Dan Gould

Category: Bible Challenge

  • Matthew 15:32-16:12

    “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” v. 16:6

    It took the disciples a long time to understand what Jesus was saying.  The key word in this passage is yeast.  To understand what Jesus is truly saying we have to understand what yeast does to bread.  Just a little bit of yeast affect the whole batch of dough causing it to rise.  Jesus is teaching that just a little bit of wrong teaching can and will affect many people.  Ouch!

    Let’s break it down for today.  Maybe you don’t teach in a church setting.  However, you are teaching everyday by your words, actions, and attitudes.  If you have kids, you are teaching life long lessons with every word, action, or attitude.  If you have friends you are modeling something to them.  If you have a job, your attitude is saying something to co-workers and your boss.

    Today, lets take Jesus words to heart and begin to think about our influence in the diferent arenas of life we venture.  May we tak advantage of the opportunities and represent Christ in all areas of our life.

  • Mark 7:1-37

    “And then he added, ‘It is what comes from inside that defiles you.  For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,  adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.’” v. 20-23

    An Evil action begins with a single thought.  Allowing our mind to dwell on lust, envy, hatred, or revenge will lead to sin.  Don’t defile yourself by focusing on evil.  Instead, follow Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8 and think about what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable!  — NLT Life Application Study Bible

    “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8

  • John 6:22-40

    “They replied, ‘We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?’

    Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.’” v. 28-29

    Did you know . . .

    • God loves you just the way you are?
    • God has a plan for your life?
    • You can’t earn God’s love?
    • You can’t earn your way to Heaven?
    • You can be forgiven?
    • Through Jesus, you can be changed from the inside out?

    People have tried many things to “feel good” spiritually.  They have this idea that if they go to church enough, do enough good things, be baptized, or even pray, read the bible, serve in a church that they will please God and have a relationship with him.  Jesus says that it’s not about all these things.  Don’t get these backwards, all of the things above are things you should do because you have a relationship with God not because you want a relationship with God.  Jesus says the first step to a relationship with God is this:

    “Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.””

    The NLT Life Application Study Bible had this to say today:

    Many sincere seekers for God are puzzled about what he wants them to do.  The religions of the world are people’s attempts to answer this question. But Jesus’ reply is brief and simple: We must believe on him whom God has sent.  Satisfying God does not come from the work we do, but from whom we believe.  The first step involves accepting that Jesus is who he claims to be.  All spiritual development is built on this affirmation.  Declare to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” and embark on a life of belief that is satisfying to your Creator.

  • Matthew 14:13-36

    “But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!’
    Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’
    ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said.
    So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted.
    Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” v. 27-31

    Probably one of my favorite lessons/miracles Jesus performed because I relate so much to Peter.  Peter’s a guy that is willing to try anything Jesus asks of him.  In the midst of a storm, Jesus ask him to get out of the boat and walk to Him on the water through the waves and the wind and he does!  Peter takes a couple of steps on the water!!!  How awesome is that?  Taking his eyes off of Jesus, he realizes what he is doing and starts to focus on the fact that he is walking on water.  He feels the strong wind and looks at how big the waves are and begins to panic.  He starts to sink and cries out for help.  Jesus is right there and tells Peter,  “You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?”

    I see myself in this story.  I have read and even experienced the power of Christ to do things that I think are impossible.  However, sadly there are many times that

    1. I never get out of the boat!
    2. I take my eyes of Jesus and panic!
    3. I don’t have strong enough faith!

    I know it may be hard to believe that I struggle with these since I am a pastor that works with teenagers.  But it’s the truth; some things come easy while other things are harder to do.

    Today may we be people that keep our eyes on Jesus, growing in faith, knowledge, and love for Him!

