It's Day 26 and we're in Jonah 2.
Remember that your daily
reading in the Bible isn't about gaining information - it's about changing your
life to be more like Christ. That means that you need to take action on what
God speaks to you about.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - God hears us when we cry out in our distress.
Help:
- Verses 1-10 - It has long been presumed by many that Jonah was alive in the belly of the fish, but it never actually says that. Some of the wording (see verses 5-7 especially) lends itself toward the idea that Jonah died in the fish. The miracle would then be that God raised Jonah back to 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.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
60IN60 Day 25 - Thurs Jan 30
It's Day 25 and we're in Jonah 1.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - Why did Jonah run away? Because the Ninevehites were enemies of Israel and he didn't want to go preach to them and give them the chance for mercy. It's sobering to know that God loves everyone - even my enemies.
Help:
- Verse 2 - "come up before me" - That means that the accumulated weight of their sin had reached a place where it demanded action. It wasn't that God wasn't paying attention before that or was unaware before that.
- Verse 5 - "asleep" - This could be because he's so exhausted because of the stress of the event or it could be that he is at peace about running away from God and finds sleep easy.
- Verse 7 - "lots" - God obviously doesn't always influence the outcome of such things, but in this situation, He spoke to the sailors through something they could understand.
- Verses 8-10 - They believed in provincial gods - gods that had a limited scope of power. When they heard Jonah say that his God was the God of the sea, they knew why the storm had happened.
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:
- "Proverbs 4:23 is (arguably) my favorite Proverb. ESV has it "keep your heart with all vigilance...". In my humble opinion, striving for a compassionate heart through good and bad. When we think we have it figured out and when we have nothing figured out, striving for one's heart springs life. In a very real sense, the enjoyment of it."
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - Why did Jonah run away? Because the Ninevehites were enemies of Israel and he didn't want to go preach to them and give them the chance for mercy. It's sobering to know that God loves everyone - even my enemies.
Help:
- Verse 2 - "come up before me" - That means that the accumulated weight of their sin had reached a place where it demanded action. It wasn't that God wasn't paying attention before that or was unaware before that.
- Verse 5 - "asleep" - This could be because he's so exhausted because of the stress of the event or it could be that he is at peace about running away from God and finds sleep easy.
- Verse 7 - "lots" - God obviously doesn't always influence the outcome of such things, but in this situation, He spoke to the sailors through something they could understand.
- Verses 8-10 - They believed in provincial gods - gods that had a limited scope of power. When they heard Jonah say that his God was the God of the sea, they knew why the storm had happened.
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:
- "Proverbs 4:23 is (arguably) my favorite Proverb. ESV has it "keep your heart with all vigilance...". In my humble opinion, striving for a compassionate heart through good and bad. When we think we have it figured out and when we have nothing figured out, striving for one's heart springs life. In a very real sense, the enjoyment of it."
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
60IN60 Day 24 - Wed Jan 29
It's Day 24 and we're in Proverbs 4.
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 7 - Do I prize wisdom that heavily? Do I want to be that insightful?
Help:
- Verses 1-3 - This is true, of course, only if you have a wise father.
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.
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 7 - Do I prize wisdom that heavily? Do I want to be that insightful?
Help:
- Verses 1-3 - This is true, of course, only if you have a wise father.
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.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
60IN60 Day 23 - Tues Jan 28
It's Day 23 and we're in Proverbs 3.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - Our thoughts and conscience are not infallible. God's truth 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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - Our thoughts and conscience are not infallible. God's truth 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.
Monday, January 27, 2014
60IN60 Day 22 - Mon Jan 27
It's Day 22 and we're in Proverbs 2.
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:
- Verses 1-5 - Wisdom is accessible. It's not something you're born with. But you have to want 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.
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:
- Verses 1-5 - Wisdom is accessible. It's not something you're born with. But you have to want 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.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
60IN60 Day 21 - Sun Jan 26
It's Day 21 and we're in Proverbs 1.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 23 - It's hard to hear those words that step on our toes, but we need them because they'll move us in the right direction.
Help:
- Verse 7 - This fear is not a cowering terror, but a respect for who God is and the power He has.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 23 - It's hard to hear those words that step on our toes, but we need them because they'll move us in the right direction.
Help:
- Verse 7 - This fear is not a cowering terror, but a respect for who God is and the power He has.
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.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
60IN60 Day 20 - Sat Jan 25
It's Day 20 and we're in Genesis 9.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me again today. Genesis has been a struggle. That'll happen sometimes.
Help:
- Verse 21 - And this was the good guy!
