Dan Gould

Category: Bible Challenge

  • 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!

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Peter 3

    “You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

    Some Christians believe that faith is a personal matter that should be kept to themselves.  It is true that we shouldn’t be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing our faith, but we should always be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our faith, our life-style, or our Christian perspective.  The question we must ask ourselves is this . . . Can others see Christ in you?  Is there enough evidence by the way you live, not what you say, that would cause others to see that you are a Christ Follower?

    Today, lets examine ourselves and ask God to speak though our actions.  This might mean we to pray different and  ask different questions, to stimulate the change in our actions.  If God exposes or convicts you of an attitude or an action, don’t be afraid to acknowledge it, confess it, ask for forgiveness, and start heading in a new direction.  I am praying that Jesus, be with us today, and allow us to represent you to others.

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Peter 2

    It is Gods will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.  1 Peter 2:15

    Let’s face it, the world is watching.  They see us at our best and sometimes, even though we try to hide it, they see us at our worst. When we take on the name of Christ and call ourselves Christians, there is a certain expectation/uncertainty that others have towards us, and lets be honest, that we even have towards ourselves.  Some of these expectations/uncertainties are spoken of and some unspoken, but they are there.  The way we live (words, actions, lifestyle) causes others to make judgments about us, and other Christians.  But our responsibility and main goal in life should be living in a way that pleases God.  When we do this, we live the honorable life that Peter describes in this passage. Yes, at times we may face persecution for what we believe, but lets push though that persecution so we can cause others to see Christ even more by the way we persevere and live while going though the persecution.

    Today, how do you think people wold describe you? Would they even know that you are a Christian? Is the only difference they see is that you go to Church and they don’t? Do they see Christ living in you and you trying to live for Him? Father help us live the honorable lives that you have called us to live! In Jesus Name, Amen!

  • Bible Chllenge – 1 Peter 1

    “‘So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:13-16

    Are you a person of self-control?  Many of us would probably say that we were so lets just take a little test to see how well we do in this area:

    1. Can you sort between needs and wants, when buying things?
    2. Do you find yourself getting caught in the moment?
    3. When you are tired, do you say things without thinking or worrying about how they sound or come across?
    4. Do you have a short fuse?
    5. Are you the same person in public as you are in private?

    I m sure the list goes on, but the Bible says to think clearly and use self-control.  A person with Self-Control thinks before they buy, speak, act or re-act.  A person with Self-Control is a person who can be used by God in great ways.

    Could you be described as a person of Self-Control?

    Today, lets THINK before we do that thing we are thinking about doing and lets show some Self-Control not just when others are around, but when we are alone also!

  • Bible Challenge – Hebrews 13

    “Now may the God of peace — who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood — 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you,[e] through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” v. 20-21 (NLT)

    What a great challenge for all of us to strive for in this new year. Could you imagine what our life would look like if we were able to live this out in front of our family, friends, strangers and enemies? For this to happen, we need to apply and protect the things that are stated throughout this letter but summarized in chapter 13. Look at them with me:

    • Keep on Loving each other
    • Show Hospitality to strangers
    • Remember those in prison and the mistreated
    • Honor your marriage and stay faithful
      • Don’t get involved in immoral acts or commit adultery
    • Don’t love money
    • Be satisfied in what you have
    • Have confidence in the Lord
    • Remember your leaders
      • Think about and apply what they have taught you
      • Follow their good examples of Faith
    • Remember Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever
    • Don’t get distracted by new or strange ideas
    • Strength comes from God’s GRACE, not rules!
    • Jesus made us Holy by offering His own body as a sacrifice for sin
    • Share with those in need
    • Obey your Spiritual Leaders
      • they are accountable to God for the way they lead
    • Pray for a clear conscience and lives that honor God
    • Pay Attention to what you have heard, read, and seen

    Today, let’s not treat this as a check list, but as a guide to live so together we can encourage one another living for Christ and leading others to Him.