60IN60 Next Round

 The next round of 60IN60 will begin on Monday.

60IN60 Day 60 - Thurs Apr 29

It's Day 60 and we're in Proverbs 17.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me.

Help:
- Verse 8 - This is not sanctioning bribery.  It's just noting that it's usually effective.
- Verse 9 - The second half of the verse makes it clear this is about gossip.  It's not about something like an abused child.

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 59 - Wed Apr 28

It's Day 59 and we're in Proverbs 16.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - It's not enough to look good before everyone - we need to have the right motive.

Help:
- Verse 10 - This is not saying that all decisions from a king are divinely sanctioned, but that they should be.  Verse 12 notes that not all decisions from a king are divinely sanctioned.
- Verse 33 - This means that God knows ahead of time what's going to happen.

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 Apr 27

It's Day 58 and we're in Revelation 22.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 12 - "according to what he's done" - Salvation is by grace, but God then gives me the power and resources to live a victorious life.  What are the works in my life saying?

Help:
- Verse 4 - "His name will be on their foreheads" - This seems odd. I'm sure it will make more sense when we see it.  I do have to say that we don't seem to have a problem wearing companies' logos all over our hats and shirts, so it can't be that weird to us.
- Verse 11 - I don't think this is saying, "I want the one who is sinning to keep doing it."  I think He's saying, "The time is not yet come for all this to happen, so there is still time that the one who sins to keep doing it."

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

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

60IN60 Day 57 - Mon Apr 26

It's Day 57 and we're in Revelation 21. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - "all things new" - When you see the brokenness that's all around us in this world, this is good news.

Help:
- Verse 1 - There will be a new heaven and new earth.  This is part of the re-creation. 
- Verse 2 - The New Jerusalem is our eternal home.  Many presume that we spend eternity in heaven, but the final two chapters make it very clear that our eternal home is the New Jerusalem.  If you would like to read more about this, the best book I've read explaining what the Bible actually says about heaven is Randy Alcorn's Heaven.  Rather than making up sentimental nonsense, it actually explains what the Bible says.
- Verses 24, 26 - "the nations" - This is an intriguing couple of verses.  (See also 22:2.)  This is after the Final Judgment in chapter 20 and yet we have references to nations being on the earth.  Perhaps this is who we will rule with 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. 

Your Questions and Comments:

- "In Revelation 20:10, I see names of several people: the devil; the beast; the false prophet. Is this like an evil trinity? Just a little confused as to who or what they all are." - They do form something of an "unholy trinity."  The "devil" is a reference to Satan.  The "beast" is a godless man who will rule over an evil governmental system.  He is also referred to elsewhere as the Antichrist.  Finally, the "false prophet" is introduced in Revelation 13.  He comes from lowly circumstances and, through his extraordinary oratory, convinces the world to worship the Antichrist.  The good news, of course, is that the verse that you referenced shows their destiny: punishment in hell.

60IN60 Day 56 - Sun Apr 25

It's Day 56 and we're in Revelation 20.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - His defeat is certain.  It just hasn't happened yet.

Help:
- Verse 1 - The setting here is the final battles at the end of the world.  At the end of the chapter we have the final judgment.
- Verse 4 - This is not true for all believers, but for those on earth at that time.
- Verses 11-15 - This is the final judgment.

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 Apr 24

It's Day 55 and we're in Revelation 3.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 8 - There are doors God opens that no one can shut.  That's an encouragement as we do His work.

Help:
- Verse 1 - "seven Spirits of God" - As I mentioned the other day, this is obscure.  The best guess is that it refers to the seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit.
- Verse 5 - "erase his name" - Some argue that this means there is the possibility of losing your salvation; others note that there is nowhere that God says He actually does erase their name.

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 Apr 23

It's Day 54 and we're in Revelation 2.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 7, 11, 17, 26 - To the four churches in chapter 2 (as well as to all the churches addressed in chapter 3), one thing that is said to each is "to him who overcomes."  In our lives as Christians, there are going to be hardships and struggles.  We will not make it if we are not willing to overcome.

