Dan Gould

Tag: Daily Devotional

  • John 11:1-44

    “But when Jesus heard about it he said, ‘Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.’ 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.” v. 4-6

    Does God allow bad things to happen?  That probably isn’t a fair question because we could go around and round about what we define as bad. But in this case Jesus allowed Lazarus to die so that God could be glorified when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

    We have to understand that bad things happen!  Many times they happen because of the fallen world we live in.  But maybe a bad situation has happened to bring Glory to God.  This could sound morbid if you look at this the wrong way, but what if God used the loss of a loved one to get your attention?  Would that not be used to bring Him Glory?  What if God used the illness of a Child to remind you of His Unfailing Love and Faithfulness?  Would that not build your Faith.  God can use bad situations to bring people to a closer relationship with Him or realization of Him.  Sometimes it takes a situation like this for us to stop and realize how much we need God, thus giving Him Glory.

    Join the Conversation – Has God used a bad situation to get your attention, to grow you as a believer, or to convict you of a sin?  Would you share with others so God could be Glorified?

    “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.[e] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’” v. 25-26

  • Savior King – Hillsong

    As I have been listing to the Hillsong United “I heart Revolution Live”, this song has become an anthem this week!

    Vodpod videos no longer available.

    more about “Savior King – Hillsong“, posted with vodpod

  • Luke 16:19-31

    “Jesus said, ‘There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

    22 Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.[b] There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.’” v19-23

    Today you are probably going to have to read the rest of the passage to understand what happens.  Click here to do that.  Jesus use the example of these two guys to drive home a couple of points:

    1. Wealth is not proof or righteousness – Even though the Pharisee’s thought this and even today we have some “name it and claim it” teachings are out there, it doesn’t prove you to be righteous.  We will be held accountable for how we spend our money. It doesn’t mean that we all have to be poor, but it does mean that we will held responsible.
    2. Everyone Dies – It’s a reality.  We don’t know when or how but it will happen.  Are you prepared for eternity?
    3. There is life after death – you will spend eternity somewhere.  This isn’t reincarnation!  You will either be in eternal peace with God (Heaven) or you will be in eternal torment (Hell).  What you choose on this earth determines where you spend eternity. (read more about this in verses 24-31)
    4. If dead people could talk  . . . they would warn us – The rich man was pleading that someone go to his family and tell them the truth so they didn’t end up where he was.  Abraham answered him, they have the prophets and won’t listen to them, what makes you think they will listen to someone who is raised from the dead.
    5. Not everyone will believe – It was ironic that Jesus would use this story and end it with this statement, “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”  Jesus knew that He was going to die.  He also knew that he would be resurrected from the dead.  Even then people still denied who He was and rejected His teachings.  Today its the same way.  People believe many different things.  People have heard the truth and rejected it, while others heard it and took it to heart.  The sad reality is not everyone will believe.

    Where do you find yourself.  Passages like this are a good reminder of the reality of eternity.  Its easy to get caught up in the things of the present and forget about the things to come. Take some time today to reflect on this passage and listen to what God might say to you.

    Today lets be people who take advantage of the opportunities now, so we and others can enjoy eternity together with God in Heaven.  Don’t hang on to your stuff so tightly that it becomes a stumbling block for you or gets in the way of God using you.

  • Luke 16:1-18

    “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

    13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” v. 10-13

    In this passage Jesus addresses how we handle our money.  If you remember, Jesus was betrayed for money.  How you use and manage money is important.  Please note that I am not an expert at this and if you look at our life you will see we don’t do this very well.  However, we desire to be in a place that Jesus describes here.  We are making plans and doing the hard things so we can be people that are living wisely here and storing up treasures there, in Heaven!

    The NLT Life Application Study Bible has this to say in its notes,

    Money can easily take Gods place in your life.  It can become your master.  How can you tell if you are a slave to money?  Ask yourself: Do I worry about it frequently?  Do I give up what I should do or would like to do in order to make more money?  Do I spend a great deal of my time caring for my possessions?  Is it hard for me to give money away?  Am I in debt?

    Money is a hard and deceptive master.  Wealth promises power and control, but often it cannot deliver.  Great fortunes can be made – and lost – overnight, and no amount of money can provide health, happiness, or eternal life.  How much better it is to let God be your master.  His servants have peace of mind and security, both now and forever.

    Many of us want to see God do big things in us and through us, duh!  But these words today are piercing.  Jesus say that its through our faithfulness in the small things that bigger responsibilities come.  That means every detail of your life is a responsibility.  What little things could you begin to practice today that could open bigger things later.  Will you join me in praying this today,

    Lord help me to be faithful in the little things, so you can use me to do greater things in the future!

