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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana readies for National Day of Prayer

ALEXANDRIA (LBM) - Louisiana Baptists will gather at churches and other venues throughout the state, May 2, with the single purpose of calling out to God as part of the annual National Day of Prayer. Jay Johnston, coordinator for the Louisiana National Day of Prayer Task Force, believes prayer is near to the heart of God. “Prayer unifies our hearts and lives and is used by God to change us not change Him nor our circumstances,” said Jay Johnston, associate pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington. “I hope you will take time in your home or your church, neighborhood, school, city hall or at the state Capitol to pray on Thursday, May 2, 2019.” ­This year’s National Day of Prayer theme is “Love One Another,” based on John 13:34 – “Love one another, just as I have loved you.” Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd is national chairman of what the National Day of Prayer Task Force describes as a “grass roots movement” in which local churches or communities plan how, when and where they want to pray, and the specific content of those prayers. … [Read more...]

Easter Reflections – Day 30

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 30: John 10-12 (NKJV) ========================= (John 10) Jesus the True Shepherd 10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Jesus the Good Shepherd 7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came [a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did … [Read more...]

PALM SUNDAY: ‘Hosanna – He is coming!’

By Rhonda Harrington Kelley NEW ORLEANS (BP) - On a recent pilgrimage to Israel, our group made a brief stop in a small village that left a lasting impression. The town of Bethphage is located near the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. Today a church commemorates the place where Jesus began His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and where He met Martha of Bethany after the death of her brother Lazarus. I loved this special place because of the beautiful and quiet setting, and also because Martha has always been one of my favorite women of the Bible. I so relate to her focus on serving others. A colorful fresco painting behind the altar of the church in Bethphage depicts the joyous processional of Jesus, and other paintings around the church portray His followers. I love the painting of Martha with her sister Mary of Bethany. The artwork is a profound expression of how the early Christians celebrated the Promised King, and is a reminder to Christians today to focus on the fulfillment of those biblical promises, especially as we observe Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday. All four Gospels include an account of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John … [Read more...]

EASTER: Growing up with death

By Charles S. (Chuck) Kelley Jr. NEW ORLEANS (BP) - My childhood was different than most. I grew up in the home of a funeral director. For the first years of my life, we literally lived in the funeral home itself in an apartment above the family rooms, casket room and chapel. Far earlier than most, I learned an essential truth about life: Death is inevitable for all. My father handled funerals for the elderly and the young, the healthy and the sick, the wealthy and the poor, the unknown and the famous, including a service for the Big Bopper, whose huge hit "Chantilly Lace" made him a household name until a plane crash ended his life. Some deaths were expected and natural; others were shocking and tragic. The causes of death varied widely, and the timing of death was often unpredictable. But whatever the cause or whenever the timing, death was, is, and ever will be the experience of all who live, whether we like it or not. Many seek to avoid this truth, but none can avoid its reality. I walked into the back of the funeral home very early one Saturday morning during high school and saw the name Walter Portius on the board listing those who passed away overnight. We were in class together on Friday morning, but he died … [Read more...]

Easter Reflections – Day 29

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 29: John 7-9 (NKJV) ========================= (John 7) Jesus’ Brothers Disbelieve 7 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the [a]Jews sought to kill Him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to this feast. I am not[b]yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” 9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in … [Read more...]