47404 How to Hear God

To hear God, you need to prepare yourself. Having the right attitude of your heart, a mindset of faith, and expectancy toward God are all important.

You also need to realize that God speaks to you in many ways. We hear Him through:

  • God’s Word (Bible)
  • The indwelling Holy Spirit as your thoughts and impressions
  • Other people
  • Sanctified reasoning
  • Peace in your heart
  • Providential circumstances
  • Visions and dreams

The most important way to hear God is through His Word. The Bible is the primary way that God communicates to His people.

As you prayerfully study the Bible, the Holy Spirit will guide you to all the truth. As you discover God’s truths, it is important that you obey them and put them into practice. God speaks and we hear Him so that we may follow Him. You will be able to develop discernment as you obey His Word.

Key Verse

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (John 10:4)

More About…

“Preparing Myself to Hear God”

“God Reveals His Will for Me”

“Making Sure the Direction Is from God”

“Reading God’s Word”

“God’s Word”

Become More

Study “New Life in Christ” a Bible study series that will help you become more grounded in the Scriptures.

47201 How to Pray

Prayer is a conversation with God. It is two-way communication between the Father and His beloved child.

When you pray, talk to God as you would speak with a person. Be honest and willing to listen (heed and obey). Be confident that God wants you to pray. He loves you as His own child and desires to respond to you to protect, provide, teach and lead you to maturity. So, you can “pray with confidence”.

His disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He gave them the prayer commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9:13).

You can follow the pattern and principles in the Lord’s Prayer Guide when you pray.

Another helpful model is called ACTS of Prayer, which stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

Even though God wants you to approach Him in prayer as your heavenly Father, it is proper for you to start with worship and praise. When you pray, first focus on God rather than your needs, requests, or anything about you and around you. Praise Him for who He is and give thanks for what He has done and is doing for you and around you.

Key Verse

“’When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you,” says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

More About…

“Talk to God”

“Pray with Confidence”

“ACTS of Prayer”

“Why Pray?”

Become More

Read the series, “The Lord’s Prayer Guide” to learn from the Lord’s Prayer how to have an ever richer conversation with the Father.

47202 How to Read the Bible

We rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us into all the truth as we read the Bible.

The Bible is nothing less than the words God himself chose for us to hear. So, the purpose of reading the Bible is to get to know God better and allow Him to change you into the person He wants you to be.

With that in mind, it is important to remember that when you are reading the Bible, it’s best to read it slowly and thoughtfully, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you into all the truth.

You can use the Bible R.E.C.A.P. method. This app offers the NET (New English Translation) Bible with the R.E.C.A.P. highlighting system.

Key Verse

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

More About…

“The Bible”

“Renewing Your Mind”

“God’s Word”

“Reading God’s Word”

JO App digital Bible resources: online Bibles and audio Bibles. 

Become More

Read more about The Bible.

Read the NET (New English Translation) Bible in this JO App using the Bible R.E.C.A.P. method to become better equipped in handling the Word of truth accurately.

47203 How to Study the Bible

God has not given us the Bible to inform but to transform you. Your receptivity to the truth, understanding of it, and conviction for it all play a critical role in the transformation of your life.

While there are many Bible study tools, available when you study God’s Word, we recommend the Bible R.E.C.A.P. In this method, you ask yourself the following questions as you read a section of the Bible:

R — Is there revelation about God that I should embrace?

E — Is there an example I should follow or avoid?

C — Is there a command I should obey?

A — Is there something I need to apply to my life?

P — Is there a promise I should claim?

Not all five questions will apply to every given passage. Find one question that applies to the passage you are reading and answer it.

This method is integrated into the NET Bible on this app. When you highlight a verse (by selecting a verse number), you will have an option to choose one of the five questions to answer and take notes.

Key Verse

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)

More About…

“Bible Study Tools”

“Study God’s Word”

“The Bible Overview”

“Renewing Your Mind”

“BibleProject”: A video series on the overview of the books of the Bible

Become More

Become a better student of the Word. Start using the Bible R.E.C.A.P. method and the NET Bible in this JO App.

47204 How to Have a Quiet Time

A quiet time with God is a dedicated time free from interruptions and distractions you set aside to be alone with Him. Jesus got up early and spent all night having a quiet time with the Father.

During your quiet time, you worship the Lord, read the Bible, and pray (the ACTS of prayer is helpful). Additionally, you can be creative in your time with the Lord by meditating on the Bible passages, listening to praise music, singing worship songs, journaling (writing down what’s on your heart and mind), reading devotions, painting or drawing, writing poems about God like King David, being in nature, and remaining silent to listen to Him. 

Daily quiet time is a perfect place for you to develop habits for greater intimacy with God.

It is also helpful to keep in mind that what you get out of your quiet time is secondary. What is important is that you have set aside time in your day to be with God. You have honored God with your time.

Key Verse

“Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer.” (Mark 1:35)

More About…

“Quiet Time with God”

“Reflect on God’s Majesty”

“40 Days of God’s Love”

“Habits for Greater Intimacy with God”

Become More

Become more available for God. Read “The Lord’s Prayer Guide” and let the Lord’s Prayer guide you to greater intimacy with God.

