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New at YouVersion.com and in the Bible App: Afrikaans and Czech

The Bible App™ now in Afrikaans and CzechWe recently launched two new languages, Afrikaans and Czech, inside the Bible App and at YouVersion.com. Together with British English, that means we’ve now launched nineteen different languages! Besides being able to choose from Bible versions in each of these languages, now you can select one of these languages for all of your menus, controls, and screen text—even find reading plans in each language. All you have to do is set the language on your device to the one you want, or select it from within your Bible App Settings. And at YouVersion.com, just choose from the list of languages at the bottom right. If you have friends who speak Afrikaans or Czech, please share this exciting news with them and on Facebook and Twitter.

Afrikaans

We’re pleased to offer Afrikaans on the Bible App for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), BlackBerry, and Java, and of course at YouVersion.com. We now have 14 reading plans in Afrikaans, as well as five different Bible versions. Three of those Bibles, Bybel vir almal (ABD07), the 1933/1953 Translation (AFR53), and Afrikaans 1983 Translation (AFR83) are generously provided by the Bible Society of South Africa. The other two, Die Boodskap (DB) and Nuwe Lewende Vertaling (NLV), are provided by key YouVersion partner Christelike Uitgewersmaatskappy.

Czech

You can now choose Czech for your Bible App for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), Android, and Bada, and at our website, YouVersion.com. We offer three Czech Bible versions: the classic Bible Kralická 1613 (CSBKR) and two popular modern versions, Bible 21 (B21) and Slovo na cestu (SNC). We’ve even added 25 reading plans in Czech!

Thanks to You…

YouVersion makes God’s Word available to as many people as we can, no matter what language they prefer. But we don’t have enough people resources to translate the Bible App’s tools and resources into every language. That vision is only made possible by an incredible worldwide community of translation volunteers—people just like you. These amazing YouVersion friends are passionate about using their gifts to see the Bible shared with the world. And of course, we never stop working to make the Bible App even better, so there’s always translation to do. If you can volunteer to translate into Afrikaans or Czech (or other languages), we’d love to hear from you. Please join us. You’ll be helping people all over the planet fall in love with God’s Word.

We asked a couple of our key volunteers in Afrikaans and Czech to tell you what it feels like to share their talents to help YouVersion reach the world. Here’s what they had to say:

Czech Language Volunteer Radek C.

“My dream and motivation is letting the Bible engage as many Czechs as possible, even though our country is called atheistic. I simply love being involved in projects which have a greater mission and impact than we can ever imagine. I have been a YouVersion volunteer for about one and a half years now. Volunteering was a new step into the world of the Bible, and the community simply engaged and connected me with new people. Even more than before, I feel now that God wants to use me in many various ways I can’t imagine now, but I put all of my trust into His hands and look forward to what’s next.”

—Radek Ć., Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

 

Afrikaans Language Volunteer Christo D.“I have been SO blessed through the use of the Bible App that I wanted to join such a great project as YouVersion! Becoming a member of the Afrikaans translation team was the next logical step for me to help further God’s kingdom.”

—Christo D., London, United Kingdom

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Listening for God’s Voice in the Bible

We have a listening problem.

We are bombarded by images and headlines and tweets that link us to other tweets. A cacophony of street noise, radio noise and white noise fills the gaps. And even when are getting that rare reprieve, we are busy remembering appointments and checklists and that one thing that will make or break dinner tonight.

But when was the last time you drowned out the noise long enough to wonder, “How am I doing? Am I getting closer to where I want to go?”

God spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:12)

He revealed His power in the wind and earthquake and fire, but His instruction came in a hushed tone. With all the voices and devices clamoring for our attention, it’s no wonder we can feel disconnected from our Creator.

So how do we live the life we always wanted?

We need wisdom. A lot of it. And good habits. Most of all, we need to take our cues from the One who made us—and everything else. (Psalm 24:1)

We need to let His Word wash over us daily. In a confusing world, we need the voice of the God who parted the Red Sea and knocked down Jericho and Goliath. We need the voice that raised Jesus.

And that voice is found in the Bible, the Word of God. YouVersion reading plans here to help you make Scripture a part of your daily life. They are portable, so you can read them on your phone, tablet, computer, or even receive them via email. Some last three days and others go a full 365. Complete a study on joy, a 10-day plan that takes you through the book of John, or any of the hundreds of plans available.

Life is short and full of voices clamoring for our attention. Start a plan today so that His voice, that gentle whisper, is the soundtrack for a life well lived.

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God’s Word Shapes Our Lives

As Christ-followers we recognize how important it is to know—and live—God’s Word. We also recognize how difficult that can be sometimes. Scripture is full of tough commands:

  • Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31)
  • Take up your cross and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
  • Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
  • Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. (James 1:19)

Fortunately, as we study the Bible and begin to internalize it more and more, one of God’s promises comes to life:

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2

In other words, as we spend time in conversation with God through the study of Scripture, we experience transformation: change that compels us—and equips us—to actually live the words. We’re encouraged to hear how YouVersion is making the Bible more accessible to people across the world, allowing them to connect with God’s Word and experience that transformation.

