60IN60 Day 60 - Thurs Dec 31

It's Day 60 and we're in Psalm 1.

One thing that can impede God speaking to you is the presence of unconfessed sin in your life. Are you coming to the Word today with a clean heart or are you holding things back from God? 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - I love that image of strength and solidness.

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 4th begins a new round of "60IN60."  You can get the new readings:

a. Automatically day-by-day in your email.

b. A list is below.

c. On the hallway table at church.

d. On the website - here's a link.

e. You can email me at butcher@ymail.com

1: Matthew 1 (Monday, January 4)

2: Matthew 2

3: Matthew 3

4: Matthew 4

5: Matthew 5

6: Matthew 6

7: Matthew 7

8: 1 Corinthians 1 (Monday, January 11)

9: 1 Corinthians 2

10: 1 Corinthians 3

11: 1 Corinthians 4

12: 1 Corinthians 5

13: 1 Corinthians 6

14: 1 Corinthians 7

15: 1 Corinthians 8 (Monday, January 18)

16: Genesis 24

17: Genesis 25

18: Genesis 26

19: Genesis 27

20: Genesis 28

21: Genesis 29

22: Genesis 30 (Monday, January 25)

23: Genesis 31

24: Genesis 32

25: Genesis 33

26: Genesis 34

27: Genesis 35

28: Matthew 8

29: Matthew 9 (Monday, February 1)

30: Matthew 10

31: Matthew 11

32: Matthew 12

33: Matthew 13

34: Matthew 14

35: 1 Corinthians 9

36: 1 Corinthians 10 (Monday, February 8)

37: 1 Corinthians 11

38: 1 Corinthians 12

39: 1 Corinthians 13

40: 1 Corinthians 14

41: 1 Corinthians 15

42: 1 Corinthians 16

43: 1 Samuel 1 (Monday, February 15)

44: 1 Samuel 2

45: 1 Samuel 3

46: 1 Samuel 9

47: 1 Samuel 10

48: 1 Samuel 11

49: 1 Samuel 12

50: 1 Samuel 13 (Monday, February 22)

51: 1 Samuel 14

52: 1 Samuel 15

53: Psalm 14

54: Psalm 16

55: Psalm 18

56: Psalm 22

57: Psalm 23 (Monday, February 29)

58: Proverbs 13

59: Proverbs 14

60: Proverbs 15

60IN60 Day 59 - Wed Dec 30

It's Day 59 and we're in Luke 24.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 32 - There are times when I know He's speaking, even if I can't explain how I know.

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 58 - Tues Dec 29

It's Day 58 and we're in Luke 23.

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 56 - It had to be difficult for them to obey the command to rest on the Sabbath when they wanted to go and finish the burial work.  Yet it was (a big) part of the plan.  Too often we want to go outside God's commands to "help" God get His work 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.

60IN60 Day 57 - Mon Dec 28

It's Day 57 and we're in Luke 22.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 32 - "I have prayed for you" - That's quite a thought.

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 56 - Sun Dec 27

It's Day 56 and we're in Luke 21.

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 4 - The measure of our generosity is not the amount of money, but the amount of sacrifice.

Help:
- Verse 18 - Given verse 16, this has to mean that we will be given life beyond this life.
- Verse 32 - Two possibilities: a. it's a reference to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70; b. the word used there is the word for "race," which means that this will happen before humanity is 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.

60IN60 Day 55 - Sat Dec 26

It's Day 55 and we're in Luke 20.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 46-47 - I do not want to be a hypocrite, with only an outward appearance of faith.

Help:
- Verses 6-7 - They wanted to accuse Jesus, but also did not want to lose the support of the people.
- Verses 9-16 - This is directed at the Jewish leaders, who are rejecting the messengers that God is sending and are therefore facing judgment.
- Verses 17-18 - Jesus is that chief cornerstone rejected by the Jewish leaders.  In rejecting Him, they will be crushed.
- Verses 22-23 - If Jesus just says, "Pay the taxes," they'll accuse Him of being a patsy for Rome.  If He says, "Don't pay the taxes," they'll report Him to the Romans as a rebel.
- Verse 28 - It seems strange to us today since we exclusively marry for romantic love, but this was fairly common in the ancient world.
- Verses 41-44 - This is an obscure puzzle.  Jesus is saying that David speaks of someone who was coming after him, yet referring to him as Lord.  Normally, the ancestor (in this case, David) would get the more respectful title.  Why did David do that?  Because the one coming after him was none less than the Son of 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.

60IN60 Day 54 - Fri Dec 25

It's Day 54 and we're in Luke 19.

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 27 - This is hard to hear, but there is punishment for disobedience.  Hell is real.

Help:
- Verses 8-9 - Zaccheus' action shows a change of heart.
- Verses 17, 19 - "authority over ten cities" - This is an idea that plays out in the coming Kingdom of God.  We will rule with Christ.  Those who have been faithful will be given authority to rule with Christ.
- Verses 20-22 - This man had kept (as well as he could) the commandments, but Jesus is asking him to give up what he gets his security from in order to totally trust in Jesus.

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 53 - Thurs Dec 24

It's Day 53 and we're in Luke 18.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 22 - What is the thing that is that valuable to me (like the rich man's possessions were to him) that I have to be willing to lay aside if asked?

Help:
- Verse 8 - Jesus asks if faith will be found because that's incredible valuable to Him.  This ties into verses 1-5 because it takes faith to continue to pray when you're not getting a quick answer.
- Verse 19 - The man was looking at Jesus as just another human teacher, which is why Jesus asks him why he's calling Him "good."
- Verse 22 - This is not a general command to all of us.  It's something that Jesus is asking from this young man because his money was what was holding him back from being fully committed to God.
- Verses 25, 27 - Jesus is not saying it's impossible for a rich person to be saved (see verse 27), just that it's more difficult.

