Author Archives: Cassandra Land

When I first announced that I was going to read the entire Bible in 90 days, most people asked why I would read it so quickly. If I was asked that question again today, I would offer the same explanation. Reading many pages each day puts God and our relationship with Him into perspective. It makes it easier to see what is really important in life, what God values and wants from each one of His children.

I realized a few things as I read. First, God loves every single human being more than I can imagine. He loves you and me and everyone else with an infinite love, regardless of the positive or negative choices we’ve made in the past and continue to make day by day. In numerous ways, God calls people to Him so that He can give us life. This calling doesn’t happen once and if rejected, never again. So many stories in the Bible show God calling people back to Him over and over and over again. He allows our choices to play out so that we can see that God’s way is better. But in our misery or in our joy, God continues to call us back to Him.

I also learned that my relationship with God is based on my heart, not on my actions. Many texts, especially in the gospels, address the need for a clean heart, a pure heart, an undefiled heart. By spending time with God in prayer and in Bible study, I can become more like Him. When my heart becomes more like God’s, my actions reflect what’s on my heart. This is where keeping the commandments comes into play, honoring God with my actions because my heart is like His. I can’t earn my way into heaven or God’s favor. That’s not what He wants from me. Instead, He desires my love and that my love would translate into actions.

Another glaring realization is that my priorities need to be rearranged. Life is not about having fun, following my own pleasures and enjoyments. Instead, I need to learn more about God, become more like Him, minister to my husband and to all the people I come in contact with. By doing this, I can be a great witness to the love of God. By loving like God loves, I can show people that I serve an awesome God and hopefully they will want to know more.

The last thing I learned is that both myself and often the Christian church in general places too much of an emphasis on the things of life that aren’t that important. I have judged people on their appearance, criticized them for lifestyle choices, and felt superior because I “know more” or am “farther on my Christian walk” than someone else. However, wearing jewelry, eating meat, and watching movies, all these different lifestyle choices, are a choice and a conviction between an individual and God. It is not up to me or any church to dictate how someone lives their life.

As an individual and as a collective Christian family, we need to focus on the greatest two commandments – loving God and loving other people. This is the greatest joy and responsibility we have. This should be our focus every minute of every day. After all, a Christian is someone who takes on the ministry of Christ. Loving others. Pointing the way to God.

I would recommend reading the Bible in 90 days to everyone who would possibly be interested. It has opened my mind to new ideas and a new way of thinking. It really is a life changing experience and offers a unique perspective of God, His children, and our relationship to both.

I have finished reading through the Bible! I was planning on finishing tomorrow, but then I looked at the chapters that were scheduled. Day 87 covers Jude through Revelation 17. As Revelation is only 22 chapters, I decided to go ahead and finish.

It feels great. I have thoughts, but I’m going to post on Wednesday about the entire experience. It was a blessed one!

I marked several great promises in Jude and Revelation.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen
Jude 1:24-25.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne
Revelation 3:20-21.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created
Revelation 4:11.

I especially love this last verse. This is talking about Christ, as He was the one who created all things. He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power. Why? Many reasons, but also for the one listed here. Christ is our creator. He provides life for every living thing. And I really like the last part of the verse. For Christ’s pleasure I exist and I was created. Christ created ME for His own pleasure. I can’t help but want to praise Him and serve Him in every way I can.

Two days left. Only Jude and Revelation left to read.

Today’s reading covered 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John. I marked another wonderful promise. I really do think that there are many beautiful promises in the Bible if we take the time to look for them.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is
1 John 3:1-2.

Praise the Lord. I can’t wait to see God face to face, to really see Him as He is.

Only three days left…

Before church this morning, I read Hebrews and James. Hebrews is a book I definitely need to study soon as it has a lot of information and guidance on Abba and Christ. I find the study of the sanctuary fascinating and much of the heavenly application is in Hebrews.

Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted
Hebrews 2:17-18.

These two verses tell me that Christ wanted to be made like us so that He would understand what we struggle with. Christ was tempted, the most famous temptations being those in the wilderness immediately after His baptism. Because Christ was tempted and overcome, He is able to succor (come to the rescue, aid, help) us deal with our temptations.

Along that same vein of thought:

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need
Hebrews 4:14-16.

Because we have a High Priest who was tempted like we are, we can boldly come to the throne to find mercy, grace, and help whenever we need it. Praise the Lord! He is very good.

4 days left.

This morning I read 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. It was enjoyable reading and there was a lot of really good instruction included.

One of my struggles, as I mentioned fairly early in this challenge, is the idea of perfection being required by God. I’ve been assured by several people, including two pastors, that the idea of perfection is not about sinlessness but about love. I still need to do an in depth study for myself, but today I found two really powerful passages about that topic.

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses
1 Timothy 6:11-12.

Maybe it’s really not about doing all the right things, but instead about loving everyone as Christ loves me. When I love people, I will desire their good and try not to hurt them. I think that is where works comes into play, but only as an outpouring of love. I think the focus should be on love. Love God. Love your neighbor. The rest will follow naturally.

5 days left.

Today I read Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. There were a lot of really good verses in those three books.

This was my favorite passage:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ
Ephesians 1:3-12.

It is long, but speaks volumes. To God be the glory!

Six days left.

Today’s reading covered all of 2 Corinthians and Galatians. In 2 Corinthians, Paul offered an appeal.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)
2 Corinthians 6:2.

Now is the day of salvation. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Not next year. Today is the day to decide that God’s way is right. Today is the day to accept His offer of eternal life. Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation. Embrace it.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father
Galatians 4:6.

Abba, Father. Change me. Make me like You. Show me Your glory.

I’m not reading exactly what the schedule calls for as I want to read entire books in one sitting if at all possible. Today, instead of reading 1 Corinthians 1 through 14, I read the entire book. It only adds a couple of chapters but I feel like I’m getting the entire context.

I marked another promise that is really encouraging to me.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it
1 Corinthians 10:13.

This text tells me that I am not alone in my struggles. First, other people experience some of the same issues that I fight with. Second, Abba is not going to allow me to be tempted more than I can handle with His help. When temptations come, Abba provides a way of escape.

Too many times, I fight with temptations and fall. I need to keep my eyes on Him and He will provide a way for me to escape the temptations. All I need to do is ask.