60IN60 Day 26 - Fri May 31

It's Day 26 and we're in Luke 12.

An encouragement as you read today: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8).

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 31 - I love this verse (and its parallel in Matthew 6:33).  Put God first, seek His Kingdom, and He'll take care of all this other stuff.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 25 - Thurs May 30

It's Day 25 and we're in Luke 11.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - For all of us who aren't particularly good at prayer or find prayer difficult, it's encouraging to know that the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray and He didn't rebuke them for that.

Help:
- Verses 49-51 - This is tough to understand, but I take it to say something like, "You all are in an advantaged position - you have all the history of Israel to look back on and learn from.  Yet, rather than learning, you're every bit the hypocrites that your forefathers were.  Therefore the guilt just continues to pour out on you."
- Verse 52 - What is the "key to knowledge"?  He doesn't say here.  One obvious explanation would be that the key is Jesus.  Another possibility, given the Pharisees' habits, was that the key is avoiding hypocrisy.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Questions You Have:
- "Why do you think, in verse 4 [of Luke 10], Jesus told the disciples/missionaries to not greet anyone on the road? Was it to keep them on their 'path'?" - It does seem an odd instruction.  Your suggestion is along the lines of what I'm thinking - they had a limited amount of time and He wanted them to get to the cities where they could speak to more people.  It does seem a little rude, though, doesn't it?

60IN60 Day 24 - Wed May 29

It's Day 24 and we're in Luke 10.

An encouragement as you read the Bible today: in Acts 17:11, it tells of some Christians in Berea who "received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether [what we taught was Biblical]." Let's be like them.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 41-42 - How many of us need to heed this?  There are so many things to get done in a day, but "only one thing is needed."

Help:
- Verses 4-11 - These are instructions for the disciples when Jesus sent them out.  These are not instructions for all disciples at all times.
- Verse 18 - I take this to mean that Satan was accusing the disciples before God for their unworthiness for the mission that Jesus had sent them on, but the power of God overwhelmed their inadequacies.  Angry, Satan came back down to earth ("fall from heaven like lightning").
- Verse 19 - This is, like verses 4-11, only true for the disciples at that time and not all disciples for all time.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 23 - Tues May 28

It's Day 23 and we're in Luke 9.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - "He. . . gave them power" - God desires to give us power that we might be able to make a difference in the world.

Help:
- Verse 18 - That's oddly phrased.  I think it means, "Jesus went away with His disciples to get some time praying alone.  While on that retreat, the disciples asked. . ."
- Verse 23 - What does that mean?  It means that put aside our desires and pursue where He's leading us.  "Taking up your cross" means being willing to make sacrifices for the Kingdom.
- Verse 24 - What does this mean?  It means that we need to pursue what God is calling us to do, even when it causes us to have to make sacrifices we'd rather not make.  We do this presuming that His leading will take us to real life.
- Verse 59 - The best explanation of this I've read is that the phrase used by the man was one that meant that that his father was not yet dead but that he wanted to wait until that had happened and was taken care of.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 22 - Mon May 27

It's Day 22 and we're in Psalm 43.

A little reminder from James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!"

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 4 - Do I look at God as my "joy"?

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 21 - Sun May 26

It's Day 21 and we're in Psalm 42.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - I appreciate the honesty of the Psalms about how tough life is.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 20 - Sat May 25

It's Day 20 and we're in Psalm 41.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - You've got to be careful and not take verses like this one to be universal promises that God will always fulfill.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 19 - Fri May 24

It's Day 19 and we're in Colossians 4.

If you've got questions about your reading, I love answering those. Feel free to email me. Unless it's something personal, I'll usually anonymously share the question (and answer) in the following day's email so everyone can benefit from it.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - I like the idea he puts out here about "keeping alert" (NASB) in our prayers.  I think too often we pray without diligently watching for and expecting an answer.

Help:
- Verse 1 - On the difficult subject of slavery, there are some passages (like this one) where Paul addresses how they should live while in bondage and other passages where he encourages them to get their freedom if they are able.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 18 - Thurs May 23

It's Day 18 and we're in Colossians 3.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 9-10 - Fully enjoying the spiritual power that God offers us requires a daily choice to "put off" our old self and "put on" our new self.  The resources are there, but we have to choose to use them.

