Bible in 90 Days: Day 81 Check-in

If you are participating in the Bible in 90 Days challenge, today you are on Day 81 and should have read through the end of page 972 in the Bible in 90 Days Bible or through 1Corinthians 14:40. Can you believe how far we’ve come?!

A neighbor friend of mine asked me at the beginning of the challenge why I was hosting this on my blog and, considering the time and effort it would take, what was in it for me. (Blogging is ‘just a hobby’ for me and I don’t earn any money from MomsToolbox in any way.)  I told him that the joy of leading others to know Christ and/or strengthen their relationships with Him was plenty.

One of the things about the Blogging Thru the Bible in 90 Days Challenge that has really amazed me has been the encouragement I have seen in association with it. Reading your encouraging words to each other and your sweet emails and comments to me has really warmed my heart and encouraged me to want to offer this again (and again and again and…).

And I’ve loved reading the linked posts and guest posts, hearing others’ perspectives.

In that vein, I would like to share an email I received from Bettie, who is reading along with us. Bettie often sends me emails to check in and I love every single one of her notes. One week she noticed I wasn’t posting as often and she sent an email to let me know she was praying for me. Wow.

Here is an email she sent just before my Spring Break from the internet:

Amy,

Last week I was three days behind in my reading and oddly enough, I felt a bit like Erin did, with being three days behind.

I remembered reading a story once  about  ‘discouragement’ being one of the most effective tools of the devil because it is so subtle and successful when it causes us to ‘give up’.

I looked down at my Bible and saw the bookmark marking my place and considered the amount I had already read…  and realized that was indeed an accomplishment…  and decided that I would NOT allow myself to become discouraged!  After all, I was doing this for God and myself, and any success was good, even if I did not finish with the group.

Then it occurred to me that perhaps there were others who may be even more behind in the reading than I was, and I felt that perhaps they might also be discouraged.  Soooo…   I decided that I would pray for them and myself.  God knew who we all are.

Next, I looked around and did some brainstorming… Just how could I free up some ‘catch up’ reading time???   One evening I tried a suggestion from Toni (Happy Housewife) and made beans, cornbread for dinner.  Easy and delicious enough, and freed up some time for reading.  Then I decided to skip last week’s weekly housecleaning.  Really, in the big picture, what difference would it make if I went two weeks instead of one week between cleanings?  I admit that I did pray there would be no unexpected company this past weekend!  I stayed off the phone more and off the computer some.

Not only did I catch up… I am now two days ahead!

I have continued to pray for others who are reading because I feel that it is such an important endeavor that we will run into resistance in accomplishing this goal.  However, ‘Greater is He Who is in us than he who is in the world!’

We CAN do all things through Christ which strengthens us!

Did I tell you that I am again two days ahead now in my reading.  ;o))

Thanks for your encouragement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Bettie

Through Bettie’s emails, as well as many other emails, comments and linked posts from many of you, I have seen our community really grow in beautiful ways. I am so thankful God offered me this opportunity to serve Him in this way and that you responded.

If you are far behind, please do not give up. Do not get discouraged. Keep reading. And do your best in the next week and a half to knock yourself out in getting the reading completed. I am praying about ways to keep our community going for those that do not finish by next Wednesday, but without an official deadline often the motivation and momentum is lost and it will be easier for you to drop out completely, even if you have the best intentions. See what you can change for the rest of the challenge knowing that if you you really read with gusto you’ll soon be finished. What can you put off until next Wednesday? What can you put behind the Word of God for the next nine days? Please give this goal all you can, even if you think you cannot finish on time. He might surprise you.

Those of you who are a little behind, also, of course, don’t give up… you are so close!

And to those of you on track or ahead, if you can please  take a few moments to encourage others in their reading through prayer, emails, or comments here or on others’ individual posts about the Bible in 90 Days, I know your efforts will be appreciated. We really need to pull together in these final days to not let Satan keep anyone from finishing reading the Bible.

Thanks, everyone, for making this such an incredible experience for all of us… We’re almost there!

