It's Day 31 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.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
60IN60 Day 30 - Tues Jul 30
It's Day 30 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.
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.
Monday, July 29, 2019
60IN60 Day 29 - Mon Jul 29
It's Day 29 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.
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.
Sunday, July 28, 2019
60IN60 Day 28 - Sun Jul 28
It's Day 28 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.
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.
Saturday, July 27, 2019
60IN60 Day 27 - Sat Jul 27
It's Day 27 and we're in 1 Thessalonians 3.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 9 - As a pastor, I get this. The joy of seeing those in your church family grow is a big deal.
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 9 - As a pastor, I get this. The joy of seeing those in your church family grow is a big deal.
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, July 26, 2019
60IN60 Day 26 - Fri Jul 26
It's Day 26 and we're in 1 Thessalonians 2.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - As a pastor, I get this. You so want to see your congregation grow 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:
- Verse 7 - As a pastor, I get this. You so want to see your congregation grow 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.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
60IN60 Day 25 - Thurs Jul 25
It's Day 25 and we're in 1 Thessalonians 1.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - I want to see that power.
Help:
- Verse 6 - Not that Paul was perfect, but he was trying to authentically model a true spiritual life.
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 - I want to see that power.
Help:
- Verse 6 - Not that Paul was perfect, but he was trying to authentically model a true spiritual life.
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, July 24, 2019
60IN60 Day 24 - Wed Jul 24
It's Day 24 and we're in Psalm 28.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - I like the thought that thinking of what He's done for us fills us with joy.
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 - I like the thought that thinking of what He's done for us fills us with joy.
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, July 23, 2019
60IN60 Day 23 - Tues Jul 23
It's Day 23 and we're in Psalm 26.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - It's essential to come before God regularly and ask Him to reveal where we've still got work to do. He wants to see us make progress.
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 - It's essential to come before God regularly and ask Him to reveal where we've still got work to do. He wants to see us make progress.
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, July 22, 2019
60IN60 Day 22 - Mon Jul 22
It's Day 22 and we're in Psalm 25.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - Sometimes we're out on a limb for Him, trusting that He's going to come through. He will not let us down.
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 3 - Sometimes we're out on a limb for Him, trusting that He's going to come through. He will not let us down.
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, July 21, 2019
60IN60 Day 21 - Sun Jul 21
It's Day 21 and we're in Psalm 24.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - All that was created was created by 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 1 - All that was created was created by 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.
Saturday, July 20, 2019
60IN60 Day 20 - Sat Jul 20
It's Day 20 and we're in Acts 4.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - The hard-headness is amazing. They have no reply and know something amazing has happened (verses 15-18), but yet they are so tied to their position and their power that they won't consider changing.
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 - The hard-headness is amazing. They have no reply and know something amazing has happened (verses 15-18), but yet they are so tied to their position and their power that they won't consider changing.
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, July 19, 2019
60IN60 Day 19 - Fri Jul 19
It's Day 19 and we're in Acts 3.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 19 - That's a nice phrase: "times of refreshing."
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 19 - That's a nice phrase: "times of refreshing."
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, July 18, 2019
60IN60 Day 18 - Thurs Jul 18
It's Day 18 and we're in Acts 2.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 43 - I'd like to see more of that "awe" 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.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 43 - I'd like to see more of that "awe" 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.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
60IN60 Day 17 - Wed Jul 17
It's Day 17 and we're in Acts 1.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - I don't remember noticing this verse before. This has a lot to say to preachers who spend endless time speculating on end times possibilities.
Help:
- Verse 11 - The latter half of the verse is a reference to the Second Coming.
- Verses 15-26 - I think this is a mistake by Peter. He was not told to fill that twelfth spot. I think God had Paul in mind as being Judas' replacement and Peter did something he wasn't asked to do. If so, that means the first major decision by a Christian after Jesus left was a mistake.
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 - I don't remember noticing this verse before. This has a lot to say to preachers who spend endless time speculating on end times possibilities.
Help:
- Verse 11 - The latter half of the verse is a reference to the Second Coming.
