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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Don’t be too quick to jump ship

By Steve Horn Chuck Colson writes in his book, The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why it Matters: We cannot treat the local church like a restaurant, picking and choosing from the menu, visiting another whenever we feel like it. Church membership involves making a covenant with fellow believers. It takes time to develop unity with others at any depth, and this never takes place, ever—not at any time or anywhere—without conflict. (P. 155) Here is the essence of Biblical fellowship. If I am in common belief with another, I must protect against all threats of fellowship. The first church faced a threat against their fellowship. Read Acts 6. Immediately, the leadership acted to protect against the threat of fellowship. Have you allowed something to disrupt your fellowship with another who holds with you a common belief? Prioritize Biblical fellowship and make it right! Don’t be too quick to give up and jump ship to another fellowship. Soon will come the time when you face conflict there. The kingdom of God is better served when you apply grace to the conflict. Steve Horn is senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, Lafayette. This editorial first appeared on his blog. … [Read more...]

Urgent prayers needed for newborn facing multiple health issues

By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS – Urgent prayers have been issued by the family of newborn Lucy Rae Gaudet, who is facing multiple health problems as she continues her courageous fight at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Gaudet, who is the daughter of Devin and Christian Gaudet, music associate at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, was born prematurely at 30 weeks Jan. 28. She has been diagnosed with serious heart problems, including a complete heart block, and Down’s syndrome. This condition is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes the developmental changes and physical features of Down syndrome. Davin Gaudet has posted periodic updates on her Facebook page. She posted Feb. 3 doctors placed Lucy on antibiotics after they discovered a possible small infection. Lucy will receive an increased dose of Lasix, the medication that helps her pass fluid. “It is working as they can see in her urine output but they would like to see more,” she wrote. “Doc says they always begin with the smallest dose to see its effects on blood pressure and then move from there. They will be giving her a second round of the meds to … [Read more...]