And isn’t reading the New Testament so much more incredible to read just after you’ve read the Old Testament? Every time I do this I am amazed!

I’d love to read your thoughts. Please share away!

And, of course, don’t forget to join us for our Tweet-Up tonight from 8-9 CST. Just follow me and use the #B90Days hashtag. I missed you last week and am looking forward to ‘chatting’ again.

Powered by MckLinky

Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…


Comments

44 responses to “Bible in 90 Days: Day 81 Check-in”

  1. Christina Avatar
    Christina

    I am still reading along. I did take one week off, but caught back up. Going to finish up my reading for today now!

  2. I’m one day AHEAD! I am actually 30 days behind y’all, but am 1 day ahead of schedule (and I’m not taking the two built in days, either…) so I should finish on day 87….if I don’t get ahead even more.

    I decided today to read all of days 52 and 53 because the book of Isaiah is best read (In my mind) continuously. Sometimes, it’s too much. But I felt so TRIUMPHANT reading it today–that God is truly going to make life BEAUTIFUL for those who love, honor, and serve Him. It was great.

  3. Hi. I started this on my iPhone and am 2days ahead but 1 day behind. In Gods perfect planning I found your site searching for tot stuff and found you were all reading too. I really needed the encouragement at that time and your posts have helped keep me on track this will be my first time reading all of the Bible. I had tried in the past a couple of times to only get sidetracked in the old testament and give up. Thankyou for this accountability and your daily insights.

  4. still here and still pushing forward. I am about 5 days behind which is pretty good seeing as I was about 15 days behind not too long ago. This has been a great experience thanks for the opportunity to read God’s word entirely.

  5. I am not exactly sure how far behind I am, but I have figured out that I have to read/listen to 20 chapters per day to finish by March 31st. Aggressive seeing as how many verses are in each of the chapters now, but not impossible. Here’s to finishing Luke tonight before bed!
    .-= Half Assed Housewife´s last blog ..Dear Nana =-.

  6. Meredith Bleasdell Avatar
    Meredith Bleasdell

    I am on Day 68 so just about to the NT. (truly the first time I have read the OT straight through!) I allowed Spring Break to throw me off track for a bit but I am back on. I know 2 of the friends that started this with me are still reading too! Though I haven’t been in touch through the process, reading your posts are an encouragement. Thanks Amy!

  7. christina Avatar
    christina

    i am caught up. i have had moments where i’ve fallen behind, but i refused to get discouraged and stop. for some reason, i just didn’t let stopping become and option for me. this has been an amazing experience for me. i am new to the Bible, to church and to a relationship with God so this experience has been very profound. i’ve spent time this week wondering what i am going to do when this experience is over. i want to keep reading and studying but not sure what the next step should be since i am so new to the Bible. thank you for hosting this, i don’t quite recall how i found your site, but i would have never heard of this without you. thanks so much.

  8. I’m on track. I checked out the Bible in 90 Days book from my library and it is due on Wednesday (I’ve renewed it 2 times and can’t anymore), so I actually went and read Revelations (because that’s harder to understand in my own KJV). But now I just finished 1 Chronicles today. I agree with you that the NT seems so much more clear and easy to understand after having just finished the OT. I loved reading Romans this time. I had forgotten how much good stuff there is in there! Thanks again for hosting and all your work!
    .-= Coralee´s last blog ..Who do you think YOU are? =-.

  9. I am almost done with day 74. A week visiting family made it very difficult to read. I still have high hopes of finishing next Wednesday. I have learned a lot by doing this. I feel like I have kick-started my scripture reading habit. I need to do better, but I was barely reading before. Now I’ve almost finished the entire Bible in just 3 months! Those that are behind need to remember to celebrate what they have gained from this experience. It is truly wonderful!
    .-= kriswithmany´s last blog ..Bible in 90 days – #3 =-.

