Archive for September, 2014
Overcoming Bitterness
Satan is alive and well, always strategizing to bring you down. One of his greatest ways to attack us is by convincing us that that being bitter is acceptable. Yet here is reality:
“As you go through the emotions that we have, hostility is not from God; bitterness, unforgiveness, these are all attacks from Satan.”1
“Relationships can only move forward with forgiveness.”2
Many people live their lives being consumed on the inside. Sometimes the outside looks fine, sometimes it doesn’t, but their inside is burning itself alive. To paraphrase an old saying, “Bitterness is like drinking poison hoping it will kill your enemy.” While some are consumed by bitterness, others find the deliverance that comes through the power of Jesus Christ.
Choosing against bitterness
Recently, we have been looking at the life of Joseph, the Old Testament patriarch. Sold into slavery, betrayed by his master’s wife, and forgotten in prison, Joseph, from a human perspective, had every right to be bitter. He had every right to hold a grudge. He had every right to live a life of silent seething, awaiting the opportunity to exact revenge on those who had wronged him.
Yet, Joseph chose against bitterness. There is no evidence in the Bible that Joseph harbored any desires for revenge. On the contrary, when he was able, he helped his family out of great distress.
After being promoted by the Egyptian Pharaoh to a very powerful position, Joseph was able to provide for the physical needs of the entire country. His family, also feeling the effects of a terrible famine, was blessed by Joseph’s wisdom.
It bears remembering that Joseph could never have been forced to help his brothers and their families. And because they did not recognize Joseph, they never would have known it was their long lost brother who sent them to their doom. But, because Joseph had not allowed bitterness to control him, his brothers were blessed instead of cursed.
Lessons from Joseph about overcoming bitterness
What can we learn from Joseph? Here are three lessons from Joseph about overcoming bitterness.
1. Joseph always remembered God. Joseph recognized God’s hand at work. It was this attitude that allowed him to forgive.
2. Joseph took the opportunities God placed before him. Whether leading in Potiphar’s house, leading in jail, or leading in Pharaoh’s palace, Joseph did not waver. With every open door, Joseph moved forward. Bitterness would have made it difficult for Joseph to have found favor at every turn.
3. Joseph chose to bless those who had hurt him. When the brothers who had sold him into slavery showed up in Egypt hungry and in need of food for their families, Joseph made sure they received provision. He did put them through severe testing, to be sure, but they, their families, his father, and a brother he had never met received enough food to survive.
Question: Will you choose to overcome bitterness by remembering God, taking the opportunities God brings your way, and blessing those who have hurt you?
Being consumed with bitterness is no way for a follower of Jesus to live. Bitterness intrudes on the peace that Jesus died to give us. Forgiveness releases us to enjoy peace and freedom in Christ.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
President, Southern Baptist Convention
1– Dr. Charles Stanley
2– BSFL Fall 2014, Overcome, Alex Himaya
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Every Southern Baptist Sharing the Gospel on Tuesday, October 14, 2014
What if every Southern Baptist would share the gospel with one person on Tuesday, October 14? Just think what could happen if you awakened on that day, spent time with God, and asked Him to empower you to share the gospel with one person that day; then, with great intentionality, sought after that opportunity, ready to see Him use you greatly.
Collegiate Students are Leading the Way, Asking All Churches to Join Them
Over the last two years, SBC collegiate ministries nationwide have set aside a day to call every one of their students to share the gospel with someone in their sphere of influence. They’ve seen thousands of students share the gospel for the first time as a part of the challenge, and now collegiate leaders are inviting churches to participate as well.
Will you participate in what they call Engage24 on October 14, 2014? As we look back at history, we know that God often sparks awakening fires among college students. From the Cambridge Seven and their influencing the world to engage China with the gospel to the birth of the Student Volunteer Missions Movement ignited by the 250 students gathering at Mount Hermon, there is no doubt that when students are committed and focused to a vision for gospel expansion, magnificent things happen.
We are seeing this happen through our Cross Church university ministry. Last Wednesday night, over 700 students met on our Fayetteville campus, were challenged by God’s Word, and 31 college students met Christ; all because there was intentionality in sharing the gospel. The gospel is the power of God to salvation.
Imagine What God Would Do If Our Churches Did This
Just imagine what it would be like if several thousand of our churches determined they would lead the way in participating in sharing the gospel on October 14, 2014. Imagine what it would look like if our churches across Southern Baptist life would learn how to articulate the gospel clearly and with passion, then with intentionality, share the gospel regularly.
Yes, every day we should be sharing the gospel, but perhaps if a specific day was targeted, like 10.14.14, it could become a beginning point for many of us. Again, imagine what it would look like to see every Southern Baptist sharing the gospel with just one person during Engage24 on 10.14.14.
Of the 318 million Americans today, 22 million are college students, as noted in my recent article on reaching college students. Therefore, together we must understand that to the level we will sow the seeds of the gospel will be the level we reap the joy of seeing people come to Christ.
As We Pray For the Next Great Awakening, We Must Always Be Sharing the Gospel
Praying for spiritual awakening in our nation does not eliminate us from sharing the gospel right now. In fact, as we wait expectantly for God to answer our prayer, we need to be sharing the gospel more than ever before. The power of God is always upon the gospel.
Pastor and Laypeople, Will You And Your Church Share the Gospel on Tuesday, October 14?
This coming Sunday, challenge your people to target 10.14.14 on their calendar and join our collegiate leaders in doing so on their respective campuses. Perhaps your church can plan some specific evangelistic ministries for that day, all leading to the gospel being presented and opportunities given for people to respond to this powerful message.
Lead your people to pray as they go. Lead your people to sow as they go. Let’s go together. Let’s target Tuesday, October 14, as a day to share the life-changing gospel message with others. God always blesses His Word.
Please Pray This Week
God has opened some wonderful doors of opportunity over the next few weeks and I would be honored if you would pray for me. This week, I would like to ask that you pray specifically for the United in Prayer gathering at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It is a privilege to serve Cross Church and the Southern Baptist Convention, but I cannot do it on my own. In these critical days of leadership, I want to be used powerfully by God.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is currently serving as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Southern Baptist Convention is America’s largest Protestant denomination with more than 15.7 million members in over 46,000 churches nationwide.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.