Sarah reads the Bible in 90 days

The Journey is NEVER complete...

2011-01-19T00:14:00.000-05:00

Hello Dear Friends,

I will let this be my thank you note to everyone who has been following my blog and praying for me and encouraging me. Thank you so much!

I didn't finish reading in three months. New Year's Eve came and went and I just looked at my Bible as it sat s on the corner of my kitchen table. My heart felt heavy but I was also preoccupied with cooking our New Year's Eve seafood FEAST.

Fried Lobster
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Shrimp Fried Rice

Yes, those who know me personally, know I was floating on cloud 9. But shamefully, I made sure I took the time to prepare all of my heart's desires for the evening when I could have changed the menu or solicited help so that I could've continued reading the Bible and finished on schedule.

I can make all kinds of excuses about distractions, guests, and other things, but the bottom line is you always have a choice in life. I chose to not finish the Bible in virtually 90 days. I am not proud of that. I am proud that I finished. Actually in the video I said I finished in 124 days but actually it was 104. Bad nerves equals bad math. :)

The biggest blessing I have received out of this journey was the realization that God still sees me. He still wants me. Now that I realize I have been redeemed I don't want to forsake that. I want to live for it. If my brother jumped in front of a bullet to save my life. I would say that I was forever indebted to him. In the chance the bullet didn't fatally wound him, I probably would live my life trying to thank him. If I would do that for my earthly brother, why shouldn't I fully live for Christ who died for me and The Heavenly Father God who sent Him and the Holy Spirit who continuously works in my life and intercedes on my behalf. I will no longer take His love for granted because He sent His only son to pay the ultimate price for me.

God Bless EVERY single one of you and your families and the works of your hands. May God continue to reveal Himself to you and in you. Remember to pray for people, it is the best gift you can give.

Sincerely,

Sarah
A sinner whose flesh is dying, so her spirit can rise and live in Christ.

Finishing Touches

2011-01-16T02:45:00.000-05:00

I have a great representation of what has happened to me during this wonderful journey. Stay tuned. Thanks to everyone who has been stopping by.

Day 91, Almost there!!!

2010-12-31T09:50:00.000-05:00

Let me tell you...

The closer I get to the end the harder it is to finish. I am incredibly tired and everything is distracting me!!!!!

I am determined but I have piled so much on my plate for the day I am concerned I will not be able to do it all. Because some people (who will remain nameless) don't want to stay the night at my house for the new year I have to have dinner ready at a certain time. But it is okay loved one, it is okay.

Never the less, I am a fast reader and I am reading slower as well, I think I am running into what some of my family and friends were running into. The Word was speaking to them and they needed to take the time to understand what it was saying to them. I told myself this couldn't happen to me I have a deadline. LOL! I am silly I know.

Ultimately, for me, the most important thing is that I am finished by midnight tonight. I will highlight or fold the page of all the verses that speak to me. I will look over them in the upcoming days.

To finishing on time and honoring my commitment to the Lord.

Day 91, My arms are too short

2010-12-30T08:47:00.000-05:00

As I am wrapping up, I am realizing how much of a struggle this has been for me. I have experienced so much doubt along the way. At some points, especially reading the words of the prophets I was beginning to think that I was just Jewish. I have been reading different Jewish websites and blogs to gain true understanding as to why they don't believe Jesus was the Messiah. Unlike anything else I have encountered there were some incredibly valid points. Just when I thought I may have lost it all, I turned the page to the New Testament

I had been questioning my faith. I was afraid. Plus, I am always confronting my husband about his doubts and how he should stand up so he can lead our family; but I am having doubts of my own. (Hypocrite) Secretly, I wanted him to be stronger so I could lean on his faith. (Wrong move) I needed to check myself.

So here it is:

Gary, I am sorry for every time I have tried to through God in your face without having Him in my mouth and heart. I am sorry for harboring a grudge against you for not continuing to read the Bible with me these past months. I am sorry for denying you the respect you have ultimately deserved as my husband throughout our entire marriage. I am sorry for blaming you for things I have had a hand in also. I am sorry for everything I have hidden. You are an a amazing husband. I am proud of you. I am glad you are showing interest in getting to know the Lord and it will be my pleasure to continue to pray for your strength in Him. I am sorry for being mean, I can't wait to get to know you better. I can't wait to be a better support system for you. Thank you for sharing your life with me. I love you, please forgive me.
**********************************************************************************
I pray almost every morning for God to lead and guide me. Finally, I am ready to surrender. I give up, I realize my arms are too short to box with God.