Help:
- Verse 3 - "For you died" - This means we died spiritually.  In becoming a Christian, we are spiritually "buried" with Him and then spiritually "raised to life."  We are a new creation.  The old (spiritual) person is dead.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 17 - Wed May 22

It's Day 17 and we're in Colossians 2.

We have lots of excuses for why we don't read the Bible: "I'm too busy," "I don't know where to start," "I tried it once and got confused," "I just never got around to it." I hope "60IN60" helps you to be able to overcome those excuses and experience a rewarding time in the Word.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - It is a great encouragement when you see fellow Christians making substantive spiritual progress.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 16 - Tues May 21

It's Day 16 and we're in Colossians 1.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 29 - What a great phrase: "struggling with all His energy."  We work forward with His power, even when (or maybe "especially when") it's a struggle.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Comments From You:
- "I love the picture of two paths you posted with today's scripture. Instinct would tell me to go right but the left path looks more appealing. That was my very first thought when I looked at it and felt like God might have been using it to tell me to always follow my instincts (always after prayer of course) instead of analyzing my decisions and choosing what "appears" to be more Attractive. Just wanted to share because it is amazing what just a picture can inspire. Thank you. :)"

60IN60 Day 15 - Mon May 20

It's Day 15 and we're in Isaiah 61.

One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It cuts through the clutter. We are surrounded by tons of information, but so much of it is essentially irrelevant to a meaningful life. The Bible speaks to the issues that matter.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - These are the verses Jesus quoted as He began His ministry.  They tell us so much about the kind of Kingdom He intended: one for the brokenhearted, the poor, the captive.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 14 - Sun May 19

It's Day 14 and we're in Isaiah 54.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 17 - That first phrase is one that's often claimed in prayer by Christians anticipating victory.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 13 - Sat May 18

It's Day 13 and we're in Isaiah 11.

If you come across something in your reading that doesn't make sense at first, be quick to re-read and to ask questions. If I can help answer anything, drop me an email.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - We have that Spirit within us: the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.  Seems like we should be listening more often to Someone that great.

Help:
- Verses 6-9 - This refers to a time in the future when the world will be as it should be.  Some believe this refers to the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.  Some believe this refers to the time described in Revelation 21-22 when there will be a new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 12 - Fri May 17

It's Day 12 and we're in Isaiah 6.

We'll just be choosing a few of the best chapters from the book of Isaiah as we read over the next few days.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - Part of coming into the true presence of God is that we are made keenly aware of how inadequate we are.  It's not a pleasant thing, but it's part of being near Someone so purely holy.

Help:
- Verses 9-10 - This makes it sound like God desires that they not repent.  I think it's less a statement of what God desires and more a statement of the way the people actually are.  God is sending Isaiah knowing the people will not respond the way He wishes they would.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 11 - Thurs May 16

It's Day 11 and we're in 1 Kings 19.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - It's amazing (and true to life) how Elijah can move from such a stunning victory (chapter 18) to running for his life so quickly.  I've often seen it in my life how in the space of just a few hours things can go from amazing victory to total meltdown.

Help:
- Verses 1-21 - There are tons of signs here that Elijah is dealing with what we would diagnose today as depression.  Just because we are following God or working for God doesn't mean that we aren't going to deal with problems like everyone else does.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Your Comments And Questions:
- "My question is regarding the Widow's son. Did God spare his life to prove His truthfulness or was it a favor since Elijah was such a man of God?" - It could be either, although I also think that the woman felt guilty for something in her life (v. 18 - "Did you come to remind me of my sin. . .?"), so another factor in play may have been showing His mercy.

60IN60 Day 10 - Wed May 15

It's Day 10 and we're in 1 Kings 18.

One problem that regularly bothers me as I read is a wandering mind. A word in the text will make me think of something that I have to do that day and my mind is off to the races, leaving the Bible behind. I've found it helpful to have something near me that I can make a note on when that happens so I can write down that thing I need to do later and get back to concentrating on the reading in front of me.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 43 - It's odd that after that dramatic and immediate answer from God, this time he has to pray multiple times.  Sometimes God works that way.

