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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

State DR teams answer needs, minister to victims following deadly weekend storms

By Message Staff An outbreak of tornadoes left death and destruction in its path Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14, as tornadoes touched down in Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Lincoln and Union parishes, according to the National Weather Service. Louisiana Disaster Relief teams wasted no time responding in the wake of the storms. “Storms are a reality in Louisiana and we have volunteers ready and willing to help when needed,” Gibbie McMillan, state disaster relief director for Louisiana Baptists said. “Many ask why and the answer is so we can share the good news of the gospel.  It seems like God uses the storm to get our attention and then we are called to respond with help healing and hope.” McMillan said the tornado outbreak is a reminder of how valuable volunteers are for responding with Christ’s love in disastrous situations. DEADLY STORM Besides uprooting trees, causing structural damage and knocking out power to more than 76,000 SWEPCO customers in a three Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, the powerful storm claimed the life of 20-month-old Carli Ortiz, who was killed early Saturday when a tree feel on the recreational vehicle in which she was sleeping in the Hill Crest Mobile Home & RV Park in … [Read more...]

The evidence of discipleship

By Greg Laurie “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” —John 15:8 Spiritual fruit doesn’t grow overnight. You don’t go into your backyard, pull up a chair in front of your peach tree, and then wait for the peaches to grow. (You could, but you wouldn’t see anything.) However, if you were to set up a camera with time-lapse photography, you would see dramatic growth over a period of time. Jesus said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8 NKJV). If you are truly a disciple of Jesus, then you will have spiritual fruit in your life. That means results. It means evidence. One of the first things we do as Christians is produce what Jesus called “fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8 NKJV). For example, maybe your friend says, “Let’s go get a drink after work.” “I don’t do that anymore.” “What? You don’t do that anymore? What’s wrong with you?” “It isn’t what’s wrong with me; it’s what’s right with me,” you say. “Christ has come into my life.” People know you by the fruit of your repentance. You stopped doing some things and started doing godly things instead. That intrigues them and also perplexes … [Read more...]