By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE (LBM) -- For more than an hour, clergy, community leaders and public officials prayed for Gov. John Bel Edwards, the military, law enforcement, first responders and the state, April 10, at the Raising Canes Center in Baton Rouge, uniting more than 1,000 legislators, pastors, businessmen and others as the body of Christ just days after the start of the 2019 state legislative session. Ray Swift, administrative pastor at the First Baptist Church in Lafayette, delivered an invocation and Charles Harper, steering committee chairman, introduced the head table of program personalities and other special guests. State Rep. Katrina Jackson, Assistant District Attorney Ken Fabre, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, Ascension Parish Sheriff Deputy and Chaplain Ken Spivey, state Rep. Thomas Carmody, Jr., and steering committee member Phillip Juban were among others offering prayers and reading scripture during the annual the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. Keynote speaker Ken Boa, president of Reflections Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia, reminded the crowd to live out God’s purpose for them. “His desire for you and me is that we will live a life that will so reflect a life of Christ in … [Read more...]
Louisiana readies for National Day of Prayer
ALEXANDRIA (LBM) - Louisiana Baptists will gather at churches and other venues throughout the state, May 2, with the single purpose of calling out to God as part of the annual National Day of Prayer. Jay Johnston, coordinator for the Louisiana National Day of Prayer Task Force, believes prayer is near to the heart of God. “Prayer unifies our hearts and lives and is used by God to change us not change Him nor our circumstances,” said Jay Johnston, associate pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington. “I hope you will take time in your home or your church, neighborhood, school, city hall or at the state Capitol to pray on Thursday, May 2, 2019.” This year’s National Day of Prayer theme is “Love One Another,” based on John 13:34 – “Love one another, just as I have loved you.” Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd is national chairman of what the National Day of Prayer Task Force describes as a “grass roots movement” in which local churches or communities plan how, when and where they want to pray, and the specific content of those prayers. … [Read more...]
Easter Reflections – Day 30
As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 30: John 10-12 (NKJV) ========================= (John 10) Jesus the True Shepherd 10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Jesus the Good Shepherd 7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came [a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did … [Read more...]
PALM SUNDAY: ‘Hosanna – He is coming!’
By Rhonda Harrington Kelley NEW ORLEANS (BP) - On a recent pilgrimage to Israel, our group made a brief stop in a small village that left a lasting impression. The town of Bethphage is located near the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. Today a church commemorates the place where Jesus began His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and where He met Martha of Bethany after the death of her brother Lazarus. I loved this special place because of the beautiful and quiet setting, and also because Martha has always been one of my favorite women of the Bible. I so relate to her focus on serving others. A colorful fresco painting behind the altar of the church in Bethphage depicts the joyous processional of Jesus, and other paintings around the church portray His followers. I love the painting of Martha with her sister Mary of Bethany. The artwork is a profound expression of how the early Christians celebrated the Promised King, and is a reminder to Christians today to focus on the fulfillment of those biblical promises, especially as we observe Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday. All four Gospels include an account of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John … [Read more...]
EASTER: Growing up with death
By Charles S. (Chuck) Kelley Jr. NEW ORLEANS (BP) - My childhood was different than most. I grew up in the home of a funeral director. For the first years of my life, we literally lived in the funeral home itself in an apartment above the family rooms, casket room and chapel. Far earlier than most, I learned an essential truth about life: Death is inevitable for all. My father handled funerals for the elderly and the young, the healthy and the sick, the wealthy and the poor, the unknown and the famous, including a service for the Big Bopper, whose huge hit "Chantilly Lace" made him a household name until a plane crash ended his life. Some deaths were expected and natural; others were shocking and tragic. The causes of death varied widely, and the timing of death was often unpredictable. But whatever the cause or whenever the timing, death was, is, and ever will be the experience of all who live, whether we like it or not. Many seek to avoid this truth, but none can avoid its reality. I walked into the back of the funeral home very early one Saturday morning during high school and saw the name Walter Portius on the board listing those who passed away overnight. We were in class together on Friday morning, but he died … [Read more...]
Easter Reflections – Day 29
As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 29: John 7-9 (NKJV) ========================= (John 7) Jesus’ Brothers Disbelieve 7 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the [a]Jews sought to kill Him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to this feast. I am not[b]yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” 9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in … [Read more...]
LBC executive director nomination moves forward
By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA – The administrative committee of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board unanimously approved Steve Horn as the nominee for executive director of the state convention. The vote moved forward the LBC presidential search committee's recommendation of Horn, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lafayette, during a special called meeting. The nomination will be voted on by the full Executive Board during its regularly scheduled spring meeting, May 7, at the Tall Timbers Camp and Conference Center in Woodworth. If elected, Horn will replace David Hankins, who is officially retiring from the position June 30. Horn has served as pastor of First Lafayette since 2005 and has been a prominent Louisiana Baptist and Southern Baptist leader over the years, most notably as president of the LBC from 2014-15, president of the LBC Executive Board from 2010-11 and, currently, as trustee of Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. … [Read more...]
Easter Reflections – Day 28
As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 28: John 4-6 (NKJV) ========================= (John 4) A Samaritan Woman Meets Her Messiah 4 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus … [Read more...]
DR teams spring into action in Blanchard
By Message Staff BLANCHARD (LBM) - Hours after powerful storms tore through the Shreveport-Bossier City area Saturday, April 13, members of a Louisiana Baptist were on the ground responding to residents whose property was damaged. Tobey Wilemon, blue hat of the First Baptist Church of Blanchard disaster relief team, and a few other team members helped clear off a tree that fell on the house of a resident in the community and helped install shingles that were damaged by the storm. Later, the team members placed a tarp on the roof of a damaged home. The team also distributed five Bibles and a case of bottled water to residents of the neighborhood. Wilemon said all they encountered were grateful for the assistance. “Everyone was very open and friendly,” Wilemon said. “They seemed to be in high spirits considering what just happened. They were glad it wasn’t any worse. “They weren’t focused on what could have been and what just happened,” he continued. “They were focused on the fact that it’s just stuff. There was no physical damage or loss of life and for that they were thankful.” … [Read more...]
Easter Reflections – Day 26
As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 26: Matthew 27-28 (NKJV) ========================= (Matthew 27) Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate 27 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to [a]Pontius Pilate the governor. Judas Hangs Himself 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, … [Read more...]
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