Help:
- Verse 17 - Elijah was just bringing God's message, yet he is personally condemned for it.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 9 - Tues May 14

It's Day 9 and we're in 1 Kings 17.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 18, 20 - How often our first instinct is to blame God.

Help:
- Verse 1 - Ahab is the king.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Questions You Have:
- "Just wondering why Jesus told Legion to return home telling people what God had done for him, but in the next story of the young girl he told them to keep quiet?" - Great question!  Jesus frequently told people not to tell anyone after He had done a miracle for them.  Yet at the same time, He was traveling from town-to-town spreading the Good News.  For me, what I focus on is the frenzy that often developed around Christ.  The crowds would get very excited over the miracles they were seeing Him do.  They even tried at times to force Him to become king.  I think Jesus was interested in spreading the gospel around Israel (thus telling the man to go home and tell what God had done for him) while simultaneously trying to keep things from getting out of control when He had big crowds around Him reaching a fever pitch over the amazing miracles they were seeing (like with the girl raised to life).  He wanted the people to know but without the people taking charge of the ministry He was doing.

60IN60 Day 8 - Mon May 13

It's Day 8 and we're in Luke 8.

One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It provides the answers to life's most pressing questions: "Why am I here?" "What value does my life have?" "What does God want out of me?" "What does a life well spent look like?" For all the time we spend daily on trivial things, it's essential that we spend some time on the big questions.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 21 - True believers are not those who say they believe in Jesus, but those who "put it into practice."

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 7 - Sun May 12

It's Day 7 and we're in Luke 7.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 9 - Jesus was impressed because this man believed when Jesus said it then it was as good as done.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Your Comments:
- "Kind of wonder if the synagogue was at that certain book of Scripture
in their weekly reading, (Isaiah), just interesting how Jesus turned
right to the Scripture that was needed to introduce its fulfilment at
His reading of it. In a way that is how the Holy Spirit works with our
Scripture reading.... picks that one portion that blesses our heart at
the moment."

60IN60 Day 6 - Sat May 11

It's Day 6 and we're in Luke 6.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - It's amazing how focused we can become on our theology and miss the obvious move of God that's right in front of our face.

Help:
- Verse 2 - It didn't violate the Mosaic Law; it violated their rules derived from the Mosaic Law.
- Verses 21-22 - I think the point is not that we are to be miserable, but that need to have a hunger and desire for things that are beyond this world.
- Verses 24-26 - We need to make sure we aren't content with the petty things that this world can offer us.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Comments You Have:
- "It only took a few statements from John for those to wonder if he was the Messiah.... The Holy Spirit had opened his eyes to the Scriptures and their teachings... he knew Jesus personally, knew that Jesus was the Messiah. I figure most all Jesus family members knew what was up.
Kind of humorous to think of Methuselah being in the lineage of Jesus.... and Jesus actually being............ "Older than Methuselah"...... :)"

60IN60 Day 5 - Fri May 10

It's Day 5 and we're in Luke 5.

Sometimes things get busy and you miss a day or two.  Don’t get discouraged and quit.  Just lay aside those readings you missed and jump in with today’s reading.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - When God sends a harvest, it's abundant.  I want to see that kind of abundant harvest in our church.

Help:
- Verse 11, 27-28 - They had heard Jesus before.  This was not following-a-stranger deal.
- Verse 17 - Apparently the faith that the people had (or didn't have) impacted His ability to heal.
- Verse 35 - We should be fasting regularly, but almost none of us do.
- Verses 36-39 - He's saying that He's come to do a new thing and He's not going to just try to patch up the old.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Questions And Comments You Have:
- "If they were amazed at the 12 year old Jesus at the temple, I wonder
what the questions were that He asked.... maybe ones about the Messiah
and OT Scripture?" - Not sure, but I do wonder if He asked ones that were sufficiently deep that they often couldn't answer.
- "Re: Luke 4:24. I have a cousin who is an ordained Methodist minister. While he was head pastor of a church, a woman there had been ill for years. No doctor could figure out what was wrong with her (I don't remember her symptoms). During one service, my cousin felt God tell him to ask the woman to come up front for healing. He laid his hands on her, prayed for her, and she was healed. The church elders fired my cousin b/c that church does not believe in the gift of healing. I thought of that situation when reading that no prophet will be accepted in his home town. I'm proud of my cousin for doing what God told him to do, and using the gift God gave him, regardless of what the elders believe. I'm sure the woman is grateful as well."

