60IN60 Day 1 - Mon Nov 2

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

Because of the way the months fall, we have a little overlap between the end of the last "60IN60" cycle and the new one, so today is Day 1 of a new cycle instead of Day 57 of the old one.  "60IN60" starts the first Monday of every other month.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 24 - Sometimes the word from the Lord points you in directions that you weren't planning on going.

Help:
- Verses 1-16 - The genealogy makes for mostly dry reading, but it's in there because it's important to establish the Jewish lineage of Jesus in order to show that He is qualified to be the Messiah.

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:

- 2 Samuel 12. "I used to hate verse 15; in fact, it scared me. What kind of God was I chasing? David was the culprit. David, whose moniker was The Warrior King, didn't go out with the rest in the spring but stayed back and, for all intents and purposes, raped a married woman. A woman whose husband fought for David wholeheartedly. There's no indication in scripture that Bathsheba knew him as anything other than the King. She's bathing at night. Why is David out and about on the rooftops? He sends for her, and this wasn't a request. She conceives and David searches for a way out. Then God steps in and strikes the child. Hard as this is to accept, God's covenant was always with Israel. Time and again, God intervenes in Israel's history lest they get wiped out because if Israel ceased to be, no redeemer for  mankind could be born. Who knew how this child could have affected God's redemptive plan?. Absalom did his damage, but this child of Bathsheba's, when the truth came out, could have easily started a civil war. Uriah was loyal to his men; undoubtedly, they felt the same way about him. In all likelihood, other commanders and their troops would have joined in. The nation of Israel would have destroyed itself over a one night stand. Secondly, David (why he was given so much godly wisdom I'll never know) makes the statement, 'I am going to him, but he will not return to me.' David knew of the redemptive promise and is saying that the child is now with God. I don't believe he was speaking of the netherworld, but union with God. He's hopeful and surprisingly cheerful.  That he goes on to make Bathsheba his wife is another discussion."

60IN60 Day 56 - Sun Nov 1

It's Day 56 and we're in 2 Samuel 12.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - I think the core thing that God loved about David (and the Bible makes it clear that He did love him) is wrapped up in this verse and similar ones. There is a humility in David acknowledging that he is guilty. That doesn't justify the horrific behavior, but it's something that God can work with.

Help:
- Verse 15 - I don't like this verse (I'm not saying it's not true - I'm just saying I don't like it). I understand within the larger situation why this would happen, but it would seem a much fairer punishment would be for David to get sick.

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 31

It's Day 55 and we're in 2 Samuel 11.

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:
- Verse 15 - How far are we willing to go to cover up our sin? Usually, it's farther than we would have originally guessed.

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 30

It's Day 54 and we're in 2 Samuel 10.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 3-4 - So many of the problems that societies and people encounter aren't necessary. They're merely the result of our stupidity in handling situations poorly.

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 29

It's Day 53 and we're in 2 Samuel 9. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 8 - I hope we've all experienced moments of generosity from God where we felt the same way.

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

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

Your Comments and Questions:

- 2 Samuel 6. "Although we don't get struck down for disobedience like Uzzah, could the Ark and this punishment be symbolic too?  Losing your life for just touching the Ark seems very harsh. But God had do's and don'ts in place for the Ark just like he has for us. Maybe Uzzah's death was to show the Israelites that there is no 'small' disobedience; and the same for us. A person can take $20 from dad's wallet, or rob a bank of $20,000; both are stealing. A married person could have a one-night stand, or an affair that goes on for years; it's still adultery. How often does a small thing, left unchecked, become a big thing? We watch a movie with 'just mild profanity' then it becomes our everyday speech. We start missing church once a week then before we know it we haven't been in months. We decide to check our email and find we've wasted 3 hours sitting at the computer surfing the internet. I see this incident with the Ark as God saying, 'if you want my greatest blessings, you need to be obedient in the small things before they become big things'." 

60IN60 Day 52 - Wed Oct 28

It's Day 52 and we're in 2 Samuel 8.

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

Help:
- Verse 2 - Why David chose this unusual, random, and seemingly cruel method for executing some of his enemy is a mystery to me.

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

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

60IN60 Day 51 - Tues Oct 27

It's Day 51 and we're in 2 Samuel 7.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - We need to hold onto some of this "who am I" no matter how long we've been walking with God.  Spiritual pride is deadly.

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

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

60IN60 Day 50 - Mon Oct 26

It's Day 50 and we're in 2 Samuel 6.

