It's Day 30 and we're in 1 Samuel 22.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing again today.
Help:
- Verse 17 - How evil is what Saul is asking them to do? You know it's bad when his guards are willing to disobey 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.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
60IN60 Day 29 - Mon Mar 30
It's Day 29 and we're in 1 Samuel 21.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Again, nothing jumped out to me today. That's a few days in a row. That will happen sometimes. Nothing to get discouraged about.
Help:
- Verse 1 - "trembling" - Why was he trembling? Maybe just that having one of the king's main guys show up all by himself was very unusual and he was concerned that it meant bad news.
- Verse 2 - David is lying. Again, the Bible tells the stories of the heroes of the faith both when they honor God with their behavior and when they don't.
- Verse 12 - Why did he fear the king? Presumably because he knew the king was more likely to be violent toward him if he saw David as a threat, which verse 11 says he did.
- Verses 13-15 - This is odd behavior. Apparently David saw this as the best way to get out of the difficult situation he thought he was in.
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:
- Again, nothing jumped out to me today. That's a few days in a row. That will happen sometimes. Nothing to get discouraged about.
Help:
- Verse 1 - "trembling" - Why was he trembling? Maybe just that having one of the king's main guys show up all by himself was very unusual and he was concerned that it meant bad news.
- Verse 2 - David is lying. Again, the Bible tells the stories of the heroes of the faith both when they honor God with their behavior and when they don't.
- Verse 12 - Why did he fear the king? Presumably because he knew the king was more likely to be violent toward him if he saw David as a threat, which verse 11 says he did.
- Verses 13-15 - This is odd behavior. Apparently David saw this as the best way to get out of the difficult situation he thought he was in.
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, March 29, 2015
60IN60 Day 28 - Sun Mar 29
It's Day 28 and we're in 1 Samuel 20.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today. There are days like that.
Help:
- Verses 17, 41 - Some have tried to make these verses into evidence that Jonathan and David had a homosexual relationship, but that really says more about us and what we're reading into the passage than it does about the passage. Nothing like that is in mind here. Verse 41's "kissed each other" is not a sexual kiss, but the same kind of thing that the New Testament authorizes when it says we can greet each other with a "holy kiss" - i.e. a friendly kiss on the cheek.
- Verses 40-41 - My presumption here is that the sadness of the moment caused Jonathan to abandon his plan and go and have one more conversation with his friend.
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:
- Nothing jumped out to me today. There are days like that.
Help:
- Verses 17, 41 - Some have tried to make these verses into evidence that Jonathan and David had a homosexual relationship, but that really says more about us and what we're reading into the passage than it does about the passage. Nothing like that is in mind here. Verse 41's "kissed each other" is not a sexual kiss, but the same kind of thing that the New Testament authorizes when it says we can greet each other with a "holy kiss" - i.e. a friendly kiss on the cheek.
- Verses 40-41 - My presumption here is that the sadness of the moment caused Jonathan to abandon his plan and go and have one more conversation with his friend.
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, March 28, 2015
60IN60 Day 27 - Sat Mar 28
It's Day 27 and we're in 1 Samuel 19.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out today.
Help:
- Verses 8-10 - A couple issues here, which I've also addressed in previous days. First, "an evil spirit from the Lord" most likely means that God had authorized Satan to send a demon to torment Saul. God obviously doesn't have an evil spirits who are "on His side." Second, why was David back in Saul's presence when Saul had tried to kill him before (18:11). We don't know for sure, but some thoughts: a. There may have been a presumption that Saul was suffering from a mental illness that made him better sometimes and worse sometimes; b. Because the king's word was law, David's two options were to continue to be around Saul as one of his military men or to flee and essentially declare himself to be in open rebellion against the king - pursuing the second path was a big step; c. Like in domestic abuse situations we see today, we know that people don't always immediately remove themselves from dangerous situations the way you think they would.
- Verse 13 - "the household idol" - The presumption would be that it was Michal's and not David's, since we think of David as someone who served God. Still, it's troubling that he allowed that idol worship to happen within his home.
- Verse 17 - She is lying to protect herself. The fact that the Bible tells us about it does not mean that the Bible authorizes it.
