60IN60 Day 30 - Tues Feb 4

It's Day 30 and we're in Luke 16.

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

Help:
- Verses 1-9 - This is an unusual story.  The point I take from it is this: use what you control to accomplish your goal.  The manager wanted to have someone to help him after he was fired and so he used the resources still under his control to accomplish that.  In our lives, we need to figure out what our life's goal is (exalt Christ?  make my life easier?) and then use the resources I have to accomplish that.
- Verse 16 - "forcing his way" - Probably simply an expression of the zealous interest that many were showing in Christ's teaching.
- Verse 18 - There are other passages that give a more nuanced understanding of Jesus' stand on divorce.  This is merely a statement of the general principle.

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

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

60IN60 Day 29 - Mon Feb 3

It's Day 29 and we're in Luke 15.

A tool for your reading that can be useful is a study Bible. A study Bible is just a Bible that has notes in it to help explain some of the harder passages. If you don't have one and would like me to recommend one, just let me know. I'd be happy to suggest a few good ones. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 32 - "had to celebrate" - There is something so wonderful about a lost child coming home that you're compelled to celebrate.

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

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

60IN60 Day 28 - Sun Feb 2

It's Day 28 and we're in Luke 14.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 12-14 - This is a command from Jesus, and yet I can't say I know of anyone ever actually doing that.

Help:
- Verse 26 - This means "hate by comparison to your overwhelming love for God."  Obviously Jesus said the second greatest commandment was to love those around you, so He clearly doesn't want us to be mean to folks.  What He's getting at here is that our love and devotion to Him needs to above and beyond anyone else.
- Verse 33 - This doesn't mean that we have to sell all we have and become homeless, but it does mean that we have to be willing to make whatever financial sacrifices Christ asks us to.

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

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

60IN60 Day 27 - Sat Feb 1

It's Day 27 and we're in Luke 13.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 34 - Many times these days Christians complain (justifiably) about the moral state of America.  I wonder if our attitude should be more like this verse - pained longing, rather than our usual righteous finger-pointing.

Help:
- Verse 24 - This is not saying there are many who want to enter the Kingdom and have done everything they should have but God will not let them in.  Rather, it's saying there are many who will presume that they're ok with God only to have God confront them with the fact that they haven't done what God said was necessary to enter the Kingdom.  See Matthew 7:13-14 for a similar passage.  Those Matthew verses are then followed by a lot of talk about how essential it is to actually obey the teaching of Christ.  I think a similar idea is at play here: there are a lot of people who claim to love God, but who are not obeying the teaching of Christ in their lives.  They will "seek to enter" when they get to heaven, but "will not be able" because they didn't do what Jesus said to do.

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

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

Your Questions and Comments:

- "In v 1 is the idea that God knows everything or is there some public airing of sins and secrets coming? Can you please tell us more about v 49-53? Why are families being divided? Is He speaking about separating believers from non-believers? Is he talking about heaven and hell or some separation here on earth?" - Good questions. I'll handle them one by one.

"In v 1 is the idea that God knows everything or is there some public airing of sins and secrets coming?" - Verses 1-3 speak of what is done in secret being made known. I do think it speaks to a public Final Judgment, although we can't be certain about that. Some disagree with me and think Final Judgment will just be "me and God," without witnesses. At the very least, what it means is that the things we do that no one else knows about are known to God and will be brought out at Final Judgment. (For Christians, that judgment is not about our salvation but instead about our rewards.) The larger point that Jesus is making here goes back to v. 1, where He mentions the danger of hypocrisy. We should not live our lives with a public image and a different private reality. Instead, because we know that our "behind-the-scenes" is known to God, we should try to live a life where we are genuinely changed and close to Him.

"Can you please tell us more about v 49-53? Why are families being divided? Is He speaking about separating believers from non-believers? Is he talking about heaven and hell or some separation here on earth?" - There are some who might believe that message of the Messiah would unite everyone and cause them all to be on the same page. No so, says Jesus. His message will be embraced by some but will be strongly rejected by others. This is, of course, exactly what happens during Jesus' time on earth - some willing to die in His name, others who want to crucify Him. His message is powerful, life-changing, and radical - but it's also controversial because it doesn't fit into the way some people want to live their lives. He is coming to bring "fire on the earth" (v. 49) - that is, a message that will transform lives but will be controversial. This is focused on His death and resurrection, which is the "I have a baptism to undergo" that He mentions in v. 50. (It's not His literal baptism but it's the symbolic baptism of dying and resurrecting.) Will what He does in all this "bring peace on earth" (v. 51)? No, it will bring "division" (v. 51). Even with something as normally unified as a family, there will be those who believe in Him and those who reject Him (vv. 52-53). This is a reference to believers and non-believers in this life disagreeing on who Jesus is and whether He is worth following. It's not really speaking, as you ask, to a "separation" here on earth, but more toward a disagreement here on earth about whether Jesus is worthy to be believed and followed. This has proven true in many families over the centuries where Jesus has been a dividing point.

