And the 1,000th Bible Version is…

The YouVersion community has now reached a truly global milestone: The Bible App just added its 1,000th Bible version! With Bibles available in more than 700 languages, that means that millions of people are now reading God’s Word in the language of their hearts, together.

Version number 1,000 is Deftera Lfida Dzratawi (XEDNT), the first digital translation of the New Testament into Hdi (pronounced huh-DEE), a language spoken mostly in Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria. Generously provided to the YouVersion community by Wycliffe, this Bible’s translation is an incredible story of perseverance and love decades in the making…

Completed Deftera Lfida Dzratawi NT, delivered to Hdi in late 2013

The Deftera Lfida Dzratawi is Living and Active

A seed planted. In the 1970’s, John was a Christian from the Mafa language group who felt God calling him to move his family to live among the Hdi people in the mountains of Cameroon. Together, John and his family lived out his vision to learn Hdi and to share the Gospel with its people, eventually leading a small group of 12- and 13-year-old boys to a relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior.

The faithful continue watering. In 1987, Beth Gathman and Cindy Langermann came to live among the Hdi people, hoping to lay the groundwork for an eventual Hdi language Bible. By that time, two of the boys from John’s original small group, Philip and Steven, had grown into young men. These first generation Hdi Christians taught Beth and Cindy how to speak the language, then continued working with them to analyze and document its various structures.

When Beth and Cindy moved on to other careers in 1995, Lee and Tammi Bramlett moved their family to Cameroon to continue the work. And Philip and Steven were right there to welcome them, determined to help see the translation through, so that the nearly 45,000 Hdi speakers in Cameroon and Nigeria could  have a Bible that was truly their own.

In Hdi: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6)

The harvest realized. Translators completed the Hdi text in partnership with SIL International and the Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy, and in September 2012, the Deftera Lfida Dzratawi was typeset. After printing and shipping, the final XEDNT was joyfully delivered to the Hdi people in a special dedication ceremony in December 2013.

Hdi hold the NT, translated into their own language, for the 1st time

A New Kind of Love

The Hdi people deeply value humility, hospitality, and love. But the Hdi who assisted in the translation were surprised to discover a new way to apply a word that was known but rarely used. Hdi had a word for love, dvi, that means you once felt love for someone, but that love had faded over time. Hdi also had another, more common word for love, dva, that means you love someone because they do things for you. But when the Hdi reexamined a word seldom used in their language, dvu, which means to love someone unconditionally, no matter who they are or what they do, they discovered a whole new way they could apply it to their lives: recognizing it as the way that God loves them. Now the Hdi are convinced that dvu has the power to transform their entire culture.

Hdi reach toward the Deftera Lfida Dzratawi as they pray at its dedication


Names changed to protect the privacy of these individuals.

Did you know…

  • 87% of Christians with Internet access can read or listen to the Bible in their own language on the Bible App?
  • The Bible App offers text in more languages than any other app?
  • If you stacked 1,000 Bibles on top of each other, they’d be as tall as Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue?

See the full infographic…

Click to see more

YouVersion Introduces the Jesus Calling Bible Plan

Ever since its publication in October 2004, millions of people from all over the world have been enjoying Jesus Calling, the bestselling book from author Sarah Young. Today, in partnership with Sarah and with HarperCollins, the book’s publisher, we’re excited to introduce a very special Jesus Calling Bible Plan to the YouVersion community. In this exclusive special guest post, Sarah shares her reflections with you on writing Jesus Calling:

JC-980x1200Writing Jesus Calling was an integral part of my quest to grow closer to my living Lord and Savior. Actually, writing is something I have enjoyed for most of my life. I’ve filled up many journals with my thoughts and prayers. However, the journals that became Jesus Calling were different. These writings came out of my intense longing to experience Jesus’ presence in my daily life. So I started getting up early to spend time alone with the Lord before my family woke up. Equipped with pen, paper, Scripture, and coffee, I delighted in this time of seeking God’s face and gaining His perspective on my life. I found it more personal to write from the voice of Jesus speaking to me. This was private journaling, not intended for the eyes of other people.

Our amazing God, the God of surprises, had other ideas. Three years after I began this new type of journaling, my perspective changed dramatically during a spiritual retreat. I was asked the thought-provoking question: “What is Jesus calling you to right now?” Immediately, I knew the answer—write for publication. I was journaling my responses, so I committed myself in writing to this challenging adventure. Eventually, over many years, I came to realize that my “private” journaling was actually for the eyes of many other people—millions of readers!

I’m delighted to have this opportunity to partner with YouVersion through the Bible App. So many people are on the go, and the Bible App—the largest digital Bible provider—helps people spend time with the Lord every day, in the midst of their busy lives. I think one reason Jesus Calling has resonated with millions of people is that it’s a daily reminder of Jesus’ constant presence with us, regardless of where we are or what we’re experiencing. He offers us not only His presence, but also His peace—in good times, in hard times, at all times. The Jesus Calling Bible Plan is simple and accessible; it’s an easy way to start a daily habit that has already blessed so many people around the world.

I’m very thankful for the Bible App. I believe that Christians need to be spiritually nourished by reading the Bible frequently and absorbing its life-giving “nutrients.” On the Jesus Calling Facebook page, I’ve been excited to read people’s stories about how spending time in Scripture and reading Jesus Calling has helped them find their way through difficult circumstances. The Bible App incorporates technology into everyday life in the best way, making God’s Word so conveniently accessible to users—literally at their fingertips!