- Verse 23 - In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord coming on you was not a salvation event, but one that usually accompanied receiving power from God or having a special manifestation of the presence of God (as here). It is odd that Saul received it too, but it was apparently something that happened to anyone who was there. An imperfect analogy to today would be how even a non-Christian can be in a worship service where God is moving and be aware of the presence of the Spirit there even though the Spirit is not within them.
- Verse 24 - "stripped," "naked" - Yeah, that's weird.
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:
- Nothing really jumped out today.
Help:
- Verses 8-10 - A couple issues here, which I've also addressed in previous days. First, "an evil spirit from the Lord" most likely means that God had authorized Satan to send a demon to torment Saul. God obviously doesn't have an evil spirits who are "on His side." Second, why was David back in Saul's presence when Saul had tried to kill him before (18:11). We don't know for sure, but some thoughts: a. There may have been a presumption that Saul was suffering from a mental illness that made him better sometimes and worse sometimes; b. Because the king's word was law, David's two options were to continue to be around Saul as one of his military men or to flee and essentially declare himself to be in open rebellion against the king - pursuing the second path was a big step; c. Like in domestic abuse situations we see today, we know that people don't always immediately remove themselves from dangerous situations the way you think they would.
- Verse 13 - "the household idol" - The presumption would be that it was Michal's and not David's, since we think of David as someone who served God. Still, it's troubling that he allowed that idol worship to happen within his home.
- Verse 17 - She is lying to protect herself. The fact that the Bible tells us about it does not mean that the Bible authorizes it.
- Verse 23 - In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord coming on you was not a salvation event, but one that usually accompanied receiving power from God or having a special manifestation of the presence of God (as here). It is odd that Saul received it too, but it was apparently something that happened to anyone who was there. An imperfect analogy to today would be how even a non-Christian can be in a worship service where God is moving and be aware of the presence of the Spirit there even though the Spirit is not within them.
- Verse 24 - "stripped," "naked" - Yeah, that's weird.
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, March 27, 2015
60IN60 Day 26 - Fri Mar 27
It's Day 26 and we're in 1 Samuel 18.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - When God is with us, He opens up doors and blesses us in multiple ways.
Help:
- Verse 11 - Why does David still come around Saul? It's hard to say, but some thoughts: a. I'm guessing there was a presumption that Saul was suffering from some mental problems by this point due to his erratic behavior - maybe it seemed to get better and then get worse; b. Unlike today where violent behavior gets you taken to jail, back then the king was the law, so he could get away with whatever he wanted; c. Like in domestic abuse situations that we see today, there is not always that immediate decision to remove yourself from a bad situation, even if that would be the smart thing to do.
- Verse 25 - Yeah, that's disgusting.
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 - When God is with us, He opens up doors and blesses us in multiple ways.
Help:
- Verse 11 - Why does David still come around Saul? It's hard to say, but some thoughts: a. I'm guessing there was a presumption that Saul was suffering from some mental problems by this point due to his erratic behavior - maybe it seemed to get better and then get worse; b. Unlike today where violent behavior gets you taken to jail, back then the king was the law, so he could get away with whatever he wanted; c. Like in domestic abuse situations that we see today, there is not always that immediate decision to remove yourself from a bad situation, even if that would be the smart thing to do.
- Verse 25 - Yeah, that's disgusting.
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, March 26, 2015
60IN60 Day 25 - Thurs Mar 26
It's Day 25 and we're in 1 Samuel 17.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 34-36 - God often uses everyday experiences to prepare us for how He's going to use us in the Kingdom.
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 34-36 - God often uses everyday experiences to prepare us for how He's going to use us in the Kingdom.
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, March 25, 2015
60IN60 Day 24 - Wed Mar 25
It's Day 24 and we're in 1 Samuel 16.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - The Bible heroes are like us. Here you'd like to think the man of God would be fearless to do God's will, but instead he expresses his fear of the king.
Help:
- Verse 2 - "Take a heifer" - This also serves the purpose of keeping Samuel from arousing Saul's suspicion, but he is actually going to do this so it's not a lie.
