4 Living Illustrations Why “Love One Another” is the Right Theme for the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2, 2019
I am very excited and equally as convicted that Love One Another is the right theme for the 2019 National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2, 2019. I would like to share four living illustrations why it is a fantastic and needed theme.
Illustration #1: “Love One Another” are the words of Jesus in John 13:34, “Love one another. Just as I have loved you.”
I was reminded while reading through Psalm 119 from the New Living Translation of these words found in verse 37: “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Nothing leads to life more than the Bible, the Word of God. These words of Jesus are words of life.
Illustration #2: The condition of the churches in America today.
Over eighty percent of the churches in America are plateaued or declining. Most of the time this occurs due to the lack of health within the church. Most often, it is because Love One Another is not being practiced within the church. In fact, many times, there is great unrest and a lack of true Christian fellowship within these churches.
Illustration #3: Relationships are falling apart across America.
Marriages and families are falling apart across America. 1 Corinthians 13:8 says “Love never ends.” This kind of enduring, lasting love is missing in marriages and families; therefore, Love One Another is a message that is so needed for marriages and families. Love One Another is also needed across all relationships, including in workplaces, communities, and cities.
Illustration #4: Washington talk and action are not leading America.
The talk and action of America’s leadership are often not leading our nation to flourish positively. Negative words spoken about others lead to ongoing actions that are not moving America forward. Vitriolic speech and divisive actions are serving as living testimonies of how much America needs the message of Love One Another. None of this is right. We can differ with other people, and yet, we can love one another.
The Church Must Lead the Way
An unloving and divided church cannot call an unloving and divided nation to love and unity. Yes, the church must lead the way: Love One Another!
From the church houses in America to every state house in America, and all the way to the White House in America, we need to Love One Another.
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 | The Christmas Miracle
The Miracle of God Being With Us
This Sunday, The Christmas Miracle series continues as we speak on The Miracle of God Being With Us. I am loving this series of messages on Matthew 1:18—Matthew 2:12. As we walk through this powerful text verse-by-verse, our Lord is demonstrating to us the power of God’s Word. This Sunday would be a fantastic day to bring someone to worship with you at Cross Church. They will be encouraged greatly. Stop right now and text, email, or call someone and ask them to join you at Cross Church on Sunday.
Cross Church Christmas | Peace on Earth
Join us this Sunday, December 9, and Monday, December 10, for Cross Church Christmas | Peace on Earth at our Pinnacle Hills campus. All campuses combine in this significant Christmas music and worship experience. Tickets have all been reserved, but no one will be turned away. We will have overflow seating available. If you already have a ticket, please be seated 30 minutes prior to show time. Empty seats will be filled 15 minutes prior to the show. You can find out more details here. We will also be streaming the show live at crosschurch.com/live.
Before 2018 Concludes… Evaluate Where You Are Personally
Life is about to get really fast during this season. If we are not careful, we will look up and the year will have ended without taking the time to evaluate where we are personally. We can do this in regards to our spiritual life, our physical health, our personal relationships, and our emotional health. One of THE most tangible ways we can evaluate is where we are financially. Here is where to begin. Ask yourself this question and answer honestly: Have we honored God by giving at least the first one-tenth of all He has given to us through our local church in 2018 and if not yet, are we ready to do so before December 31? We need to evaluate everything financially in a serious manner: personal finances in salary, bonuses, or additional income related to dividends, stock, inheritance, or property in the year of 2018. If you have any questions, please contact Ben Mayes in our Financial Department of Cross Church by calling 479.751.4523.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions
Above your gifts to the Ministry Budget of Cross Church, I would like to encourage each of us to make a special sacrificial gift to International Missions in December. Jeana and I have done so this week. We do it because we want every person to hear the gospel message. One-half of the budget for our 3,600 missionaries on the field across the world is met through this offering. Just under 52,000 churches and congregations of the Southern Baptist Convention will give an estimated $170 million to this offering. We can do more together than we can ever do alone. Be part of this big opportunity. If you want to learn more about the story of Lottie Moon and this offering, go here.
Christmas Eve Services on Monday, December 24
Join us on Christmas Eve for one of our services, available on every campus:
- Chapel on the Creeks – 1:00 p.m.
- Springdale – 3:30 p.m. (Spanish Service – 5:00 p.m.)
- Fayetteville – 3:30 & 5:00 p.m.
- Neosho – 3:30 p.m.
- Pinnacle Hills – 5:00 p.m.
Invite friends and family to join you for our brief, but important service as we celebrate the birth of Christ together. You can find more information here.
See you Sunday!
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.