First Baptist Shreveport

Darryl Strawberry, a story by Justin Carroll, was first published in 2014 in the Gulf Coast Journal of Literature and Fine Arts. One of the unique literary features of Darryl Strawberry was Carroll’s use of descriptive words to explain something he was referencing without explicitly naming that thing. Instead of saying baseball field, he would use words like bleachers, mound, and first base to des...

September 28, 2024 * Dr Jeff Raines  40 steps closer, today's step:  Be careful when you judge, and start with yourself.   Matthew 7:1-5 & 1 Corinthians 5 Who gets to judge? Judges need to be impartial, fair, and wise - they serve an essential role in our culture.   Jesus tells a story in Matthew 7 about removing the plank in our own eye before judging others.  Self righteousness is dange...

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15 Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? We all recognize this important oath being given before a witness testifying in court. This oath or affirmation is given by a witness stating that they will...

9.22.24 - Dr Jeff Raines  Living Well in Exile - Jeremiah 29:4-14 What does exile look like?  This was Israel’s plight in Jeremiah’s day. They were exiled thousand of miles away from Israel to Babylon. While they were there, their prophets were telling them things they wanted to hear. They told them the exile wouldn’t last long. In many ways, we are all exiles today. There is something in our hear...

Standing just 30 inches by 21 inches, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci has captivated millions of people over the centuries. With over 10 million people visiting this monumental painting annually, it can be argued as the most famous painting of all time. Da Vinci’s artwork typifies the Italian Renaissance, a period and country known for achievements and cultivation in painting, science, and arch...

9.15.24 - Dr. Jeff Raines  Raising Teenagers or Screenagers - Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Today we are talking about the technology that has taken root in our lives and how that is effecting the way we are raising our children.  In our text today, Deuteronomy boils down all of the law to one commandment - to love. As parents and leaders, Deuteronomy 6 tells us that the words that God tells us should be on o...

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:9-10 Science experiments help us understand seemingly abstract concepts in concrete ways. Most students love the moment their teacher transitions from a lecture to the lab because the creative experiment allows students to be...

September 8, 2024 * Dr. Jeff Raines  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭ In our 40 steps closer sermon series, today's step is:   Think about what is good Our actions flow out of our thoughts...

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6  The Guinness Book of World Records was first published on August 27, 1955. Since its first publication, it has been published in over twenty languages and over one hundred countries. To date, there are currently 53,000 records in the database. These records showcase everything from modern marvels an...

September 1, 2024 - Dr. Jeff Raines  Today’s Step:   Submit to one another  In Ephesians 5, we find this admonition:  “…Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Many have a negative reaction to this word because of how it’s been misused in our lives.  Any time we go searching in the Bible to find a verse to support our selfish impulses, or the worst elements of our culture, we are not o...

In today's devotional, we explore the question Jesus asked Simon Peter - "Who do you say I am?"  Scripture - Matthew 15:15-16 In the play Hamlet, an important question is asked during Hamlet’s soliloquy. In Act 3 Scene 1, Hamlet asks, “To be, or not to be—that is the question.” Others throughout history have posed important questions that are still relevant even today. Martin Luther...