FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) - This poignant beatitude from the lips of Jesus is so typical of the Savior -- "... and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35). Though not found in the four Gospels, its spirit is seen in Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure -- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." These words represent the heart of the Lord with marvelous clarity. Although the greater blessing lies in the right kind of giving, the implication is that to receive is also blessed. The whole ministry of the Lord was wrapped up in giving, and the glory of the Gospel is its testimony to the unfolding of God's gift to man. GIVING & RECEIVING How often have you given or tried to give in a spirit of love and compassion only to be rejected or ignored? There is nothing that cuts so deeply and leaves an ache so painful as spurned giving -- whether it be an object carefully chosen or a deed lovingly planned. Surely God has designed that the receiving of a gift or ministry is a vehicle that will also bless the receiver … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2015
Responding to God’s call
By Billy Graham We’re given just a little glimpse of Mary and Joseph before Jesus was born. They lived in the hill country of Galilee. Joseph was a religious man. Mary gives every evidence of having a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, even though she was a teenager. The Bible teaches that God was so pleased with her that He chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Mary and Joseph weren’t married, and yet Mary became pregnant. I’ve often put myself in Joseph’s place— imagined his thoughts, his aspirations about the girl to whom he was engaged. But Joseph decided to break the engagement privately. While he was thinking about these things, God’s angel appeared to him in a dream to give Joseph an explanation of the situation. All Joseph’s suspicions were put away. He accepted what God had said through the angel, and he was immediately married to Mary. Both Joseph and Mary followed the call and plan of God, and through their obedience the way was prepared for Christ to come and bless us. Are you seeking to follow God’s call on your life? Are you actively responding to Him? … [Read more...]
Trinity Baptist-affiliated school giving adults brighter future
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – A high school for adults age 19 and older operated by a Louisiana Baptist church has received state approval to operate as a non-public school. The move now allows students to take advantage of financial aid that was not available before this year and positions the school for a brighter future, school leaders say. “It’s a ministry for us,” said Dan Davis, director of the year-round school. “There is a need and I believe if there is a need, there’s a ministry. There’s a need to give adults a chance at an alternative to the GED program. Plus, we’re giving them the gospel.” Located at Trinity Baptist Church in Pineville, the year-round school allows students who lack anywhere from a few credits to a few years of high school to attend classes and take a test to earn their high school degree. The school charges a maximum tuition of $665 for the entirety a student is enrolled. A new student can enroll every eight weeks. Two years after opening its doors, Trinity High School saw the first graduates in 2005. The school has been operating as a Christian accredited entity but in June received non-public school approval by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary … [Read more...]
Christmas: it changes everything
By Michael Duduit ANDERSON, S.C. (BP) - It's that time of year again, when we put trees inside our houses, make strange egg-flavored drinks we'd never consume any other time of the year, and spend hours we don't have buying gifts we can't afford for people who will exchange them for something they really wanted. Welcome to Christmas! A Pew Research survey in 2013 found that 96 percent of Americans still celebrate Christmas. What may be more surprising is that only about half of all Americans still considered Christmas to be primarily a religious holiday; about one out of every three considered it essentially a cultural celebration with no religious meaning. So when you hear about the war on Christmas, that's only half right. The war isn't on Christmas; it's a war on identifying Christmas with Jesus. But even among people of faith, there's a lot of confusion about Christmas. We tend to fit Christmas into our own romantic pictures of the season, with chestnuts roasting on an open fire, home for the holidays and a picturesque nativity scene. No wonder the culture tries to draw us into this consumer-driven celebration, because the real picture is far more dangerous, far more revolutionary. If we understand what God has … [Read more...]
First days of Jesus’ life explored
By David Roach, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) - Everyone knows the biblical Christmas story, with Mary riding on a donkey, an innkeeper turning away Mary and Joseph, animals surrounding the Christ child and three wise men visiting Jesus on the night of His birth. Or do they? It may come as a surprise to some that none of these elements are included in the two scriptural accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke -- though they commonly are featured in Christmas pageants. In "The First Days of Jesus," published this year by Crossway, two authors with Southern Baptist ties urge believers to separate fact from fiction through "a careful reading of the New Testament infancy narratives in their historical context." Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Andreas Köstenberger and Southeastern Ph.D. graduate Alexander Stewart argue such a reading will help Christians "clear away the brush so [they] can truly encounter and be changed by the Christ of Christmas." The authors analyze the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke as well as the theological presentation of Jesus' incarnation in John. They also propose a harmonization of the narratives in Matthew and Luke to refute critics who erroneously claim the … [Read more...]
Why was Jesus’ birth so important?
