It's Day 60 and we're in Psalm 53.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 2-3 - Of our own initiative, we don't seek God. It takes God drawing 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.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
60IN60 Day 59 - Wed Apr 29
It's Day 59 and we're in Psalm 51.
Sometimes we only want to hear words of comfort from God, but we're reminded in Hebrews 4:12 that the Bible is "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit." It's great when we get an encouraging word, but we need to be convicted too.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - Do we really want God to make our hearts pure? Do we want the life change that would come with 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.
Sometimes we only want to hear words of comfort from God, but we're reminded in Hebrews 4:12 that the Bible is "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit." It's great when we get an encouraging word, but we need to be convicted too.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - Do we really want God to make our hearts pure? Do we want the life change that would come with 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.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
60IN60 Day 58 - Tues Apr 28
It's Day 58 and we're in Psalm 50.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - Given the horrors in this world, I'm thankful He's a God of justice.
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 6 - Given the horrors in this world, I'm thankful He's a God of justice.
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, April 27, 2020
60IN60 Day 57 - Mon Apr 27
It's Day 57 and we're in Psalm 48.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - Some the city of God will be the joy of the world.
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:
- "Judges 16:29. Was Samson ever actually repentant for his beliefs/behavior? Seems like he was a spoiled brat who did what he wanted, when he wanted. Even in his last big act he wanted revenge regarding his eyes. Was he a lot like Jonah, they never really got it and were tools anyway?" - Samson is a wild story. He is used by God and yet he is not a paragon of virtue. There is not much in the way of repentance at the end of his story. The closest we can come to that is that at the end he turned his attention back to God, although it was only to bring revenge on his enemies. Maybe the larger lesson to learn from Samson's life is that God uses imperfect people and that there is not always a tidy ending to their stories. As you mentioned, it is reminiscent of Jonah.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - Some the city of God will be the joy of the world.
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:
- "Judges 16:29. Was Samson ever actually repentant for his beliefs/behavior? Seems like he was a spoiled brat who did what he wanted, when he wanted. Even in his last big act he wanted revenge regarding his eyes. Was he a lot like Jonah, they never really got it and were tools anyway?" - Samson is a wild story. He is used by God and yet he is not a paragon of virtue. There is not much in the way of repentance at the end of his story. The closest we can come to that is that at the end he turned his attention back to God, although it was only to bring revenge on his enemies. Maybe the larger lesson to learn from Samson's life is that God uses imperfect people and that there is not always a tidy ending to their stories. As you mentioned, it is reminiscent of Jonah.
Sunday, April 26, 2020
60IN60 Day 56 - Sun Apr 26
It's Day 56 and we're in Judges 16.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 30 - A bittersweet moment - Samson died in victory, but he also died blind. God may forgive the guilt of our sin, but that doesn't mean the consequences of our sin are undone.
Help:
- Verses 6-14 - Let's talk about the believability of these verses. It seems crazy that Samson keeps getting attacked yet keeps sharing (or pretending to share) his secret. Factors to consider: (a) she does warn him so he sees her as sympathetic; (b) he was often attacked generally and had a lot of enemies; (c) he was not real bright; (d) I'm sure part of it was the sexual temptation she represented for him.
- Verse 20 - The issue was not really the hair, but rather the obedience to God's command.
- Verse 30 - The number listed in verse 27 was only those on the roof. This was like bringing down a stadium.
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 30 - A bittersweet moment - Samson died in victory, but he also died blind. God may forgive the guilt of our sin, but that doesn't mean the consequences of our sin are undone.
Help:
- Verses 6-14 - Let's talk about the believability of these verses. It seems crazy that Samson keeps getting attacked yet keeps sharing (or pretending to share) his secret. Factors to consider: (a) she does warn him so he sees her as sympathetic; (b) he was often attacked generally and had a lot of enemies; (c) he was not real bright; (d) I'm sure part of it was the sexual temptation she represented for him.
- Verse 20 - The issue was not really the hair, but rather the obedience to God's command.
- Verse 30 - The number listed in verse 27 was only those on the roof. This was like bringing down a stadium.
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, April 25, 2020
60IN60 Day 55 - Sat Apr 25
It's Day 55 and we're in Judges 15.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 18-19 - God uses even immature people, like Samson is here.
Help:
- Verse 6 - Yeah, this is horrible. As I've said before, remember that not everything that happens in the Bible is God's will - in this case on either Samson's side or his enemies.
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 18-19 - God uses even immature people, like Samson is here.
Help:
- Verse 6 - Yeah, this is horrible. As I've said before, remember that not everything that happens in the Bible is God's will - in this case on either Samson's side or his enemies.
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, April 24, 2020
60IN60 Day 54 - Fri Apr 24
It's Day 54 and we're in Judges 14.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 4 - Knowing ahead of time where we're going to go off-track, sometimes God chooses to work through our questionable choices.
Help:
- Verse 14 - This riddle does nothing for us, but such things were a big deal back then. Each culture has idiosyncrasies that don't translate well.
- Verse 15 - Why such harsh words? Add all the alcohol they'd had to the fact that Samson was a foreigner and that's where you end up.
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 4 - Knowing ahead of time where we're going to go off-track, sometimes God chooses to work through our questionable choices.
Help:
- Verse 14 - This riddle does nothing for us, but such things were a big deal back then. Each culture has idiosyncrasies that don't translate well.
- Verse 15 - Why such harsh words? Add all the alcohol they'd had to the fact that Samson was a foreigner and that's where you end up.
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, April 23, 2020
60IN60 Day 53 - Thurs Apr 23
It's Day 53 and we're in Judges 13.
We're going to be looking for a few days at the story of Samson. And, yes, he was dysfunctional.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 12-14 - The Lord gives the same answer as before. Apparently He intended to reveal more as they went. Often God doesn't give us all the details that we want - He just gives us enough light for the next step.
Help:
- Verse 22 - The thought was that having seen God would be something that no one could live through.
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're going to be looking for a few days at the story of Samson. And, yes, he was dysfunctional.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 12-14 - The Lord gives the same answer as before. Apparently He intended to reveal more as they went. Often God doesn't give us all the details that we want - He just gives us enough light for the next step.
Help:
- Verse 22 - The thought was that having seen God would be something that no one could live through.
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, April 22, 2020
60IN60 Day 52 - Wed Apr 22
It's Day 52 and we're in Psalm 47.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - Is my heart full enough to shout for joy?
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - Is my heart full enough to shout for joy?
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
60IN60 Day 51 - Tues Apr 21
It's Day 51 and we're in Acts 16.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - The plan was basic: find a place where people are and talk about Jesus. This doesn't need to be complicated.
Help:
- Verse 3 - Why does Paul ask Timothy to do this? It wasn't a religious requirement. Rather it was something that allowed Timothy (who was not Jewish) to have greater acceptance among the Jewish believers. Sometimes we do things not because we absolutely have to, but rather to give the gospel message a greater opportunity for acceptance.
- Verse 10 - The "we" indicates that Luke joined them at this point.
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 - The plan was basic: find a place where people are and talk about Jesus. This doesn't need to be complicated.
Help:
- Verse 3 - Why does Paul ask Timothy to do this? It wasn't a religious requirement. Rather it was something that allowed Timothy (who was not Jewish) to have greater acceptance among the Jewish believers. Sometimes we do things not because we absolutely have to, but rather to give the gospel message a greater opportunity for acceptance.
- Verse 10 - The "we" indicates that Luke joined them at this point.
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, April 20, 2020
60IN60 Day 50 - Mon Apr 20
It's Day 50 and we're in Acts 15.
Is the Bible an old dusty book? Nope - ". . . the Word of God is living and active. . ." (Hebrews 4:12). Dig into today expecting it to speak to you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 25, 36-41 - In verse 25, they all come to agreement and everything is fine. In verses 36-41, we're told of a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that cause them to break up their partnership. In other words, they were just like us: struggling to get along with each other.
Help:
- Verses 1-35 - This is a historic moment. Now that God has opened the door for Gentiles to be saved (in addition to Jews), there is a moment where they have to decide "how 'Jewish' does God expect these Gentiles to be?" (The answer: not very much.)
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.
Is the Bible an old dusty book? Nope - ". . . the Word of God is living and active. . ." (Hebrews 4:12). Dig into today expecting it to speak to you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 25, 36-41 - In verse 25, they all come to agreement and everything is fine. In verses 36-41, we're told of a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that cause them to break up their partnership. In other words, they were just like us: struggling to get along with each other.
Help:
- Verses 1-35 - This is a historic moment. Now that God has opened the door for Gentiles to be saved (in addition to Jews), there is a moment where they have to decide "how 'Jewish' does God expect these Gentiles to be?" (The answer: not very much.)
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, April 19, 2020
60IN60 Day 49 - Sun Apr 19
It's Day 49 and we're in Acts 14.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - Do we speak boldly?
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 - Do we speak boldly?
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, April 18, 2020
60IN60 Day 48 - Sat Apr 18
It's Day 48 and we're in Acts 13.
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 52 - Is a defining characteristic of my Christian life and the Christian life of my church that we are "filled with joy"? If not, why not?
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 52 - Is a defining characteristic of my Christian life and the Christian life of my church that we are "filled with joy"? If not, why not?
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, April 17, 2020
60IN60 Day 47 - Fri Apr 17
It's Day 47 and we're in Hebrews 13.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - We are quick to find our security in the money that we have, but we need to find our security instead in the certainty that we'll always have God with us.
Help:
- Verse 10 - That is, we can access the altar of heaven, which those without Christ cannot do.
- Verse 12 - "outside the city gate" - The physical spot of His crucifixion.
- Verse 19 - The writer was either away from them and concerned about the dangers of his travels to get back to them or, more likely, was writing this from prison (having been jailed for preaching the gospel).
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 - We are quick to find our security in the money that we have, but we need to find our security instead in the certainty that we'll always have God with us.
Help:
- Verse 10 - That is, we can access the altar of heaven, which those without Christ cannot do.
- Verse 12 - "outside the city gate" - The physical spot of His crucifixion.
- Verse 19 - The writer was either away from them and concerned about the dangers of his travels to get back to them or, more likely, was writing this from prison (having been jailed for preaching the gospel).
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, April 16, 2020
60IN60 Day 46 - Thurs Apr 16
It's Day 46 and we're in Hebrews 12.
Father, what do You want to teach us today through Your Word?
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - This Christian walk requires endurance and perseverance. We need to not forget that it's going to get hard sometimes.
Help:
- Verse 2 - "the joy set before Him" - This is not saying that the cross was joyful. It wasn't. It was horrible. It's saying that the result of the cross - being able to save us and make us God's children - was worth the sacrifice. There was joy - great joy - in knowing that accomplishing His mission saved us.
- Verse 4 - They had not yet had to face flogging or crucifixion for standing up for their faith.
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.
Father, what do You want to teach us today through Your Word?
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - This Christian walk requires endurance and perseverance. We need to not forget that it's going to get hard sometimes.
Help:
- Verse 2 - "the joy set before Him" - This is not saying that the cross was joyful. It wasn't. It was horrible. It's saying that the result of the cross - being able to save us and make us God's children - was worth the sacrifice. There was joy - great joy - in knowing that accomplishing His mission saved us.
- Verse 4 - They had not yet had to face flogging or crucifixion for standing up for their faith.
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, April 15, 2020
60IN60 Day 45 - Wed Apr 15
It's Day 45 and we're in Hebrews 11.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - We need to not get too comfortable with this world.
Help:
- Verse 13, 16 - Verse 13 is not saying that God did not fulfill His promise to them (for instance, Abraham did get Isaac). It's saying that they did not see the "heavenly country."
- Verses 35-38 - A stark reminder that having this kind of faith doesn't guarantee that all our problems will magically disappear.
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 16 - We need to not get too comfortable with this world.
Help:
- Verse 13, 16 - Verse 13 is not saying that God did not fulfill His promise to them (for instance, Abraham did get Isaac). It's saying that they did not see the "heavenly country."
- Verses 35-38 - A stark reminder that having this kind of faith doesn't guarantee that all our problems will magically disappear.
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, April 14, 2020
60IN60 Day 44 - Tues Apr 14
It's Day 44 and we're in Hebrews 10.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 22 - This should give us confidence.
Help:
- Verses 1-9 - Essentially saying that God wants obedience (meaning for us to do His will) rather than sacrifice.
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 22 - This should give us confidence.
Help:
- Verses 1-9 - Essentially saying that God wants obedience (meaning for us to do His will) rather than sacrifice.
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, April 13, 2020
60IN60 Day 43 - Mon Apr 13
It's Day 43 and we're in Hebrews 9.
The 60IN60 emails usually arrive in the middle of night and people have asked if I’m up then sending them out. Thankfully, no! One of the reasons that I administer 60IN60 through the 60in60Bible.org site is so that these emails can be set up to go out automatically each night. I do write them, but not at 3 a.m.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - Amen!
Help:
- Verses 1-14 - It's essentially saying that under the Old Covenant the priest went in yearly by the blood of animals, but now we have access to the very Throne Room of God through the blood of Christ.
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.
The 60IN60 emails usually arrive in the middle of night and people have asked if I’m up then sending them out. Thankfully, no! One of the reasons that I administer 60IN60 through the 60in60Bible.org site is so that these emails can be set up to go out automatically each night. I do write them, but not at 3 a.m.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - Amen!
Help:
- Verses 1-14 - It's essentially saying that under the Old Covenant the priest went in yearly by the blood of animals, but now we have access to the very Throne Room of God through the blood of Christ.
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, April 12, 2020
60IN60 Day 42 - Sun Apr 12
It's Day 42 and we're in Hebrews 8.
We're back in Hebrews and I want to give a word of encouragement. Hebrews can be a difficult book to read - the writer gets complex sometimes. So if you struggle a little bit, don't get discouraged.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - This is far better than the Old Testament system. Under what we have now, God is working within us.
Help:
- Verse 7 - The Old Testament system did not work, the people did not stay faithful to God. God did something new with Jesus. Not just a new way to get to Him, but a new way of walking with Him.
- Verse 9d - God "turned away from them" by beginning to work through the church instead of through Israel as a nation.
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're back in Hebrews and I want to give a word of encouragement. Hebrews can be a difficult book to read - the writer gets complex sometimes. So if you struggle a little bit, don't get discouraged.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - This is far better than the Old Testament system. Under what we have now, God is working within us.
Help:
- Verse 7 - The Old Testament system did not work, the people did not stay faithful to God. God did something new with Jesus. Not just a new way to get to Him, but a new way of walking with Him.
- Verse 9d - God "turned away from them" by beginning to work through the church instead of through Israel as a nation.
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, April 11, 2020
60IN60 Day 41 - Sat Apr 11
It's Day 41 and we're in Song of Solomon 2.
One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It helps you avoid nonsense. There are so many different ideas out there today about God. It's important that we base our image of God on who He said He is, not what other people wish He was.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing did 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.
One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It helps you avoid nonsense. There are so many different ideas out there today about God. It's important that we base our image of God on who He said He is, not what other people wish He was.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing did 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, April 10, 2020
60IN60 Day 40 - Fri Apr 10
It's Day 40 and we're in Song of Solomon 1.
