60IN60 Day 13 - Sat Nov 14

 It's Day 13 and we're in James 5.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 1-6 - Some harsh words for the rich.  Given that most of us in America would be rich by the definition the Bible is using, it's probably time for us to question our thoughts on money.

Help:
- Verses 14-15 - If someone is sick, one option for them is to have the leadership of the church anoint them with oil and pray over them.

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 13

 It's Day 12 and we're in James 4.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 10 - Be obedient and humble and wait on His power to lift you up.

Help:
- Verse 9 - Not that this should be our constant attitude.  He's speaking here in this context to those who are proud of themselves and their accomplishments.

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 12

 It's Day 11 and we're in James 3.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - "the humility that comes from wisdom" - Nicely said.

Help:
- Verse 1 - Judgment is stricter or less so based on a number of factors, including the responsibility we've taken, our mercy to those around us, how much we've been given, etc.  As a pastor, I am subject to stricter judgment because of being a pastor.

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 11

 It's Day 10 and we're in James 2.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 13 - A reminder of how important it is that we're merciful to those around us.

Help:
- Verses 9-11 - The analogy I often use is that sin is like standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon.  I can take a tiny step forward (i.e. one sin) or I can rare back and take a huge flying leap (i.e. many sins), but either way I end up at the bottom.
- Verse 12 - We have been given freedom by the death of Christ.  
- Verse 19 - The demons don't have saving faith in God, but they do know without question that there is one.  The issue is not believing in God - it's serving and following Him.
- Verse 24 - The point: what we do is the evidence of what we really believe.  Faith in name only is empty and worthless.  My actions show the proof of my 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 9 - Tues Nov 10

 It's Day 9 and we're in James 1.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 27 - If we claim to be a nation of many Christians, why are there so many foster kids without families?

Help:
- Verse 2 - It's not that we're glad to have problems, but as the following verses indicate, it's that the struggles have a maturing effect.
- Verse 4 - The word "perfect" in some translations means "mature."  Even if we never achieve perfection in this life, we need to be striving for that great a spiritual maturity.
- Verses 9-10 - The poor person should remember that he is a child of the King; the rich person should remember that all his money isn't going to keep him from dying.
- Verses 23-24 - Basically this is saying that when we say we're Christians but we don't have deeds to back that up, we're like someone who sees himself in the mirror and then turns away and forgets what he looks like.  We've forgotten as Christians what defines who we are.

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 9

 It's Day 8 and we're in Luke 8.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 8 - "a hundred times as great" - Wow!  I want to see that in my life.

Help:
- Verse 10 - This sounds like it's saying God is trying to keep truth from them.  In fact, what it means is that the person's openness to what God is saying (see the end of v. 8) determines how much of the truth they get.  See also the below comment on vv. 16-18.
- Verses 16-18 - This is not about sharing the truth, but about receiving it.  Jesus is saying that the truth is there for the sharing, but they need to want to receive it (see v. 18).
- Verse 37 - The power Jesus displayed scared them and they wanted it gone.
- Verse 56 - It was probably in vain that He told them not to share the miracle.

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:

- "Luke 8:31. The demons were sent into the pigs. The pigs ran into the sea and drowned. The demons were then released back into the world or when the pigs drown the demons went to the abyss?" - The demons were then released back into the world.

60IN60 Day 7 - Sun Nov 8

 It's Day 7 and we're in Luke 7.

Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verses 8-9 - Jesus is impressed because this man believes that what He says will happen.  He has faith in Jesus' power and that Jesus is a man of authority.

Help:
- Verse 19 - This is a stunning verse, because it means that John the Baptist was having doubts about Jesus.  Why?  Probably because John was expecting Jesus to come in and militarily take over and drive the Romans out.  Jesus wasn't doing that and John couldn't figure out why.
- Verses 31-34 - In other words, when someone came somberly, you complained.  When someone came joyfully, you complained.  You're (speaking of the religious leaders) dissatisfied 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.