—Sarah Young

New Bible App for Kids Story: Parting the Red Sea & the Ten Commandments

The newest story for The Bible App for Kids, “God Makes a Way,” is available now! The first part of the story comes from Exodus 14. As God rescues the Israelites from Pharaoh, He miraculously leads them across the Red Sea on dry land, then releases the waters back onto the Egyptian army.

GodMakesAWay_Scene2_FINAL

In the second part of “God Makes a Way,” God calls Moses up onto Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19), then sends him back to share them with His people (Exodus 20).

GodMakesAWay_Scene8_FINAL

The next time you open the Bible App for Kids, you’ll see a new icon with stone tablets on it. Just tap it to download this new story. The Bible App for Kids is always completely free. If you don’t have it yet, we’ll tell you below how you can get it right now.

What’s the Bible App for Kids?

Already installed on more than 4 million devices, the completely free Bible App for Kids is the newest app from YouVersion, makers of the Bible App™. Designed specifically to delight your children with a Bible experience all their own, here are all the places where you can get the Bible App for Kids:

The Bible App for KidsWebsite: bible.com/kids

Apple: App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bible-for-kids/id668692393?ls=1&mt=8

Android: Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bible.kids

Kindle Fire: Amazon Appstore: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GURLC40

 

Have You Heard About La Biblia App para Niños?

Did you know the Bible App for Kids is also available in Spanish? La Biblia App para Niños brings the same fun interaction and delightful animation you’ve come to expect from the Bible App for Kids to children whose first language is Spanish. For your kids to experience La Biblia App para Niños, just set your device’s default language to Spanish. But La Biblia App para Niños is just the beginning—soon we’ll be announcing several more languages that are on the way! Tell your friends!

New Bible Plans from Oswald Chambers

YouVersion is thrilled to announce the addition of several new devotional Bible Plans based on the collected lifetime works of Oswald Chambers. Best known for the daily devotionals in his book, My Utmost for His Highest, Chambers’ writings have helped millions lead a more passionate walk with God.

Now My Utmost for His Highest and RBC Ministries have graciously partnered with YouVersion to bring an expanded collection of Chambers’ devotionals to you in the Bible App. Enjoy the simple, thought-provoking perspective that has engaged his readers for more than 80 years.

 

utmost-uversion-30My Utmost for His Highest

Discovery House Publishers, 30 days

Based on Oswald Chambers’ book of the same name, this plan features a selection of 30 timeless devotionals that include a prayer and corresponding Scripture.

 

Oswald Chambers: Hope – A Holy Promise

Discovery House Publishers, 30 days

A daily inspirational quote from Chambers and a related Bible passage challenge you with straightforward biblical wisdom.

 

Oswald Chambers: Prayer – A Holy Occupation

utmost-uversion-prayerDiscovery House Publishers, 30 days

Chambers’ insights about prayer inspire you to spend more time communicating with God, with each selection followed by questions for personal reflection.

 

Oswald Chambers: Peace – Life In The Spirit

Discovery House Publishers, 30 days

Each day, you’ll find a biblical principle about God’s peace followed by practical ideas to incorporate this divine peace into your everyday life.

 

Oswald Chambers: Joy – Strength In The Lord

utmost-uversion-joyDiscovery House Publishers, 30 Days

Chambers explores the true, lasting joy that comes from discovering—and living out—God’s purpose in our lives. Follow-up questions help you find practical application for this biblical wisdom.

 

More from RBC Ministries…

In addition to these Oswald Chambers Plans, the Bible App already offers several Bible Plans from RBC Ministries’ popular Our Daily Bread devotionals.  Search for “Our Daily Bread” inside the Plans section of the Bible App.

Brennan Manning and Bill Hybels inspire hope, bring clarity with new Bible Plans

Find the fuel you need in God’s Word.

Bible Plans are a great way you can connect with God’s Word every day. But don’t take our word for it. Try one of this month’s recommended plans and find out for yourself!

Case for Christ

Lee Strobel, 7 Days
Atheist and Chicago Tribune reporter Lee Strobel’s search for truth led him to a life transformed by Christ. In this 7-day plan, Strobel leads youthrough some of his investigation into Scripture that ultimately convinced him Jesus was exactly who he claimed.

Ragamuffin Reflections

Brennan Manning, 10 Days
This collection of honest, heartfelt devotions, selected from the works of bestselling author Brennan Manning, demonstrate through the truth of Scripture that not only does God love you—but he actually delights in you.

Simplify

Bill Hybels, 10 Days
Pastor and author Bill Hybels identifies common issues that fill our lives with busyness and stress, then counters them with Biblical truth and practical advice that can help you find more energy, clearer purpose, and richer relationships.

7 Days to a Hope-Inspired Life

Nick Vujicic and Life Without Limbs, 7 Days
Born without arms or legs, motivational speaker and evangelist Nick Vujicic shares the unique perspective he’s discovered through a life of adapting and overcoming, along with key insights, inspiration, and hope from God’s Word.

Select Plans Designed for Youth, Kids, and Family

Looking for a plan to inspire your teen with Godly wisdom? Trying to teach your younger kids how they can put their faith in action? Or maybe as a parent you’re looking for these things for yourself! Each of these Bible Plans were developed specifically to help youth, kids, and family engage with the Scriptures: