I know by the time you read this, Christmas will have been three weeks past. For some of us, that is just enough time to begin to feel like we are catching on to our new Christmas electronic gadgets. I have resgined to the fact that for the rest of my days, I will be on a "learning curve" in regards to new technology. Just when I felt the thrill of mastering email, it has become the new "snail mail." Texting is fading to "tweeting" and making an actual phone call? So last century.

The current challenge is to master my iPad. Last year it was the Kindle. Next year it will probably be something that hasn't even been invented yet. One of the phrases I am hearing often in regard to my new electronic wonder is, "there's an app for that." App being short-speak for "application." Apps are available for every need that faces mankind, as long as it doesn't have to solve any real problems. You can play games that involve perturbed fowl attacking hapless swine, you can download apps that download your newspaper and weather information. Apps to wake you up, apps to play your music, apps to turn your device into a picture of a fireplace that produces no heat. Apps exist for needs I didn't even know anyone had.

As much as we think apps are new, they really aren't. Apps have been around through the millenia. If you've ever read the Bible, you have found the original lifetime supply of helpful apps. For every human need, the Bible has an app. Here's some of the more common and useful applications you can find for free:

For fearful hearts:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. -- John 14:27 (NKJV)

For help with improving relationships:

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." -- Galatians 5:14 (NKJV)
Perhaps one more for when you need help making decisions:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. -- James 1:5 (NKJV)

There's more, there is a lot more. In fact, you can find an app on every page of the Bible. As you can see, apps are nothing new, it was God's idea a long time ago and He made available to us a book of timeless apps that work for every person of any age of either gender who lives anywhere. As 2012 is just getting under way, why not dive in to this great app storehouse and find some help to make your life better, help you solve some real problems and find in Jesus, you have a real friend.

Rev. Stephen Brown is pastor at New Life Assembly of God. See their website at: www.kenainewlife.org.