Tuesday, June 30, 2020

60IN60 Day 58 - Tues Jun 30

It's Day 58 and we're in Revelation 17.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - He is the Lord of lords and King of kings.

Help:
- Verses 1-6, 9-13 - There is a lot of symbolism in these verses (see, for instance, the comment in verse 18) - trying to describe things that are hard to understand.

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, June 29, 2020

60IN60 Day 57 - Mon Jun 29

It's Day 57 and we're in Revelation 16.

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 9, 11 - Even facing great wrath, they refuse to repent. We all have moments when we dig in our heels and refuse to give in to God.

Help:
- Verse 1 - The bowl is a symbolic way to describe the judgment God is bringing.
- Verses 1-12 - These are end times judgments coming against an unbelieving and defiant world.
- Verse 13 - "frogs" - Again, presumably symbolic.
- Verse 20 - The earthquake will be so great that mountain ranges will be flattened. Wow.

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, June 28, 2020

60IN60 Day 56 - Sun Jun 28

It's Day 56 and we're in Revelation 15.

We're back in Revelation and with it comes a lot of strange imagery. Just remember that John is trying to describe images that are almost beyond imagination as well as the fact that there's a lot of symbolism here.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - It speaks of the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb - what's the song of my life? What are the lyrics that describe what God has done for me and what I'm doing for Him?

Help:
- Verse 7 - "bowls of wrath" - The symbolism used to describe the disasters that God brings during this time on the evil world.

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

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

Saturday, June 27, 2020

60IN60 Day 55 - Sat Jun 27

It's Day 55 and we're in Ezekiel 37.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 27 - What an offer: to live in God's presence.

Help:
- Verses 12-14 - This is not a reference to the resurrection of the old, but to the reinstatement of the new.

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:
- "You're a biblical shepherd. One of only two I have been blessed to learn from.  The other one I had who actually spoke, lived, and taught the truth, as you do, mysteriously and suddenly resigned and the reason was never actually given.  We all need reflection and the pursuance of more Christ likeness regardless of our calling - I appreciate that in you, my pastor."

Friday, June 26, 2020

60IN60 Day 54 - Fri Jun 26

It's Day 54 and we're in Ezekiel 34.

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 4 - This really jumped out to me as a great description (in the negative) of what a pastor should be doing. I'm going to have to do more digging and thinking on this verse.

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, June 25, 2020

60IN60 Day 53 - Thurs Jun 25

It's Day 53 and we're in Ezekiel 13.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - Sometimes people claim God is speaking through them when they're actually just making things up. We need to evaluate carefully messages that are purported to be from God.

Help:
- Verse 4 - That is, animals that scavenge among ruins, feasting on dead bodies.
- Verses 10-15 - The wall analogy is basically that rather than building a solid (spiritual) wall with their teaching, they are building a weak wall that has plaster to look good.
- Verse 18, 20 - Probably references to human sacrifice, which (sadly) happened at some points in Israel's history.

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, June 24, 2020

60IN60 Day 52 - Wed Jun 24

It's Day 52 and we're in Ezekiel 2.

Father, what do You want to teach us today through Your Word? 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - Our job is to convey the message. Whether they listen or not is their responsibility.

Help:
- Verse 6 - "scorpions" - The idea here is something like "If you're traveling somewhere to deliver My message and you encounter scorpions, don't be afraid."
- Verses 8-10 - "scroll" - Presumably because this was a vision/dream, this is merely symbolic. It is possible that Ezekiel actually eats something.

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, June 23, 2020

60IN60 Day 51 - Tues Jun 23

It's Day 51 and we're in Proverbs 31.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - A great wife is indeed a valuable find. (I know from personal experience.) This chapter focuses on some of the attributes of a godly wife. One thing that I think is worth noting is that while the chapter does mention the importance of what she does in the home, it also mentions her in the marketplace (see, for instance, v. 16). It doesn't square with the "1950s housewife" image that too many presume is a perfect incarnation of the Bible's view of women.

Help:
- Verse 3 - Most likely this is a reference to a king having a harem.

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, June 22, 2020

60IN60 Day 50 - Mon Jun 22

It's Day 50 and we're in Psalm 77.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 7-8 - It's comforting to me to know that the Bible shows us that it's ok to bring our questions to God.

Help:
- Verse 3 - The writer was going through a hard time when he didn't understand why God was allowing the problems that he was going through. When he thought of God, it made him more disheartened.
- Verse 10 - This is the way the writer feels. It is not what has actually happened.

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, June 21, 2020

60IN60 Day 49 - Sun Jun 21

It's Day 49 and we're in Psalm 76.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 4 - He is "resplendent" - amazingly majestic to behold.

Help:
- Verses 5-6 - This is referring to the death of an enemy army.
- Verse 10 - When we have a justified anger, we rejoice to see God's wrath bring justice.
- Verse 12 - That means God has the right to end the lives of princes.

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, June 20, 2020

60IN60 Day 48 - Sat Jun 20

It's Day 48 and we're in Acts 28.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 22 - "spoken against everywhere" - This is not to say that the witness of the early Christians was bad. In truth, they were known for their compassion and love. But when you introduce tell people about Jesus and some convert, there are inevitably going to be others in that town (the other religions, the merchants who financially benefit from those faiths, etc) who are going to be unhappy about it. Our job is ultimately to share the truth, even if it results in some unrest.

Help:
- Verses 26-27 - This passage is not saying that God was intentionally trying to keep them in the dark. Rather, it's acknowledging that their unwillingness to hear what God had to say was going to keep them from understanding 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.

Your Comments and Questions:
- "Acts 26:32. Your comment is very helpful because to me it means Paul IS human like me, and that God still uses him."

