Dan Gould

Tag: You Deserve by Hillsong

  • Bible Challenge – Ephesians 6

    A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

    13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17

    When I was younger I use to have this weird dream of showing up to school in just my underwear.  Maybe I’m the only one, but I think many others have had that same dream.  I’d wake up in the morning thankful it was just a dream.  However, it saddens me how many Christ Followers leave their house naked … not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one.  They leave their house not fully dressed for the day ahead.  Yes, they may have spent hours in-front of a mirror, they may have pressed all their close and they may look good on the outside, but they have done nothing to pre-pare themselves for the day ahead on the inside.

    As a Christ Follower, it is important for me to be pre-pared for the day ahead.  It’s like getting in the zone before a big game. When I spend time with God, I am pre-pairing myself for the day.  I’m getting in the zone so I can be victorious over the temptations that the devil will bring my way that day.  Many battles with sin have been won and lost based on my time spent with the Lord.  However, when I put on the armor, I am pre-pared for the day.  The belt of Truth, guides my thoughts, the Breastplate of Righteousness guards my heart, the Shoes of peace, allows me to run from or stand firm against sin, the Shield of Faith, allows me to hide behind when the devil unleashes his attack, the Helmet of Salvation, keep me secure and protects my thoughts, and the Sword of the Spirit allows me to advance His Kingdom.  God has given us these things so we can stand against the evil one, so when he comes to attack, lets not be naked, but fully clothed so we can stand against him.

    Father, today, help me be fully clothed.  When the temptations come today, and I know they will, give me the power to stand my ground, to resist the temptation and push toward the victory.  In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen!

     

    When you read Ephesians 6 what passage spoke to you?

     

  • Mark 3:7-12

    “Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, 8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.” v.7-8 (NLT)

    Jesus always drew a crowd! However, not all the people in the crowd would commit to the things he would say, do, or teach.  In fact this crowd was a diverse crowd.  It included …

    The Saints – These were the religious leaders of the day.  They were a holier than tho group that didn’t feel like they need a savior because the were pretty good at keeping most of the law.  In fact, most of them rejected Jesus teachings and looked for way to oppose Him.  However, it didn’t stop them for wanting to be where Jesus was.

    The Skeptics – These were people who had heard about Jesus, but had a lot of questions.  They wanted to see with their own eyes the things they were hearing so they could make an opinion on their own about who He really was.  Many of them watched from a distance but never applied the things they heard or saw.  They didn’t totally buy into His life and teachings.

    The Sinners – These were the people who had heard, and believed Jesus was who He said He was, and He could, and would, do the things He said He would do.  These people understood who they were, and how much they needed Him.  They took the things they saw and heard to heart.  They had experienced Jesus and wanted others to experience Him also, so they began telling other about Him.

    Let’s face it, every crowd is made up of different people.  They may look the same on the outside, but what’s going on on the inside can be much different.  Each person has to decide how they respond to Jesus, some will respond in a prideful way, like the saints, and see no need for God, others will not respond at all and stay skeptical, while some will admit who they are and trade that for WHO HE is and what He has done to restore us to God.

    Today, which face are you?  Are you a saint, a skeptic, or a sinner?

    Prayer: Father, help us realize and admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Show us the areas that we are prideful and skeptical.  Grow our faith so we can trust you with everything, not just the easy things that don’t require faith, but the hard things that cause us to question.