to see you through unchartered territory is very reassuring.

In Psalm 48, we are introduced to the ultimate Guide--God. We are told how He led His people to overcome opposing nations. We are told of His great loving-kindness.

We can exclaim with the psalmist, "For this is our God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death" (v14). A better translation of the last phrase might be "through death" or "beyond death."

You see, our Guide knows everything that we are going to face. Our Guide knows the best path to take in every situation. Our Guide knows the way forward. Our Guide will never leave us or forsake us--He's in this with us! He will see us through, not just life, but into eternity.

Our Guide is worthy to be praised (v1) and introduced to future generations (vv12-13). Most of all, our Guide should be followed no matter how scary, uneasy or complicated life may get.

Let's follow the Guide!

_________________________

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).

_________________________

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 7-- How to Become an Overnight Sensation

I have a consultant friend who likes to say it takes 10-15 years to become an "overnight sensation." Whether it is business, ministry, music, art, etc. there is almost always a substantial amount of time that goes into becoming something that the public notices. Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers: The Story of Success actually documents that it takes the right opportunity plus 10,000 hours of "practice" to become a true success or true expert. He shows this with The Beatles, Bill Gates and others. We also see this in Ezra 7 as we are introduced to a Jewish priest and scribe by the name of Ezra. Ezra bursts onto the global scene as he leads another wave of Jewish exiles back to Israel and then goes on to institute spiritual reforms. He is seen as a strong leader with close ties to the king of Persia. Look deeper at this "overnight sensation" and you might be surprised by what you see. In verse 6 he is called a "skilled scribe in the Law of Moses." In the same verse we are told that the king gave Ezra "all his request."  The king acknowledged Ezra's "God-given wisdom" (v25) and authorized him to appoint magistrates and judges among the people. Finally, verse 28 says that Ezra gathered the leading men of Israel to go with him. When you put all of this together you see a man who had earned the respect and admiration of leaders over time. He became an expert in God's law through discipline, consistency, and effort. He sought God's wisdom and used that in his every day interactions. Most of all,  "Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel," (v10). Ezra prepared himself to fulfill God's mission for his life. That preparation paid off in a big way! This begs two questions for us to ponder today. First, are we committed to fulfilling God's mission for our life? Second, what are we doing to prepare ourselves to be successful in that mission? If we want to be a "success" in our walk with the Lord, we must be focused and put in a substantial amount of time and effort for that to happen. Remember, overnight sensations rarely happen overnight.

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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 1--Who are You Listening To?

Have you ever sat down at a long, crowded dinner table where everyone was talking to each other? It is a bit overwhelming at first. There are so many different conversations taking place it is hard to know where to focus and pay attention. In life, there is a lot of noise around us vying for our attention. There are hundreds of cable TV channels and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter--not to mention the explosion of blogs--where everyone has something to say to you. To whom will you listen? In Psalm 1, the Psalmist eloquently reminds us that for us to be truly blessed and prosperous in life, we need to listen to and spend our time with the right kind of people (v1). We also need to filter out all that noise with the truth of God's word (v2). Who are you listening to today? Who or what do you allow to speak into your life? Is it the ungodly who are "like the chaff which the wind drives away" (v4)? Or are you surrounding yourself with godly counsel and encouragement? I have never forgotten what I heard a camp speaker say when I was a teenager: "You will be as godly as your friends; you will be as righteous as those you hang around." Those are good words to remember and live by.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 49-- Same Parent, Different Children