Is the Bible an old dusty book? Nope - ". . . the Word of God is living and active. . ." (Hebrews 4:12). Dig into today expecting it to speak to you. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 14, 16 - When you're praising God with abandon, oblivious to others' opinions, you're probably going to end up making someone unhappy.

Help:
- Verses 7-8 - This seems like a harsh punishment for the "crime."  God had given the Israelites, though, specific instructions on how to move the ark (Numbers 4:5, 10-12, 15). Here in today's passage they were disregarding God's instructions. They were supposed to carry the ark on poles. Only the Levites who descended from Kahoth were to do the carrying. And they were not to touch the ark or they would die. This puts the incident in another light. This wasn't God completely unexpectedly doing something He'd never mentioned before; rather it was Israel deliberately treating casually something that God had given very specific directions about. You'll note that in the second attempt they make to move the ark they carefully fulfill all the instructions.

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 49 - Sun Oct 25

It's Day 49 and we're in 2 Samuel 5.

We're going to be reading some of the key passages where David takes over as king up through his sin with Bathsheba.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - Instead of trying harder, we need to get closer to God.  One of the consequences would be that God would move on our behalf and we would see greater things through our lives.

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

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

60IN60 Day 48 - Sat Oct 24

It's Day 48 and we're in Luke 24.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 49 - A good principle to remember: don't move till you receive power from on high.

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

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

60IN60 Day 47 - Fri Oct 23

It's Day 47 and we're in Luke 23.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 39 - "Save Yourself and us!" - He couldn't do both, and He chose to save us.

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

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

60IN60 Day 46 - Thurs Oct 22

It's Day 46 and we're in Luke 22.

What's the Bible say about the book you're reading today? "All Scripture is inspired by God. . ." (2 Timothy 3:16). So reading the Bible helps me know how God sees things. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 35 - I needed the reminder today that He won't allow me to lack what I need.

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

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

60IN60 Day 45 - Wed Oct 21

It's Day 45 and we're in Luke 21.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 10-24 - These are frightening and upsetting ideas that we'd rather ignore, but Christ says they are a part of the future.  We've got to squarely face them. . . and be ready.

Help:
- Verse 18 - Verse 18 is a word of comfort, but you have read it in the context of verse 16.  This is not a promise that no trouble will come, but that we are eternally protected spiritually.

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

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

60IN60 Day 44 - Tues Oct 20

It's Day 44 and we're in Luke 20.

One thing that's important as we read daily: being eager to hear Him speak to you. Go into your reading expectant that God desires to share something with you. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 46-47 - God help me to live a life of spiritual honesty and not settle for a façade of spirituality the way the Pharisees did.

Help:
- Verses 41-44 - This can be a difficult passage to understand.  The gist of it is this:  The Christ was to come after David.  Given that the ancestors generally received greater honor, the Christ should have honored David (his ancestor) by calling him "Lord."  Instead, the Bible records that David calls the Christ "Lord."  Why?  The correct answer (and one that His enemies would not want to acknowledge) is that the Christ was born after David, but was greater than him because He was God Incarnate.

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

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

60IN60 Day 43 - Mon Oct 19

It's Day 43 and we're in Luke 19.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - It's enormously encouraging to know that God wants us to live productive, fruitful lives - lives that produce ten-fold, a hundred-fold.  It's also enormously challenging to know that God expects great things from our lives through the power of the Spirit.

Help:
- Verses 8-9 - It seems odd that Jesus claims salvation for Zac here even though he hasn't made a traditional "confession of faith."  I think that what Zac does is an indication of the internal change of heart that has happened.  At the end of the day, it's not saying a particular set of words that gets us right with God - it's grabbing onto Jesus and wanting Him in our hearts to change our lives that matters.

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

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

Your Questions and Comments:

- A comment from a 60IN60 participant. Acts 12. "Why don't we pray like this for people? Because we are comfortable and not in chains."

- A comment from a 60IN60 participant. Acts 12. "Interesting that God allows James to be slaughtered but miraculously saves Peter.  From a human perspective it seems so arbitrary and unfair."

60IN60 Day 42 - Sun Oct 18

It's Day 42 and we're in Luke 18.

Remember that your daily reading in the Bible isn't about gaining information - it's about changing your life to be more like Christ. That means that you need to take action on what God speaks to you about. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 29-30 - I really needed these this morning to deal with a problem I'm facing.  God supplied the promise I needed at the right moment.

