By Chuck Bentley, CEO, Crown Financial Ministries As you consider the gifts you will share with friends and loved ones at Christmas, I recommend that you con­sider giving gifts that will ultimately be more precious than gold. Maybe we can call this the Biblical Gift Guide for the Holiday Season: 1. GIVE FROM WHAT YOU DO HAVE Remember when the beg­gar outside the temple gate in Jerusalem asked Peter and John for money? Although he was crippled from birth, the beggar was focused on money as the solution to his problem. This story is a picture of the superiority of the treasures we have in knowing Christ. Peter understood this perfectly well. His reply to the beggar should ring in our ears: Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk’ – Acts 3:6. And the crippled man walked! Imagine that electrifying moment. God did not send Peter and John on a mission to give away money. He sent them on a mission to give away Jesus. This year, you may not be in a position to give gifts that people are ex­pecting from you; but this can be your opportunity, like Peter and John, to give from what “you do have.” We have the glorious treasure of the Gospel that gives … [Read more...]

By Ronnie Floyd, Senior Pastor, Cross Church Arkansas  Imagine what your life would look like if you only committed 2.56 percent of yourself to the things you do. How healthy would your marriage be if you told your spouse, “I love you with 2.56 percent of my heart”? Where would your career be if you performed at only 2.56 percent of your capability? We wouldn’t dream of doing such things. However, a Chris­tian research organization has discovered this is exactly the attitude the average Christian has when it comes to financing the work of the church. A study conducted by Empty Tomb, Inc., located in Cham­pagne, Ill., revealed the average church member only gives an estimated 2.56% of his or her income to any church or charity. We can’t accomplish the massive goals of telling every person in the world about Jesus and making disciples of all nations with such miniscule giv­ing. While it is true that much of the problem is the sin of greediness in the lives of average church members, it also could be the case that our lack of sacrificial giving is the result of disor­ganization. That’s why there is a great need for Christians to begin to evaluate everything financially. Here are four steps each of us can take to begin meeting … [Read more...]

 I don’t know if it is the same for you, but I have found that the Lord quite often uses the holiday season to convict me. In his grace and wisdom, God sees fit to use the time-honored tra­dition of bringing the most eccentric and peculiar people together under one roof in the name of family to, as Paul says, conform me to the image of his Son – Romans 8:29. The Lord also providentially uses the holidays and its stresses of pack­ing cars, driving across country (in traffic), answering the “are we there yet” question 152 times to remind me that my hope only comes from him – along with my forgiveness. These trip troubles, relational stresses, and materialistic cravings that so often accompany this season remind us of where our hearts are not, and where our hearts should be. I am sure we all feel it; maybe some of us have even said it: “Thanksgiving should not only be a holiday; it should be an atti­tude that defines us as believers.” Giving thanks is what we should be doing every week, every day, every hour. Yet, even with such laudable thoughts in mind, it was not always gratitude that filled my heart but rather a short temper and a slow, steady burn caused by the stresses at hand and, if completely honest, the exorbitant … [Read more...]

