Archive for April, 2015
Take 10 Minutes for Marriage This Sunday
Next Tuesday, April 28, the United States Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments for and against redefining marriage in America. Marriage between a man and a woman is a God-ordained institution; therefore, the courts in our land do not need to attempt to redefine what God Himself has already defined clearly.
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission has long championed the sanctity of marriage publicly and privately, as well as with the court. Read more from Dr. Russell Moore here.
Religious Liberty and Marriage
If the United States Supreme Court rules to redefine marriage, the continual attack that is already taking place on religious liberty will be escalated. Businesses, schools, churches, leaders, pastors, and all Bible-believing Christ-followers may begin to be called upon to compromise their religious convictions. This would be a sad day in America.
If we lose the freedom of religion, then all the freedoms we have today will begin to diminish.
Take 10 Minutes for Marriage This Sunday
I want to join with many other Christian leaders across America to call upon our churches to do these three things on Sunday, April 26:
1. Pray for the United States Supreme Court, the attorneys who will present their arguments, and ultimately for the truth to prevail, upholding marriage as we believe it biblically and have practiced it traditionally since the beginning of time. For more details on ways to pray, see Dr. Russell Moore’s article here.
2. Pray for God to sustain each of us and prepare us to live humbly before Him and others regardless of the decision released this summer.
3. Show this video or at least a portion of it to our churches this Sunday before we pray. Dr. Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, gives us a challenging word in the video, and it can help us know how to pray more effectively.
Surely, on this pivotal Sunday, every evangelical church can at least pray for marriage to be upheld in this country.
If it is too late to for your church to allocate a ten-minute section for a portion of this video to be shown and for prayer to occur, at least look at points 1 and 2 above and use them to take time to pray for marriage in our land. Thank you for considering this important and urgent request.
Take 10 Minutes for Marriage This Sunday,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Be Strong and Accept Your Leadership Role
Joshua is one of the most intriguing books of the Old Testament. As Moses’ successor, surely the children of Israel had high expectations. To pick up the mantle of leadership from the man for whom the law was named (the Mosaic law) and attempt to lead God’s people into the Promised Land must have been a daunting task. It was Moses for whom the Red Sea parted. It was Moses who stood down Pharaoh through plague after plague. And it was Moses who struck the rock, producing water for the thirsty nation.
Moses was a legend in his own time.
Yet, Joshua was no slouch. When Moses sent spies into Canaan to bring back a report, favorable or unfavorable, only Joshua and Caleb believed God would give the land to the children of Israel. The other ten spies were fearful of enemies they believed to big to conquer.
Joshua was a recognized leader.
Still, leading millions of people on a bloody conquest with innumerable skirmishes and battles, solving problems, hearing from God, finding food, and on and on, took a huge amount of commitment from Joshua. The people benefited from Joshua’s leadership.
God told Joshua three times in the space of only four verses in chapter 1 to “be strong and courageous.” God could say this to Joshua clearly and concisely, and Joshua could be strong and courageous because of several promises God made: “I have given you every place the sole of your foot treads” (v. 3); “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live” “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (v. 5); “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (v. 9).
More Leaders in the Bible
Sometimes when we think of biblical leaders, Noah, Moses, Abraham, and Joshua come to mind. People like Shamgar, Barnabas, Martha, and Dorcas seldom do. When our idea of leadership is connected with celebrity, we often think ourselves unable to lead. Then, we become unwilling.
Writing in Bible Studies for Life, Paul Jimenez asks, “Do you see yourself as a leader? You are. Everybody leads in some capacity. Even if your influence only touches the life of one other person–adult, student, or child–that is leadership!”1
All leaders aren’t world leaders
You know, he’s right. All leaders aren’t world leaders. Most leaders lead groups at work, sports teams, families, churches, businesses, and other clusters of people. Some lead Bible studies, mission trips, small groups, or ministry teams.
What we should remember is that we can accept whatever leadership challenge God puts before us. If God is able to strengthen Joshua to lead a nation, He can strengthen us to lead our families, discipleship groups, ball teams, and any other assignment given.
God is powerful. His strength endures. Every leadership opportunity is a new chance to follow God, draw close to Him, and see Him work.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church General Editor, Bible Studies for Life President, Southern Baptist ConventionReferences
1– Bible Studies for Life, Everyday Leadership from Joshua, Paul Jimenez
All scripture HCSB
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.