Monday, October 31, 2016
60IN60 Day 57 - Mon Oct 31
It's Day 57 and we're in 2 Samuel 9.
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.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
60IN60 Day 56 - Sun Oct 30
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.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
60IN60 Day 55 - Sat Oct 29
It's Day 55 and we're in 2 Samuel 7.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - We need to hold onto some of this "who am I" no matter how long we've been walking with God. Spiritual pride is deadly.
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, October 28, 2016
60IN60 Day 54 - Fri Oct 28
It's Day 54 and we're in 2 Samuel 6.
Is the Bible an old dusty book? Nope - ". . . the Word of God is living and active. . ." (Hebrews 4:12). Dig into today expecting it to speak to you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 14, 16 - When you're praising God with abandon, oblivious to others' opinions, you're probably going to end up making someone unhappy.
Help:
- Verses 7-8 - This seems like an unnecessarily harsh punishment for the "crime." Presumably it was intended to show Israel the holiness of the Ark.
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, October 27, 2016
60IN60 Day 53 - Thurs Oct 27
It's Day 53 and we're in 2 Samuel 5.
We're going to be reading some of the key passages where David takes over as king up through his sin with Bathsheba.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - Instead of trying harder, we need to get closer to God. One of the consequences would be that God would move on our behalf and we would see greater things through our 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.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
60IN60 Day 52 - Wed Oct 26
It's Day 52 and we're in Ecclesiastes 3.
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:
- Verse 11 - He has "set eternity in their hearts." There is something within each of us that longs for life beyond this life. I think it's there because there is life beyond this life.
Help:
- Verse 1-22 - Remember that Ecclesiastes is written from the perspective of someone trying to make sense of life without a vibrant relationship with God in their life. Understanding that helps passages like verses 17-22 to make more sense - those are not the words of someone who deeply understands 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.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
60IN60 Day 51 - Tues Oct 25
It's Day 51 and we're in Ecclesiastes 2.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - Without the hope of eternal life, there is a bitterness in knowing our only legacy is left to those who may mistreat it.
Help:
- Verse 1-26 - It's essential to understand the purpose of Ecclesiastes. It is a wise man who is not following God describing how the world seems to him. What is why it references all these wonderful things of life that the writer (almost certainly Solomon) ultimately finds "vanity" (i.e. meaningless). The point of Ecclesiastes is this: no matter how much of the wonders and glory of this earth you experience, if you don't have God in your life, you will ultimately find it meaningless. Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book because it speaks so clearly to 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.
Your Comments and Questions:
- "I love that in verses 42 and 43, God shows us that when we are terrified or stressed out He will strengthen us if we ask. Have a question about verse 64. I thought a prophecy was determining something that will happen in the future. This verse sounds like they are telling him to determine what has just happened in the past." - That's a good question - I've never thought about it like that. The idea of prophesying can be telling the future, but it can also involve knowing things that a person wouldn't normally know. (Like, say, someone's hidden sin.) So they are asking Him to prove He's exceptional by being able to share information that blindfolded person wouldn't normally know.
Monday, October 24, 2016
60IN60 Day 50 - Mon Oct 24
It's Day 50 and we're in Ecclesiastes 1.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? "All Scripture is. . . profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Reading the Bible will make your day more "profitable."
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - More knowledge often makes your life more difficult.
Help:
- Verses 1-18 - It's essential to understand the purpose of Ecclesiastes. It is a wise man who is not following God describing how the world seems to him. What is why it references all these wonderful things of life that the writer (almost certainly Solomon) ultimately finds "vanity" (i.e. meaningless). The point of Ecclesiastes is this: no matter how much of the wonders and glory of this earth you experience, if you don't have God in your life, you will ultimately find it meaningless. Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book because it speaks so clearly to 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.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
60IN60 Day 49 - Sun Oct 23
It's Day 49 and we're in Luke 24.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 49 - A good principle to remember: don't move till you receive power from on high.
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, October 22, 2016
60IN60 Day 48 - Sat Oct 22
It's Day 48 and we're in Luke 23.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 39 - "Save Yourself and us!" - He couldn't do both, and He chose to save 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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 39 - "Save Yourself and us!" - He couldn't do both, and He chose to save 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.
Friday, October 21, 2016
60IN60 Day 47 - Fri Oct 21
It's Day 47 and we're in Luke 22.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? "All Scripture is inspired by God. . ." (2 Timothy 3:16). So reading the Bible helps me know how God sees things.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 35 - I needed the reminder today that He won't allow me to lack what I need.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? "All Scripture is inspired by God. . ." (2 Timothy 3:16). So reading the Bible helps me know how God sees things.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 35 - I needed the reminder today that He won't allow me to lack what I need.