We have several friends who have large families of eight or more children. It is fascinating listening to them describe the differences of each child. Even though they try to be consistent in how they parent, the children still react to things differently. They each make their own decisions. As with all children, as they become adults they think for themselves and make their choices. Sometimes those choices are good, sometimes they are not. Jacob had 12 sons, all very different. And although Jacob loved God and worshiped Him with his life, his sons did not always make the right decisions. He certainly taught them the things of the Lord, but not all of them made choices that were honoring to God. When we think of Jacob, we usually don't think of him as a prophet, but he was. Genesis 49 is a fascinating passage where Jacob blesses his 12 sons and foretells their future. Five of the 12 predictions especially stand out, and they give us insights into the differences of these children. Jacob said his firstborn, Reuben, was "unstable as water" and "shall not excel" (v4). Reuben had an illicit relationship with one of Jacob's concubines. More than 40 years later his act was still a stain on the family. Instability characterized Reuben's life and it ruined him. Simeon and Levi were called "instruments of cruelty" by Jacob as he noted their fierce anger which led to them slaughtering an entire town of people (vv5-7). How crushing it must have been for these two men to hear their father, on his death bed, say in effect that he did not want to be associated with them. Judah, on the other hand, is predicted to be the fore-father of Christ (v10). Jacob eventually turns to Joseph and gives a beautiful summary of Joseph's life. "The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. But his bow remained in strength and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob" (vv23-24), which is a reference to the hatred he had received from his brothers. Joseph was made strong and became a "fruitful bough" (v22) because of his walk with God. There are a lot of principles that we can learn from this passage, but notice two principles for parents. First, we need to teach our children how to make good choices and to stick with them. Second, we need to be sure that they see the Mighty God through our lives. While there is no guarantee that our children will always make the right decision, we can be at peace knowing that we did all we could as parents to set them up for true success in life.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 41-- Your Big Moment

Have you ever been in one of those "big moment" situations? You know, where you have the potential for the opportunity of a lifetime if you don't blow your chance? Maybe it is interviewing for your dream job or auditioning for a theatrical or even television role. I had one of those big moment situations when I was a teenager. I grew up in southern California and had won several local talent shows doing ventriloquism. I managed to get an audition for a children's TV show. My big moment came in a small office in Hollywood as I performed for the show's executive producer and director. I think the director liked me but not the producer. I never got called back. So much for my big TV moment! Well, Joseph in Genesis 41 didn't have a big moment in front of TV producers, he had something even bigger. He had an audience with the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Joseph, as you may recall, was in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Pharaoh had a dream that greatly troubled him and no one could interpret it for him. His butler, who had spent time in prison with Joseph, remembered his cell mate and told Pharaoh about his ability to interpret dreams. After a quick shave and a change of clothes, Joseph now stood before the most powerful person in the world at that time. This was his big moment! He could plead his case and beg Pharaoh to release him from prison. This was possibly a once in a lifetime chance for a pardon. But that is not what Joseph did. Instead of focusing on himself, he focused on Pharaoh's situation and on the Lord. When asked to interpret, Joseph immediately replied, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace" (v16). You see, Joseph's life did not revolve around himself. His first reaction was not to save his own skin but to glorify God with the abilities God had given him. He put God and others first, and God greatly blessed him. He not only was released from prison but was made the number two leader in all the kingdom. More than that, he became the savior of countless numbers of people as a famine griped the world--a famine for which Joseph had prepared. "So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands" (v57). By placing his focus on God's glory and not his temporary gain, Joseph not only got what he wanted (freedom) but more than he could ever have imagined. You see, God's definition of "big moments" and how they are to be handled may be very different than ours. Let's seek to glorify God, use our gifts and abilities to help others, and then we can leave the "big moment" outcomes to the Lord.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 24-- Discerning God's Will

When my kids were younger, they really enjoyed watching the cartoon show Scooby Doo. To be honest, so did I. Scooby Doo is a dog (for those not familiar with the series) who helps four teenagers solve mysteries. The teens discover clues (okay, usually it is Velma discovering all the clues!) in an attempt to make sense of something strange and bazaar. They eventually uncover the mystery and bad guys behind it. Sometimes we think of God's will like a mystery--we see it as something that someone (God) intends to hide and make as difficult as possible to discover. The reality is God wants us to know and do His will. He doesn't want it to be a mystery. So how then can we determine what He wants for our lives? Genesis 24 is a great lesson on this. Abraham is getting old and knows he needs to get a wife for his son Isaac. So he sends his servant back to their homeland to find a girl because he did not want Isaac marrying a pagan girl from where they lived. But who should this girl be? How would they ever find her? What if they did find someone, how would they know if she was the right one for Isaac? There is a lot in this chapter, but let me make six quick observations about discerning God's will. First, start with what God has already revealed. Abraham sought out a wife because God had promised to make Isaac a great nation. He determined that Isaac would stay in Canaan because that was the land God had given to them (vv5-). Second, remember God's will is always consistent with his character. "Don't get a Canaanite girl," Abraham told his servant (v3) because she would not be a follower of Jehovah God. Third, take action to discover God's will. The servant went to the homeland and observed women coming to a well outside of the city of Nahor. He also prayed (v12) and determined a reasonable process of verifying God's will. Fourth, prayerfully determine what God's will should look like for you. Although he didn't know who the woman would be, Abraham's servant knew what kind of person she would be (v14). She would meet a certain criteria (work ethic, conscientious, caring). Fifth, when everything does line up, praise God and move on it (vv24-27). Finally, know that discerning God's will is not always a process; sometimes it is a simple choice. This was the case with Rebekah, the woman we become Isaac's bride (vv57-58). No five-step process for her--those were done by the time it came to her. There was just one thing for her to decide--do I see God at work in all of this and if so, will I follow Him? Great truths from a great chapter as we seek to know and follow God's will!
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 21-- Better than the Midas Touch

