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Christian Literacy Project

January 11, 2017 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

Though the number of people incarcerated in America has dropped, “the total number of inmates [is] still massive compared with 40 years ago” (1).

1.53 million Americans are behind bars in state and federal prisons, according to a recent report from the Department of Justice (2).

Among those incarcerated, approximately 60% are functionally illiterate. 85% of all juveniles caught up in juvenile court systems are functionally illiterate. 70% of inmates who receive no literacy assistance will return to prison, while only 16% of those who receive literacy help will return to prison (3).

Our Christian Literacy Project provides easy-to-read Bibles to inmates in the U.S., either directly or through chaplains. We also provide easy-to-read Christian literature and Christian-based reading lessons.

You can help. Your $5 donation will provide one New International Reader’s Version Bible to an inmate. $100 donation will purchase a case of 24 NIrV Bibles for inmates.

To Help, go to https://www.gofundme.com/christianliteracy

1. Newsweek.com. http://www.newsweek.com/us-prison-population-sees-small-drop-537650, Jan 3, 2017

2. WPTV.com. http://www.wptv.com/news/local-news/water-cooler/us-saw-lowest-number-of-prisoners-in-decades, Dec 30, 2016

3. Begin To Read.com. http://www.begintoread.com/research/literacystatistics.html

Fear Not 365- Fearing for Those We Love (Genesis 21:17-18)

January 6, 2017 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

I’ve never fully comprehended the book of Genesis. To me, it is full of shocking tales and characters who make poor choices. The one thing I have taken from it is that God can use even those whom we find full of flaws.

In this chapter, we find Hagar and her infant son, Ishmael, put out to die by Abraham and Sarah. In a fully understandable action, Hagar set her child down just out of sight, for she could not bear to watch him die. She did the only thing she could to help the child. She prayed.

God hears the cries of the child and the angel of God called to Hagar. “Do not be afraid,” said the angel. Both Hagar and the infant were rescued.

We should pray desperately for the salvation of those we love. They are the only possessions we can take with us to heaven.

FEAR NOT 365: Laughing at Fear? (Psalm 56:3-4)

January 3, 2017 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

I LOVE the Psalms, for I can relate to them. I can especially relate to this one, so much so that I cannot read it without breaking a smile or laughing. David begins this psalm with a cry for God’s mercy followed by a declaration of faith in God. So far, so good.

These two verses, Psalm 56:3-4, are his declaration of faith:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me

He proclaims, “Because I trust in God, I will not be afraid!” Then he asks what appears to be a rhetorical question, “What can mere mortals do to me?”

Now, here’s where I must laugh. He proceeds to make a list of what his enemies can do, answering the question that doesn’t turn out to be so rhetorical, after all.

They twist his words. They scheme. They conspire. They lurk. They spy. In the midst of praying for protection, and in the midst of praising God for divine help, David panics.

I praise God that He saw fit to paint inspirational characters so honestly! What good would the Bible be if it were full of flawless, two-dimensional characters. David was real, just like Christ is real. David was full of faults, full of doubts, and full of fears, just like you and I. Yet, he overcame by trusting in God. Just like you and I may.