Day 88, Revelations 18-22

2010-12-28T12:16:00.000-05:00

I missed the bus.

Not only did I literally miss the early bus home yesterday, I have been missing the bus of success everyday. I pray everyday for God to help me live for Him to be upright, resist temptation and sin not. Everyday the bus drives by me and I am granted the opportunity to get on, meaning I won't tell that lie, I won't judge this person, I won't use foul language. But most days I just let the bus pass me by leaving dust in my face. On my worst days I won't even attempt to catch it.

The more I read the Bible, the more I pray and mean it, the more I make conscience attempts to live for God the more obstacles come my way. I can choose to engage them, jump over them, or ask God to guide me around them.

When I decided to be obedient and read the Bible in three months I knew I was going to be blessed. One of the greatest blessings I have received so far is realizing how much I was already blessed.

My Uncle's funeral is tomorrow. If I am honest I can not say that he was an Uncle that I spent an enormous amount of time with. But I do know that he was an honorable man who loved his family, a mathematical genius, a charismatic speaker, one of the smartest men I ever knew. He suffered pain that I don't want to comprehend, though he may have retreated he never caved to defeat. I have learned so much from his life and I thank God for him.

Marshall David Ellington, now your heart will forever be mended... 1957-2010

Day 83, 1 Corinthians 15 - Galatians 3

2010-12-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

My husband hasn't read with me since about day 15. I can't deny that I wish that were not the case. I think I was harboring some kind of anger towards him for it. I shouldn't have, like he has told me countless times he did not commit to reading the Bible in three months; I did.

For completing this I know the Lord will bless me. I guess the mistake I have made is assuming what kind of blessings. I felt that within these 90 days God would bless my house by saving my husband. He would have rapidly developed the desire to seek the Lord and love Him. Unfortunately, for me, I thought I knew how all of this should occur. And stupidly I tried to make it happen myself. ( Can you say unsuccessful?) My plans are flawed and my thoughts are not just. I am human. I have to leave it God's hands. That is the main lesson I have learned these past 84 days.

The more I trust Him and seek Him and live to glorify Him. The more peace I have and more blessings I receive. I might change receive to recognize because He was blessing me before but I just wasn't paying attention.

Day 81, Romans 1 - 14

2010-12-21T07:23:00.000-05:00

HONESTY...

The end of this three month journey is rapidly approaching. I am not sure exactly how I expected to feel by now, but I am going to say I am blessed to be feeling. I am learning so much about my self. I thought I was good. I may have been good in the going measurements of the world today. In the eyes of the Lord, I know was a corrupted and broken vessel. I am by no means sin free today. But, now I can see my sins and accept the great horrors I have been committing. There is not any excuse or justification for my actions. I would say, " I lied because I was afraid" ( God hasn't given us a spirit of fear) Do I need to confess all of my sins to another man to really be forgiven or for them to truly believe in God's deliverance? I don't think so just know I spent many years of my life dangling my toes at the gates of hell and He was merciful enough to snatch me back. These three months are the first three months of the rest of my life

POWER, LOVE, and A SOUND MIND...

For the past two mornings I have taken public transportation into work. People have seen me reading the Bible and it makes me feel good because I believe they are thinking I am a good person. I believe I am probably feeling prideful; but what is proper pride? I am proud to be a follower of Christ, how do I display it correctly? God has given us a spirit of power over sin, power over principalities, power over pride and haughty hearts. I need the knowledge to discern when I am exerting my given power or my fleshly pride.

I WANT TO BE A GOOD STEWARD...

I tell the Lord, I want to work unto Him, be a wife and mother unto Him, I want to check with Him before I make any decision. Is this true? Do I really mean this because I love Him and I appreciate all He has given me? Or am I saying this because I am hoping He will bless me with more because of my stewardship? I have buried so many talents. Will God restore them if I go get a shovel?

