Dan Gould

Tag: You Hold Me Now by Hillsong United

  • Bible Challenge – Hebrews 6

    “For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” v. 10 (NLT)

    Have you ever felt discouraged? You work hard, serve in love, but feel like the people around you don’t even notice. I wish I could say that when you reach out to others by teaching, serving, mentoring them that you will always feel like you are making a difference. But truthfully, I can’t say that. There are times that I feel like I am ineffective, there are times that I get discouraged, there are times that I even want to quit. But it is in these times that I have to look beyond my feelings and trust that the Lord is using me. Besides, it’s not about how I feel! The enemy want me to feel these things so I give up and not trust that the Lord is using me. It’s not about my feelings but about Him being glorified by what is happening. This verse is a great reminder to all of us today.

    It’s easy to get discouraged, thinking that God has forgotten us. But God is never unjust. He never forgets or overlooks our hard work for Him. Presently you may not be receiving rewards and acclaim, but God knows your efforts of love and ministry. Let His love for you and His intimate knowledge of your service for Him encourage and strengthen you as you face disappointment and even rejection here on earth.

    Today, let’s find our hope and encouragement from the Lord and love, serve, teach, and model what it means to be a Christ Follower, even when we feel discouraged. Remember, He is Faithful, lets not give up, but press in!

    When you read Hebrews 6 what speaks to you?

  • Mark 4:35-41

    “Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?‘” v. 40 (NLT)

    The Storm!  Probably one of the most intense experiences the Disciples had with Jesus.  They were fearful for their life! They had done all they could, the boat was taking on water and Jesus was sleeping as if they were on a peaceful boat ride.  In a panic they woke Him!  Calmly Jesus stands up and say’s, “Silence! Be Still!” Suddenly the wind stopped and the waves calmed.  Then he asked “The Question.”

    Fear is a real thing.  It can challenge our beliefs, sideline us from trying something new, or paralyze us from stepping out in Faith.  In Fact, Fear is the total opposite of Faith.

    Storms will come and go.  Some will be more intense than others.  But how we respond to these storms is important.  Fear will be our natural response.  It causes us to internalize the situation, causing us to look for immediate answers, or a quick fixes.  Faith however, causes us to focus on Jesus instead of the storm.  It allows us to look outside ourselves, develops our character, opens our life to experience a miracle and the peace of God. Jesus can make a difference no matter how weak or fierce the storm you are facing is! The question is, are you stepping back in fear or stepping out in faith?

    Today, what storm do you need to put faith in Jesus?

    Prayer: Father, I admit, sometimes I step back in fear, instead of stepping out in faith.  I know that you have the power to handle any storm that comes my way.  Even if I don’t understand why things happen the way they do, let me trust you with each situation, the good and the bad.  Grow my Faith and develop my character, so the storms become smaller and smaller now matter how intense they are.