Dan Gould

Tag: Dan Gould

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Corinthians 8

    “But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.” v. 9 (NLT)

    WARNING: People are watching! And they are making judgments and adjustments to their life based on how they see you live yours. With social media, what use to be private has now become more public. Every aspect of your life can now be on display and it is impacting others! It impacts the way they see you and how they see Christ.

    If we aren’t careful we could cause someone to stumble by the things we do! One of the reasons I have chosen not to drink alcohol is this very reason.  Even tho I could, I chose not to because it could cause someone else to justify an addiction if they saw me drinking. This is just one example among many.  The reality is we impact others by the things we do and the things we don’t do and we need to be careful about how it impacts others that may be watching!

    Today, how will the way you live impact others?  Will it challenge them, encourage them, or keep them trapped in a sinful lifestyle.  Use your freedom wisely!

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Corinthians 7

    “God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.” v.23

    I don’t know the exact statistics but sexual addictions run rampant in our society.  It’s said that most teenagers by the time they reach 6th grade they have already been exposed to pornography.  Homosexuality is becoming more and more socially accepted. Internet Pornography continues to gross some 14 billion dollars annually. Our world has bought into the “if it feels good do it” mantra!

    As Christ-Followers, it can be challenging not to be drawn into these temptations.  They are everywhere!!! But we must remember, that God has called us to a higher standard.  One day we will be rewarded for choosing to not be enslaved by the things of this world.  Always remember, you are a prized possession and belong to the Lord!

    Today, when that sexual temptation seeks to lure you in, resist it by remember all that Jesus has done for you and focus on Him instead of giving in!

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Corinthians 6

    “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” v 9-11 (NLT)

    This is quite the list of sins and lifestyles that are not pleasing to God.  Sadly we live in a sex saturated society where lines have been blurred and lifestyles have tried to be justified.  This isn’t a new thing, these addictions and lifestyles were addressed in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.  But they are just that, addictions and a lifestyle that is opposite of what God desires!

    When we ask Jesus to be a Lord and Savior, we surrender everything to Him.  Everything includes everything we were, are, and going to be! Everything means that we face and repent from who we use to be, Confess who we are and the struggles we have, and allow Him to transform us into the person that is more like him.  This may be difficult, you will have to face temptation, but Jesus has the power to take replace all of these desires that cause us to be addicted to these lifestyles, IF we are willing to seek Him completely not holding anything back!

    Today, what are you hanging on 2? May verse 11 truly be said of us!! No more games, no more hiding, no more justifying, Jesus we need you!

  • 5 Signs your team has Synergy!

    One of the challenges in working with a team (especially in the church) is creating momentum that produce life change!  I have been on a couple of teams. Teams that seemed to create, experience, and maintain momentum, as well as teams that just dreamed and talked about having momentum. But there is one thing that I have found to be a catalyst in momentum and that comes from the synergy of the team you are apart of.

    Synergy is the ability of your team to come together to stack hands and achieve thing together that’s bigger than what each of them could have done on their own.  It’s something that takes work to develop and protect, but once you have it, hang on for an incredible ride.  Here are things that I have seen from teams that have synergy.

    Authentic Leadership – There is nothing more engaging than being on a team where authenticity is modeled!  From the platform to the one-on-one conversations an authentic leader allows others on the team to see them from the inside out.  Nothing catapults a team more than being able to see the heart behind the leader and leaders they are stacking hands with. I believe this is where synergy starts.

    Celebration – Now I’m not talking about celebrating to the point that it looses its meaning!  I am talking about recognizing the work that’s being done by the efforts of the people on the team and by the people they lead.  Learning how to recognize the small victories encouragement to see bigger ones down the road.  Also, don’t limit the celebration just to work related things, celebrate the personal things also.  This communicates to your teammates that you care about them as a friend not just a co-worker.

    Spending Time Together – We have all heard the saying, “Love is spelled TIME!” Teams that have synergy simply hang out together.  They have learned the value of doing life with the people they work with.  It doesn’t have to be a lot of time, but times spent with each other at work and away from work, goes a long way!

    Trying New Things – Teams that seem to have synergy are not afraid to change/challenge the status-quo. This allows for the team to talk through strategy, express creativity, and achieve something together.  You may not need to create new things, but evaluate what you currently do and talk about how it might be done differently. Some people like to manage while others like change.  Learning a balance here is very important.  Timing is everything and can create or kill the synergy with in the team and the momentum of the organization.

    Laughter & Learning – One of the greatest ways to establish and protect the synergy of a team is when it’s filled with both laughter and learning.  Create times where you learn together from God’s Word and other leaders.  You can do this by reading a book together, watching something together, or attending a conference together. It’s important spending time learning together, but it’s also important laughing together.  Create times where you simply hang out and enjoy being with each other, no agenda, just creating memories as a team.

    These aren’t the only 5 things that can gauge synergy. But I’d be willing to bet if your team isn’t experiencing synergy and moment, one, if not more, of these 5 things are missing!

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Corinthians 5

    “It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.” v.12 (NLT)

    This is a difficult passage to read not just be cause it talks about sexual sin, but because it points out how we are to deal with those that claim to be Christ-Followers but continue to live in sin. Sin is serious and we can’t avoid it or it will run wild through our lives and if it’s not addressed it will run wild in our church causing our church to lose its witness in the community.

    This is challenging because we want to be accepting of all people, and let’s be honest, confronting someone of sin is difficult.  However, it may be the very thing that God uses to convict and correct their behavior and in the process grow you to greater maturity.  Remember, the goal is always to point people to Jesus and to challenge believers to become more like Him. Before you look outside at others, make sure you have looked inside at yourself. If you are struggling in a sin talk to someone who can listen to you, pray for you, encourage you, challenge you and hold you accountable. In this, is the authentic community that Jesus Rescued!

    Today, what do you need to confess and who do you need to challenge?

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Corinthians 4

    “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” v.20 (NLT)

    Ouch! We have all heard the phrase “Talk the talk and walk the walk!” It’s a phrase used to remind us of the importance of putting our words into actions. For many non believers, they look at people who claim they are Christians with words but then contradict those words by their own actions.

    A true Christ-Follower lives by God’s power! Think about that for a moment! Are you living by God’s power? We unleash God’s Power in our life when we spend time in his Word weather by reading, hearing, or participating in the Word. But the Super Natural Power of God flows when we Meditate on His Word, Evaluate our lives according to His Word, and Activate our faith in the Light of His Word! When we do these three things, it brings His Word to life! This allows us to live by His Power in a way others can see Him more clearly.

    Today, lets live by God’s power so others can see that being a Christ Follower is not just a title but a way of life!

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Corinthians 3

    “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.” v.18

    Sometimes I am my own worst enemy! It’s easy for me to deceive myself by looking at my life and thinking that I am doing pretty good.  I can see sin, call it sin, but then justify it if I indulge in it.  There are times that I try to fix things on my own, serve on my own, and simply live in the way I want to live. I can have knowledge of a lot of things and still be foolish. But I don’t want to live like this!

    I want to experience the Power of God that raised Christ from the dead, healed the sick, made blind men see, and the lame walk.  This can only be found when I step away from everything I know, and experience the unknown by putting my faith Christ.  Until I am willing to truly step out in faith, I will be trapped by my own knowledge, good works, and pride!

    Today, think about the areas where you deceive yourself. Are you willing to face the known and unknown and truly put your Faith in Christ?

     

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Corinthians 2

    “For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.” v.2

    Wow, what would this look like on a daily basis? What would it look like if we saw people based on what Jesus Christ has done for them instead of what they have done for themselves! How would it change the way we treat people, the conversations we have, and or the things that we do?  I don’t know exactly what it would look like, but I think it would radically change the way we live, how we talk, how we see others, and how we serve!

    Jesus saw everyone in the same way, sinners who needed a savior. Every encounter, regardless of who they were, He addressed sin and then revealed an opportunity to be loved and forgiven by God. He stayed focused on His purpose and didn’t get side-tracked by their situation. In this He was able to offer them what they really needed instead.

    Today, will you focus on Jesus and let everything flow from your relationship with Him.

  • Bible Challenge – 1 Corinthians 1

    “The Message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” v.18 (NLT)

    The Cross! A symbol people wear around their neck, on a t-shirt, or as body art. It a symbol that has become a fashion statement adorned by believers and non-believers. But the cross is so much more than a fashion accessory.

    Over 2ooo years ago, the cross was a symbol of death.  It wasn’t something worn as a fashion accessory, but something carried in the final hours of someones life.  It would be much like an electric chair today.  So the message of the cross has always centered around death.

    But when Jesus was nailed to the cross, death and life collided.  Because the message of The Cross is good news to all of mankind. The Cross reveals the Greatest Expression of Love and Devotion. You see without the Cross, we are held responsible for our sin. The Bible says, “that the wages of sin is death.” Because God punishes sin, the Cross was the extreme punishment for sin. The Cross was the place where sin collided with God’s wrath & judgment!

    But, because God is a loving God, the Cross is the extreme expression of God’s love!  Jesus took on God’s Wrath and Judgment, when He was crucified on the Cross.  The Cross stands between God’s wrath and God’s love! It reveals both a God that seeks Justice and God that provides Love.  Therefore, it’s through the cross, where we experience the love of God and are able to love Him and others!

    Today, when you think of the cross what do you think of?  Has the Cross just become a symbol to be adorned or has it become the place where you surrender everything you are, for everything He is?

     

  • Bible Challenge – Philemon

    I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. v. 4-5 (NLT)

    There are two things that stand out to me when I read this passage! One is probably more obvious than the other but they are both challenging.

    First, you see the commitment and testimony of Philemon. Paul says he hears about Philemon from time to time and how the Lord is using him in the lives of other.  Philemons reputation is going before him and his influence is gaining because people are talking about him in positive ways.  This encourages not only Paul, but all the others that are carrying the name of Christ.

    Second, you see the commitment Paul has as a mentor.  This is not only a letter asking for help with some instructions, this is a letter of encouragement.  Paul was stating the things that sometimes never get said or leave people wondering if they are making a difference.  He was able to do this because he kept up with what was going on in Philemons life even tho they were in different areas serving.

    It’s a short book with 2 great challenges for each of us to question. First, has to deal with our reputation, testimony, and influence.  Could others say the things Paul says about Philemon about us? Why or Why not?

    The second challenge for each of us to question is this, Do we have someone we are mentoring? Is there someone we are challenging to be more like Christ, serving with, and capable of passing the baton to if God calls us somewhere else or something happens to us.

    These are the things that challenge me, and I hope they challenge you also. Let’s not just talk about it, Lets be About it!

    Today, ask yourself these two questions, “What type of reputation is my lifestyle producing?” and “Who am I mentoring and challenging to be more like Christ?”