  10. I am 3 days behind…but not giving up!! Hoping to catch up this week, but if not…I am totally fine because it is all about finishing and comprehending and not rushing it!
    .-= Michelle´s last blog ..Buy a T-Shirt: Support an Adoption =-.

  11. I’m still in this, but a couple days behind (sleepless baby hasn’t helped this!). My best intentions are to finish by Monday and I am hoping that today will be a good day for catch up! I can’t believe we are so close! So bummed I missed the tweet up yesterday but am completely planning on being there next week!
    .-= MacKenzie´s last blog ..Happy St. Patrick’s Day! =-.

  12. I’m still in Isaiah. I did great all the way through Job, but then Psalms just killed me. Apparently I really struggle with reading poetry.
    Thank you for posting this. I am feeling so discouraged that I didn’t “meet the goal” that it is hard to even open the Bible at all. Your post reminded me that is EXACTLY what Satan wants. I will finish (hopefully by the end of April) and I will do B90 again sometime. I want to facilitate it as a Sunday school class at my church next year.

  13. I can’t believe we’re almost to the end! I am right on schedule with my reading, and plan to be finished on Wednesday! Hooray! I have gotten so much out of this experience, but the most rewarding thing has been reading the Word consistantly every day. I hope to keep that habit the rest of my life!
    .-= Allison´s last blog ..Monday Mmmm…..Skillet Fried Chicken =-.

  14. Thank you so much for hosting this challenge. It is a little amazing to me that even though I do not have face-to-face accountability, the on-line check-ins have been enough to keep me mostly on track.

    I am currently in the middle of Romans. (Day 80) I am about 2 days behind schedule, but since there are two grace days built in, I consider myself still on track to finish in 90 days or less.
    .-= Bessers´s last blog ..Curriculum fun =-.

  15. Hi Amy. I’m on day 72. I’m going to finish just a few days behind the original goal date!

  16. It is I who should be thanking you!!! I can’t believe we have the finish line in sight!! What a fantastic challenge it has been and I would definitely do it again. I first heard you on Haven Today and after checking out your blog I thought, ‘I think God wants me to do this!’ Thank you for introducing me to s.o.a.p. I have successfully soaped everyday and it is so fun to go back and look in my journal and read what God was saying to me on a particular day!! This challenge has taken me through a difficult time in my life and I am not sure I would have made it without being washed in the Word everyday. So thank you, thank you for your leadership on this incredible journey!!!

  17. Hi Amy. I’m a few days behind, Day 76. But am trying to catch-up so that I can finish in time!

  18. Yesterday I was six days behind. Today I’m 4 days behind. I expect to catch up in time to finish with the rest of you! We were quite sick last week, and I just didn’t get up early enough to get my reading in. Hanging in there, though!
    .-= Cindy ´s last blog ..Contests Today =-.

  19. I’m 3 days behind. Will try to catch-up (again) this week.

    After reading OT and now the gospel books, I think I now understand the meaning of God’s grace. Our salvation, our righteousness through Christ and the Holy Spirit are all gifts from God; brought by His supreme love for us.

  20. Well, I’m in the NT now, but I am only in Matthew. I really really want to complete this in 90 days. Not much time to catch up, but I am going to try. I will finish reading the Bible no matter what, but I really want to by the end of 90 days. It might mean a lot less sleep. At least I don’t find myself starting to fall asleep like I did when reading much of the OT. I guess that’s a hazard for those like me who tend to read at night. lol

  21. Mitzi Roberts Avatar
    Mitzi Roberts

    Sure missed you. Just reading my NIV. Can’t believe I am even a little ahead by two chapters. It has been so much easier this time with your help. I tried the 90 day summer challenge and only made it about half way. So, thank you so much! I think I am really going to finish!

  22. […] PLEASE use the weeekly check-ins to let me know where you are and who your are.  You can still check in for this week until Friday. All it takes is a comment and/ or a linked post.  And there will be another check in […]

  23. I am on day 77 right now. I got behind because everyone but the baby got sick, and I’ve spent several days doing 24/7 care for a small boy who has never been sick before.