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

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

Genesis 20-- Making Assumptions

We all make assumptions and we do it everyday. Our brains work so quickly that before we know it we have already sized up someone and formed an opinion of them the first moment we see them. The problem is that these assumptions often are wrong. We have to train ourselves to not stick with our initial assumption but try to get to know people and situations before passing judgment. In Genesis 20 Abraham makes two wrong assumptions. First, he assumed that the king of Gerar, Abimelech, was a godless pagan (v11). Abraham and his wife Sarah had moved to Abimelech's region. But Abimelech wasn't what Abraham had assumed. God spoke to Abimelech in a dream and he recognized this as God, even responding by calling Him "Lord" (v4). Second, Abraham assumed people would kill him to have his wife. Abraham, as he did in Egypt, told everyone that Sarah was his sister (v2). Apparently she was so gorgeous that he feared people would kill him to have her (v11). Now, technically, Sarah was Abraham's half-sister (v12) but she was still his wife and he knew what he was saying was misleading. Both of his assumptions left God out of the equation--that God could touch someone like Abimelech and God could protect Abraham no matter how beautiful his wife might have been. How often do we make assumptions that leave God out? We see someone who is very depraved and assume they could never be saved. Or we see someone who looks or dresses different than we do and assume they don't know God, when they really do. Or we find ourselves in difficult situations and assume that it is up to us alone to figure a way out of it. Making false assumptions can actually cause us to take unnecessary detours in our lives and prevent us from becoming all that God wants us to become.
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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.

Ecclesiastes 12-- The Ghost of Christmas Future

Do you remember the classic tale A Christmas Story? Ebeneezer Scrooge lost perspective on life. That impacted his priorities and how he treated others. It took the Ghost of Christmas Future to help Scrooge see how he would waste his life if he continued living like he was living. In a sense, Solomon is our "Ghost of Christmas Future" as he in Ecclesiastes 12 walks us to the edge of the end of our lives and invites us to look back. The time for procrastination will end. There will be no more "I'll get serious about this tomorrow" because the days of being able to do anything will have ended. Let me encourage you to carefully read Solomon's description of what it is like when we get older (vv 2-8). As he entered his later years, Solomon realized how much of his life he had wasted pursuing temporary things. Every day we spend focused on our own priorities and living for ourselves is a day that is wasted--and a day that can never be recovered. And it is a day that we one day will regret. So how can we live our lives without regret? How can we maximize our lives and live them to their fullest? Three things. First, start now (v1). Don't delay! No matter what age you are, this is the time to put God first in your life. Don't wait another day. Second, pursue wisdom throughout your life and not just knowledge (vv9-12). Learning is good and we should be life-long students, but knowledge for the sake of knowledge is shallow. Wisdom, however, will enable us to successfully navigate life and help others to do the same. Finally, do what God says to do (v13). It is just that simple. Have enough fear, appreciation, reverence, love, etc. for God that you follow what He says to do. That is our purpose. That is what life is all about. That is what will give our life meaning, fullness, and true joy. There is no such thing as the Ghost of Christmas Future, so if you are waiting for him to show up, you are out of luck. Learn from the mistakes of Solomon--don't waste any day of your life.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

