60IN60 Day 27 - Sat Dec 2

It's Day 27 and we're in John 12.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - Rather than taking the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus as clear evidence of Jesus' divinity, the Pharisees instead plan to kill Lazarus. Crazy blindness. How often do I miss out on God's power and direction because I've decided ahead of time what I will do?

Help:
- Verses 7-8 - This is not an excuse to neglect the poor, but merely a statement that the present situation they found themselves in was an unusual one that merited the expensive sacrifice.
- Verses 20-26 - Jesus doesn't seem to directly answer their question. What's going on? If I had to summarize it, I would say that what Jesus had in mind is something like this: it's good that they want to talk to Me, but the time for talking is behind now and instead it's the time for My to pursue the action of going to the cross.
- Verse 25 - What does this mean? It means that rather than always pursuing what I want as the vision of my life, instead I need to be willing to pursue what God is calling me to do in order to see His abundant life. I have to "die to self" and instead of living for what I want, I live for what Jesus instructed.
- Verse 40 - This does not mean that God forced them into their blindness. It means that they were intentionally rejecting what He was saying (see verse 20-26) and so He gave them over to their desires, which resulted in spiritual blindness.

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

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

60IN60 Day 26 - Fri Dec 1

It's Day 26 and we're in John 11.

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 5 - He loved them. Not "He put up with them," but He loved them. For some reason that just kind of hit me anew: that He doesn't just put up with us - He loves us.

Help:
- Verse 26 - He means that we will never die 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.

60IN60 Day 25 - Thurs Nov 30

It's Day 25 and we're in John 10.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 28 - We are sometimes so focused on the blessings that He gives us in this life that we fail to recognize what an enormous gift this is: eternal life!

Help:
- Verse 16 - "not of this sheep pen" - We know from the book of Acts that this is a reference to the fact that Jesus intended this salvation to extend to the Gentiles (i.e. the non-Jews; i.e. us). Down through the years, various cults have tried to use this verse to argue that He was referring to them.
- Verse 17-18 - This is a reference to His death and resurrection.
- Verse 34 - This is an obscure verse. I have not found an interpretation yet that satisfies me, but I'll keep looking.

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

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

60IN60 Day 24 - Wed Nov 29

It's Day 24 and we're in John 9.

As you read, listen for where God wants to speak to you. What jumps out to you? What speaks to situations you're dealing with right now? 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - The inability to see what was right in front of them is amazing. It's so easy to get focused on the way that we think God is required to act (according to the rules we've made up for Him in our religion) and miss out on things He's doing that are outside that.

Help:
- Verses 2-3 - It was widely taught by the Jewish leaders that all tragedy came directly from the sin of that person (or maybe their parents). Jesus denies that idea.
- Verses 6-7 - Why did Jesus do the healing this way? We don't know. He does healings in different ways: sometimes instantaneous, sometimes having someone go wash in a pool, sometimes total, sometimes in stages, sometimes publicly, sometimes privately. The main thing I draw out of that is that Jesus works His miracles differently in different situations. That means the miracle that He does in your life today is not necessarily the way He's going to do a miracle in my life tomorrow.
- Verse 34 - Again, the Jewish leaders presume that this man had to be a terrible sinner because he had been blind. They believed his sin (or his parent's sin) had caused it. Jesus denied that idea.
- Verse 39 - What does this mean? He saying, "I've come into the world so that those who think they can see - I'm looking at you, religious leaders - will discover their actually spiritually blind, and I've come that those who know they're spiritually blind - like the tax collectors and prostitutes - will have a chance to gain spiritual sight."

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

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

60IN60 Day 23 - Tues Nov 28

It's Day 23 and we're in John 8.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 31 - Such an important idea: it's not just saying we like Jesus that makes us a disciple, but that we "hold to [His] teaching." That is, that we live out what He told us to do.

Help:
- Verses 58-59 - The phrase "I AM" was one of the names that God chose for Himself in the Old Testament. When Jesus said this, He was claiming to be God. To His enemies, that was blasphemy (because they didn't believe that He was God) and worthy of stoning.

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

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

60IN60 Day 22 - Mon Nov 27

It's Day 22 and we're in Esther 10.

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:
- 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.

60IN60 Day 21 - Sun Nov 26

It's Day 21 and we're in Esther 9.