- Verse 4 - Why were they trembling? Presumably because there would be times when the prophet of God would come with a word of condemnation or rebuke.
- Verse 13 - "the Spirit of the Lord came mightily of David" - Unlike in the New Testament when the Holy Spirit enters us at the moment of salvation and sees us all the way through this life, back in the Old Testament the Spirit coming on someone was more a sign of power than salvation.
- Verse 14 - "an evil spirit from the Lord" - This most likely means that God gave permission to Satan to torment Saul. It essentially means that God authorized the evil spirit's presence, not that God has evil spirits that are "on His side."
- Verses 12-23 - Even though David has been anointed by Samuel and knows that God has chosen him to eventually replace Saul, as long as Saul lives he is still the king.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - The Bible heroes are like us. Here you'd like to think the man of God would be fearless to do God's will, but instead he expresses his fear of the king.
Help:
- Verse 2 - "Take a heifer" - This also serves the purpose of keeping Samuel from arousing Saul's suspicion, but he is actually going to do this so it's not a lie.
- Verse 4 - Why were they trembling? Presumably because there would be times when the prophet of God would come with a word of condemnation or rebuke.
- Verse 13 - "the Spirit of the Lord came mightily of David" - Unlike in the New Testament when the Holy Spirit enters us at the moment of salvation and sees us all the way through this life, back in the Old Testament the Spirit coming on someone was more a sign of power than salvation.
- Verse 14 - "an evil spirit from the Lord" - This most likely means that God gave permission to Satan to torment Saul. It essentially means that God authorized the evil spirit's presence, not that God has evil spirits that are "on His side."
- Verses 12-23 - Even though David has been anointed by Samuel and knows that God has chosen him to eventually replace Saul, as long as Saul lives he is still the king.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
60IN60 Day 23 - Tues Mar 24
It's Day 23 and we're in Hebrews 7.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 25 - What an encouraging idea: Jesus talks to God ("intercedes") on my behalf.
Help:
- Verses 1-11 - The main idea being put forward is that the Old Testament priesthood was symbolic, but inadequate.
- Verse 3 - This is not saying that Melchizedek actually had no father, no mother, etc., but rather there was no recorded information about those things.
- Verse 16 - In the Old Testament, there were strict rules about the physical condition of those wanting to be priests.
- Verse 18 - The Old Testament system had its purpose (which was to point out how we cannot keep God's perfect standards in our own strength), but it was ultimately "weak" and "useless" to get us closer to 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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 25 - What an encouraging idea: Jesus talks to God ("intercedes") on my behalf.
Help:
- Verses 1-11 - The main idea being put forward is that the Old Testament priesthood was symbolic, but inadequate.
- Verse 3 - This is not saying that Melchizedek actually had no father, no mother, etc., but rather there was no recorded information about those things.
- Verse 16 - In the Old Testament, there were strict rules about the physical condition of those wanting to be priests.
- Verse 18 - The Old Testament system had its purpose (which was to point out how we cannot keep God's perfect standards in our own strength), but it was ultimately "weak" and "useless" to get us closer to 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.
Monday, March 23, 2015
60IN60 Day 22 - Mon Mar 23
It's Day 22 and we're in Hebrews 6.
Sometimes things get busy and you miss a day or two. Don’t get discouraged and quit. Just lay aside those readings you missed and jump in with today’s reading.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - We can not just kinda-sorta-hope we have salvation - we can be confident in what Jesus has done for us.
Help:
- Verses 4-6 - These verses are among the most difficult in the New Testament. Among the interpretations that people have offered: a. the verses mean that people can lose their salvation; b. the verses are a hypothetical warning to the believers to continue walking forward strong; c. it's about people who looked like believers but never were.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Sometimes things get busy and you miss a day or two. Don’t get discouraged and quit. Just lay aside those readings you missed and jump in with today’s reading.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - We can not just kinda-sorta-hope we have salvation - we can be confident in what Jesus has done for us.
Help:
- Verses 4-6 - These verses are among the most difficult in the New Testament. Among the interpretations that people have offered: a. the verses mean that people can lose their salvation; b. the verses are a hypothetical warning to the believers to continue walking forward strong; c. it's about people who looked like believers but never were.
