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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Life lessons from Psalm 23

By Waylon Bailey God’s Word is filled with lessons about life. It is one of the reasons the Bible has sold more copies than any  other book in history, possibly over one billion copies. Within Holy Scripture there are multiple passages which draw us closer to God and help us cope with the daily struggles of life. Psalm 23 stands near the top of that list. Here are three amazing lessons which help us with life. First, God wants to guide us as a shepherd guides his sheep, giving leadership and protection. In Israel, shepherds did not drive their sheep; they led them. While we sometimes think of God as demanding and driving, He actually wants to walk with us and lead us in His righteous paths. We all know that life can become difficult and overwhelming, but God leads us with His presence through the deepest valleys of life. Psalm 23 teaches that we can always depend on God. Second, God wants us to enjoy His presence forever. He “prepares a table” for us. Is there any time of the day better than when we sit around a table eating, talking, and laughing? God desires that we have that kind of fellowship with Him. Third, God wants to bless you. The psalm ends in a grand crescendo when the psalmist declares: “Surely … [Read more...]

SBC resolutions include approval of ‘Marxist’ theories as ‘analytical tools’

By Will Hall, Executive Editor BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (LBM) – Southern Baptist messengers attending the 2019 Annual Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, approved 13 resolutions, including one that was substantially altered to endorse two theories as “analytical tools” that the author of the original resolution called “Marxist.” Twelve of the resolutions passed without much controversy, although some garnered requests to tweak the language. But Resolution 9 was hotly debated because it approved using controversial concepts, in addition to Scripture, for gaining insights about “social dynamics” like race and gender in our culture. This resolution described “critical race theory” and “intersectionality” in neutral terms, suggesting that in some cases both have been misused “by individuals with worldviews that are contrary to the Christian faith” to come to wrong conclusions. However, the two theoretical frameworks actually arose from radicals in academia. Critical race theory is traced to the Harvard Law School and the founding theorist Derrick Bell who insists that “the law” perpetuates “white supremacy” and “white privilege.” Meanwhile, intersectionality is tied to the UCLA School of Law and Kimberlé Crenshaw, the pioneer … [Read more...]

La. pastor arrested for rape, church ministers to the hurt

By Staff WESTLAKE, La. (LBM) – Bruce Baker, director of missions for the Carey Baptist Association, said the Bellview Baptist Church in Westlake is asking for prayers of healing for a young girl who was raped by the now former pastor of the congregation. John Ward, 45, who had served at the church since 2012, was arrested June 17 on 10 counts of first degree rape, 40 counts of indecent behavior and two counts of pornography involving a juvenile, according to a news release from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department. An anonymous call to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services’ tip line led to an investigation during which Ward confirmed to detectives that he had been molesting a girl, now 11 years old, for two years. He also told investigators he videoed the girl while she was nude on two separate occasions. Judge Sharon Wilson set his bond at $640,000. “Bellview Baptist Church leaders are cooperating fully with the sheriff’s office in the investigation,” Baker shared with the Baptist Message. “The deacons, in consultation with Carey Baptist Association, unanimously voted to immediately terminate Ward’s employment with the congregation because of his sexual immorality and failure to maintain the … [Read more...]

Uncomplicating your prayers: Just do it!

By Joe McKeever “When you pray, say , ‘Our Father….'”   (Luke 11:2) I used to have around fifty books on prayer.  C. S. Lewis said he would never write one, but that’s been done for him  posthumously.  Someone took articles he wrote in various books and insights from his letters and assembled them into How to Pray, which Bertha and I are reading with enormous pleasure.  (Most of my collection I gave away over the years as I down-sized my library twice.) I fear with all the books on the subject that beginners may be scared away from serious praying, thinking it’s harder than it is, more complicated than it should be, and reserved just for the most religious among us.  And what a tragedy that would be. Prayer is for every child of God. I love to find insights and encouragements in Scripture about prayer.  One of the best is on display in the amazing and rich 8th chapter of Romans, everyone’s “mother lode” of treasures.  It’s this… –Romans 8:26 says that while we do not know how to pray as we should (we smile at the wonderful and honest admission), the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  I have no idea what that is like in the Throne Room of Heaven.  But wait…. –Romans 8:34–just eight verses later–informs us that the … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists identify sexual abuse, racism as disqualifying for membership

By Message Staff BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Messengers took a stand against sexual abuse and racism at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, June 11-12, in Birmingham, Alabama. They voted, overwhelmingly, for amendments to the SBC Constitution to specifically state that sexual abuse and discrimination based on ethnicity are grounds for a church to be deemed as “not in friendly cooperation” with the Convention. Messengers likewise voted to amend the SBC Bylaws to repurpose the Credentials Committee into a standing commit-tee to make inquiries and recommendations for action regarding instances of sexual abuse, racism or other issues that call a church’s relationship with the SBC into question. Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, told messengers the votes constituted a significant moment in the history of the Convention. “May this world know that the Southern Baptist Convention stands against all forms of sexual abuse,” Floyd said. “May this world know that this convention of churches – 47,000 churches, plus a few thousand congregations, just under 52,000 churches and congregations – has given a clear signal not only about what we believe about sexual abuse, but we also stand against … [Read more...]