Eternal Salvation

Actress Naya Rivera who portrayed a high school character in the television program, Glee, recently drowned in Lake Piru physically located in Southern California.  According to an investigation report, she and her very young son had been swimming in the lake earlier in the afternoon.  They swam back to the pontoon boat rental, when they were done for the day.  Naya helped her son get back onto the deck of the boat.  Then, she disappeared under the water.  Her adult-size life vest was later found on the boat.

The life vest had been available to her all day.  However, she chose to go without it.  Perhaps, she thought it was unnecessary and cumbersome.  Maybe, she was an excellent swimmer.  Therefore, she didn't think of the possibility of getting too physically tired to make it into the boat later.  After all, she had probably been relying on her own self and ability in the lake.  And, she had done just fine earlier.

God has made eternal salvation available to every person in this world.  Yet, numerous people choose to go without it every day of their lives.  Maybe, they too think it is unnecessary like Naya thought of the life vest.  Perhaps, they think they are doing fine in life on their own.  They do not realize they are going to get tired of doing everything for themselves in their own limited strength.  They will come to a point in life where they know they need an eternal Savior.

I am sure that was the case with Naya when she did not have the energy or strength to pull herself up into the boat after helping her young son get into the boat.  There are always days and times when we in our own limited strength do not have the energy and strength to pull ourselves up by the boot straps so to speak whether into a boat, out of a pit, out of a fiery furnace, or out of the wilderness (Read Genesis 37:18-24; Exodus 13:14, 16-18; Daniel 3; Matthew 4:1-11).  We all come to a point in our lives where we know we need Almighty, all-powerful God to eternally save us from the enemy of our souls. 

It is too bad that Naya did not know and understand that specific principle before reaching the point of no return.  Unfortunately, we do not know whether she reached out to Jesus before drowning in the lake.  She may have made that decision at the last minute like the thief on the cross who Jesus accepted into Paradise with Him.  That choice was between her and Him then. 

Will you make the same decision though?  Will you wait too long --- until the very last minute of your life?  Or, will you choose to put your faith and trust in Jesus now? 

(Read Isaiah 53; John 3:16-17; John 19; Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:8-10)

Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All Rights Reserved.

Thy Will Be Done

Source: YouTube

When we attempt to do God's will, it will not always be easy.  We will not always be liked by people.  We will not always experience smooth sailing in the midst of pursuing His perfect will. 

There may be times and days where we experience more challenges, trials, and hardships than other times and days (See James 1:2-4).  We may be ridiculed by people.  We may experience opposition.  We may have persecution.  We may be falsely accused; wrongly charged and convicted; and be thrown in jail.  (See John 15:18-25)

Jesus did not have an easy time doing His Father's perfect will.  He experienced more than any of us ever will face in this world.  

So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.  And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe.  Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands.  (John 19:1-3, NKJV)

He was mocked.  He was tortured.  He was whipped.  He took thirty-nine lashes on His physical body.

They crucified Him upon a cross, and a title was put on there.  

"JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS."  (John 19:19, NKJV)

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.  They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:

“They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”

Therefore the soldiers did these things.  (John 19:23-24, NKJV)

After... Jesus received the sour wine,  He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.  (John 19:30, NKJV)

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.  (John 19:34, NKJV)

Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All Rights Reserved.

A Good Father

I recently asked a housekeeper at a hotel for a couple of extra hand towels, since there was a leak in the bathroom near the front of the bathtub.  At first, he brought me a large blue towel and asked me if it would work for me.  I told him, "No!"  I asked him to get a couple of dish towels if he couldn't find hand towels.  When he came back to my door, he passed me through the cracked door what appeared to be a blue hand towel.  However, after he left my doorway, I realized that he brought me three blue hand rags which he had been holding all folded up together.

God tells us in His word what it means when you ask for one item and you get another item instead.

"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:11-13, NKJV)

Some people are wrong in their head and heart.  This particular incident reminded me though that God is not like those people at all.  He brought the above scripture to my mind then.

He calls people who give or bring us different items than what we ask for --- evil.  He goes on to say how a good father gives good gifts to his children.  Then, how much more would He give good gifts to the ones who ask Him?

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13, NKJV)

God is a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children!

Later the next day, another staff member not only brought me extra hand towels as I had originally asked but also extra hand rags.  My Father is really good!  He gives abundantly more than we ask and imagine according to His power within us (See Ephesians 3:20).

Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All Rights Reserved.

Life of Legacy

International minister, evangelist, apologist --- Ravi Zacharias --- touched so many people and their lives including me and my life.  He passed away last month after a brief battle with a form of cancer.  He was just 74 years old.

I took one of his Apologetics' courses in a church while in Tennessee several years ago.  Ravi shared about faith and other topics through videos.  There were other people who were interviewed in the videos.  People from other church denominations such as a woman who attended and believed in universalism.  Just a couple of years ago, I personally saw and heard Ravi speak and preach at a church here in Greensboro, North Carolina.  He didn't stay long afterwards.  He said he had been on the road for awhile and wanted to get back to his wife.  I am grateful for those two separate experiences in my life.  