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, March 22, 2015
60IN60 Day 21 - Sun Mar 22
It's Day 21 and we're in Hebrews 5.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - It's interesting to me that it says that Jesus was heard, yet we know that His prayers were not answered in the way that He wanted. We can find hope in knowing that God always hears our prayers, even when the larger purposes of God require that His answer be something other than what we were hoping for.
Help:
- Verse 8 - "learned obedience" - What does that mean? It means that while He was here on earth He consistently chose to do what the Father desired even when tempted to go in another direction. He had to "learn" that because while He was in heaven and not saddled with human flesh, being fully God meant that He was never tempted to do anything other than what was right.
- Verse 9 - "made perfect" - What does that mean? Jesus was sinless when He was born and continued to live faithfully to the Father's call. He had not, however, offered Himself as a sacrifice for sins. Also, He had not endured temptation and overcome it. Those experiences gave Him something that He didn't have before. It made Him "perfect" in the sense of being able to fulfill the sympathetic high priest role in a way that He could not before He came to earth.
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 7 - It's interesting to me that it says that Jesus was heard, yet we know that His prayers were not answered in the way that He wanted. We can find hope in knowing that God always hears our prayers, even when the larger purposes of God require that His answer be something other than what we were hoping for.
Help:
- Verse 8 - "learned obedience" - What does that mean? It means that while He was here on earth He consistently chose to do what the Father desired even when tempted to go in another direction. He had to "learn" that because while He was in heaven and not saddled with human flesh, being fully God meant that He was never tempted to do anything other than what was right.
- Verse 9 - "made perfect" - What does that mean? Jesus was sinless when He was born and continued to live faithfully to the Father's call. He had not, however, offered Himself as a sacrifice for sins. Also, He had not endured temptation and overcome it. Those experiences gave Him something that He didn't have before. It made Him "perfect" in the sense of being able to fulfill the sympathetic high priest role in a way that He could not before He came to earth.
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, March 21, 2015
60IN60 Day 20 - Sat Mar 21
It's Day 20 and we're in Hebrews 4.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - I needed that reminder today that in our time of need we can approach the throne of grace to find mercy and grace.
Help:
- Verses 9-10 - The reference here to "rest" are essentially a euphemism for heaven.
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 - I needed that reminder today that in our time of need we can approach the throne of grace to find mercy and grace.
Help:
- Verses 9-10 - The reference here to "rest" are essentially a euphemism for heaven.
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, March 20, 2015
60IN60 Day 19 - Fri Mar 20
It's Day 19 and we're in Hebrews 3.
We have lots of excuses for why we don't read the Bible: "I'm too busy," "I don't know where to start," "I tried it once and got confused," "I just never got around to it." I hope "60IN60" helps you to be able to overcome those excuses and experience a rewarding time in the Word.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - One of the needs we have in our lives to stay on track spiritually is to have people to encourage us. It keeps us from getting discouraged and giving into sin. It's one of many reasons that we need to have a church family that we're active in.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
We have lots of excuses for why we don't read the Bible: "I'm too busy," "I don't know where to start," "I tried it once and got confused," "I just never got around to it." I hope "60IN60" helps you to be able to overcome those excuses and experience a rewarding time in the Word.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - One of the needs we have in our lives to stay on track spiritually is to have people to encourage us. It keeps us from getting discouraged and giving into sin. It's one of many reasons that we need to have a church family that we're active in.
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, March 19, 2015
60IN60 Day 18 - Thurs Mar 19
It's Day 18 and we're in Hebrews 2.
If you've got questions about your reading, I love answering those. Feel free to email me. Unless it's something personal, I'll usually anonymously share the question (and answer) in the following day's email so everyone can benefit from it.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - It's good to know that He knows what it's like to struggle.
Help:
- Verse 3 - This is just a rhetorical way of saying, "God has done everything He could, including the life of His only son, in order to open a door to salvation. If we reject it, what possible excuse could we have that would be adequate?"
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
If you've got questions about your reading, I love answering those. Feel free to email me. Unless it's something personal, I'll usually anonymously share the question (and answer) in the following day's email so everyone can benefit from it.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - It's good to know that He knows what it's like to struggle.
