If you are like me, sometimes you would like to take that device that we call a smartphone that we can’t seem to be away from and throw it into the nearest lake!  At the same time there are many incredible uses for this modern-day tool. Maps are very helpful and so is quick communication with family and friends.  However, some of my favorite uses are spiritual in nature and can be of great use for growth and encouragement. I want to share a few with you today. 

1. YouVersion Bible App— Most of you probably know about this Bible reading app. It has various topical, monthly, and yearly reading plans that can be so very helpful. One of my favorite things is that it tracks those readings and so it is easy to keep everything in one place. It includes many different translations and some of those translations come with audio which I find to be wonderfully supportive.  I highly recommend it but not to take the place of your real Bible. 
   
   
2. PrayerMate App— This app has been around for years, and I have used it for years. They state: “PrayerMate helps you pray consistently for the people and causes you care about. Develop a discipline of prayer as PrayerMate helps you organize your prayer life, know what to pray for, and actually pray.”  I could not agree more. With this app there is a “learning curve” as to putting it to work in prayer, but after you get things set up it is very useful and does help you to “actually pray”.  Some helpful tips, once you get the app and see how it is used, set aside an hour or so each day for a week to build the prayer database, that way you are not overwhelmed.  Take time also to adjust or refresh as needed and don’t forget to add things people ask you to pray for. They do have helpful videos on how to use the app and you can check it out here: https://www.prayermate.net/app 
     
3. Bless Every Home — This website/app is very interesting. blesseveryhome.com gives you the tools to become a light for Christ in your neighborhood. They do this by providing all the tools to get to know your neighbors by name so that you can begin to build relationships with them. When I first tried this, I honestly thought it was a little creepy. However, while it does seem a little intrusive, it is a helpful guide to pray for your neighbors by name using the technological tools we have on the internet – yes, you are on the internet!! A few thoughts on this one: It lists the owner of the home and not necessarily the tenant of the home. Also, I would encourage you not to just go out and address anyone by name without introducing yourself first.  That is even more creepy!!   

Those are a few of my favorite tools for smartphones. Next week I will share some others that are helpful as well.

Peace of Christ, 

Patrick