Christian Resources

Image via Wikipedia When I was about 5 or 6 years old, I begin to learn about Jesus, heaven, and hell. I was told that Jesus loves me so much that he came and died on the cross for my sins. I learned that 3 days later he came back to life. Later he went to heaven to create a home for everyone who believes in him. In heaven, there is no sickness, pain, or suffering. Someone said that hell is 10 times hotter than Georgia is in the summer time. I had been to Atlanta, Georgia in December and it was hot then. I did not want to go anywhere that it was hotter than Atlanta, Georgia. During this time, I was also very sickly. There were many foods that I could not eat and playing with animals caused me to have an asthma attack. Someone said that there were animals in heaven. Therefore, I got it in my head that I wanted to go to heaven. You have to understand, I was tired of always being sick. I wanted to play with animals. The preacher had said no one is sick in heaven. Therefore, I go...

I want to touch on an issue of division within the Church. I have never understood how two people that are filled with the Holy Spirit can argue about the Bible . I believe that the devil has placed divisions in the church. Even Jesus says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). In addition, Jesus says, “If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand (Mark 3:25). The devil knows that Christians would be stronger if we all stood together. The Bible is true and all scriptures are given by the inspiration of God. In addition Hebrews 6:18 and Titus 1:2 both tell us that God cannot lie. One major issue it what name to baptize the newly won souls. The Bible does not lie nor does it contradict itself. Therefore, any of the phrases that the early disciples said is more than likely a good choice. However, I am one that likes the words in red, Jesus’...

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” ( Ecclesiastes 1:9). Some people find this hard to believe. Others do not see how they can find an example of their specific problem in the Bible. Everyone is always looking for the “newest” thing. However, there is nothing new. How is this possible? There have been so many inventions, new ideas, and new technology. Is there really nothing new? Let’s look at some different issues that we face today and see if there is any examples of those same issues in the Bible. 1. Food- everyone needs food. The problem is how to get it. Today the issue is no money no food. Money is the means by getting the food. People have  always needed food to eat. How did people get food in the Bible? They planted the food. “I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits” (Ecclesiastes 2:5) They bought the food. ...

Songs tell stories about the way that we feel. In the 1950’s - 1960’s the people came to church early. Also many people  went to the backside of the field to pray.  Often they sung the song “Sweet Hour of Prayer”. They prayed an hour of more each and every day. During this time, people saw God work in mighty ways and people frequently came into the church and gave their lives to Jesus . Now we sang “Just a Little talk with Jesus”. Most people are too busy to pray an hour a day. It is funny that now we are too busy when we have modern technology that is suppose to make our lives easier and save time. Examples are wash machines, dryers, and microwaves. How is it possible that we are too busy and the people back then had time? I sometimes wonder if you think to pray. Now a few people sang “ Do You Think to Pray?”. Most people now days only call on God when trouble comes. They never think to pray. They seem to forget God and his blessings. One day your life will end. Di...

Image via Wikipedia Next 2 months, we will be celebrating Easter . When you think about Easter, many things come to mind. However, I wonder if the most important reason for celebrating Easter makes the top of your list. Easter should be a time of reflection. We should think about what Jesus did  before, during, and after the cross. Some of his greatest work was done during this time. 1. He fulfilled the requirement of Passover . A spotless lamb was required to atone for sin. He paid the price permanently. John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God , who takes away the sin of the world!” 2. He chanced the way Passover is celebrated. I Corinthians 11:24-26 “and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you ...

Image via Wikipedia It is the time of the year when Mardi Gras is being celebrated. Here in Baton Rouge, LA , it is a holiday that many people celebrate with great zeal. I was not born or raised here in Baton Rouge, LA. I was born and raised in Mississippi. In that part of Mississippi, we do not really recognize Mardi Gras as a holiday that is greatly celebrated. I understand that on the Gulf Coast they do have some celebrations. I really did not understand the point of Mardi Gras. Therefore, I have done a little bit of research into the origins of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras started out in Rome as a pagan celebration. Mardi Gras was originally called Lupercalia . Having never heard of that pagan celebration, I looked in an online encyclopedia  to find out information about the celebration. According to The Columbia Encyclopedia , 6th ed., Lupercalia is an “ancient Roman festival held annually on Feb. 15. The ceremony of the festival was intended to secure fertility and ...

Image via Wikipedia Training children is a great responsibility that is given to parents by God . He has  many things to say about the subject. One of my favorites is ( Proverbs 22:6) “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart.” Notice the words “train up a child”. Train is another word for teach. Therefore, you are suppose to teach children not raise children. If God had intended for us to raise children, he would not have said teach or train a child. My mom has always explained it this way, you raise tomatoes and you teach or train a child. The major differences between raising tomatoes and teaching children is this, tomatoes only need water, sunlight, dirt, and fertilizer while children need love, mercy, discipline, food, clothing, shelter, and guidance just to name a few things.  In addition, tomatoes can not walk, talk, or learn. God is not silence on the reasons for teaching children, what to teach children...

In the 1960’s Marcus and Ann started to church . They had two children , Paul who is 4 years old and Karen who is 6 months old. They lived about 50 miles from the church. One cold Sunday morning, they got up early and drove to church for Sunday school . Then they stayed until after church that night. Marcus drove a truck made in the 1940’s. It did not have a heater in it. It had been freezing all day. On the way home that night, Ann had the children wrapped up with homemade quilts. However, they were still very cold and crying. Marcus and Ann were freezing too. That is when Marcus said, “We are going to stop at that house up ahead.” Ann asked, “Do you know them?”. Marcus replied, “No, but I see smoke coming from there fireplace. We are going to stop there and get warm.” Therefore, they stop at the house. It was about 11 pm, but somehow the lights were still on. Everyone got out of the truck. Marcus went and knocked on the door. An old man and lady came to the door. The couple c...

Image via Wikipedia The Summer of 1967 is coming to a close and it is almost time for school. I, Karen, will be in the 1st grade. My brother, Paul, will be in the 5th grade. We attend a church school . The Pastor is also the head of the school. He calls a meeting to discuss the new school year . Everyone that wanted to send their children to the church school is required to attend. At the meeting, the pastor explained the school rules. He announced who the teachers were going to be. Lastly, he announced when school would begin for that year. School would start in about 2 weeks. Most of the parents then spoke up and said, “Let school start sooner. I want to get my children back to school and out of the house.” Well, guess what? My daddy, Marcus, stood up and walked to the front of everyone. He said, “I have something to say.” Marcus was the assistant pastor. He proceeded to say, “If I felt the way you all have seem to, I would go home and get my gun. Then I would stand ...

Real faith always has a child-like aspect to it. The follow story tells about my mother's child-like faith during before, during and after Hurricane Camille. Like most five-year olds, she did not know theology. She simple trusted in Jesus. My mother told me this story a few years ago. It illustrates what Jesus was talking about in Mark 10:13-16, “…Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Every one that comes to Jesus must come as a child. God the Father is our heavenly Father. When we come to him through Jesus, we are adopted into his family. Because she had been listening to the word of God, she had some faith. According to the word of God, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Do babies and young childr...

Many times, I look around and it seems to me that non-Christians are doing better than Christians are. I do not understand why my husband fails to be able to get contract painting work. I ask God why this other family owned painting company can find work, yet they are not Christians. God reminds me that I cannot see what he sees or know what is going on with that family. He also reminds me that he can use the ungodly to bless the godly.  I then thank God while suppressing a laugh as I remember that when Satan wants to do something he must first get permission from God. Satan must present his plans to God and get permission. God then decides. Then God can either deny access or grant access. However, the fine print is always added when permission is granted. This fine print is kind of like the small print at the bottom of a contract.   A great example of this is found in Job. In chapter 1, Satan asks for permission to tempt Job. The interesting thing is that Satan must...

It was a very hot summer day. Berry, Pearlie Mae and their 4 children had been picking cotton. They decided to take a water break. They went to the house to get the water. Berry had a small amount of money. He asked if anyone wanted a coke. Of Course everyone did. He told them to rest, and he would walk to the store. The store was about 2 miles one way. Berry took off walking to the store. Pearlie Mae told the children to do their housework, while she cooked lunch and supper. She knew all the work needed to be done and they would have to go back to the fields and pick cotton until dark. Berry had to walk all the way to the store. Back in those days, there were very few cars. He did not see any cars on the way to the store. When he got to the store, the coke truck was there to refill the drinks in the store. Berry was very outspoken. He told the coke man that he had just walked 2 miles for a coke for him and his family. The coke man asked, “Where do you live?” Berry told him. Th...

Who Shall be Saved? The disciples of Jesus even asked this question after hearing the teaching of Jesus. Jesus had said, “That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” The Bible says, “ For God so loved the world , that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever, believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This scripture is interesting because it says, “should not perish”. I have always wondered why the word “should” was used. Why not the word “will”? Therefore, is it possible to have a form of belief and still not be saved? After careful reading and studying, I have determined that the answer is Yes. James 2:19 (NIV) says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” In addition, Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV) says, ““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’...