  • Mark 6:14-29

    “Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, ‘This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such miracles.’  Others said, ‘He’s the prophet Elijah.’ Still others said, ‘He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.’” v. 14-15

    People were talking about Jesus.  They had heard what He said but still wanted to say he was someone else.  Sounds like our world today.  People hear about Jesus, but want to say something different about Him so they don’t have to deal with the reality He is who He says He IS!  I love what the NLT Life Application Study Bible says about these 2 verses.  Check it out:

    Herod, along with many others, wondered who Jesus really was.  Unable to accept Jesus’ claim to be God’s Son, many people made up their own explanations for his power and authority.  Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life, while those who were familiar with the Old Testament thought he was Elijah.  Still others believed that Jesus was a teaching prophet in the tradition of Moses, Isaiah, or Jeremiah.  Today people still have to make up there minds about Jesus.  Some think that if they can name what he is – prophet, teacher, good man – they can weaken the power of his claim on their lives.  BUT . . . what people think does not change who HE IS!

    Who do you say Jesus is?

  • Matthew 10:16-42

    “’Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.’” v32-33

    In this passage Jesus is teaching His disciples about the persecution that was going to be coming their way because of their dedication to Him.  Because they followed Him and would be telling others about Him, they were going to experience difficult times that would include bodily harm and even death.  He encouraged them not to give up our to turn away under persecution.  He says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

    Today in America, we don’t understand persecution like Jesus is describing.  We get made fun of and once and think we have experienced hard persecution.  Yes, it is a form of being persecuted for Christ, but there are people dying everyday for His Names sake.  They aren’t afraid to say that they love Jesus even if it does cost them everything.

    How about you?  Will you be a person that will stand for Christ in ALL circumstances, or will you be a person that is quiet and doesn’t let anyone know about your relationship with Jesus?

    “’If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.’” v. 37-39

  • Mark 6:1-13

    “Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.” v. 6-7

    Jesus not only spent time with his disciples, he also sent them out to do ministry.  My NLT Study Bible had this to say in the study notes,

    The disciples were sent out in pairs.  Individually they could have reached more areas of the country, but this was not Christ’s plan.  The advantages in going out twos include:

    1. They could strengthen and encourage each other.
    2. They could provide comfort in rejection.
    3. They could stir each other to action as a counter to idleness or indifference.

    Our strength comes from God, but he meets many of our needs through our teamwork with  others.  As you serve Christ, don’t try to do it alone.

  • Matthew 9:35-38

    “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’”

    I don’t think its a mistake that this would be the passage of scripture I read today.  This is a verse I have said over and over in my head while here in Mexico, and while at home preparing for the rip.  However, to be totally honest, it’s starting to get harder and harder to get up because we are going to bed later and later.  Today, as my alarm went off the temptation was to stay in bed.  Don’t get me wrong, this has been a great trip, and God has done some awesome things, but I am ready to see my family and sleep in my own bed.

    The reality is that you don’t have to go to Mexico to play a part in bringing in the harvest.  Yes, Mexico has a great need for workers, and when they do rise up or come, they see a great harvest, but so does the place you live, especially the churches you attend.  Everyday we have the same opportunity to see a harvest.  Jesus says it is great, but the workers are few.  Will you join me in being a worker in the field?  The field includes your home, workplace, school, neighborhood, friendships, and where ever else Jesus sends you.  We can help bring in a great harvest when we allow God to use us in which ever field He places us?

  • Luke 8:40-56

    “But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.’”  v. 50

    Bad things happen!  That’s the reality of life.  If you aren’t in a storm, get ready because one is sure to happen.  However, the good news is that we can turn to Jesus and trust His words, “Don’t be afraid.  Just have faith.”  I know from personal experience it is much easier to say just have faith, than to just have faith.  However, I can also say from personal experience that God will do what He says He will do when we have faith.  It may not be exactly what we want at that moment but God is faithful to get us through any situation.

    Today, will you live in fear, or have faith that God is still in control?

  • Luke 8:26-39

    “So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.’ So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.” v. 37-39

    Jesus, healed and changed this mans life from the inside out.  Everyone was amazed by what they had seen.  Naturally the man wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus had a different plan or him.  Instead of telling him to be quiet, Jesus sent him out to tell others about what God had done for him. The Bible says that he went proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him!

    Today, we have the opportunity to tell others what Jesus has done for us!