By Waylon Bailey We have just celebrated the 243rd anniversary of American Independence. In many ways, it seems the worst of times. When you look at the world and when you look at America, you often feel that things are just not right. You may have seen the reports out of France last week where the highest court in France ruled that a disabled man had to be starved to death. His parents are distraught and unbelieving that this could happen. To show how incongruous the situation is the man will be sedated as a humanitarian gesture. Dying of thirst and starvation is one of the most horrific ways to die. Since many people see secular Europe as a precursor to a secular America, this can and should be frightening for us. How should we respond to this kind of thinking? First, we should not give up. When it seems that all the world is against you, it’s easy to quit. Evil often wins simply because the righteous throw up their hands in defeat. Paul understood the strategy of Satan and the tendency of the righteous. For this reason, he told the saints in the Roman Province of Galatia to “not be weary in doing well” (Galatians 6:9). Second, we should seek righteousness in all things. Jesus told us to seek first the … [Read more...]
Is there any hope for America?
By Steve Horn In 1928 one of our American submarines, S4, sank off the eastern coast on a dive after routine maintenance work. Divers made contact through Morse code. After initial exchange of how many on board, what is your condition etc., the divers received the message from those on board, “Is there any hope?” In the midst of the circumstances, what a penetrating question! Many are still asking that question today about America. Is there any hope? I am confident that there is hope, and I am confident that we find our hope in God. Our hope is not in Washington but in Heaven. Our hope is not in the Constitution but at Calvary. Our hope is not in more laws or less laws or better laws, but in a strict observance of the law of laws—God’s Holy Word. Our hope is not in the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, or any forthcoming party; our hope is in repentance, revival, and a spiritual awakening. Until we as believers understand these things, I’m afraid “There is no hope for America!” But, there is always hope. I have heard before that our national anthem is among the most difficult songs to sing. Maybe that explains why we usually only sing one verse of The Star Spangled Banner. Did you know that it … [Read more...]
Lay up your treasures in heaven
By Jeff Ginn Long ago Egypt was a world power. The rulers of that ancient land had immense wealth. At their deaths, every effort was made to take their possessions with them into eternity. Huge pyramids and mausoleums were built and stocked with riches and supplies. But as the centuries slipped by, grave robbers desecrated these sites. Some 60 years before the time of Christ, a Greek author named Diodorus Siculus visited the tombs of the Valley of the Kings [slide]. He wrote, “We found nothing there except the results of pillage and destruction.” The pharaohs had not taken their riches with them; thieves had broken in and stolen their treasures. It was then a tremendous surprise when, in 1922, an expedition uncovered the long-lost tomb of a boy ruler—King Tut. For some 3,000 years his resting place was undisturbed. What did the archeologists discover upon entry? In actuality, Tut had taken nothing with him into eternity. Everything was still there—oils, perfumes, toys from his childhood, precious jewelry, statues of gold and ivory—thousands of items. In all, the appraisal of the treasures of his tomb are at three-quarters of a billion dollars. His solid-gold coffin alone is estimated to be worth $13 million! One … [Read more...]
Embrace the summer
By Steve Horn As a pastor, I seemed to always face the temptation to dread the summer because of the “summer slump.” The truth is too many times as churches and as leaders we “throw away the summer.” We decide that there are too many distractions, too many vacations, so we must wait for the fall. The problem is that we lose great momentum. So, even though some summer slump in churches is inevitable, I encourage all of us to “embrace the summer.” How do we do that in the church? Resist the notion that you cannot grow this summer. People move in the summer. We have our largest evangelistic outreach of the year in Vacation Bible School. These are opportunities to grow. Raise the Expectations for the summer. Often times, we set up our own failure by low expectations. I encourage us, since we know that there are challenges to the summer, to … Work harder. Set the tone by your own preparation. Seek other ways to stay connected. Reset the Mission of your class, small group, or church. The summer may be just the time to shake things up, try new things, and then be ready for the fall. Rally around something. Have a “summer project.” Just do something. Rally around a cause. People will stay connected … [Read more...]
HANKINS: ‘Farewell and thank you’
By David E. Hankins, LBC Executive Director, retired MANDEVILLE, La. (LBM) -- Greetings, Louisiana Baptists! My official retirement date as your Executive Director has come. Thus, I am writing to bid you farewell and to thank you for the many, many blessings you have bestowed upon Patty and me these last 14 ½ years. You have been faithful friends and fervent prayer partners. You have joined me in a myriad of ministries sponsored by the LBC for the Lord Jesus. You have been kind and forgiving. You have given leadership and followership. What a joy it has been to serve with you! We have moved to Mandeville, Louisiana, near our youngest son and his family. We look forward to a less demanding schedule, to time with grandchildren, and to serving in the local church. I have no career plans (been there, done that) but will preach and teach as the Lord allows. I look forward to continuing participation as a Louisiana Baptist. I believe God has great things in store for LBC. Your new executive director Dr. Steve Horn is already at the helm. He brings to the office great giftedness, fruitful experience, a wonderful spirit, and a love for Jesus and the church. I have every confidence you will thrive under his … [Read more...]