I believe, Lord help my unbelief.

Day 77, John 16 - Acts 6

2010-12-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we are able to ask or think.

So much stuff is going on in my heart and mind right now. I am in a love - hate relationship with my life. I am praying for satisfaction with what God has blessed me with.

1. I am still alive - I should be dead because of how much I sin
2. I want to have a baby with my husband. It is going to be difficult because we have some reproductive issues and the procedures are expensive. - I should be happy with Tyler. He is amazing. I couldn't be more proud of him and glad to have him in my life. On top of that I don't treat him the way I should, meaning I don't spend a lot of time talking about God with him. Which is wrong, wrong, wrong. I say I love him with all of my heart but I am not instilling him with the most important thing in his life. I probably don't deserve a baby until I honor him with the baby he has already given me.
3. I have a job. It doesn't pay a lot but at least I know a check is coming on the 15th and 30th.-There are millions unemployed and I go to work everyday unhappy wishing to be fired. How dare I kick God in the face. I need to honor what he has given me while working to receive something better.

I claim I want to be led, but I act wilder than a wild bronco when he tries to reign me in. I am ashamed, but I will prevail.

Day 76, John 6-15

2010-12-16T08:34:00.000-05:00

Day 76

I would want to say it was it bad day. A sad day. I had an error at work, and there was a death in my family. I was unhappy. But God gives us peace beyond our own understanding. He will answer our prayers.

Isaiah 61: 1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to preach 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, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and to provide for those who grieve in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness 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.

My Uncle was brokenhearted. I prayed for God to heal his broken heart. He did so by taking my Uncle home. Thank you God for your mercy. Thank you for your Son.

68, Zechariah 11 - Malachai 4

2010-12-07T23:14:00.000-05:00

I am finally doing it! I am honoring my husband. He wants me to find a new job and I have been procrastinating for many many reasons. Tonight I have sent out my first resumes. I plan on doing so every night until I am hired somewhere new with an increase in wages. Thank you God for breaking down this wall for me. That is all I have to say today. That is the most significant change I have experienced so far.

God Bless. Pray for someone it is the best gift you can give.

Day 66, Obadiah 1 - Haggai 2

2010-12-06T09:42:00.000-05:00

Day 66 was an incredible day for me. I only read one verse, and I think I read same one over and over because I couldn't concentrate. I was becoming an Aunt again and it was very consuming. I was so excited to be there because I have never seen a child being born before. I also felt like it was a moment for me to be closer to my sister in law (as of today I am leaving off the "in law") No matter what she is my sister for life. She has given me a great gift that I will always be grateful for. I didn't know what to expect during delivery but all I could see was beauty and God's wonder. If you ever read this post, Dionne you are amazing.

I couldn't stop crying. I am still crying today. Thank you God for life. Thank You for my family. Thank You for answering my prayers, because I have prayed all of my life for a sister and now I have one.

I am full of joy and I am so excited about beginning the New Testament in the next couple of days.

Day 64, Daniel 9 - Hosea 13

2010-12-04T10:19:00.000-05:00

I had a girl's night out last night. My sister-in-law is having her baby this weekend and all the girls in the family and a couple of friends went out for Italian. I had a good time. I had a real good time but for whatever reason I still felt very lonely, in the mist of all these people. I felt like what I wanted no one else at that table wanted. What I valued no one else at that table valued. What I have been learning and devising as true these last 64 days no one at that table wanted to learn. No one wants to forgive. No one wants to value family for what they are unless they feel they have created the outcome.

NO ONE WANTS GOD TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR LIFE BUT THEY CONSTANTLY WANT TO ASK HIM TO SAVE THEM.

I don't know how to minister to others. Sadly I haven't asked God to show me how. I will now though. I am in pain for perfection in God's eyes. Everyone else can think I am crazy.

My cousin posted this Prayer on Facebook. I love it. It is a prayer I want to live.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for the gift of forgiveness that sets me free. Help me to truly understand what it means to forgive so I can receive Your forgiveness. Search me today and have Your way in my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 63, Ezekiel 48 - Daniel 8

2010-12-03T11:44:00.000-05:00

Question...

Do we thwart the answering of our prayers? I mean if we are continuously praying for something, when we see it start to happen to we do something to sabotage it? If my prayer is for a peaceful home and I have experienced 10 days of peace; I would notice, right? On day 11, I might pick a fight with my spouse just so I can ask God why wasn't He answering my prayers.

God please send me a new job... God I really need you to deliver me a job.
( Have you started sending out applications)

God please heal my relationship with my siblings...God I am still waiting on a break through in these relationships.
( Have you called them or sent them a card or even analyzed why you are not as close as you should be)

Lord, Lead us not into temptation... I am being tempted at every turn.
(How are you living your life have you continued down the same path or have you tried to change your ways and follow me. If your temptation is sexual, stop partying and drinking to the point where your conscience escapes you. If your temptation is lying, take the time to really think about what you are saying before you say it. Be willing to face the consequences of your actions.)

These are just some of the things that have been on my mind. Fill your life with God and you will live a God filled life.

Dying to the desires of my flesh.

Day 61, Ezekiel 24 - 35

2010-12-01T10:17:00.000-05:00

I am struggling with faith. I heard some news this morning that really disturbed me. I mean it really disturbed me! All it was, was an opportunity for be to trust God immediately and I blew it. All I could see was condemnation. Where is my faith? Where is my belief that all things work together for the good of those who Love the Lord and are called according to His purpose? I am now incredibly ashamed of myself.

A haughty spirit will be brought down and a man who thinks himself wise is worse than a fool. This needs to be seared in my mind so that I don't falter again.

I am reading God's word but am I listening to Him...

Day 60, Ezekiel 13 - 23

2010-11-30T12:22:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends,

I know it has been many days since I have posted. It wasn't laziness, I promise. I am behind in my reading and I felt guilty about posting, because I said, " If I don't read, I don't post." So I haven't been posting. But something has been running through my mind. I didn't say if I fell behind I wouldn't post. So, how come I am not posting?

I have been reading everyday and I have been praying everyday. I am making progress and I am proud of that. I am reading so I am going to be posting. But before I go, I want to share one thing that happened a few days ago.

My brother and I try to pray together on a daily basis. This particular day I was feeling very unsatisfied with myself. If anything is possible through Christ, then perfection in my walk is possible. I am not yet perfect so that means I haven't fully put my life in God's hands. I was very angry with myself. When my brother was praying all I could do was cry and think of what I was going to say to God when it was my turn. As soon as he said amen all I could do was ask the Lord to purify me. I must have been asking very loud and bitterly because my husband came upstairs to see what was going on.

As I have mentioned before my husband is just getting to know the Lord and sometimes he doesn't understand my zeal. When he came into the room I just knew he wouldn't understand what was happening. (I was wrong) I stayed on my knees with the phone clutched to my ear. He asked, " What's wrong? Who are you talking to?"

I replied, "I am praying, Gary, I am asking the Lord to purify me and make me perfect."

He took the phone from my hands and told my brother we would call him back. He said, " Sarah, get up from here. No one is perfect, and I see you are trying to serve the Lord. I see a real difference in you."

Granted, that was pleasing to hear but it still wasn't enough. I explained to him that I could be perfect if I really believed and if I really wanted to because all things are possible through Christ. Just because I have sinned before doesn't mean I have to continue sinning. As I was speaking to him I felt the overwhelming need to return to my knees and continue confessing my sins and beg for mercy. I was starting to feel embarrassed, but, God gave me strength to not feel embarrassed or afraid that Gary would think I was a crazy woman.

He listened to me for a while and got on his knees too. When I felt him next to me, I said, " Gary, I want His light to shine through me. I want to be a worthy vessel. How can I say I love you if I don't truly show you God's love? I don't even ask you to read with me anymore. I should at least ask. How can I say I love my son when I don't teach him about God? I don't pray with him, I don't read the Bible with him. I am not being a faithful servant. I am not a good wife. I don't want to pick and choose what I like in the Bible. I want to follow and live by everything He commands."

