Sunday, August 9, 2015

A Text a Day




Texting - Either it's a part of your daily groove, or you don't want anything to do with it. My hubby and I are very different in that aspect. He has a plain Jane phone that he flips open to answer when it rings, and closes it when he's done talking. I have taught him that pressing 2 and "send" will automatically call me. He does know how to make a regular call in a pinch.

My cell phone on the other hand is an iphone that does everything except cook dinner. You probably won't be surprised to learn my case has birds on it. 


Some time ago, I had a friend going through a serious trial. I thought it would be encouraging for her if I texted a Bible verse every day. I didn't expect her to respond, I just wanted her to be reminded every day that God was with her. Over time I've added others that I text a verse to.  They range in age from 15 to 70 and when I text, they all get the same verse.

I thought I'd share with you how I do this and perhaps you have someone or someones that you could encourage by texting a verse to each day.

  • The only Bible app I've found that I can copy/paste the verses from is the Olive Tree Bible App. I use the NIV version for the verses I text. I like the simplicity of this app and the ease of finding what I'm looking for.





  • After planning my verses I locate them in the app, copy/paste in a text to myself. I usually do a few days ahead and put the day of the week at the beginning of the verse.

  • I'm not able to do it every day, but do try to at least 4x week. I try to do it in the morning, but sometimes it's later in the day. 
  • Be sure you ask the person you're texting if this is something they want.
  • Don't text late at night or very early in the morning out of respect for the person you're texting. 
  • I do not send it as a group text. Each person gets a personal, individual text from me. I cut/paste the verse to each person. It sounds like a lot, but really doesn't take that much time.
  • By NOT sending it as a group text, I can think/pray for each person by name, and if someone chooses to respond, it doesn't go to everyone in the group.

I know a few of the people I text, take the verse I send them, and text it to someone else, "paying it forward".

I will share in another post some suggestions of verses I've used.  Hope this has given you an idea for using your technology for good.


10 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful idea, Abby. I have an Android, so I'll have to research how to do this. Looking forward to the other posts about this. Thank you for sharing.
    Blesings,
    GG

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  2. What a beautiful idea Abby, the app I use I can copy and paste from, it's called Tecarta, I have android form on my phone and the apple version on my iPad ...
    And both are great. I love and only use KJV.
    Thanks for being a blessing, Shaz in Oz.x

    Joy Crafts Dies - Birds on a Branch

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  3. Thank you for this suggestion. I have a friend that does not text but will send her emails with messages of hope and encouragement. Will check out the app you have.
    My husband is the same as yours.

    Thank you,

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  4. Great idea, I love that you can copy and paste it too!

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  5. This is so wonderful, Abby! What an encouraging thing to do!

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  6. I was able to download Bible Gateway to my phone and am able to use the Complete Jewish Bible (has both Old and New Covenants)AND I can share it through my phone messenger. I am so HAPPPY! Thanks again for sharing this with us. I plan to use it to encourage my daughters and the ladies in our synagogue.
    Shalom and blessings,
    GG

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  7. I'm like your husband as to the type phone I have. I have sent encouragement Bible verses and other inspirational quotes to a number of people through the years via e-mail. I know many people who do not test, including myself! that's why I use email. I'm glad to hear that you do this and your suggestions on how to find, cut & paste verses is helpful.

    The Lord be with you.
    Let us praise the Lord.
    Thanks be to God.

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  8. Lovely idea Abby, and great to hear that you back it up with prayer :-). I used to do something similar about 20 years ago, via email - and then the 'new' computer died, and I was off line for so long that it just petered out. :-(
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  9. You're always so kind and thoughtful and think of the best ways to encourage and uplift the people in your life!

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Your comments are blessings to my day.