- Verses 24-27 - Two important things to remember: 1. All that Noah does isn't approved by God. We see throughout Genesis example after example of the person of God doing things that are less righteous than you'd want to see. This is an example. What Noah does is immature and wrong. 2. This passage has been twisted down through the centuries by racist pastors to say that black people are cursed and deserve the slavery they were enduring at that point. That's simply manipulating the text to make it say something that it absolutely does not say.
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:
- "At the time of Noah, how did the people know what animals were clean and unclean?" - That's a great question - I'd never thought about that before. Given that the Law would not come until later with its distinctions between what was clean and unclean, it would seem that either (a) the Lord told Noah during the construction, (b) the Lord told Noah at the time of the gathering, or (c) in the Lord causing the animals to come to the ark, He just made the right number of each type of animal come.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me again today. Genesis has been a struggle. That'll happen sometimes.
Help:
- Verse 21 - And this was the good guy!
- Verses 24-27 - Two important things to remember: 1. All that Noah does isn't approved by God. We see throughout Genesis example after example of the person of God doing things that are less righteous than you'd want to see. This is an example. What Noah does is immature and wrong. 2. This passage has been twisted down through the centuries by racist pastors to say that black people are cursed and deserve the slavery they were enduring at that point. That's simply manipulating the text to make it say something that it absolutely does not say.
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:
- "At the time of Noah, how did the people know what animals were clean and unclean?" - That's a great question - I'd never thought about that before. Given that the Law would not come until later with its distinctions between what was clean and unclean, it would seem that either (a) the Lord told Noah during the construction, (b) the Lord told Noah at the time of the gathering, or (c) in the Lord causing the animals to come to the ark, He just made the right number of each type of animal come.
Friday, January 24, 2014
60IN60 Day 19 - Fri Jan 24
It's Day 19 and we're in Genesis 8.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verse 1 - "remembered" - This doesn't mean that God had forgotten about them like we might forget and leave the iron on when we leave the house. It's Old Testament language for the fact that the time had come for God to act again.
- Verses 4-5 - My presumption is that the verse 5 references to the "tops of the mountains" means the tops of all the mountains, since there is a verse 4 reference to one mountain being revealed. I take it mean that the water had receded sufficiently that all the mountains (and not just the tallest ones) were now visible.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verse 1 - "remembered" - This doesn't mean that God had forgotten about them like we might forget and leave the iron on when we leave the house. It's Old Testament language for the fact that the time had come for God to act again.
- Verses 4-5 - My presumption is that the verse 5 references to the "tops of the mountains" means the tops of all the mountains, since there is a verse 4 reference to one mountain being revealed. I take it mean that the water had receded sufficiently that all the mountains (and not just the tallest ones) were now visible.
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.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
60IN60 Day 18 - Thurs Jan 23
It's Day 18 and we're in Genesis 7.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - I wonder if his sons and daughter-in-laws believed or if only Noah did?
Help:
- Verse 2 - The additional animals were for sacrifice.
- Verse 6 - The ages were much longer back then. There comes a point in Genesis where the evil is sufficiently great that God shortens lifespans. It sounds impossible, but it's been interesting in recent years to read about discoveries within human DNA that seem to point to the ability to lengthen or shorten human life simply by tweaking the DNA.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - I wonder if his sons and daughter-in-laws believed or if only Noah did?
Help:
- Verse 2 - The additional animals were for sacrifice.
- Verse 6 - The ages were much longer back then. There comes a point in Genesis where the evil is sufficiently great that God shortens lifespans. It sounds impossible, but it's been interesting in recent years to read about discoveries within human DNA that seem to point to the ability to lengthen or shorten human life simply by tweaking the DNA.
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.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
60IN60 Day 17 - Wed Jan 22
It's Day 17 and we're in Genesis 6.
Note that we skipped chapter 5. It's mostly genealogical information.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me. Genesis has been a struggle for me in that way.
Help:
- Verses 1-4 - The nature of the Nephilim is fairly obscure. Some take it to be a reference to angels in human form; others take it to be a group of particularly strong and large people.
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.
Note that we skipped chapter 5. It's mostly genealogical information.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me. Genesis has been a struggle for me in that way.
Help:
- Verses 1-4 - The nature of the Nephilim is fairly obscure. Some take it to be a reference to angels in human form; others take it to be a group of particularly strong and large people.
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.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
60IN60 Day 16 - Tues Jan 21
It's Day 16 and we're in Genesis 4.
Please note that tomorrow we will be jumping to Genesis 6, skipping chapter 5. That's because chapter 5 is mostly genealogical information.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verses 4-5 - We are told in Hebrews 11:4 that the difference was not what was brought for the offering, but the heart of each one as they offered their offering.
- Verses 10-12 - Why no death penalty for him? I don't know - we're not told.
- Verses 23-24 - The main point of this obscure poem seems to be that violence was increasing on the earth (if it use to be sevenfold vengeance, now it was seventy-seven).