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, October 20, 2016
60IN60 Day 46 - Thurs Oct 20
It's Day 46 and we're in Luke 21.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 10-24 - These are frightening and upsetting ideas that we'd rather ignore, but Christ says they are a part of the future. We've got to squarely face them. . . and be ready.
Help:
- Verse 18 - Verse 18 is a word of comfort, but you have read it in the context of verse 16. This is not a promise that no trouble will come, but that we are eternally protected spiritually.
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 10-24 - These are frightening and upsetting ideas that we'd rather ignore, but Christ says they are a part of the future. We've got to squarely face them. . . and be ready.
Help:
- Verse 18 - Verse 18 is a word of comfort, but you have read it in the context of verse 16. This is not a promise that no trouble will come, but that we are eternally protected spiritually.
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, October 19, 2016
60IN60 Day 45 - Wed Oct 19
It's Day 45 and we're in Luke 20.
One thing that's important as we read daily: being eager to hear Him speak to you. Go into your reading expectant that God desires to share something with you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 46-47 - God help me to live a life of spiritual honesty and not settle for a façade of spirituality the way the Pharisees did.
Help:
- Verses 41-44 - This can be a difficult passage to understand. The gist of it is this: The Christ was to come after David. Given that the ancestors generally received greater honor, the Christ should have honored David (his ancestor) by calling him "Lord." Instead, the Bible records that David calls the Christ "Lord." Why? The correct answer (and one that His enemies would not want to acknowledge) is that the Christ was born after David, but was greater than him because He was God Incarnate.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
One thing that's important as we read daily: being eager to hear Him speak to you. Go into your reading expectant that God desires to share something with you.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 46-47 - God help me to live a life of spiritual honesty and not settle for a façade of spirituality the way the Pharisees did.
Help:
- Verses 41-44 - This can be a difficult passage to understand. The gist of it is this: The Christ was to come after David. Given that the ancestors generally received greater honor, the Christ should have honored David (his ancestor) by calling him "Lord." Instead, the Bible records that David calls the Christ "Lord." Why? The correct answer (and one that His enemies would not want to acknowledge) is that the Christ was born after David, but was greater than him because He was God Incarnate.
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, October 18, 2016
60IN60 Day 44 - Tues Oct 18
It's Day 44 and we're in Luke 19.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - It's enormously encouraging to know that God wants us to live productive, fruitful lives - lives that produce ten-fold, a hundred-fold. It's also enormously challenging to know that God expects great things from our lives through the power of the Spirit.
Help:
- Verses 8-9 - It seems odd that Jesus claims salvation for Zac here even though he hasn't made a traditional "confession of faith." I think that what Zac does is an indication of the internal change of heart that has happened. At the end of the day, it's not saying a particular set of words that gets us right with God - it's grabbing onto Jesus and wanting Him in our hearts to change our lives that matters.
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 - It's enormously encouraging to know that God wants us to live productive, fruitful lives - lives that produce ten-fold, a hundred-fold. It's also enormously challenging to know that God expects great things from our lives through the power of the Spirit.
Help:
- Verses 8-9 - It seems odd that Jesus claims salvation for Zac here even though he hasn't made a traditional "confession of faith." I think that what Zac does is an indication of the internal change of heart that has happened. At the end of the day, it's not saying a particular set of words that gets us right with God - it's grabbing onto Jesus and wanting Him in our hearts to change our lives that matters.
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, October 17, 2016
60IN60 Day 43 - Mon Oct 17
It's Day 43 and we're in Luke 18.
Remember that your daily reading in the Bible isn't about gaining information - it's about changing your life to be more like Christ. That means that you need to take action on what God speaks to you about.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 29-30 - I really needed these this morning to deal with a problem I'm facing. God supplied the promise I needed at the right moment.
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.
Remember that your daily reading in the Bible isn't about gaining information - it's about changing your life to be more like Christ. That means that you need to take action on what God speaks to you about.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 29-30 - I really needed these this morning to deal with a problem I'm facing. God supplied the promise I needed at the right moment.
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, October 16, 2016
60IN60 Day 42 - Sun Oct 16
It's Day 42 and we're in Luke 17.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - This is a cry we all need to be making regularly.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - This is a cry we all need to be making regularly.
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, October 15, 2016
60IN60 Day 41 - Sat Oct 15
It's Day 41 and we're in Proverbs 23.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 17 - I think it's easy to envy those deep in sin when we ignore the eventual consequences of those actions.