Billy Graham was an international minister and evangelist who traveled and preached all over the world.  Growing up, I watched him on television at a crusade on occasion.  I also remember personally going to, at least, two of his crusades.  One when I was growing up with my immediate family in the south.  Another time when I took my paternal grandmother to go see him towards the end of his crusade ministry.  Additionally, I remember watching an interview of him near the end of his life.  The interviewer asked him a question about his global ministry.  He answered with he was always praying even right then while talking with the man who interviewed him.  Mr. Graham lived nearly one hundred years and passed away only a couple of years ago.

When I was in seminary a few years ago, part of the program included a theological course.  R.C. Sproul, an American Theologian, was only one person in a video in that specific on-line course.  However, he was good writing out notes on the chalkboard.  He and his biblical teaching made quite an impression on me at the time.  He passed away just in the last few years at the age of 78.

(See Jeremiah 29:11-13; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12)

What do all three of these older men have in common?  Besides being gone now...?  They all made a mark in this world.  Perhaps, they positively affected you and your life.  I know they all had a portion to play in my own faith journey.  They all made a difference in my life.  

They all lived a life where they left a legacy.  Just watch and listen to this song, Legacy...

                                                                            

                                                                       Source:  YouTube

I want to leave a legacy.  How about you?

                          Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Proclaiming God's Word

Proclaim God's word --- His truth --- instead of claiming the devil's lies.

When people are physically sick, I often hear them say, "...my {disease, illness, sickness, ailment}..." I don't think they truly realize what they are saying though. They are claiming the devil's lies. They are speaking death over themselves.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21, NKJV)

For those who have already accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior; sickness, disease, illness, ailments are not ours anymore. They belong to Jesus, because He took care of all of them for us on the cross. He took the punishment, pain, sorrow, grief, and so much more for us. Therefore, don't take what is not yours. Jesus paid it all! He became the perfect sacrifice for all of us that specific day over 2000 years ago. It's all taken care of for us. So, know and remember that truth. (Read Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 2:24)

When you have physical symptoms, don't focus on those lies from the enemy. Stand firm on God's word! Proclaim, "...And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5, NKJV)

"I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord." (Psalm 118:17, NKJV)

God always wants all of His children to honor and glorify Him. He also desires that all of us prosper in every area of our lives including our health.

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 2, NKJV)

Choose to believe Him and His word over the lies of the enemy of your soul. (See Mark 11:22-24; John 8:44, 10:10)

Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

No Condemnation

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1, NKJV)

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus... Depending on the version of the Bible, that's basically all that verse says. And, some people just stop there with that part of the scripture verse whether they have read another version. However, when we look at the NKJV, there is a lot more to that scripture verse. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who don't walk according to the flesh [which is the old, sinful nature] but according to the spirit [which is the new, born-again nature]. There are people within the body of Christ who unfortunately still walk according to their old, carnal, fleshly ways. Partly due to spiritual immaturity. Partly due to lack of spiritual knowledge (See Hosea 4:6a). Basically, due to not daily renewing the mind on God's word though (See Romans 12:2).

Make sure to read this entire scripture verse in a good translation, so you will really know and understand what the author means and wants the reader to see with their spiritual eyes of faith.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus [new spiritual identity] who do not walk [live] according to the flesh [the old, carnal nature] but according to the spirit [the new nature].

For all of those who are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. The Holy Spirit never brings condemnation but only conviction---conviction of the righteousness which comes through faith in Jesus. The Son of God traded His righteousness for all people’s original unrighteousness on the cross. He became the propitiation for all people’s sins in the world. The conviction of righteousness means that all believers in Jesus Christ spiritually know, understand, and discern that they need to do better, because they now know better by the spirit of God.


Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Faith vs. Fear

We have been in the midst of a health-related crisis which has affected thousands of people, many relationships, numerous lives, hundreds of businesses, and the economy in this country.  We have been in isolation, doing social distancing, and basically in quarantine for over a month now.  Many people wear masks when going out to run personal errands and going to medical appointments.

We as God's children don't have to fear catching the global virus, because of Jesus' sacrifice and atonement on the cross.  He was punished for all sin once and for all time (See Isaiah 53:4-5).  We are protected from all sickness, disease, illness by the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore, we already have divine health in this life. 

 

The world wants people to be afraid, because they live in the physical and the natural.  That includes the five senses of seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and feeling.  There is nothing and no one chasing after any person in this world, but there are people who are afraid and run for cover like they are fearful of getting the virus.  

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare..."  (Proverbs 29:25a, NIV)



"The wicked flee when no one pursues... " (Proverbs 28:1a, NKJV)

God wants us to put our complete faith in Him.  The kingdom of God is supernatural.  We walk by faith and not by sight (See 2 Corinthians 5:7).  We live by the Spirit of God within us.  We are in this world but not of this world (See Romans 12:2).  

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)

God tell us hundreds of times in His word, "Do not fear... Do not be afraid..."  (See Deuteronomy 31:6, 8)  We can believe Him and trust Him.  He is trustworthy and faithful.

"...but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."  (Proverbs 29:25b, NIV)

"...But the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1b, NKJV)

However, we use wisdom and walk in love towards other people which includes those who are weak in faith (See Romans 14; James 1:5).  Therefore, we wear masks when we are out and about in order to love ourselves and others in the world (See Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 6:31).  We keep our distance from others.  We isolate ourselves from other people.

But, ultimately we believe and know that God is our protector (See Psalm 91).

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10, NKJV)

Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.