60IN60 Day 26 - Fri Jan 31

It's Day 26 and we're in Luke 12.

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:
- Verse 31 - I love this verse (and its parallel in Matthew 6:33).  Put God first, seek His Kingdom, and He'll take care of all this other 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.

60IN60 Day 25 - Thurs Jan 30

It's Day 25 and we're in Luke 11.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - For all of us who aren't particularly good at prayer or find prayer difficult, it's encouraging to know that the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray and He didn't rebuke them for that.

Help:
- Verses 49-51 - This is tough to understand, but I take it to say something like, "You all are in an advantaged position - you have all the history of Israel to look back on and learn from.  Yet, rather than learning, you're every bit the hypocrites that your forefathers were.  Therefore the guilt just continues to pour out on you."
- Verse 52 - What is the "key to knowledge"?  He doesn't say here.  One obvious explanation would be that the key is Jesus.  Another possibility, given the Pharisees' habits, was that the key is avoiding hypocrisy.

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 Jan 29

It's Day 24 and we're in Luke 10.

An encouragement as you read the Bible today: in Acts 17:11, it tells of some Christians in Berea who "received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether [what we taught was Biblical]." Let's be like them. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 41-42 - How many of us need to heed this?  There are so many things to get done in a day, but "only one thing is needed."

Help:
- Verses 4-11 - These are instructions for the disciples when Jesus sent them out.  These are not instructions for all disciples at all times.
- Verse 18 - I take this to mean that Satan was accusing the disciples before God for their unworthiness for the mission that Jesus had sent them on, but the power of God overwhelmed their inadequacies.  Angry, Satan came back down to earth ("fall from heaven like lightning").
- Verse 19 - This is, like verses 4-11, only true for the disciples at that time and not all disciples for all 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 23 - Tues Jan 28

It's Day 23 and we're in Luke 9.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - "He. . . gave them power" - God desires to give us power that we might be able to make a difference in the world.

Help:
- Verse 18 - That's oddly phrased.  I think it means, "Jesus went away with His disciples to get some time praying alone.  While on that retreat, the disciples asked. . ."
- Verse 23 - What does that mean?  It means that put aside our desires and pursue where He's leading us.  "Taking up your cross" means being willing to make sacrifices for the Kingdom.
- Verse 24 - What does this mean?  It means that we need to pursue what God is calling us to do, even when it causes us to have to make sacrifices we'd rather not make.  We do this presuming that His leading will take us to real life.
- Verse 59 - The best explanation of this I've read is that the phrase used by the man was one that meant that that his father was not yet dead but that he wanted to wait until that had happened and was taken care of.

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:

- "First time I read this book [Ecclesiastes], I kept thinking what is this in the Bible for? Until I got over to Chapter 12:13-14." - It's such an odd book, but it's actually my favorite Old Testament book. It's a very modern book. You're absolutely right, though, if you don't understand the point the author is working toward, the book is really difficult to make heads or tails out of. 

60IN60 Day 22 - Mon Jan 27

It's Day 22 and we're in Ecclesiastes 3.

What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? We have the Word so that as believers we can be "equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17). Read the Word so you're ready for what life throws at you. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - He has "set eternity in their hearts."  There is something within each of us that longs for life beyond this life.  I think it's there because there is life beyond this life.

Help:
- Verse 1-22 - Remember that Ecclesiastes is written from the perspective of someone trying to make sense of life without a vibrant relationship with God in their life.  Understanding that helps passages like verses 17-22 to make more sense - those are not the words of someone who deeply understands God.

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

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

Your Questions and Comments:

- "Colossians 3. I heard a lesson on this passage, and the teacher said 'we don't just open a closet door and the clothes jump onto our body. We have to PUT ON what we choose to wear'. Spiritually, we should choose kindness, compassion, patience, etc., and PUT them ON at the start of our day."

60IN60 Day 21 - Sun Jan 26

It's Day 21 and we're in Ecclesiastes 2.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - Without the hope of eternal life, there is a bitterness in knowing our only legacy is left to those who may mistreat it.

Help:
- Verse 1-26 - It's essential to understand the purpose of Ecclesiastes.  It is a wise man who is not following God describing how the world seems to him.  What is why it references all these wonderful things of life that the writer (almost certainly Solomon) ultimately finds "vanity" (i.e. meaningless).  The point of Ecclesiastes is this: no matter how much of the wonders and glory of this earth you experience, if you don't have God in your life, you will ultimately find it meaningless.  Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book because it speaks so clearly to today.