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

Help:
- Verses 1-2, 16 - Obviously there was a significant anti-Semitic sentiment within the kingdom. The Jews have to defend themselves.
- Verse 13 - They were already dead. Being hanged was just to make a point.

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

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

60IN60 Day 20 - Sat Nov 25

It's Day 20 and we're in Esther 8.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today. That's ok - there are days like that.

Help:
- Verse 11 - The king's edict makes me wonder why he didn't just issue a proclamation that said, "Nevermind. No killing of the Jews." Instead, he issues this proclamation that speaks more of the Jews defending themselves and even plundering those who attack. My presumption is that the proclamation is that way because there were those within the kingdom with great hatred for the Jews who might have ignored the king's retraction and then after the fact claimed they didn't get word in time.

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

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

60IN60 Day 19 - Fri Nov 24

It's Day 19 and we're in Esther 7.

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 10 - Justice with a side of irony.

Help:
- Verse 8 - "they covered Haman's face" - This is presumable the eunuchs who are mentioned in v. 9.

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

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

60IN60 Day 18 - Thurs Nov 23

It's Day 18 and we're in Esther 6.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 1-9 - The ironic timing of these events (at least as far as Haman is concerned) is interesting. God can orchestrate things down to the second when needed.

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

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

60IN60 Day 17 - Wed Nov 22

It's Day 17 and we're in Esther 5.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - Such pride. It's so disgusting to see in others, yet we're tempted to do the same thing.

Help:
- Verses 6-8 - Why the delay? Why not bring up the issue right then? The Bible doesn't tell us if this was all part of her grand plan or if she just lost her nerve in that moment. I tend to think the latter.

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

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

60IN60 Day 16 - Tues Nov 21

It's Day 16 and we're in Esther 4.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - It's such a great line: "for such a time as this." Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of difficulties because God has put us there to stand for what's right in such a time as this.

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

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

60IN60 Day 15 - Mon Nov 20

It's Day 15 and we're in Esther 3.

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:
- Nothing really jumped out to me today.

Help:
- Verse 7 - Presumably God worked behind the scenes to bring up a time when they cast lots to ensure there would be time to save the Jewish people.

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

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

60IN60 Day 14 - Sun Nov 19

It's Day 14 and we're in Esther 2.

Where God Spoke to Me:
- Verse 22 - One of the interesting things about the book of Esther is that God doesn't make an official appearance anywhere in the book, yet you can see Him working in the circumstances to take care of His people. It's a good reminder to us that He is at work even when we don't see Him. Verse 22 is just another one of the "coincidences" that God orchestrated.

Help:
- Verses 10, 20 - Apparently Mordecai felt this would hurt her chances. He didn't instruct her to lie, but rather just not to bring it up.

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

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

60IN60 Day 13 - Sat Nov 18

It's Day 13 and we're in Esther 1.

Where God Spoke to Me:
- Nothing jumped out to me today.  Some days are like that.

Help:
- Verses 12-22 - The king's behavior here is immature and sinful. It's important to understand that the Bible does not condone everything it describes. Some might presume that God is sympathetic toward the actions of the king. That's not true. The Bible is telling what the king did but not condoning 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.

60IN60 Day 12 - Fri Nov 17

It's Day 12 and we're in 1 John 5.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - We have been given eternal life. What greater gift could their be?

Help:
- Verse 8 - There is some question on what each represent, but my presumption is that the Spirit obviously represents the Spirit, the water points to baptism, and the blood points to the death of Christ.
- Verse 16 - It is not totally clear what the "sin that leads to death" is. It could be the unforgivable sin that Jesus mentioned or, more likely given the context of the verse, it could have to do with someone teaching false teaching.

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

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

60IN60 Day 11 - Thurs Nov 16

It's Day 11 and we're in 1 John 4.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 20 - Loving each other is an essential evidence of the authenticity of our faith.

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

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

60IN60 Day 10 - Wed Nov 15

It's Day 10 and we're in 1 John 3.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - Overflowing love for those around us is a tangible proof that Jesus has come into our hearts. The excuse people use for not going to church because the people are tough to love is inadequate - we have to love each other, even when we're tough to love.

