God is personal and wants a relationship with us
Every author in the Bible knew the Lord uniquely and the Lord spoke to and through each one of them. We are the recipients of their intimacy. But the Lord wants to develop and cultivate our own personal relationship with Him. Reading the Word is one way He speaks â a place where we search, listen, learn about and interact with Him.
Every author in the Bible knew the Lord uniquely and the Lord spoke to and through each one of them. We are the recipients of their intimacy. But the Lord wants to develop and cultivate our own personal relationship with Him. Reading the Word is one way He speaks â a place where we search, listen, learn about and interact with Him.
2 Peter 1:3-8
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why is it important to read/study the Bible? <click link below>
Instructions
READ ALL BEFORE PROCEEDING
Many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to reading the Bible. Maybe you are thinking, Yes. Thatâs me.Where do I even start?
Many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to reading the Bible. Maybe you are thinking, Yes. Thatâs me.Where do I even start?
START HERE:
1) Pick a version of the Bible to use. What version of the Bible is best? One thatâs easy for you to read. If you donât understand it, you probably wonât read it. The English Standard Version (ESV) is what we use at Catalyst during our services. However, the New International Version (NIV) and New Living Translation (NLT) are also good.
2) Decide between two options:
a) Read the Bible on your own <or>
b) Select from a list of devotionals
1) Pick a version of the Bible to use. What version of the Bible is best? One thatâs easy for you to read. If you donât understand it, you probably wonât read it. The English Standard Version (ESV) is what we use at Catalyst during our services. However, the New International Version (NIV) and New Living Translation (NLT) are also good.
2) Decide between two options:
a) Read the Bible on your own <or>
b) Select from a list of devotionals
3) If a, then go to Game Set-Up and click the "Read On Your Own" button to get instructions to set up the game. Once that's done you're ready to start.
4) If b, then go to Game Set-Up section and click the "Devotional" button for instructions to set up the game. After set-up, click the link to the devotional you've chosen. Once that's done you're ready to start.
4) If b, then go to Game Set-Up section and click the "Devotional" button for instructions to set up the game. After set-up, click the link to the devotional you've chosen. Once that's done you're ready to start.
Game Set-Up
Bible Study Options (Devotionals)
Books of the Bible
Life Issues / Topics
ANGER
Unchecked anger can turn to bitterness and an unforgiving spirit. It will also affect your relationship with God.
ANXIETY
Anxiety is a âfeeling of fear or apprehension about whatâs to come.â This can be physical sensations, or thoughts that can be uncontrolled. Continued experiences of anxiety can cause issues that can affect us deeply.
DEPRESSION
Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job, can trigger depression. But depression is distinct from unhappiness - the negative feelings a person may temporarily have in response to a difficult life event. Depression often persists in spite of a change of circumstances and causes feelings that are intense, chronic, and not proportional to a personâs circumstances.
DOUBT
God doesn't expect us to never experience doubt. However, doubt in God causes uncertainty. When you are in doubt you will find yourself trusting God one day and not the next or in this situation but not that one. You are walking by faith and then walking by sight. Connect your doubt to the power and character of God.
PATIENCE
God wants to produce patience in us to slow us down and to show us how to trust in him. God does not test us just for the sake of testing us, but he tests us to teach us to walk in his ways and to trust in him.
PEACE
Peace is something everyone wants, yet many people struggle to find it. God promises to give us peace and contentment if we trust him.
PERSONAL INSIGHT
Knowing who you are and Whose you are changes everything. If you knew that you were fearfully and wonderfully made, that would change the way you view yourself.
PRIDE
Pride causes us to assess our lives by the standard of our own accomplishments rather than our God given identity. Instead of depending on our own strength, we should humbly look to the Lord for help. Pride promotes self; humility lets God do the promoting.
TEMPTATION
Martin Luther said, âYou cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.â You can't keep the Devil from suggesting thoughts, but you can choose not to dwell or act on them.