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 52 - Wed Dec 23

It's Day 52 and we're in Luke 17.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - I want to have earth-moving faith.

Help:
- Verses 7-10 - These verses are tied back to verses 4-5.  The point of verses 7-10 is that we as servants of God shouldn't be impressed with ourselves when we do what we've been asked.  We should just say, "I've done what I've been asked to do."  That ties into verses 4-5 because there the apostles act like what Jesus is asking of them is too much.  It would be easy, in moving forward and fulfilling Christ's command, to think highly of yourself for doing something so great.  Jesus essentially says that we should not be impressed with ourselves, but just say that we are doing what we were asked.
- Verse 19 - It's unclear whether "your faith has made you well" is a reference back to the physical healing or if in that moment Christ gave him spiritual healing.
- Verses 34-36 - Some take this as a rapture reference.  Others as a reference to persecution.

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 51 - Tues Dec 22

It's Day 51 and we're in Romans 16.

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 19 - May what God is doing among us be sufficiently great to merit being spread all over the place.

Help:
- Verse 16 - The "holy kiss" is not mandatory, but was their custom back then.

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 50 - Mon Dec 21

It's Day 50 and we're in Romans 15.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 20 - I resonate with his desire to start a work from scratch and be a part of that type of work.

Help:
- Verse 8 - This verse is simply saying that Jesus came to earth as a Jew.

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 49 - Sun Dec 20

It's Day 49 and we're in Romans 14.

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 17 - It's not outward things that define our faith, but that inward change that results in abundant life: righteousness and peace and joy.

Help:
- Verses 2, 5 - These were controversial issues back in Paul's day: v. 2 has to do with eating meat that was sacrificed to idols and v. 5 has to do with whether to celebrate holidays.  Those issues aren't really pressing to us today, but other ones are controversial.  In the larger passage, Paul is saying that we each need to be fully convinced in our own minds and not condemn our brothers and sisters in Christ when we disagree on minor issues.

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 48 - Sat Dec 19

It's Day 48 and we're in Romans 13.

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 14 - "put on the Lord Jesus" - It's a daily (well, actually, moment by moment) choice to use the resources that Jesus has made available to us for spiritual victory.  I want to do that.

Help:
- Verses 1-6 - These verses on being subject to the government are the general approach that we are to have to government.  Of course, there are times when government wants us to do things that are wrong and then our loyalty to God is a higher priority and demands disobedience to the state.
- Verses 12, 14 - "put on" - This is an important spiritual growth idea.  We have to choose to use the things God has given us for spiritual growth.  It's like having a raincoat - I have to choose to put it on before I go out or I'm going to get soaked by the rain.  It's our choice whether to use the resources God has given 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.

60IN60 Day 47 - Fri Dec 18

It's Day 47 and we're in Romans 12.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Help:
- Verse 20 - "heap burning coals on his head" - The idea there is that when you do something kind to an enemy, it robs him of the angry response he was expecting.  Your actions then can make him feel guilty for his actions, hopefully leading him toward repentance.

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 46 - Thurs Dec 17

It's Day 46 and we're in Romans 11.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - We were not the original inheritors of the promise.  We've been "grafted in."  That should lead to humility and thankfulness.

Help:
- Verse 2 - "foreknew" - That is the word for the idea that God - being God - knows everything past, present, and future, so he knows what's going to happen in the future.  He is never surprised.
- Verse 7 - When Israel chose to disobey, God then allowed their hearts to become hard.
- Verses 11, 14 - God is not done with Israel.  One of His purposes in working right now among non-Jews (i.e. Gentiles; i.e. us) is to create a desire within Israel to return to Him.
- Verse 17 - Using a tree analogy, Israel's disobedience led to some branches being removed and our faith in Christ has led to us being grafted into the tree.
- Verse 32 - Our disobedience puts us in a position where we are rightly to be judged.

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 45 - Wed Dec 16

It's Day 45 and we're in Romans 10.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - There have been a number of times in my life - while waiting on God to come through for me - that I've had all my eggs in that basket.

Help:
- Verse 5 - If you say you're going to live by the Mosaic Law, then that's the path you're using to try to get to God.  (And you will fail.)
- Verse 10 - Being made right before God ("righteousness") is a gift from God through our belief in Christ.
- Verses 18-21 - They had already heard and rejected.

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 44 - Tues Dec 15

It's Day 44 and we're in Romans 9.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 15-21 - These are verses that I struggle with because they are so heavy toward predestination.  Still, you've got to keep digging into passages, even on the ones that initially seem problematic.

Help:
- Verse 3 - Quite an offer: Paul is so burdened for Israel's lostness that he says he wish he was lost if that would somehow make Israel faithful again.
- Verses 6-8 - This simply means that those who have believed God are the spiritual descendants of Abraham.
- Verses 15, 18 - Various passages in the Bible note the two sides of the equation: some emphasize our human freedom, some emphasize God's actions.  This one points toward what God 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.

60IN60 Day 43 - Mon Dec 14

It's Day 43 and we're in Judges 8.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 33 - Two things here: a. It's worth realizing how big a difference one person can make in the life of a nation, a town, a family, or a church; b. It's pathetic how quickly people can revert back to their godless ways.

Help:
- Verses 1-3 - Gideon gives a gentle answer, which causes their anger to subside.  Verse 2 compliments them by saying that their newest grapes are better than the vintage grapes of other places.
- Verse 17 - This is harsh.  Gideon apparently felt it justified because of the war situation.
- Verse 27 - My presumption is that Gideon did not intend it to become a source of pagan worship, but the people twisted what he did.

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:
- '15: " .  .  . he bowed in worship." LOVE it!  We don't do it nearly often enough.'