" Sarah, what you are going through right now is your old self and and your new self struggling with each other. I know the new one will win. You trying to be a better person, makes me want to be a better person. I am more interested in God than I have ever been and it is because of you. I see you letting God shine His light through you. I love you and just keep pushing forward you will reach your goal."

Day 36, Ester 1 - Job 7

2010-11-06T12:26:00.000-04:00

Back when I was reading Samuel and Kings, I posted about how much I loved David's story. I told you all how I asked my father to use David's story for the eulogy of my cousin. He didn't. You see that year our family had five people to die within a 6 month period. Four of those five all past in the same month and the last two on the same day. The last three were murdered and they were all young. They were not gang members. One of them didn't even live in the state he was there for another funeral. It was the most tragic time of my life.

Many people who knew us said some pretty mean things. They said our fathers were not serving the Lord correctly, and this is the price that had to be paid. The man I was dating at the time made me feel like I was cursed and death would soon be on my head. I think I can speak for the majority when I say we were a bunch of broken and confused people.

But as I said before, when my father delivered the Eulogy of the last funeral (The services of my dear cousin, who was only 19 years old and the father of two young boys, one only 9 days old) I knew God loved us. We were not cursed but presented with a great opportunity to praise and trust God.

My father, who I am sure at this time was under the divine inspiration of the Lord, preached to us that day about Job. A man who was blameless and upright. A man, who God allowed Satan to approach and harm greatly, just to prove how much Job loved Him. Job's friends thought surely he had sinned because something that horrible couldn't possibly just happen to someone who was doing right. We were all ministered to this day, I am certain.

We weren't blameless, but we still wanted to serve God. We all want to know Him in spite of our doubts and questions and fears, He knew our hearts. He saw our distress and comforted us. I am forever grateful.

I am not afraid of what comes against me, as long as I sin not.

Pray for one another it is the best gift you can give.

Day 37's reading is Job 8 - 24

Day 35, Nehemiah 1 - 13

2010-11-04T19:01:00.000-04:00

Faithfulness...
Honoring the Lord's commandments...
The joy of the Lord is my strength...

This is what is on my heart right now. I think I know what to do to remain faithful to the Lord, yet, I don't always succeed in doing it. But the same way He delivered the Israelites I have to believe He will deliver me.

What does God require of me? It feels like He requires more than I can complete. But that is just my laziness and my flesh. If I fill myself with His Word continuously It will overpower my flesh.

The joy of the Lord... How do you know you have the joy of the Lord? I think having the Joy of the Lord means that every time I hear His name I should shiver. Whenever calamity comes I still shout my love for Him and sin not. When I read His Word I should feel His presence, and I should be overwhelmed to the point of tears. I believe, I should feel and act this way if I have the joy of the Lord. I am not sure if I am misunderstanding what the joy of the Lord is. Please pray with me that I will find the truth in this matter. I want to be strong in Him. If I am strong in Him, it will spread throughout my family and they will be saved. If I am strong in Him, He will bless the work of my hands. If I am strong in Him, He will take away the need for gossip and irritation and replace it with speaking goodness and spreading gladness. If I am strong in Him I will be wise in all of my relationships. If I am strong in Him my son will notice this and want to follow Him also. If I am strong in Him I will not feel the need to please other humans and act cowardly. If I am strong in Him I will be delivered and my light will shine before men.

Pray for one another it is the best gift you can give.

Tomorrow's reading is Esther 1 - Job 7
May God add a Blessing to the hearers, readers, and followers of HIS HOLY WORD.

Day 32, 2 Chronicles 8 - 16

2010-11-01T22:19:00.000-04:00

Death and Love. We can not escape them. This weekend I encountered death in the physical and the spiritual forms.

My husband's grandmother past away and she is not in this country. He can't go because he carries the family business on his back. I tried to imagine myself in those shoes. (I quickly stopped because I didn't like what I was imagining) The person who I am really hurting for is my father-in-law who can't attend because of his medical condition. I am not sure how I would be able to handle missing the final services for my mother. But he is standing strong, and he has been an inspiration to me this weekend. He himself, is not in the best of health, but this weekend, he still got up, lived the day and never cursed God for his circumstances. He is in pain 24 hours a day and he still goes to work in the cabinet shop. He is not going to let the strength he has left go to waste. I heard him say to his cousin yesterday, " I know God hasn't brought me through all of this just to suffer. I should be dead. God has a purpose for my life I know He does."