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.
Please note that tomorrow we will be jumping to Genesis 6, skipping chapter 5. That's because chapter 5 is mostly genealogical information.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verses 4-5 - We are told in Hebrews 11:4 that the difference was not what was brought for the offering, but the heart of each one as they offered their offering.
- Verses 10-12 - Why no death penalty for him? I don't know - we're not told.
- Verses 23-24 - The main point of this obscure poem seems to be that violence was increasing on the earth (if it use to be sevenfold vengeance, now it was seventy-seven).
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.
Monday, January 20, 2014
60IN60 Day 15 - Mon Jan 20
It's Day 15 and we're in Genesis 3.
A little note about the times when the daily email doesn't come. As I've said before, there are times when everything is in the system right but the email doesn't get sent out. I'm not sure why that happens. When that happens, though, the daily update is almost always posted on the website (60in60Bible.org) even though it hasn't been emailed. You can just look up the site directly or if you have the previous day's email update, you can click on the headline and it'll take you to the site.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - I think it's important to note that these things are part of the curse, not the way things originally were.
Help:
- Verse 1 - The presumption is that Satan was speaking through the serpent. Passages like Revelation 12:9 and Revelation 20:2 lead toward that.
- Verse 9 - It's not that God didn't know where they were - He's simply calling them out.
- Verse 11 - They were in a state of innocence before the Fall.
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:
- Genesis 2:
- "In Genesis 1, the majority of the creations are worded "Let there be," or "Let the..." Yet, when it comes to making man, God said, "Let us make." Do you think "us" is the Trinity? I just found that difference very interesting." - Yes, I think the "us" is a Trinity reference.
- "I felt refresh this morning to read, "In the beginning God created..." God our creator is in control. Hallelujah!!"
- "The phrasing for identifying each day (so the evening and the morning were the ....day) seems significant to me. It is interesting to note that God identifies each day as beginning in the evening and concluding with day; the direct opposite of what we tend to do. I wonder if this is due to the evening being more of a relaxed time (at least it used to be) a winding down, that should be used for time spent with God (see Gen. 3:8). If we counted our time as beginning in the evening and spending time with God, I wonder what the probability would be of our minds and spirit continuing that communion while we sleep? Would we be much more ready to face the circumstances of the day?
We could start viewing our days as beginning in the evenings, but it would require a tremendous amount of discipline, both mentally and physically. There is the additional challenge of the structure of our society....something to ponder."
- Genesis 1:
A little note about the times when the daily email doesn't come. As I've said before, there are times when everything is in the system right but the email doesn't get sent out. I'm not sure why that happens. When that happens, though, the daily update is almost always posted on the website (60in60Bible.org) even though it hasn't been emailed. You can just look up the site directly or if you have the previous day's email update, you can click on the headline and it'll take you to the site.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - I think it's important to note that these things are part of the curse, not the way things originally were.
Help:
- Verse 1 - The presumption is that Satan was speaking through the serpent. Passages like Revelation 12:9 and Revelation 20:2 lead toward that.
- Verse 9 - It's not that God didn't know where they were - He's simply calling them out.
- Verse 11 - They were in a state of innocence before the Fall.
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:
- Genesis 2:
God gives a lot of his intent for man and his relationships in this chapter. Things I note are:
1. Verses 2-3: The day of rest (Sabbath) is essential for rest and reflection.
2. Verse 7: God uniquely created man in that God “breathed” into man.
3. Verses 19-20: God intended man to have dominion over the rest of creation. This requires responsibility.
4. Verses 18, 21-25: God intended man and woman to be together helping each other as one.
God’s intentions seem to be points of contention in today’s world. Many folks are ignoring God’s plan and intent. People ignore the Sabbath and don’t take time to commune with God. People are either irresponsible with the environment or go to the opposite extreme and suggest man should be enslaved by the environment. The sacred bond of marriage and God’s intent that a man and woman unite are ignored as men marry men and women marry women.
My observation in comparing Genesis 2 and what is going on in the world today is that man has a tendency to rebel and do the opposite of what God intends.
- "In Genesis 1, the majority of the creations are worded "Let there be," or "Let the..." Yet, when it comes to making man, God said, "Let us make." Do you think "us" is the Trinity? I just found that difference very interesting." - Yes, I think the "us" is a Trinity reference.
- "I felt refresh this morning to read, "In the beginning God created..." God our creator is in control. Hallelujah!!"
- "The phrasing for identifying each day (so the evening and the morning were the ....day) seems significant to me. It is interesting to note that God identifies each day as beginning in the evening and concluding with day; the direct opposite of what we tend to do. I wonder if this is due to the evening being more of a relaxed time (at least it used to be) a winding down, that should be used for time spent with God (see Gen. 3:8). If we counted our time as beginning in the evening and spending time with God, I wonder what the probability would be of our minds and spirit continuing that communion while we sleep? Would we be much more ready to face the circumstances of the day?
We could start viewing our days as beginning in the evenings, but it would require a tremendous amount of discipline, both mentally and physically. There is the additional challenge of the structure of our society....something to ponder."
- Genesis 1:
"What verse/words jump out to me?
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
The statement from God “Let us make man in our own image” is very interesting to me. I have always assumed God is referencing the trinity here (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). I usually think about the Trinity in terms of the different roles each one plays.
I think of God the father as being God the Creator and Ruler of all. I pray to God the Father. I believe God is Yahweh, God of the Israelites.
I think of God the Son as Jesus, God incarnate in the New Testament, yet now ascended to Heaven sitting on the right hand side of the Father making intercession for us.
I think of the Holy Spirit as being the promised Comforter, presently living within, guiding us.
I have trouble grasping the concept of the Trinity, three separate entities, walking together, and then God saying “Let us make man in our own image”.
My Question is:
Am I interpreting this correctly? Was God referring to the Trinity? Did the three perform the creation together? Did the three make man together?
How do you describe this event?" - I think there is a sense in which you can say that all three members of the Trinity were involved in creation, although in a stricter sense it was the Son who created the world.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
60IN60 Day 14 - Sun Jan 19
It's Day 14 and we're in Genesis 2.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today. That's ok - there will be days like that.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today. That's ok - there will be days like that.
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.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
60IN60 Day 13 - Sat Jan 18
It's Day 13 and we're in Genesis 1.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today. That's ok. There are times like that.
Help:
- Verses 1-2 - Many believe that there is a time gap between verse 1 and verse 2. That is, way back in the beginning God created everything. Then, as we pick up the story of the creation of humanity, the earth was formless and void (verse 2). That would allow for things like the dinosaurs.
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:
- Philippians 2:
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today. That's ok. There are times like that.
Help:
- Verses 1-2 - Many believe that there is a time gap between verse 1 and verse 2. That is, way back in the beginning God created everything. Then, as we pick up the story of the creation of humanity, the earth was formless and void (verse 2). That would allow for things like the dinosaurs.
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:
- Philippians 2:
What verse/words jump out to me?
Verses 1-4
“fellowship”
“be likeminded”
“having the same love”
“being of one accord”
“of one mind”
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory”
“let each esteem other better than themselves”
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others”
Paul was promoting Christ like harmony to the church at Philippi. Paul knew this was key.
Verses 5-11
Paul went on to instruct the Philippians to be a servant like Christ was.
For the rest of the chapter the thing that spoke to me was concerning Paul’s own situation. He was writing this letter from prison, unsure of his future. He had his own feelings about his future and what God might do, but he simply does not know for sure. The key is that he is content with whatever his future holds.
- Philippians 3:
- Philippians 3:
What verse/words jump out to me?
Verse 2 “Beware of dogs”
This obviously jumps out at me in reference to the popular warning signs we see today. Paul was placing a strong label on false teachers. He was providing a parallel between the physical danger and damage a dog could cause and the spiritual damage a false teacher could cause to a Christian and the early church.
Verses 3-11
Paul of all people could have toted his Jewish lineage and entitlement around but he did not. He drew a distinction between having faith in works in the flesh and keeping the “law” and having faith in Christ’s finished work. He had left more behind than anyone else in this endeavor.
Verses 12-16
I think these verses could be used as a pep talk for a sports team whose coaches goal is to get the team to strive for perfection.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Vince Lombardi said “Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.”
Friday, January 17, 2014
60IN60 Day 12 - Fri Jan 17
It's Day 12 and we're in Philippians 4.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 19 - I've certainly seen Him do that for me in recent weeks!
Help:
- Verse 4 - We don't have to rejoice for everything, but we are supposed to find reasons to be thankful and joyful even when we're struggling.
- Verses 6-7 - These are great verses to deal with worry.
- Verse 17 - Paul wasn't desperate for their financial gift, but he did want them to have the opportunity to give and have that generosity credited to them by God.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 19 - I've certainly seen Him do that for me in recent weeks!
Help:
- Verse 4 - We don't have to rejoice for everything, but we are supposed to find reasons to be thankful and joyful even when we're struggling.
- Verses 6-7 - These are great verses to deal with worry.
- Verse 17 - Paul wasn't desperate for their financial gift, but he did want them to have the opportunity to give and have that generosity credited to them by God.
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.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
60IN60 Day 11 - Thurs Jan 16
It's Day 11 and we're in Philippians 3.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 12 - I have not arrived yet where I need to be spiritually. I need to continue to press on.
Help:
- Verse 2 - He is referring here to teachers who were trying to direct believers back to keeping the Jewish customs.
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:
- Philippians 1:
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 12 - I have not arrived yet where I need to be spiritually. I need to continue to press on.
Help:
- Verse 2 - He is referring here to teachers who were trying to direct believers back to keeping the Jewish customs.
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:
- Philippians 1:
Verse 6 – Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Our lives are a continuous work. When I was a small child I used to sing a song in church:
He’s still workin’ on me,
to make me what I ought to be.
It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
the sun and the earth and Jupiter and mars.
How loving and patient he must be,
cause He’s still workin’ on me.
Verse 18 - What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice
Paul knew that there were some folks who were preaching the Gospel for the wrong reasons. But Paul was happy, no matter what reasons folks had, that the Gospel was being spread. To think that some were doing it to spite an imprisoned Paul, and he knew it, and he still was happy, shows how selfless Paul really was. He was putting Christ first.
Verses 20-30
Paul knew that this life was full of suffering, much of which for him came due to his preaching Christ. Paul knew the benefits of dying in Christ. Paul knew the Philippians would also suffer persecution for Christ’s sake. Paul encouraged them to get this perspective, take a stand for Christ, and place themselves second.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
60IN60 Day 10 - Wed Jan 15
It's Day 10 and we're in Philippians 2.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - As a pastor, it does bring joy to see your flock living out the truth.
Help:
- Verse 17 - "poured out as a drink offering" - He means "even if I die in serving you."
- Verse 30 - "deficient in your service to me" - He wasn't criticizing them, but noting that Epaphroditus had been able to do tasks for Paul that the Philippians were not able to help him with.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - As a pastor, it does bring joy to see your flock living out the truth.
Help:
- Verse 17 - "poured out as a drink offering" - He means "even if I die in serving you."
- Verse 30 - "deficient in your service to me" - He wasn't criticizing them, but noting that Epaphroditus had been able to do tasks for Paul that the Philippians were not able to help him with.
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.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
60IN60 Day 9 - Tues Jan 14
It's Day 9 and we're in Philippians 1.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - He's continually working to finish what He's started. He's not going to leave us stuck beside the road halfway home.
Help:
- Verses 12-14 - It's not that Paul is glad to be imprisoned, but he can see where God is moving in that.
- Verses 15-18 - Some have good motives for their preaching; some don't. Paul focuses on the fact that Christ is being preached and rejoices in that.
- Verse 21 - Living meant more opportunities to make a difference for Christ; dying meant going to be with Jesus, where things would be even better than here on earth.
- Verse 29 - Suffering is part of the deal in becoming a Christian.
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:
- Mark 8:
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - He's continually working to finish what He's started. He's not going to leave us stuck beside the road halfway home.
Help:
- Verses 12-14 - It's not that Paul is glad to be imprisoned, but he can see where God is moving in that.
- Verses 15-18 - Some have good motives for their preaching; some don't. Paul focuses on the fact that Christ is being preached and rejoices in that.
- Verse 21 - Living meant more opportunities to make a difference for Christ; dying meant going to be with Jesus, where things would be even better than here on earth.
- Verse 29 - Suffering is part of the deal in becoming a Christian.
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:
- Mark 8:
Verse 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat
This is encouraging to see Jesus recognized perseverance and dedication. I believe it also draws a parallel to the act of fasting, and how God views those who fast.
Verse 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why does this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
I think the writers description of Jesus sighing “deeply in his spirit” is telling us something that we should be careful not to overlook. Jesus was God and man, and as a man he felt tired and frustrated. I believe the hypocritical Pharisees’ constant tempting and challenging of Jesus affected him “deeply”. We are certainly no less susceptible of being deeply affected by similar challenges.
Jesus’ denial of a sign to a generation that sought one is something to consider as well. I believe folks today ignore the bible, and the blessings of God, yet look for some sort of a sign. It could be that God intentionally withholds one.
Verse 21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
Interesting that the disciples were having trouble with unbelief concerning the second miracle of the feeding of a multitude. While it is easy to cast stones at them, I believe this is a warning to me today that it is easy to act this way and a challenge not to do so.
Verses 31-33
And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Peter had his own earthly agenda. He wanted Christ to be a Messiah who rose up against the Jewish captors in Rome and overthrew the empire. He had seen enough of Jesus to know his power and to know he was the Christ (Verse 29). Jesus forecast of his death was contrary to Peter’s plan and Peter rebuked Jesus openly. So Jesus rebuked Peter openly and called him Satan.
To me this is a challenge to pray that everything in my life be in God’s will. I have done a lot of that in the last year with the death in my family, and with our desire to move, and with career choices at work. I pray each day that God’s will be done. I also pray that I mean it.
- Mark 7:
- Mark 7:
The most interesting things in this chapter for me are:
1. The rebuke Jesus gave the Pharisees (1-23)
2. The initial answer Jesus gave the Gentile lady (24-30)
The rebuke of the Pharisees in verses 6-9 contain some direct assessments by Jesus. Paraphrasing he said:
Isaiah was right when he prophesied of you hypocrites. He said your talk would sound Godly, but inside your hearts would be far from God.
You worship God in vain.
You teach the commandments of men as your doctrine.
You lay aside the commandments of God and replace it with the tradition of men.
“Full well ye reject the commandment of God that ye may keep your own doctrine.”
These comments by Jesus remind me of two other scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:5 and Titus 1:16
Referring to people in “the last days” 2 Timothy 3:5 - Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
In Titus Chapter 1 beginning at verse 10, Paul starts addressing these same “vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision”. A lot of Christians in the early church were being harassed and worse for not upholding traditional rules of Judaism, many of which were man made. In verse 14 Paul cautions them to not “give heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth”. He ends in verse 16 by saying “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
The Pharisees were standing in the presence of Jesus, God in the flesh. They clung to their religious system and denied the true teachings and power of God. Control of the people was their first priority and must have meant a lot to them.
I agree with you about the initial answer Jesus gave the Greek lady.
What this chapter says to me is that God has a set of rules and a plan and doesn’t need me to add to or take away from them.
Monday, January 13, 2014
60IN60 Day 8 - Mon Jan 13
It's Day 8 and we're in Mark 8.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 36 - This is one of my life verses.
Help:
- Verses 23-25 - Why did the miracle come in phases? We don't know. It gives me comfort to know, though, that not all miracles happen the same way. Sometimes it's instantaneous and sometimes it's in phases.
- Verses 26, 30 - Jesus regularly tells people to not spread the word of the miracles He's done. Why? Two reasons: 1. He was trying to maintain a timetable for when things would happen as far as His crucifixion and didn't want to get ahead of that. 2. He knew that the interest that brought people out to see the miracles was generally a shallow faith that would be unlikely to bloom.
- Verse 34 - "deny himself" - This means that we have to be willing to put aside our desires and obey Christ's commands, believing that will take us to somewhere better.
- Verse 34 - "take up his cross" - This means that there will be sacrifice involved in this walk of faith.
- Verse 35 - "save, lose" - This means that when we cling to our hopes and desires, we end up losing out. When we lay those aside and run after Jesus' commands, we will find real 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.
Your Comments:
- Mark 7:33 - "In the book, that dad has me studying, there is a very honest and simple explanation for this process: It glorified God.
In a little more detail, Jesus would often send those He healed to a priest or the temple, in acts of obedience. With the Decapolis being a secular area and full of Jews, half-Jews, and non-Jews, the author relates that healing this way would be obviously Hebrew to them and would give glory to God.
You could not be more right about the comfort found in the different ways Jesus performed miracles! He does not meet us on our terms, but He makes Himself painfully obvious."
- Mark 6:1-6 -
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 36 - This is one of my life verses.
Help:
- Verses 23-25 - Why did the miracle come in phases? We don't know. It gives me comfort to know, though, that not all miracles happen the same way. Sometimes it's instantaneous and sometimes it's in phases.
- Verses 26, 30 - Jesus regularly tells people to not spread the word of the miracles He's done. Why? Two reasons: 1. He was trying to maintain a timetable for when things would happen as far as His crucifixion and didn't want to get ahead of that. 2. He knew that the interest that brought people out to see the miracles was generally a shallow faith that would be unlikely to bloom.
- Verse 34 - "deny himself" - This means that we have to be willing to put aside our desires and obey Christ's commands, believing that will take us to somewhere better.
- Verse 34 - "take up his cross" - This means that there will be sacrifice involved in this walk of faith.
- Verse 35 - "save, lose" - This means that when we cling to our hopes and desires, we end up losing out. When we lay those aside and run after Jesus' commands, we will find real 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.
Your Comments:
- Mark 7:33 - "In the book, that dad has me studying, there is a very honest and simple explanation for this process: It glorified God.
In a little more detail, Jesus would often send those He healed to a priest or the temple, in acts of obedience. With the Decapolis being a secular area and full of Jews, half-Jews, and non-Jews, the author relates that healing this way would be obviously Hebrew to them and would give glory to God.
You could not be more right about the comfort found in the different ways Jesus performed miracles! He does not meet us on our terms, but He makes Himself painfully obvious."
- Mark 6:1-6 -
"These verses describe the response of unbelief that Jesus' own people in Nazareth displayed to him when he taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath.
I find two very interesting things here, a principle taught by Jesus and Jesus' reaction. The principle or teaching is that "a prophet has no honour in his own country" - John 4:44. Jesus' reaction is that he "marvelled" because of their unbelief.
The principle that one's own people are the least likely to receive one's teachings and the most likely to cast doubt, be skeptical, and not believe is something Christians should realize and be taught to mitigate. Jesus is the son of God but according to vs. 5 "he could there do no mighty work" except heal a few people. Since time and time again the bible reminds us that salvation is a far mightier work than healing, I believe this means unbelief reduced the potential impact of Jesus' teachings that day on the listener's salvation.
Jesus' reaction is that he marvelled. Any time I read that God is impressed with something or an impression is made on God over something I want to know more. My Scofield Reference bible lists a quick reference here to Matthew 8:10-12. This is the account of Jesus' healing of the centurion's servant. Jesus marvelled over the level of faith demonstrated here as well, only the level was the other extreme. Jesus was so impressed with the Gentile Centurion's faith that he made a comparison statement. Jesus said that he had not found so great of faith in all of Israel. What I draw from both reactions is that God is interested in faith, both poor and "great" and the potential effect of God in our lives is directly proportional to the level of faith demonstrated by the listeners of his word.
Actually, looking at this entire chapter, other than the account of John the Baptist's death, one theme jumps out at me - lack of faith. It begins with Nazareth's lack of faith and then it shows the disciples' lack of faith. I am amazed at vs. 52. In spite of witnessing the feeding of the 5000+, the disciples' hearts were so hard that they didn't recognize Jesus walking on the water. I'm amazed but yet I can't help but think I am probably missing the boat daily by not recognizing God's work myself."
Sunday, January 12, 2014
60IN60 Day 7 - Sun Jan 12
It's Day 7 and we're in Mark 7.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verse 27 - This sounds harsh. Jesus was focusing His mission during His earthly life on ministering to the Jews. He was trying to stay focused on that mission. Her overwhelming faith, though, pushes Him to make an exception.
- Verse 33 - Why did Jesus do it this way? We don't know. I find comfort in Jesus doing miracles different ways at different times. It reminds me that God doesn't work the same way in every situation.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verse 27 - This sounds harsh. Jesus was focusing His mission during His earthly life on ministering to the Jews. He was trying to stay focused on that mission. Her overwhelming faith, though, pushes Him to make an exception.
- Verse 33 - Why did Jesus do it this way? We don't know. I find comfort in Jesus doing miracles different ways at different times. It reminds me that God doesn't work the same way in every situation.
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.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
60IN60 Day 6 - Sat Jan 11
It's Day 6 and we're in Mark 6.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 31, 46 - Time alone with God was essential for Jesus and it is for us as well. Further, just having some down time to decompress is essential too.
Help:
- Verses 2-3 - We sometimes think that Jesus being the Son of God must have been obvious to everyone who ever saw Him, but obviously those from His hometown didn't have an expectation that He was going to do something extraordinary like this.
- Verse 3 - "brothers" and "sisters" - These would be half-brothers and half-sisters. They were born to Mary and Joseph after Jesus was born. Catholics believe they were Joseph's children from a previous marriage.
- Verse 5 - People's faith or lack of faith made a difference in what Jesus could do for them.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 31, 46 - Time alone with God was essential for Jesus and it is for us as well. Further, just having some down time to decompress is essential too.
Help:
- Verses 2-3 - We sometimes think that Jesus being the Son of God must have been obvious to everyone who ever saw Him, but obviously those from His hometown didn't have an expectation that He was going to do something extraordinary like this.
- Verse 3 - "brothers" and "sisters" - These would be half-brothers and half-sisters. They were born to Mary and Joseph after Jesus was born. Catholics believe they were Joseph's children from a previous marriage.
- Verse 5 - People's faith or lack of faith made a difference in what Jesus could do for them.
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.
Friday, January 10, 2014
60IN60 Day 5 - Fri Jan 10
It's Day 5 and we're in Mark 5.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 17 - The power of God sometimes creates fear rather than a desire to have more from God.
Help:
- Verse 10 - "out of the country" - That's another way to say that they didn't want to be sent into the abyss (Luke 8:31).
- Verse 39 - "asleep" - This doesn't mean that He thought the child was just taking a nap. Saying someone is asleep when they are in fact dead is an idea that's used several places in the New Testament in emphasizing resurrection. "They're not gone forever; I can bring them back."
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 17 - The power of God sometimes creates fear rather than a desire to have more from God.
Help:
- Verse 10 - "out of the country" - That's another way to say that they didn't want to be sent into the abyss (Luke 8:31).
- Verse 39 - "asleep" - This doesn't mean that He thought the child was just taking a nap. Saying someone is asleep when they are in fact dead is an idea that's used several places in the New Testament in emphasizing resurrection. "They're not gone forever; I can bring them back."
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.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
60IN60 Day 4 - Thurs Jan 9
It's Day 4 and we're in Mark 4.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verse 12 - This sounds like Jesus is deliberately trying to keep them from the truth. In fact, the idea that's trying to be conveyed is that they don't want to know the truth. We see this in the longer version of this in Matthew 13:15. We also see in later in Mark 4 in verses 21-22 when Jesus follows up the explanation of this parable by saying that there is no point to putting a light under a basket. I think the point the verse is trying to make is: I'm teaching in parables and that allows those who want to understand to access it while those who don't want the truth are left outside.
- Verses 13-20 - Only the final "seed" is a true believer. Fruitfulness is a defining characteristic of a true Christian.
- Verses 24-25 - Verse 25 sounds a little unfair at first but what He's saying is: the person who wants the truth is going to get even more while the person who doesn't want the truth will lose his grasp on even the little that he once had.
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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verse 12 - This sounds like Jesus is deliberately trying to keep them from the truth. In fact, the idea that's trying to be conveyed is that they don't want to know the truth. We see this in the longer version of this in Matthew 13:15. We also see in later in Mark 4 in verses 21-22 when Jesus follows up the explanation of this parable by saying that there is no point to putting a light under a basket. I think the point the verse is trying to make is: I'm teaching in parables and that allows those who want to understand to access it while those who don't want the truth are left outside.
- Verses 13-20 - Only the final "seed" is a true believer. Fruitfulness is a defining characteristic of a true Christian.
- Verses 24-25 - Verse 25 sounds a little unfair at first but what He's saying is: the person who wants the truth is going to get even more while the person who doesn't want the truth will lose his grasp on even the little that he once had.
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.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
60IN60 Day 3 - Wed Jan 8
It's Day 3 and we're in Mark 3.
Where was the "60IN60" email yesterday? It was all set up right in the system, but the email didn't get sent. It occasionally does this and I have no idea why - the information is inputted correctly. Part of the problem with using computers, I guess. ;-)
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 2, 5-6 - Their spiritual blindness in missing the larger point is breathtaking. Are there areas where I'm so stuck in my tradition that I miss what God is doing right in front of me?
Help:
- Verse 9 - I think a major reason He got in the boat was that people were continually coming up to touch Him in hope of a miracle. He needed to teach them too and that helped Him be able to. See verse 20.
- Verse 12 - As I've noted before, the main reason for Him saying things like this was, I think, maintaining the timetable He wanted.
- Verse 21 - This is a verse worthy of some pondering. Rather than the fact that He was the Son of God being obvious to everyone who ever saw Him, His family is concerned that He's gone off the deep end.
- Verses 29-30 - The sin against the Holy Spirit is not one you can accidentally do or anything like that. It's a deliberate choice to ignore God's leading and ascribe things of the Spirit to Satan.
- Verses 31-35 - While He still had a physical family, He's saying here that His spiritual family is His real family.
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 Thoughts:
- "In reading tonight, I was struck by something. The leper said, "If you will, you can make me clean." Jesus replied, "I will; be clean." I've read this many times before, but tonight my eyes kept going back to those few simple words. Once in a sermon, you said a good way to end a prayer was: Father, for Your glory and our joy. I try to remember to use that. I think now I will begin my praying with: If you will, you can..."
Where was the "60IN60" email yesterday? It was all set up right in the system, but the email didn't get sent. It occasionally does this and I have no idea why - the information is inputted correctly. Part of the problem with using computers, I guess. ;-)
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 2, 5-6 - Their spiritual blindness in missing the larger point is breathtaking. Are there areas where I'm so stuck in my tradition that I miss what God is doing right in front of me?
Help:
- Verse 9 - I think a major reason He got in the boat was that people were continually coming up to touch Him in hope of a miracle. He needed to teach them too and that helped Him be able to. See verse 20.
- Verse 12 - As I've noted before, the main reason for Him saying things like this was, I think, maintaining the timetable He wanted.
- Verse 21 - This is a verse worthy of some pondering. Rather than the fact that He was the Son of God being obvious to everyone who ever saw Him, His family is concerned that He's gone off the deep end.
- Verses 29-30 - The sin against the Holy Spirit is not one you can accidentally do or anything like that. It's a deliberate choice to ignore God's leading and ascribe things of the Spirit to Satan.
- Verses 31-35 - While He still had a physical family, He's saying here that His spiritual family is His real family.
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 Thoughts:
- "In reading tonight, I was struck by something. The leper said, "If you will, you can make me clean." Jesus replied, "I will; be clean." I've read this many times before, but tonight my eyes kept going back to those few simple words. Once in a sermon, you said a good way to end a prayer was: Father, for Your glory and our joy. I try to remember to use that. I think now I will begin my praying with: If you will, you can..."
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