- Verses 15-26 - I think this is a mistake by Peter. He was not told to fill that twelfth spot. I think God had Paul in mind as being Judas' replacement and Peter did something he wasn't asked to do. If so, that means the first major decision by a Christian after Jesus left was a mistake.
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, July 16, 2019
60IN60 Day 16 - Tues Jul 16
It's Day 16 and we're in Genesis 45.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - Forgiving is hard.
Help:
- Verse 2 - This is not playacting. This is the genuine struggle of Joseph moving from resentment to forgiveness.
- Verse 3 - Why does Joseph ask if his father is still alive? He knows that he is from previous conversations with his brothers. This moment simply shows Joseph's heart for wanting to see his father again.
- Verses 4-8 - His brothers do bear guilt for their sinful treatment of Joseph, but Joseph is here acknowledging that he can now see where God was working within what seemed at the time to be terrible.
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 - Forgiving is hard.
Help:
- Verse 2 - This is not playacting. This is the genuine struggle of Joseph moving from resentment to forgiveness.
- Verse 3 - Why does Joseph ask if his father is still alive? He knows that he is from previous conversations with his brothers. This moment simply shows Joseph's heart for wanting to see his father again.
- Verses 4-8 - His brothers do bear guilt for their sinful treatment of Joseph, but Joseph is here acknowledging that he can now see where God was working within what seemed at the time to be terrible.
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, July 15, 2019
60IN60 Day 15 - Mon Jul 15
It's Day 15 and we're in Genesis 44.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1-2 - In many ways Joseph has the best character of any of the Old Testament figures, yet here it shows him struggling with forgiveness. We've all been there.
Help:
- Verse 1 - Why does Joseph do this? I think at this point he still has bitterness and resentment toward his brothers and wants to make them squirm. It's not until later in this chapter when Judah offers to sacrifice himself that Joseph's love for his brothers breaks through (which shows up early in chapter 45).
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 1-2 - In many ways Joseph has the best character of any of the Old Testament figures, yet here it shows him struggling with forgiveness. We've all been there.
Help:
- Verse 1 - Why does Joseph do this? I think at this point he still has bitterness and resentment toward his brothers and wants to make them squirm. It's not until later in this chapter when Judah offers to sacrifice himself that Joseph's love for his brothers breaks through (which shows up early in chapter 45).
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, July 14, 2019
60IN60 Day 14 - Sun Jul 14
It's Day 14 and we're in Genesis 43.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me.
Help:
- Verse 23 - The steward thought this was true, but 42:25 tells us otherwise.
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.
Help:
- Verse 23 - The steward thought this was true, but 42:25 tells us otherwise.
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, July 13, 2019
60IN60 Day 13 - Sat Jul 13
It's Day 13 and we're in Genesis 42.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 24 - He is moved by their sorrow, but not enough to forgive.
Help:
- Verse 4 - Yes, Jacob is showing favoritism again and that is bad parenting. The Bible describes what Jacob does but that doesn't mean it endorses it.
- Verses 7-17 - I think this comes from Joseph's resentment over how he was treated. Some think Joseph is more mature than that and this is just a little drama, but I think Joseph still had hard feelings.
- Verse 28 - They were concerned they'd be accused of stealing.
- Verse 37 - Offering two sons as a bounty had to do with the honor system they had back then.
- Verse 38 - Yes, Jacob is playing favorites.
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 24 - He is moved by their sorrow, but not enough to forgive.
Help:
- Verse 4 - Yes, Jacob is showing favoritism again and that is bad parenting. The Bible describes what Jacob does but that doesn't mean it endorses it.
- Verses 7-17 - I think this comes from Joseph's resentment over how he was treated. Some think Joseph is more mature than that and this is just a little drama, but I think Joseph still had hard feelings.
- Verse 28 - They were concerned they'd be accused of stealing.
- Verse 37 - Offering two sons as a bounty had to do with the honor system they had back then.
- Verse 38 - Yes, Jacob is playing favorites.
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, July 12, 2019
60IN60 Day 12 - Fri Jul 12
It's Day 12 and we're in Genesis 41.
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:
- Verses 1, 40 - The timing of the famine determined when Joseph got out of jail. It was a longer wait than he'd have liked, but as verse 57 indicates many lives were saved by what Joseph went through.
Help:
- Verse 38 - Pharaoh gave Joseph too much credit in presuming that the divine spirit dwelt within him. He did have help from God, but he wasn't part divine.
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:
- Verses 1, 40 - The timing of the famine determined when Joseph got out of jail. It was a longer wait than he'd have liked, but as verse 57 indicates many lives were saved by what Joseph went through.
Help:
- Verse 38 - Pharaoh gave Joseph too much credit in presuming that the divine spirit dwelt within him. He did have help from God, but he wasn't part divine.
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, July 11, 2019
60IN60 Day 11 - Thurs Jul 11
It's Day 11 and we're in Genesis 40.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 14-15 - Sometimes what looks like it's obviously going to be the open door fails to materialize.
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 14-15 - Sometimes what looks like it's obviously going to be the open door fails to materialize.
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, July 10, 2019
60IN60 Day 10 - Wed Jul 10
It's Day 10 and we're in Genesis 39.
One problem that regularly bothers me as I read is a wandering mind. A word in the text will make me think of something that I have to do that day and my mind is off to the races, leaving the Bible behind. I've found it helpful to have something near me that I can make a note on when that happens so I can write down that thing I need to do later and get back to concentrating on the reading in front of me.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 21 - It's an interesting comment here. Within the larger bad thing, God showed kindness to Joseph in a smaller way. Of course, we'd usually just avoid that struggle altogether.
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 problem that regularly bothers me as I read is a wandering mind. A word in the text will make me think of something that I have to do that day and my mind is off to the races, leaving the Bible behind. I've found it helpful to have something near me that I can make a note on when that happens so I can write down that thing I need to do later and get back to concentrating on the reading in front of me.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 21 - It's an interesting comment here. Within the larger bad thing, God showed kindness to Joseph in a smaller way. Of course, we'd usually just avoid that struggle altogether.
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, July 9, 2019
60IN60 Day 9 - Tues Jul 9
It's Day 9 and we're in Genesis 38.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 24-25 - He was so indignant over her sin even when he had secretly committed that same sin. What are the sins I publicly condemn while privately accommodating?
Help:
- Verses 7, 10 - This is not something that usually happens, but it does sometimes.
- Verses 14-18 - Yes, this is Jerry Springer stuff. The Bible describes what this family does and that doesn't mean that God approves of what they do. Pretty sick stuff.
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 24-25 - He was so indignant over her sin even when he had secretly committed that same sin. What are the sins I publicly condemn while privately accommodating?
Help:
- Verses 7, 10 - This is not something that usually happens, but it does sometimes.
- Verses 14-18 - Yes, this is Jerry Springer stuff. The Bible describes what this family does and that doesn't mean that God approves of what they do. Pretty sick stuff.
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, July 8, 2019
60IN60 Day 8 - Mon Jul 8
It's Day 8 and we're in Genesis 37.
We're going to be reading the Joseph stories out of Genesis. In many ways, he's the most impressive character in Genesis, although he does give into resentment in meeting his brothers in Egypt.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 34 - Did the brothers think about the consequence to their Dad before they did it, or were they just focused on their own feelings?
Help:
- Verse 3 - "Israel" is Jacob.
- Verse 3 - Yes, this is bad parenting. Genesis tells what they did, but that doesn't mean what they did was always right.
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 the Joseph stories out of Genesis. In many ways, he's the most impressive character in Genesis, although he does give into resentment in meeting his brothers in Egypt.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 34 - Did the brothers think about the consequence to their Dad before they did it, or were they just focused on their own feelings?
Help:
- Verse 3 - "Israel" is Jacob.
- Verse 3 - Yes, this is bad parenting. Genesis tells what they did, but that doesn't mean what they did was always right.
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.
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