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

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

60IN60 Day 20 - Sat Jan 25

It's Day 20 and we're in Ecclesiastes 1.

What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? "All Scripture is. . . profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Reading the Bible will make your day more "profitable." 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - More knowledge often makes your life more difficult.

Help:
- Verses 1-18 - It's essential to understand the purpose of Ecclesiastes.  It is a wise man who is not following God describing how the world seems to him.  What is why it references all these wonderful things of life that the writer (almost certainly Solomon) ultimately finds "vanity" (i.e. meaningless).  The point of Ecclesiastes is this: no matter how much of the wonders and glory of this earth you experience, if you don't have God in your life, you will ultimately find it meaningless.  Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book because it speaks so clearly to today.

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

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

60IN60 Day 19 - Fri Jan 24

It's Day 19 and we're in Colossians 4.

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 2 - I like the idea he puts out here about "keeping alert" (NASB) in our prayers. I think too often we pray without diligently watching for and expecting an answer.

Help:
- Verse 1 - On the difficult subject of slavery, there are some passages (like this one) where Paul addresses how they should live while in bondage and other passages where he encourages them to get their freedom if they are able.

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 Jan 23

It's Day 18 and we're in Colossians 3.

Occasionally email providers route 60IN60 into spam folders. If your 60IN60 email doesn't show up one morning, check your spam to see if it got put there.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 9-10 - Fully enjoying the spiritual power that God offers us requires a daily choice to "put off" our old self and "put on" our new self. The resources are there, but we have to choose to use them.

Help:
- Verse 3 - "For you died" - This means we died spiritually. In becoming a Christian, we are spiritually "buried" with Him and then spiritually "raised to life." We are a new creation. The old (spiritual) person is dead.

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 Jan 22

It's Day 17 and we're in Colossians 2.

We have lots of excuses for why we don't read the Bible: "I'm too busy," "I don't know where to start," "I tried it once and got confused," "I just never got around to it." I hope "60IN60" helps you to be able to overcome those excuses and experience a rewarding time in the Word. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - It is a great encouragement when you see fellow Christians making substantive spiritual 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.

Your Comments and Questions:

- "This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.  It contains my favorite prayer (9-12).  This is the prayer I say for my grandchildren.  13-20 also really speaks to me.  A very powerful chapter!" - Paul's prayers are great to incorporate into our own prayer lives. He really gets to the point.

60IN60 Day 16 - Tues Jan 21

It's Day 16 and we're in Colossians 1.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 29 - What a great phrase: "struggling with all His energy." We work forward with His power, even when (or maybe "especially when") it's a struggle.

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 Jan 20

It's Day 15 and we're in Isaiah 61.

One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It cuts through the clutter. We are surrounded by tons of information, but so much of it is essentially irrelevant to a meaningful life. The Bible speaks to the issues that matter. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - These are the verses Jesus quoted as He began His ministry.  They tell us so much about the kind of Kingdom He intended: one for the brokenhearted, the poor, the captive.

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 Jan 19

It's Day 14 and we're in Isaiah 54.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 17 - That first phrase is one that's often claimed in prayer by Christians anticipating victory.

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 Jan 18

It's Day 13 and we're in Isaiah 11.

If you come across something in your reading that doesn't make sense at first, be quick to re-read and to ask questions. If I can help answer anything, drop me an email. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 2 - We have that Spirit within us: the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.  Seems like we should be listening more often to Someone that great.

Help:
- Verses 6-9 - This refers to a time in the future when the world will be as it should be.  Some believe this refers to the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.  Some believe this refers to the time described in Revelation 21-22 when there will be a new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem.

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 Jan 17

It's Day 12 and we're in Isaiah 6.

We'll just be choosing a few of the best chapters from the book of Isaiah as we read over the next few days.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - Part of coming into the true presence of God is that we are made keenly aware of how inadequate we are.  It's not a pleasant thing, but it's part of being near Someone so purely holy.

Help:
- Verses 9-10 - This makes it sound like God desires that they not repent.  I think it's less a statement of what God desires and more a statement of the way the people actually are.  God is sending Isaiah knowing the people will not respond the way He wishes they would.

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 Jan 16

It's Day 11 and we're in 1 Kings 19.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3 - It's amazing (and true to life) how Elijah can move from such a stunning victory (chapter 18) to running for his life so quickly.  I've often seen it in my life how in the space of just a few hours things can go from amazing victory to total meltdown.

Help:
- Verses 1-21 - There are tons of signs here that Elijah is dealing with what we would diagnose today as depression.  Just because we are following God or working for God doesn't mean that we aren't going to deal with problems like everyone else does.