47205 How to Worship

Christian worship includes reflecting on God’s majesty, thanking Him for His deeds, and honoring Him with devotion.

By reflecting on God’s majesty, we focus on who God is. God is sovereign, holy, and good. He is the Creator and Supreme Being incomprehensible and without equal.

By thanking God for His deeds, we focus on what God has done and is doing. Sending His only Son, Jesus, in the flesh to die on the cross and raising Him from the dead by the power of His Holy Spirit are His most marvelous deeds of love and grace. God is at work in our lives every day. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see His goodness all around you.

By honoring God with devotion, we are making God first and foremost in every area of our life. Practically, it means that we “do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Philippians 2:14) “through the one who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13) “all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

The Father seeks those who worship in spirit and truth. Practice spiritual breathing so that you are walking in the Holy Spirit as you enter the presence of the Lord in worship.

Key Verse

“But a time is coming—and now is here —when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23b-24)

More About…

“Reflect on God’s Majesty”

“Thank God for His Deeds”

“Honor God with Devotion”

“Spirit-filled Lifestyle”

Become More

Our JO App has a list of praise song videos, “Praise God with Songs” (To play videos on JO App requires an Internet connection which may incur separate charges).

47621 How to Overcome Pornography Addiction

Soul Prescription offers the healing and hope you seek. In reliance on the Holy Spirit, you can break free from any bondage, including pornography when you apply these Biblical principles in the five-step Soul Prescription process.

Pornography changes you physiologically, relationally, mentally, and spiritually. Thanks to the Internet, it is one of the most widely-used weapons of the enemy today to kill your soul, to steal your joy, and to destroy your life. There are no shortcuts or easy fixes to overcome it.

Your mind is the main battleground. Fight wisely and resolutely in the Spirit, knowing that Jesus our High Priest “has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Key Verse

“You are from God, little children, and have conquered them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

More About…

“Change Attitudes and Behavior”

“Soul Prescription” E-book

“Immorality: Sex Misused”

“Temptation Is Satan’s Bait”

“Three Avenues of Temptations”

“Resisting Temptation”

“Spiritual Breathing”

Become More

Learn how to better resist temptations by studying:

47622 How to Overcome Sexual Sins

Soul Prescription offers the healing and hope you seek. In reliance on the Holy Spirit, you can break free from any bondage, including sexual sins when you apply these Biblical principles in the five-step Soul Prescription process.

Sex is a gift from God. Sexual desires are natural, but it is sin to be controlled by them. Believers in Christ are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. By God’s perfect design, sex is reserved for marriage between a man and a woman (Hebrews 13:4). Sexual sins are an abuse and misuse of God’s good and perfect gift.

Even though temptations are not a sin, sexual sins begin with temptations in your mind. Your mind is the main battleground. Resisting Temptation is a key strategy. But there is more. It is important to change attitudes and behavior to live more fully in your true identity as God’s beloved child and a born-again creation.

Key Verse

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

More About…

“Soul Prescription” E-book

“Resisting Temptation”

“Change Attitudes and Behavior”

“Immorality: Sex Misused”

“Temptation Is Satan’s Bait”

“Three Avenues of Temptations”

“Spiritual Breathing”

Become More

Learn how to better resist temptations by studying:

47603 How to Give or Receive Forgiveness

Forgiveness is critical to our relationship with God: We experience forgiveness because of what Christ did for us on the cross. We extend forgiveness because we have experienced it. 

God’s children have full access to the limitless supply of the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Isn’t it odd, therefore, that we should ever choose hatred, resentment, or anger?

We are to bring peace, love, and forgiveness into all our relationships in spite of all of our differences, no matter how difficult they may be! It is simply not about us! This is part of the dying to self. It is our responsibility to remember that forgiveness is for the forgiver and the forgiven. When we harbor ill will for another it does nothing but poison us. Forgiveness, on the other hand, breathes life into our souls. Sin always destroys while obedience brings life in abundance.

By God’s grace, you get rid of the sin of anger and replace it with the virtue of forgiveness. Can we forget the offense against us once we have forgiven the offender? Of course not. We will still recall the hurt—but we need not relive the hurt.

Ask the Holy Spirit to remove anger and bitterness from your heart toward the one who has hurt you and replace it with a forgiving, loving heart.

Key Verse

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13).

More About…
“Forgiveness Overview“
“Anger Vs. Forgiveness“
“Five Steps To Overcome Anger“
“Lord, Thank You For Your Forgiveness“

Become More

Learn how to replace anger and bitterness with forgiveness by applying the 5 steps in “Anger: When Mad Is Bad.”

47604 How to Break the Cycle of Sin and Guilt

Soul Prescription offers the healing and hope you seek. In reliance on the Holy Spirit, you can break free from any destructive cycle when you apply these Biblical principles in the five-step Soul Prescription process.

The devil and the world will try to keep you in bondage with lies. God wants you to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead you into all the truth (John 16:13) “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Key Verse

So if the Son sets you free, you will be really free. (John 8:36)

More About…

“Soul Prescription” E-book

“Resisting Temptation”

“Change Attitudes and Behavior”

“Immorality: Sex Misused”

“Temptation Is Satan’s Bait”

“Three Avenues of Temptations”

“Spiritual Breathing”

Become More

Learn how to better resist temptations by studying: