Spiritual Notifications

According to the most recent research, the average cell phone user will receive 75 notifications (known as "Push Notifications" or those you don't ask for, the ones that just appear and let you know things you never wanted to know or never need to know regarding the apps you installed on your device) a day.  The average American adult will receive, on average, an additional 53 text messages a day (the number for teens is staggering by the way). Then, consider that the average American office worker will receive around 121 email notifications in a normal work day. These statistics are of course averages and vary widely based on many factors, but also do not take into account many other things such as additional apps that many of us have on our phones, or notifications within those apps.  For instance, when this post drops on our Facebook page, those who follow CTS on Facebook will receive a notification letting them know that we posted an article. Notifications to left of me, alerts to the right. Here I am, stuck in the middle with news.

It is here that some would say that our answer to the problem would be to totally unplug from the world of technology and the wiles of the enemy in technology.  For most of us, that reality just isn't possible.  We are connected to technology.  It is how we communicate and connect with our world.  We must be wise stewards of all of our resources, and use well, for the glory of Christ, all that we have been given.  The question for us, is how do we connect well in a culture such as this?  How do we stay connected spiritually without being distracted?  The answer is simple, we walk in the Spirit.  What is the application of that walk?  Jesus said in John 14:26: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."  For the disciples, this was a promise of practicality.  He would be a help and comfort to remind them, and piece together all the things that Jesus had said were about to be fulfilled.  Also, He would would bring to light all the teachings and threads of the Gospel that would go forth to every nation.  For us, He comes to make the Words of life and all teaching a complete picture, recalling all that Christ has said and taught us.  So now, as we walk by the Spirit He is teaching and showing us "the path of life".

In a day and age when that little red icon stays at the forefront of our screens, always calling for attention, how can we utilize it for the benefit of reclaiming our attention and time for spiritual focus?  How can we utilize technology to draw our attention back to this spiritual walk and work?  If the goal is for a daily walk, whereby the Spirit of God takes the Word of God and speaks, connecting the dots and mining truth that transforms, can we not use the resource of technology that we are already tied to so frequently to reclaim some of those minutes and hours to do this work? There are many great applications out today that are useful for this purpose, but here are a few that we recommend will be a welcome to your already growing notification list.

YouVersion: The Bible App

One of the oldest and most trusted Bible apps. YouVersion offers the most Bible translations, devotions, reading plans, study guides, artwork, sermon audio, videos and guides, and many other resources.  YouVersion has a great Social Networking feature to share reading plans with friends and groups to read along with others.  One of my favorite features is the ability to have Scripture read to you directly from the app. As always, the app is 100% FREE! 

Read Scripture | by Crazy Love Ministries

With unique hand illustrated videos for each narrative of scripture and passage, Read Scripture brings the Bible to life as it walks you through the Bible as the whole story unfolds in a new and exciting light.  Explaining the big picture of God's plan as it is told in a clear and contextual light. Track your progress and share with others as you go through the Bible. See the narrative of redemption and grace unfold before your eyes with this reading app.

Faithlife Study Bible | by Faithlife Corporation

Faithlife is a word-for-word translation app, offering a digital study bible at your finger tips.  Introduction to books, and split screen commentaries as you read. Built in books, live stream church tools and shared reading options, online bookstore, and a wide range of customizable options.  This digital study Bible has become a favorite and go-to of mine over the past few years.  The notes are as good as any and ease of use in app is as good as it gets.

Fighter Verses: Memorize Bible | Fight the Fight of Faith

Simply the best resource for memorizing scripture out today.  With daily reminders and modern tools that are unbeatable. Memorization plans, topics, schedules, even options to have the verses put into songs to help you memorize them - this app is a must.  This is the only app recommendation that carries a cost, but is worth every cent. If hiding His word in our heart guards us from sin, Fighter Verses is the greatest weapon in our digital arsenal.