That is when my self pity died. Though I want to mourn the ability to whine over my discomforts, I will not. I will not be like Asa, King of Judah and not call on the Lord because of my anger. I will not be afraid of men or negative circumstances. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of POWER, LOVE, & a SOUND MIND. I claim these, I will speak life.

I am a 1/3 of the way through this journey folks and I see Him healing my ignorance daily. My light will shine before men.

Tomorrow's reading is 2 Chronicles 17 - 35

Day 29, 1 Chronicles 1 - 9

2010-10-29T22:04:00.000-04:00

God was working on me today. He is always blessing me. I am trying to remember to keep praying. That is all.

Tomorrow's reading, 1 Chronicles 1 - 9

Day 28, 2 Kings 16 - 25

2010-10-28T22:54:00.000-04:00

King Hezekiah and King Josiah of Judah destroyed the high places. King Josiah was so zealous for righteousness and he showed this by his actions. The Bible says there was not a man like him before and there never would be again. I want to be like him. I want to be zealous for the Lord in all of my actions, all of my thoughts, all of my heart.

I am blessed to come from a family who loves the Lord. I am having a hard time finding peace right now and I am looking for a financial blessing (Like I know a lot of people are). My brother out of the blue says, " We are going to pray about it tonight, fast from dinner." I am not a good faster. I am greedy I am an obese person in a slim body. When ever I try to fast it seems like I begin to feel like I am starving, immediately. Even though I felt like I could conquer skipping dinner, at some point, I subconsciously picked up an apple and began eating it. When I realized what I was doing I spit it out and tried to gag up the excess. Technically it wasn't dinner but in my heart skipping dinner meant don't eat or drink for the rest of the night. I am sorry that I wasn't in a prayerful spirit from the moment I told the Lord I was going to fast. If I was then the apple wouldn't have ever touched my lips. God knows my heart and my intentions. I hope he will honor and accept my efforts tonight. Thank you brother, because your strength has been a motivation and comfort to me. Thank you for loving me.
God what are you doing in my life? You want to deliver me don't you? You know I am trying to work on praying more and you are creating opportunities left and right.

When I was praying with my brother something came out of my mouth that I was never really able to put in words before. I know the Lord says He will forgive all of our sins in Jesus' name, but I don't feel forgiven. I feel like I am in a fog that is preventing me from having the closeness to the Lord I so desire. But now I realize that this feeling is not because God hasn't forgiven me; it is because I haven't forgiven myself. If God can forgive me how dare I hold myself hostage. (This also was brought to my attention by my sweet brother)

If nothing is to small for God, He can clear this fog. He will heal me of my unbelief.

Please pray for someone it is the best gift you can give.

Tomorrow's reading is 1 Chronicles 1 - 9

P.S. I am ahead in my reading. I can't stop reading. I know it is a severe change even from yesterday. But God can change you in an instant.

Day 27, 2 Kings 5 - 15

2010-10-27T20:55:00.000-04:00

I read most of the chapters at work today. I think I am on to something. Normally when it is slow I will surf the internet for news or play computer games. Why not use that time to knock out some of my reading? Whenever I have time that is what I am going to do. Instead of sitting down to read the Bible late at night I will play the audio while I do the dishes so that I can go to bed with a clean kitchen. If we combine dinner and the movie I might have a plan.

On to the reading, I have enjoyed reading about the history of the Kings of Israel and Judah. Most of the Kings of Israel did not serve the Lord, but he still did not destroy the Israelites totally. (Mercy) The Kings of Judah did right in the eyes of the Lord but they did not tear down the high places where the Israelites worshiped and offered sacrifices. Why not? I can't wait to read about the King that does right in the eyes of the Lord and tears down all of the worshiping places of all of the idols. Or is there going to be a King who will do this? I have read these chapters before in school but I never paid attention to this.

Who is going to prohibit idol worship in Judah????????????????????????????????????

Until Next time, pray for one another.

