February 2008 Archives
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).
This is a day of instant and inexpensive communication. A message can be sent out to any number of people in an instant’s time depending on the size of one's mailing list. In a day’s time, I receive a large number of messages from many different sources, most of which merits only the "delete button."
I never arbitrarily delete anything if it is from someone I know or who is on my mailing list. Respect for them requires me to at least see what they have to say. Of the mail that I get, that which is normally of the least benefit is that which has been forwarded to me. Although occasionally I will receive a message that is encouraging, instructional or otherwise edifying, usually those things that are forwarded to me are unsubstantiated 'hysteria' type mail or some type of frivolity. Those who know me know that I enjoy a good joke as much as the next guy but how much can I handle in a day's time?
There are many components that make up faith--trust, confidence, belief, etc. All of this is purely academic, however, if a fundamental step is left out--the step of faith.
James wrote, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works" (James 2:17-18). James is not saying, "God helps those who help themselves." What he is saying is that there is always God's part and man's part in the walk of faith. There is a difference. Let me explain.
Fundamental in every faith encounter is the step a person takes that moves him beyond all self-sufficiency and human dependency. James teaches that it is not enough for one to say he has faith if there is not a commensurate step taken to authenticate the faith he proclaims. In every faith encounter in the scripture, there was an action taken by the "faith-er" that took him beyond the realm of human dependency and caused him to depend solely on the Heavenly Father.
In further review the life of the Apostle Paul, we could isolate several key points that made him the man of God that he was. Question: did God select a man that had the personality characteristics for the role He had for him or did He call the man and develop in him the characteristics that He knew were needed? It would seem consistent to believe that He did a combination of the above. Knowing the makeup of Paul’s personality as opposed to the natural qualifications that He wanted to be inherently present in the man selected, He chose Paul because of them rather than in spite of them.
According to Eliphaz in his dissertation to Job, "Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7). For most of us, that certainly seems to be the case. The question remains, however, are man’s troubles an abnormal part of living or are they a part of it?
A healthy person is not necessarily one who is disease-free, but rather one whose immune system, as well as the other functions of his body, is efficiently capable of protecting and/or healing the body, ridding it of undesirable elements, and insuring its wholeness.
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden” (Galatians 6:3-5)
To measure ourselves in comparison to those around us to determine our own worth and ability, is indeed foolish.
All of us, whether we want to or not, are vested with some measure of leadership in the lives of others. It may be in the home, at work, in the church or a vastly varied array of other roles we might occupy.
In our role as leaders, we bear some responsibility for the welfare of others based on the particular position we fill in their lives. In some cases it might be slight and in others it might be enormous. People under our care depend on us to give proper guidance, protection, and in some cases, an adequate provision of the necessities of life.
The feelings of low self-esteem, inadequacy, rejection, inferiority complex, etc. come from the same stock: the flesh--the residual memory from the corrupt nature. Someone said, on one occasion: 'We are all inferior. No use getting a complex about it.'
I consider it a hazard to be too secure within ourselves. Paul said: 'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not' (Romans 7:18). Jesus said it this way: 'I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing' (John 15:5).
"Let this mind [attitude] be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).
In one of the multitude of tests I experienced while being treated for Wagener’s Disease, I had to go through a heart catheterization. While lying on the table waiting to go into the surgery I notice a long paper banner on the wall of the nurses' station across the hall from the booth they had me in. It read: "Attitude is the paint brush of the mind-it can color any situation." I had to lie there for some time before they took me in for the test so I took advantage of the opportunity and contemplated the message. I was quite struck with it-so much so that I later sent Norma down to make a copy of it so that I would have it right.
Dear Friends and Subscribers of Jeff Floyd’s Today Series,
My name is Rob Floyd. I am Jeff’s middle son and I live here in Noblesville , Indiana not far from my parent’s home. I spent many hours sitting and talking with my dad about his ministry and learning from his wealth of knowledge and experience. It is my privilege to continue sharing dad’s ministry with you. Dad has an entire library of messages and teachings that I know will continue to bless each of you on a daily basis.
My mom and I feel that the best way to move forward with dad’s daily “Today” email messages is to continue building his website located at www.todayseries.org. This website has an entire library of messages written by my dad that you are invited to read and learn from. Each day, a new message, previously written by my dad, will continue to be added to the website.
I will continue to send out a daily email but instead of the entire message being present in the email, only the first paragraph of the email will be available along with a link for you to click on so you can read the rest of the message at your convenience.
If you would like to give feedback or contact us, feel free to write to robfloyd@todayseries.org or norma@todayseries.org and we will be happy to talk with you.
Thank you in advance for your support as we continue to look for ways to share my dad’s material.
Jeff’s son and your brother in Christ,
Rob Floyd
Dear friends of Jeff & Norma,
Over the years each of you have been receiving and reading the Today Series messages written by Jeff. The Today Series was born during a time of great personal struggle on the part of Jeff & Norma when Jeff was facing serious illness. Unable to travel and minister as he had normally, God moved Jeff to begin writing regular inspiriational e-mails which ultimately became the Today Series.
This past Sunday Jeff left us to be with the Lord. The sevices will be as follows:
Randall & Roberts Funeral Home
1150 Logan Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
317-773-2584
Viewing and Visitation
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
10AM to 1PM
Service
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
A short graveside service will be at the Crownland Cemetary which is located at Monument & 16th street in Noblesville.
Reception
Oak Spring Church
231 E 161st St
Westfield, IN 46074
(317) 867-2724
Donations
In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
Jubilee Ministries
PO Box 572
Noblesville, IN 46061
Hotel Information
If you are coming from out of town and need hotel information the following hotel has offered a discount to visitors coming to pay their respects to Jeff.
Fairfield Inn & Suites
17960 Foundation Drive
Noblesville, IN 46060
800-396-3126
When reserving your room give them the last name of Floyd and they will discount the room.
If you have any questions about the services please contact either Susan Thompson at 317-908-7964 or Debbie Stewart at 317-428-8555.
God bless,
The Family of Jeff & Norma