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 Jan 15

It's Day 10 and we're in 1 Kings 18.

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 43 - It's odd that after that dramatic and immediate answer from God, this time he has to pray multiple times.  Sometimes God works that way.

Help:
- Verse 17 - Elijah was just bringing God's message, yet he is personally condemned for 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 9 - Tues Jan 14

It's Day 9 and we're in 1 Kings 17.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 18, 20 - How often our first instinct is to blame God.

Help: 
- Verse 1 - Ahab is the king.

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

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

Your Questions and Comments:

- "Please comment on verse 18 of Luke 8." - Jesus begins "Therefore carefully consider how you listen." The "therefore" points us back to the previous two verses, where Jesus talks about how you don't hide a lamp once you light it but instead you use it to light the whole room. He follows that by saying that nothing will be concealed. The point that He's getting at in those verses is that God hasn't brought His truth into the world (through Jesus) to then try to hide it from people. He wants people to know the truth through Jesus. That brings us to v. 18 and "Therefore carefully consider how you listen." Jesus is basically saying, "God is doing all He can to share this truth with you. So if you don't get it that's not because He's trying to hide it from you. No, it would be because you're not listening carefully to what's He's sharing. So "carefully consider how you listen." In other words, pay attention to what God is trying to tell you. Jesus continues, "Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him." This is the result of how we are listening. If we listen carefully to His truth, we start with a little truth ("whoever has") and we keep gaining more truth ("more will be given"). If we ignore or dismiss His truth, then we'll just end up with no truth ("whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him") when we come to Final Judgment and realize we were living for the wrong things.

60IN60 Day 8 - Mon Jan 13

It's Day 8 and we're in Luke 8.

Occasionally there may be a problem with the email distribution and your daily email may not show up. Usually when that happens you can still view it at www.60in60Bible.org. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 21 - True believers are not those who say they believe in Jesus, but those who "put it into practice."

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 Jan 12

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

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 9 - Jesus was impressed because this man believed when Jesus said it then it was as good as done.

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 Jan 11

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

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - It's amazing how focused we can become on our theology and miss the obvious move of God that's right in front of our face.

Help:
- Verse 2 - It didn't violate the Mosaic Law; it violated their rules derived from the Mosaic Law.
- Verses 21-22 - I think the point is not that we are to be miserable, but that need to have a hunger and desire for things that are beyond this world.
- Verses 24-26 - We need to make sure we aren't content with the petty things that this world can offer 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 5 - Fri Jan 10

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

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 - When God sends a harvest, it's abundant. I want to see that kind of abundant harvest in our church.

Help:
- Verse 11, 27-28 - They had heard Jesus before. This was not following-a-stranger deal.
- Verse 17 - Apparently the faith that the people had (or didn't have) impacted His ability to heal.
- Verse 35 - We should be fasting regularly, but almost none of us do.
- Verses 36-39 - He's saying that He's come to do a new thing and He's not going to just try to patch up the old.

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 Jan 9

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

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 14 - I want to see "the power of the Spirit" flowing through my 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.

60IN60 Day 3 - Wed Jan 8

It's Day 3 and we're in Luke 3.

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 8 - Repentance is not just saying we're sorry - there also has to be a change in the our actions.

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

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

60IN60 Day 2 - Tues Jan 7

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

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 46 - Even for Christ, wisdom was a matter of learning.

Help:
- Verse 52 - Part of the humility of Christ becoming human was that He had to learn along the way. He was not a baby in Mary's arms already understanding everything. He "played by the rules" of being human.

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 Jan 6

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

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 65 - NASB says they were filled with "fear." It's amazing how even God doing good things can fill some with fear.

Help:
- Verse 6 - Not that they were perfect, but they were faithfully pursuing God within the Old Testament sacrifice system.
- Verse 17 - This verse quotes Malachi 4:6 - the last verse of the Old Testament. It's an unusual phrase, the point of which seems to be that the fathers will turn their hearts back toward doing what's right for their children.

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 will begin on Monday.

60IN60 Next Round

The next round of 60IN60 will begin on Monday.

60IN60 Day 60 - Thurs Jan 2

It's Day 60 and we're in 1 Corinthians 13.

Congratulations! You made it through the 60 days! We will begin a new 60 days next Monday. To continue for another round, you don't have to do anything - the updates will just keep coming.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 7 - Love gives the benefit of the doubt.

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 Jan 1

It’s Day 59 and we're in 1 Corinthians 12.

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

Help

- Verse 1 – Every believer is given a spiritual gift by God at the moment of salvation for use in service.
- Verses 7-10 – Some of these gifts are not active today, but were only active in the early church. One example is the gift of tongues. Of course, my Pentecostal brothers in Christ would disagree with me. ;-)

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

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