The Song of Solomon is an unusual book in the Bible. It's essentially an erotic poem. Down through the years, people have interpreted it in two main ways: 1. It's a celebration of sexual love within marriage. Too often Christians seem to only have negative words to say about sex ("Don't have sex outside marriage," etc.), but we need to remember that sex was God's idea. It's something that we should see, within its proper context, as a blessing from God. 2. Others have seen the book as an analogy of God's relationship with His people. There are numerous places in the Bible where the metaphor of marriage is used as a picture of God's relationship with His people. Of the two interpretations, I think the first has more weight.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really did today.
Help:
- Verse 9a - Ok, so not every woman would find that to be a particularly good compliment! The way of complimenting was a little different in Hebrew culture, so even though it doesn't do anything for us we need to know it was something that would have been well received by the intended recipient.
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.
The Song of Solomon is an unusual book in the Bible. It's essentially an erotic poem. Down through the years, people have interpreted it in two main ways: 1. It's a celebration of sexual love within marriage. Too often Christians seem to only have negative words to say about sex ("Don't have sex outside marriage," etc.), but we need to remember that sex was God's idea. It's something that we should see, within its proper context, as a blessing from God. 2. Others have seen the book as an analogy of God's relationship with His people. There are numerous places in the Bible where the metaphor of marriage is used as a picture of God's relationship with His people. Of the two interpretations, I think the first has more weight.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really did today.
Help:
- Verse 9a - Ok, so not every woman would find that to be a particularly good compliment! The way of complimenting was a little different in Hebrew culture, so even though it doesn't do anything for us we need to know it was something that would have been well received by the intended recipient.
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, April 9, 2020
60IN60 Day 39 - Thurs Apr 9
It's Day 39 and we're in Lamentations 5.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? "All Scripture is inspired by God. . ." (2 Timothy 3:16). So reading the Bible helps me know how God sees things.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 20 - It's an age-old cry that's echoed frequently today too. And yet God hadn't then, and He hasn't now.
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 inspired by God. . ." (2 Timothy 3:16). So reading the Bible helps me know how God sees things.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 20 - It's an age-old cry that's echoed frequently today too. And yet God hadn't then, and He hasn't now.
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, April 8, 2020
60IN60 Day 38 - Wed Apr 8
It's Day 38 and we're in Lamentations 1.
This is a book focused on the sadness over what was going on in Israel then. The people's sins had led to God's judgment in allowing a foreign nation to come in and conquer Israel. Although it's sad to read, I'm glad the Bible reflects real life: the times of joy and the seasons of sorrow.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 20 - Sometimes we bring those problems on ourselves and yet are quick to blame God.
Help:
- Verse 2 - "lovers" - He is using that as an analogy of the ways that Israel has gone after other gods - a type of spiritual adultery.
- Verse 8b-9a - This is a sexual analogy - that Israel was like a promiscuous woman out sleeping with other men. Again, a spiritual adultery analogy.
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.
This is a book focused on the sadness over what was going on in Israel then. The people's sins had led to God's judgment in allowing a foreign nation to come in and conquer Israel. Although it's sad to read, I'm glad the Bible reflects real life: the times of joy and the seasons of sorrow.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 20 - Sometimes we bring those problems on ourselves and yet are quick to blame God.
Help:
- Verse 2 - "lovers" - He is using that as an analogy of the ways that Israel has gone after other gods - a type of spiritual adultery.
- Verse 8b-9a - This is a sexual analogy - that Israel was like a promiscuous woman out sleeping with other men. Again, a spiritual adultery analogy.
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, April 7, 2020
60IN60 Day 37 - Tues Apr 7
It's Day 37 and we're in Matthew 14.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 27 - When we struggle, Jesus says, "Take courage!"
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 27 - When we struggle, Jesus says, "Take courage!"
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, April 6, 2020
60IN60 Day 36 - Mon Apr 6
It's Day 36 and we're in Matthew 13.
A little reminder from James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!"
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 23 - I want to see that overflowing fruitfulness in my life.
