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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Pollock pastor braves chilly conditions in dunking booth for children’s ministry

By Message Staff POLLOCK – Brian Gunter is not one to shy away from a challenge. So, when it came time to help raise money for First Baptist Church in Pollock’s children’s ministry, he braved Saturday morning’s (Oct. 28) chilly temperatures in a dunking booth for the church’s annual Fall Festival. There were quite a number of church members and others from the community who turned out to insure Gunter got dunked despite the chilly temperatures. It was all in good fun and for a good cause as $140 was raised at the dunking booth alone while another $70 was raised in other areas of the festival. “A pastor never knows how much his church loves him until he climbs into a dunking booth on a cool fall day,” Gunter told the Baptist Message. “A few deacons tried to drown me, but I came out unscathed!  Sometimes you have to get creative to raise money for the children’s ministry.” But Gunter’s love of “freezin’ for a reason” will not stop at the First Baptist Pollock fall festival. In the very near future, Gunter said he would be willing to step inside a dunking booth on the property of the Cenla Pregnancy Center in Alexandria to raise money for the organization. The first pro-life pregnancy center in central Louisiana … [Read more...]

God, as healer

By Steve Horn LAFAYETTE (LBM) - At First Baptist Church, Lafayette, we are focused this fall on prayer. We have examined a number of subjects regarding prayer, and recently we examined the subject of praying for healing. Isn’t it interesting that God revealed Himself in specific ways in the days of greatest difficulty? If we allow God to work in our lives, we grow spiritually during difficult circumstances. This is especially true when we consider God as Jehovah Rophe—the Lord, our Healer. Scripture reveals God as Jehovah Rophe in Exodus 15:22-27. Israel has just been eyewitnesses to incredible miracles. They have seen the waters of the Sea open up, and all of Israel safely cross. But now, they are without water. It’s been three days and maybe they are not exactly sure what they have gotten themselves into by leaving Egypt. As background, we see some common reactions to the bitter places of our lives. Like so many of us, Israel forgot the past blessings of God, fussed against God, and made false accusations against God. As you pray for healing of all kinds today, think about these truths. Sooner or later, we will all come to a place called Marah (Bitterness). For every Marah in our lives, there is Yahweh … [Read more...]

Johnson co-sponsors bill to keep taxpayer dollars out of abortion facilities

By Ainsley Holyfield, Office of U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Benton) has signed on as an original co-sponsor to H.R. 4131, the No Abortion Bonds Act, which amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose federal taxes on bonds used to provide facilities owned by abortion providers. If passed, the bill will close loopholes in the tax code that allow abortion providers to finance facilities with municipal, county and state bonds while being exempt from federal taxes. “The federal government should not be subsidizing abortions. Period,” said Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City. “This legislation will help keep taxpayer dollars out of abortion facilities and protect the rights of all Americans who have deeply held religious and moral objections to funding this abhorrent industry. I am proud to champion this legislation, and the sanctity of all human life, while in Congress.” … [Read more...]

God will forgive even ‘Boogie Nights,’ but on his terms

By Franklin Graham Mark Wahlberg is quoted in the news as saying he hopes God will forgive him for his “turn as a porn star” in a 1997 film. The answer to that for Mark or anyone else is—Yes, God will forgive, but it’s on God’s terms. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Bible is very clear that it is “by grace through faith” not of works. You can experience God’s forgiveness right now by praying a prayer like this from your heart: God, I have sinned and I’m sorry. I am willing to turn from my sins; Help me. I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins, took my sins to the grave, and I believe you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him now as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord. Amen. If you prayed a prayer of repentance and faith like this, you don’t have to hope—you can know Franklin Graham is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse. Courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/FranklinGraham. … [Read more...]

Louisiana’s Johnson, Abraham among those voting for tax reform

By Message Staff WASHINGTON, D.C. - Members of Louisiana’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives are upbeat after Republicans narrowly adopted a budget resolution they hope cuts American’s taxes by the end of the year. Passed Thursday, Oct. 26, by a vote of 216-212, the vote allows Republicans to start working on tax cuts, a top item on the Republican and President Donald Trump’s agenda. The Senate passed the measure last week. “Today the House took an important step toward reforming our tax code by passing a budget resolution,” U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham posted on his Facebook page. “This means we can overcome the Senate's out dated filibuster rules to reform our tax code with a simple majority instead of 60 votes. “If all Republicans in the Senate keep their word - unlike with Obamacare repeal - then we can finally reform our tax code to put more money in the pockets of middle class families and allow our small businesses to grow and be competitive,” continued Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church. “I believe we can get this done for the working families across the United States.” Fellow Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson, a Republican and member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, echoed the … [Read more...]