The Bible in 90 Days

The Bible in 90 84 Days

What an amazing ride this has been!

After many failed attempts at reading through the Bible.. to finish in 84 days is nothing short of God's grace and mercy.  Not until tonight has my husband said anything about my disappearing acts to go read.  He was my silent cheerleader!  Because of the emotional turmoil that has occurred in our home over the past 2 weeks, I was even more focused to stay in the Word.  I know really know that God uses the bad things that happen to us for our good.  Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to me even when I am not faithful!

This last week took me through many books of the New Testament including: Acts, Romans 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1 and 2 and 3 John, Jude and Revelation.

Here are a couple verses which have stayed with me....

Romans 12:9-13

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Philippians 1:9-11

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

2 Timothy 2:11-13

¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
¹³ if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

 

2 Peter 3:9

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Revelation 22:12-13

¹² “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

If you are also completing the Bible in 90 Days challenge, how are you doing?  God will bless your time in His Word... from one who has been clinging to His promises the last couple of weeks! 

If you are not currently in this challenge, I urge you to join in the next session with Amy at Mom's Toolbox. 

It is life-changing!

Blessings,

     Ellen

The Bible in 90 Days

I am amazed that I am at the end of the challenge; it seems like I just began!  This week I read through Mark, Luke, John, and ended after Acts 17.  It is so eye-opening to actually read the four gospels and see how much in sync they are.

Here are a couple of verses which have stayed with me...

Luke 12:25-26

²⁵ "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? ²⁶ Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"

John 14:27-28

²⁷ "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 16:33

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

It's not surprising that the verses which stood out involve God's peace.  This past week brought emotional turmoil into my home and my heart.  I know that we will have trials and tribulations, but why am I so surprised and shocked when it visits my house.

As we walk through this difficult time, I covet your prayers for me and my family.  Pray for peace, understanding, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Blessings,

     Ellen

The Bible in 90 Days

Wow... another week of delving into God's Word! 

This week I completed Daniel and read through Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, and Matthew. 

Yes, you read correctly... I am now in the New Testament!

Here are a few scriptures that stood out to me...

Amos 5:14-15a

¹⁴ Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
¹⁵ Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.

Micah 6:8

⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Matthew 7:12

¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

It seems I needed to hear how to live for God... not for self.  And when I get tired from burning the wick from both ends... again, I can go to Jesus Christ and REST.

If you are reading the Bible in 90 Days (or more), how are you doing?  We are nearing the finish line.  What has God shown you?

Blessings,

     Ellen

The Bible in 90 Days

This week's reading included: completing Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Lamentations 3.22-26 was a gentle reminder...

²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

For all of us reading through the Bible in 90 days, this is a reminder that God's compassions "are new every morning."  Each and every morning we have a clean slate.  We can choose to follow God, or follow ourselves.  We can put God first and seek Him and His salvation each day.  What better way to honor God than by beginning each day with Him in His Word!

As I read through Ezekiel, the following pattern kept emerging.  God would tell Ezekiel, the son of man, to prophesy to the nations.  The section would conclude with, "Then they (My people) will know that I am Lord."

How many times did God need to get their attention?  Through sending then away as exiles, killing them with the sword or famine; yet, they turned to man-made gods and idols.  This part of the reading was written for me.  How many times has God allowed me to follow the wrong path and/or make bad decisions just to show me that He is the author of my life?  Why don't I learn any better than the Israelites?  Why do I think I can run my life better than God?

Father.... thank you for showing me the darkness in my own heart.  Bear with me as I seek to follow you whole-heartedly.  Lift up all who are completing this Bible-reading challenge.  Give us all the desire and time to delve into your Word.   Amen

Blessings,

     Ellen

The Bible in 90 Days

Reading God's Word daily has been amazing!  I am more able to string together the events in the Old Testament.  This week I have read from Isaiah 14 through to Jeremiah 32, so many "nuggets" of familiar passages and God's teachings.  Here are a few highlights....

Isaiah 43.1-3a, 5a, 25

¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

 ²⁵ “I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.

I love this part of Scripture!  See how God keeps reminding us He is with us.  Life can't get any better than that!  We will go through trials, but we will never be alone.  Also, how many people do you know that will remember your sins NO more?  None, right?  Well God does.  Thank you Lord!

Isaiah 61.1-3, 10-11

 ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

 ¹⁰ I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
¹¹ For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.

I first memorized Isaiah 61.1-3 while working through a Beth Moore Bible study.  It brought me peace then, and still does.  I've been the poor whom He has sent His people to help and lift-up; I was once the "broken-hearted," and God was there to bind my wounds;  God has comforted me in mourning and has shown me the way to healing, so I can dance every morning; He has released me from the darkness of my own sinful past and has clothed me with His salvation!  GOD gives me HOPE every day. 

