Dan Gould

Tag: Dan Gould

  • One More For Jesus is Baptized

    A couple of years ago I had the privilege of leading my oldest son to Christ.  It’s a night I’ll never forget!!!!  Thankfully I was an active blogger and captured the story.  Here is a recap of how the night went:

    Josiah and I have been reading the Bible together before he goes to bed each night for quite sometime now. We have made it through the Old Testament and just started the New Testament. The last couple of nights have been on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Tonight, the passage was from Acts 1 when Jesus ascends to Heaven. As Josiah and I talked about the lesson, we talked about Heaven and who gets to go to Heaven. We talked about what keeps people from heaven. He knows that sin keeps people from Heaven (We’ve talked about sin for awhile and he knows what sin is). So when I told him that sin keeps us from God and if we don’t have Jesus in our heart we can’t go to Heaven, He understood it. He asked if I (me) died would I go to Heaven and I said yes because I have asked Jesus into my heart and He forgave me of my sin. And because I have done that, when I die, I get to go to Heaven. After I said this, I asked him, “What happens to people that don’t ask Jesus into their heart?” He said with a gulp, “they go to Hell.” I asked, “Why do they go to Hell?” He said, “Because Jesus hasn’t taken away their sins.”

    At this point my heart began to race. I asked Josiah, “Have you ever asked Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you of your sins? He said, “I want too but I don’t know how!” So innocent. I said, “All you have to do is pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and to forgive you of your sins. If I pray with you, do you want to pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you of your sins?” He said, “Yes!” So needless to say, we called Stephanie into the room, of coarse Jackson followed, and as a family we prayed together and Josiah asked Jesus to come into his heart and forgive him for his sins. As a dad, this is the moment you pray for and as a pastor/dad you try not to rush, but tonight, I am proud to proclaim we have one more for Jesus in the Gould Family! Josiah asked Jesus into his heart!

    But the story doesn’t end there.  This last weekend I had the privilege of Baptizing Josiah.  What a special day is he publicly professed Christ.  Another moment that will forever be etched in my heart as a dad!  Here is Josiah’s profession of faith in Christ and Baptism.

  • Joplin Relief Update

    Many of you have asked about Joplin and how you can get involved.  We are currently collecting supplies that are being sent as people and teams go to the area.  Feel free to pick up these supplies and drop off items in the Fellowship Hall here at FBC Harvester. Here is a list of the supplies we are collecting and sending:

    • cases of bottled water
    • socks and underwear
    • diapers and formula
    • bottled water
    • personal hygiene items
    • blankets
    • pillows
    • cots
    • work gloves and boots
    • first aid supplies
    • paper products
    • chain saw oil
    • hand sanitizer
    • manual can openers, etc.

    If you would like to make a donation please make your check payable to “FBCH” and write “Joplin Relief” on the envelope. You can donate through the offering, the church office, at the Information Center on Sunday, or by mailing.

    We are in contact with Red Cross and College Heights Christian Church in Joplin and are working on details for a volunteer trip in the next couple of weeks as volunteers become more needed.

    For the latest info, make sure to follow FBC Harvester on Twitter @fbcharvester  We will also be updating the website as we get more information. Please continue to be in prayer for those affected by the tornado and how God can use each of us to help in this great time of need.

  • Bible Challenge – Genesis 1

    “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” v.1 (NLT)

    I am excited to be reading through Genesis.  So much of scripture comes back to theses first 5 books of the Bible known as the Pentateuch.  I encourage you to read with me.  Today, I posting one of the notes from my NLT Life Application Study Bible.  This is the Bible I read from, and highlight in on regular basis.  One day I hope to pass it on to my family so they can be challenged in changed by it as much as I have.

    When we read Genesis 1, we see where all this stuff that we know as life begins. Some choose to believe while others choose to reject theses thing.  What you choose to believe will impact how you live, and what you teach your children.  This has never been more important to me than it is right now with my boys getting older.  I don’t want to answer their questions with, it’s in the Bible. I want to be able to show them where and begin a dialogue with them so they can begin to wrestle with the basic and deeper things of God as they grow to know Him.  Here’s what’s important to understand about verse 1.

    “This simple statement that God created the heavens and the earth is one of the most challenging concepts confronting the modern mind. The vast galaxy we live in is spinning at the incredible speed of 490,00 miles an hour. But even at this breakneck speed, our galaxy still needs 200 million years to make one rotation. And there are over one billion other galaxies just like ours in the universe.

    Some scientist say that the number of starts in creation is equal to all the grains of all the sands on all the beaches of the world. Yet this complex sea of spinning stars functions with remarkable order and efficiency. To say that the universe ‘just happened’ or ‘evolved’ requires more faith than to believe that God is behind these amazing statistics. God truly did create a wonderful universe.

    God did not need to create the universe; he chose to create it. Why? Because God is love, and love is best expressed toward something or someone else – so God created the world and people as an expression of his love. We should avoid reducing Gods creation to merely scientific terms. Remember that God created the universe because he loves us.”

    Today, look for evidences of God the Creator and then thank him for all the things He has made and blessed you with.

    Read it all: Genesis 1.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.29.11

    What a great day at FBC Harvester. We honored our Veterans, wrapped up a great series on parenting, and I had the privilege to baptize my oldest son!!!! With that being said, this series has been so good for Steph and I an I know its been good for our church. I’ve laughed, I’ve thought, I’ve been encouraged, and I’ve also been convicted. It has caused me to really look at how I am parenting, and I hope it has done the same for you.

    Here are my notes from week 5 as we wrap up this series with the topic “Dealing with Discipline.”

    PARENT TRAPPED
    “Dealing with Discipline”

    * The reason kids are out of control at school is because they have too much control at home! – Wow so true!

    “Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” Proverbs 19:18 (NLT)

    * 2 things to notice from this verse about discipline

    1. Start Early while kids are small! – you can always excuse immediate consequences, but you set your child up for failure in the future by doing so.

    2. How you discipline your child affects the quality of the rest of their life! – Discipline is like potty training, its miserable going thru it, but it marvelous when its done. Remember The end product is worth the process!!!

    Note: notice who’s at fault if your child is undisciplined.

    “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11(NIV)

    WHEN DISCIPLINING YOUR CHILD . . .

    1. FOLLOW GOD’S EXAMPLE.

    “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten . . . “ Revelation 3:19 (NKJV)

    • For IDENTIFICATION.

    “For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all.” Hebrews 12:6-8 (NLT)

    * When you discipline your child, you are saying that you belong to me!

    • For PREVENTION.

    “If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”
    2 Corinthians 12:6-7 (NLT    )

    * When you discipline, you tell your child that you love them too much to put them in that situation to deal with that temptation.

    * This is preventative discipline.

    • For EDUCATION.

    “I use to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your Word . . . The suffering You sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your principles. . . I know, O Lord, that Your decisions are fair; You disciplined me because I needed it.”
    Psalm 119:67, 71, 75

    * Sometimes we have to be broken down because we have the tendency to run off!

    2. BELIEVE GOD’S WORD.

    ➢ God Says Discipline Will . . .

    • Lead To KNOWLEDGE & WISDOM.

    “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Proverbs 12:1 (NLT)

    “A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction” Proverbs 13:1 (NLT)

    * If you never point out whats wrong, how will they ever get it right?

    • Save You SOME HEARTACHE.

    “To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.” Proverbs 29:15 (NLT)

    • Root Out REBELLION.

    “A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.” Proverbs 22:15 (NLT)

    “The rod and rebuke give wisdom. . .” Proverbs 29:15a (NKJV)

    * God has given a spanking spot for each child! It’s located right at the lower back and just above the legs!

    * Spanking is the last option, rebuking always comes first!

    • Steers Toward SALVATION.

    * Use Discipline to guide them to salvation and the right direction they are supposed to go!

    * They need Firm Direction!!!!

    “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.” Proverbs 23:13-14 (NKJV)

    * Know when to pat high (on back) and when to pat low (on butt)!

    3. DELIVER IT GOD’S WAY.

    ➢ LOVINGLY.

    “Man’s anger does not bring the righteous life God desires.” James 1:20

    * Discipline is not revenge for action, its goal is always driven by repentance.

    *Punishment focuses on the outward action, where discipline focuses on the inward attitude.

    * Discipline in calm ways!

    ➢ FIRMLY.

    ➢ SPARINGLY.

    “Fathers, don’t scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying.” Colossians 3:21 (LB)

    It has been a great series.  If you missed today or any other week in this series, I highly encourage you to watch the message on-line by clicking here. Next week we start a new series so make plans now to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    I hope the Parent Trapped series has been helpful and challenged you to think about the way you parent! My prayer is that all of us would strive to raise our kids in the type of Home they really need. One that will set biblical principles and point them into a relationship with Christ!

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.22.11

    Here is the outline from week 4 of our series called Parent Trapped.  Sadly, yet excitedly I was unable to be here for the message because my wife and I were closing on our house in Texas to finalize our move to Texas.  When things get settled here (aka boxes unpacked and honey-do-lists comp …. well thats an endless list so lets not wait on that), the both of us will sit down and watch the message together and I’ll update this post then.


    PARENT TRAPPED
    “What Children Wish Their Parents Knew”

    “The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.” Proverbs 10:1 (NLT)

    “Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.” Proverbs 17:25 (NLT)

    CHILDREN WOULD LOVE TO SAY TO THEIR PARENTS . . .

    1.  “SOMETIMES JUST LISTEN TO ME WITHOUT JUDGING ME OR TRYING TO FIX ME.”

    “. . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. . .” James 1:19b (NIV)

    “The first duty of love is to listen.” Paul Tillich

    • 4 Parent Traps of Communication:

    ➢ Exaggeration

    ➢ Martyr Complex

    ➢ Comparison

    ➢ Prophesy

    2. “I’M NOT YOU, SO HELP ME BE ME.”

    “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. . .” Proverbs 24:3 (NIV)

    “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

    “Whoever is patient has great understanding. . .” Proverbs 14:29a (NIV)

    3. “I RESPOND BETTER TO PRAISE THAN TO CRITICISM.”

    “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)

    “Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.” Colossians 3:21 (NLT)

    4. WHEN YOU DISRESPECT MY FRIENDS, I HEAR YOU CRITICIZING ME.

    “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)

    ‘Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.’ 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

    “Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.” Proverbs 28:7 (NLT)

    5. “I MAY ACT LIKE I DON’T LIKE RULES, BUT I NEED SOME LIMITS.”

    “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Proverbs 10:17

    ➢ BE CLEAR.

    ➢ BE CONSISTENT.

    ➢ BE UNIFIED.

    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!

  • Joplin Relief – 5.25.11

    This morning’s update for Joplin Relief effort:

    Our first team is on the ground working with the Red Cross. At this point they need supplies desperately. Food seems to be arriving okay, still needed:

    Water
    Work boots
    Clothes, esp socks & underwear
    Paper products: plates, cups, etc
    Packing boxes and tape
    Kids’ toys & stuffed animals & games
    Toiletries including diapers & feminine products

    These items can be dropped off at First Baptist Church Harvester in the Fellowship Hall back by the sound booth and we will send them down as we have space and transportation. We are also collecting money for rental equipment when they allow us to start helping with cleanup.

  • 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?