Ecclesiastes 9-- Getting the Most Out of Life

John was a tall, distinguished looking man who joined us for one of our staff chapels. Looking at John you didn't notice anything different or out of the ordinary. John, however, was dying. We all are dying--but John had been given a time frame for it. He shared his remarkable journey with the staff and how the news of his impending death had changed how he lived. What if you knew the month that you would enter into eternity? What if that time was much sooner than the time you have in the back of your mind? What would you do different? Most of us will not be given a significant advance warning of our death. So, according to Ecclesiastes 9, we need to maximize every day that we have. How do we do that? First, place your work in God's hand (v1). This includes not only your vocational work but the service "work" that you do for your family, church, etc. Allow God to take control of it all. Second, recognize that life happens to everyone--there are ups and downs for both the evil and the righteous alike (v2). Don't be discouraged when it seems that those who reject Christ are doing better than you. Third, have hope. Even if you have wasted a large portion of your life, there is hope for the future. As long as there is life there is the opportunity to give God control of our lives and allow Him to make them matter (vv3-6). Don't live in the past but instead allow God to make the most of the moment. Fourth, live holy with works that are acceptable to God (v7-8). Fifth, enjoy your marriage (v9)! Yes, marriage is one of the wonderful gifts that God gives us to maximize our lives. Unfortunately, many couples allow the joy to leave and their marriage becomes a drain. Don't let this happen to you if you are married! Next, give it your all!Work with all your might at those things that God leads you to do because there is "no work...in the grave where you are going." Finally, walk in wisdom (vv13-18) and make the most of every day that you have. These seven steps will enable all of us to live truly fulfilled and meaningful lives.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

Ecclesiastes 8-- You've Got One Request--Make it a Good One!

Imagine for a moment that you were standing in front of God today and He says to you, "I will give you anything that you want--anything at all." What would you ask him for? Ponder that question for a moment. You get just one request--what will it be? Solomon at one point in his life had an opportunity like this and he asked for wisdom. Why wisdom and not health or wealth or success? I remember when our family was going through an extremely difficult time, which lasted for several years. Friends would say "How can I pray for you." At first I had a variety of responses, but the more we got into the situation, and the more desperate I felt about it, I solidified my response. "Pray that God will give us wisdom," I asked. It took a while to learn this, but eventually it became clear that if we had God's wisdom then we could successfully navigate through our storm. Ecclesiastes 8 celebrates wisdom and the incredible difference in makes in living. Wisdom allows a person to discern what is really happening around him or her (v1). It affects our attitude and approach to situations and to others (v1). Wisdom knows how to act around those in authority (vv1-9). Wisdom shows us when we should discuss certain things and when it is best to keep our mouths closed. Wisdom keeps us from getting caught up in the moment and take a long-term look at life. It enables us to filter immediate circumstances through the truths of eternity. We don't assume that because evil people seem to be getting ahead in life that we should do the same. We recognize the shallowness of sin and self-centered living. (vv10-15). Most of all, true wisdom enables us to recognize the glory and greatness of God and the vast limitations that we have as humans. (vv16-17). I don't know what you are praying about today, but if it doesn't include getting wisdom from God, then you are short-changing yourself and those around you.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

Ecclesiastes 7-- Protecting Your Reputation

He saved potentially hundreds of lives, but for a period of time Richard Jewell was wrongly labeled a domestic terrorist by news media. Jewell was a security guard on duty for a late-night concert in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Jewell discovered a suspicious knapsack at the park and alerted authorities before beginning to clear the area of people. The knapsack contained a bomb which exploded killing one and injuring 111 others. The casualty count surely would have been significantly higher if Jewell had not acted. Four days later, however, speculation began to surface that Jewell must have been the one to have planted the bomb. His reputation was trashed. Later he was exonerated, as the real bomber, Eric Robert Rudolph, was captured and plead guilty. Ecclesiastes 7:1 reminds us that "a good name is better than precious ointment." Richard Jewell discovered this first-hand. While most of us will never find ourselves in a situation like Jewell's, all of us to have to protect our reputations. We do that by protecting our character, and this chapter gives us four ways that we can do that. First, by having regular times of "soul searching" (vv2-7). We can't just laugh our way through life and only listen to the positive. It is good to have times of seriousness and reflection. It is also good to hear the occasional rebuke rather than everyone always singing your praises (v5). We protect our character by taking regular, serious, and hard looks at ourselves as we seek to identify areas needed for improvement. Second, we protect our character by living in the present with an eye to the future (vv8-10, 13-14). Too many people are living in the past which only damages their ability to effectively live in the present. Third, we need to walk in wisdom (vv11-12, 19-29) as we ask God to enable us to make good decisions. Finally, we need to be balanced in our living (vv15-18). There is a saying that goes "he is so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly value," meaning that we have to balance the spiritual with practical living. We are called to keep our focus on heaven while we live out our lives. Proper balances in life are critical to maintaining our character and finishing well our life race. Let's protect our good name by guarding our character as we search our souls, live in the present, walk in wisdom, and maintain balance in our lives.

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

Ecclesiastes 1-- When Having It All Just Isn't Enough

Thanks to the advent of reality television, we now get insights into all kinds of people's lives, including famous ones. Now, I'm not a big reality TV fan by any means, but I do catch some segments of different shows every once in a while. I remember one that followed the day in and day out life of a certain celebrity. As I watched the clips from a couple different episodes, I remember thinking "boy, she sure seems empty. She has money and people at her beckoned call to do whatever she wants, but she looks lost and alone."  A couple years later she turned up dead in a hotel room, the result of a bad combination of prescription drugs. Apparently she was going to multiple doctors to get more and more kinds medicine to help with her emotional pain. But you don't have to be rich and famous to feel like your life is trapped in a never ending rut. It can, and does, happen to anyone. This is the message of Ecclesiastes chapter one, and really the entire book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon, who definitely "had it all," exclaimed "Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem" (v16). Even that, however, was not enough as he went on to say "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow" (v18). This is what happens when our pursuits are shallow. When we pursue money, or knowledge or even wisdom just for the sake of getting it, we are left empty. There is more to life than these because we were created for a higher purpose. We were created to bring glory to God. If we can focus on that reality, it will help us avoid that trapped feeling and keep our lives out of a mind-numbing rut.

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

Nehemiah 6-- Discerning God's Will

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

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

Nehemiah 4-- Breaking Through Discouragement

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

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

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

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

Acts 21-- Listening to Godly Advice

One of the ways that God speaks to us is through other believers.  And when He does this, He often does it with several people saying the same thing so that we can't miss it.  Of course, He never leads anyone to give advice that is contrary to His word.  Assuming that the advice we are getting is consistent with God's word, and we know the people giving us the advice to be godly people, then we would do well to heed what they say.  That is the situation in Acts 21 with the Apostle Paul.  Several godly disciples told him not to go to Jerusalem.  "You will be bound and handed over to the Gentiles," they exclaimed.  Paul would not listen to them and instead replied "I am ready to not only be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."  We certainly admire Paul's courage and tenacity, but this may be one case where his zeal got the best of him.  Paul did go on to Jerusalem, and even though he was careful in his dealings there, there was an uproar and he was arrested.  In typical Paul fashion, however, he used even this occasion to share Christ.  The bottom line is this: when we hear multiple godly people tell us the same thing, we need to pause, listen to them, and then earnestly seek God for confirmation.

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

1 Corinthians 8-- Ice Sculpting

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

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

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

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

1 Corinthians 2-- Words, Just Words

Words are powerful. Words can move people to action. Words can manipulate. Words, if used in the right way, can even cover up a person's past actions.  We see this throughout history, and we see this every presidential election cycle. One U.S. presidential candidate, when asked if he really would delivery on all the promises he had made or if he really meant everything he said, replied that "well, a lot of that was, you know, campaign rhetoric." Sometimes people will say anything if they think it will bring them the results they want. As believers, however, we should take a different approach to how we use our words. In 1 Corinthians 2, the Apostle Paul said that "my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" (v4). Words are important and it is important as believers that we use them properly. Do we desire to persuade others to accept the truth of Christ? Absolutely. But will we try to accomplish that with mere rhetoric or will we rely on God's power? Will we exclaim man's wisdom and logic or will we proclaim God's (v13)? As we seek wisdom for our own lives, will we seek the wisdom of man and be persuaded by pleasant sounding words? Or will we take on the "mind of Christ" and appropriately judge all things (v15)? Words are more than just words. They impact and influence lives. Use them wisely, and listen to them with wisdom.

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

1 Corinthians 1-- Choose Your Own Adventure

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

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

2 Timothy 3-- Beware of Rip Tides

If you have spent much time swimming or surfing in the ocean, then you probably know about rip tides or rip currents. These are strong flows of surface water that return seaward from near the shore. They can carry away even the best of swimmers and cause about 100 deaths in the United States each year. Swimmers often make the mistake of trying to swim against the current towards shore, leaving the swimmer even more exhausted and susceptible to drowning. The best way out is to swim parallel to shore, as rip tides typically are not very wide. We live in a time when the world around us is pulling us away from truth and righteousness, as described in 2 Timothy 3. It is easy to get caught up in this rip tide, which is characterized by people who are "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power" (vv3-5). The last phrase is particularly telling--this rip tide often has the form or appearance of godliness, but actually denies God. It is easy to get caught up with people or movements like this, especially if they "talk" like a Christian or use spiritual lingo. How do we swim away from this rip tide? We must "continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of knowing from whom you have learned them" (v14). Most of all, we must test everything by Scripture which "is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..." (V16). Then we will be able to navigate the dangerous waters of this life.

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

Luke 24-- Solving Mysteries

Mysteries are very popular with people. They have been for as long as I can remember. Whether it is a mystery book, movie, or TV show, people are intrigued by trying to solve something that is unknown. The thing about mysteries is that they are not completely unknown--somebody somewhere knows what happened.  But the rest of us have to put clues together until the mystery makes sense. This is probably how Christ's followers felt on that first Sunday following His death.  The crucifixion was a surprise--a mystery to many, even though Jesus had repeatedly predicted it. Then there were the women who found Christ's tomb empty in Luke 24:1-8. What should they make of that? What happened to the body? The mystery, however, began to unfold as the resurrected Jesus Himself expounded Scripture to His followers. First to two men walking to a nearby village called Emmaus (v13), then later to a gathering of the apostles, Christ explained the mystery. Jesus "expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (v27) and then "opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures" (v45). There are many things in life that seem like a mystery until we begin to understand them in light of Scripture. So, if you are struggling with the mysteries of life, I would encourage you to turn to the One who knows everything. Ask Him for wisdom and insight. Ask Him for understanding as you look into His Word for answers to life's questions.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

Luke 23-- Power Play

Many people become consumed with power. Sometimes at work a person gets a position of power and wants to "lord it over" others. They focus on themselves and use their power just because they can. Christ, on the other hand, demonstrated what it was like to have ultimate power but purposely limit it for the benefit of others. That was the situation in Luke 23 when Jesus was tried and then executed on a cross outside of Jerusalem. He had the power to silence the false accusations of those who wanted Him dead, but He chose not to use it. He had the power to avoid the humiliating taunts of the soldiers, but He ignored them. He had the power to stop the processional to the execution site, but He pressed on anyway. He had the power to come down from the cross, but He chose to stay. Finally, He had the power to forgive--which He chose (v34). Just because you have power as a boss, parent, business person, etc. doesn't mean that you always have to use it. Sometimes, like Christ, we must put aside what we can do in order to benefit others. And, like Christ, there is a power that we should always choose to use--the power to forgive.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

Luke 22-- Timing is Everything

There is a big difference between sprinters and marathon runners. While they both are athletic, fit, and competitive, their races are very different. A sprinter in the 100 meters gives a lot of focus to how he or she starts the race. The timing out of the starting block is critical because the race is so short. Not so for the marathon runner, who must give attention to the pace of the race. For these runners, the timing of when to hold back and when to make a move is more critical. Timing is important for both events, it is just used differently. Luke 22 shows us how Jesus masterfully understood timing. He knew the right time to do things. He knew how to not get ahead of things but rather to take things in an appropriate manner. For example, He used the occasion of the Jewish passover to institute the "Lord's Supper"--a visual dramatization of His death. His timing connected Himself and impending death to the time that the death angel passed over Jewish homes in Egypt following God's command for sacrifice and salvation. He then resolved a conflict among the disciples concerning who would be the greatest. He talked to them about the timing of leading and that their day would come but it wasn't then. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He realized the time of His death had come--and although He humanly wanted to avoid it, He knew as the Son of God that the time was right. Moments later, as He was being arrested, He acknowledged to those seizing Him that "this is your hour" (v53). It was their time to be in control of the situation, not His. Sometimes in life we need to act like a sprinter, but most times it is like the marathon runner. Regardless, we need to ask God for wisdom to do the right things at the right time so we don't get ahead of what God wants or fall behind.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

