Dan Gould

  • The Proposal

  • Bible Challenge – Mark 15

    “So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.” v. 15 (NLT)

    Have you ever been caught in the middle?  The crowd says one thing but you know God says another.  These are tough times where we have to make decisions based on what we know is right.  Although Jesus was innocent to Roman Law, Pilate caved in to political pressure.  He abandoned what he knew was right.  Trying to second-guess the Jewish leaders, Pilate gave a decision that would please everyone while keeping himself safe. When we ignore God’s clear statements of right and wrong and make decisions based on the preference of the crowd, we fall into compromise and lawlessness.  God promises to honor those who do right, not those who make everyone happy.

    Today, take a stand for what you know is right!  Yes, it might be difficult, but is compromise really a better option?

  • Bible Challenge – Mark 14

    “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” v 38 (NLT)

    Let’s be honest, we may not face execution for our faith, but we will probably face many problems that wear us down.  We deal with irritating people whom we must love and serve; we face the burden of unfinished tasks or lack of obvious results; we cope with helpers who let us down of fail to comprehend.  Remember that in times of great stress, we are vulnerable to temptation, even if we have a willing spirit.  Jesus explained how to resist this from happening:

    1. Keep Watch – stay awake and be morally vigilant
    2. Pray to God – this is how to maintain your vigilance
    3. Seek support of friends and loved ones – this is how you build up your resistance and help others; when one is weak, others are strong.
    4. Focus on the purpose God has given you – This is how you do Gods will not your own.
    Today, stay a step ahead of temptation by praying and knowing your triggers.  Trust the Lord and call out to Him! Fight the temptation with the power given by the Holy Spirit!

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.15.11

    Another strong weekend at FBC Harvester as we continued with week 3 of our “Parent Trapped” series. In this series we are addressing Biblical Wisdom for Popular Pitfalls. If you are like me, this series has been very helpful and encouraging!!! Understanding that NOTHING impacts my kids life more than the relationship that they have with mom and dad causes me to want to be the best parent I can be. And I am sure it does the same for you. Here are my notes from todays topic: What Parents Wish Their Children Knew.

    PARENT TRAPPED
    “What Parents Wish their Children Knew”
    Selected Scriptures

    “Whatever you do gain understanding . . .” Proverbs 2:2

    WHAT PARENTS WOULD LIKE TO SAY . . .

    1. TO ALL THEIR CHILDREN.

    ➢ “I’m not an EXPERT; this is on the JOB TRAINING.”

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

    * Parenting is by trial and error – you the kids are on trial and we the parents will make the errors.

    ➢ “When I say ‘NO’ there is usually a better ‘YES’ ahead.”

    * Parents long to say yes, but there are times that they must say no! – side note – saying no to the right things can be difficult, but our role as parents are to shape our kids in a way that protects, strengthens, and develops their character!

    * The #1 rule in Parenting: Keep the child ALIVE!

    ➢ “I’m not trying to TIE YOU DOWN; I’m trying to LAUNCH YOU OUT.”

    “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. . .” Psalm 127:4-5a (NKJV)

    * Once the warrior/archer launches the arrow, he or she cannot change it’s direction!
    * As parents, we need to be shaping and molding aiming our kids to hit the target, A personal relationship with Jesus!
    * An Arrow can go places the warrior cannot go!
    * We have an opportunity to send our kids places we can never go!

    2. TO THEIR ELEMENTARY CHILDREN.

    ➢ “You NEED Jesus!”

    “Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”
    Mark 16:16 (NLT)

    * We don’t graduate from the Gospel … we live in it!

    “Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, ‘Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.’” Luke 18:16 (NLT)

    * Many times for kids that grow up in the church, the benchmark of their faith is their baptism.

    ➢ “If you learn to OBEY NOW you can avoid some MAJOR PAIN in the future.”

    “Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20 (NLT)

    “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

    “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15 (NKJV)

    3. TO THEIR TEENAGE CHILDREN.

    ➢ “Your PURITY is so important.”