If you are also reading the Bible in 90 Days, how are you doing? Are you struggling with finding the time to read or what God is showing you? There are times I'm not liking what He is showing me about myself. I'm praying for us all!

Blessings,

     Ellen

Bible in 90 Days

This week proved the most difficult yet.  I began reading Psalm 90, through Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and ended after Isaiah 13.

Here are a few of the scriptures that jumped out at me!

Psalm 78

¹ My people, hear my teaching;

listen to the words of my mouth.

² I will open my mouth with a parable;

I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

³ things we have heard and known,

things our ancestors have told us.

⁴ We will not hide them from their descendants;

we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

his power, and the wonders he has done.

⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob

and established the law in Israel,

which he commanded our ancestors

to teach their children,

⁶ so the next generation would know them,

even the children yet to be born,

and they in turn would tell their children.

⁷ Then they would put their trust in God

and would not forget his deeds

but would keep his commands.

⁸ They would not be like their ancestors—

a stubborn and rebellious generation,

whose hearts were not loyal to God,

whose spirits were not faithful to him.

We are to teach our children about God and His precepts from before birth and beyond; so that they would put their trust in HIM!

Psalm 142.1-2

 ¹ I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
² I pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble.

Psalm 142.1-2 reminds me that I am to call to/go to GOD first, not after I've called 2 girlfriends to complain or vent.

If you are also reading the Bible in 90 Days, how are you doing?  Are you struggling with finding the time to read or what God is showing you?  There are times I'm not liking what He is showing me about myself.  I'm praying for us all!

Blessings,

     Ellen

The Bible in 90 Days

This past week, my mother-in-law came in for a visit.  Since I really wanted to spend time as a family, I fell behind.  I have spent yesterday and today catching up. 

This week's reading included: Nehemiah, Esther, Job, and Psalms 1 - 89.

Throughout my readings, Psalm 15 keeps coming to mind.  I love it when scripture asks a question and then goes on to answer it.  God leaves no question as to what He wants us to know/learn.  Take a look....

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

^"1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?

² The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
³ whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
⁴ who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
⁵ who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

 

Whoever does these things
will never be shaken."

So, if you are currently reading through the Bible in 90 Day, how are you doing?  If you find yourself getting behind, set aside a time twice a day until you are caughts up.  I'm praying for us all during this time!

Blessings,

     Ellen

The Bible in 90 Days

Reading through the Bible has been both amazing and tedious.  Amazing in the fact that so many things I have heard, I have now read for myself.  How cool is that!  Tedious.... oooh, Old Testament readings!

Week 3: Deuteronomy 23, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel

Week 4: 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 2 Kings

Week 5: 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah

Thoughts on these readings (other than, "Now how do I pronounce these names again?)...

1 Kings 11.6 I read, "So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done." 

Wow!  Solomon was the wisest man/king in history; yet, he let his many wives lead him into idol and false god worshiping.  I know, I know, he was not to intermarry for just this reason.  But listen to the verse, he (Solomon) did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  This verse implies that David did follow the Lord completely.  What about his affair with Bathsheba or his other strayings from God's commands.  YET, GOD forgave him... lock, stock and barrel. This means GOD forgives my mistakes; and through my salvation, sees only the glory of His Son, Jesus, when He sees me.  Amazing!

You know the book The Prayer of Jabez?  I actually read the prayer!  See 1 Chronicles 4.4-9 and read it for yourself!

I want my prayer to echo Davids' Prayer in 1 Chronicles 29.10b-13.

"Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

Blessings,

     Ellen

The Bible in 90 Days

This week I read from Deuteronomy 24 through Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel.  What a week!  Here are a few things which stood out for me.

1)  At the end of Deuteronomy, we see that God blesses us for obedience.  (Later we learn of the curses, or lack of blessings, in Judges.)  Moses dies after seeing the Promised Land, since he "broke faith with Me (God) in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold My Holiness among the Israelites."  (Deut. 32.51)  And because of this he is not allowed to enter the "land flowing with milk and honey."  Yet, before Moses dies, he renews the Covenant between God and the Israelites.

2)  In the book of Joshua, we learn how a prostitute, Rahab, believes in God (from what she has heard through the grapevine) and is saved through her faith.  I witnessed the miracle of the day when the sun stood still to give light to the Israelites to win their battle.  Joshua then oversees the division of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel.  And again, Joshua renews the Covenant between God and the Israelites before he dies.

