Exploring the Bible
These are some of my favorite resources for Bible study and devotional reading. Beginning and/or ending the day with God’s Word is one of the most fruitful habits to form if you want to grow in your relationship with God!
Bible
The One Year® Bible. This Bible is set up with daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. It is a wonderful way to get acquainted with God’s Word. In 2004, I read the One Year Bible for the first time because I had never read the entire Bible, cover-to-cover. I was tired of people telling me what the Bible said without knowing if they were telling the truth. I wanted to know for myself! I’ve read it each year since and have learned so so much about the Bible. It takes about 20 minutes per day to read it. Another option is to read just the Old Testament or just the New Testament and take two years to read it. This year, I’m only reading the New Testament and Psalms and journaling as I go. It’s been wonderful so far to slow down and dig in more! You can read the One Year Bible online or in print (in several versions).
Devotionals
There are many daily de
votionals in print and online. If you’re new to the Bible or want a shorter devotional that you can read at breakfast or on your lunch break, try reading The Upper Room. It provides a daily scripture and personal application that you can read in about five minutes. It’s a great way to learn what the Bible says and how to relate it to your own life and faith. It is written by a team of Christian writers who are committed to sharing God’s Word in a way that is timely and applicable for today’s reader.
For a morning and evening devotional, you might try Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening. You can read it online or in print. It is considered a devotional classic.
Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman is an incredible daily devotional. This is for people who love classic literature and reading inspiring stories of missionaries and Christian heroes through the ages. It never ceases to speak to my situation in life. It is full of encouragement for everyday life and especially the dry, painful, and “wilderness” times. I’ve been reading it for several years as a supplement to my daily Bible reading. It stirs my heart when I need it most. You can read it online or in print. There is a classic version and a more modern version.
Radio
SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson of Applegate Christian Fellowship. This is one of my favorite sources for daily Bible teaching. Pastor Jon teaches through the entire Bible, verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, book-by-book. He is a gifted Bible teacher who makes the Bible relatable and personal. His application of Scripture to everyday life is profound, humorous, and exciting! You can listen to the SearchLight app on your phone or online.
KWAVE Radio. You can listen to amazing pastors and teachers throughout the day as they teach God’s Word and explain its concepts and principles. You’ll hear Chuck Smith, Greg Laurie, Jon Courson, Chuck Swindoll, Raul Ries, Alistair Begg, Chet Lowe, and many other amazing pastors and evangelists. Every time I turn on KWAVE (I use the app on my phone), I am encouraged. I’m amazed at how often the message that “just happens” to be on when I tune in, is exactly the message I need to hear. You can listen online, via podcast, or via the mobile phone app.