  • Luke 15:11-32

    “We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” v. 23-24

    What a picture of unfailing love the Father shows his son.  It’s easy for me to relate to that and want to implement that in my life  and I really try to do that. The cool part is that the Father gave the son a new start.  Our Heavenly Father does the same for us.

    When others come to Christ do you celebrate, or do you think of all the things they have done and begin to be skeptical?  Are you more like the Father, or the Brother?

    Today, lets rejoice and be thankful for the things God has done for us, and when we see others come to Christ, lets let them know how excited we are for them and what God is doing in them!

  • Luke 15:1-10

    “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.  This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!” v. 1-2

    This past weekend our student ministry held a B2S Retreat where we focused on Evangelism all weekend!  Sometimes, who am I kidding, many times evangelism can be scary.  One of the things I notice as I read through the scriptures and study the life of Jesus, rarely do you see Him hanging out with the religious people of the day.  He always drew a crowd and wasn’t afraid to be with people that others might condemn.  He loved them the way they were but challenged to become all that God wanted them to be.

    This resonates with me so much.  Jesus wants each of us to follow His example and share His love with everyone, not just some.  I love what the NLT Study Bible says about Jesus in the notes today,

    Jesus came to offer salvation to sinners and to show that God loves them. Jesus didn’t worry about the accusations.  Instead, he continued going to those who needed him, regardless of the effect these rejected people might have on his reputation.

    Jesus saw everyone the way they were intended to be not the way they were! For that, I am thankful . . . aren’t you? When you look at others what do you see? How do you respond?

    “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” v. 7

  • Luke 14:15-35

    “‘Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!’” v. 34-35

    In Matthew 15, Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth.  We are to be that seasoning that make things better!  Think of it like this.  When you are around non-believer, you are seasoning their life by what God is doing in yours, and hopefully, you are sharing the Gospel with them.  When you are around other believers, you are seasoning their life by the things God is teaching you and the way you encourage and inspire them to continue in their own journey with God.

    Regardless of where we are, Jesus wants to use us.  However, the costs are high, if you don’t believe me read these 3 verses,

    A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”

    The people understood what it meant to carry a cross because anyone who was put to death (crucified) had to carry there own cross through town in order to get to the place they would be crucified.  Today we understand it because we know that Christ had to carry His own cross.

    Today, will you carry your cross and be the salt of the earth that Jesus describes here and in Matthew 15?

  • Luke 14:1-14

    “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” v. 11

    Wow, I needed that verse today.  For the last couple of days, Stephanie and I have been looking at what is really important in life.  We have been thrown different challenges with Jackson and every time we think we are on the verge of recovery something else happens.  We are praying for wisdom as we seek different options in providing for our family’s needs, and honoring God with all of our life.  Pride wants to have us think everything is ok, and fear wants to have us think everything is doomed.  Somewhere in the middle of that is faith that God will take care of the details.  We just have to trust Him.  To be honest, that sounds really good, and It’s much easier to say or write than it is to do.

    My hearts prayer and desire today is that our life (mine and my families) would be about Him, more than it is about us.  That we would lean on His resources and not our own, and that we would be humble not prideful.  I hope that is your desire also!

  • Luke 13:22-35

    “And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.” v. 30

    Jesus is answering the question, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”  This is a great debate even today.  There are many people who know about God, but don’t know God.  This is a big difference.  Jesus goes on to teach that Gods Kingdom may have many surprises.  People who are despised now will be greatly honored then, some influential people here now will be left outside the gate.

    The lesson for all of us is to make sure the condition of our heart is sort to Gods grace, forgiveness, and salvation offered to us through Jesus.  If we will trust God with the details of our lives and live according to His plans, accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will enter through the narrow road Jesus is describing.

    Today, may we be mindful of the things we say and do.  May we live for an audience of One, allowing our public and private self be the same regardless who is around!

  • John 10:1-18

    “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” v.10

    This happens to be one of my favorite verses.  It explains so much in so little.  Many time people want to argue the existence of God with this statement.  “If God is a loving God, why do bad things happen?”  or better yet, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  Have you ever heard or asked that question yourself?  Well John 10:10 is the answer.  Just as much as there is a God who loves us, there is a thief, Satan himself, who want to Steal anything good God wants to give us, Kill our peace, joy, and other things God blesses us with, and Destroy our effectiveness, influence, reputation, faith, eternity.

    But Jesus says He has come to give us a rich and satisfying life!  Sometimes we may have to go through some rough stuff to get to this, but in the end, we will be able to enjoy life to the fullest. Gold at it’s purest form has to go though fire.  While in the fire, all the impurities in the gold are burned off making it more valuable.  This same thing happens to us as we allow God to purify us. Don’t be afraid to let God purify you.

    Today, may we excperience what Jesus is talking about by making sure we are following the Good Shepherd, klinging to His voice and following His way!