Help:
- Verse 1 - "seven start in His right hand" - Obscure imagery, but it seems to be emphasizing His power.
- Verse 16 - "the sword of My mouth" - Just a colorful way to say "My words."
- Verse 23 - "kill her children" - Not literally children, but meaning the people who were following Jezebel.

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 Apr 22

It's Day 53 and we're in Revelation 1.

Where God Spoke To Me:

- Verse 18 - He holds all the keys.  He's got this under control.
 

Help:

- Verse 4 - "seven Spirits" - This is an odd phrase and it's meaning is obscure.  The best guess I've heard is that it's referring to the Holy Spirit and the various ministries He performs.

- Verses 12-17 - These are strange descriptions.  The best way to think of it is to imagine trying to describe something of indescribable beauty.  You'd grasp for phrases.  Or imagine trying to describe a helicopter to someone who lived 3,000 years ago.  You'd grasp for phrases.  He's trying to describe something that we've never seen or imagined.
 

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 Apr 21

It's Day 52 and we're in Genesis 50.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 20 - God works with the bad things in our lives to try to bring something good out of 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.

60IN60 Day 51 - Tues Apr 20

It's Day 51 and we're in Genesis 49.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - I'm not sure that's something I'd want to know.

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

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

Your Comments and Questions:

- Genesis 47:9 - "Great comment and food for thought: 'God knows best and He is in control, accept what he gives with thanksgiving.' I truly don't want to be a stumbling block to a non believer."

60IN60 Day 50 - Mon Apr 19

It's Day 50 and we're in Genesis 48.

Where God Spoke To Me: - Verse 15 - "The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day."

Help:
- Verse 5 - Jacob "adopts" Joseph's son for the purpose of being able to give them a blessing like his own sons.
- Verse 19 - Some things are just destined to be.

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

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

Your Questions and Comments:

- "Genesis 47:9. Yes, Christians are some of the most ungrateful people. It can rain on a Sunday and as soon as they enter the church doors, people remark "what a sloppy day" or " I'm so sick of thIs rain".  If we truly believe that God knows best and He is in control, why wouldn't we accept what he gives us with thanksgiving ?  It really is frustrating to witness this. And just think what it is like for unbelievers to witness."

60IN60 Day 49 - Sun Apr 18

It's Day 49 and we're in Genesis 47.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 9 - "few and unpleasant have been the years of my life" - After all the blessings God has given him and this is his attitude?  It's amazing how ungrateful we can be.

Help:
- Verse 3 - Joseph had just told them (46:34) not to say that.  Fortunately it didn't bring the bad result expected.
- Verse 25 - Big sacrifice, but desperation leads to that.
- Verse 29 - "hand under my thigh" - It seems weird to us, but then again saying "they finalized their agreement by pressing the palms of their hands together" would be weird too.  But we shake hands anyway.

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

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

60IN60 Day 48 - Sat Apr 17

It's Day 48 and we're in Genesis 46.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today.  That's ok.  There will be days like that.

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

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

60IN60 Day 47 - Fri Apr 16

It's Day 47 and we're in Ephesians 6.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.

Help:
- Verses 5-9 - Slavery was a cultural reality in Paul's day, like it has been in many eras.  In other New Testament passages, Paul makes the case for being freed from slavery when that opportunity is present (see the book of Philemon).  When that possibility was not there, this instruction from Ephesians 6 was relevant.

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 Apr 15

It's Day 46 and we're in Ephesians 5.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 32 - This is a "mystery" I've pondered quite a bit, without coming to much of a conclusion yet.  So I guess I'll just keep thinking.

Help:
- Verses 22-30 - This passage is, obviously, controversial.  Among the approaches to it: 1. It's a cultural thing from Paul's day that does not apply to us today.  2. It is applicable to today, but it's important to keep it in the context of the mutual submission mentioned in verse 21.  3.  Or more straightforward: this is the nature of the way marriage relationships are to be.

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 Apr 14

It's Day 45 and we're in Ephesians 4.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 24 - This is such an important spiritual growth idea: we have to put on the new person that we've become.

