DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Author: dgould77

  • 2 Timothy 3

    “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” v. 1-5 (NLT)

    Are we living in the last days?  If you compare our world to the way Paul describes the last days you can see similarities. However no-one knows when their last day will be.  Because of this, we should have a since of urgency about how we live and who we live for.

    Two words sum up the attitudes and habits of people living in the last days, those two words are pride and selfishness.  Pride causes us to feel like we don’t need anyone, or we are good enough.  Selfishness causes us to always be looking for what makes me happy.  Both of these attitudes keep us from the Heart of God.  A prideful person doesn’t see the need for God and therefore doesn’t trust Him with the details of his or her life.  A selfish person lives a life totally opposite of the life God calls us to,  looking at themselves, instead of looking at others.  If you look at your life, would you see these two things anywhere?

    Today, will you read this passage and think about these two attitudes.  Will you ask God to help you deal with pride and selfishness? Then commit to begin to live each day as a gift taking advantage of each situation you are given.

  • 2 Timothy 1

    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” v. 7

    Fear is a powerful thing.  It can keep us trapped in so many areas and even cause us to question God, ourselves, our family, and our friends.  Fear can cause us physical pain as well as emotional pain.  However, fear can be defeated, when we trust the Lord and turn to Him with all of our stuff, not just parts of it.

    When we realize that God doesn’t want us to fear but to have faith and trust in Him, He gives us the power to walk through every fearful situation, and we will experience His love and become more self-disciplined in the process.  Please hear me, I am not saying its going to be easy, but it is encouraging to know that we are not alone.

    Today, what fears are keeping you trapped?  Will you turn that fear over to God so you can experience His Power, Love, and Self-Discipline?

  • American Idol – which 2 are going Home?

    Since no-one went home last week the stakes are high as the contestants sing songs from the Disco era.  Should be an interesting night.  I am excited to see what Adam chooses to sing, and anticipate Danny and Allison both having good weeks!  Here are my predictions for tonight’s bottom three: Matt, Lil, and Anoop.  I think this week we will see Lil and Anoop go home.  Do you agree?

  • 1 Timothoy 6

    “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” v. 6

    What does it take for you to be content?  Do you find yourself always looking for possessions to make you happy?  We live in a materialistic world that says, whoever has more is happy.  This ideas that more equals a happy full life, leads people down the road of an unsatisfied life trying to always achieve that next great thing or looking to that next great gadget to make them feel happy and content.  Sadly this cycle is a never ending cycle.  Stuff gets old, breaks, and something new is always around the corner to replace it, just look at the ipod for that matter.

    Paul tells Timothy that true contentment comes from God?  Some people may diagree with this because it requires us to have faith and not strive for earthly things.  If true contentment comes from God, these questions have to be asked, how content are you?  What are you doing to find this contentment, or what are you doing to stay content?  These are the questions I am asking myself today and hope you will think through also.

  • 1 Timothy 4

    “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” v. 16

    What you believe affects how you live and how you live affects what you teach.  Therefore we need to watch these things closely.  We must be on constant guard against falling into sin that can so easily destroy us.  Yet we must watch what we believe 9teaching) just as closely.  Wrong beliefs can quickly lead us into sin and heresy.  We should be on guard against those  who would persuade us that how we live is more important than what we believe.  We should keep a close watch on both, staying true to the truth.

    Today, think about your beliefs and how they impact you live and what you teach.  Is your life style matching up to what you believe and what you try to teach with your words?

  • 2 Thessalonians 3

    “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” v.5

    Yes Lord my this verse seep deep into my heart so I can know you more, represent you in a way that influences the people you have placed in my life t want to know you more.  That’s the desire of my heart!

    Today, think about what it means to have a full understanding of God’s love and how it affects you personally.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1

    “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”[d] v. 11-12

    Powerful passage on the importance of prayer, vision, faith, and lifestyle.  When I read a passage like this I underline important verses.  Today I underlined these two verses.  Here is are the questions I ask myself after reading so I can begin to take what i read and apply it to my life.  Today, I want to challenge you with theses questions.  I would love to see a dialogue happen, feel free to answer any of the questions you want.

    Today’s questions: How do these things impact your life?  How often do you pray for these things for others and for yourself?  When you read this, what comes to mind, what might the Lord be teaching you that we could learn from?

  • American Idol – Judges Save Matt

    Well I had the bottom three picked pretty well but was shocked when Lil was told to grab a seat leaving Matt standing there in shock that he was going home.  However, I was glad to see the judges use their special privilege of saving the contestant from going home.  Next week will be interesting to see which two will go home.  Who do you think they will be?

    I must say that I am a Danny fan, but feel that he needs to bring it next week to compete with Allison and Adam.  I think with it being Disco week all the contestants will be challenged.  I think Danny might be able to pull off a disco song the best, but you never know what you are going to get when Adam sings.  It will be interesting to watch.  Who do you think will have the best week next week and Why?

  • 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.  My wife pointed out one of theses to me two weeks ago.  Then two days ago my 5 year old was singing along with a song that had the phrase “give you hell” in it.  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 too, what you watch, and how you think, begins to be seen in your actions.  If you don’t believe me take a look at this.

    Today, will you examine your life and begin to surrender the areas that are keeping you from living in holiness.

  • American Idol – whos going home this week?

    Excited to watch Idol tonight.  There is a lot of talent this year!!! However, I think the battle will be between Danny, Adam, and Allison for the final three.  Tonight, I think we will see Lil perform well but not well enough to keep her from getting voted off tomorrow.  That’s my prediction, who do you think will go home tomorrow?