Dan Gould

Author: dgould77

  • Weekend Rewind

    Had a great day yesterday at Fusion! The Guys put together an awesome announcement video

    We looked at the Life of Noah!  If there is one word to describe Noah it’s the word perseverance.  This guy had it and it wasn’t easy to do what he did, but he remained faithful.  I am still thinking about this statement from yesterday!

    “Faithfulness is the Fuel to Perseverance”

    I challenged the students to write that on their mirror at home so they see it every morning when they are getting ready for school.  If we could learn to practice it, we would see God in a whole new way!!!!!

  • The Truth

  • Acts 19:21-41

    “About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. 24 It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis.[b] He kept many craftsmen busy.” v 23-24 (NLT)

    Not everyone responds to the Gospel in a positive way.  People look at the cost, (how it impacts their life) and make choices whether to believe or not.  Demetrius was looking to protect his lively-hood.  Sadly, many times when we are presented with the Truth, we make decisions based on past experiences, people of influence, and the affect it has on our immediate future.  The truth many times goes against the grain of popular belief.  But it is in the Truth, that we find Gods eternal peace, forgiveness, and love.

    Today, what are you trying to protect?  Will you surrender it to the Lord?

  • Acts 17

    “So Paul, standing before the council,[e] addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way,  for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.” v. 22-23 (NLT)

    Paul explained the one true God to these educated men of Athens; although these men were, in general, very religious, they did not know God.  Today, we have a “Christian” society, but to most people, God is still unknown.  We need to proclaim who He is and make it clear what He did for everyone through His Son, Jesus Christ.  We cannot assume that even religious people around us truly know Jesus or understand the importance of faith in Him.

    Here are some things that might help:

    1. Be observant (Paul noticed all the idols around the town)
    2. Create a common ground (the people of Athens were very religious, but they didn’t know God)
    3. Tell them about Jesus (Paul talked about some of their religious beliefs and used it to tell them about Christ)
    4. Leave the details up to God (Paul had some believe, but others rejected the message and him)

  • Acts 16

    “Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers[a] in Lystra and Iconium, 3 so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.” v. 1-3 (NLT)

    Paul and Silas take off on what is known as Pauls second missionary journey.  On the start of this journey we hear of a boy name Timothy.  He has a Godly mother who heard about Jesus from Paul on his first missionary journey.  She and her mother have taught Timothy these things and Paul as well as everyone else is impressed by him and asks him to go with him.  Paul has Timothy cirrcumsized because of the stigma he faced with having a Jewish mother and a Greek father.  Paul knew that this could be a hinderance later on so dealt with it then.  Timothy would learn and become very influential for the early church at a young age.  We know this because of Pauls 2 two letters to Timothy encouraging the young Pastor.

    Thought for the today:  Timothy had great encouragement from Paul and Silas, however, his relationship with Jesus started from his mothers faithfulness.  God used her to teach and model what it meant to be a believer and he responded.  What are you doing to reach your family?  If you are a parent, are you teaching your kids about Jesus?  We don’t know what God might have prepared for them, but let’s try teach and model for them what it means and looks like to have a relationship with Jesus!

  • Daily Devotional: Acts 15

    “So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue.” v. 6

    Conflict!  I hate it, but the Bible does teach us how to deal with it.  We see the early church putting Jesus words into practice (Matthew 18).  There is a situation, they call together a meeting, all parties get to share their side of the story, and a conclusion is made based on the Word of God.

    Sounds simple, but in everyday life, conflict is very difficult.  Isn’t this the way it goes many times, we have disagreement, we raise our voice they raise their voice, and then we get mad and stop talking.  Or we just try to avoid the person or situation.

    Conflict is difficult and puts us in uneasy situations.  However, learning how to communicate and talk through the conflict will help find a solution.  Try this:

    1. Identify the source of the conflict
    2. Find a time to talk
    3. Share your concerns
    4. Listen to their concerns
    5. Come up with a solution together
    6. Pray and ask God for help

    The next time a conflict begins, try to see if this help resolve it or bring clarity to the situation.

  • Acts 14

    “The same thing happened in Iconium.[a] Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. 3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.” v. 1-4 (NLT)

    As the Gospel began to spread many people were coming into a relationship with Christ while others were turning away and rejecting the teachings and testimonies about Jesus.  Paul and Barnabas were resilient in telling others about the Lord.  One day they would be favored and the next they would be hated by the same people.  In either case, praise or cursing, or in their case stoning, Paul and Barnabas didn’t hold back from sharing.  They knew it was more important to please God than to be popular with the people . . . even if that cost them their life.

    These two men not only went to share the Good News, they developed leaders to take on the role of leading a church.