Help:
- Verses 9-10 - Some argue these verses refer to Christ "descending into hell" after His death in order to preach to the spirits held captive; others believe it's a reference to Jesus coming to earth.
- Verses 22-24 - We have been given a new nature and been made into a new creation through Christ.  We still, however, are in our flesh and struggle with its earthly tendencies.  We need to make a conscious choice to "put on" the person we've been made in Christ and "put off" the old self.
- Verse 30 - "sealed" - Like a letter from a king would have been given the royal seal before it was sent, so we to have been "sealed" by the Holy Spirit as proof of God's intent to see us through the journey ahead.

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:

- "Amplified version describes v.9 as the same type of mystery.  Is it not?" - Yes, v. 9 is referring to the same "mystery" that is discussed earlier in the chapter - that the Gentiles would have an opportunity to be saved.

60IN60 Day 44 - Tues Apr 13

It's Day 44 and we're in Ephesians 3.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 9 - Thank the Lord for this "mystery."

Help:
- Verses 3-4, 6 - The mystery he's talking about in verses 3-4 is that the Gentiles are being allowed to be saved through the Jewish Messiah, as is noted in verse 6.

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 Apr 12

It's Day 43 and we're in Ephesians 2.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - The phrase "in coming ages" got me to thinking about some possibilities I hadn't considered before.

Help:
- Verse 2 - "ruler of the kingdom of the air" - Another title for Satan.
- Verse 14 - In this verse, he is talking about the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles has been broken down by 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.

60IN60 Day 42 - Sun Apr 11

It's Day 42 and we're in Ephesians 1.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 19 - I want to see that "incomparably great power" at work in my life.  Pour it on, Father.

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

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

Your Questions and Comments:

- “'Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the Lord: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the Lord.' 1 Kings‬ ‭8:63‬ ‭NIV. So stuff like this pops up a lot in the Old Testament, but what exactly is a sacrifice? Is it the killing of the animals because that seems like a very high number of animals to just kill? We’re they shared and eaten? 142k animals seems like a big amount to just kill and let go to waste or to kill at one time. Looking at Leviticus 7:11-22 it seems like it must be ate the day of the sacrifice or burnt." - This was an unusual situation with a higher number of sacrifices than typical because it was the dedication of the Temple.  In general, the animals were not wasted, but instead there were provisions for much of the animal to be eaten.  With the massive numbers sacrificed here, it would have been too many for just the priests to have eaten, so perhaps the large crowd present for this historic occasion also ate (perhaps as part of the 14 days of celebration they had for this moment).  As to your first question on the nature of a sacrifice, it was an expression of the seriousness of the sin that was being atoned for.  It was a way for God to emphasize to Israel that their sinfulness was serious enough that it required a blood sacrifice.  This, of course, foreshadowed the sacrifice that Christ would make for us once and for all.

60IN60 Day 41 - Sat Apr 10

It's Day 41 and we're in 1 Kings 10.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 27 - To be in the middle of a time of God's blessing is a wonderful thing.

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 40 - Fri Apr 9

It's Day 40 and we're in 1 Kings 9.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.  That's ok - some days will be like that.

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

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

60IN60 Day 39 - Thurs Apr 8

It's Day 39 and we're in 1 Kings 8.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 56 - "not one word" - That's something I'm counting on in a couple really important matters in my life right now - that God is good to come through and fulfill His promises.  Not one word that He promised will go unfufilled.

Help:
- Verses 1-66 - We're picking up this story with the ark being brought to the Temple.
- Verse 6 - The cherubim were angel statues, not actual angels.
- Verse 8 - These are the poles that they used to carry the ark.  They were not allowed to actually touch the ark.
- Verses 33, 35, 37-38, 46 - God told them up front that there were consequences to their disobedience, if they would choose that path.

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 38 - Wed Apr 7

It's Day 38 and we're in 1 Kings 3.

Note that tomorrow we skip forward to chapter 8.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - It's an interesting phrase to me: "he loved the Lord, except. . .."  In what ways is that applicable to me?

Help:
- Verse 7 - "little child" - Not literal language, but figurative.  Solomon likely was about 20 by 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.

