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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

ABOUT ELECTIONS: Our political engagement should glorify God

“The Screwtape Letters” is a fictional book by C.S. Lewis that portrays a perspective of how the enemy may operate. Throughout the book, Screwtape, who is meant to represent a demon, writes letters to his mentee, Wormwood. Lewis emphasized in the preface that “the devil is a liar,” and the book is meant to expose those lies. … [Read more...]

FIRST PERSON: Ayann Hirsi Ali finds Christianity

By Ron F. Hale, special to the Baptist Message JACKSON, Tenn. (LBM) -- Ayann Hirsi Ali, a former Dutch politician, apostate Muslim and now a defector from “New Atheism” is professing Christianity as her newfound religion, and the recent change of paths in her journey of belief has shocked the world of elite thinkers and writers. Her recent article, “Why I Am Now a Christian,” does not offer any kind of reference to a conversion experience. The closest she comes to making a declaration of faith in Jesus is to state that “Christ’s teaching implied not only a circumscribed role for religion as something separate from politics. It also implied compassion for the sinner and humility for the believer. “I have also turned to Christianity because I ultimately found life without any spiritual solace unendurable — indeed very nearly self-destructive,” she added. “Atheism failed to answer a simple question: what is the meaning and purpose of life?” Yet, her declaration of being an adherent of Christianity has caused deep discussions in high circles, especially of atheists, around the world. Ayann’s life story began in Somalia in 1969, born to Hiri Magan Isse, a leader in the Somali Revolution. During his imprisonment, Ayann … [Read more...]

Radical Evangelism

The early church experienced explosive growth because of a conviction to evangelize which led to a culture of evangelism. When confronted and threatened, they did not pray for their safety but for greater boldness. … [Read more...]

Every Scripture Points to Jesus

In 2012, Elvis Presley’s Bible sold at an auction for $94,600. Among other markings, Luke 9:25 was underlined. According to the King James Version, the verse says, “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” On another page, Elvis wrote in the margin, “To judge a man by his weakest link or deed is like judging the power of the ocean by one wave.”    … [Read more...]

Baptism to Discipleship

Some years ago, I was on a follow-up visit with a friend, and we were visiting a gentleman who had recently prayed to receive Christ. The man had not yet been baptized, and we were going to talk with him about doing so. … [Read more...]

Joseph loved a son who was not his own

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Christmas account records so many wonderful expressions of love. But one that often is underrepresented is the love Joseph showed for a child who was not related by blood. Moreover, we often fail to see that Joseph’s love for Jesus is an earthly example of God’s love for you and me as his adopted children. Not much is documented about Joseph as the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. Indeed, not one spoken word from him is included in the Bible. We do know that Joseph was of the royal bloodline of Israel (Mt. 1:1-16). However, his lineage was cursed because of his ancestor, King Jeconiah (Jer. 22:28-30). Indeed, we know that Joseph was extremely poor, despite his ties to nobility, because he could only afford two turtledoves instead of the customary lamb required for Mary’s ceremonial purification after she gave birth to Jesus (Lk. 2:22-24; Lev. 12:7-8). But Joseph’s love for a son who was not his biological child is shown in several ways: -- While betrothed to the pregnant Mary, he was willing to suffer the embarrassment of being accused of either having sex outside of marriage, or, of being married to an adulterous woman … so … [Read more...]

Empowered by the Spirit

Everything is powered by something. Think about that for a moment – your house is powered by electricity, natural gas or possibly propane. Your car is powered by gas. Your watch is powered by a battery. Your exercise bike is powered by – you!  Everything is powered by something. … [Read more...]

Anyone can be saved

“It can happen to anyone.” Have you heard this expression before? You may have said it to someone or maybe, someone said it to you when you made an uncharacteristic mistake, misunderstood someone’s direction, or overlooked something that was literally right in front of you. No matter what, no matter where, no matter when, “it can happen to anyone.” … [Read more...]