    “After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” v. 21-23 (NLT)

    Questions: Who is the next generation of leaders in The Church?  How am we, you and I, helping them take on that leadership with passion for Christ?  How could God use us to empower the Church today and tomorrow?

    God wants to use us.  Sometimes we feel inadequate, but the reality is that He can take the ordinary and do extraordinary things with them.  That’s good news for you and me.  Today, lets ask God how we can make a difference for the Kingdom today and tomorrow, for this generation and the next!

  • What a Day – Family Fun, Cussing, and a Seizure

    Yesterday started as any normal Friday does, everyone sleeping in a little, before the day get off to a start.  Stephanie had the pleasure of having lunch with Kristy who has been a huge encouragement and blessing to our family, while I had the pleasure of hanging out with the boys at Chick-fil-A FOREVER.  No it wasn’t that bad.  The boys had so much fun!

    From there we went to visit one of our students in the hospital.  If you will join us in praying for Brittany Stene, that would be awesome.  Brittany for the last year has been battling cancer and now has to battle a blood clot in/near her heart.  Praying with and hearing their story made Jackson seem very healthy.  Just reemphasizes that everyday is a gift from God, and one that should be cherished, enjoyed, and put to good use making the most of the opportunities presented.  I don’t know all that is in store for Brittany, but i do know that God is growing her faith and using her to grow the faith of her mother as well.

    Since we were in North Dallas, we decided to make our 2nd visit to North-park Mall.  This time was much different than the first visit in the fact that you could park, and walk through the mall peacefully.  We ate at PF Changs which has become one of our families favorite restaurant.  The boys love the chicken fried rice.  As we walked the mall, we did hit up some stores.  I found a good deal on some sweat pants that I wanted to try on before I bought them.  I take Josiah to the dressing room with me and as we are talking I am trying on the sweat pants, without missing a beat Josiah looks at my sweat pants and says, “Dad, you can’t buy those they are to f****** long!” . . . . . . . . yeah, that’s what I did also.  I thought maybe I had not heard him correctly so I asked him to repeat what he said!  Yep, he said exactly what I thought he said.  I know what you’re thinking, Yes, I am a pastor, and yes, he is a pastors kid.  I told him that’s a bad word and we don’t talk like that.  I tried to get him to tell me where he heard that but he couldn’t answer.  So, we are in the process of evaluating how and where he could be picking up language like this!

    Once we got home, we put the boys down for bed and then Jackson decided to have a seizure.  This is the first time that I felt like I knew what to do.  Jackson’s seizure only lasted for 3-4 minutes, it’s still 3-4 minutes to long.  After his seizure was over we took him to the ER at Centennial where he had another smaller seizure as we were walking in.  The doctors were great.  They put him on oxygen and gave him some Valium.  After 3 hours we were able to go home.  We don’t know what the nexts steps are.  Jackson has had a seizure every month at the first of the month now the last three months.  We thought we were one the up and up, but I guess we now have more questions that still need to be answered.  The Good news, Jackson is back to his normal self and already getting in to things he is not supposed to.  Please continue to pray for us as we continue the journey of finding out why he is having repeated seizures and/or get his medication under control!

  • Acts 13

    “One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.” v. 2-3

    In this passage we see Gods special calling for two men, Saul and Barnabas.  They were to go and share the good news!  Please understand that all of us have the same calling but God does appoint specific people for specific tasks.  The local church commissioned them by laying their hands on them and praying for them.  This was a special time dedicating them to Lord and encouraging them with prayer.  It doesn’t take long for them to run into challenges.  We see early that Paul has boldness and is not afraid to stand for the truth when confronting false teachers and/or devout Jews.  In both situation, Paul and Barnabas did their part, they went and shared the good news, and left the details, changing of the heart, to God.

    Today, think about what God has called you to do.  Are you doing it faithfully?  Are you giving %100?  How do you handle opposition or false beliefs and/or teachings?  All of these things play into your effectiveness of fulfilling that of which God has called you!

  • Jesus Loves ME this I know . . .

    Do you remember the song?  When Josiah was real little, this is the song that I would sing to him as I was putting him to sleep, or trying to calm him down.  Last night Jackson was having a terrible time trying to go to sleep.  I think he has some teeth coming in that is really causing him to be fussy.  So as I laid in bed holding him I started singing Jesus loves me. Within seconds, Josiah who was laying next to us, started singing also.  We must have sung the song several times and each time I was reminded of how deep and true those word are.  It made me think of the random text that a student sent me and others last night that said , Jesus love you!  Not only did I sing the song to Jackson to calm him down, I needed those words and the reminder yesterday also and it brought peace and comfort to me as well!

    Today is a new day, remember that Jesus love YOU!