60IN60 Day 37 - Tues Apr 6

It's Day 37 and we're in 1 Kings 2.

We'll be reading a few of the early stories of Solomon's reign.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 46 - There is very much a "Game of Thrones" quality to this chapter: people being killed because they're a threat to the king.  I know that's the reality of power and politics, but it's still uncomfortable reading for me.

Help:
- Verses 5-9 - This is not the magnanimous ending that you might hope for, but it's a few final things to be taken care of.
- Verses 17, 22 - The Bible doesn't indicate whether his motive in asking for this wife was innocent or conniving.  It could have been either.  Given the deadly politics of a newly-established reign, we can definitely say that it wasn't a smart choice.
- Verse 29 - In the Old Testament Law, there were provisions for fleeing to the tent of the Lord under certain circumstances and no one could immediately bring revenge upon you.  There would have to be a trial before a judge.  Joab's situation is not one of those situations, but he's trying to avail himself of it anyway.  Just a move of desperation.
- Verse 37 - Presumably going with the proverb: "keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

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:

- "I always found it weird that he has to have a signal to show the people who Jesus was even though him being out in public preaching for everyone to see is why they wanna kill him. I guess my question is why does he need to give a sign?" - Good question.  You're right that Jesus was well-known to many who had heard Him teach in the Temple. The Bible doesn't give a definitive answer to your question, but my guess that it was a combination of two things.  First, the arrest was going to happen at night back during a time when there were no street lights, so it may have been to make sure they got the right person in the shadows.  A second factor (and probably the bigger one) is that while many of the Jews had heard Jesus teach, it's probable that many of the soldiers accompanying Judas that night had not seen Jesus, so having Judas kiss Jesus on the cheek made sure everyone was on the same page during the arrest.

60IN60 Day 36 - Mon Apr 5

It's Day 36 and we're in Matthew 28.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 15 - I wonder why they were not personally changed (and therefore refuse the money and instead believe in Christ) by the encounter?  Fear for their lives?

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 35 - Sun Apr 4

It's Day 35 and we're in Matthew 27.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - The restraint He shows is amazing.  Because the charges were trumped up, He could have lawyered His way out, but He remained silent.

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 34 - Sat Apr 3

It's Day 34 and we're in Matthew 26.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - They were so interested in their popularity.

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:

- "Matthew 23: In Verse 23 you mentioned that Baptists are guilty of this too often: missing the the larger issues of justice.  Would you mind to give a couple of examples of the issues of justice?" - In that section, Jesus says that the Pharisees are good at attending to minor issues, but miss the larger issues like justice.  Let me give an example that is long-standing around us.  Large studies have found that in America blacks are sentenced to significantly longer prison sentences than whites for similar crimes.  Obviously that is unjust.  Everyone should be equal in the eyes of the law.  If one race is getting significantly harsher sentences, that's clearly an injustice.  And yet when many white conservative Christians list the issues that matter most to them when it comes to government, that injustice is not even on their radar, let alone something that they'd be willing to speak up for.  I could give reasons why I think that is so, but that's an essay for another time.  The point that needs to made here is that this is a clear, long-standing injustice and most white conservative Christians aren't troubled by it. 

60IN60 Day 33 - Fri Apr 2

It's Day 33 and we're in Matthew 25.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 20 - God expects fruitfulness.

Help:
- Verse 20, 22 - God expects that we use the time, talent, and money He's entrusted to us to bear fruit.
- Verses 24-27 - The master does not agree with the servant's argument that he is an unreasonable man.  He does respond by saying, "If you really believed that, you wouldn't have just buried what I gave you."

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 32 - Thurs Apr 1

It's Day 32 and we're in Matthew 24.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - There is a plan.

Help:
- Verses 4-51 - This all is generally considered to have to do with "end of the world" stuff.  There's a ton of details here, but the two key verses are 36 and 42.  Verse 36 reminds us how much we don't know.  Verse 42 reminds us to always be ready.
- Verse 34 - The word "generation" can mean "generation" or "race."  Some take the verse to refer to the Fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, which would put it with a generation.  Some take it to mean that it'll happen before the end 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.