Archive for February, 2018
How Americans Can Deal with Our Pain
There is a lot of pain in America. In the last five years, Americans have lived under great stress, deep division, nuclear threat, terroristic intimidation, political unrest, gender confusion, multiple crises, endless tragedies, mass shootings, and continual revelations of sexual harassment and unethical behavior.
While some members of older generations hang their heads in discouragement, some members of the younger generations raise their fists in defiance. At times, some of the media serves as the wind that fans the flames of all generations. Pain is piled upon pain and sooner or later it either oozes out slowly or flows out swiftly.
With the Backdrop
Today I write with the backdrop of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that cost the lives of seventeen innocent people. We see this pain revealed through crying, shock, and anger. Additionally, I have to deal with my own pain as I watch our nation hurt so deeply. Many times, tears fill my eyes for our nation.
4 Actions Americans Can Take with Our Pain
1. Ask yourself the tough question: What is happening with me right now?
Rather than gaze at others and their pain, look inward and ask yourself what is happening within you. Identify your own personal pain:
- Am I scared?
- Am I angry?
- Am I disappointed?
- Am I worried?
- Am I fearful?
Be honest with yourself. Discover what is happening within you. This is the first step to understanding and resolving your feelings.
2. Confess you want Jesus Christ to be #1 in your life.
Beginning with Jesus is beginning with the Truth. I am speaking about the Truth of God’s Word, the Bible. Recognize that when the Bible speaks, Jesus speaks. He is speaking these real words to all of us.
- Jesus is compassionate: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
- Jesus is calling: “Come to Me.” Matthew 11:28
- Jesus is comforting: “…all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
- Jesus is commanding: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19
3. Permit Jesus Christ to minister to your personal pain.
When you permit Jesus Christ to minister to your personal pain, see what occurs.
- Peace replaces fear.
- Freedom replaces bondage.
- Calm replaces stress.
- Hope replaces despair.
- Joy replaces sorrow.
I am thankful that Jesus ministers to our personal pain like no one else.
4. Place confidence in a trusted person.
Everyone needs a safe person to share your feelings with; what I call a true and trusted friend. This trusted person could be:
- Your spouse
- Your teacher
- Your coach
- Your minister
- Your friend
- Your mom or dad, or both of your parents
This person receives you for who you are and does not judge you or anything you say. Therefore, place confidence in a trusted person.
A Final Consideration
When we handle our pain in the proper way, God frees us from our own negativity and destruction. This is why we need the Lord.
Jesus is still the answer for our lives today.
Now is the Time to Lead and to Pray for America,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
President, National Day of Prayer
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, President of the National Day of Prayer, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
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.
This Week at Cross Church | I Love My Church Day Moved to This Sunday
Ice Last Week; I Love My Church Day Rescheduled for This Sunday
Sunday was to be our annual I LOVE MY CHURCH DAY. Since the roads were problematic and kept most people from attending, our leadership has decided to officially celebrate I LOVE MY CHURCH DAY this coming Sunday, February 18. Much was planned to celebrate this wonderful day, and we do not want anyone to miss out. We will not let the weather dampen our celebration! So, let’s renew our commitment to invite guests from the past six months and notify the folks in your class or ministry. Don’t miss I LOVE MY CHURCH DAY 2018!
Make Up Financially from Last Week’s Icy Sunday
The financial impact of an ice Sunday on our ministries is extreme; therefore, if you missed this past Sunday, please be sure to make up financially. As I said this past Sunday, regardless if we are here or not and if giving is good or bad, the ministry of the church goes forward. Please do all you can to make up from missing the opportunity to bring your tithes and offerings to the Lord’s house.
Fayetteville Campus Launch Day is February 25
Fayetteville Campus Family, gather the city of Fayetteville and let’s have an amazing Launch Day on February 25! Invite your friends and family members, making it a terrific once in a lifetime Sunday. Pray and prepare. Invite and bring. All other campuses, pray for Launch Day in Fayetteville on February 25.
How You Can Pray for America This Month
Our Communications Team made an infographic to help us focus our praying for America. These prayer priorities have helped my daily focus. Use it. Save it to your phone or add it to your prayer list. Each month, we will change out our prayer priorities for America. Join us in praying for America. You can the infographic below. (Click to enlarge.)
Night to Shine was a Huge Success
Once again, we were thrilled and blessed to host Night to Shine, an event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. This event is a Christ-centered prom night experience for people with special needs, and more than 540 churches across the world participate annually. This fits with our core values – People Need Each Other and People Change the World. Our 1,200 Dream Team members worked hard to make this night special for our 380 special needs guests and 500 of their family members. Thank you, Cross Church, for realizing the value of every individual and being willing to change the world through giving your resources, time, and love.
See you Sunday for I LOVE MY CHURCH DAY,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.