Tomorrow's reading is 2 Kings 16 - 25

Day 26, 1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 4

2010-10-27T13:09:00.000-04:00

Do I know how to multi-task my heart? I know this might sound weird but this is a reality for me. When I dedicate myself to one thing, I sometimes neglect the other important things in my life.
This is my weekday schedule
5:30am - wake up
6:15am - leave for work
7:45am - 4:30pm - work
6:15pm - arrive home from work
6:15pm - 10pm- Try to settle in and spend time with the family which includes:

                          cook dinner 1- 2 hours ( I have no clue how Rachel Ray does it in 30 minutes)
                          eat dinner as a family 1.5 hours
                          dishes and clean kitchen 45minutes
                          family movie 2hours
                         dog time 30mins
                          read bible 1.5hours

If I do the math correctly, from 6:15-10 is 3.75 hours. If I add all the things I want to try to complete in an evening it adds up to 7.25 hours. That means I am in the negative by 3.5 hours.

I am going to be honest.

I don't clean up the kitchen most nights. (That was hard to type) Each day I let my dog out while I am trying to finish the dishes from the night before and cook dinner for the evening, which means I am not really paying the dog any attention. Plus he is an Italian Mastiff he needs way more exercise than what I am providing.
At dinner time, I am so busy eating that I am not really talking or giving Gary and Tyler the attention they deserve. When we start watching a family movie, I am on the computer trying to read some of my Bible chapters for the day. Tyler might say, "Hey did you see that?" And I will have to ask him to rewind it because I was engrossed in King Ahab's ignorance and Elijah's obedience.

I need to learn time management. I really can't go any further than this right now.
Pray for me and I will pray for you even if you don't pray for me.

Tomorrow's reading is 2 Kings 16 - 25

Day 25, 1 Kings 8 - 16

2010-10-26T15:07:00.000-04:00

Who do you serve? Who do you live to please? As I read through 1 Kings I am amazed at how men could experience so many signs and wonders from God and still not believe in and serve him only. This makes me think of human satisfaction. I probably should say human unsatisfaction. We are always looking for more blessings instead of continually thanking the Lord for what He has already done.

The Lord appeared to Solomon twice. He granted him wisdom and riches, still Solomon worshipped other other gods because he was influenced by his wives. How can you be influenced by anyone after the Lord has appeared to you? The the same can be said about some people today. They will pray for something and God will answer that prayer, but they do not remain faithful.

"God please do this one thing for me and I will do such and such for you." Do you honor your commitments to Him?

I am not trying to make this post sound sermon like but this is where my mind is. I have been able to take some real hard looks at myself lately. I don't like everything I see. But I am grateful with all that I am that I can still see a glimpse of God in me.

Day 21 - 24, 1 Samuel 16 - 1 Kings 7

2010-10-24T23:06:00.000-04:00

Well hello again everyone! I know it has been a few days but I had to deal with a couple of things.

First and far most, I was very far behind in my daily reading, and I was beginning to feel like that was acceptable. But how could I find the energy to post on this blog daily and not read a few chapters daily? I needed to spend my time reading God's word like I promised Him I would. If I don't read, I don't post. Taking the time to get caught up was the best decision I have made in a long while. I actually feel proud of myself. I feel refreshed in knowing the Lord will give me strength to honor my commitments.

In respect to the reading itself, I must say I LOVE DAVID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A few years ago, my family faced a lot of calamity in the form of deaths. My father presented the eulogy at each of the funerals except one. I remember when he was preparing and beseeching the Lord for the sermon for the last funeral. I approached him and said, "Dad, why don't you tell David's story? He was after God's heart and even though he sinned God still new his heart was with Him. This is what you should preach about." He told me thank you and he would continue asking the Lord what he should say. Be it as it may, he did not use David for the eulogy, and at first I was upset because I really thought the Lord had sent that message through me. But when the eulogy was delivered I knew that God loved my family. It was just my love for the story that compelled me to ask my dad to preach it. That should have been a defining moment in my life, but it wasn't because of my own ignorance.

