YouVersion, a popular Bible app, released its summary of its Bible usage data from 2013. With over 120 million installs since 2008 and a billion opens or uses in 2013, YouVersion provides a unique window into how many Christians read the Bible. What did the data say about what we read in the Bible?
The 5 most popular verses included:
- Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- Isaiah 40:31 - “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”
- Matthew 6:13 - “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”
- Joshua 1:9 - “…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged…”
- Philippians 4:6 - “Do not be anxious about anything…”
The 5 most popular chapters were:
- Romans 8 — Living a spiritual life and hope for eternal life
- Romans 12 — Loving God, the church, and others
- Matthew 5 — The Sermon on the Mount
- 1 John 4 — God is love
- Hebrews 12 — Why God allows hardship and how Christians should respond
What is your favorite verse and chapter in the Bible?
For more information on the data from YouVersion visit http://tobingrant.religionnews.com/2014/01/02/three-things-big-data-tells-us-people-use-bible/
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2
On New Year’s Eve I taught about how we, as believers, need to change the way we think. We asked, “What does God say about you in heaven? What is our true heavenly identity in Christ?” I shared a list from Graham Cooke on our standing in Jesus. As you read this list let it shape your ALL IN thinking in 2014.
- You’re a new creation,
- You’re a people for His possession,
- All grace abounds towards you,
- All sufficiency is in you, through Him,
- You’re anointed,
- You’re the apple of God’s eye,
- You’re being perfected,
- You are the beloved,
- You are blameless,
- You’re blessed,
- You’ve got bold access to the throne of God,
- You can do all things in Christ,
- You’re chosen,
- Christ indwells you with all His fullness,
- You’re free of the curse,
- You’re dead to sin,
- You’re alive in Christ,
- You’re declared Holy,
- You’re free,
- You’re a friend of God,
- You’re fruitful,
- You’re gifted,
- You have the mind of Christ,
- He’s at work in you,
- He is for you, not against you,
- You’re healed,
- You’re hidden in Christ,
- You are His possession,
- You are His workmanship,
- You’re inseparable from the love of God,
- You’re a joint heir with Jesus,
- You’re justified,
- The Kingdom of God is within you,
- You’re lacking in nothing,
- You’re the light of the world,
- You’re made in His image,
- You’re more than a conqueror,
- You’re a new creation,
- You’re of sound mind,
- You are prepared for good works,
- You are protected and purified,
- You are redeemed,
- You’re sanctified,
- You’re saved,
- You’re sealed,
- You’re seated with Him in heavenly places,
- You’re a servant of God,
- You share His authority,
- You are strengthened by Him,
- You are the righteousness of God,
- You’re the temple of the Holy Spirit,
- You are a vessel of glory and honor,
- You walk in newness of life,
- You are a warrior,
- You are witnesses,
- And you are absolutely worthy of the Lord!
Here is an excerpt from a recent article I wrote that was published in Solutions Magazine.
What can you do today to experience a move of God?
Move. Take action. It’s easy to get satisfied in life and go numb but it’s time to get hungry. Turn away from your inaction. Dive into God’s Word and read, pray, believe, and obey. Your relationship with God is the most important relationship you will ever have. It determines the direction and destiny of your life. God has so much waiting for you when you just take that first step.
Believe big. Remember you determine the size of God’s miracle power displayed in your life. Put your hope in God. He is the God of more than enough that has promised abundant life to all who follow Him.
Expect God to move. Your expectation moves the hand of God. God has been calling people to draw near to Him since the beginning of time. He’s just waiting for you to respond. When you move toward God you can count on Him showing up in a big way.
Be thankful. God loves when we thank Him because thanksgiving is a form of worship. We were created to worship God (Isaiah 43:21) and it’s our calling to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Move toward God with worship and thanksgiving in your heart, there is nothing He desires more.
More than ever we need God’s power at work in our lives, families, churches, and world. The days we live in demand it. Don’t settle, sitting back, waiting for God to move. He’s calling us through His Word to move toward Him and He in turn will move toward us. (James 4:8)
You can read the entire article online at http://mysolutionsmagazine.com/solutions/2013/december/#page/65.
New Year’s is a time for resolutions. According to Forbes.com only 8% will achieve their New Year’s resolution. That means 92% of those who make resolutions are doomed to fail. So, unless your one of the lucky ones blessed with extraordinary discipline why even bother?
God is a God of “fresh starts.” Each new day with God is a fresh start. (Lamentations 3:22-23) The New Year carries a tremendous opportunity for a fresh start in each of our lives. But are we willing to take it when it seems like the percentages are stacked against us? How can we team up with God and beat the odds as we strive toward the new, fresh, abundant life He promised?
Here are some ideas to help you make a fresh start in the New Year.
- Think. Too often we think in worldly terms about our lives. We need to change our thoughts. (Colossians 3:2) What does God say about you in heaven? What is your true heavenly identity in Christ? We need to see ourselves from God’s perspective. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Listen. Be mindful of what you listen to in the New Year. Our ears need to be tuned to the Holy Spirit rather than our flesh. Tune into God’s Word and the promises for your life. Let the voice of God empower your life.
- Obey. Break out of your old routine. Stop living on autopilot. Force yourself to take action on what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. Don’t just try to clean up the “old person,” live out the “new” person God created you to be. Then you’ll be on the road to transformation.
- Be S.M.A.R.T. When you have done the first three on the list then set your New Year’s goals and remember to be S.M.A.R.T. Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
I know change is hard, but GO FOR IT! The New Year is a great time to start. Even if you start small, just start. Small habits everyday lead to big changes. And remember even when the odds are stacked against you, God is on your side. (Jeremiah 32:27) I’m praying for you this week!