    “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.” Proverbs 20:11 (NLT)

    “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:9-11 (NLT)

    * 4 reasons to remain pure

    ** Sin always leaves a scar
    ** When choosing to Sin, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to stop later on in life
    ** Sin produces wasted opportunities
    ** Sin produces a Life filled with regret

    ➢ “Your ATTITUDE is as important as your ACTIONS.”

    * If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you attitude should be different!

    “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)

    4. TO THEIR ADULT CHILDREN.

    ➢ “Let’s have an ONGOING RELATIONSHIP”

    “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)

    ➢ “Be faithful TO THE LORD.”

    “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” 3 John 1:4 (NLT)

    If you missed today, I highly encourage you to watch this weeks message by clicking here and then make plans to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    We are really excited about this series and cant wait to see what God will do next as we learn to survive and thrive as Parents and raise our kids in the type of Home they really need!

  • Bible Challenge – Mark 13

    “Jesus replied, ‘Don’t let anyone mislead you,’” v. 5 (NLT) read more here

    There is a lot of talk about the end of the world lately.  With the earthquakes, tornado’s, and floods, people seem to be on edge lately.  We even have people claiming that the world will end on May 21st.  However, all these things are described by Jesus in Mark chapter 13, but He starts by saying to be careful of being misled.

    I do believe that we are seeing signs of the return of Christ, but no-one truly knows the day or hour this will happen.  This can be scary for those who do not know Christ or have a relationship with Him. But for those that believe Jesus is the Messiah and have confessed and surrendered to Him as Lord and Savior, can have confidence that what ever happens on this Earth, their Eternity is secure in the Grace of God and the redemption of Christ. So here’s the question ….

    Today,  when it comes to the End of the World, do you stand in fear, or do you have Faith that Jesus is still in control?

  • Bible Challenge – Mark 12

    “Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.’” v.29-31 (NLT)

    Many times when people think of the word Christian they think of  “Hypocrites” and “Thou Shalt Nots” !  However, if you look at the words of Jesus, Christians should be known for their love.   Nothing speaks louder than showing love.  For a Christian, our love for God should be seen in the way that we love others. It’s more than words, it’s more than actions, it’s a life long journey that requires constant grace, repentance, and surrender.

    Today, what will you be known for?

  • Bible Challenge – Mark 11

    “Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.’” v.22-25 (NLT)

    I don’t know how many times I have heard people say, “just pray about it.”  Yes, I believe prayer is important, and also believe in the power of prayer!  In fact, I have experienced the power of prayer, and I am a product of the power of prayer.  But we have to remember that prayer is our way to talk with God directly.  We must remember that the kind of prayer that moves mountains is prayer for the fruitfulness of God’s Kingdom.  It would seem impossible to move a mountain into the sea, so Jesus used that illustration to show that God can do the impossible. God will answer your prayers but not as a result of your positive mental attitude.  Other conditions must be met:

    1. You must be a believer
    2. You must not hold a grudge against another person
    3. You must not pray with selfish motives
    4. Your request must be for the good of God’s Kingdom.

    To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request. If you focus only on the request, you will be left with nothing if your request is refused.

    Today, have you taken time to pray? Are your prayers in line with the 4 things listed above? Thank God for the answered prayers in your life!

  • Shallow Small Groups … Yikes!

  • Bible Challenge – Mark 10

    “When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 42 So Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” v. 41-45 (NLT)

    It’s easy to want to be noticed as a great leader or one that others look up too.  Business, organizations, and institutions measure greatness by personal achievement.  In Christ’s Kingdom, however, service is the way to get ahead.  The desire to be on top will hinder, not help.  Rather than seeking to be on top and to have our needs met, let’s look for way we can serve and meet the needs of others.  That’s where real Greatness is found!

    Today, Who can you serve? Maybe the first place to start is at home?

  • Jesus Is …