Help:
- Verse 12 - Isn't that unfair? It sounds a little that way, but you've got to read it with the idea that the larger passage in mind. The idea that's being shared here is something like this: "To the one that grabs onto what God is trying to show them, more insight and more opportunities to go deeper will be given. To the one who ignores what God is trying to show them, even what little insight they have will fade away."
- Verses 13-16 - This is a hard passage to understand. The most important thing to grasp it is to know that this is not God saying what He hopes will happen: "I hope they don't grasp it and their eyes are blinded so they won't turn to Me." This is God saying what the people are doing: "My people hear with their ears but not with their hearts because they don't want Me. If they would turn to Me, I would eagerly heal them."
- Verse 52 - As Jesus taught, He both shared old truths in an instructive and revealing way as well as sharing new things that helped people toward 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.
Your Questions and Comments:
- "Matt 12:19 - I realize this is a prophecy of Isaiah, but what does it mean the Jesus will not cry out loudly?" - It means He won't raise a fuss or fight. He's not going to scream in the streets that He's being treated unfairly.
- "Matt 12:32 - How can anyone be forgiven in the age to come? What is Jesus referring to?" - It means that committing this sin (the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit) puts the person in the situation where if they ask for forgiveness at any point in their existence (whether now in this life or even later in the life to come), there will be no point where God will consider forgiving them. The main point is that there is no chance for forgiveness. The passage is not saying that there is a second chance to ask for forgiveness when we stand before God at judgment even though we did not ask for forgiveness in this life.
A little reminder from James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!"
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 23 - I want to see that overflowing fruitfulness in my life.
Help:
- Verse 12 - Isn't that unfair? It sounds a little that way, but you've got to read it with the idea that the larger passage in mind. The idea that's being shared here is something like this: "To the one that grabs onto what God is trying to show them, more insight and more opportunities to go deeper will be given. To the one who ignores what God is trying to show them, even what little insight they have will fade away."
- Verses 13-16 - This is a hard passage to understand. The most important thing to grasp it is to know that this is not God saying what He hopes will happen: "I hope they don't grasp it and their eyes are blinded so they won't turn to Me." This is God saying what the people are doing: "My people hear with their ears but not with their hearts because they don't want Me. If they would turn to Me, I would eagerly heal them."
- Verse 52 - As Jesus taught, He both shared old truths in an instructive and revealing way as well as sharing new things that helped people toward 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.
Your Questions and Comments:
- "Matt 12:19 - I realize this is a prophecy of Isaiah, but what does it mean the Jesus will not cry out loudly?" - It means He won't raise a fuss or fight. He's not going to scream in the streets that He's being treated unfairly.
- "Matt 12:32 - How can anyone be forgiven in the age to come? What is Jesus referring to?" - It means that committing this sin (the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit) puts the person in the situation where if they ask for forgiveness at any point in their existence (whether now in this life or even later in the life to come), there will be no point where God will consider forgiving them. The main point is that there is no chance for forgiveness. The passage is not saying that there is a second chance to ask for forgiveness when we stand before God at judgment even though we did not ask for forgiveness in this life.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
60IN60 Day 35 - Sun Apr 5
It's Day 35 and we're in Matthew 12.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - Are there obvious moves of God that I miss sometimes because I'm closed off to what He's doing?
Help:
- Verses 31-32 - The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not something that accidentally happens. It comes from the deliberate and repeated choice to ignore the leading of God and to ascribe what God is doing to other sources.
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 - Are there obvious moves of God that I miss sometimes because I'm closed off to what He's doing?
Help:
- Verses 31-32 - The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not something that accidentally happens. It comes from the deliberate and repeated choice to ignore the leading of God and to ascribe what God is doing to other sources.
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, April 4, 2020
60IN60 Day 34 - Sat Apr 4
It's Day 34 and we're in Matthew 11.
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 21-24 - I have been given an enormous opportunity in knowing the gospel. Because of how much God has revealed to me, He has great expectations of me. We need to realize there is a responsibility that comes with what's been revealed to us.
