YouVersion: Reading the Bible Just Became Cool Again

So you may not be aware, but there is an awesome Bible study resource online now called YouVersion, sponsored by Lifechurch.tv. You can check it out at www.youversion.com or simply by clicking on the above "YouVersion" link.

When you go to the YouVersion page, you'll be immediately taken to the home page, with a text window on your left and then some fancy looking stuff on your right. Basically, YouVersion functions as your own personal online Bible. Just by signing up and creating an account, you have access to every major Bible translation as well as translations in several other languages.

But you can do more than just read the Bible on here. In fact, while reading, you can also make what's called a "contribution," or read other's "contributions" on a particular passage. For instance, if you go to YouVersion and look at Jeremiah 1:5, under the "Community Contributions" tab, you'll see one called "Chosen" which was actually submitted by me (wblackburn0316). If you're reading along and you have a particular thought or something that you'd like to share, just click on that verse in the text, and then click on the "Contribute" button and then you can share whatever's on your heart. If you want, you can even link videos and pictures to your particular contribution.

Maybe you're not up for sharing your thoughts with an entire community or maybe your thoughts are just a little too personal for public viewing. No problem... just click on the "Journal" section and you can make your own (private) journal entry for that passage that you can refer back to at any time. It's a really handy thing for some more personal application for just journaling your thoughts to God or even just for having a way to track your own personal spiritual journey. In the journal and contributions column, if you scroll up and down, you'll also see that they offer several different Bible reading plans for those of you looking for that and there is also an audio Bible available if you'd rather listen instead.

You can also find other people you know or like on YouVersion and then "follow" them which basically means that when you click on the "My" tab at the top of the webpage, you can see any action that people you follow have taken. For instance, if one of the people I follow posts a new contribution on a particular Bible verse, when I click on the "My" tab, I can see that they did that and choose to read that contribution if I wish. With YouVersion's new "live" feature, you can also join groups online and then go to the group page and see what all the people in that particular group are doing (check Suncrest out at www.youversion.com/groups/suncrest).

But by far, the coolest feature about YouVersion is the "mobile" option. If you have a smart phone like an iPhone, BlackBerry, etc., you can actually download YouVersion onto your phone and have instant access to the Bible at any time or any point you have your phone with you. That might mean that you now have a few minutes to read the Bible on your way to work if you take a train, bus, or whatever. Maybe you have a valuable opportunity to share your faith... don't need to worry if you're at work and don't have your Bible because you have it on your phone! Pretty awesome feature if you ask me! Go to the "Mobile" tab at the top of the YouVersion page and then on the overview page, click on the type of phone you have, and YouVersion's site will give you the appropriate instructions. YouVersion also has a mobile app in the iTunes store so you can also download the app if you have an iPod touch.

YouVersion is an awesome study resource. If you're stuck or looking for something to jump start you or just to get you started on the journey of knowing God's Word better, I'd highly recommend it. You won't be sorry!

wb

Way cool prayer tool!

Couldn't pass up this opportunity to share this with you!
A friend of mine turned me on to echo prayer manager. It’s a neat little tool that is quick to set up and use. Essentially you put in a prayer request and it will send you an email or text message to remind you about what you want to pray on the day and time you specified. Simple, quick, and helpful. For me, this becomes a great reminder to call or shoot an email to the person I’m praying for and either check up or encourage them.
It just makes sense doesn’t it? If I want this to be in front of me on a regular basis, I need to put it in my schedule on a regular basis. I have the sense that this will be great for seeing how God responds as well. There is also place to journal for those that like doing that.
Check out another prop for this tool in Lynn’s prayer blog “The Air I Breathe” on the sidebar.
Enjoy!

Thrive: Week 3, Day 7

Matthew 14:22-33

This week, remember that it is your direction that determines your destination, not your intent or your hope. Because that is true the very best thing we can do is to continually head in the direction of Jesus. Follow Jesus where He is leading. You are always headed in the "right" direction if you are being led by him.



What distracts you from following Jesus?

What helps you keep your eyes on Jesus?

Thrive: Week 3, Day 6

Psalm 34


When we are in the middle of getting back on course, it’s easy to lose sight of God and what started us out on this new course or direction. That’s when we simply need to refocus and spend time praising Him for how far He has already brought us. As you read today, worship Him for how far He has brought you and where He will lead you tomorrow.

Thrive: Week 3, Day 5

Matthew 16:13-16; Matthew 20:32; Mark 5:9


What direction is God showing you to correct your current course?

Beyond Sunday - Thrive: Correcting Course

...by Jo Anne Stas

“The natural drift of our lives is toward the comfortable.” Greg Lee

When I rewind to 2004 and recall my goals like Greg suggested, I think about the goal I had to go back to school. It had been 23 years since I graduated from high school and the prospect of entering college after so long was intimidating. It was certainly more comfortable to keep the status quo and never take the next step, but in 2004 I set aside all my comfortable reasons and enrolled in college. Five years later, I’m still plugging away at my goal and in two years, Lord willing, I should reach my goal. Over the last five years I have had times of doubt as well as times when I wanted to give up. In fact, one semester I did give up, but I got back on the path and kept going. When I think of comfortable I usually associate it with good things and uncomfortable with bad things, however, stepping out of my comfort zone has taught me that when I come out on the other side of my discomfort, I gain something. Whether it is more trust in the Lord to see me through or a character lesson learned such as patience, there is always a gain. No doubt, there are still plenty of areas of my life and plenty of times in my life that I have not stepped out of the comfortable but with each win I can gain a little more confidence to step out again.

Lord, help me to step out on the narrow path even though it may be uncomfortable. Amen

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

Thrive: Week 3, Day 4

2 Corinthians 8


Who am I helping?