Thank you for the opportunity to share here at Today's Housewife about my recent experience with reading through the entire Bible in 90 days. Sandra asked me a few questions to help guide my thoughts, for which I was grateful.
Why did you decide to read through the Bible in 90 days?
I first heard about the
Bible In 90 Days reading program through some blogs that I follow. I felt like joining in, but my husband's work schedule was crazy at that time, and I knew I wouldn't be able to keep the commitment. However, the thought kept nagging at me. I knew my own personal Bible reading time had been lacking at that time. In my mind I explained it away, resting on the fact that I really did know a lot of Scripture. I was raised in a Christian home from the age of 5, had read through the Bible a few times, and was active in church, family devotions, and our homeschool Bible lessons. Then when I saw another online group was starting in July, the Holy Spirit nudged me firmly, pointing me in the direction of joining. I knew God was prompting me to use this program to kick my personal devotions back into high gear. I asked my husband what he thought about me making that commitment and he said, "Sure. Go for it!"
Did you join with the group that read online and on Twitter?
Yes I did, and that helped me immensely. I held myself accountable to report whether I had finished or if I was slightly behind. Amy at
Moms Toolbox was incredibly supportive - her cheerfulness, encouragement and enthusiasm were contagious. I "met" some new friends through Twitter by following those who were using the #B90Days hashtag. The Monday night Twitter "meetings" were the highlight for me. Each week we would gather online, and Amy would check in with us, asking questions. We would all tweet away about thoughts, questions, and how were we doing in the reading. I had a mentor who prayed for me. The only requirement for the online group was to check in with a comment on the weekly check-in post at Mom's Toolbox, but there were several weeks where I was able to link up
my own posts. Then as we got near the end, people started announcing they were done, and I kind of became known for sounding my virtual <air horn> on Twitter as a way of celebrating each new finisher. Each Summer 2010 graduate's name was listed on Mom's Toolbox as they finished. A new perk that started with the summer group was t-shirts for the finishers! I really hope people ask me about my
experience when I wear the t-shirt in public.
Would you recommend anyone else doing it?
YES!!! Did you hear me shout and see my eyes sparkling there? I would wholeheartedly recommend that everyone read through the Bible in 90 Days - at least once. It doesn't matter if they don't believe there even is a God, or if they consider themselves a mature believer. Just reading the Bible straight through like that really enables you to see the grand scope and plan of God, in a way that reading a few chapters here and there cannot. You are struck with such a sense of God's power, righteousness, and incomparable love for His people throughout history. You feel His pain when they reject Him again and again, and are amazed when He never forgets His promise to forgive them. Even in the darkest times, He always preserves a remnant of people who believe in Him. As you read through the prophets, you can completely understand their anguish and sorrow over Israel's rejection of God, because you just read it a few weeks ago - it's all fresh in your mind. You REMEMBER when they did such and so, and you agree with the prophet - instead of scratching your head and saying, "Hmm, I'll have to look up what this guy is talking about some day..."
When you get to the New Testament, you rejoice to see the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises of a Savior in Jesus Christ. Reading through the Gospels in short order is exactly like listening to the same fascinating story (that you can't get enough of) from four different people - you want to hear all the different perspectives. John 17 still sticks out in my mind. As I read Christ's prayer to the Father for His people - so full of love and compassion - my lips trembled and the tears flowed freely as I could almost hear my Savior praying - for ME. Because he was - way back then.He was praying for all those the Father had given to him - all those whose sins He was about to bear and pay for in full.He went to the cross willingly - and LOVED to do it - so that His people would never have to pay the ultimate penalty for their sins.
Then after Christ's work on earth was done, you get to skim the establishment of the first churches, and follow the letters of the apostles as they urge Christians to keep the faith and not be bewitched by false teachers. The advice found in the epistles is uncannily relevant to today, even though God caused those letters to be written ages ago.Revelation is absolutely beautiful and so much easier to understand - you don't try to guess the meaning of everything in it - you just know it's about something absolutely beyond our comprehension. I was utterly caught up in the awe and majesty of the story. I especially remember when it said that God gave crowns to the kings of the earth, and those kings threw their crowns at God's feet, fell down and worshiped the only One who was worthy to receive honor and glory and power and praise. I cannot WAIT to get to heaven to meet my risen Savior, and to be in eternal awe, along with the saints of all ages.
Did you enjoy it?
Of course, I always enjoy reading God's Word, but I have to say that at first, I went in to it simply with a commitment to finish. I told my husband, "I need to do this, but I'm not expecting anything magical." I did not expect to be complete enamored with it from day 1 as I read the first 15 chapters of Genesis. I had probably read 7 or 8 chapters at a time before, but never 15! I kept myself from trying to study every word, and just read it like a story - because it is.It's HIS story. By the end of the first week I was hooked and my 30-40 minute reading time was my favorite time of day (usually during my younger children's nap or right before I went to bed). There were times when it was tedious, but I persevered, and only fell behind a few times - by no more than a day's worth of reading. By God's grace, I finished the Old Testament ahead of schedule in 65 days, and finished the entire Bible in 80 days!!
Another benefit I'm enjoying is now, whenever I hear a scripture verse, or am listening to the sermon in church, I find myself smiling inwardly (and sometimes outwardly). It's so fresh and familiar! The context is easier for me to understand and I see connections so clearly now that I only saw dimly before - I have the scripture proofs fresh in my mind.
Do you plan to do it again?
Yes - I plan to join with the online group again in January when it starts up, and my 5 oldest children will be joining me. It will be their Bible curriculum for 3 months. My younger readers will probably just be assigned a few books of the Bible to read through with us. It is my hope to read through the Bible in 90 days twice each year - that is how much it impacted my life. It is definitely worth the time - and the Bible never gets old. It is a bottomless treasure chest that never ceases to produce new jewels you've never examined before.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." -- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Kimarie is a daughter of God, wife to her beloved, and homeschooling mother of nine precious children. She lives in the country and blogs at The Cardamom’s Pod,where she shares down-to-earth adventures, funny stories, and helpful tips. Topics include scratch cooking and recipes, do-it-yourself projects, homeschooling, homesteading, and more. You can also follow Kimarie on Twitter and Facebook.
from Keith and Kristyn Getty
from Hillsong Live
from Christy Nockles
God from Chris Tomlin
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