Scripture-Grounded Devotional (Python)

Formatting devotional insights using canonical Scripture as the fixed source of truth

Many modern applications format devotional or reflective content from Scripture for newsletters, reading plans, and study tools. This example demonstrates how to anchor such workflows in canonical Bible data using the BibleBridge API and Python.

BibleBridge is responsible solely for Scripture retrieval. Any downstream formatting or reflection occurs outside the API, preserving a clear boundary between canonical text and derived content.

What This Example Does

• Fetches a single canonical Scripture verse (free-tier safe)
• Uses the verse as a fixed, authoritative input
• Formats a devotional-style reflection downstream from the source text

This pattern is commonly used in devotional apps, study tools, newsletters, and automated content pipelines where Scripture must remain authoritative.

Python Example

This Python example fetches John 3:16 using a canonical Book ID, then uses the verse text as grounded input for downstream devotional formatting.

import os
import requests
from openai import OpenAI

BIBLE_API_BASE = "https://holybible.dev/api/scripture"
BIBLEBRIDGE_API_KEY = os.environ.get("BIBLEBRIDGE_API_KEY")
OPENAI_API_KEY = os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY")

if not BIBLEBRIDGE_API_KEY:
    raise RuntimeError("Missing BIBLEBRIDGE_API_KEY. Set it as an environment variable before running.")

if not OPENAI_API_KEY:
    raise RuntimeError("Missing OPENAI_API_KEY. Set it as an environment variable before running.")

params = {
    "bookID": 43,
    "chapter": 3,
    "verse": 16,
    "version": "KJV",
}

headers = {
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {BIBLEBRIDGE_API_KEY}"
}

response = requests.get(
    BIBLE_API_BASE,
    params=params,
    headers=headers,
    timeout=10
)
response.raise_for_status()

verse_text = response.json()["data"]["text"]

formatter = OpenAI(api_key=OPENAI_API_KEY)

prompt = (
    "Format a short devotional reflection based on the Scripture below. "
    "Do not rewrite or paraphrase the verse itself.\n\n"
    f"\"{verse_text}\""
)

completion = formatter.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o-mini",
    messages=[
        {
            "role": "system",
            "content": "You format devotional reflections while preserving Scripture verbatim."
        },
        {
            "role": "user",
            "content": prompt
        },
    ],
)

formatted_output = completion.choices[0].message.content

print("Scripture:")
print(verse_text)
print("\nDevotional Reflection:")
print(formatted_output)

To run this example, sign up for a free BibleBridge API key and set both API keys as environment variables.

Why This Pattern?

Grounding downstream workflows in canonical Scripture ensures that devotional outputs remain anchored to authoritative biblical text. BibleBridge acts as a fixed reference point, while all formatting and reflection occurs downstream.

This separation allows developers to experiment with different tools, providers, or presentation layers without altering the underlying Scripture source.

Next Steps

• Run the script on a schedule for daily devotionals
• Store formatted output alongside canonical verse metadata
• Swap in alternative downstream processors or local models

For endpoint details and licensing information, see the BibleBridge API documentation.