Archive for the 'Leadership' Category
How Pastors and Leaders Fight Their Battles
Have you ever sensed you were surrounded with insurmountable challenges? As a pastor and leader, times like these definitely occur. They test us greatly and reveal much about us. In times like these, how should we react and what should we do in order to overcome these challenges?
Learning From One Who Walked Before Us
There is a story in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 that illustrates the attitude we must bring to these kinds of moments. The people of Judah were in the thick of trouble. It looked as if it was going to be total devastation for God’s anointed people. Even Jehoshaphat, the warrior king, was afraid.
He became so fearful that he turned all his attention toward seeking the Lord in his life as he began to pursue God more intently than he’d ever done before. In his terror at the prospect of massive defeat, the prophet proclaimed a fast throughout all of Judah. He asked the people to stop eating until God prevailed in their situation. He understood the spiritual practices of fasting and praying.
Admitting Our Helplessness to God
Jehoshaphat knew that to fast before God was the best way to show his complete helplessness and humility before God. In 2 Chronicles 20:12 he makes this powerful declaration, “Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast multitude that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.” He learned something you and I must never forget: he renounced the natural to invoke the supernatural.
He declared, “God, I don’t want food; I want You. You are more important than food.” This was not a popular theme then any more than it is a driving principle in the hearts of large numbers of believers today. Yet, it is right. It is proper. It demonstrates our helplessness before God.
Worldly counsel teaches us that whoever ends up with the most toys wins. We want our cakes, pies, cars, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, toys, recreation, steaks, and mashed potatoes with gobs of gravy more than we are willing to feast on the bountiful riches and promises found in the Word of God. But when we’re desperate, we cannot have it both ways.
Knowing Our Answer is Not Found in Us
Whatever stands in the way or is idolized in our lives has to go and take its rightful place. The truth is this: We are powerless in and of ourselves. The answer is not found in us. And because physical food is not our ultimate source of nourishment, physical food must be seen in its physical perspective.
Like Jehoshaphat, we must be willing to renounce the natural to invoke the supernatural. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast for his people so they could once again see the face of God. They sought God and kept their eyes on Him. When they became desperate, they shifted their focus to God and away from their hopeless, degenerate, discouraging, depraved situation. Their choice was not only bold, but resulted in success.
Looking to God Alone
As pastors and leaders, we need to look to God alone. Our success is not in us nor will it ever be found in us. We need to look to God.
When is the last time that you set aside a day, a week, or a season to pursue God through fasting and prayer? Fasting is the abstinence from food with a spiritual goal in mind. It is when we deny ourselves the most natural thing in order to pursue the God of heaven to do something powerful and supernatural in and through our lives. When pastors and leaders engage this age-old biblical principle, we will wake up and experience success that God alone can give us.
God wants to give us hope for the present and confidence in our future. He wants to do something mighty in our lives, and that’s why He provides us with moments of desperation—to push us toward Him. When you are surrounded and the circumstances seem insurmountable, look to God.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Jeana Floyd: 25-Year Cancer Survivor This Week
On January 15, 1990, my wife, Jeana, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was in her early thirties and a pastor’s wife in a large and growing church. Josh was nine and Nick was six years old.
A day we began expecting a biopsy with benign results turned into a day that changed our lives dramatically. Before Jeana awakened from the biopsy, the doctor informed me she had cancer.
Just minutes later, we informed Jeana. We were both stunned and amazed. I remember driving home with Jeana through Springdale on that cloudy morning, gripped with the fear of the future.
Within days, we found ourselves at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, which in and of itself was a frightful experience for both of us. After testing and consultation with doctors, we headed home, awaiting specific direction for the future.
While awaiting our flight at Hobby Airport in Houston, I received a call from Jeana’s doctor. He informed me that Jeana’s cancer was very aggressive. Even though they were hoping it was caught early, we would not know until post-surgery reports.
Several days later, Jeana underwent surgery. The good news was that they were able to catch it early. The bad news was that due to the grade of cancer it was, M.D. Anderson prescribed aggressive chemotherapy as well as radiation treatments.
Within weeks after beginning her chemotherapy treatments, Jeana, my very young and beautiful wife, lost every hair on her head. This is a traumatic experience for any woman, and Jeana felt very vulnerable because of her visibility as the pastor’s wife. I could write pages about these days and the entire year. Needless to say, it was a very difficult year, but one that God used to alter our future to this very day.
We Celebrate What God Has Done Through Jeana
Will you celebrate with Jeana over what God has done through her? He has answered our prayer, as He healed her through His power miraculously. She is a living testimony of the healing power of God. He has answered the prayers of many people.
When walking through this extraordinary challenge, Jeana lived it out before all of us. She rarely missed any event at church, even though life was altered dramatically. She continued to sing in choir every Sunday, wearing her wig. While in treatment, she only missed one Sunday, Mother’s Day, a day she was very sick.
But our God stepped in and did the miracle that only He can do. He is our Healer!
Throughout America, Jeana has given the testimony of God’s faithfulness. She has written about it through her first book, “An Uninvited Guest: One Woman’s Journey From Cancer To Hope”. For years, she formulated and led a cancer support group ministry for cancer victims and their families.
Jeana has not acted as though her cancer never happened, but uses it as a testimony about our Lord and His power. To this day, she still talks with people about their cancer journey.
Three Specific Memories That May Encourage You
1. A Telephone Conversation with Manley Beasley
Soon after Jeana was diagnosed with cancer, we received a phone call from the former evangelist and revivalist, Manley Beasley. He had lived with multiple diseases in his life and was known as a great man of faith.
As he talked with both of us on the phone, he very prophetically said, “Jeana, this is not about you living or dying, but about bringing God glory.” While those words were really strong, they were words we both needed to hear.
Then he stated, “Ronnie and Jeana, you get out of this all God wants you to get. He is speaking to you.” Neither of us has ever forgotten those words, and never will. They are words I have shared with many people walking through deep challenges.
2. One Day Each Week in 1990, I Fasted and Prayed for Jeana to be Miraculously Healed
God called me weekly to spend one day fasting and praying, asking Him to heal my Jeana. These days were filled with many people praying for us, specifically regarding our sons and their responses, as well as when Jeana walked through various experiences that year.
I believe God. I believe God’s Word. I believe in prayer and fasting. I believe our God can heal.
3. The Verse God Used to Speak to Me That I Stood on Daily
While seeking God deeply in prayer and fasting, early on in that year, God spoke clearly to me about Jeana. I remember writing those verses down on an index card (this was before iPads and similar technology), placing them in my pocket daily. Any time during the day I felt uncertainty or fear gripped me, I stood on these powerful words from God.
God spoke to my heart clearly from His Word and I stood on His Word faithfully. God’s Word to me about Jeana and her cancer were the words found in Isaiah 63:1-3 (NAS),
“…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”
Yes, daily I stood on these verses. It is the Word of God that gives us faith!
Celebrate with Jeana
During this week or sometime in January, celebrate with Jeana and other cancer survivors in your life for God’s miraculous work of healing. To God’s Glory, Jeana is now a 25-year cancer survivor! Jeana, I love you, your family loves you, and many others love you… we celebrate with you!
To God’s Glory!
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.