“Love driving home and being able to just listen to the Bible. It’s refreshing to hear, and it brings new light.”
– Ronnie

“I love my @YouVersion reading plans. I find myself so happy and excited to read. I’ve also found my life to be more calm and understanding.”
– Tiffy

“Thank you for the Bible in 1 Year plan! It got me into a great habit, and it’s strengthening my relationship with God.”
– Emily

“I thank God for this resource. It has allowed me to study and hear The Word more often and more clearly. I am truly growing through using @YouVersion.”
– Ingrid

What about you? Are you working through a YouVersion Reading Plan that’s affecting your worldview? Have people noticed a change in you since you’ve been engaged more with God’s Word? We would love to hear your story!

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YouVersion Adds 5 New Plans to Help You Connect with the Bible

During the month leading up to Easter, more than three million people downloaded the Bible App™ for the first time. If you’re just getting started trying to figure out this whole Bible thing, or even if you’ve been using the Bible App for a long time, we have exciting news for you: We just added five brand new Reading Plans!

Any one of these plans can help you get into God’s Word for the first time, or get you back into the Bible if you’ve fallen behind.

Daily Devotions with Greg Laurie. Pastor Greg Laurie offers relevant, encouraging, devotional thoughts from God’s Word to help you “know God and make Him known.” 30 days

Seeds of Spring: A Woman’s 40-Day Journey. Using the metaphor of a garden, each day presents a Scripture (seed), thoughts for meditation (planting), and practical application (watering). Ideal for moms, single women, and college students. 40 days

Holy Emotions – Biblical Responses to Every Challenge. Learn what the Bible has to say about your natural emotions—and how to manage them. 30 days

A.C.T.S. Prayer Bible Reading. Each day presents 4 short readings, each one addressing one of these: A – Adoration, C – Confession, T – Thanksgiving, and S – Supplication — each one selected to help you draw closer to God through prayer. 52 days

Reading Through the Gospels with the Foursquare Church. Read through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) 4 times, each time with a different theme: Jesus our Savior, Jesus our Healer, Jesus our Soon-Coming King and Jesus our Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. Each Monday kicks off the week with an inspiring weekly devotional. 1 year

Reading Plans are great for helping you consistently engage with your Bible. When you subscribe to a plan, the Bible App feeds you just a few selections each day, breaking your reading (or listening) into manageable chunks. And with 240 plans now available in 16 different languages, you’re sure to find a plan that will work for you. The YouVersion community has already completed more than 2 million reading plans. Join us!

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YouVersion Community Completes 2 Million Reading Plans

In November of 2007, we announced the first Reading Plan for YouVersion. Of course, Reading Plans have come a long way since then. Reading Plans are now a major part of the Bible App™ on every platform, with more than 230 Reading Plans available in 16 different languages (and more of both still to come). Then in December 2011, more than four years after the launch of that very first plan, we shared that the YouVersion community had completed more than 1 million Reading Plans.

Now, something extraordinary has happened. What took the YouVersion community four years to accomplish the first time, we’ve now done again—in less than 4 months! Together, we’ve now completed more than 2 million Reading Plans.


“…He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…”
Philippians 1:6

What does 2 million completed plans mean? More and more people are using the Bible App to engage with God’s Word as a part of their everyday lives. To those of you who contributed to this milestone, thank you! And congratulations!

What is a Reading Plan? Reading Plans are specifically designed to help you be intentional about the time you devote to reading (or listening to) what God wants to speak into your life. You can select from Reading Plans that cover topics you want to know more about, that help you center your thought life around wisdom from the Bible, that take you through a portion of the Bible, or even through the entire thing. If you need a little help getting started with a Reading Plan, here are just a few you might consider:

A Jolt of Joy. The Bible tells us that “in His presence is fullness of joy” and “the joy of the Lord is our strength”. Joy isn’t simply another emotion; it is a fruit of the Spirit and one of the best weapons in your arsenal to fight against discouragement, depression, and defeat. Learn what the Bible has to say about joy, and strengthening yourself to become a defiantly joyful Christian.
Publisher: Carol McLead and Just Joy Ministries 31 days

Psalms and Proverbs in 31 Days. The Psalms and Proverbs are filled with songs, poetry, and writings – expressing true worship, longing, wisdom, love, desperation, and truth. Here, you will encounter God and find comfort, strength, solace, and encouragement that covers the breadth of the human experience.
Publisher: YouVersion 31 days

Discipleship Journal’s Book-at-a-Time Reading Plan. An easy-to-follow guide to reading the Bible one book at a time. From Discipleship Journal, this book-at-a-time Bible reading plan gives you what you need to read the Bible in one year.
Publisher: NavPress 365 days

And even if one of these plans doesn’t fit your life right now, we encourage you to invest just a little time exploring your many options. With more Reading Plans than ever before, YouVersion has something for everyone!