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:
- "Amy Grant wrote a song about this chapter called "Angels Watching Over Me." What was Peter wearing in prison if not clothes? I presume this is the same Herod who was King when Jesus was born. If so, why do you think God waited so long to strike him dead? He did a lot of bad things before this chapter." - On what Peter was wearing, I just presume because this happened in the middle of the night that he had stripped down to his undergarments. On Herod, it was a different Herod. There were several who had that name. We know this because in Matthew 2:19 Jesus and His family return from Egypt after Herod died, so we know that Herod died during Jesus' lifetime.
- "Why do alot of people go by two names, example Acts 12:25 John also goes by Mark and Simon goes by Peter? Is it just where people have the same name so they go by different names?" - In some cases it's because they have two given names and some people use one and some the other. In others, there is the person's given name and then they have a name given to them because of a spiritual reason (like, for instance, Simon was called Peter by Jesus).
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 17 - I think it's easy to envy those deep in sin when we ignore the eventual consequences of those actions.
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:
- "Amy Grant wrote a song about this chapter called "Angels Watching Over Me." What was Peter wearing in prison if not clothes? I presume this is the same Herod who was King when Jesus was born. If so, why do you think God waited so long to strike him dead? He did a lot of bad things before this chapter." - On what Peter was wearing, I just presume because this happened in the middle of the night that he had stripped down to his undergarments. On Herod, it was a different Herod. There were several who had that name. We know this because in Matthew 2:19 Jesus and His family return from Egypt after Herod died, so we know that Herod died during Jesus' lifetime.
- "Why do alot of people go by two names, example Acts 12:25 John also goes by Mark and Simon goes by Peter? Is it just where people have the same name so they go by different names?" - In some cases it's because they have two given names and some people use one and some the other. In others, there is the person's given name and then they have a name given to them because of a spiritual reason (like, for instance, Simon was called Peter by Jesus).
Friday, October 14, 2016
60IN60 Day 40 - Fri Oct 14
It's Day 40 and we're in Acts 12.
One thing that can impede God speaking to you is the presence of unconfessed sin in your life. Are you coming to the Word today with a clean heart or are you holding things back from God?
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 12 - Why don't we pray like this for people?
Help:
- Verse 15 - This is the only passage that seems to hint at the idea of guardian angels.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
One thing that can impede God speaking to you is the presence of unconfessed sin in your life. Are you coming to the Word today with a clean heart or are you holding things back from God?
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 12 - Why don't we pray like this for people?
Help:
- Verse 15 - This is the only passage that seems to hint at the idea of guardian angels.
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, October 13, 2016
60IN60 Day 39 - Thurs Oct 13
It's Day 39 and we're in Acts 11.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - Sometimes God's message to us surprises and we have that moment when all our objections melt away in the awareness that this must be God's 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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - Sometimes God's message to us surprises and we have that moment when all our objections melt away in the awareness that this must be God's 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.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
60IN60 Day 38 - Wed Oct 12
It's Day 38 and we're in Acts 10.
One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It helps you avoid nonsense. There are so many different ideas out there today about God. It's important that we base our image of God on who He said He is, not what other people wish He was.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 35 - "is welcome to Him" - I like the inviting way that puts it. He's eager to receive us.
Help:
- Verse 1-48 - This chapter is a milestone in the church. Up to this point, the presumption among Jesus' followers was that the salvation Jesus brought was only offered to Jews. This chapter details God opening up salvation to Gentiles (i.e. you and 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.
One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It helps you avoid nonsense. There are so many different ideas out there today about God. It's important that we base our image of God on who He said He is, not what other people wish He was.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 35 - "is welcome to Him" - I like the inviting way that puts it. He's eager to receive us.
Help:
- Verse 1-48 - This chapter is a milestone in the church. Up to this point, the presumption among Jesus' followers was that the salvation Jesus brought was only offered to Jews. This chapter details God opening up salvation to Gentiles (i.e. you and 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.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
60IN60 Day 37 - Tues Oct 11
It's Day 37 and we're in Acts 9.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 22 - All of Paul's learning in the Old Testament, even long before he had any idea that he would become a Christian, was all used by God to further His Kingdom. God is preparing things even when we don't realize 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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 22 - All of Paul's learning in the Old Testament, even long before he had any idea that he would become a Christian, was all used by God to further His Kingdom. God is preparing things even when we don't realize 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.
Monday, October 10, 2016
60IN60 Day 36 - Mon Oct 10
It's Day 36 and we're in 2 Kings 5.
If you struggle with the feeling that you need to hurry through the reading, it can be helpful to lay aside a certain length of time for the reading. "I'm going to spend the next ten minutes reading the Bible. If I get done early, I'll go back and re-read it. If I don't get it done, that's fine. Now I can relax and not try to hurry through so I can get on with the other things I need to get done today. I'm going to be here for ten minutes."