    I will get caught up. There’s no doubt in my mind at all.
    .-= Beth´s last blog ..Still Danged Sick, Thank You =-.

  24. Jennifer Weigant Avatar
    Jennifer Weigant

    I started 2 weeks behind all of you ( I just had to have the Bible in 90 days bible so I waited on it)! But, I am on schedule and very excited! I had never read the Bible cover to cover before and while at times, it is challenging, everything makes SO much more sense! Thanks for doing this Amy and I look forward to doing it again in July!

    OH and I SOOOO want the T-shirt! Let us know the details on that!

  25. I’m abt 10.5 days behind…down 3.5 days from last Monday’s 14 days. I’m still hopeful to finish on time. I might read more on my own than to my kids since I plan on doing a NT Survey study with them immediately following this. I know from past experience reading the NT on my own that this is much easier reading that the OT. There’s a much better flow after the gospels and until Revelations. That’s the one that will make me feel like I’m back in Leviticus again. I love Revelations, but I have trouble picturing what he’s describing. Anyway…getting off topic there. I will keep reading until I’m done, whether it be day 88 or day 90 or even beyond..whatever it takes.
    .-= Anne-Marie´s last blog ..And this is yet another thing for which … =-.

  26. I finished last week and must say it was one of the greatest personal achievements I have had..not only because I followed through to the end of something, but because it has brought me closer to God in every way. Thanks Amy!!
    .-= Patty Coleman´s last blog ..Living My Life On Purpose~~I am not an accident =-.

  27. Roberta Avatar
    Roberta

    Hey from the deep south! Truely enjoying the reading. What an accomplishment to read the WHOLE Bible in 90 days! Can’t wait to do the 90 day reading again, but I think I will take the next 3 months off and then onto 12 pages a day again. 9:00 PM and I still have half of today’s reading to go. The one thing I have learned in this experience is what discipline reading is all about (all though I have not always been caught up). Everyone ought to be proud of even attempting to read the whole Bible in 90 days.

  28. Great job everyone! If you are “up to date” or not, it’s still a wonderful accomplishment, and God will bless you for it.

    I am up to date, but haven’t always been.
    .-= MisMom´s last blog ..90 Day Bible Challenge Update — Day 81 =-.

  29. I haven’t kept up with the community here for a good few weeks, mainly because I was falling behind and felt discouraged. I am currently 5 days behind, and a bit discouraged about it, but having come back here and read this post and some comments I feel better about it! I am not sure if I can catch up but I so want to finish on time! I can’t see the space between now and then to permit extra catch-up time – I am so tired with my wakeful baby and my four little ones, and completely not managing to adequately deal with the housework or homeschooling these days, so it’s hard to squeeze in something extra! But I really want to finish. Please pray for me! I am still really enjoying my reading, and anxious about what to do after it’s finished. I don’t want to go back to not really getting into the Word at all.
    .-= Alice´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days – Day 76! And general (bite-sized!) update. =-.

  30. I’m at the end of day 78 but I’m not feeling discouraged. It’s so true that it seems as if we are under attack as soon as we make a commitment to finish and to finish on time. But I am determined, with God’s help, to finish the reading by next Wednesday. We can do ALL things with Gods help!
    .-= stacy´s last blog ..From Frumpy to Fab~Part Deux =-.

  31. I am on Day 80 and will be doing some reading tonight. I was as much as 5 days behind over the last two weeks, so being this close is exciting to me. I’m so glad I decided to try this challenge. I’ve never made it through the Bible from cover to cover. I’ve also talked my husband into trying to do in in 90 days. We’ll probably do it again this summer after he graduates from nursing school in June. He’ll have more reading time then.

  32. I’m still on track also. I’m loving the stories of the early church and feeling like I’m right there. I am so glad I participated. Thanks for letting us know about this wonderful program.

  33. Hi, Amy. I hope you had a great break.
    I posted, but I’m not sure it’s a post anyone really wants to read.
    I’m really happy for everyone who is coming down the home stretch! You guys are awesome, and I’m excited for all of the insights and blessings everyone is getting out of this experience.

