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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Easter Reflections: Day 15

As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 15: Matthew 3-5 (NKJV) ========================= (Matthew 3) John the Baptist Prepares the Way 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ” 4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to … [Read more...]

What matters in prayer

By Waylon Bailey When we pray, we please God. God’s Word tells us to pray in all times and in all things. Paul said that prayer is the antidote for anxiety. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). What matters in prayer? First, it’s not your eloquence in prayer and certainly not the length of your prayers. Prayers are often awkward or feeble. At least that is the way I view many of my prayers. Jesus taught us to pray in profound ways, but the amazing part of the prayer is the sincerity and heart’s desire. He taught us to pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The words of devotion and the attitude of submission matter in prayer. Second, what matters most is the One to whom we pray. It is not prayer that changes things (although I understand the meaning and sentiment behind those words); it is the God to whom we pray that makes all the difference. Remember, God tells us to pray fervently, believing, and in faith, but those are not transactional words. It is not … [Read more...]

Easter Reflections: Day 14

As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 14: Matthew 1-2 (NKJV) ========================= (Matthew 1) The Genealogy of Jesus Christ 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about … [Read more...]