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - Sometimes we don't just want God to move - we want Him to do things the way that we want Him to do it. Of course, He has the right to do it however He wants.
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 struggle with the feeling that you need to hurry through the reading, it can be helpful to lay aside a certain length of time for the reading. "I'm going to spend the next ten minutes reading the Bible. If I get done early, I'll go back and re-read it. If I don't get it done, that's fine. Now I can relax and not try to hurry through so I can get on with the other things I need to get done today. I'm going to be here for ten minutes."
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - Sometimes we don't just want God to move - we want Him to do things the way that we want Him to do it. Of course, He has the right to do it however He wants.
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, October 9, 2016
60IN60 Day 35 - Sun Oct 9
It's Day 35 and we're in 2 Kings 4.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - It's interesting to me that God was willing to fill as many vessels as she brought. Sometimes how much God gives depends on how much we ask for.
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 - It's interesting to me that God was willing to fill as many vessels as she brought. Sometimes how much God gives depends on how much we ask for.
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, October 8, 2016
60IN60 Day 34 - Sat Oct 8
It's Day 34 and we're in Jeremiah 38.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 3-4 - How often do we only want to hear God's truth if it's something we want to hear and how often do we want to hear God's truth no matter what?
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 3-4 - How often do we only want to hear God's truth if it's something we want to hear and how often do we want to hear God's truth no matter what?
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, October 7, 2016
60IN60 Day 33 - Fri Oct 7
It's Day 33 and we're in Jeremiah 31.
Father, what do You want to teach us today through Your Word?
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 33 - What we have today is vastly superior to the way things operated in the Old Testament.
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:
- "Are you saying you think it's possible that Biblical prophets wrote that God said things He actually did not?" - What this passage points us toward is the idea that there were people claiming to be prophets of God who were not actually delivering a message from God. The Biblical standard is that everything a true prophet of God says will come true.
Father, what do You want to teach us today through Your Word?
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 33 - What we have today is vastly superior to the way things operated in the Old Testament.
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:
- "Are you saying you think it's possible that Biblical prophets wrote that God said things He actually did not?" - What this passage points us toward is the idea that there were people claiming to be prophets of God who were not actually delivering a message from God. The Biblical standard is that everything a true prophet of God says will come true.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
60IN60 Day 32 - Thurs Oct 6
It's Day 32 and we're in Jeremiah 23.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - I wonder how much of what gets attributed to God is actually from 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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - I wonder how much of what gets attributed to God is actually from 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.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
60IN60 Day 31 - Wed Oct 5
It's Day 31 and we're in Jeremiah 18.
If it's hard to understand what you're reading in the Bible, make sure you have a translation that's a good fit for you. Reading the King James (a great historic translation) can be particularly difficult because of the antiquated language. Among the good options available today: New International Version (good all-around translation), English Standard Version (good all-around translation), New American Standard (a more literal translation, closer to the original manuscripts), and New Living Translation (a translation that focuses on readability and understandability).
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - Am I willing to be molded as He desires or do I want to be the one calling the shots?
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 it's hard to understand what you're reading in the Bible, make sure you have a translation that's a good fit for you. Reading the King James (a great historic translation) can be particularly difficult because of the antiquated language. Among the good options available today: New International Version (good all-around translation), English Standard Version (good all-around translation), New American Standard (a more literal translation, closer to the original manuscripts), and New Living Translation (a translation that focuses on readability and understandability).
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - Am I willing to be molded as He desires or do I want to be the one calling the shots?
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, October 4, 2016
60IN60 Day 30 - Tues Oct 4
It's Day 30 and we're in Luke 16.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.
Help:
- Verses 1-9 - This is an unusual story. The point I take from it is this: use what you control to accomplish your goal. The manager wanted to have someone to help him after he was fired and so he used the resources still under his control to accomplish that. In our lives, we need to figure out what our life's goal is (exalt Christ? make my life easier?) and then use the resources I have to accomplish that.
- Verse 16 - "forcing his way" - Probably simply an expression of the zealous interest that many were showing in Christ's teaching.
- Verse 18 - There are other passages that give a more nuanced understanding of Jesus' stand on divorce. This is merely a statement of the general principle.
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 to me today.
Help:
- Verses 1-9 - This is an unusual story. The point I take from it is this: use what you control to accomplish your goal. The manager wanted to have someone to help him after he was fired and so he used the resources still under his control to accomplish that. In our lives, we need to figure out what our life's goal is (exalt Christ? make my life easier?) and then use the resources I have to accomplish that.