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

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

60IN60 Day 41 - Sat Oct 17

It's Day 41 and we're in Luke 17.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 5 - This is a cry we all need to be making regularly.

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

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

60IN60 Day 40 - Fri Oct 16

It's Day 40 and we're in Acts 12.

One thing that can impede God speaking to you is the presence of unconfessed sin in your life. Are you coming to the Word today with a clean heart or are you holding things back from God? 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 12 - Why don't we pray like this for people?

Help:
- Verse 15 - This is the only passage that seems to hint at the idea of guardian angels.

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

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

60IN60 Day 39 - Thurs Oct 15

It's Day 39 and we're in Acts 11.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 18 - Sometimes God's message to us surprises and we have that moment when all our objections melt away in the awareness that this must be God's will.

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

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

Your Comments and Questions:

- A comment from a 60IN60 participant: "Reading verse 43, I was struck by the simplicity of the gospel as shared by Peter. I also noted that Peter made clear to Cornelius that he was '. . . just a man' and not worthy of worship. One must wonder how the papacy has morphed from the unadorned faith and life of the fisherman Simon Peter."

- Acts 10:9-16. "I was taught that this passage is referring to literal food, that all food has been made acceptable for us to consume today (although some faiths still observe restrictions, i.e. not eating pork). Does this passage, instead of literal food, refer to the Gentiles no longer being 'unclean' as compared to Jews?" - It means both. The specific vision that Peter gets from God opens up the dietary restrictions from the Old Testament Law. The key principle, stated by the voice, is 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean' (v. 15). Immediately after this vision the story of Cornelius continues (vv. 19-48). When the Holy Spirit is given to the Gentile believers (vv. 44-45), Peter realizes that God has opened salvation to Gentiles. This is a complete surprise to him and the other Jewish believers. But the same stated principle was in play: 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' God had declared Gentiles clean through Jesus.

60IN60 Day 38 - Wed Oct 14

It's Day 38 and we're in Acts 10.

One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It helps you avoid nonsense. There are so many different ideas out there today about God. It's important that we base our image of God on who He said He is, not what other people wish He was. 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 35 - "is welcome to Him" - I like the inviting way that puts it.  He's eager to receive us.

Help:
- Verse 1-48 - This chapter is a milestone in the church.  Up to this point, the presumption among Jesus' followers was that the salvation Jesus brought was only offered to Jews.  This chapter details God opening up salvation to Gentiles (i.e. you and me).

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

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

60IN60 Day 37 - Tues Oct 13

It's Day 37 and we're in Acts 9.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 22 - All of Paul's learning in the Old Testament, even long before he had any idea that he would become a Christian, was all used by God to further His Kingdom.  God is preparing things even when we don't realize it.

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

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

60IN60 Day 36 - Mon Oct 12

It's Day 36 and we're in 2 Kings 5.

If you struggle with the feeling that you need to hurry through the reading, it can be helpful to lay aside a certain length of time for the reading. "I'm going to spend the next ten minutes reading the Bible. If I get done early, I'll go back and re-read it. If I don't get it done, that's fine. Now I can relax and not try to hurry through so I can get on with the other things I need to get done today. I'm going to be here for ten minutes." 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 11 - Sometimes we don't just want God to move - we want Him to do things the way that we want Him to do it.  Of course, He has the right to do it however He wants.

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

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

Your Questions and Comments:

- 2 Kings 4:1-7. "I heard in a sermon once that 'Christians will be surprised to know of all the things that God wanted to give us that we didn't receive because we simply didn't ask.' Is supported by James 4:2?  Even if this statement isn't scriptural, I think of children (even adult children) who could obtain so much from older-and-wiser parents, but just never ask. Or take the time to listen or see or learn. Like with our Heavenly Father, we so often don't take the time (actually stepping on my own toes here)." -  I do think there is something to that. Not in the sense that God is just waiting to make us all millionaires if we just prayed for more but I think often churches have low expectations on what God is going to do in their midst or an individual lacks the faith to ask for the overwhelming answer to their prayer. God is often willing to do more than we ask for.

- Jeremiah 18. "How should we best interpret this passage? Only in the context of idolatrous Israel or as God relates to each individual, molding us for His service? Does God still mold nations? Does He still harden the hearts of rulers, as He did Pharoah's or was that a one-off used to fulfill His divine purpose for the Hebrews?" - The statements have a particular significance to what was Israel was going through in that moment. But that truth of God's molding is true in many other contexts as well. He obviously is working in individual lives and we believe that He is also working in the larger world among the nations as well. He is guiding history toward the prophesied conclusions that we read about in Revelation, so I believe He is working among nations and rulers.

