As you grow in your life as a Christian, one of the most important things you’ll ever need is a Bible! The Bible is unlike any other book you’ll ever read, because it is the living, breathing Word of God! It’s the absolute Truth, and it is teaches us who God is, how He loves us, and how we can know Him more.

You can find Bibles in most local bookstores, especially Christian or church bookstores in your area. You can also order one online!

Bibles come in a variety of translations. The classic English language translation of the Bible is called the King James Version, but it can be hard to read if you’re not familiar with 16th century English. I prefer some more modern translations, such as the New King James Version, the Amplified Bible, the New International Version, or the New Living Translation. My husband usually reads from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, and we both enjoy checking out the new paraphrase versions such as the Message, the Voice, or The Passion Translation. However, if you decide to go with a paraphrase, be sure to have a traditional translation with you as well. The paraphrases won’t give you the adequate study you’ll need to understand the Word of God in its depth and fulness.

If English is your secondary language and you prefer reading a Bible in your mother tongue, there are many foreign language Bibles available. Check out the American Bible Society to find Bibles in Spanish, French, Italian, Swedish, Hungarian, Chinese, Persian, Urdu, Turkish, Hindi, Russian, Swahili, Hawaiian, and several other languages.

Here are a few places I recommend to shop for a Bible online:

• DaySpring

• American Bible Society

• Church Source

• Christian Book.com

• Amazon

Finally, if you’re not able to purchase a Bible, please let me know. Our ministry at New Life Metro Ministries International would love to send you one free of charge. It’s our gift to you if you desire to know Jesus more!

Once you’ve been born again, you need power from the Holy Spirit to help you be a witness for Jesus to those around you! The Bible calls this experience “being filled with the Holy Spirit” or “being baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This wonderful gift of the infilling of the Holy Spirit is one of the most valuable ones you can ever receive from God. In fact, the power of the Holy Spirit is a promise God gave to all of those who call Jesus Lord!

When you become filled with the Holy Spirit, God also gives you a special prayer language called “other tongues” that you can use daily as you talk to God in your own devotional time. This special prayer language helps you worship God, builds up your spiritual life, and helps you to pray about things when you don’t know what or how to pray. I can tell you from personal experience that my prayer language is essential to my Christian life!

If you’ve never received the power of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, you can do so right now! The only prerequisite for this gift is that you are first a born-again Christian. If you’ve made Jesus the Lord of your life, then you qualify for this amazing gift of the Holy Spirit’s power! Simply pray this prayer from your heart:

Father God,

I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I recognize that I need this supernatural empowerment in my life to be a bold witness for You! I also need to be able to worship You more deeply and to pray in the Spirit for things I don’t know how to pray for. Since You promised this gift to Your children, I ask You now for the infilling of the Holy Spirit in my life with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Thank You for this wonderful gift, and I receive it now. Thank You for filling me with the Holy Spirit and with Your power, in Jesus’ name!

Amen!

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, just begin to open your mouth and let that “river” of the Holy Spirit flow out from deep inside you. You’ll begin to hear words and phrases and sounds that you don’t understand with your natural mind coming from your spirit—speak those out! That’s your new heavenly prayer language the Lord just gave you!

I’m so excited you just received the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Here are a few scriptures to help you in your study about the baptism of the Holy Spirit:

• Acts 1:8

• Acts 2:4, 38-39

• Acts 10:45

• Acts 8:19-20

• Mark 16:17

• Luke 11:9-13

• I Corinthians 14:12

• I Corinthians 14:4

• Jude 20

• 1 Corinthians 14:14-15

As you grow in your walk with the Lord and develop good study habits of Bible doctrines and faith, you need a library of excellent study tools! I’ve listed some of my favorite resources below to help you in your study time.

• Bible study journal

• Study supplies such as pens, markers, notecards, and other journaling supplies

• Gateway Bible App (for reading from multiple translations on the go)

• E-sword Bible App (for in-depth study and concordances including Stong’s and Vines)

• Dictionary Apps (Merriam Webster, Oxford English, or Dictionary.com)

• Weust’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament

• How to Study the Word by Terry Lawson

• Sparkling Gems from the Greek I by Rick Renner

• Sparkling Gems from the Greek II by Rick Renner

• Foundations of Pentecostal Theology

• How to Keep Your Head on Straight in a World Gone Crazy by Rick Renner

• Rick Renner Ministry website (for a plethora of free teaching articles along with books and study guides)

• MessengerX App (from John and Lisa Bevere’s ministry)

BONUS! I always enjoy reading my Bible first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee! I have a special place in my house that’s warm and cozy for this dedicated time with the Lord. Check out these beautiful inspirational coffee mugs, specialty coffees, coffee makers and espresso machines, candles, and cozy blankets!