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.
Your Thoughts And Questions:
- "In the Amplified version, just wanted to ask if there was any validity to 'collect my inheritance' as an interpretation of 'bury my father' in Matthew 8?" - Jesus' denial of the man's request to go and bury his father is a hard saying. That certainly seems like a reasonable request. In trying to make sense of that, several explanations have been offered. One of those is that some scholars argue that in that culture that statement would have had a lot to do with receiving his inheritance. Toward that, those scholars argue that the man's father may not have been dead, but rather the man may have been saying something like this, "Before I follow you Jesus, I have to wait on my elderly father to pass and receive my rightful inheritance." That, though, is just one interpretation of the statement.
- "I’m thankful for the pastor’s comments. I didn’t view David’s wise son like this before. To me, Solomon come across as a philosopher who is missing the whole point. The type who think their life away, idealists. Or am I off base here?" - I think that's a piece of the puzzle. Solomon definitely had that abstract thinking thing going on. I think a big piece of it is also that he got compromised by competing loyalties: to his foreign wives, to his own understanding, etc. All of that led him to not put absolute trust in God's instructions. Ecclesiastes is a fascinating example of the end result of that type of thinking. Solomon has literally everything that this world can provide him and he still finds life meaningless. Without God, life is ultimately without purpose.
- "What does the Bible say about cremation?" - Even though this wasn't in our passage, I'm always willing to answer the Biblical questions you have. Some people have strong feelings against cremation, but the Bible does not speak directly to the subject. There is no verse explicitly condemning or condoning cremation. Because there is no injunction against it, my view is that cremation is a legitimate option for the Christian if they so choose. Ultimately we all return to dust sooner or later after our death and nothing we do in that regard will intrude on God's ability to resurrect us in the last day.
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
60IN60 Day 24 - Wed May 30
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
60IN60 Day 23 - Tues May 29
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.
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.
Monday, May 28, 2018
60IN60 Day 22 - Mon May 28
It's Day 22 and we're in Ecclesiastes 3.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? We have the Word so that as believers we can be "equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17). Read the Word so you're ready for what life throws at you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - He has "set eternity in their hearts." There is something within each of us that longs for life beyond this life. I think it's there because there is life beyond this life.
Help:
- Verse 1-22 - Remember that Ecclesiastes is written from the perspective of someone trying to make sense of life without a vibrant relationship with God in their life. Understanding that helps passages like verses 17-22 to make more sense - those are not the words of someone who deeply understands 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.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? We have the Word so that as believers we can be "equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17). Read the Word so you're ready for what life throws at you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - He has "set eternity in their hearts." There is something within each of us that longs for life beyond this life. I think it's there because there is life beyond this life.
Help:
- Verse 1-22 - Remember that Ecclesiastes is written from the perspective of someone trying to make sense of life without a vibrant relationship with God in their life. Understanding that helps passages like verses 17-22 to make more sense - those are not the words of someone who deeply understands 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.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
60IN60 Day 21 - Sun May 27
It's Day 21 and we're in Ecclesiastes 2.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - Without the hope of eternal life, there is a bitterness in knowing our only legacy is left to those who may mistreat it.
Help:
- Verse 1-26 - It's essential to understand the purpose of Ecclesiastes. It is a wise man who is not following God describing how the world seems to him. What is why it references all these wonderful things of life that the writer (almost certainly Solomon) ultimately finds "vanity" (i.e. meaningless). The point of Ecclesiastes is this: no matter how much of the wonders and glory of this earth you experience, if you don't have God in your life, you will ultimately find it meaningless. Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book because it speaks so clearly to today.
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 18 - Without the hope of eternal life, there is a bitterness in knowing our only legacy is left to those who may mistreat it.
Help:
- Verse 1-26 - It's essential to understand the purpose of Ecclesiastes. It is a wise man who is not following God describing how the world seems to him. What is why it references all these wonderful things of life that the writer (almost certainly Solomon) ultimately finds "vanity" (i.e. meaningless). The point of Ecclesiastes is this: no matter how much of the wonders and glory of this earth you experience, if you don't have God in your life, you will ultimately find it meaningless. Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book because it speaks so clearly to today.
