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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

JEFFRESS: Without Christ, prophecies would be unfulfilled

Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14 What would the world be like if Christ had not come? As we began to see yesterday, if Christ had not come, many prophecies in the Bible would be unfulfilled. Consider that Jesus’ place of birth was prophesied 700 years before He was born, and, that when we sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” there is a reason we say “little.” Micah 5:2 says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.” Of all of the cities in the world, God pinpointed a tiny town with fewer than 1,000 people, and, 700 years before it happened, God said Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Savior. The manner of Jesus’ birth was also prophesied hundreds of years earlier. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Think about that -- God prophesied the Messiah would be born of a virgin. The Hebrew word used in this verse means one and only one thing: it means a virgin, someone who has never had a sexual relationship with a man. God prophesied the … [Read more...]

Event provides hope for the homeless

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Armed with a bag of clothing in one hand and a cup of hot chocolate in another, Kelvin Reynolds mingled among other needy individuals on a chilly Thursday morning in downtown Alexandria. With Christmas just days away, Reynolds, who is homeless, will be spending the holiday season on the streets or in a shelter. Yet, despite his situation, Reynolds said he is thankful. “God is still good,” Reynolds said. “Jesus is the reason for the season. I’m praying one day soon I will not be homeless. Please pray for me.” One Thursday a month, Reynolds and 75 others can be found at the Emmanuel Baptist Church parking lot for a street outreach event called H20 – Helping 2 Overcome Homelessness. Since August 2013, the Volunteers of America Homeless Outreach Program has hosted the event with help from area churches and non-profit organizations. Those who attend the event receive hygiene items, clothing, shoes, haircuts, food and even a Bible. Most of all they receive the love of Jesus. On this Thursday, Dec. 15, 10 organizations came to help out, including Alpine First Baptist Church, Pineville; Journey Church, Pineville; Family of Grace Church, Alexandria; Calvary Baptist … [Read more...]

Thieves target churches in Grant, Rapides Parishes

By Message Staff The Christmas season is not all cheer for some Louisiana Baptist churches after being victimized by burglars in the past two weeks. Five churches of various denominations in Grant Parish and four Baptist churches in Rapides Parish have reported theft or vandalism inside their buildings. According to Robert Daniel, director of missions for Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Baptist Associations, the Baptist churches vandalized were Wayside Baptist Church in Pollock, Alpine First Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, First Baptist Church in Lacompte, Lamourie Baptist Church in Lecompte, Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bentley and Riverview Baptist Church in Alexandria. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain said the burglaries occurred late Sunday following evening services. He is urging churches not to leave cash in their facilities for any reason. “Also, make sure all doors and windows are locked,” McCain said in an e-mailed statement. “If you have a surveillance system, please make sure it is working properly and if you have an alarm system make sure it is turned on. We are working hard with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Detectives to solve these cases.” Lt. Tommy Carnline, public … [Read more...]