Help:
- Verse 6 - This does not mean that we never, even once sin, but rather that we do not live in a pattern of ongoing, rebellious sin. As verses 7-8 note, those who are of the light live in the light and those who are of the darkness live in the dark.
- Verse 15 - I guess you could go back to what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount about anger for more understanding of this: Matthew 5:21-26.

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

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

60IN60 Day 9 - Tues Nov 14

It's Day 9 and we're in 1 John 2.

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 4 - Obedience to Jesus' teaching is a required part of being a Christian, not an option. If we are not actively obeying Jesus, we need to check our spiritual condition.

Help:
- Verse 2 - "propitiation" - This refers to the idea of making a sacrifice that turns away the anger of God.
- Verses 7-8 - Obeying God is an old command, but it is a new thing that we have the perfect example of Jesus as well as His empowering us through a new heart and the Holy Spirit to be able to live out what we're commanded.
- Verses 18-19, 22 - "many anti-Christs" - As verse 22 notes, this is a reference to those who are doing the work of Satan, not saying that they are THE Anti-Christ.
- Verse 27 - "anointing" - That is, having the Holy Spirit and His power.

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

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

60IN60 Day 8 - Mon Nov 13

It's Day 8 and we're in 1 John 1.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - Hard words: if we're walking in darkness, that's evidence that we do not have fellowship with Him. A changed heart is the clearest proof of the presence of God in our lives.

Help:
- Verses 1-2 - These are references to the disciples actually being with Jesus when He was on 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.

60IN60 Day 7 - Sun Nov 12

It's Day 7 and we're in John 7.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 38 - There is a spiritual abundance to life in Christ. Our lives will be ones that are like a fountain of living water pouring out and enriching those around us.

Help:
- Verses 8, 10 - Is Jesus lying here? No. His point is an important one: they wanted Him to go up at the beginning of the feast and provoke a confrontation. This would have messed up the timetable that Jesus was on. Instead, He went up much later in the feast. This provided an opportunity for Him to teach without provoking as large a controversy as doing it at the beginning of the feast would have created. See verses 14 and 30 for more.

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

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

60IN60 Day 6 - Sat Nov 11

It's Day 6 and we're in John 6.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 26 - Do I love God just for who He is or merely for the blessings He's given?

Help:
- Verse 35 - This is, of course, a spiritual truth. We will never be spiritually hungry.
- Verses 52-58, 61, 63 - This is about communion, but it is no doubt a hard saying. It's easy to see why so many were confused by it. Verse 63 is key to understanding that He is talking about spiritual truths.

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

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

60IN60 Day 5 - Fri Nov 10

It's Day 5 and we're in John 5.

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 42 - Hard question: do I have the love of God in my heart? Is that evident?

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

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

60IN60 Day 4 - Thurs Nov 9

It's Day 4 and we're in John 4.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 34 - Is that true of me - that my greatest "hunger" is to do the will of 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.

60IN60 Day 3 - Wed Nov 8

It's Day 3 and we're John 3.

One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It provides the answers to life's most pressing questions: "Why am I here?" "What value does my life have?" "What does God want out of me?" "What does a life well spent look like?" For all the time we spend daily on trivial things, it's essential that we spend some time on the big questions. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 29 - There is great joy in doing your part of what God has for you, especially when you see how you were a part of a much grander plan.

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

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

60IN60 Day 2 - Tues Nov 7

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

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - Jesus gives the good stuff when He blesses.

Help:
- Verse 4 - This sounds a little rude - I'm not sure I could get away with saying something like that to my mother! Jesus was very aware of the timetable He wanted to follow and He didn't want to push things too far ahead of time. Apparently (since He did the miracle) this didn't push it too far ahead even though it wasn't His original plan.
- Verses 14-16 - Jesus shows a boldness here that a lot of people don't think that He has.
- Verses 24-25 - This just means that Jesus knew that people are unreliable and you can't put your trust in them to know what's 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.

60IN60 Day 1 - Mon Nov 6

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

We're starting a new round today.  

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 31, 33 - It's interesting to me that John didn't know Him right away.

Help:
- Verse 1-18 - There's a lot of theology to start out John. It's deep stuff, but lots of good stuff.
- Verses 3, 10 - These verses tell us that it was Jesus, not the Father, who created the world.
- Verse 14 - The "Word" is Jesus.

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

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

60IN60 Next Round

The next round of 60IN60 starts tomorrow.

