Dan Gould

Author: dgould77

  • Bible Challenege – 1 Thessalonians 5

    “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.” v. 19-22

    When we trust Jesus to be our Lord and Savior we are given the Holy Spirit! The Bible says that the Holy Spirit comes and lives on the inside of us to reveal the things of God and to transform us from the inside out. Each believer gets the Holy Spirit.  However, not all believers surrender everything so that the Holy Spirit can control all aspects of their life.

    Sadly, we tend to hold on to things or close off the Spirits work in certain area of our life because we want to be in control. Because of this, we stifle the work of the Holy Spirit, and slow down the transformation process of becoming more like Jesus.  For us to experience the radical love, grace, mercy, power, and transformation of Jesus, we have to surrender total control to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of things that need to be given to God through prayer.

    When we ignore these convictions or just simply rebel, we harden our hearts toward the things of God and run the risk of getting caught in deeper sin before we actually hear God speaking to us about that situation through the Holy Spirit again. Don’t let this happen to you, think about the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.  Have you totally surrendered to Him?

    Today, are there areas in your life where you are stifling the Holy Spirit? Let’s not pray for more of the Holy Spirit, (we received all of Him the day we trusted Jesus), Let’s pray and surrender more of us to Him, so we can experience more Him in our daily lives!

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Thessalonians 4

    “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body[b] and live in holiness and honor—5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. 6 Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife,[c] for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” v. 3-8

    Strong words with deep meaning.  When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we are made Holy.  However, to live in Holiness means to live pure in a sinful world.  Almost every passage of scripture that encourages us to turn from sin starts with sexual sin.  If you look at our world today the number 1 temptation we face involves sexual thoughts and or actions.  Why, because because sex sells! Therefor, its everywhere.

    If we are going to live pure in a dirty world we have to begin by examining our thoughts, what we watch, and what we listen too.  Have you ever listened to what some of the main stream music is talking about?  I am guilty here of getting wrapped up in a song and not thinking about what it is talking about.  Often times Stephanie and I will talk about what the song is actually saying … it’s scary sometimes when you actually listen to the words and pick up on all the innuendos.  We have to be even more careful now because our 3 and 6 year old like to sing along.  It’s not good when you hear them singing along and then the phrase “pantie snatcher” comes over their lips.  It creates a very uncomfortable situation.  I had to apologize to him and tell him not all the songs on the radio are good songs and asked him not to sing that song again.  He replied, well change the channel to a song I can sing.  That’s innocence by the way.

    Now please hear me, I am not saying that you need to only listen to Christian Music.  What makes it Christian music by the way?  That’s probably another topic.  However, what you listen to, what you watch, and how you think, begins to be seen in your actions. This is all the more reason why we need to be spending time in Gods Word.

    When we know the Word, we will begin to live it out daily.  This begins to change our thoughts and our actions.

    Today, what are you going to let fill your mind?  Where will you spend your time? How will this impact how you live? Let’s not be defined by the world, but by the work of Christ in our lives so we can be Holy, as our Father is Holy!

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Thessalonians 3

    “So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.” v. 7-8 (NLT)

    We are in this together! We see this play out in almost every aspect of life, from friendships, to marriage, to teamwork on the field or at work, for the most part we affect others in someway & they impact us also.  However, when it comes to our Spiritual Journey, we want to keep that to ourselves.  By doing this, others miss out on being encouraged by the work that God is doing in us and through us.  Now don’t get me wrong … I’m not saying to do things for the applause of others.  I’m simply saying that the stand you take for Christ, the words you use, how you treat friends and loved ones, the places you go and the way that you serve, impacts and encourages others to stand for Christ also.  It allows them the see the invisible, the work of the Gospel.

    Today, who’s watching you? Who’s being encouraged to live more boldly for Christ because of you? We are in this together and I am encouraged when others around me live boldly for Jesus.  It stirs my heart to live for Him also!

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Thessalonians 2

    “For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” v.4 (NLT)

    Everyone want’s to be liked!!!!  However, we have to stand for what is right even if we know it may be unpopular by others. This is where tension is created.  We want to honor God, but we don’t want to offend our friends.  So many times we are caught in the middle.

    These are defining moments that we either allow others opinions keep us trapped from the things that God want to do in our life, or we risk it all, trusting the details to God and share the truth in love by our words and actions. It is a tough place to be but it’s also where we get to see God do amazing things in us.

    Today, will you be trapped by fear of what others might think, or step out in faith and see how God grows you and uses you?

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Thessalonians 1

    “And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God.” v.8

    When you aren’t around, how would people describe you?  Would they say you were a person with strong faith and love for God or would their description include something else?  When Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he commends them on their faith.  In fact their faith was so strong that other people were beginning to hear about them.  How did this happen?

