60IN60 Day 56 - Sun Aug 31

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.

* * * * *

The new round of "60IN60" begins Monday. You can get the readings:

1. Pick up a sheet in the hallway at Madison Baptist Church (for those who go there).
2. By emailing me at butcher@ymail.com.
3. Below.

There is some overlap between the last "60IN60" and this one, so I've incorporated that into the readings.

Here they are:

1: Revelation 21(Monday, September 1)

2: Revelation 22
3: Proverbs 16
4: Proverbs 17
5: Psalm 28
6: John 1
7: John 2

8: John 3 (Monday, September 8)

9: John 4
10: John 5
11: John 6
12: John 7
13: Exodus 1
14: Exodus 2

15: Exodus 3 (Monday, September 15)

16: Exodus 4
17: Exodus 5
18: Exodus 6
19: Exodus 7
20: 1 Timothy 1
21: 1 Timothy 2

22: 1 Timothy 3 (Monday, September 22)
23: 1 Timothy 4
24: 1 Timothy 5
25: 1 Timothy 6
26: John 8
27: John 9
28: John 10

29: John 11 (Monday, September 29)

30: John 12
31: John 13
32: John 14
33: Exodus 11
34: Exodus 12
35: Exodus 13

36: Exodus 14 (Monday, October 6)

37: Exodus 15
38: Exodus 16
39: Exodus 17
40: Exodus 18
41: Exodus 19
42: Exodus 20

43: 2 Timothy 1 (Monday, October 13)

44: 2 Timothy 2
45: 2 Timothy 3
46: 2 Timothy 4
47: John 15
48: John 16
49: John 17

50: John 18 (Monday, October 20)

51: John 19
52: John 20
53: John 21
54: Exodus 32
55: Exodus 33
56: Exodus 34

57: Acts 5 (Monday, October 27)

58: Acts 6
59: Acts 7
60: Acts 8

60IN60 Day 55 - Sat Aug 30

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.

* * * * *

The new round of "60IN60" begins Monday.  You can get the readings:

1. Pick up a sheet in the hallway at Madison Baptist Church (for those who go there).
2. By emailing me at butcher@ymail.com.
3. Below.

There is some overlap between the last "60IN60" and this one, so I've incorporated that into the readings.

Here they are:

1: Revelation 21(Monday, September 1)

2: Revelation 22
3: Proverbs 16
4: Proverbs 17
5: Psalm 28
6: John 1
7: John 2

8: John 3 (Monday, September 8)

9: John 4
10: John 5
11: John 6
12: John 7
13: Exodus 1
14: Exodus 2

15: Exodus 3 (Monday, September 15)

16: Exodus 4
17: Exodus 5
18: Exodus 6
19: Exodus 7
20: 1 Timothy 1
21: 1 Timothy 2

22: 1 Timothy 3 (Monday, September 22)
23: 1 Timothy 4
24: 1 Timothy 5
25: 1 Timothy 6
26: John 8
27: John 9
28: John 10

29: John 11 (Monday, September 29)

30: John 12
31: John 13
32: John 14
33: Exodus 11
34: Exodus 12
35: Exodus 13

36: Exodus 14 (Monday, October 6)

37: Exodus 15
38: Exodus 16
39: Exodus 17
40: Exodus 18
41: Exodus 19
42: Exodus 20

43: 2 Timothy 1 (Monday, October 13)

44: 2 Timothy 2
45: 2 Timothy 3
46: 2 Timothy 4
47: John 15
48: John 16
49: John 17

50: John 18 (Monday, October 20)

51: John 19
52: John 20
53: John 21
54: Exodus 32
55: Exodus 33
56: Exodus 34

57: Acts 5 (Monday, October 27)

58: Acts 6
59: Acts 7
60: Acts 8

60IN60 Day 54 - Fri Aug 29

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 Aug 28

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 Aug 27

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 Aug 26

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.

Questions You Have:
- "A reacurring theme seems to be the second child is put before the firstborn when it comes to being blessed. Is there anything we are to glean from this reoccurring event?" - The two things that immediately come to mind: 1. God seems to have a soft spot for underdogs. 2. God seems to like upsetting the natural order of things.

60IN60 Day 50 - Mon Aug 25

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.

60IN60 Day 49 - Sun Aug 24

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 Aug 23

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 Aug 22

It's Day 47 and we're in Genesis 45.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - Letting go of resentment and harbored bitterness is a gut-wrenching thing.

Help:
- Verses 1-2 - I believe that the talk of his father (44:32, 34) finally breaks Joseph from his harsh manipulation of his brothers.  The pain of the resentment pours forth in his weeping.
- Verse 3 - "Is my father still alive?" - They had talked about that multiple times before, so it wasn't that Joseph didn't know.  Rather, I think that's an indication that that was his most important concern. Something like, "Is it really true that my father is still alive?"

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 Aug 21

It's Day 46 and we're in Genesis 44.

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

Help:
- Verses 1-34 - What are we to make of this drama?  Possibilities: 1. Joseph is playacting and trying to ramp up the drama of the scene.  2. Joseph is dealing with lingering resentment over what his brothers did to him and is enjoying darkly toying with them, until he breaks at the beginning of chapter 45.  I think #2 is correct.

