Nine Online Tools to Strengthen Your Faith :: Deeper Devotion

by Jeremy Smith

You may not realize it, but there are plenty of ways to strengthen your faith online. Below are nine types of tools I have found on the web. Under each type, I listed the best sites I have found, and I am sure there are many more.

1. Bible Study/Search Tools
These tools are great for topical Bible studies. Ever wonder what the Bible says about “money” or “relationships”? You could go out and buy exhaustive concordance with all that extra cash you have, or you could just go online and do a word search for free. Not only that, but some tools will let you search several translations, or offer other tools like commentaries to help in interpreting the text.

• Crosswalk
• Bible Gateway
• World Wide Study Bible
• Blue Letter Bible
• The Unbound Bible
• Audio Treasure
• BibleAndReference

2. Christian Books Online

There are many classic (and some recent) Christian books made freely available online. You can read them online or if you want to save your eyesight, download and print them off. It may not be like curling up with a nice hardbound book, but you can’t beat the price. Also, some sites are now including audio versions of their books. If you’re computer savvy (and you have permission from the sites) you can download and burn CD’s to listen to in your car or wherever you go. It’s a great way to use your time when traveling.

• Christian Classics Ethereal Library
• Daily Wisdom
• Guide to Christian Literature on the Internet

3. Online Devotions
There are lots of ministries out there offering daily devotions, either on their websites or emailed directly to you. Here are a few tips on how to find the good ones: Go with the ministries you trust. No matter where you go for devotions, always test them against the Word. Devotional writers aren’t perfect-they can botch interpretations just like the rest of us. Always go to the source-make sure that the devotions are based on the Word. If there’s no scripture reference, that might be a bad sign. If you’re not sure, run it by your pastor or a friend. You want to make sure what you are taking in on a daily basis is accurate and true.

• Gospelcom Devotionals
• Today’s Promise

4. Online Sermons
Do you enjoy hearing a good sermon? Are you looking for some spiritual guidance on a specific aspect of your walk? You don’t have to wait until Sunday-try online sermons. Many churches today are putting sermons and messages online for people to read or listen to. Also, there are many Christian speakers who offer messages and talks through their websites. Try some of the following, or do a search for churches in your area or speakers you like.

• SermonAudio.com
• OnePlace.com
• Audio Sermons Online

5. Christian News
It’s nice to know what’s going on in our country and the world that relates to us as Christians. But before the web that wasn’t so easy. The web has opened up the opportunity for Christian journalism to thrive. You can find many ministries and networks that offer Christian news, as well as sites that filter regular news stories to find those of interest to Christians.

• Christianity Today
• Christianity Today Weblog
• Breakpoint
• Maranatha Christian Journal
• Relevant Magazine
• Christian News Daily
• Christian Headlines
• Crosswalk News

6. Apologetics Sites
There are many good sites available to answer your questions (or others’ questions) about Christianity. If you are struggling with a passage of Scripture, or you’ve been stumped by a question you can’t answer, try some of the following sites. They have many tools and resources to help you make sense of the Bible and understand your faith.

• Leadership U
• Christian Answers
• Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry
• Stand To Reason
• Apologetics Index
• Evangelism Toolbox

7. Discussion Boards
Discussion boards can be a great place to fellowship with, encourage, and grow with other believers. Make sure that the discussion boards you spend time in are uplifting, pure and moderated. Moderated discussion boards have people in charge of keeping discussions on topic, stopping “flame wars” and removing offensive material. They do a better job of keeping interesting, worthwhile conversation alive.

• Christianity Today Message Boards
• Relevant Magazine Boards

8. Online Journaling
Have you ever thought about keeping a spiritual journal online? If you spend a lot of time at the computer or hate writing by hand, try signing up at one of the following sites and keep your journal where you can always get to it. Many give you the option of sharing some entries, while keeping others private. You could even try having your quiet times on the computer: read the Bible or a devotional from one of the sites above and then type in your responses, thoughts, and prayers in an online journal entry.

• Online Prayer Journal
• Diary Land
• Live Journal Note: Live Journal is so popular, you have to be invited or pay to join.

9. Online Prayer Requests/Partners
Believe it or not, some Christian sites out there now offer a place to submit your prayer requests. They either assign prayer partners to pray for your needs, or anyone who sees your request can pray and possibly respond to what you wrote. You could even consider becoming a prayer partner for others.

• Daily Guidepost Online Prayer Ministry
• Christianity.com Prayer Requests Board
• Christianity Today Prayer Network

Sadly, Christians are notorious for being the last ones to learn and use technology-it’s no different with the web. But things are changing. Over the next few years, we should see a tremendous growth in the Christian online community. We are just beginning to see the extent to which we can use this medium for the kingdom of God.

Know of other good online tools? Post them below!

Originally Published: April 23, 2003

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