60IN60 Day 4 - Thurs May 9

It's Day 4 and we're in Luke 4.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - I want to see "the power of the Spirit" flowing through my life.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 3 - Wed May 8

It's Day 3 and we're in Luke 3.

As you read, listen for where God wants to speak to you. What jumps out to you? What speaks to situations you're dealing with right now?

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 8 - Repentance is not just saying we're sorry - there also has to be a change in the our actions.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

60IN60 Day 2 - Tues May 7

It's Day 2 and we're in Luke 2.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 46 - Even for Christ, wisdom was a matter of learning.

Help:
- Verse 52 - Part of the humility of Christ becoming human was that He had to learn along the way.  He was not a baby in Mary's arms already understanding everything.  He "played by the rules" of being human.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Questions And Comments You Have:

- "As many time as I've read this passage, I'm seeing for the first time the disparity of treatment between Zachariah and Mary. Both responded pretty much the same way to the angel's revelation.  I suppose it was due to Z's advanced age and position that he was held to a higher standard.  And it is believed that Mary was of a very young age (14-15), perhaps her innocence being the reason she wasn't reprimanded for her similar question?" - Yes, I think that had a lot to do with it.
- "Being filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.... sort of figure he was, even in the womb.... never really dwelt on or contemplated that much until today..... amazing.  His knowledge and submission to God and his parents as a child, the total John that people seen of him seems to be the reason for verse 17.... just as it draws our attention to an obedient and humble child as opposed to disobedient....."

60IN60 Day 1 - Mon May 6

It's Day 1 and we're in Luke 1.

The list of the 60 days of readings is at the bottom of this email.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 65 - NASB says they were filled with "fear."  It's amazing how even God doing good things can fill some with fear.

Help:
- Verse 6 - Not that they were perfect, but they were faithfully pursuing God within the Old Testament sacrifice system.
- Verse 17 - This verse quotes Malachi 4:6 - the last verse of the Old Testament.  It's an unusual phrase, the point of which seems to be that the fathers will turn their hearts back toward doing what's right for their children.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.

Here are the reading for the next 60 days.  If you'd prefer to have a one-page PDF, just email me and I'll get it to you.  For those attending Madison Baptist, you can also pick up the one-page reading sheet on the table in the main hallway.

The readings:

1: Luke 1 (Monday, May 6)
2: Luke 2
3: Luke 3
4: Luke 4
5: Luke 5
6: Luke 6
7: Luke 7

8: Luke 8 (Monday, May 13)

9: 1 Kings 17
10: 1 Kings 18
11: 1 Kings 19
12: Isaiah 6
13: Isaiah 11
14: Isaiah 54

15: Isaiah 61 (Monday, May 20)
16: Colossians 1
17: Colossians 2
18: Colossians 3
19: Colossians 4
20: Psalm 41
21: Psalm 42

22: Psalm 43 (Monday, May 27)
23: Luke 9
24: Luke 10
25: Luke 11
26: Luke 12
27: Luke 13
28: Luke 14

29: Luke 15 (Monday, June 3)
30: Luke 16
31: Jeremiah 18
32: Jeremiah 23
33: Jeremiah 31
34: Jeremiah 38
35: 2 Kings 4

36: 2 Kings 5 (Monday, June 10)
37: Acts 9
38: Acts 10
39: Acts 11
40: Acts 12
41: Proverbs 23
42: Luke 17

43: Luke 18 (Monday, June 17)
44: Luke 19
45: Luke 20
46: Luke 21
47: Luke 22
48: Luke 23
49: Luke 24

50: Ecclesiastes 1 (Monday, June 24)
51: Ecclesiastes 2
52: Ecclesiastes 3
53: 2 Samuel 5
54: 2 Samuel 6
55: 2 Samuel 7
56: 2 Samuel 8

57: 2 Samuel 9 (Monday, July 1)
58: 2 Samuel 10
59: 2 Samuel 11
60: 2 Samuel 12