MOVING BLOG

It is final . . . I am moving this blog to www.dangould.wordpress.com So, if you want to keep up, make sure to change your info!

Daniel 2:24-49

"Daniel replied, 'There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.'" v.27-28

The king said to Daniel, 'Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.'
Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men. At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court." v.47-49

Nebuchadnezzar honored Daniel and Daniel's God. If Daniel had taken the credit himself, the king would have only honored Daniel. Because Daniel gave God the credit, the king honored both of them. Part of our mission in this world is to show unbelievers what God is like. We can do that by acts of love and compassion; and if we give God credit for our actions, they will want to know more about him. Give thanks to God for what he is doing in and through you.

But also notice that after Daniel was named ruler over the whole province of Babylon and placed in charge of the wise men, Daniel requested that his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, be appointed as his assistants. Daniel knew that he could not handle such an enormous responsibility without capable assistants, so he chose the best men he knew - his three Hebrew friends. A competent leader never does all the work alone; he or she knows how to delegate and supervise.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

Daniel 2:1-24

When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened. Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant.

Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon." v.14-18
Daniel was at a crisis point. Have you ever been there yourself? Instead of shrinking back in fear, Daniel confidently believed God would tell him all the king wanted to know. When the king gave Daniel the time to find the answer, he found his three friends and began to pray.

When you find yourself in a tight spot, share your needs with trusted friends who also believe in God's power. Prayer is more effective than panic. Panic confirms your hopelessness; prayer confirms your hope in God. Daniel's trust in God saved not only himself but also his three friends and all the other wise men of Babylon.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

And, I'm Back!!!

Sorry I haven't been blogging for a couple of days, our router went out and I have been swamped with yearly planning and budgeting. There is a lot going on in my little world. But I will be back tomorrow with regular entries from my daily readings and hopefully some other things as well.

Still trying to be a better blogger. It is challenging since I don't know how to type. (yes I still hunt an peck, however, i am pretty fast!) I know twitter is the new crave, but I don't think people need to know every-time life happens or when i need to take a crap! Maybe i just don't understand it, but to be honest, i don't need another form of media taking me away from my family.

Excited about tomorrow!

Daniel 1

"But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods." v.8
Daniel was determined to be devoted to the principle and to be committed to the course of action. When Daniel made his mind up not to defile himself, he was being true to a lifelong determination to do what was right and not to give into the pressures around him. We, too, are often assaulted by pressures to compromise our standards and live more like the world around us. Merely wanting or preferring God's will and way is not enough to stand against the onslaught of temptation. Like Daniel, we must resolve to obey God.
It is easier to resist temptation if you have thought through your convictions before the temptation arises. Daniel and his friends made their decision to be faithful to the laws of God before they were faced with the kings delicacies, so they did not hesitate to stick with their convictions. We will get into trouble if we have not previously decided where to draw the line. Before such situations arise, decide on your commitments and what you will do. Then when the temptation comes, you will be ready to say no.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

National Day of Prayer

As I get started today here are the things that I am Praying for. I put it in an acronym I stole from Doug Fields. You can use this as a format for prayer.

Adoration
God you alone deserve my worship.
Your faithful love amazes me.
You have provided and blessed me beyond what I deserve: loving wife, healthy kids, friends that challenge me to grow, food and shelter, and the list goes on.

Confession
Sometimes I am fearful instead of faithful.
Sometimes I am selfish instead of selfless.
Sometimes I try to solve things in my own strength.
I wish I talked to you more.
Sometimes I catch myself going through the motions without being totally present.
I need you.

Thanksgiving
I am thankful for my wife, she blesses me more than she knows.
I am thankful for my kids, they area a joy/challenge but teach me everyday.
I am thankful for the friends that have been prayer warriors for us this year.
I am thankful for the opportunities to be used by you to influence students for your Kingdom.

Uplifting
I have been encouraged by the miracles we have seen with Jackson.
Seeing students come to know you amazes me how you can use me as an influence.
Following your leading even when we haven't understood completely has blessed and encouraged us.

Petition
Guide my thoughts, actions, re-actions, attitudes, and time to maximze the opportunities I have as a Husband, Father, Friend Leader!
Comfort those that are hurting from a loss or illness.
Give our ministry a vision that is bigger that we are so when we look back we see that you have been with us.
Give our church a clear unified approach to reaching and caring for the people in Collin County.
Strengthen families and relationships in our community, nation, and world.
Protect the innocent and those that have no voce for themselves.
Convict us of our sin and help us to turn to you with all of our hearts.
Lead pastors to be bold in proclaiming your truth with love.
Give wisdom to our government leaders as they address issues and make policies.
Give us wisdom as a nation as we begin to choose a new president.
Please lower gas prices.

God these and many other things are on my heart today. You know my heart, my thoughts, my needs, and my desires I pray that this day as christians gather around the nation to seek your face that you would hear our prayer and begin to turn hearts back to you! I pray all these things in the Name of Jesus

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, 'Son of man, can these bones become living people again?'
'O Sovereign Lord,' I replied, 'you alone know the answer to that.'”
v. 1-3
The dry bones represented the people's spiritually dead condition. Your church may seem like a heap of dry bones to you, spiritually dead with no hope of vitality. But just as God promised to restore his nation, he can restore my church, no matter how dry or dead it can be. Rather than give up, pray for renewal, for God can restore it to life. The hope and prayer of every church should be that God will put his spirit into it. In fact; God is at work calling his people back to himself, bringing life into dead churches and spiritually dead people.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible