Bible in 90 Days: Wisdom from one who Leaned on Him… and finished in 47 days

Mar 4, 2011

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in Bible in 90 Days Spring 2011

I received this email from a new Bible in 90 Days grad. Yes, that’s right, she has already finished her reading. But there is much more to her story. Read it and let it wash over you…

Hi Amy,

I never officially signed up for your Bible in 90 Days, but I started reading with the rest of you in January. I didn’t know how well it would go, as I was in my first trimester of pregnancy and have 4 small children, but I had read the Bible in 90 days twice before and knew it was well worth the time and sacrifice of other activities. I also knew God would honor my commitment and give me time to read, I just had to be faithful to use the time He provided.

I did not know that I would soon learn our baby in utero had died, and that I’d be waiting three weeks to miscarry. I also didn’t know the miscarriage (my sixth) would be so incredibly painful as to keep me in bed for the better part of a week. But God knew, and He had prepared beforehand for me to be immersed in His word. In fact, I was so immersed that I got ahead in my reading. Way ahead. I actually finished the Bible on Day 47!

There was one spectacular day that I read from Daniel to Mark in one sitting. To read through the prophets, and then hit Matthew -bam!- with genealogy and OT history and prophecies that I had JUST READ – there is no substitute for appreciating how Jesus fulfilled all prophecies, and was the culmination of God’s plans for His particular people. I just wanted to encourage you (and your readers, if you wanted to share my story), that

1) You never know what circumstances are coming into your life, where immersion in Scripture will be what God uses to bring you through with more joyful faith and purposeful
sorrow; and

2) Hang in there through the less familiar parts of the OT. When you hit the NT in context of the Old, it will bring light to the dim passages that you just had to take on faith that they are important. I trust the Spirit will do likewise for us as we mature in the faith.

Thank you for encouraging moms to be purposeful in our scripture reading. My husband and children knew what I was doing and were supportive of me and excited for me in completing the Bible. And we were all a little sad that it was over, because we had enjoyed the journey so much. My children want me to read it aloud to them next time, which I think would be a great goal, though maybe not achievable in 47 days!

Blessings,
Melissa in Alabama
Mom to 4 girls (7, 6, 4, and 3)

Bible in 90 Days testimonial

Comments

9 responses to “Bible in 90 Days: Wisdom from one who Leaned on Him… and finished in 47 days”

Samantha

March 7, 2011

amazing story!

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Cindy Lau

March 7, 2011

I am so sorry for Melissa’s loss, and I am in awe of her dedication to God and His word. I am praying for comfort for Melissa and her family. I am very encouraged by Melissa sharing her story with us. I am also in Alabama. Who knew there were so many of us in such a small state?

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Jana

March 7, 2011

Amy,
Thank you for sharing Melissa’s story with us, and I’m sure God will use it for His glory!

Melissa,
Oh, I hurt for you. I’ve only had one miscarriage, and it came a month after I finished the B90 for the first time last year and it was a month after one of my best friends passed away. God uses His word to comfort us, and I’m so proud of you for immersing yourself in His word rather than doing what I felt like, curling up in a ball. I love what you said about the OT making the NT not as dim. There is so much that we don’t understand as NT Christians when we don’t know the OT. This journey, while tough at times, is a joy when we look at it as getting to know the Lord and His purposes clearer.

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Julie Y

March 7, 2011

“joyful faith and purposeful sorrow”
wow.
thanks for sharing.

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Bettie

March 6, 2011

Oh, Melissa!
My heart aches for you! I understand. I really do (from experience)… and you are so right. The best help when the really hard things come in life is to be immersed in God’s Word… and in God Himself. His promises prove to be so very true and to supply what is needed when nothing else can. But how can one take advantage of that great help if one is not even aware of its availability??? It seems to me that the best way to learn the truths of God is to read His Word for oneself. You are so wise and encouraging. God does not waste suffering. May you continue to be comforted and blessed… and to bless others through your reading and studying God’s Word. Don’t be surprised if God gives you a very special ministry helping other women using the things you have learned through your experiences, painful though they may be.

As to Amy, she is helping to make all that help which comes from God and His great love for us more available to us by encouraging us to read the Bible, so she is accomplishing more than she realizes in God’s Kingdom work… or , in His ‘big picture.’ Only our Father knows where all our reading keeps fitting in with His Kingdom purposes for all our lives.

You are in my prayers.
Love, Bettie

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Carla

March 4, 2011

What a testimony to God’s blessing to those who choose to be faithful to Him especially in the most difficult circumstances. Thank you for reminding us to focus on and find our security in truth, especially in adversity!

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Lou-Ann

March 4, 2011

SO Encouraged by this post. Thank you! I lost a baby last week in our 12th week of pregnancy. I was devastated, isolated and in a very dark place…. I got behind 2 days in my reading last week for the first time in this B90days journey. :( I know that I will get back on track and this post was the perfect reminder that scripture will get me through this painful time! Thank you!
Lou-Ann

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Heathahlee

March 4, 2011

WOW. While I’m so sorry for the pain she has gone through (both emotionally and physically), I’m grateful for the encouragement!

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Lisa Grace

March 4, 2011

This was so encouraging to me! In the light a very sick 3rd trimester and newborn, I stopped the challenge and have since started over and am working my way through. I’m also a mom in Alabama and for some reason, just seeing that another mom in Alabama did it encouraged me so much. I’m so glad you shared this!

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