Help:
- Verse 3 - This is just a rhetorical way of saying, "God has done everything He could, including the life of His only son, in order to open a door to salvation. If we reject it, what possible excuse could we have that would be adequate?"
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, March 18, 2015
60IN60 Day 17 - Wed Mar 18
It's Day 17 and we're in Hebrews 1.
An encouragement as you read the Bible today: in Acts 17:11, it tells of some Christians in Berea who "received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether [what we taught was Biblical]." Let's be like them.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - If you understand the Son, you understand the 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.
An encouragement as you read the Bible today: in Acts 17:11, it tells of some Christians in Berea who "received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether [what we taught was Biblical]." Let's be like them.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - If you understand the Son, you understand the 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.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
60IN60 Day 16 - Tues Mar 17
It's Day 16 and we're in Malachi 3.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 10, 12 - I needed to read this as a reminder that when we put God first in our financial lives He has promised to take care of our financial needs.
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 10, 12 - I needed to read this as a reminder that when we put God first in our financial lives He has promised to take care of our financial needs.
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, March 16, 2015
60IN60 Day 15 - Mon Mar 16
It's Day 15 and we're in Zechariah 14.
If you come across something in your reading that doesn't make sense at first, be quick to re-read and to ask questions. If I can help answer anything, drop me an email.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today in the chapter.
Help:
- Verses 4, 6-8 - This is speaking of a time in the future when events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ will cause cataclysmic events.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
If you come across something in your reading that doesn't make sense at first, be quick to re-read and to ask questions. If I can help answer anything, drop me an email.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today in the chapter.
Help:
- Verses 4, 6-8 - This is speaking of a time in the future when events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ will cause cataclysmic events.
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, March 15, 2015
60IN60 Day 14 - Sun Mar 15
It's Day 14 and we're in Zechariah 13.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out in today's chapter. That's ok - it's not going to happen every day.
Help:
- Verses 2-3 - This is harsh, but God is serious about getting Israel back to Him and the false prophets were a significant problem in leading the people away.
- Verses 4, 6 - The "garment of hair" is a reference to something some prophets would wear to look like the prophets of older times (like Elijah); the wounds on their body would be from the way they would sometimes cut themselves as part of getting their false god to answer their prayer. The point is that there would come a time when the evidence of them being a false prophet would be something shameful that they would try to hide rather than exalt in.
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:
- Nothing really jumped out in today's chapter. That's ok - it's not going to happen every day.
Help:
- Verses 2-3 - This is harsh, but God is serious about getting Israel back to Him and the false prophets were a significant problem in leading the people away.
- Verses 4, 6 - The "garment of hair" is a reference to something some prophets would wear to look like the prophets of older times (like Elijah); the wounds on their body would be from the way they would sometimes cut themselves as part of getting their false god to answer their prayer. The point is that there would come a time when the evidence of them being a false prophet would be something shameful that they would try to hide rather than exalt in.
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, March 14, 2015
60IN60 Day 13 - Sat Mar 14
It's Day 13 and we're in Haggai 2.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 4 - "take courage" (or some translation have it "be strong") - That's an encouraging word when we're going to through a time of struggle or doubt. God knows we're having a hard time and He encourages us: "Take courage" because I'm going to come through for you.
Help:
- Verses 12-13 - The idea here is that uncleanness is easily transmitted but holiness is 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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 4 - "take courage" (or some translation have it "be strong") - That's an encouraging word when we're going to through a time of struggle or doubt. God knows we're having a hard time and He encourages us: "Take courage" because I'm going to come through for you.
Help:
- Verses 12-13 - The idea here is that uncleanness is easily transmitted but holiness is 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, March 13, 2015
60IN60 Day 12 - Fri Mar 13
It's Day 12 and we're in Micah 6.
We're going to be reading a few chapters in the "minor prophets." They're called that because their books are shorter than the "major prophets" like Jeremiah and Isaiah. Overall, their message mostly focuses on coming judgment and eventual redemption.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 7-8 - The end of verse 8 is a nice short summary of what God wants from us.
Help:
- Verses 1-2 - Why is he talking about the mountains pleading and the hill speaking? He's saying that the land stands as a witness to what Israel has done and that if they could speak they would testify to their evil. Kind of like our phrase "if these walls could speak."
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 reading a few chapters in the "minor prophets." They're called that because their books are shorter than the "major prophets" like Jeremiah and Isaiah. Overall, their message mostly focuses on coming judgment and eventual redemption.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 7-8 - The end of verse 8 is a nice short summary of what God wants from us.
Help:
- Verses 1-2 - Why is he talking about the mountains pleading and the hill speaking? He's saying that the land stands as a witness to what Israel has done and that if they could speak they would testify to their evil. Kind of like our phrase "if these walls could speak."
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, March 12, 2015
60IN60 Day 11 - Thurs Mar 12
It's Day 11 and we're in Matthew 7.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 7, 11 - Still on the same problem I alluded to yesterday, these verses are also a reminder that He's good to take care of my needs.
Help:
- Verses 1, 5 - There is a difference between being judgmental and using discernment. Some people presume that verse 1 means that we should never make any judgments, but verse 5 makes it clear (because what the person in doing in that verse demands discernment) that we are not to suspend all judgment. So be discerning, but not judgmental.
- Verse 6 - This is kind of obscure. Most think it means to be discerning about how you share spiritual truth, but it's hard to get too emphatic with something that's not real clear.
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:
- "NASB SAYS..."and when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition like the Gentiles do".... Does this mean not to go on and on about the same thing? When I pray; some days I pray for the same things for the same people every day until prayers are answered. Do I have it wrong? - Good question. What Jesus has in mind here are people who are publicly praying and go on and on because they think long prayers prove they're "serious believers." They're praying more for show than because of an actual burden. So Jesus here is focused on prayer words spoken for those around us rather than as genuine prayer to God. On the other hand, there is a passage in Luke 18 where Jesus tells a story about a woman persistently going back to a judge day after day with the same request and then Jesus says He wants us to pray like that. So you're on the right track.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 7, 11 - Still on the same problem I alluded to yesterday, these verses are also a reminder that He's good to take care of my needs.
Help:
- Verses 1, 5 - There is a difference between being judgmental and using discernment. Some people presume that verse 1 means that we should never make any judgments, but verse 5 makes it clear (because what the person in doing in that verse demands discernment) that we are not to suspend all judgment. So be discerning, but not judgmental.
- Verse 6 - This is kind of obscure. Most think it means to be discerning about how you share spiritual truth, but it's hard to get too emphatic with something that's not real clear.
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:
- "NASB SAYS..."and when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition like the Gentiles do".... Does this mean not to go on and on about the same thing? When I pray; some days I pray for the same things for the same people every day until prayers are answered. Do I have it wrong? - Good question. What Jesus has in mind here are people who are publicly praying and go on and on because they think long prayers prove they're "serious believers." They're praying more for show than because of an actual burden. So Jesus here is focused on prayer words spoken for those around us rather than as genuine prayer to God. On the other hand, there is a passage in Luke 18 where Jesus tells a story about a woman persistently going back to a judge day after day with the same request and then Jesus says He wants us to pray like that. So you're on the right track.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
60IN60 Day 10 - Wed Mar 11
It's Day 10 and we're in Matthew 6.
An encouragement as you read today: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8).
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 8, 31-33 - I really needed these this morning as I'm waiting on God to come through for me. It's so easy to worry about it when instead I need to keep going back to the confidence that He is good to take care of my needs.
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:
- "The verse about being the least in the kingdom of heaven if one annuals any of the comandments might lead to the thought "looks like everyone is going going to be there". Help me with this." - This is more than just not perfectly fulfilling the commands of Jesus. This is actively pointing people in the wrong direction.
An encouragement as you read today: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8).
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 8, 31-33 - I really needed these this morning as I'm waiting on God to come through for me. It's so easy to worry about it when instead I need to keep going back to the confidence that He is good to take care of my needs.
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:
- "The verse about being the least in the kingdom of heaven if one annuals any of the comandments might lead to the thought "looks like everyone is going going to be there". Help me with this." - This is more than just not perfectly fulfilling the commands of Jesus. This is actively pointing people in the wrong direction.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
60IN60 Day 9 - Tues Mar 10
It's Day 9 and we're in Matthew 5.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - That's a great promise to know when you're seeking God and wondering if He's going to meet you.
Help:
- Verse 39 - This does not have to do with being physically assaulted, but rather insulted - i.e. a slap on the cheek.
- Verse 48 - The idea of "perfect" here is focused on the idea of maturity. It is God's intention to get rid of all the sin in our lives, so being "perfect" is the goal we are (imperfectly in this life) striving after.
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 - That's a great promise to know when you're seeking God and wondering if He's going to meet you.
Help:
- Verse 39 - This does not have to do with being physically assaulted, but rather insulted - i.e. a slap on the cheek.
- Verse 48 - The idea of "perfect" here is focused on the idea of maturity. It is God's intention to get rid of all the sin in our lives, so being "perfect" is the goal we are (imperfectly in this life) striving after.
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, March 9, 2015
60IN60 Day 8 - Mon Mar 9
It's Day 8 and we're in Matthew 4.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? We have the Word so that as believers we can be "equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17). Read the Word so you're ready for what life throws at you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today. Not every day is going to bring something.
Help:
- Verse 18-22 - We know from the other gospels that Jesus had previous conversations with these guys. It's not (as it sounds like here if you don't know the larger story) that He walked up to strangers, said, "Come on," and they did.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? We have the Word so that as believers we can be "equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17). Read the Word so you're ready for what life throws at you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today. Not every day is going to bring something.
Help:
- Verse 18-22 - We know from the other gospels that Jesus had previous conversations with these guys. It's not (as it sounds like here if you don't know the larger story) that He walked up to strangers, said, "Come on," and they did.
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, March 8, 2015
60IN60 Day 7 - Sun Mar 8
It's Day 7 and we're in Matthew 3.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 8 - Having a heart of repentance is going to be produce fitting fruit in our lives - like urgency, humility, and a desire to change.
Help:
- Verse 11 - "with the Holy Spirit and with fire" - The "fire" reference here is a little uncertain. It might mean persecution. It might refer to the Acts 2 incident. It might mean conviction.
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 8 - Having a heart of repentance is going to be produce fitting fruit in our lives - like urgency, humility, and a desire to change.
Help:
- Verse 11 - "with the Holy Spirit and with fire" - The "fire" reference here is a little uncertain. It might mean persecution. It might refer to the Acts 2 incident. It might mean conviction.
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, March 7, 2015
60IN60 Day 6 - Sat Mar 7
It's Day 6 and we're in Matthew 2.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me in this chapter. Some days are 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.
Your Comments:
- "Nothing more painful for a parent than watching a child die. It is something you get through but never get over. The child was spared all the pain, grief, and evil he would have experienced had he lived while David and Bathsheba had a lifetime of grief made worse by knowing it was their own fault. Seems very appropriate to me."
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me in this chapter. Some days are 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.
Your Comments:
- "Nothing more painful for a parent than watching a child die. It is something you get through but never get over. The child was spared all the pain, grief, and evil he would have experienced had he lived while David and Bathsheba had a lifetime of grief made worse by knowing it was their own fault. Seems very appropriate to me."
Friday, March 6, 2015
60IN60 Day 5 - Fri Mar 6
It's Day 5 and we're in Matthew 1.
You are not reading the Bible to gain trivia knowledge. You're reading the Bible for life change. Father, change our hearts to look more like Your's.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 24 - Sometimes the word from the Lord points you in directions that you weren't planning on going.
Help:
- Verses 1-16 - The genealogy makes for mostly dry reading, but it's in there because it's important to establish the Jewish lineage of Jesus in order to show that He is qualified to be the Messiah.
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.
You are not reading the Bible to gain trivia knowledge. You're reading the Bible for life change. Father, change our hearts to look more like Your's.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 24 - Sometimes the word from the Lord points you in directions that you weren't planning on going.