3)  Ahh, the book of Judges.  This book could have been written today.  The recurrent scripture, "The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God."  According to Judges, when the Israelites cried to the Lord for help, He would send judges to save them and bring them back into fellowship with Him, but read what happened....

"Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.  Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them.  Unlike their fathers, they quickly turned from the way in which their fathers had walked, the way of obedience to the Lord's commands.  Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, He was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them.  But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them.  They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways."

Judges 3.16-19

Here's my thought.... why haven't we learned this lesson yet? We still do evil and then expect God to forgive and clean-up our messes. We have the Word of God in our hands; if only we would read it, learn from it, and apply to our own lives.

Oh, and how many of us would honestly admit to having idols which take the place of God?  Read about Micah in Judges 17.  He not only made idols from silver, but also a shrine, an ephod, and even named his own son a priest.  Hello there?!?!?  They were not of the clan of Levi to be a priest.  To top it off, Micah meets a Levite walking in Ephraim and invites him to live and serve as his personal family priest.

4)  In Ruth, we learn about Kinsman Redeemers.  What is a Kinsman Redeemer?  According to Bible Study tools, a kinsman redeemer is "a male relative who, according to various laws found in the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act for a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need of vindication." 

What would this look like today?  Family helping family!

5)  In 1 Samuel, we find that the Israelites have rejected God as their king and demands an earthly king like the neighboring nations.  God granted them their desire, and through Samuel, forwarned what their life would be like subjected to an earthly, human king.  Not caring about the negative consequences, the Israelites still desired a king.  God acquiesced, and named Saul as their first king.

Why am I like the Israelites?  Asking Demanding of God things which are not good for me.  Why am I not content with God alone?  Why do I feel I need more.... stuff, control, etc.

I wonder what this week will bring.....

Blessings,

     Ellen

Bible in 90 Days

Week 2.... Complete!

Wow.... this week was a lot more involved than week 1.  I read from Leviticus 1.1 through Numbers and finished Deuteronomy. 

There were so many commands God taught the Israelites throughout these books.  I know I was confused!  Here's a question... each time God commanded the Israelites to offer Burnt Offerings which could include over 10 assorted animals, was this 10+ animals per person or per family or per tribe?  That is a lot of bloodshed to be a "pleasing aroma to the Lord."  Also, why was a sin offering always a male goat? 

I am very thankful that these commands and necessary offerings ended with the death, resurrection, and ascension of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

I don't know about you, but I love it when scripture asks a question and then answers it for you.  Check out Deut. 10.12-13:

"And now, O Israel, what does

the Lord your God ask of you(?)...

(but) to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways,

to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands

and decrees that I (Moses) am giving you today

for your own good."

If you are reading through the Bible in 90 Days with me, how are you doing?  Did you struggle this week as I did?

Blessings,

    Ellen

Bible in 90 Days

Wow!  I can't believe the first week is done.  I enjoyed reading through Genesis and Exodus.  Throughout the books, God reveals Himself as loving, caring, and compassionate.

Some take-aways from last week...

1)  God is creative and He brought order out of chaos. 

2)  When He gives directions, He is very clear as how to complete them.

3)  I am made in His image.

4)  I make choices everyday.  So as NOT to live with bad consequences, I need to make wise choices.

5)  Seek the counsel of godly Christians in your life.  Moses sought the counsel of his father-in-law.

6)  God's instructions regarding the building of the tabernacle and holy items is very detailed.  God will not ask me to do something He has not equipped me for.  God had already raised up craftsmen and women and the needed supplies to complete the task of building and furnishing the tabernacle before He told Moses to build it.

If you are reading through the Bible in 90 Days with me, how are you doing?  Do you look forward to reading the Bible daily or is it still "work?"

I'd love to hear how you are doing!

The Bible in 90 Days

I am so excited to be following many others in this journey.  I have tried to read through the Bible using many different "plans," but have given up somewhere in the Old Testament.

I'm praying this time will be different.  With many other bloggers also embarking on this journey, I will be encouraged by their thoughts and comments.

Each Monday I will be checking in at Mom's Toolbox to post my progress and read others'.   Also, every 'Monday night of the program, beginning July 11, B90Days readers will meet on Twitter between 8-9 CST for a weekly Twitter party Bible study. We’ll compare notes from the reading and encourage each other there, too.'

I will be purchasing The Bible in 90 Days from Zondervan to make it easier.  This large print NIV Bible is set-up so that you read 12 pages a day, including start and end markers for each day.  It includes minimal footnotes, etc. to keep it thin and portable.  (This is not considered a study Bible.)

It is not too late to join the 90 Day Challenge!  Go to Mom's Toolbox and sign-up for what is to be a life-changing event.