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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Can you spiritually multitask?

By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, California (BP) - Instead of having one slow brain, today's computers have several really fast brains that can handle tasks independently of each other. While the brain God gave us is more powerful than any computer, we only have one. And it works best when it is focused on one thing at a time. If you're a student of the Bible, you already know where we're headed: Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (NKJV). Spiritual multitasking First, let's look carefully at Jesus' words in this part of the Sermon on the Mount, then define them more closely. To give context, Jesus is talking about the practice He witnessed in Roman occupied Galilee - slavery. When He says, "No one can serve two masters," the word for serve is "douleuo," from which comes the familiar Greek word for slave - "doulos." A doulos was a bondservant, a slave, not an employee. His allegiance was to only be to one, and only one, master. Those listening to Jesus' teaching would have understood perfectly what He meant: "Being a slave is a full-time job. You owe complete allegiance … [Read more...]

Fund established for firefighter who died in car accident

By Message Staff POLLOCK – First Baptist Church in Pollock has established a memorial fund for a fireman who died following injuries sustained in a car accident Tuesday, Aug. 21. According to a press release from Louisiana State Police, John Whitaker, 33, died in Oberlin in a traffic accident. Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Pollock, said Whitaker accepted Christ and was baptized at his church. While he recently moved to work for the Jennings Fire Department, Whitaker commuted back to Pollock some Sundays to attend church and spend time with his wife, Brittany, and their two daughters. Whitaker also attended Grace Community Baptist Church in Iota when his schedule would not allow him to travel back to Pollock. “John was a very dedicated and faithful husband and father,” Gunter told the Baptist Message. “We are all heartbroken by this tragedy and we are determined to help take care of John’s family since he no longer can.” To donate to the fund, go to any Colfax Bank branch and make checks payable to “The John Whitaker Memorial Fund.” All donations will be used to help with expenses for his daughters. … [Read more...]