Help:
- Verse 3 - Amazingly, John the Baptist is now doubting whether Jesus is really the Christ. This is because Jesus is not acting in the way that John expected: setting up a kingdom to drive the Romans out.
- Verses 16-19 - The basic point is: "nothing satisfies you." John came living a spare lifestyle and you wouldn't listen to Him. Jesus came living a life of eating and drinking and you wouldn't listen to Him.
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:
- "Matt 9:30-31 - Why were they told not to tell people that they were healed? Wouldn't others know it automatically anyway? Or were they supposed to still act blind?" - The healings that Jesus did continued to bring people to Him who were only interested in seeing the miracles, as opposed to coming to seek spiritual truth. Because of that (and other reasons), Jesus tended to downplay the miracles. Even here, He takes the blind men inside (away from the crowd) to do the miracle (v. 28). When Jesus tells them "See that no one knows about this," He is not telling them to continue to pretend to be blind. He is telling them not to go out and proclaim to everyone the miracle that He did. That's confirmed by v. 31 which tells us, "But they went out and spread the news about Him all over that region." As for others knowing it automatically, that would only be true for the few who knew them prior. For most people, they would have no idea they'd been blind.
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 21-24 - I have been given an enormous opportunity in knowing the gospel. Because of how much God has revealed to me, He has great expectations of me. We need to realize there is a responsibility that comes with what's been revealed to us.
Help:
- Verse 3 - Amazingly, John the Baptist is now doubting whether Jesus is really the Christ. This is because Jesus is not acting in the way that John expected: setting up a kingdom to drive the Romans out.
- Verses 16-19 - The basic point is: "nothing satisfies you." John came living a spare lifestyle and you wouldn't listen to Him. Jesus came living a life of eating and drinking and you wouldn't listen to Him.
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:
- "Matt 9:30-31 - Why were they told not to tell people that they were healed? Wouldn't others know it automatically anyway? Or were they supposed to still act blind?" - The healings that Jesus did continued to bring people to Him who were only interested in seeing the miracles, as opposed to coming to seek spiritual truth. Because of that (and other reasons), Jesus tended to downplay the miracles. Even here, He takes the blind men inside (away from the crowd) to do the miracle (v. 28). When Jesus tells them "See that no one knows about this," He is not telling them to continue to pretend to be blind. He is telling them not to go out and proclaim to everyone the miracle that He did. That's confirmed by v. 31 which tells us, "But they went out and spread the news about Him all over that region." As for others knowing it automatically, that would only be true for the few who knew them prior. For most people, they would have no idea they'd been blind.
Friday, April 3, 2020
60IN60 Day 33 - Fri Apr 3
It's Day 33 and we're in Matthew 10.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 39 - Feeling a lot of this lately in my life. We've got to be willing to put aside our desires and pursue what He's calling us to.
Help:
- Verses 5-6 - Why did He say this? Because while Jesus was on earth, His mission was focused on sharing the gospel with the Jews. It isn't until after they reject Him that the gospel opens up to the Gentiles (i.e. us).
- Verse 15 - Why would it be more tolerable for them? Because with Jesus doing these miracles and sharing this teaching, they had a clear opportunity to know God's will and they're rejecting it. Because they had a better opportunity than Sodom and yet rejected it, things will be worse 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:
- Verse 39 - Feeling a lot of this lately in my life. We've got to be willing to put aside our desires and pursue what He's calling us to.
Help:
- Verses 5-6 - Why did He say this? Because while Jesus was on earth, His mission was focused on sharing the gospel with the Jews. It isn't until after they reject Him that the gospel opens up to the Gentiles (i.e. us).
- Verse 15 - Why would it be more tolerable for them? Because with Jesus doing these miracles and sharing this teaching, they had a clear opportunity to know God's will and they're rejecting it. Because they had a better opportunity than Sodom and yet rejected it, things will be worse 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.
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