  34. I was extremely far behind prior to this weekend, but the Lord provided a way for me to catch up. I’m two days behind in my reading now, but I will be able to get caught up this week. I’m going to try to get caught up today if at all possible.
    .-= Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days: Day 81 Check-In =-.

  35. Hi everyone, I am one day behind but have done the reading for yesterday this morning and will do today’s tonght. Cassandra, I know exactly what you mean. I have summoned the discipline to do this program and have reaped so many rewards. So now, I am afraid of losing that discipline if I don’t have a “program” to follow I will fall back into my old ways. My plan is to go back to day one, read the day 1 reading, though I can skim a lot of it, and then dig in to the parts that I wondered about when doing the 90 day program but knew I didn’t have time to get sidetracked on. I will dig in as long as I want to, then move on. I figure maybe I can get through the whole Bible by the end of the year, at which time I will do the 90 day program again. I hope to get our church to all do the 90 day program together in the New Year of 2011.
    .-= Kathleen´s last blog ..That’s what I’m talking about! =-.

  36. Hi Amy! Welcome back! I hope your time with your children (and away from the Internet) was refreshing for you as a mom!

    I did day 81 today, so am still on target! (Back in January, I wasn’t too sure that I would really be able to sustain this pace of reading–or having to be up at 5.30 am each day to do so–with 4 children, but here I am…and still loving it! PTL!)

  37. I have mixed emotions right now. This morning I finished Day 80 so I will finish on time. However, I’m very sad and disappointed that there are only 8 more days of reading. I know what I want to do after this for my Bible study, but I don’t want this program to read. I’m very happy with all of the reading and learning I’ve done this far. I just feel like digging in my heels so that I won’t be finished NEXT WEEK!

    I’m not sure if my feelings make any sense. I know I can just start over and do it all again!
    .-= Cassandra´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days – Day 80 =-.

  38. I too am very behind – still in the OT!!! :-( However, thank you for posting this today! I have had moments of thinking I should just give up BUT then I would realize how far I HAD read. I have read more of the Bible than I ever have in my life. This is a good thing!!! I am planning to continue. I’m not sure I’ll finish on time with everyone else but I WILL finish!
    .-= Lisa B.´s last blog ..Catching Up =-.

  39. I need to read for today (I usually read in the evening and during lunch time), but I am all caught up! It is a great feeling to be approaching Easter and to be so engrossed in God’s Word! Thanks again for leading this challenge and keeping us accountable.
    .-= Catherine´s last blog ..Only 8 days of reading left =-.

  40. Somebody's Mimi Avatar
    Somebody’s Mimi

    I am so far behind I don’t see how I can possibly “Walk” at graduation with my fellow readers. BUT I will continue to read and finish. Then I thought I could do it again in July. Hope I didn’t let too many of you down, but I had a bit of a slow down in my life and I am still not up to par. God is with working with me on this, so life is good.

  41. I am still plugging away – but not going fast at all. My goal is a bit different, I am shooting for May 11th right now.

    The process of doing this in 90 days, I think is a good one. It gave me a little more push to read more all at once.

  42. Imnjupiter Avatar
    Imnjupiter

    I am in Romans, so a little behind, but not
    really, given the extra two days. Will try to finish up this book today. May miss chat. It is Easter dress crunch time here. I made one set of three dresses and then found something more springlike. So I am trying to finish all of them. By Thursday when we
    fly to Arkansas. The flight should give me lots of good reading time!

  43. I am 2 days behind, so within the grace period but hoping while my hubby is not around a few evenings this week, I will catch up so I can finish along with the group. Enjoyed Acts tremendously, which I just finished this morning and am looking forward to digging into Romans!
    .-= Kristin S´s last blog ..Facebook Posts – the little memories I don’t want to forget =-.

  44. Tiffany McFarland Avatar
    Tiffany McFarland

    I am still about 5 days behind but definitely not giving up I will finish!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *