Archive for March, 2014
How Important is Prayer to You?
Prayer is often the last action people take. Should not prayer be the first choice we make? Why should it take a bad diagnosis, a major business loss, or a big problem to move prayer up in our daily action plan? How important is prayer to you?
When we pray
When we pray, it says a lot about us. If we wait and pray later rather than earlier, it says we believe we do not need God very much. If we pray first when a situation occurs, it means we know we need God very much.
In our independent world, we must refuse to declare independence from God. Dependence on God is essential. Therefore, consider these thoughts today on prayer and its importance in your life:
1. When we pray, we are depending on God. When we do not pray, we are depending on ourselves.
Therefore, pray. Talk to God daily. Talk to God throughout the day. Carry on a continual communion with God.
Talking to yourself may make you feel better, but only God can help you through your life. Talking to others may provide counsel, but Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor. He will counsel you, coach you, and be your constant through your life.
2. Prayer is faith.
When you pray, you are declaring absolute dependence on the Lord! Therefore, pray whenever you need to exercise any level of faith, because prayer is faith. When you pray, you are trusting in the Lord completely.
In fact, faith is built up greatly when we pray with and for one another. I regularly pray with and for others. My ongoing daily prayer list is continually changing. Prayer builds faith in my life. It creates expectancy for God to move in the situation.
3. Prayer is action.
When you start your day with God, you are taking action upon your day. When you pray anytime, anywhere, about anything, you are taking action.
Oftentimes, we take matters in our own hands. Our impulsiveness or impatience shows we are depending on ourselves and not upon God.
Clearly understand: The greatest action you can take is prayer. This does not eliminate taking other actions. It is a matter of priority and prominence in your life. If a person needs a job, we do not simply pray for a job, but also take the action of trying to find a job.
Each day
Each day, make prayer your first choice.
Each day, realize that when you pray, you are demonstrating great faith in God.
Each day, live like prayer is important to you.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church | Move Clocks Forward
This Saturday night, before you go to bed, move your clocks FORWARD one hour! Please do not forget to do this as we begin Daylight Saving Time.
Come Back to Church
Are you ready for spring? Can I get an “Amen”? We have been blessed with five Sundays with ice, snow, or both! Due to the weather, this past Sunday hit us harder than any Sunday in many years. Most churches canceled.
Hey, it was still a great service! Yes, we were small in number, but it was a great Sunday in the Lord. Most of you missed it; therefore, I want you to take 24 minutes before Sunday and watch this video. I am telling you, it is terrific. Dr. Nick Floyd sat down on Saturday and interviewed Dr. Russell Moore and K. Marshall Williams. Listen friends, watch it. Send it to others. We need this to get all over the world! Let’s do it!
Now, please come back to church! The word is that we are going to have a Sunday with sun and a high in the 50’s! Do not sleep in! Join us!
Simplifying Your Family Life
This coming Sunday, our #HelpMyFamily series continues as we talk about “Simplifying Your Family Life.” This is a big-time issue and need in family living. Therefore, whether you just turned 96 like Charles “Papaw” Polston did last month, or you are 16, everyone needs to discover some ways to simplify their lives. Bring a friend. Let’s make Sunday great!
A Wrap-up Word from Men’s Conference
We registered 1,157 men for our Men’s Conference! Great job, team and volunteers. Watch here to get a brief recap of the weekend.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.