New Group Devotional: GOD's Grace By Tony Evans

For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: 

it is the gift of God: Not of works, so no man should boast. - Ephesians 2:8

I love how GOD is Amazing! I was trying to find a good devotional plan to read next on YouVersion. Grace is something that's really been in my spirit lately, so I wanted to read something concerning it. 

The few plans that I initially found I really wasn't vibing with. I know I like Priscilla Shirer's rhetoric, so to find something in YouVersion about grace written by her would have been awesome. I didn't see that combination in YouVersion. Instead of continually searching in the wind I prayed for GOD to lead me to the right one. 

Immediately after praying about it, when I went to look again one of the first devotional's I saw was "GOD's Grace" by Tony Evans.

I was so happy to find it! My face lit up. If you don't know, Tony Evans is Priscilla Shirer's daddy. Yep, Priscilla Shirer is Tony Evan's seed. I can imagine that fact influences what she knows of the word, So when I found the simple. straight to the point title that has the exact name I wanted to read about, it was beyond a blessing, serendipity even. I'm super excited to get started with it.

Like the last devotional I did to get the 2020 Easter Badge. I've opened it up as a group devotional. Yep, you can join in on the reading and the convo.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE GOD'S GRACE READING PLAN

Special thanks to everyone that joined the last one it was great fellowship, insight and a fun way to stay on track. Looking forward to seeing you there.

What are some good devotionals that you've found to read on YouVersion? Shoot me your reccomendations in the comments section below, and continue the convo with Breath Of Life Daily on all social media platforms @BOLDJournal. 

What Easter Plan Are You Reading In YouVersion?

Happy April! Welcome To The New Month! I don't wanna here any name jokes! I've heard the "APRIL, May, June" response when I tell people my name all my life . . . trust me, I'm good.

Anyway, let's talk Devotionals! Although, I have a physical devotional that I'm reading. YouVersion recently sent out their Easter Badge update. I got one last year and it felt good, so It's kind of a tradition now. Let's Get it!!

Yesterday I started the "Cross & Crown" devotional plan by InTouch Ministries. I made it public and invited friends, so I invite you to join me on this devotional journey to get your Easter Badge! You can join us in the plan HERE. Also, If you haven't already added me as a friend on YouVersion feel free to connect with me. 

We talk more about the Devotionals in the BOLD Facebook Group. Where I will also be doing more Check-ins, LIVE streams, and sharing more Inspiration.
 

If you would like to stay connected. Join the BOLD Prayer and Inspiration Group.

YouVersion Bible App Announces New "Prayer" Requests Feature

YouVersion recently announced it's latest prayer feature that's been incorporated into the app.

According to the website YouVersion Prayer is an all-new feature in the Bible App, that begins rolling out gradually this month. The company advises users to update the Bible App to see it when it arrives.

A special video was shared to give users an idea of how the app works. Check out the official video below, which is kind of touching. The video shows the power of community prayer.

An infographic was also put out to show the functionality of the app.

The app video reminded me of the Scripture: Matthew 18:20

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Kudos to YouVersion for the upgrade. Hopefully making prayer requests digital can help upgrade our prayer lives.

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4 Values That Help Build Your Spiritual Core

Your spiritual core is made up of four values: intimacy, identity, integrity, and humility. These develop as separate entities within your "sit place with God," as well as work together to help you in becoming all that you were destined to be and do. In your identity, it is important that you believe who you are in Christ. God states that you are very precious, chosen, holy, dearly loved, and a people belonging to Him. 

Believing these truths and so many more is your identity because you are created in the image of God. Believing and trusting in this identity is essential for creating a strong spiritual core.

Intimacy has already been presented in the value of sharing your voice (thoughts and feelings) openly and truthfully, pausing to receive His care and comfort, and then listening to God's voice of truth, and taking a hold of His grace in order to trust and obey the words He speaks to you regarding your relationships and circumstances. Psalms 34 expresses this beautiful imagery of intimate relationship.

Integrity is presenting to the world that what they hear and see match, that your private life matches your public life. No discrepancies. The world needs to see the good fruit of your integrity in truth, goodness, righteousness, gratitude, humility, and reverence to God.

Humility is the fourth value that is needed to strengthen your spiritual core. It is the pathway that leads out from your spiritual core of identity, intimacy, and integrity to fulfill your role in the kingdom. With a strong spiritual core, humility is the spiritual pathway to serve others with your vision (your purpose on earth) and mission (the ways you walk out your vision). Everything God works in you is for the purpose of overflow to others. As He has loved you, so love one another. Commit to fulfilling your role in the kingdom to declare God's grace to others.

Reflection

First, define your identity. If there are any discrepancies in what God says about you, replace them with the truth. Live loved. Live out those words for you and the world to see and enjoy! You are His beloved! Second, develop a strong core of all these values. Spend time with God in the Word, applying all He speaks to your personal life. Let integrity be worked through and through, reflecting God in your words, choices, and responses. Serve others in humility, bending low and lifting up one another. Humility is the essence of love. Third, declare your vision and mission. Write out your vision statement that you believe God gave to you when He created you and then list the ways you desire to walk out in mission that vision statement.

This post is from the devotional "10 habits of intimacy with GOD". It can be found on Youversion bible app.

Beauty Unfolding

So I have a question, If GOD comes to visit you is there beauty where you are? 

When GOD sees us, our space and our life there should be beauty there. Our goal should be for GOD to look into us and our lives and see beauty.

The awesome thing about this is that there's a scripture that says GOD gives us beauty for ashes. 

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." - Isaiah 61-3

I think those ashes that the scripture is talking about are ashes from everything that dies off in the process of us becoming who we really, divinely are. I think it's the part of us that gets singed whenever we go before GOD to submit our lives in worship or prayer daily. Whatever needs to go in the process of our evolution and growth.

So if we seek the presence and will of GOD daily, then we are being renewed daily. I'm realizing It's so important to do this. The dying daily that we do is us surrendering ourselves and our desires to the Lord everyday. Like sheep we intentionally follow GOD's leadership. 

GOD gives us beauty for ashes... so yes, that beauty should be in us, and we have the power to cultivate it around us. We can manifest beauty in our lives, because we can get it from GOD.

I'm reminded of a break-up process that I experienced, that I intentionally chose as my self-awareness grew. That self awareness was more of just an awareness of GOD's love for me, I started to realize what I wanted and what I didn't have to accept.

For everything that needs to burn off us, to process us, GOD gives us beauty. Some people, things, or habits can't go where we're going because of GOD's destiny for our lives.

The divine purpose that's on us wouldn't and won't allow them to stay attached to us, but GOD gives us beauty, we get understanding, we get growth, we get wisdom. 

So let's embrace these things, the more we embrace them, the more we become them, then when GOD looks at us, it can be beautifully reflected.

- April D. Byrd
www.breathoflifedaily.com

Love and Hate For The Church

Photo Credit: Carey Nieuhof

I believe people, namely popular culture has a tendency to say more negative things about "the church" than positive, that negative energy is often cast through media depictions of  "the church".

However in my case. I feel like without the church, the gathering of believers, where would I be? I'm extremely grateful for how my life has progressed through "church and faith culture". So many of my blessings, or what I consider blessings have come through this agency.

On the same token, we have to realize that nobody owes us anything. we can't expect people to just do for us. The church is nothing more than a reflection of people. We generally have good hearts, but maybe there's a spirit or order, that thinks it's ok to take advantage of people with good hearts. 

Taking advantage of anyone is not ok. Again. nobody owes us anything, we can't put it on other people to come save us. We have to take success for ourselves. The least we can do is hope for the grace of GOD. In the understanding that the sovereign creator provides for what is divinely purposed, we can also continually seeking wisdom in it first.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

 

What are your thoughts on the church and the depiction of the church? Leave a comment below or contact us on social media @BOLDJournal.

Bible App Announces Command Availability with Alexa and Google Devices

YouVersion Bible App recently issued an email that the app works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The e-mail aimed toward people with busy schedules mentions various scenarios in which spending time studying scripture might not be the most convenient. 

YouVersion continuously updates the app to make studying GOD's word easier and more accessible than ever. The app also recently introduced it's Bible Lens app and partnered with The Bible Project to help users have the best experience reading and studying the Bible.

Have you partnered your YouVersion account with Alexa or Google Assistant yet? How is your experience so far? Let us know online @BOLDJournal via Instagram or Twitter, or simply leave a comment in the comments section below.


Make sure to follow @BOLDJournal online for the latest inspirational updates.