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, May 26, 2018
60IN60 Day 20 - Sat May 26
It's Day 20 and we're in Ecclesiastes 1.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? "All Scripture is. . . profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Reading the Bible will make your day more "profitable."
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - More knowledge often makes your life more difficult.
Help:
- Verses 1-18 - It's essential to understand the purpose of Ecclesiastes. It is a wise man who is not following God describing how the world seems to him. What is why it references all these wonderful things of life that the writer (almost certainly Solomon) ultimately finds "vanity" (i.e. meaningless). The point of Ecclesiastes is this: no matter how much of the wonders and glory of this earth you experience, if you don't have God in your life, you will ultimately find it meaningless. Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book because it speaks so clearly to today.
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.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? "All Scripture is. . . profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Reading the Bible will make your day more "profitable."
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - More knowledge often makes your life more difficult.
Help:
- Verses 1-18 - It's essential to understand the purpose of Ecclesiastes. It is a wise man who is not following God describing how the world seems to him. What is why it references all these wonderful things of life that the writer (almost certainly Solomon) ultimately finds "vanity" (i.e. meaningless). The point of Ecclesiastes is this: no matter how much of the wonders and glory of this earth you experience, if you don't have God in your life, you will ultimately find it meaningless. Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book because it speaks so clearly to today.
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, May 25, 2018
60IN60 Day 19 - Fri May 25
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.
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.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
60IN60 Day 18 - Thurs May 24
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
60IN60 Day 17 - Wed May 23
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
60IN60 Day 16 - Tues May 22
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.
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.
Monday, May 21, 2018
60IN60 Day 15 - Mon May 21
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.
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.
Sunday, May 20, 2018
60IN60 Day 14 - Sun May 20
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.
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.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
60IN60 Day 13 - Sat May 19
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.
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.
Friday, May 18, 2018
60IN60 Day 12 - Fri May 18
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.
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.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
60IN60 Day 11 - Thurs May 17
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
60IN60 Day 10 - Wed May 16
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
60IN60 Day 9 - Tues May 15
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.
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.
Monday, May 14, 2018
60IN60 Day 8 - Mon May 14
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.
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.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
60IN60 Day 7 - Sun May 13
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.
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.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
60IN60 Day 6 - Sat May 12
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.
Your Questions and Comments:
- "Was the concept of true repentance understood at that time? Weren’t they used to sinning, making sacrifices, & repeating the process? The idea of repentance & changing ones behaviors & motives seems like it would have been very foreign to them all." - Certainly their understanding would have been limited by living before the cross. The Temple sacrifice system included the danger of thinking that "repentance" just required you to go through the motions of making the right sacrifices. They did, however, have the repeated calls from God throughout the Old Testament to sincerely repent from their hearts and change their actions, but at this time they clearly were not heeding those calls. So they did have some understanding about repentance (and were not even living that out), but certainly not as much as we have after the cross of Christ.
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.
Your Questions and Comments:
- "Was the concept of true repentance understood at that time? Weren’t they used to sinning, making sacrifices, & repeating the process? The idea of repentance & changing ones behaviors & motives seems like it would have been very foreign to them all." - Certainly their understanding would have been limited by living before the cross. The Temple sacrifice system included the danger of thinking that "repentance" just required you to go through the motions of making the right sacrifices. They did, however, have the repeated calls from God throughout the Old Testament to sincerely repent from their hearts and change their actions, but at this time they clearly were not heeding those calls. So they did have some understanding about repentance (and were not even living that out), but certainly not as much as we have after the cross of Christ.
Friday, May 11, 2018
60IN60 Day 5 - Fri May 11
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.
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.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
60IN60 Day 4 - Thurs May 10
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
60IN60 Day 3 - Wed May 9
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.
Your Questions and Comments:
- "Question: Is Chapter 2 verse 49 the very first recorded words that Jesus spoke?" - Yes, Jesus speaking to His mother as a 12-year-old are His earliest words in the gospels.
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.
Your Questions and Comments:
- "Question: Is Chapter 2 verse 49 the very first recorded words that Jesus spoke?" - Yes, Jesus speaking to His mother as a 12-year-old are His earliest words in the gospels.
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