Question: If “God hates divorce” (Mala­chi 2:16), then why does Ezra command the remnant to “put away” their foreign wives (Ezra 10:3-5)? Archie England responds: Malachi 2:16 powerfully asserts, God hates divorce. That’s it: case closed! Well, perhaps not so quickly. Ezra com­manded the returned remnant (from Babylo­nian captivity) to divorce their foreign wives. Since both Ezra and Malachi lived during the 5th century BC and ministered in the same context, they appear to have taken radically different positions on the Law’s allowance for divorce. Let’s investigate. Moses presented two passages that allow for divorce: Deut 22:13-30 and 24:1-3. A wife could be “put away” by death or by cer­tificate. The divorce certificate issued, then, protected the woman, declaring her innocent of marital unfaithfulness. Having such a cer­tificate was therefore important, as Isaiah and Jeremiah attested (Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:8). Malachi reached his conclusion at the end of his discussion about God’s covenant and Israel’s unfaithfulness (2:1-16). God desired faithfulness; not ritual. To illustrate, Malachi reminded them of Levi’s covenant with God and how that obligated all Levites and priests to lead a holy life – ministering and teaching … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 10:54 LBC Executive Director David Hankins (white shirt) leads prayer at the Caldwell Parish Courthouse in Columbia on March 8 as part of Louisiana Southern Baptists praying for a spiritual awakening in the state. The Wave of Prayer took place in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes. By Karen L Willoughby, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – Throughout each year, the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s staff of 60 employees in-building serve the LBC’s 1,611 churches. The reports of their activities are part of the LBC’s 2012 Book of Reports, available upon request from the office of Executive Director David Hankins. “We are accountable to our churches and we want them to know about the impact of our cooperative missions and ministries across Louisiana,” Hankins said Following is a synopsis of the activity in each of seven resource teams. Executive Team The work of the Executive Board, led by current President Rick Byargeon, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston and Vice-President Bob Heustess, pastor of Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Slidell, is channeled into four committees: administrative, business and finance, properties and missions support. The … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 11:10 BELTON, TX – Despite an early exit from the NCAA Division III football playoffs, the future never looked brighter for the Louisiana College Wildcats. Despite losing 59-20 to perennial D3 powerhouse, American Southwest Conference champion, and the No. 2 ranked University of Mary Hardin Baylor Crusaders, the Wildcats (8-3) certainly have no reason to hang their heads. In fact, the Cats’ outstanding season should give Louisiana College plenty to build upon. After four straight 7-3 seasons, LC (8-3) turned in its finest season in modern-day school history by winning eight games this year. There only two regular season losses came at the hands of two nationally ranked powers [UMHB 30-3 and Wesley 25-22]. They also became the first Louisiana College men’s team to make the Division III playoffs. The softball team has played in eight straight regional, placing third in the 2008 Division III World Series. The women’s basketball team has made the playoffs three years in a row, winning a first-round game last year. “Any time your fate is in the hands of a committee [LC was hoping to be one of eight wildcard bids in the 32-team playoffs, with 24 spots going automatically … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 11:12 No doubt, many of us are fa­miliar with the poem by Myra Brooks Welch The Touch of the Master’s Hand. The poem was later set to music and re­corded by several well-known artists including Louisiana’s own Wayne Watson. The song describes what happens when a worn out violin is placed in the hands of a master violin­ist. Recently I’ve had a similar “master’s touch” experience. My grandfather played the vio­lin, or better yet, the fiddle. After his death many years ago – a few months before I was born – my mother ended up with the fiddle and displayed on top of her piano. She always talked about getting it repaired but never did. Earlier this summer, while visit­ing my dad, I picked the instrument to look it over. There were several obvious problems. The tailpiece, which holds the tension on the lower end of the strings, was broken and held in place with bailing wire. There was a long crack in the face which appeared to be the biggest impedi­ment to restoring the violin to playable condition. But there was one problem that caused me to take action: a small worm had bored a hole in the side of the fiddle. This poor old fiddle may never play again but I was … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications No doubt, many of us are familiar with the poem by Myra Brooks Welch “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.”  The poem was later set to music and recorded by several well-known artists including Louisiana’s own Wayne Watson.  The song describes what happens when a worn out violin is placed in the hands of a master violinist. Recently I’ve had a similar “master’s touch” experience.  My grandfather played the violin, or better yet, the fiddle.  After his death many years ago (a few months before I was born,) my mother ended up with the fiddle and displayed on top of her piano.   She always talked about getting it repaired but never did. Earlier this summer, while visiting my dad, I picked the instrument to look it over.  There were several obvious problems.  The tailpiece which holds the tension on the lower end of the strings was broken and held in place with bailing wire.  There was a long crack in the face which appeared to be the biggest impediment to restoring the violin to playable condition.  But there was one problem that caused me to take action: a small worm had bored a hole in the side of the fiddle.  This poor old fiddle may never play again but I was not going to let this treasure be … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 11:19 By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Communications DALLAS – President Barack Obama’s re-election virtually guarantees that his signature healthcare reform law, passed in 2010, will continue moving toward implementation over the coming four years. GuideStone continues working toward applying the provisions of the law, while remaining an active part of a coalition of large and historic denominational church health plan providers advocating on behalf of ministers and other participants served by church plans. “We are continuing our efforts to aggressively pursue legislative and regulatory relief,” said GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins. “We recognize that many religious organizations, including some in our own Baptist family, have chosen to pursue litigation to challenge aspects of the law. At this time, GuideStone has chosen to work with legislators and regulators to address the concerns of church health plans, but we are closely monitoring the lawsuits as they make their way through the court system. We fully support these lawsuits and share the foundational commitment to safeguard religious liberty. Since we serve employers and participants throughout the … [Read more...]

ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES Joel McMickin has resigned as pastor of Calvary of Forest Hill, and is available for pulpit supply. 318.659.4094. Jeremy Breaux has resigned as pastor of Erwinville Baptist. Alan (wife Sandy) Miller is new as pastor of Alto Baptist. Jake Goforth has resigned as youth pastor of Hillcrest Baptist in Franklinton. NEEDED/GIVING Oak Hill Baptist Church in Many is searching for a full-time pastor. Must be at least 30 years of age. Parsonage available. Resumes may be e-mailed to liindaguay@yahoo.com or mailed to Russell Peace at P.O Box 108, Negreet, La. 71460. John Parker is available for fill-ins, interim, and possible full-time pastoring. Call: 318.348.0420 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD First Baptist Morgan City: 30 in Sunday School Nov. 11; 1,163 shoeboxes. Highland Park Baptist West Monroe: 133 in Sunday School Nov. 11; 100 shoeboxes. First Baptist Basile: 45 in Sunday School Nov. 11; 222 shoeboxes. SEASONAL EVENTS Cedar Crest West Monroe/First West Monroe: Boxes of new Christmas cards needed for nursing home ministry, to ensure every resident receives a card. Deliver asap to church with note: For Kevin Tedeton/nursing home ministry. Vernon Baptist Association: Volunteers … [Read more...]