60IN60 Next Round

 The next round of 60IN60 starts Monday.

60IN60 Day 60 - Thurs Nov 2

 It's Day 60 and we're in Revelation 19.

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

Help:
- Verse 7 - "wedding" - This idea goes along with the thought that we are the "Bride of Christ."
- Verse 12 - Again, symbolism.
- Verse 15 - Obviously not a literal thing, but a symbolic way to refer to the words He speaks.

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

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

60IN60 Day 59 - Wed Nov 1

It's Day 59 and we're in Revelation 18.

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

Help:
- Verses 1-24 - This chapter focuses on the judgment of the Great Babylon.

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

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

60IN60 Day 58 - Tues Oct 31

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.

60IN60 Day 57 - Mon Oct 30

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. 

60IN60 Day 56 - Sun Oct 29

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. 

60IN60 Day 55 - Sat Oct 28

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. 

60IN60 Day 54 - Fri Oct 27

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. 

60IN60 Day 53 - Thurs Oct 26

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. 

60IN60 Day 52 - Wed Oct 25

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. 

Your Questions and Comments:

- "Proverbs 31 - When you read this chapter describing a godly woman, it's kind of exhausting!  Lol. Do you think all of these verses apply to what one woman should be?  Or do these verses point out all of the different ways a woman can be godly?" - Two things. First, I don't think is a list that every woman is supposed to exactly emulate. I think it's a picture of what one virtuous woman looks like and there are things to learn from it. But compared, for instance, to the list of the fruit of the Spirit, which we should all have, I don't think every woman has to be exactly like that. Second, I also think it's worth noting that the passage is not what a lot of people might expect from an ancient passage about a virtuous woman. For instance, this woman is quite the businesswoman (see, for instance, verses 16-17).

60IN60 Day 51 - Tues Oct 24

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.

60IN60 Day 50 - Mon Oct 23

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.

Your Comments and Questions:

- "Acts 26:32. Personally I think it was God's will for Paul to appear to Caesar to further Christianity to other parts of the world. If there are other comments would like to know their thoughts." - I think that is the best way to interpret those events. I suppose the main other way to understand it would be it was an accident of circumstances. That obviously seems unlikely in the case of Paul.

60IN60 Day 49 - Sun Oct 22

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.

60IN60 Day 48 - Sat Oct 21

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.

60IN60 Day 47 - Fri Oct 20

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. 

60IN60 Day 46 - Thurs Oct 19

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.

60IN60 Day 45 - Wed Oct 18

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.

60IN60 Day 44 - Tues Oct 17

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.

60IN60 Day 43 - Mon Oct 16

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.

60IN60 Day 42 - Sun Oct 15

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.

60IN60 Day 41 - Sat Oct 14

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.

60IN60 Day 40 - Fri Oct 13

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.

60IN60 Day 39 - Thurs Oct 12

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. 

60IN60 Day 38 - Wed Oct 11

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.

60IN60 Day 37 - Tues Oct 10

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.

60IN60 Day 36 - Mon Oct 9

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.

Your Questions and Comments: 

- “'Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."' Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭48‬-‭49‬ ‭NIV‬‬. If Jesus had been causing an uproar, been around town teaching, and such why did they need a signal to show who he was?" - Good question. The fact that Jesus had achieved some notoriety and had crowds following Him didn't mean that everyone had gotten to see Him. Especially for Roman soliders, there were undoubtedly a lot of people who had heard of Him but not seen Him in person. It's also worth remembering that this was an era before TV or pictures, so if you hadn't seen Him teaching, you wouldn't know what He looked like. Finally, the raid was happening at night, which increased the difficulty of making sure you got the right person. With Judas' ability to get close to Christ, it was a good plan to let him come up to Jesus and give Him a kiss on the cheek to identify Him.

60IN60 Day 35 - Sun Oct 8

It's Day 35 and we're in Matthew 28.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 19-20 - This is our responsibility: to spread the word by spreading the Word.

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

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

60IN60 Day 34 - Sat Oct 7

It's Day 34 and we're in Matthew 27.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - It's sad to me that the religious leaders were so careful to not violate their rules while they were in the process of betraying the Savior. We can miss the big picture so easily.

