DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Author: dgould77

  • Luke 12:22-34

    “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” v. 25

    Jesus commands us not to worry.  But how can we avoid it?  Only faith can free us from the anxiety caused by greed and covetousness.  Working and planning responsibly is good; dwelling on all the ways our planning could go wrong is bad.  Worry is pointless because it can’t fill any of our needs; worry is foolish because the Creator of the universe loves us and knows what we need.  He promises to meet all our needs but not necessarily all our desires.

    Fear and worry are very serious and overcoming them can be difficult, but possible.  Here is what it is going to take:

    1. Simple trust in God, your Heavenly Father! This trust is expressed by praying to Him rather than worrying.
    2. Perspective on your Problems. Look at and develop a strategy for addressing and correcting your problems.
    3. A Support Team to Help. Find some believers who will pray for you to find wisdom and strength to deal with your worries.

    Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

  • Luke 12:1-21

    Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

    4 ‘Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.[a] Yes, he’s the one to fear.’” v. 1-5

    Awesome stuff this morning from the NLT Life Application Study Bible!

    As Jesus watched the huge crowds waiting to hear him he warned his disciples against hypocrisy – trying to appear Holy when ones heart is far from God.  The Pharisees could not keep their attitudes hidden forever.  Their selfishness would act like yeast, and soon they would expose themselves for what they really were – power hungry impostors, not devoted religious leaders.  It is easy to be angry at the blatant hypocrisy of the pharisees, but each of us must resist the temptation to settle for the appearance of respectability when our hearts are far from God.

    What are the signs of Hypocrisy?

    1. Knowing the Truth and Not Obeying it! People can say they follow Jesus but not be obedient to His Word.
    2. Living a Self-Serving Life! People may desire leadership only because they love position and control, not because they want to serve others.
    3. Reduces Faith to Rigid Rules! People can end up worshiping thier own rules and regulations about what they think God wants instead of worshiping God Himself.
    4. Outward Conformity without Inward Reality! People can obey details but still be disobedient in general behavior.

    Many non-Christians use the supposed (or real) hypocrisy of Christians as an excuse to stay away from God and the church.  Look carefully at your life.  You are not perfect; therefore, at times an action or behavior might provide the ammunition for someone to label you a hypocrite.  However, you must discern your own heart.  Consider the signs of hypocrisy noted above and make sure you are not guilty.  Then ask God to help you live rightly.

  • New Look for PDYM Community!

    The PDYM Community blog has a new look!  Go check it out and join the conversations of like minded youth workers from around the nation!

  • Preacher Faked Illness?

    A FORMER Adelaide pastor who inspired hundreds of thousands of young Christians with his terminal cancer “battle” has been exposed as a fraud.

    According to this article the writer of the song “Healer” which has been a very instrumental song in my journey this summer faked his cancer.  I really hope it’s not true, saddens me if it is, but still letting the powerful words from the song penetrate deep into my heart!

    What do you think?

  • More than life – Hillsong

    These words are so powerful!  My prayer is that my life would be a reflection of the words.  This truly is my hearts desire. Enjoy!

    Vodpod videos no longer available.

    more about “More than life – Hillsong“, posted with vodpod

  • Luke 11:33-54

    “Then the Lord said to him, ‘You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.

    42 What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens,[c] but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

    43 What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces. 44 Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on.’” v. 39-44

    Jesus is more concerned with what is going on on the inside than how you look on the outside.  I remember growing up as a teenager, I could look like a Christian on Sunday.  I could say the right answers, act the right way, and even pray the right prayers, but my heart wasn’t right.  That was shown by how I lived everyday besides Sunday.  When Jesus got a hold of all of me, my heart included, he started changing me from the inside out.  Thus the name for this blog.  I want to be changed from the inside out not from the outside in.  I love what the NLT Life Application Study Bible says in its notes for this passage.  Check it out:

    Jesus criticized the Pharisees and the experts in religious law harshly because they

    1. Washed their outsides but not their insides.
    2. Remembered to give a tenth of their garden herbs but neglected justice.
    3. Loved praise and attention.
    4. Loaded people down with burdensome religious demands.
    5. Would not accept the truth about Jesus.
    6. Prevented others from believing the truth.

    They went wrong by focusing on outward appearances and ignoring the inner condition of their heart.

    People do the same when their service comes from a desire to be seen rather than from a pure heart that is full of love for others.  People may sometimes be fooled, but God isn’t!  Don’t be a Christian on the outside only.  Bring your inner life under God’s control and your outer life will naturally reflect Him!

  • Small Groups

    Believe it or not . . . in fact ready or not, they will be here before we know it. Out of all the years of ministry I have been a part of, I have never been more excited for small groups to start as I am this year. I really feel like this year is going to be an amazing year at Fusion! All of our groups are meeting in homes and each home consists of a Coach, 1 guy and 1 girl Small Group Leader, 1 guy HS Intern 1 girl HS Intern, (interns are HS students) and of coarse students. Here is our calendar and the curriculum each small group will use this school year!

    small-group-calendar-08-092

    I am still thinking through this concept that I pitched to a community of youth workers when it comes to small groups. You can read it HERE! I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!!!!

  • Hillsong – Nothing But the Blood (Legendado Portugal)

    As I was hanging out with the Lord today, this song captured my heart. It’s an old hymn but still very powerful words and meaning. Enjoy!!

    Vodpod videos no longer available.

  • Luke 11:14-32

    “He knew their thoughts, so he said, ‘Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.’” v. 17

    The great debate continues!!!  People are seeing Jesus do these miracles, but they are questioning who He is, asking him to prove that He is “really” from God and not from the Devil.  Jesus explains that if He was from Satan he wouldn’t be casting our Demons.  It seemed that the crowd was trying to find every reason why they couldn’t or shouldn’t believe what Jesus was saying.

    Doesn’t this sound like our world today?  People are searching . . . and sadly, people are rejecting Christ and trying to believe something else in their hopes to become “spiritual”!  However, Jesus didn’t come to make us spiritual, He came to restore us to a right relationship with God.  Some of His teachings are hard and require us to have faith and discipline because we live in a sinful fallen world.  But, He does give us a choice.  Some people will choose to believe Jesus is who he says He is, while others will reject Him, His claims, and His teachings.  Others will choose not to choose, meaning they haven’t rejected Christ, but they haven’t accepted Him either.  However, the Bible says it is pretty clear:

    “‘Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.’” v. 23

    So, where are you?  Do you believe Jesus is who He says He is?  Does your life style match your beliefs?

  • Leaders Summit @ Grace – Day 2

    Well day two of the Leaders Summit went much better than the first day.  It seemed that Chris (one of the speakers) was more relaxed and able to connect with the audience (our staff) a lot better today.  Again we covered some things that aren’t new when it comes to leadership and then other concepts that really challenge and stretch you.  For me, I am able to look at where I was four months ago compared to where I am now.  I am thankful that i see some consistency with my answers.  That tells me that I am not delusional or lack self awareness.   Here are the four areas of leadership that we covered today

    Change Agent
    Character
    Emotional Awareness

    I might be missing one?  I am sure that says something about my learning ability.  But anyhow, the three above had some great times of learning and discussion, even some quiet moments as we avoided awkward conversations or what some call pink elephants. However, I believe today was a healthy learning day for all of us and it will be interesting to see how we apply some of the principles that we learned today.  I also enjoyed getting to know some of the staff that I don’t know to well during our table discussions.

    I still have a lot to learn and process!  I will post more of my learning about each skill at a later time!