Dan Gould

Tag: Your Name High by Hillsong United

  • Bible Challenge – 2 Corinthians 12

    “I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.” v.15 (NLT)

    This is the heart of a person who cares deeply for the people.  Paul had such a burden and passion to see others know and follow God that he would go to great length to reach and teach them everything he knew in-order to advance Gods Kingdom. However, people weren’t exactly showing him the same love back.

    The type of love Paul was expressing included encouragement and rebuking.  He didn’t just say the things that the people wanted to hear, he also said the things that they needed to hear. As a result, some started making excuses and pointing fingers back at Paul instead of dealing with the conviction they were feeling in their own heart.

    Let’s be honest, it tough to confront someone in a loving way! Many times we are so scared of how it may be perceived  and received that we will stay silent because we don’t want to lose that friendship. I get that. But if we really love them, we must learn how to talk about the difficult things with them. It’s not going g to be easy.  But instead of worrying about the outcome, let’s share the truth and work through the situation together!

    Today, is there a difficult conversation you need to have with someone you love? Will you learn to not just say the things they want to hear, but also share the things they need to hear in love. It may be tough, but Real love isn’t always easy!

  • Bible Challenge – 2 Corinthians 6

    “We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.” v.3 (NLT)

    People are watching!!! How you live impacts how they interpret what you believe, and what they believe about what you believe! Now this doesn’t mean we need to walk around on eggshells hoping we don’t mess up, but it does mean that as Christ Followers we begin to express on the outside the things we believe on the inside. This is where we put our faith in action and others can see Jesus by the way we live.

    Today, don’t let the things you say or do cause someone else to stumble and/or discredit the work of Christ in you and potentially in them!

  • Bible Challenge – 2 Timothy 1

    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” v. 7

    Fear is a powerful thing.  It can keep us trapped in so many areas and even cause us to question God, ourselves, our family, and our friends.  Fear can cause us physical pain as well as emotional pain.  However, fear can be defeated, when we trust the Lord and turn to Him with all of our stuff, not just parts of it.

    Many times our greatest fear is the unknown.  When we let the fear of the unknown trap us, we limit our effectiveness to be used by God. So, we have to come to the point where we understand that fear is the opposite of faith.

    God doesn’t want us to fearful, He wants us to be faithful!  When we step out in faith, He gives us the power to walk through every fearful situation.  Each situation will cause us to experience His love and Supernatural Power, causing us to  become more self-disciplined in the process.  But let me warn you, facing your fear and stepping out in faith, isn’t going to be easy! It may be one of the most difficult things you do as a believer!

    Today, what fears are keeping you trapped?  Will you turn that fear over to God so you can experience His Power, Love, and Self-Discipline?