Luke 20-- Learning from Lumberjacks

During a family vacation in Alaska, we attended a lumberjack show. Two teams competed in a series of events--everything from splitting wood to climbing trees. The most captivating event was the log roll, where two men stood on a log in a pool of water tried to knock the other man off balance. Not only did they stand, but they ran on that log in an attempt to beat the opponent. That event took not only courage--it actually was quite dangerous--but wisdom. Each man needed to know how to position himself on the log, how to respond to movement changes, and how to anticipate his opponent's move. He needed to know how to best apply the knowledge he had about the event to the particular moment. In Luke 20, we see Jesus exemplifying both wisdom and courage when peppered with questions from various religious leaders. Jesus was asked about His authority, the lawfulness of paying taxes, and about marriage in the resurrection. That last issue was raised by those who didn't even believe in the resurrection. In each case, Jesus responded with wisdom. Some times He answered a question with a question. Some times He brought a larger perspective to the question. Not only did He act with wisdom, but He showed courage as He publicly showed the error of these leaders. We should ask God for courage to stand up for Him, but also the wisdom to know how to say the right thing at just the right time. Courage and wisdom isn't just for lumberjacks--they comprise an important balancing act that every believer should master.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

Luke 9-- Getting the Full View

We drove through the foothills of Nevada, across the Hoover Dam, and into Arizona. When you cross the Hoover from Nevada you really can't get an appreciation for this massive creation of man because you don't really see the dam until you are right on it. Once you get across it, however, there is a place to park where the whole structure comes into view. Then you can truly appreciate this engineering masterpiece. Luke 9 is kind of like the panoramic view that you see once you get through the foothills--it brings the whole person and purpose of Christ into view. In this chapter, we see Christ model leadership as He sends out the apostles (vv1-6), is sought after by political leaders (vv7-9), and then spends intimate training and vision casting time with his inner circle (vv18-36, 43-45). We see the power of Christ as He feeds more than 5,000 people (vv10-17) and heals a boy (vv37-42). We see the character of Christ as He taught about humility (vv46-50) and chose love over vengeance (vv51-56). Finally, we see His wisdom as He helps would-be followers understand the true cost of discipleship (vv57-62). Pause a moment today and take a fresh look at Christ--His leadership, power, character and wisdom. As you do, you probably will see something particular that either helps you through a difficult situation or challenges you to change areas of your life that don't resemble Christ.

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

Luke 8-- An Overturned Truck

I was driving out to the airport on a stretch of freeway where traffic typically flows well. On this particular day, however, traffic was coming to a stop. Police were closing the freeway and diverting traffic onto a parallel access road. As I moved through the area I saw why the normal traffic flow was disrupted--a truck had overturned and was blocking the freeway. It didn't look like anyone was hurt. There was just damage to the truck and a little inconvenience during the morning commute. In life there are things that interrupt our normal "flow" that should cause us to consider altering our course. Two of those are God's word and faith opportunities. In Luke 8, Jesus gives two parables, one about a sower and seed, the other about lighting a lamp (vv4-18). Afterward, Jesus is in a crowded house when it is announced that His mother and brothers are outside trying to see Him. Jesus responds "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it" (v21). The phrase "hear the word of God and do it" was the point Christ was trying to make with the parables. When we hear from God it isn't enough just to listen; rather we must alter our course in obedience to Him. Later in the chapter, Jesus calms a stormy sea (vv22-25), delivers a deranged demon possessed man (26-39), heals a woman with a blood disease (42-48), and brings a dead girl back to life (49-56). Each of these four instances were opportunities of faith--opportunities that required some kind of altering of the normal flow of life if they were to be realized. So the bottom line is this: don't be moving so fast down the freeway of life that you fail to respond to God's word or you miss the faith opportunities that come your way. Sometimes we have to slow down and make some alterations if we want to realize all that God has for us.