Help:
- Verses 12, 14 - "no reply" - Why? Because I think the case against Him was so shallow and weak that He could have easily refuted their arguments.
- Verse 52 - This is an incredible detail not to be overlooked: the miracles that accompanied Jesus' death.

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 and Comments:

- "In Matthew 24:20 the NIV scripture states, Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. What is the significance of Jesus telling us to pray that this does not occur in Winter or on the Sabbath?" - It most likely points to practical concerns. The overall passage is discussing the trials and problems that will come along with these end times events. As those mentioned in the passage are fleeing, it's already a horrible situation with the Antichrist in charge. In that dire circumstance, you don't need additional problems, like dealing with bad weather during the winter or with the Jews around Palestine who might try to stone you for traveling on the Sabbath day. You don't need extra trouble when things are already so bad.

60IN60 Day 33 - Fri Oct 6

It's Day 33 and we're in Matthew 26.

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 15 - Judas betrays for money. How many Americans essentially do the same thing, betraying a life of faithfully following Jesus in order to have a certain lifestyle?

Help:
- Verse 11 - This is not Jesus saying, "Don't care for the poor." He's simply noting that the moment was an unusual one that fully justified the expensive sacrifice.
- Verse 17 - The Feast of Unleavened Bread is also known as the Passover.

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

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

60IN60 Day 32 - Thurs Oct 5

It's Day 32 and we're in Matthew 25.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 20-21 - These are words that I want to hear - that I have been faithful and fruitful for my King.

Help:
- Verses 1-13 - This parable is about salvation. The lesson is that there are not endless second chances to get right with God. When Jesus shows up, you need to be ready.
- Verse 29 - This sounds unfair, but all it's basically saying is: at the judgment, those who have been faithful in service will be rewarded and have more, while those who have been negligent in their service will have what little they have justly taken away from them.
- Verse 30 - This is a reference to hell.

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

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

60IN60 Day 31 - Wed Oct 4

It's Day 31 and we're in Matthew 24.

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 45-47 - Those who are faithful in the jobs they're given now will be given greater authority in the Kingdom to come ("in charge of all his possessions").

Help:
- Verses 1-51 - The context of this passage is talking about "end of time" things.
- Verse 29 - "stars" - As I mentioned the other day, the definition of "stars" here is not the modern one, but merely things from the heavens.
- Verse 34 - "generation" - The word "generation" can also be translated "race" and he was basically saying, "Humanity will not end before these events have taken place."

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

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

60IN60 Day 30 - Tues Oct 3

It's Day 30 and we're in Matthew 23.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 12 - We have to humble ourselves in obedience and believe that He will use us powerfully once we're more mature in Christ.

Help:
- Verse 4 - This means that they were laying out teachings that were impossible for people to live out, making trying to follow God seem like a "heavy load."
- Verse 9 - My presumption here is that this has more to do with calling someone like a pastor your "father," since the whole chapter is about religious pride and hypocrisy. I don't think that it pertains to your Dad.
- Verse 13 - How were they doing this? Because they were sharing false teachings, when people would come to them to try to find the way to God, the instruction they were giving those people was actually keeping them away from God rather than opening the door to an abundant life in God.
- Verse 23 - They would tithe the spices they grew in their garden.
- Verse 25 - Jesus is using the analogy here of cleaning a cup. Like cleaning the outside of a cup but failing to clean the inside, the Pharisees were focusing on externals and ignoring what was on the inside.
- Verses 29-31 - Basically saying, you're condemning the Israelite leaders of old who condemned God's true prophets, but you're their descendants both in lineage and action.

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

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

60IN60 Day 29 - Mon Oct 2

It's Day 29 and we're in Matthew 22.

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:
- Verses 24-28 - They had their little ironclad theological puzzle, yet they didn't understand the larger truths that rendered their point moot. We can get too full of ourselves and all our theological knowledge. A little humility is much needed.