Friday, June 19, 2020

60IN60 Day 47 - Fri Jun 19

It's Day 47 and we're in Acts 27.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 23 - We have security about our future when we know we have a word from God about something.

Help:
- Verse 1 - "we" - Luke, the author of Acts, has again joined their group.
- Verse 9 - "fast" - A reference to the Jewish Day of Atonement.

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, June 18, 2020

60IN60 Day 46 - Thurs Jun 18

It's Day 46 and we're in Acts 26.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 32 - I wonder if things playing out this way had to do with God's will or Paul's stubbornness?

Help:
- Verse 14 - "kick against the goads" - That is to say that Paul was trying to fight God and God was going to keep after 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, June 17, 2020

60IN60 Day 45 - Wed Jun 17

It's Day 45 and we're in Acts 25.

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

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

60IN60 Day 44 - Tues Jun 16

It's Day 44 and we're in Acts 24.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 27 - "two years" - Sometimes we presume that God immediately opened doors for the apostles and made things move forward quickly and smoothly. In truth, they faced the same kind of frustrating delays that we 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.

Monday, June 15, 2020

60IN60 Day 43 - Mon Jun 15

It's Day 43 and we're in Acts 23.

We're picking up in Acts where Paul is in Jerusalem and encountering violent opposition.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - God often gives just enough light for the next step. He doesn't tell us everything that is coming up, but enough to encourage 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.

Sunday, June 14, 2020

60IN60 Day 42 - Sun Jun 14

It's Day 42 and we're in Jude 1.

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

Help:
- Verse 7 - "strange flesh" - Another way to say homosexuality.
- Verse 8 - "dreamers" - They are making up the truth that they want to be true, rather than receiving instruction from God.
- Verse 11 - "profit" - Often money is a significant issue in pushing new "truth."
- Verse 12 - "hidden reefs" - That is, a hidden danger; "love feasts" - Another name for communion.
- Verse 23 - "garment polluted by the flesh" - Love them and pray for their redemption, but do not love what they do or even the things associated with them.
- Verse 24 - God has given us the capacity to live victoriously.

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, June 13, 2020

60IN60 Day 41 - Sat Jun 13

It's Day 41 and we're in 3 John 1.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 4 - I can say as a pastor that there is a ton of truth in that verse.

Help:
- Verses 5-6 - Missionaries were there and the church had supported them.
- Verse 11 - Not salvation by works, but a reminder that salvation causes works.

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, June 12, 2020

60IN60 Day 40 - Fri Jun 12

It's Day 40 and we're in 2 John 1.

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 6 - Another straightforward verse on the fact that real faith is obedient faith.

Help:
- Verse 1 - "chosen lady and her children" - Two possibilities: (1) The letter is addressed to a Christian woman and her children; (2) It's addressed to a woman who was the leader of a church and "her children" refers to the people within the church she's brought to the Lord.
- Verse 7 - "antichrist" - This does mean that they are THE Anti-Christ, but that they have the spirit of Anti-Christ in what they're doing.
- Verse 9 - The teachers Paul is warning about had added to the instruction the apostles had given them, altering the truth of the gospel into something different.
- Verse 11 - We should not support those who teach what is Biblically wrong.

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, June 11, 2020

60IN60 Day 39 - Thurs Jun 11

It's Day 39 and we're in Philemon 1.

Philemon is a book about a situation where Paul had seen a run-away slave come to Christ. Paul desires for that slave (Onesimus) to continue to help him in his ministry, but he sends Onesimus back to his owner to get permission for that to happen. Slavery in Paul's day was not quite the same as what we saw in the South in early American history, but was more of an indentured servitude. Still, Paul here calls Philemon (the owner) to treat as Onesimus as a brother in Christ rather than a slave and that's was a radical thing for that culture (and one that more Christians in early American history should have heeded).

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 19 - I find it amusing how Paul twists the screws a little in this verse.

Help:
- Verse 10 - "son" - That means Onesimus was his spiritual child, meaning that Paul had been the one to lead him to faith.
- Verse 16 - This is a radical verse. Can you imagine how much different the first 100 years of American history would have been in the Christians of that era had heeded its words?

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, June 10, 2020

60IN60 Day 38 - Wed Jun 10

It's Day 38 and we're in 2 Kings 23.

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 22 - They had gone for years and years without doing something as central to their faith as the Passover. It's easy for us to lose even big pieces of our faith along the way if we aren't regularly relying on the Word.

Help:
- Verse 6 - I presume the point of this was to dishonor the items burned and not the graves of the people.
- Verse 14 - The bones would defile the articles and make them unfit for cultic purposes in the future.
- Verses 25-26 - The king did what was right, but the people were not willing to also repent and change, so judgment fell. It's not enough to have a good leader if people are unwilling to follow.

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, June 9, 2020

60IN60 Day 37 - Tues Jun 9

It's Day 37 and we're in 2 Kings 22.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - Tearing the robes was an outward way in that day to show extreme grief. The king realizes in hearing the Word just how far away from God's will the nation is and he tears his robe in distress. Am I that bothered by where I'm falling short of God's will or have I become desensitized to it? Also, it raises the question: what are the ways that I'm sinning that I may not even be aware of because I'm unaware of God's will?

Help:
- Verse 20 - Presumably God does this because He knows the nation as a whole is not going to repent of their sin, but He wants to reward the king for his efforts.

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, June 8, 2020

60IN60 Day 36 - Mon Jun 8

It's Day 36 and we're in 2 Kings 21.

These chapters tell of one of the good kings. There is a lot of Old Testament that tells of the bad kings because there were so many. Here is the story of Josiah, one of the good ones, but today's reading sets up the story by talking about some bad kings.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today. There will be days like that.

Help:
- Verses 1-9 - It's not just that they weren't serving the Lord - it's that they were actively pursuing evil.

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.