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

Luke 2-- Try Being That Parent

There's a reality TV show about a family with eight children--one set of twins and a set of sextuplets. Watching the parents trying to manage a house full of young children like that is quite interesting (they do an amazing job, by the way). But imagine what it would have been like to have been the earthly parents to the Son of God. Luke 2 gives us an overview of Jesus' first 12 years. Imagine what it would have been like to be Mary or Joseph in that stable the night Jesus was born. You just finish giving birth when a troupe of shepherds show up telling a crazy story about seeing the sky filled with angels (vv13-18). Then you go to the temple to dedicate your child, like every good Jewish parent did at that time. Next thing you know an elderly man whom you have never seen before walks up, takes your child in his arms and says "I'm ready to die now--I have seen the Savior" (vv28-32). If that wasn't strange enough, a widow woman excitedly comes over and starts praising God for your son and telling everyone around about him (vv36-38). Then there is the incident when he was 12 where he is back at the temple, this time confounding the religious leaders with his questions and answers. No, none of us will ever know what it is like to parent the Christ, but we can create a godly environment where our children grow up like Christ increasing "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men" (v52).

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

Colossians 4-- Touching All the Bases

It was one of those rare heart-warming stories that made the evening news. During a collegiate softball playoff game, a Western Oregon University player hit a three-run home run then blew out her knee running to first base. Since the rules state that the player must touch all the bases, without assistance from her teammates, the umpires were about the revoke the home run. That's when two players from the opposing team, Central Washington University, stepped up and carried the injured player making sure she touched each base. Nothing against the rules for getting assistance from the opposite team. It cost Central Washington the game and any championship hopes, but in helping their opponent touch all the bases these players touched the hearts of multitudes. In Colossians 4, Paul brings the book to a close by encouraging us to touch all the bases as we seek to live for Christ. At first base we have prayer(vv2-4). It should be something we are "devoted" to, not only praying for ourselves but for others, especially those proclaiming the gospel. Second base is our walk with outsiders--those who haven't come to faith in Christ (vv5-6). We should act with wisdom and love towards these as we seek to demonstrate Christ. Paul reminds us that how we say it is just as important as what we say. Many outsiders have been turned off to Christ by the way in which well-meaning Christians tried to share the gospel. Third base is about caring for those within the family of faith (vv7-18). We see this in how Paul and his team cared for the Colossian people, with one teammember, Epaphras, especially "wrestling in prayer" for them. Prayer, walk, care--touch these bases and your ready to head to home plate!

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

Colossians 2-- Cheated

Have you ever finished a business transaction and felt cheated? I know I have, and usually it involved cars. You get the bill from having repair work done and you have that feeling that they "fixed" more than what was really wrong. Or you buy a new car, get it home, and then get that sinking feeling that somehow you were ripped off. Feeling cheated in life is not something that we want to experience. Colossians 2 discusses a couple things that will cheat you. The first is the world's philosophies (v8). Supposedly highly-intelligent people with large numbers of academic degrees come up with all kinds of ideas and belief systems that dismiss the fundamental tenants of Christianity. What they say sounds good. It seems to make sense. But we are told to beware of such things for in Christ "dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are complete in Him" (v10). Any philosophical system that does not include Christ is shallow and a rip off. Second, legalism will leave you cheated (v18). Legalism says you do these certain things and you will attain true spirituality, you will be truly "religious" (vv21-23). However, true spirituality starts from the inside. We do or don't do certain things because our heart is given over to Christ and we are listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are driven from an internal love and devotion rather than an external set of rules. I've known many people who followed all the "rules" but were just as carnal as the worst backslider. Don't get cheated. Instead, since you "have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving" (vv6-7).

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.

Colossians 1-- Finding the Right Response

Have you ever been in one of the awkward moments when someone says or does something to you but you aren't sure how to respond? Maybe it was something so wonderful and unexpected that you are left speechless. Well, Colossians 1 outlines the wonderful things that Christ has done for us and what an appropriate response should be. Christ gives us hope for eternity (v5). He delivers us from darkness (v13) and forgives our sins (v14). It is because of Christ that we can have a relationship with God (vv21-22) and understand the mysteries of God (vv26-27). What is an appropriate response by us? We should seek to be filled with the knowledge of God's will (v9). We should walk worthy of our calling as God's children and bear godly fruit (v10). We should seek his strength during the long and often difficult journey of life (v11). We should regularly give thanks to God for what He has done for us (v13). Most of all, we should live a life that is blameless and above reproach (v22). I believe that as we respond to God in these ways, He gives us focus, clarity, and a personal mission in life. Paul's mission was prayer (v9), preaching (v23) and perfecting (v28) or discipling everyone he could and helping them become all that God would have them to become. No awkward moment here. God makes it clear exactly how we are to respond to all He has done for us.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.