Making History In 400 Seconds

This is a follow-up to my comments recently about "YouVersion".

On Monday, May 2, the YouVersion community is going to read through the entire King James Bible in 400 seconds. It was on May 2, 1611, that the King James Bible was published by the Church of England under the authority of King James! Thus it has been called the "King James Version" (KJV). Though we now have many more versions to use and enjoy, when it was published, the KJV was revolutionary. It put the Bible into the common man's vernacular of that day, bringing an understanding of the Scriptures to a whole new level. It has endured as one of the most widely read books in human history.

For those of with YouVersion in your smart phones, I urge you to sign up and be part of this vast reading of the Bible on Monday, May 2. When you sign up, they will give you a portion of Scripture to read during those 400 seconds. The simultaneous readings will begin at 9:00 AM our time, Pacific Coast time (or noon, EDT). You are even encouraged to have someone take a picture of you reading your portion aloud…and post it online. If you do, please send me a copy and we’ll post it also.

What a great project to be a part of…for 6 minutes and 40 seconds…400 seconds to make history!!

What Are You Reading Today?

Are you a "smart-phone" user. If so, I have a wonderful recommendation for you. We have tremendous technology available, and the world at your fingertips, literally. There's another application that many of our fellowship have found, and that is "You Version." This is a Bible application for smart phones, and makes the Bible available anywhere. Now when you mention a scripture during a Sunday service, many phones are pulled out and the reference is immediately available...in several versions.

I highly recommend "You Version." I don't know if it is the best or brightest, but it is a tremendous asset to your spiritual life. Standing in line, waiting for an appointment, or just a few minutes of free time gives me time to call up scripture verses that I have been reading, or wanting to read. So, what should I read? How should I read?

I recommend "You Version's" "Life Journal Reading Plan." This is a daily reading plan that will annually take you through the Old Testament once and twice through the New Testament.

Today's reading took me through 2 Cor. 13. For the past several weeks I have been reading through Paul's letter to the Corinthians in the Message Version, and I find it inspiring, insightful and quite pointed as Paul deals with problems in the church. What encouragement...to find out he had many of the same problems back there we find today. And what wisdom..."Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it." Great advice for today...

In "You Version" you will also find a handy concordance where you can look up words and phrases, or just look up a reference to read...in one of many different versions. What a great tool now at my disposal...anywhere!

I have always encouraged people to read the Bible...here is a wonderful tool, literally at your fingertips. Enjoy...