Help for the New Year
As 2010 comes to an end, I want to share with you some of the tools that have helped in my walk with God.
Technology has given us access to so much information that it's easy to get sidetracked with sensory overload. Frustration is usually not far behind.
So with that in mind I want to list a few of the tools and websites I use to read and study the Bible.
Youversion - is a free Bible app available online and (I think) most or all smart phones. It is easy to post to facebook and twitter with it. There are reading plans, you can write notes, and save bookmarks. It is very easy to use and easy to share.
Blueletterbible.com - is a free online bible with all kinds of study aids. It is easy to search by topic or by phrase and offers a variety of translations and old-school commentaries plus it has a Strong's Concordance too.
Myoneword.org - is a website designed to help you focus on one thing throughout the whole year. It has an online journal and they send weekly messages to help you stay on track during the year (it drastically changed me this year and my husband and I are going to use it for our weekly Bible study).
KLove - online commercial free radio station (it is also in many cities and almost every state as a regular radio station). The DJs are genuine and their conversations and new stories help you grow in Christ plus I like the music.
There are two books that I think everybody must read and study. The first one is by E. W. Kenyon called "New Creation Realities" and the second is Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield of the Mind." Both books have totally rocked my world.
My favorite resource is: my Bible and a notebook. I love the Word. I love my Bible. I can get such comfort and peace just touching or holding my Bible because I know it is God speaking just to me. I do have several translations but my top three are:
1. The Amplified Bible - I like how the extra words help me to see things in picture form.
2. The Message Bible - it's more like reading a story but the wording of it can drop me to my knees in wonder and awe at how great God is.
3. The New King James Bible - I have a Spirit Filled Life Study Bible in this translation and I use it to start all my studies. It has word wealth blocks that help define words and a pretty good concordance.
I must also confess that I use all kinds of paper notebooks and colored gel pens. I derive great pleasure from putting pen to paper. There has always been something in me that enjoys holding a pen and moving it on paper to form various styles of letters.
Journalling is very cathartic. I find great power and comfort in writing out my prayers and concerns. I must say though, that I do not allow myself to complain when I journal. I would not want someone to read them and get the wrong idea. I save my grumblings for when God and I talk.
Yes, I actually sit down and have conversations with God. Usually in the morning (my favorite time) and usually with a cup of tea or coffee. I ask Him to sit with me and talk to me and teach me. I tell Him what I'm thinking and what I'm concerned about. Then I wait and listen for Him in my heart.
Now, I do not always get a response right then but I always get a response. Sometimes it comes days or even a week later. But no matter when it comes, I always know it is the answer to what we had talked about previously.
If you do not already have time set apart every day for God, I highly suggest you add it to your calendar. Word of warning though: if you are a night person, set your time at night. If you are a morning person do it in the morning. If you go against your nature to do what someone else does you will end up being a bad imitation of both them and yourself.
Learn to appreciate who you are and what works best for you. God will meet you there. He doesn't need a big song and dance. He just wants time with you.
I hope some of this was helpful. If you have questions or comments please let me know.
Make sure you include God in your life. He is closer than you think.
Heidirn
Technology has given us access to so much information that it's easy to get sidetracked with sensory overload. Frustration is usually not far behind.
So with that in mind I want to list a few of the tools and websites I use to read and study the Bible.
Youversion - is a free Bible app available online and (I think) most or all smart phones. It is easy to post to facebook and twitter with it. There are reading plans, you can write notes, and save bookmarks. It is very easy to use and easy to share.
Blueletterbible.com - is a free online bible with all kinds of study aids. It is easy to search by topic or by phrase and offers a variety of translations and old-school commentaries plus it has a Strong's Concordance too.
Myoneword.org - is a website designed to help you focus on one thing throughout the whole year. It has an online journal and they send weekly messages to help you stay on track during the year (it drastically changed me this year and my husband and I are going to use it for our weekly Bible study).
KLove - online commercial free radio station (it is also in many cities and almost every state as a regular radio station). The DJs are genuine and their conversations and new stories help you grow in Christ plus I like the music.
There are two books that I think everybody must read and study. The first one is by E. W. Kenyon called "New Creation Realities" and the second is Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield of the Mind." Both books have totally rocked my world.
My favorite resource is: my Bible and a notebook. I love the Word. I love my Bible. I can get such comfort and peace just touching or holding my Bible because I know it is God speaking just to me. I do have several translations but my top three are:
1. The Amplified Bible - I like how the extra words help me to see things in picture form.
2. The Message Bible - it's more like reading a story but the wording of it can drop me to my knees in wonder and awe at how great God is.
3. The New King James Bible - I have a Spirit Filled Life Study Bible in this translation and I use it to start all my studies. It has word wealth blocks that help define words and a pretty good concordance.
I must also confess that I use all kinds of paper notebooks and colored gel pens. I derive great pleasure from putting pen to paper. There has always been something in me that enjoys holding a pen and moving it on paper to form various styles of letters.
Journalling is very cathartic. I find great power and comfort in writing out my prayers and concerns. I must say though, that I do not allow myself to complain when I journal. I would not want someone to read them and get the wrong idea. I save my grumblings for when God and I talk.
Yes, I actually sit down and have conversations with God. Usually in the morning (my favorite time) and usually with a cup of tea or coffee. I ask Him to sit with me and talk to me and teach me. I tell Him what I'm thinking and what I'm concerned about. Then I wait and listen for Him in my heart.
Now, I do not always get a response right then but I always get a response. Sometimes it comes days or even a week later. But no matter when it comes, I always know it is the answer to what we had talked about previously.
If you do not already have time set apart every day for God, I highly suggest you add it to your calendar. Word of warning though: if you are a night person, set your time at night. If you are a morning person do it in the morning. If you go against your nature to do what someone else does you will end up being a bad imitation of both them and yourself.
Learn to appreciate who you are and what works best for you. God will meet you there. He doesn't need a big song and dance. He just wants time with you.
I hope some of this was helpful. If you have questions or comments please let me know.
Make sure you include God in your life. He is closer than you think.
Heidirn
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