By Billy Graham All Christians look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth during this season of the year. Why was Jesus’ birth so important? The reason is because slightly over 2,000 years ago, God stooped down from Heaven and became a human being: Jesus Christ. As the Bible says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” — John 1:14, NIV Think of it: God became a man! He did it because He loves us—and that’s what we should celebrate as Christmas approaches. Week One: November 29—December 5 Read Isaiah 9:6 — In this Scripture we find the message and meaning of Christmas. Isaiah the prophet gave five awe-inspiring names of our Lord that encourage us, thrill us, and fill us with hope at this Christmas season. Wonderful. When He did His many miracles, the Scripture says, “The people wondered” (Luke 11:14, KJV). Counselor. The people said, “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (John 7:46, NIV). The Mighty God. He is the God-Man. He said that He and the Father are one (John 10:30). The Everlasting Father. It was by Him, the living Word, that all things were created. He is the designer of the whole universe (John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3). The Prince of Peace. There will never be lasting peace on … [Read more...]
What Christmas really means
By Waylon Bailey, Pastor, First Baptist Covington I like to call it the hoopla of Christmas. You know what I mean by that. It’s all the things we do that really don’t have much to do with Christmas. Actually, I like the hoopla of Christmas. I like parties, presents, excitement, and the joy of having some special family time. But that’s not what Christmas really means. In fact, if you talk about the real meaning of Christmas, it’s even deeper than you think. What is the real meaning of Christmas? First, Christmas means that God has involved Himself in our world. That’s the meaning of “The word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The God of the universe “pitched his tent” in the neighborhood of the Jews – – the Word became flesh. Today, it would be like saying that God moved into our subdivision. There is nothing better than knowing that we are not alone but that God is with us and that He involved Himself in our world. Second, Christmas really means that our lives can be different. God’s coming into the world made it possible for us to be new creatures, living with God’s character in our lives. Paul stated that “If anyone is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I am comforted … [Read more...]
Pastor uses presentations to show how Christian life is like making a door
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Leo Lytle believes in some ways living the Christian life is akin to making a door and he shared why he thinks this during visits to two Louisiana Baptist churches recently. “Most of us are like this wood,” said Lytle, a woodworker and former Louisiana Baptist pastor, during one of his presentations. “And He takes us as we are. He begins to mold us out in this place He wants us to be in the body of Christ.” Starting with just pieces of wood, Lytle slowly assembled a door. Throughout the presentations at both Lakeside Baptist Church and Esler Baptist Church in Pineville, Lytle called on members of the audience to assist at various points and presented the Gospel in between his creation of a door. Lytle began making these presentations a year ago. Speaking to a woodworking club in Nacogdoches, Texas, near where he now lives, Lytle gave a different talk than what these men were accustomed to hearing. Instead of run-of-the-mill tips on woodworking, Lytle used the opportunity to share the Gospel and teach about the church. The presentation went so well that Lytle decided to build as ministry around it. Though he has presented his message as far away as Kentucky, most … [Read more...]
Signs of hope in the Christmas story
By Lane Corley, Church Planting Strategist, Louisiana Baptists It was Kate McAllister who called Christmas “the season of perpetual hope.” But as we look around at our world, it seems to be getting worse & worse. The Christmas story as told in the Gospels offers us many signs of hope that we can rest in. 1) Prophecy Fulfilled. Some estimate that over 300 Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled by the coming of Jesus Christ. These prophecies gave hope to generations of followers of YHWH. And today they testify to us of how trustworthy God’s word is. The preciseness & detail arranged by God could not possibly be just happenstance. From being born in Bethlehem to a virgin (who was not from Bethlehem) to fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. We can look at prophecy fulfilled & say GOD’S WORD IS TRUE. Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, Genesis 22:18, Numbers: 24:17, Hosea 11:1, Jeremiah 31:15, Mathew 2:16. 2) He used ordinary people who dared to believe. As you read through the Christmas story, & really all of the New Testament, & get to know its characters, you’ll be struck by their ordinariness. Elizabeth & Zachariah – aging priest & barren wife. Mary & Joseph – young & poor village … [Read more...]
What Christmas really means
By: Waylon Bailey, Pastor, First Baptist Covington I like to call it the hoopla of Christmas. You know what I mean by that. It’s all the things we do that really don’t have much to do with Christmas. Actually, I like the hoopla of Christmas. I like parties, presents, excitement, and the joy of having some special family time. But that’s not what Christmas really means. In fact, if you talk about the real meaning of Christmas, it’s even deeper than you think. What is the real meaning of Christmas? First, Christmas means that God has involved Himself in our world. That’s the meaning of “The word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The God of the universe “pitched his tent” in the neighborhood of the Jews – – the Word became flesh. Today, it would be like saying that God moved into our subdivision. There is nothing better than knowing that we are not alone but that God is with us and that He involved Himself in our world. Second, Christmas really means that our lives can be different. God’s coming into the world made it possible for us to be new creatures, living with God’s character in our lives. Paul stated that “If anyone is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I am comforted … [Read more...]
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