60IN60 Day 5 - Fri May 8

It's Day 5 and we are in Psalm 135.

Where God Spoke to Me:

- Verse 6 - This is an interesting idea to me. (See further commentary below.) To be morally pure (like God is) means that you can do what you please and it is still good. What a wonderful way to live: that what you want to do is what is good.

Help:

- Verse 5 - This does not mean "There are other gods but God is the biggest among them." What it means is "People have manufactured their own gods but God is the real one." See verses 15-18.

- Verse 6 - That God does what pleases Him doesn't mean that He's off running after selfish things. No, God is morally pure so when He does what pleases Him He is still doing that which is right and best for us. This points us to something that God is accomplishing in us: as God makes me into someone who is Christlike, He is making me into someone where what I want and what God wants are increasingly the same 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.

Your Comments and Questions:

- "If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" - No one could stand, but for the grace of God. Sin is so deeply ingrained in us that without Christ as intercessor, we’d have no hope. And I think that if we could see Eden before the Fall of Man, we would weep. 

60IN60 Day 4 - Thurs May 7

It's Day 4 and we are in Psalm 130.

Where God Spoke to Me:

- Verse 5 - I've been there: my whole being waiting on God to come through for me. When there's something we want so badly and we have to wait on God to bring it about, we're in that moment. Unfortunately, His timetable isn't the same as ours; fortunately, He knows what's best.

Help:

- Verse 3-4 - Even in the Old Testament, there is the witness that we need God's forgiveness and that He is willing to forgive.

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

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

60IN60 Day 3 - Wed May 6

It's Day 3 and we are in Psalm 124.

Where God Spoke to Me:

- Verse 1 - "If the Lord had not been on our side . . ." - There are moments of my life I can look back on and wonder how differently things would have turned out if God hadn't been there to help me. It's a source of thankfulness and humility.

Help:

- Verses 2-4 - This is poetic language that Israel could not have stood in the face of the onslaught of their enemies. There are many Old Testament stories that emphasize that Israel wasn't strong enough on their own but only survived through the assistance of God on their behalf.

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

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

Your Comments and Questions:

- Verse 3: "He will not allow your foot to slip." Why: This is a very concrete visual, climbing a mountain mostly made of sand and shale. It would be impossible not to slip or slide; I’m thinking slip or slide doesn’t only mean the physical act, but that of the Holy Spirit  keeping me safe from heretical doctrines or  fantastical interpretations of the scriptures.  God will not allow me to err, will keep me on the right path in my spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit  will contend with the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. In David’s case, it would have been the many, many baseless gods.

60IN60 Day 2 - Tues May 5

It's Day 2 and we are in Psalm 122.

Where God Spoke to Me:

- Verse 1 - This isn't always true - that we are joyful to go to the house of the Lord. Sometimes it seems like people go more out of a sense of obligation. When you are able to actually look forward to worshiping with your brothers and sisters in Christ, when you are eager to see what God is going to do in the worship, that's a wonderful feeling.

Help:

- Verse 6 - This is a statement that is often repeated around the world: "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." It becomes especially popular when there is another round of violence that breaks out in that region. That is a good thing to pray, but the ultimate hope of that prayer, though, is not just for a temporary cessation to the hostilities in the Middle East. As Christians we believe that the only lasting peace that will come to that region will be when Christ returns someday. So that prayer is both a call to God for the current violence to stop and for Christ to return to set this world right.

- Verses 7-9 - It is verses like these that lead toward the idea that we as Christians should be pro-Israel.

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

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

60IN60 Day 1 - Mon May 4

It's Day 1 and we are in Psalm 121.

Where God Spoke to Me:

- Verses 1-2 - This is such a strong statement. God is on my side and I know He's there to help me.

Help:

- Verse 5 - This is lovely symbolic language of God placing His hands over us to protect us.

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

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

60IN60 Next Round

The next round of 60IN60 will begin on Monday, May 4th.

60IN60 Next Round

The next round of 60IN60 will begin on Monday, May 4th.