Dan Gould

Tag: Bible Challenge

  • Luke 8:26-39

    “As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, ‘Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!’” v.28

    The demons knew exactly who Jesus was and were fearful of the power He had over them.  When He spoke they listened and were obedient.  It’s sounds kind of weird to say and even think about, “That demons would obey Christ”,  but it’s true, Jesus has the ultimate authority!  At His command, things happen.  In this passage, the demons left a man and went into a herd of pigs at the command of Christ.  He has the power to do amazing things, do you have the faith to see them happen?

    Today, may we go in His power and not our own.  May we listen to His voice and not our own.  May we see people the way He see’s them, not the way the world see’s them.  May we love others the way He loves us.  May we be people that are completely devoted and surrendered to Him.

  • Luke 8:22-25

    “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’  When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.  Then he asked them, ‘Where is your faith?’  The disciples were terrified and amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!’ v.24-25

    Storms, they happen typically when we are unprepared for them.  Just like physical storms that we see, we also experience storms in life.  They come when we least expect it and can cause hurt, pain, disaster.  The good news is that when we have a relationship with Jesus, He has the power to get us through even the toughest storm.  All we have to do is have the faith that Jesus can see us through any storm that comes our way!

  • Mark 4:1-29

    “Then he said, ‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.’” v.9

    “Then he added, ‘Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.’” v. 24-25

    This passage is close to my heart because it is the text I used to preach my first sermon. I was scared to death, a little legalistic at the time, but God was teaching me so much.  Today as I read it, three words keep jumping out at me; Hear, Listen, and Understand. The study notes of the NLT Life Application Study Bible nailed it this morning!  Read for yourself,

    “The hearing that Jesus wants from us in not the kind we use when we listen to background music or when someone starts to recount a long story we’ve already heard.  To truly “hear” Jesus’ words is to believe them, to use them immediately in decisions and attitudes, and to base life on them – your reaction and work, family plans and money matters, praying and singing.  To hear Jesus’ words is to make Jesus your true Lord.

    The light of Jesus’ truth is revealed to us, not hidden.  But we may not be able to see or to use all of that truth right now.  Only as we put God’s teachings into practice will we understand and see more of the truth.  The truth is clear, but our ability to understand is imperfect.  As we obey, we will sharpen our vision and increase our understanding.”

    I still have much to learn, and apply!  But everyday I pray that I am becoming more like Jesus, and that I hearing, listening, and understanding the things He is teaching me!

    Today, listen for God!  Do you hear Him speaking?  What is he asking you to do?

  • Matthew 12:22-50

    “’A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.  A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.’” v. 33-37

    Jesus reminds us that what we say reveals what is in out hearts.  What kinds of words come from your mouth?

    Isn’t it sad how we watch what we say depending on where we are or who we are around!  As a teenager, I remember having to really watch my language whenever I went on church trips with the student ministry.  (I thought I had everyone fooled, I doubt it!)  But sadly, isn’t it like that today?

    Jesus says that the words you use, is an indication of what is really going on in your heart!  Ouch!  We can watch what we say, and even clean it up a bit, but if we don’t change our heart, it will be a constant up hill battle that we don’t experience victory over.  However, when we let the Holy Spirit move in our lives and fill us with His presence which includes a new attitude and motives, then our speech will be affected from the source.  From the Inside Out!

    Today, lets focus on our heart and see if our words don’t change also!!!