Still, the story of David ministers to me. It resounds again and again in my life. (I know some people are going to be mad that I am doing this but I am going to do it anyway.) There was a man in my life who introduced me to the Lord. He read the Bible to me when I was only months old. At times, he scolded me and when I deserved it, he praised my good deed. His words were final in my life and I lived to make him proud. The problem was, I took everything he told me as gospel without truly learning for myself. I loved him so much and since it seemed he loved God, I wanted to love God too. This man was my idol.

One day the Lord saw me and he thought it would be good to save my soul. So he sent some distractions and emotional roller coasters my way so that I would recognize that he was God and not this man. Within a few years time, I heeded, and my relationship with God and this man was restored. But I quickly fell back into worshipping the man, all the while thinking I was worshipping the Lord. Not too much time passed before the man came forth and broke down everything I prided myself on and believed in. He began to follow himself and not the Lord. He destroyed my image of him and my faith in men. I became very angry, I didn't pray and I sinned A LOT. I continued down a path of destruction until I had a realization. I didn't know the Lord for myself. I read the Bible but I looked for his interpretation, I wanted to follow God only because he did. I asked myself, "Now he has turned his face from the Lord; what are you going to do? Trust in man or in the True and Living God. Choose this day who you will serve Sarah. The man has fallen but God is secure." As tears burned my eyes I said,"Lord thank you for showing me the light. Forgive me for my sins. Forgive me for putting the ruling of a man above yours. Save me from myself." God dealt kindly with me. He allowed me to begin desiring Him truly. I was trying to live right for His glory and my salvation; not for the accolades of another human being. He showed me that I could seek him in private and he would still bless me in public. Though my desires were turning to Him and he was kind enough to give me a revelation, I was still sinning greatly.
At this same time, the Lord was working on this man and bringing him back to His bosom. Eventually, the man was restored. I believe he was restored to an even greater place in God than he was before. This man has learned to wait on God. (To me he was waiting to the point of annihilation, but God always has a plan greater than we can imagine) The man is deep in God's Word like he was before. It is beautiful to witness. God will beat you down so he can build you up into what he wants you to be. When you put things in front of the Lord, He will destroy those things so that you recognize them for what they are. When they are exposed you will see God in all of His Glory and follow him.

Here I am today, willing to expose myself with all of my imperfections. I am not a good wife, I am not a good daughter, I am not a good friend, I do not love my enemies, I am a liar, I am a judger, I laugh at other people's folly, I do not forgive others the way I want God to forgive me, I do not worship the Lord in everything I do,(especially in my job) I do not let my light shine. If I am honest my light is on a low dim and it has just gotten there in the last 24 days. Continuing in my honesty, I would not have been able to admit anything I have written in this post 24 days ago. I am willing to say I am a sinner and everyday is struggle to live Christlike. I can admit to myself how totally backwards I am.

Keep me in the fire Oh God, until I am totally refined.

My name is Sarah, I am on a three month journey to read the Bible, I am chronicling this journey, and I am a sinner.

Thank you for stopping by and please come by again. Tomorrow's reading is 1 Kings 8 - 16

Day 20, 1 Samuel 3 - 15

2010-10-21T08:42:00.000-04:00

Are we the modern day children of Israel? Do we grumble against the Lord in hard times? Do we forget Him when it is good? When He delivers us from trials and tribulation, do we only serve Him for a short time; then forget His goodness again?

I am not going to speak for anyone else, butI am a modern day Israelite. When I am unhappy or experiencing financial difficulties I call on the Lord. When I am being blessed I will praise him in the beginning but somewhere along the line I think I may begin praising myself. What weapon do I have to prevent this? What activity can I engage in, to keep my mind stayed on the Lord.

PRAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There isn't anything too large or too small for the Lord. One mistake that is made too often is we categorize things by their importance. "Oh, I don't need to bother God with this." For instance, I don't like my teeth. I think they are too big and not close enough. Why wouldn't I pray for the Lord to give me peace with how he has made me? Or, I could pray that he would make a way in my finances to get braces or veneers. He says to cast ALL of our cares on Him. If you care about it, pray about it. Prayer is how the Israelites were delivered every time. They turned their face (prayed) to the Lord and changed their ways.

Prayer still works! We should pray about everything all of the time!