    Paul says that in the midst of severe suffering these people accepted the Gospel with Joy.  WOW!  Here is a lesson for us.  The way we respond to the Gospel is important.  In spite of their present surroundings or situations, the Thessalonians received the Gospel with joy. Because of this, they experienced God in new ways and God was using them to influence and inspire others for His Kingdom throughout a region.

    Wow, what would that look like today?  I can only speak for myself, but I so badly want to receive every-part of the Gospel with Joy.  I know that it will penetrate the deepest parts of me, changing me from the inside out.  When this happens, I become available for God to use in ways that I never thought possible.

    Today, will you join me in asking God to be that type of person.  A person that loves God with all my heart, and who has strong faith that inspires others for His Kingdom.  My prayer is that it starts right here with me, and that it starts right here with you.

  • Bible Challenge – 2 Peter 3

    “Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.” v. 11-13 (NLT)

    Jesus will return! While many people ask, “When will Jesus return?” we should be asking, “Will I be ready for His return?” Throughout The Scriptures we are never given the exact time of His return, but we are told what the end times will look like before Jesus returns. Will you be ready?

    “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.” v. 14 (NLT)

    Today, will you live like it is your last?

  • Bible Challenge – 2 Peter 2

    “They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” v. 19 (NLT)

    If I had one word to sum up this chapter it would be: WARNING! Too many time’s people have been lead astray by smooth-talkers, convincing stories, or unexplainable situations. Now, please hear me …. I am not saying that God doesn’t move in these ways, I am simply saying that we have to be careful.  There are to many passages that talk about being led in the wrong direction by people who claim to be Christians. This is why it’s so important for us, Christ Followers, to know who God is, and what He is like.

    When we know God personally, know, and apply what His Word says, we have a better chance of not being fooled by false living and teaching.

    Today, do you know God and the Bible well enough to tell if something is truth or not. This is just one of many reasons that reveals the importance of hiding Gods Word in our hearts. Don’t be fooled, the enemy will use people, events, and circumstance to try to lead you astray!

  • Bible Challenge – 2 Peter 1

    “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

    8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.”  v. 5-9

    Faith must be more than belief in certain facts; it must result in action, growth in Christian character, and the practice of moral discipline, or it will die away.  Peter lists several of faith’s actions, learning to know God better, developing perseverance, doing God’s will, loving others.  These actions do not come automatically; they require hard work.  They are not optional; all of them must be a continual part of the Christian life.  We don’t finish one and start on the next, but we work on them all together.  God empowers and enables us, but he also gives us the responsibility to learn and to grow.

    Today, is your faith more than a belief in certain facts, or is it changing your actions?

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Peter 5

    “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

    We have an enemy that is always looking for ways to entice us with sin.  At anytime, if we are not careful, anyone of us can be caught in his trap.  Just because we think it could never happen to us, doesn’t mean it can’t happen to us if we are not careful.  I’ve seen and talked with people that have thought this and then what they thought would never happen … happened.

    We need to take this verse very seriously. Letting our guard down just a little can cause us over time to become defenseless to  certain temptations and the next thing we know we are justifying certain beliefs and actions. Don’t get caught in the moment! Stay alert, and set boundaries that will protect the work God is doing in you and through you.

    Today, focus on protecting these three areas, thoughts, words, and actions.  If you can set up boundaries in these areas you will be more alert to deal with the enemy’s attacks.

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Peter 4

    “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail.” 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)

    I’ll be honest, I don’t like to suffer and I try to avoid it at all cost! But the scriptures are very clear when it comes to suffering.  In fact, it uses the words suffering and persecution almost in tandem with faith and being a Christian.  The early church went through intense persecution and suffering, some even death.  This is still going on in our world today as people begin to follow Christ.  I saw this video with Francis Chan describing some of the suffering Christ Followers are experiencing in India, check it out.

    Persecution in India: Francis’ Response from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

    In America, suffering for Christ look much different doesn’t it!?! Matter a fact, some of the things that we call suffering, when compared to what others go through around the world for their faith, doesn’t even seem like suffering does it.  Regardless of the type of suffering we endure, let’s be found faithful through it.  I don’t know how, when, or where, I may be persecuted or have to endure some suffering for the Name of Jesus Christ.  But my prayer is that when that moment happens, I keep my eyes on Christ, so I can persevere through what ever persecution the world may throw my way.

    Today, may we keep our eye’s on Jesus, be Faithful to Him, Stand with Him and for Him, regardless of what I may have to endure for the sake of His Name!