Impulse Photography

(Photo:  This is not my bible, it belongs to a beautiful homeless man named Courtney whom I met on the streets of  San Fransisco two years ago.  I would love for mine to look like this though!!)

I needed to set out on this journey.  I felt an urgency.  What is this 28 day quest you ask?  Well, I dedicated and committed my time to reading the bible…..cover to cover…..in 30 days.  However, I ended up finishing in 28.  I really felt a strong calling to do this and was earnestly desiring a deeper relationship with my Lord and Savior.  And I have so much to say, so let’s get into it!

On December 9^th, I started my reading.  I was also in prayer daily.  I asked for God to speak to me, guide me, give me wisdom, direct me.    First thing I noticed is that there were many things that came my way to distract me and take my attention.  It was not easy.  The first few days were like any other.  However, shortly afterwards, something was happening.  As I continued, my mind, my heart, my spirit and  inner man was being renewed.  I believe that when we truly desire to seek God, He honors that and does not disappoint. Well, that’s exactly what happened!  I can’t begin to tell you the changes.  It was like one big HUGE bible study!  I was taking in massive chunks of the word!  And it was changing me.  I was seeing more of God’s heart.  And when I would catch a sermon topic here and there, I thought, “oh, wow, I just read that the other day!”  lol.

There’s something to be said about “soaking in God’s word” and in His presence.  Shutting off the world and focusing on Him.  The one who created us.  The one who knows us better than anyone.  The one who loves us more than you can imagine.  He really opened up my eyes to so much.  Things I had never really thought about before.  I was craving, thirsting for His word more and more.  I was being filled as a fountain full of water!  Like the Samaritan woman at the well when she encountered Jesus, He told her that He could give her living water.  “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”  (John 4:13-14).  This life on earth is temporary and proves to disappoint (as I’m sure you’ve probably already found out!)

Well, I finished reading the Bible cover to cover on January 5^th, and I have never been so in love with Him as I am now.  He helped me to really understand scripture and to memorize it and bring it to mind when necessary in speaking to and sharing it with others.  It was like I was born again…again!  So what’s the main message I got out of this?  Okay, this is it.   To live a HOLY life and OBEY Him.  Of course, we all know that we are to repent and turn from sin when we first come to Christ, but many go on living like the world.  Many Christians believe they are saved, but they are not living a holy life.  Many continue on with their ways.   They are caught up in the things of this world and do not have their eyes on Jesus.  They have a “lukewarm” attitude and approach.  While it’s true that it’s by grace that we are saved, we need to make sure of our salvation.  “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  If you were to take your last breath today and you are standing in front of God, are you able to face Him without shame, knowing that you have repented of sin and have lived a Holy life for Him?  Matthew 7:21 tells us “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”  Are you confident that you are doing the will of the Father?  I know I wasn’t.   And by sin I’m not only referring to murder, adultery, stealing etc., but I’m also referring to unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred,  jealousy, pride, gossip, slander etc.   These are poisons.  What are you watching?  What are you posting on Facebook?  He tells us that if we love Him, we will keep his commandments.  Choose today whom you will serve.  I truly needed to repent of many things and cut certain things out of my life.  And I’m so happy I did!  I continue to pray that if there is any sin in my life, anything that is not pleasing to Him, that God would bring it to the surface and into the light.  That He would expose it!  Human nature is that men love their sin and love living in darkness.  Most do not want to change anything in their life.  But like a cockroach, when you turn on the light they all scatter!  Trying to find some darkness again.  Well I say bring on the light!!  I don’t want to be a cockroach.  I want to be clean before my Lord.   As a follower of Christ we are called to “deny ourselves”, pick up the cross and follow Him.  There is so much more I want to say.  You can always call me to chat if you want to know more or have any questions.

Now, in no way am I saying that you must read the bible in 30 days to hear from God, but I am saying to seek His face in prayer and read as much as you can on a daily basis.  Buy hey if God puts it on your heart Go for it!! And if you’ve never read it before, I would encourage you to do so.  It truly is the “living word”.    This is what I did to make things a little more doable:  I started reading the Book of John first (New Testament) and not only did I have my bible open and was reading, but I also played an audio DVD (with entire Bible), which I listened to at the same time.  This way it kept me on track and I didn’t “dilly dally” as much…lol (which I tend to do a lot!).  And what better way to get the word in, by seeing and hearing!  I also have the YouVersion app on my iphone to help keep track of my daily readings and check them off as I went along.  It has many different great reading plans (30/60/90/365 days).  I would absolutely recommend it.

SEEK HIM, LOVE HIM, OBEY HIM.

I love you all!
Silvana ~

(If you’re interested in reading my personal testimony of how I gave my life to Christ you can find it here)