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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana braces for storm emergencies

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) -- Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced today, July 10, that he will declare a state of emergency ahead of a storm that may significantly impact the state. A broad area of low pressure may become a tropical depression later today or Thursday and could make landfall in the state Friday or Saturday. “Obviously we are not sure yet of the exact track of the storm or the strength of the potential tropical system once it makes landfall,” Edwards said during a press conference Wednesday morning. “However, we are confident that there will be widespread heavy rainfall and coastal flooding. We also know that the Gulf of Mexico, because it is so warm, that the longer the storm system lingers over the Gulf, the more organized and the stronger it is likely to become before it makes landfall.” Edwards said the storm could bring 10 to 15 inches of rainfall and that the storm will be slow moving. He said the Mississippi River levels in New Orleans could reach 20 feet, rising above the flood protection in Plaquemines Parish. “Right now we believe that any overtopping of the levees will be of a relatively short duration of about 12 hours,” he said. “But that is still a very, … [Read more...]

The Lord’s biggest competition

By Joe McKeever “My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and they have hewed out for themselves cisterns–broken cisterns, which can hold no water.”  Jeremiah 2:13 You make a very small god, friend. An executive with Walmart  made an observation before a group of business people recently  that has stuck with me.  “You know who our biggest competition is?”  People suggested Target, K-Mart, Best Buy, the, malls, and such. “Dollar stores,” he said.  “That’s what Walmart started out to be and they are now eating our lunch.” Well. Makes sense.  Those little stores are everywhere. You know who God’s biggest competition is in this world? It’s not Islam’s Allah. It’s not any of the big religious alternatives. Not Buddhism, Hinduism, and not animism. The biggest competition of the living God in this world is personal idolatry. Self-worship. People are worshiping themselves, their own bodies, appetites, personal needs, their wants and desires and ambitions.  Everything else is secondary.  They sacrifice everything else for their bodies, for their appearance, for their careers, for their wants. They choose cars and houses and jobs for “how this will make me … [Read more...]

McMillan cautions Louisiana Baptists to be prepared for storm season

National Hurricane Center forecasters are warning a possible tropical depression, or storm, may form in the Gulf of Mexico later this week. While it is still too early to predict the storm’s path, it is a reminder that the time to prepare is now, according to Louisiana Baptists State disaster relief Director Gibbie McMillan. “The only time it is too late is after a disaster occurs,” McMillan told the Baptist Message. “It is too late to turn the lights off when the electricity goes out. It is never too late to prepare for the unknown, and for the unexpected. Just begin now.” McMillan suggested storing one gallon of bottled water per person per day in the household, non-perishable food, cash, first aid kit, medications, a laminated copy of important documents, and phone numbers of extended family members and friends who live in other states. McMillan said a disaster plan should include a list of possible rendezvous sites near one’s home or in a neighboring state and a phone tree for making contact in case of disaster. He invited Louisiana Baptists to participate in future Disaster Relief instruction and to take advantage of online training available at louisianabaptists.org/disasterrelief. Hurricane season began June … [Read more...]

Living our best in the worst of times

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...]

Laurel Hill marks 150 years of ministry

LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) -- Pastor Wesley Jackson, June 22, welcomed six ministers with close ties to Laurel Hill Baptist Church to celebrate 150 continuous years of ministry by the congregation. The church was established June 19, 1869, by 44 charter members with the leadership of W.S. Terrell, and has a long history of sending out pastors “to preach the Gospel,” according to usgarchives.net, an internet genealogy research site. Joining Pastor Jackson during the program were Sherman Busby, Glenn Cooley, Morris Dale Goins, Huey S. Haymon, Millard Monk and John Smith, each with their own special ties to the congregation: -- Haymon, who is 91 years of age and pastor of Flactor Baptist Church in Hicks, shared memories from as far back as 1952 when he served as pastor to the Laurel Hill congregation. Haymon baptized Jackson and Monk, a minister and a long-time Laurel Hill member. -- Busby, who served as pastor for eight years at Laurel Hill, called the congregation “the mother of all other churches in the area.” During his tenure, two area-wide tent revivals were conducted and the membership of Laurel Hill doubled, according to church records. He now serves as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in LaCamp. -- Cooley, a former … [Read more...]

Why we fly the American flag at our church

There seems to be an unpatriotic movement among many Christian churches today. They are removing the American flag because if may be offensive to someone. We all realize America is not a perfect nation.  America has some ugly past, which we can’t change but which person doesn’t have something in their past they wish they could change. Then others feel like I do and see some of today’s current trends leading us in an unwise path of moral decline.  Yet, as a nation built on Judeo-Christian values that promises freedom not only for our nation but helps others around the world who desire freedom, the flag represents a nation that pushes for freedom. It is Americans who have bleed and died on battlefields around the world, to stop tyrants of evil ideology or terrorists determined to destroy everyone who resists their view of the world.  The red in that flag should remind us of the blood sacrifices made that ensure our freedom to worship as we desire. The next reason the flag is disappearing from church properties is because some say our allegiance is only to God and not country.  Our founders fought for God and country to promote religion of conscience that is not coerced by the government. Alexander Hamilton said, “I … [Read more...]

Abraham leads ‘God & country’ celebration at Alto

By Will Hall, Executive Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Like many churches in Louisiana, Alto Baptist Church held a special celebration of “God & country” on June 30 ahead of the July 4th holiday. But unlike other congregations, this small country church hosted one of the most prominent politicians in the state, with U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham highlighting the service. Pastor Alan Miller told the Baptist Message that the special service was a way to thank God for blessing this nation and to honor veterans as well as men and women who continue to serve in the military and law enforcement. “Doc shared that courage is necessary to life's journey of service to God and country, and illustrated this biblical truth with the lives and leadership lessons of George Washington and Old Testament hero Joshua,” Miller described. “Dianne sang beautifully, ‘Heal Our Land,’ from 2 Chronicles 7:14.” Miller said his congregation has a special advantage in terms of access to the Abrahams. “They are more than members or attenders,” Miller said. “They have their own pew where they have worshipped and served as a family for 43 years.” Both have spent their lives from childhood with the congregation, and her mother, Nancy Johnston, has … [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...]

NOLA ministry heals bodies & souls

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Deep in the heart of New Orleans’ most impoverished neighborhoods, the missionaries and staff of Baptist Community Health Services treat not only the body but also the souls of the more than 10,000 people who pass through the medical ministry’s doors each year. With a mission of “demonstrating the love of Christ by providing high quality primary medical and behavioral healthcare in underserved communities” BCHS provides needed services while sharing the love of Christ, according to CEO Shawn Powers. BCHS operates four medical clinics in New Orleans, and is the only known federally qualified health center connected to a Southern Baptist local association of churches, he said. The New Orleans Baptist Association, with the help of the Baptist Community Ministries (a foundation set up with proceeds from the 1995 sale of the Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans) and Southern Baptists’ North American Mission Board, launched the medical ministry in 2014. “We are thankful for the many partners, including BCM, NAMB and NOBA, who invested in the vision of what is today a thriving Christ-exalting healthcare mission,” Powers told the Baptist Message. “We pray our … [Read more...]