By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Christmas account records so many wonderful expressions of love. But one that often is underrepresented is the love Joseph showed for a child who was not related by blood. Moreover, we often fail to see that Joseph’s love for Jesus is an earthly example of God’s love for you and me as his adopted children. Not much is documented about Joseph as the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. Indeed, not one spoken word from him is included in the Bible. We do know that Joseph was of the royal bloodline of Israel (Mt. 1:1-16). However, his lineage was cursed because of his ancestor, King Jeconiah (Jer. 22:28-30). Indeed, we know that Joseph was extremely poor, despite his ties to nobility, because he could only afford two turtledoves instead of the customary lamb required for Mary’s ceremonial purification after she gave birth to Jesus (Lk. 2:22-24; Lev. 12:7-8). But Joseph’s love for a son who was not his biological child is shown in several ways: -- While betrothed to the pregnant Mary, he was willing to suffer the embarrassment of being accused of either having sex outside of marriage, or, of being married to an adulterous woman … so … [Read more...]
Skillet’s John Cooper warns ‘we really are on the brink of Western civilization’
How can we expect to build a society with delusional people? It’s a fair question — one that rocker John Cooper is asking in his new book, “Wimpy, Weak, and Woke.” … [Read more...]
Mike Johnson’s worst scandal is staying married, media decides
Of the 469 members of Congress who call themselves Christians, the country has decided to pick on one: Mike Johnson. Apparently, it’s not a crime to say you’re a person of faith — it’s a crime to act like one. … [Read more...]
Three ways we can respond to situation in Israel
By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - On Sept. 29, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaking at an event said, “The Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades.” Without debating the accuracy of his assessment, his statement shows us how quickly things can change. David Jeremiah used the phrase, “a bend in the road,” to describe his diagnosis of cancer. I have used the phrase the “curveballs of life.” My own experience teaches me that life can radically change every time the phone rings. Certainly, we are experiencing historical change. To what extent, time will tell. My question for us today is “How are we going to respond? Let me suggest three ways we must respond. We must trust God. We must be people of peace, not panic. Others will be watching us. If we, people who describe ourselves as having peace because we know the Prince of Peace, panic in this moment, what happens to our testimony that we trust God? My favorite verse, as I have shared many times before is Revelations 19:6, “Hallelujah, the Lord, our God, reigns.” This is the exclamation point of Revelation and the exclamation point of history. I do not know what the next day holds, but I know this—whatever happens, the Lord … [Read more...]
Israel’s 9/11: Deadly attacks on Israel’s vulnerable borders
“This is Israel’s 9/11.” That simple declaration has become a repeated theme since October 7, 2023. … [Read more...]
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