- Luke 13. "In regard to the synagogue leader who criticized Jesus for healing the woman who'd been bent double for 18 years, this is a voice coming from someone who has never suffered."

60IN60 Day 35 - Sun Oct 11

It's Day 35 and we're in 2 Kings 4.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - It's interesting to me that God was willing to fill as many vessels as she brought.  Sometimes how much God gives depends on how much we ask for.

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

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

60IN60 Day 34 - Sat Oct 10

It's Day 34 and we're in Jeremiah 38.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 3-4 - How often do we only want to hear God's truth if it's something we want to hear and how often do we want to hear God's truth no matter what?

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

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

60IN60 Day 33 - Fri Oct 9

It's Day 33 and we're in Jeremiah 31.

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

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 33 - What we have today is vastly superior to the way things operated in the Old Testament.

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

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

60IN60 Day 32 - Thurs Oct 8

It's Day 32 and we're in Jeremiah 23.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 16 - I wonder how much of what gets attributed to God is actually from Him?

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

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

60IN60 Day 31 - Wed Oct 7

It's Day 31 and we're in Jeremiah 18.

If it's hard to understand what you're reading in the Bible, make sure you have a translation that's a good fit for you. Reading the King James (a great historic translation) can be particularly difficult because of the antiquated language. Among the good options available today: New International Version (good all-around translation), English Standard Version (good all-around translation), New American Standard (a more literal translation, closer to the original manuscripts), and New Living Translation (a translation that focuses on readability and understandability). 

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 6 - Am I willing to be molded as He desires or do I want to be the one calling the shots?

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

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

60IN60 Day 30 - Tues Oct 6

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 Oct 5

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 Oct 4

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 Oct 3

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.

60IN60 Day 26 - Fri Oct 2

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 Oct 1

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 Sept 30

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 Sept 29

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:

- A comment from a 60IN60 participant: "Ecclesiastes certainly isn't my favorite books but it does hammer home the one essential truth: when we attach ourselves to things of impermanence (even high- minded pursuits) without godliness there's no rest, there's never closure.  As St Augustine wrote, 'Our hearts are not at rest until we find our rest in you.'"

60IN60 Day 22 - Mon Sept 28

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:

- "Did Solomon write the book of Ecclesiastes?" - Although the text does not explicitly name him, there is every reason to believe he did. He fits all the identifying remarks made within the book. 

60IN60 Day 21 - Sun Sept 27

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 Sept 26

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 Sept 25

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 Sept 24

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 Sept 23

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.

60IN60 Day 16 - Tues Sept 22

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 Sept 21

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.

Your Questions and Comments:

- Isaiah 11:1--5. "I read a commentary that this is talking about the Messiah when he reigns in the New Earth after the tribulation. You said we have this same Spirit. Do we have this Spirit now, as in the Holy Spirit who comes to reside with us when we're saved? Or the Spirit we will have in our glorified eternal body? 

If this is the Spirit we have now,  a lost world should see believers who:

are wise (by God's word not worldly wisdom),

are understanding (we can't understand someone if we don't take time to listen)

are counselors (not my own ideas or opinions but direct people to the Word)

fear the Lord (not follow a bunch of rules but know that God loves us)

aren't judgmental (we don't draw conclusions on what we see or hear)

use words wisely (know scripture to slay the wicked and to speak life)

And the result if we exhibit this Spirit now?  A belt of righteousness and a sash of faithfulness (vs. 6). Accessories that go with everything!" - It's the same Holy Spirit in each case.

- A comment from a 60IN60 participant. "There’s a hymn connected with this passage in Isaiah, called 'Here I am, Lord,' and every time I hear it I either cry or hold back tears. Here’s why: Years ago, I attended  a large Methodist Church in which the left front rows had been sanctioned off for handicapped children.  Some had Down’s syndrome, others had cerebral palsy, one child was in a wheelchair, etc. The church provided special helpers to get them in and out of the pews.  One Sunday, I was in the balcony and 'Here I am, Lord' was the closing hymn. I looked down just as  the song entered 'Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?',  and saw that  every one of those children had their hands up, waving,  but for the  little girl in the wheelchair who could raise only one. I started crying because it made me feel like a hypocrite. Still does."