A few ago, I came face to face with how ungrateful many people really are including me. Even now when I think about it, tears come to my eyes. I came to know a fourteen-year-old boy. His dad is in jail. The boy lives with his mother in Mexico . The boy is given a choice every weekday. He can go to school, or he can go to work. The boy, who I am going to call Sam, knows that if he goes to school his mother will only be able to eat one bowl of beans that day. He knows that if he goes to work, they will both be able to eat two bowls of beans that day. Therefore, Sam goes to work with his uncle. Sam’s Uncle is my brother-n-law. My brother-n-law asked my husband for some help because he cannot find any work. My brother-n-law is a bricklayer by trade. Because of the help that we gave, they have both been able to find work in a restaurant. This got me to thinking. Here in America most of the people do not have to choose between getting a high school education and eating. Here in Amer...

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” ( Hebrews 13:8). Often in life, we desire and believe in outcomes that never materialize. Instead, we are met with events that are usually unwelcome. The resurrection of Lazarus serves as a prime example. Martha and Mary call for Jesus when Lazarus falls ill, confident in his ability to heal. They anticipate their brother's recovery, but instead, Lazarus passes away. Four days post-mortem, Jesus arrives; Martha rushes to greet him, while Mary remains indoors, possibly angered by the unfulfilled healing of her brother. Martha, too, is distressed. We can see this because she says, “… if you would hadst been here, my brother had not died” (John 11:21). However, she still shows a little bit of faith by her next words, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee“(John 11:22). After speaking with Jesus, Martha summons her sister Mary. Mary repeats to Jesus what Martha had said. Jesus reco...

Jesus knows the beginning from the end because he declared the “end form the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:’” (Isaiah 46:10). “I am the Alpha and Omega , the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” ( Revelation 1:8 ). This means that before the foundations of the world was laid Jesus was there. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1). With words, God spoke the world into existence. The “Word” is Jesus. Therefore, when Genesis says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), it is saying the Jesus’ power created everything. “For by him were all things created, that are heaven, and that are in earth…” (Colossians 1:16). Jesus knew each of us before we were formed in the womb. Since Jesus is the beginning and the end, he made all, and he ...

The question, “Who is Jesus?” is not a new one. People have been seeking answers to that question for centuries. People were talking about Jesus and asking that very question. One day Jesus asked his disciples who people said that he was. They answered, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14). Obviously, the people could not agree who Jesus was even when he was on earth. Jesus then asked, “But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). According to Jesus, the truth is revealed by divine revelation. those who receive this revelation are blessed.. After Pentecost , the gospel spread quickly throughout the know world. Thousands gave their heart and lives to Jesus. However, there is a devil seeking to deceive people. When people do not get their information from God or Godly leaders, it is easy for people to developed wrong ...

Jesus always answers prayers when you pray with faith. However, you need to be careful while you are waiting for the answer. I recently learned this the hard way. This is especially true if your prayer is for the removal of evil spirits . Around the middle of May 2010, I started feeling a strong evil presence in the apartment that my husband and I rented. Living with us was my husband’s brother-n-law (Mario), a nephew, and three other men. The men and Mario liked to drink. My husband and I did not approve. I started praying everyday that Jesus would remove the evil spirits from the apartment. I explained many times to Jesus that my baby was due to be born June 27 th and that I did not want him to live were evil spirits were. I felt like Jesus was not listening to me because the evil presence seemed to just get stronger. I even started seeing a black shadow of a man. Every time that that I saw this shadow, I would scream, “Get out of here in the Name of Jesus”. The shadow would leave...

In the late 60’s my grandparents moved to an oilfield town with their two children. My grandfather in the oilfields in that town. The family rented a ranch style house . The house was sat back about ¼ of a mile from the main road. On Sundays the family went to church. At church they were taught about Jesus and never to lie. In Sunday school , the children were taught to ask Jesus if they needed help, and he would always answer. When my Uncle Jerry was about 10 years old and in the 5th grade, his sister Karen starts 1st grade. This is going to be the 1st time that she will be going to school, so their father gives Jerry the job of looking out for her. They walk to the end of their driveway where their ride will pick them up. At the end of the driveway is a cattle gap. (A cattle gap is made out oilfield pipe. With the pipe running long ways, about twelve pipes with three inches between that is welded to a pipe on both ends laid flat between two ditches. The ditch is about 12 inches de...

Every time we come to church, God has a feast prepared. There is milk, meat, vegetables, fruits, water, and wine. The water is symbolic of salvation. John 4:13-14 says, “ Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” The milk is for the babes in Christ. Paul talks about milk for babes in Christ when he says, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (Corinthians 3:2). The Fruit, vegetables and meat are for everyone that is mature enough to handle it. The wine is for all Christians . When we are saved, we are filled with the Holy Spirit . According to Jesus, “…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). However, there is still...