Archive for December, 2014
The Promise of Christmas
Christmas is an amazing time of year. It’s one of the few remaining holidays when almost everyone’s attention is drawn to Jesus. People who rarely think about God or the things of God hear about wise men, shepherd, angels, and “the baby Jesus.”
Those of us who know Christ and are familiar with the gospel are reminded of the incarnation, the humbling of Christ to become human, and His birth to the virgin Mary. We are reminded that the humble birth of the king of the universe was a road leading to death and resurrection.
Mary and Joseph’s Path Toward the Future
We are reminded of Mary’s apparent betrayal of Joseph and the angelic intervention to stop the divorce. Philip Nation, writing in Bible Studies for Life, notes the uniqueness of life’s twists and turns we all face. “Like Joseph, our journey on God’s path will have many twists and turns…[but] He’s never caught unaware. In fact, He is orchestrating everything that happens in your life so that it will ultimately bring Him glory and illustrate His adventurous plan for you.”1
Joseph’s plan changed several times. He planned to marry Mary. He planned to divorce Mary. But, with God’s guidance, he took Mary to be his wife and became the earthly dad of the Son of God.
After Jesus was born, the regional monarch, King Herod, sought to have Him killed. Joseph again had to change plans, taking his small family to Egypt to evade a slaughter. Upon returning, Joseph changed plans again, settling in Nazareth in Galilee instead of Judea.2 Perhaps Joseph didn’t even know this decision would lead to a fulfillment of prophecy.
Following Jesus is Not Easy
Following Jesus is not always a straight path, though we often wish it were. Sometimes left, sometimes right, sometimes up, other times down, it sometimes seems only a very few steps are in the same direction!
Among the many stories of Christmas, Joseph’s experience may resonate with many of us. God’s plans are not always laid out for us from beginning to end. We cannot always see miles and miles down road. He knows, but we may not. What we learn from Joseph is the need to allow God to change our plans whenever He desires.
Scripture says, “A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in His way.”3 It takes faith to follow the steps God has established when those steps lead us into unexpected places.
Yet, God is Always Faithful
But, God is faithful to meet us in the places He leads us. The purpose for twists and turns in the road is not for God to lose us, but for us to trust Him. God’s plans always work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.4 Our faith and obedience glorifies God as He works in and through us.
Christmas is a reminder that the plans of God may not always make sense at first glance. But, in time as He works all things according to the purposes of His will, we are drawn ever closer to the experiences of God’s grace.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church General Editor, Bible Studies for Life President, Southern Baptist Convention1– Bible Studies for Life, Storm Shelter, Philip Nation
2– Matthew 2:22-23
3– Psalm 37:23
4– Romans 8:28 (all scriptures Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Fayetteville, Arkansas: America’s Current Religious Liberty Battleground
Tuesday, December 9, 2014, is not just a big day for Fayetteville, Arkansas, but also for America. We believe it is America’s current religious liberty battleground.
A Brief History
Just over three months ago, the Fayetteville City Council passed what is called a civil rights ordinance, now known as Chapter 119. This ordinance granted special rights to individuals because of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. These are commonly referred to as Sexual Orientation Gender Identity (SOGI) ordinances.
A national group called the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is trying to use local city councils to advance their agenda, and they are actively working in cities across America to pass these laws. Recently, cities like Houston and San Antonio had SOGI laws passed, but those laws were not even as bad as the Fayetteville ordinance.
This Ordinance is so bad, the Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Arkansas Editorial Board are Standing Against it
In the Sunday, December 7, 2014 edition of the Northwest Arkansas Times, there was a full-page advertisement entitled, “Vote to Repeal Ordinance 5703 Chapter 119.” This article offered seven reasons why the voters of Fayetteville should repeal Ordinance 119. Just one of the reasons they listed: “119 places Fayetteville businesses at a distinct disadvantage and has the potential to bring economic development in Fayetteville to a screeching halt.” In other words, this is bad for businesses and for the future economic development of Fayetteville.
On November 29, the Northwest Arkansas Times Editorial Board also encouraged the citizens of Fayetteville to repeal the ordinance. Their reason is summed up, “It’s a bad ordinance, no matter how well-intended it is.”
Thank you, members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Arkansas Times Editorial Board, for encouraging voters to repeal Ordinance 119.
We Believe This Ordinance Attacks the Very Foundation of Our Religious Liberties
Yes, we do believe Fayetteville, Arkansas, is America’s current religious liberty battleground. Let me give you a few brief examples of what may happen if this ordinance is not repealed:
(1) Christian small-business owners could be fined or even face jail time if they refuse services to one of this new protected ‘class’. Just like the recent episode with a baker in Colorado, if someone refused to bake a cake for a same sex wedding because it violated the business owner’s conscious or religious view, they would now be violating the law.
(2) Small business owners are faced with more regulation and less religious freedoms in the hiring and firing process than any other place in the country.
(3) Churches must allow a biological man, who identifies himself as a woman, to use the women’s restroom, and it would be an illegal act for the church to stop this use.
(4) Churches now must hire a person who is not of the same belief as the church for any job except a pastor, such as a secretary or custodian.
(5) Pastors face fines and potential jail time if they refuse to marry a gay couple. These fines could reach $8,500 in the first 30 days, and if not paid, they could be put in jail.
This is why I am urging the residents of Fayetteville to vote For Repeal 119 on December 9.
Fayetteville, Arkansas IS America’s Current Religious Liberty Battleground and it is Coming to Your Region Soon
This is the nation’s current battleground on which to stand for religious freedom. Fayetteville, please rise up and send a clear and compelling message to all those propagating this agenda – that the people of Fayetteville will stand up and protect our religious freedoms. Fayetteville is the first city to get this issue on a public ballot, and the first city with a chance to repeal this ordinance. This is the chance for Fayetteville to make a national impact by becoming the first city to reject this offensive SOGI law.
Two Final Notes of Clarity
I would like to close making two final remarks of clarity for everyone.
1. Our stance against this ordinance is not a stance against people, but against this ordinance.
2. Regardless of whether this ordinance is repealed or not, our hope is in the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus came to die for each of us, regardless of our backgrounds or present practices. We are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory. This is why Jesus died for each of us – so we could be forgiven, have purpose for life today, and spend eternity in heaven with Him one day soon.
So when the sun rises on December 10, 2014, Jesus will still be Lord over all. Our hope is only in Jesus and in His eternal Kingdom.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, Southern Baptist Convention
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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.
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.