What with the new year coming up and people starting to think about making a new start I thought I would talk with you abit about doing regular devotions (yes, talking to myself here as well) and about some of the different bibles you could use in your journey.
First up, what do I use?
This is the bible I use almost exclusively when I am not at home. 
It’s the ESV bible app. It’s on my phone, I use it for church, devotions with the lad and whenever I need quick access to God’s word.
I love it’s portability, and how this translation was done. Suits me all round.
Devotions on line catch me using this site: BibleGateway. I like that I can toss the footnotes out, and customize it to my preferences. 
One of the things I really like is that if I am struggling with understanding a passage is just how easily I can switch from one translation to another. Different translations bring insight.
Bibles:
Over the past year or so it’s been my delight to review a number of different bibles, I’d like to point out some of our favourites.
Hubby’s Choice: The NIV Reader’s Bible.
This is just a lovely book. Good paper, great readability. Just read the bible just like you would any other book. Not looking for verses or section headings, just the words of God written down for you. He’s not a fan of the NIV but he likes this bible just for it’s readability.
My Son’s choice: Kids NIV Visual Study Bible.
For my son’s church youth group he needs to have a physical bible and over the year he’s had a chance to see different bibles and the various elements that make them useful. He had one he used a lot until he saw this Visual Study Bible and asked if he could have it instead.
Some other bibles of note that we’ve seen:
Faith Builders Bible. There was much we liked in this theme based bible.
The Jesus Bible. Which I know I reviewed but in the change from one site to another I can’t find it. A nice bible that my son preferred until The Visual Bible came along. And I have to admit, if I needed to pick one from this list, this bible would be the one I would use. It was very simple, just a nice solid bible.
NIV Revolution Bible. This is a bible geared to guys. Good bible this one with lots of helps to encourage young men in their journey of faith.
ANYWAYS, Before I forget the point of this post… It’s the start of a new year coming up. Have you thought about becoming more focused in your study of God’s word?
Devotional Readings/Bible Study
Navigator’s have some bible reading plans.
Bible Study Tools has a number of differently focused bible reading plans for you to consider.
BibleGateway has some bible reading plans you might like to follow.
You can follow along on this blog as I do my devotions. I tend to read through books of the bible and post my thoughts as I go through sections.
You can follow along with Traci’s Group on Facebook.
If you simply want to read through the bible in a year and are good with checklists, go here!
Original Photo: Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
I like to use the Bible reading plans on YouVersion. Some of the plans do have a few technical glitches from time to time, but overall I like that I can access it anywhere and it keeps track of my progress and there are so many devotionals and reading plans to choose from. I do need to update the app on my phone though – or get the Bible Gateway app for my phone instead. 🙂
I haven’t looked at the youversion ones but glad you found some that work for you. 🙂
I love to use YouVersion, although recently I have been spending time in books, not really devotionals, of Elisabeth Elliot, Nona Freeman … some of those old greats…getting to know them. My oldest son needs more study/devotion time. Some of these look really good. He is starting a “kids” one on the Bible and the tongue right now….Words…so many words…. may our words be sweet as a honeycomb.
My son is doing who is God by apologia we are also spending time in the Heidelberg Catechism which helps us gain a deeper understanding of God and the doctrine around our belief in him
I am currently reading one Old Testament book and one New Testament book at a time. I think the reading plan I have most enjoyed over the years is to read the Bible chronologically. It really helped me get the Minor prophets in the right time places in my mind, as well as reading Paul’s epistles as they were happening during Acts.
I have read the Bible chronologically as well and found it very helpful
I’ll be reading plans from the You Version Bible App, as well as a couple of devotions. Getting back to simplifying my time with God. I tend to make it way too complicated.
seems a lot of people use the youversion bible app. I found it annoying when I tried it.. probably just too complicated for me (or noisy). I tend to get rid of anything nothing, or that isn’t very simple to use. 🙂 But I’m glad its working for so many people. Being simple with God is always the best I find.
I use the You Version Bible App. This year I think I am trying to read the Bible Chronologically (going to use The Bible Project’s plan). My husband is using the Daily Audio Bible App. I love that there are so many options that help us all meet our goals.
I could see an audio Bible app being very helpful
We use BibleGateway often as a research and concordance tool. So nice and helpful!
This year I am using a printable Bible Study guide written by a friend of mine called Beautiful Worship. I have a place to check off the sections of scripture I’ve read and study, plus journaling pages and other helpful sections. We are off to a good start to 2018!
That sounds like a neat guide
I like Bible Gateway but Blue Letter Bible is a go to for me, also. For away from a computer, I tend to use the You Version Bible app. I find that You Version app simple. I wonder if they have different versions on different platforms because the one we use has no noise. Our girls have been able to maneuver through it for several years. They also have a kids Bible story app that the girls enjoy playing with, even now that they have outgrown the intended ages.
blue letter bible? I don’t know that one… I may need to try youversion again…but i’m happy with the ESV bible so hmmm…