Help:
- Verses 1-16 - The genealogy makes for mostly dry reading, but it's in there because it's important to establish the Jewish lineage of Jesus in order to show that He is qualified to be the Messiah.
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, March 5, 2015
60IN60 Day 4 - Thurs Mar 5
It's Day 4 and we're in 2 Samuel 12.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - I think the core thing that God loved about David (and the Bible makes it clear that He did love him) is wrapped up in this verse and similar ones. There is a humility in David acknowledging that he is guilty. That doesn't justify the horrific behavior, but it's something that God can work with.
Help:
- Verse 15 - I don't like this verse (I'm not saying it's not true - I'm just saying I don't like it). I understand within the larger situation why this would happen, but it would seem a much fairer punishment would be for David to get sick.
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 - I think the core thing that God loved about David (and the Bible makes it clear that He did love him) is wrapped up in this verse and similar ones. There is a humility in David acknowledging that he is guilty. That doesn't justify the horrific behavior, but it's something that God can work with.
Help:
- Verse 15 - I don't like this verse (I'm not saying it's not true - I'm just saying I don't like it). I understand within the larger situation why this would happen, but it would seem a much fairer punishment would be for David to get sick.
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, March 4, 2015
60IN60 Day 3 - Wed Mar 4
It's Day 3 and we're in 2 Samuel 11.
A scary thought: the Bible is "able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). That can be frightening, but know that God loves you the way you are, but too much to leave you that way.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 15 - How far are we willing to go to cover up our sin? Usually, it's farther than we would have originally guessed.
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.
A scary thought: the Bible is "able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). That can be frightening, but know that God loves you the way you are, but too much to leave you that way.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 15 - How far are we willing to go to cover up our sin? Usually, it's farther than we would have originally guessed.
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, March 3, 2015
60IN60 Day 2 - Tues Mar 3
It's Day 2 and we're in 2 Samuel 10.
We are starting a new 60 days. You can get the one-page PDF on the church website or just email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3-4 - So many of the problems that societies and people encounter aren't necessary. They're merely the result of our stupidity in handling situations poorly.
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 are starting a new 60 days. You can get the one-page PDF on the church website or just email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3-4 - So many of the problems that societies and people encounter aren't necessary. They're merely the result of our stupidity in handling situations poorly.
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, March 2, 2015
60IN60 Day 1 - Mon Mar 2
It's Day 1 and we're in 2 Samuel 9. (Yes, we hadn't quite finished the 60 days from the previous cycle, so I've just made the last few days of readings from that cycle the first few days of readings for this cycle. Sometimes the calendar catches us like that.)
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 8 - I hope we've all experienced moments of generosity from God where we felt the same way.
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 starting a new round of "60IN60" on Monday. (Yes, there is a little overlap from the current "60IN60" because February is a short month.)
You can get the new sheet on the hallway table at MBC.
Or, you can download it here.
Or, you can email me at butcher@ymail.com and I'll email you the PDF.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 8 - I hope we've all experienced moments of generosity from God where we felt the same way.
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 starting a new round of "60IN60" on Monday. (Yes, there is a little overlap from the current "60IN60" because February is a short month.)
You can get the new sheet on the hallway table at MBC.
Or, you can download it here.
Or, you can email me at butcher@ymail.com and I'll email you the PDF.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
60IN60 Day 56 - Sun Mar 1
It's Day 56 and we're in 2 Samuel 8.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verse 2 - Why David chose this unusual, random, and seemingly cruel method for executing some of his enemy is a mystery to me.
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 starting a new round of "60IN60" on Monday. (Yes, there is a little overlap from the current "60IN60" because February is a short month.)
You can get the new sheet on the hallway table at MBC.
Or, you can download it here.
Or, you can email me at butcher@ymail.com and I'll email you the PDF.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verse 2 - Why David chose this unusual, random, and seemingly cruel method for executing some of his enemy is a mystery to me.
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 starting a new round of "60IN60" on Monday. (Yes, there is a little overlap from the current "60IN60" because February is a short month.)
You can get the new sheet on the hallway table at MBC.
Or, you can download it here.
Or, you can email me at butcher@ymail.com and I'll email you the PDF.
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