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 Aug 20

It's Day 45 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 44 - Tues Aug 19

It's Day 44 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 43 - Mon Aug 18

It's Day 43 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.

60IN60 Day 42 - Sun Aug 17

It's Day 42 and we're in Ephesians 3.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 9 - Some thought and struggle today with the idea that this is a "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 41 - Sat Aug 16

It's Day 41 and we're in Ephesians 2.

Thursday's email did not go out as it was scheduled to.  Everything appeared to be set up correctly on the site, so I'm not sure why it didn't go out.  A reminder: if you don't get the email, usually the information has posted to 60in60Bible.org, so you can get the comments and the link there.

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 40 - Fri Aug 15

It's Day 40 and we're in Ephesians 1.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 19 - I want to see that "imcomparably 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.

60IN60 Day 39 - Thurs Aug 14

It's Day 39 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 38 - Wed Aug 13

It's Day 38 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 37 - Tues Aug 12

It's Day 37 and we're in 1 Kings 8.

We've had three new people sign up in recent days, even though we haven't been doing anything to solicit more participants.  I'm not sure which of you out there is spreading the word about "60IN60," but thanks!

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 36 - Mon Aug 11

It's Day 36 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 35 - Sun Aug 10

It's Day 35 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.

60IN60 Day 34 - Sat Aug 9

It's Day 34 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 33 - Fri Aug 8

It's Day 33 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 32 - Thurs Aug 7

It's Day 32 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.

60IN60 Day 31 - Wed Aug 6

It's Day 31 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 30 - Tues Aug 5

It's Day 30 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 Jerusalm 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.

Your Questions:
- Chapter 22: "Vs 8 says "those who were invited were not worthy" .... Yet in verse 10 ..."servants sent out and gathered both bad and good" .... Question: were those bad that were gathered worthy? Am I missing something?" - It's important to include v. 11 in your consideration, because there the king shows that he expects the guests to have the proper clothes.  Here's the analogy: the Jews were those originally invited who rejected the invitation; because of that, God opened the opportunity to everyone; even though the invitation has been extended, we still need to "dress" in the clothes that are proper for the wedding (i.e. the righteousness of Christ).  The fact that everyone (good and bad) had the opportunity to come doesn't mean that any behavior is ok - they needed to be dressed in Christ's salvation.

60IN60 Day 29 - Mon Aug 4

It's Day 29 and we're in Matthew 23.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 23 - I think Baptists are guilty of this too often: missing the larger issues of justice.

Help:
- Verses 6-10 - We need to be careful that we're not getting full egos off the praise of people.
- Verse 13 - The second half of the verse refers to people with genuine spiritual interest who would come to the Pharisees because they were "the religious experts."  The Pharisees' answer would point those people in the wrong direction.
- Verses 30-32 - They were both trying to claim that it was their "fathers" who made up Israel while trying to deny the ancient disobedience those old Israelites did that made God mad.
- Verses 34-35 - Because the Pharisees of Jesus' day had a vantage point to see so much and therefore have so many warnings about disobedience, it makes their guilt greater.

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 28 - Sun Aug 3

It's Day 28 and we're in Matthew 22.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - Tough verse, but worthy of pondering as to why God would do that.

Help:
- Verse 7 - Verse 6 is a big help in understanding verse 7.  These people had murdered innocents.
- Verse 10 - The point here is that the invitation was widely given, but verse 12 has more to say.
- Verse 12-13 - Some were invited, but didn't make the change needed to come to the wedding.  The analogy would be those who hear the gospel invitation, but never change their lives.  Verse 13 is descriptive of hell.
- Verse 14 - God throws open the opportunity to all, but we must come having received what Christ has done for us.
- Verses 15-16 - The Pharisees and Herodians were natural enemies.  If Jesus said to pay the taxes, the Herodians would turn Him into the Romans as an enemy of the state, preaching rebellion.  If Jesus said to pay the taxes, the Pharisees would tell the people that Jesus was just a patsy for the oppressive Roman rule.  It was designed to be a no-win situation.
- Verse 24 - This was the tradition back then.  I know today that we marry for love and this seems strange to us, but it was the custom.  (And our marrying-for-love system hasn't exactly produced perfect results either.)
- Verse 30 - We will not be married to other humans in the Kingdom to come.
- Verses 41-45 - This is a little puzzle.  David is speaking of the Messiah, who will come after him.  Because David is the older, he should receive the higher honor.  Yet he refers to this Messiah as "Lord."  Why?  The answer is that the Messiah was not just going to be another human, but God incarnate.  That made the Messiah worthy of such an honor.

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 27 - Sat Aug 2

It's Day 27 and we're in 1 Thessalonians 5.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 17 - I want to reach a place where I'm constantly inviting God into moment-by-moment life.

Help:
- Verse 16, 18 - This is not to say that we have to be thankful for everything, but we do need to find reasons to be thankful in everything. 
- Verse 26 - This is a cultural thing from Paul's time and not a binding commandment on us 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.

60IN60 Day 26 - Fri Aug 1

It's Day 26 and we're in 1 Thessalonians 4.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - God wants the sin gone from our lives.  We don't have to wonder about that - we know it's His will.

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.