Pointing upward
By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) -- For half a century, the faithful parishioners of First Church of Christ in Unionville, Ct., had missed their steeple. First built in 1885, it had loomed above the town's center but suffered deterioration and was torn down. Church members wanted to replace the steeple, but the project was too expensive. Then came Verizon Wireless. When the company needed to build a cellphone tower in Unionville, locals worried about the landscape. So the phone company rebuilt the steeple out of steel and fiberglass so radio waves could bounce from antennas hidden inside the structure. Some of the church members hesitated, but agreed with the project. "We thought it would be nice to have a steeple again," said one attender. Centuries ago, it was London's Sir Christopher Wren, an architect, who fine-tuned the image of the steeple. To Wren, a steeple was the finger of God pointing upward. I love steeples for that reason. In enduring fashion, they point toward the heavens and direct the eye upward to our risen Savior. And that's the wonderful message of the church. Pointing upward People, trends and methods may come and go, but one thing endures: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today … [Read more...]
Life lessons from Psalm 23
By Waylon Bailey God’s Word is filled with lessons about life. It is one of the reasons the Bible has sold more copies than any other book in history, possibly over one billion copies. Within Holy Scripture there are multiple passages which draw us closer to God and help us cope with the daily struggles of life. Psalm 23 stands near the top of that list. Here are three amazing lessons which help us with life. First, God wants to guide us as a shepherd guides his sheep, giving leadership and protection. In Israel, shepherds did not drive their sheep; they led them. While we sometimes think of God as demanding and driving, He actually wants to walk with us and lead us in His righteous paths. We all know that life can become difficult and overwhelming, but God leads us with His presence through the deepest valleys of life. Psalm 23 teaches that we can always depend on God. Second, God wants us to enjoy His presence forever. He “prepares a table” for us. Is there any time of the day better than when we sit around a table eating, talking, and laughing? God desires that we have that kind of fellowship with Him. Third, God wants to bless you. The psalm ends in a grand crescendo when the psalmist declares: “Surely … [Read more...]
Uncomplicating your prayers: Just do it!
By Joe McKeever “When you pray, say , ‘Our Father….'” (Luke 11:2) I used to have around fifty books on prayer. C. S. Lewis said he would never write one, but that’s been done for him posthumously. Someone took articles he wrote in various books and insights from his letters and assembled them into How to Pray, which Bertha and I are reading with enormous pleasure. (Most of my collection I gave away over the years as I down-sized my library twice.) I fear with all the books on the subject that beginners may be scared away from serious praying, thinking it’s harder than it is, more complicated than it should be, and reserved just for the most religious among us. And what a tragedy that would be. Prayer is for every child of God. I love to find insights and encouragements in Scripture about prayer. One of the best is on display in the amazing and rich 8th chapter of Romans, everyone’s “mother lode” of treasures. It’s this… –Romans 8:26 says that while we do not know how to pray as we should (we smile at the wonderful and honest admission), the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. I have no idea what that is like in the Throne Room of Heaven. But wait…. –Romans 8:34–just eight verses later–informs us that the … [Read more...]
Living blessed
By Waylon Bailey Several years ago John Ortberg wrote a book on spiritual disciplines entitled, “The Life You’ve Always Wanted.” It deals with prayer, Scripture, solitude, and other practices which will bring us the kind of life and relationship with God we’ve always wanted. That seems to be the same kind of message Paul gave to the Church at Colossae. He encouraged those new believers to set their minds on the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. He also encouraged them to leave earthly things (meaning things of the flesh which are opposed to God) behind. He gave them a list of things to “put on” and a list to “put off.” He then told them to live according to who they are in Christ. What can we do to have a life that pleases Christ and by extension gives us “the life we’ve always wanted?” Paul reminded them of the virtues which are uniquely Christian but which non-Christians appreciate and desire to see in those who believe. Paul gave eight areas where we should live according to our new life in Christ and endeavor to let the Spirit of God work in our lives. These areas are compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and love. Who would ever … [Read more...]
Embrace the summer
By Steve Horn As a pastor, I seemed to always face the temptation to dread the summer because of the “summer slump.” The truth is too many times as churches and as leaders we “throw away the summer.” We decide that there are too many distractions, too many vacations, so we must wait for the fall. The problem is that we lose great momentum. So, even though some summer slump in churches is inevitable, I encourage all of us to “Embrace the Summer.” How do we do that in the church? Resist the notion that you cannot grow this summer. People move in the summer. We have our largest evangelistic outreach of the year in Vacation Bible School. These are opportunities to grow. Raise the expectations for the summer. Often times, we set up our own failure by low expectations. I encourage us, since we know that there are challenges to the summer, to … Work Harder. Set the tone by your own preparation. Seek other ways to stay connected. Reset the mission of your class, small group, or church. The summer may be just the time to shake things up, try new things, and then be ready for the fall. Rally around something. Have a “Summer Project.” Just do something. Rally around a cause. People will stay connected … [Read more...]
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