Help:
- Verses 1-14 - The overall analogy is about salvation.
- Verses 5-6 - They weren't just apathetic toward what the king wanted - they were in active, murderous opposition.
- Verses 11-12 - We have to be "dressed" in the righteousness that comes from Christ.
- Verse 17 - This was intended as a trap for Jesus. Two groups had come to Jesus (see verses 15-16). If Jesus said, "Don't pay the tax," the Herodians (who were in sympathy with King Herod) would have taken news of that to Herod and they could have arrested Jesus as inciting rebellion against the king. If Jesus said, "Pay the tax," the Pharisees (who were in opposition to the Roman government) would have gone to the people and said, "Jesus is just a patsy for the hated Romans!"
- Verse 24 - This way of doing things was how things were handled in the Old Testament times. Marriage back then was rarely for love. We consider marriage for love to be the only option, but that's been the minority opinion throughout history.
- Verses 42-46 - This is a puzzle Jesus gives to them. The gist: David calls the promised Christ "Lord"; but David was older (i.e. lived before) than the promised Christ, so the Christ should have called David "Lord" (out of respect toward an elder); why doesn't David do that? It's because the Christ wasn't just an ordinary descendant - it was the Son of God. The puzzle revealed that the Pharisees didn't understand all the Old Testament prophecies about who the Christ would be.

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

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

60IN60 Day 28 - Sun Oct 1

It's Day 28 and we're in Proverbs 27.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 15 - Very thankful that I don't have that problem, but I've seen it time and again in others' lives.

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

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

60IN60 Day 27 - Sat Sept 30

It's Day 27 and we're in Proverbs 26.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - Gross, but so true.

Help:
- Verse 2 - I think this means that punishment is ultimately only enforced by God when the person is guilty.
- Verse 13 - In other words, a lazy person will make up any excuse not to work.

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

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

60IN60 Day 26 - Fri Sept 29

It's Day 26 and we're in Proverbs 25.

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 20 - Good to remember when you're with someone struggling.

Help:
- Verse 2 - I think what He has in mind here is the mystery of salvation. People didn't understand what exactly God had in mind to do when the Savior came to earth. Jesus was more than anyone expected.
- Verse 3 - In the sense of understanding why they do what they do. That's something that other people just don't always get.
- Verse 13 - It didn't normally snow at harvest time, so this is likely speaking of melted snow as a cold drink.
- Verses 21-22 - Obviously not literally hot coals, but instead that your actions will make the person realize they are in the wrong and perhaps they'll feel bad about what they've done and repent.

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

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

60IN60 Day 25 - Thurs Sept 28

It's Day 25 and we're in Revelation 7.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 9 - I like the image of the huge multitude, so great that none of us could count it, all worshiping God. That's going to be awesome.

Help:
- Verse 1 - "four corners" - Figurative language that just means the ends of the earth.
- Verse 9 - "no one could count" - That means no person could count, not that God is unable to number them.
- Verse 14 - "white in blood" - How can something be made white by putting blood on it? What is being talked about here is the idea that we are forgiven by the blood of Jesus.

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

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

60IN60 Day 24 - Wed Sept 27

It's Day 24 and we're in Revelation 6.

As you read, listen for where God wants to speak to you. What jumps out to you? What speaks to situations you're dealing with right now? 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 15 - This is going to be a horrible time. Not all that the future holds is wonderful.

Help:
- Verses 1-17 - This chapter tells of a horrible time coming in the future when for a while life on earth will be horrific. It's part of end times.
- Verse 9 - Not like hiding under a table, but obviously a huge area with an altar that's high and lifted up, with these saints standing there asking about how soon justice was coming.
- Verse 13 - "stars. . . fell" - The word "stars" here isn't defined the way that modern science does. It just means heavenly bodies. The way we define it today, the sun is the nearest "star" and that's obviously not what's in mind here.
- Verse 14 - This language speaks of earth-shattering, 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.

60IN60 Day 23 - Tues Sept 26

It's Day 23 and we're in Revelation 5.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 8 - It's an interesting (perhaps mostly symbolic) detail that the prayers of the saints create a sweet smell in the presence of God. It's encouraging to know that He sees our conversation with Him in that positive a way.

Help:
- Verse 5 - "Lion," "root" - Both of these are symbolic titles for Jesus, arising from the Old Testament. The lion imagery has to do with Him as a warrior and conqueror; the root has to do with Him being of the line of David.
- Verse 6 - "Lamb" - Another title, having to do with Jesus' willingness to sacrifice Himself, along the lines of a way a lamb was sacrificed for the sins of the people in the Old Testament sacrificial system.
- Verse 9 - "with your blood" - Meaning that our forgiveness comes through the sacrifice of His blood.
- Verse 14 - "fell down" - Meaning to bow down in worship, not to trip.

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.