- Verse 16 - "forcing his way" - Probably simply an expression of the zealous interest that many were showing in Christ's teaching.
- Verse 18 - There are other passages that give a more nuanced understanding of Jesus' stand on divorce. This is merely a statement of the general principle.
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, October 3, 2016
60IN60 Day 29 - Mon Oct 3
It's Day 29 and we're in Luke 15.
A tool for your reading that can be useful is a study Bible. A study Bible is just a Bible that has notes in it to help explain some of the harder passages. If you don't have one and would like me to recommend one, just let me know. I'd be happy to suggest a few good ones.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 32 - "had to celebrate" - There is something so wonderful about a lost child coming home that you're compelled to celebrate.
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:
- "I basically disagree with your comment regarding these verses [Luke 14:12-14]. Though we, as an American society, do not tend to invite the disenfranchised people into our homes; we seldom invite anyone into our homes for banquets or receptions. We do "invite" them with dinners (like those for Project Goal), for meals (like the free ones provided by the church across from Wendy's), and by taking them to Wendy's and other places for a meal. If part of what you meant is that we fail to make a personal connection during a meal, then I agree that is all too often true and applies to everyone, not just the disenfranchised. (As evidenced by fewer meals at home with company, the groups of people you can see at a restaurant texting rather than conversing, etc." - We actually don't disagree much on this issue. I agree that we do some meals as a church or as an outreach. That is obviously a good thing and a good first step. I think that ultimately what these verses have in mind is something more personal. There is enormous meaning and power in inviting someone into our home to eat at our table with us. I agree with you that in our culture we don't do that as often as we used to, but perhaps this is another area where to obey the Bible's teaching we need to be unlike the culture around us.
A tool for your reading that can be useful is a study Bible. A study Bible is just a Bible that has notes in it to help explain some of the harder passages. If you don't have one and would like me to recommend one, just let me know. I'd be happy to suggest a few good ones.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 32 - "had to celebrate" - There is something so wonderful about a lost child coming home that you're compelled to celebrate.
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:
- "I basically disagree with your comment regarding these verses [Luke 14:12-14]. Though we, as an American society, do not tend to invite the disenfranchised people into our homes; we seldom invite anyone into our homes for banquets or receptions. We do "invite" them with dinners (like those for Project Goal), for meals (like the free ones provided by the church across from Wendy's), and by taking them to Wendy's and other places for a meal. If part of what you meant is that we fail to make a personal connection during a meal, then I agree that is all too often true and applies to everyone, not just the disenfranchised. (As evidenced by fewer meals at home with company, the groups of people you can see at a restaurant texting rather than conversing, etc." - We actually don't disagree much on this issue. I agree that we do some meals as a church or as an outreach. That is obviously a good thing and a good first step. I think that ultimately what these verses have in mind is something more personal. There is enormous meaning and power in inviting someone into our home to eat at our table with us. I agree with you that in our culture we don't do that as often as we used to, but perhaps this is another area where to obey the Bible's teaching we need to be unlike the culture around us.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
60IN60 Day 28 - Sun Oct 2
It's Day 28 and we're in Luke 14.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 12-14 - This is a command from Jesus, and yet I can't say I know of anyone ever actually doing that.
Help:
- Verse 26 - This means "hate by comparison to your overwhelming love for God." Obviously Jesus said the second greatest commandment was to love those around you, so He clearly doesn't want us to be mean to folks. What He's getting at here is that our love and devotion to Him needs to above and beyond anyone else.
- Verse 33 - This doesn't mean that we have to sell all we have and become homeless, but it does mean that we have to be willing to make whatever financial sacrifices Christ asks us to.
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, October 1, 2016
60IN60 Day 27 - Sat Oct 1
It's Day 27 and we're in Luke 13.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 34 - Many times these days Christians complain (justifiably) about the moral state of America. I wonder if our attitude should be more like this verse - pained longing, rather than our usual righteous finger-pointing.
Help:
- Verse 24 - This is not saying there are many who want to enter the Kingdom and have done everything they should have but God will not let them in. Rather, it's saying there are many who will presume that they're ok with God only to have God confront them with the fact that they haven't done what God said was necessary to enter the Kingdom. See Matthew 7:13-14 for a similar passage. Those Matthew verses are then followed by a lot of talk about how essential it is to actually obey the teaching of Christ. I think a similar idea is at play here: there are a lot of people who claim to love God, but who are not obeying the teaching of Christ in their lives. They will "seek to enter" when they get to heaven, but "will not be able" because they didn't do what Jesus said to do.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)