"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV) Once we have been born again, we already have the fruit of the Spirit. It has to be used and developed by us though in order for the fruit to be shown in our lives.
As Jesus' disciples and Christ-followers, we need to bear fruit. However, we cannot and will not bear fruit without remaining in a continuous relationship with Jesus. “I
am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John
15:5, NIV)
Jesus is the true vine. Therefore, we must stay connected to Him. "Remain
in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it
must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in
me." (John 15:4, NIV) Jesus' Father and ours is the gardener who cuts off every branch in us that doesn't bear fruit. Every branch that does bear fruit, our Father prunes so that we will be even more fruitful. (John 15:1-2)
We don't need to just bear fruit, but we need to produce a lot of fruit in our lives. "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:8)
In addition, it isn't just any kind of fruit that we want and need to display either. It's the good kind of fruit. In order to bear good fruit, we have to be good disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can make us truly good. “Make a
tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit
will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (Matthew 12:33)
We will truly be known by the fruit that we bear in our lives. "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:16-20)
Jesus wants us to produce fruit that doesn't end. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." (John 15:16)
The Apostle Paul encourages us to live as children of the light. He tells us that the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. (Ephesians 5:8-9)
Let's choose to bear fruit but not just any fruit. Choose to produce lots of good fruit in your life. Decide to be a true disciple and follower of Jesus Christ by staying in relationship with Him. Then, we will truly be Children of the Light as He is in the Light. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
Copyright
2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Abiding in Jesus
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15:4, NKJV)
Jesus tells us that He is the true vine, and His Father is the vinedresser. (John 15:1) He also says that we are the branches. (John 15:5)
Are you abiding in Jesus?
According to Dictionary.com, the word 'abide' is defined as 'to remain, continue, stay'. If we are abiding in Jesus, we are remaining with Him. We continue with Him. We stay with Him. It also means 'to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship; last'. Therefore, we continue in our individual and personal relationships with Him.
How do we do it?
We stay in God's word. We continue seeking Him. We keep spending time with Him.
There are benefits for remaining in constant communication with Him. For one, we bear much fruit which means we are productive within the Kingdom of God. (John 15:5) "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:7-8, NKJV)
There are also consequences for not staying in relationship with Jesus. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..." (John 15:2a) We cannot and will not do anything really worthwhile without Him. (John 15:5) "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:6, NKJV)
When we abide in Jesus, we also abide in His love. (John 15:9) The only way we can truly abide in His love is by keeping His commandments. And, the only way we can really keep His commandments is by abiding in Him and staying in His word. (John 15:10)
Jesus tells us that He is the true vine, and His Father is the vinedresser. (John 15:1) He also says that we are the branches. (John 15:5)
Are you abiding in Jesus?
According to Dictionary.com, the word 'abide' is defined as 'to remain, continue, stay'. If we are abiding in Jesus, we are remaining with Him. We continue with Him. We stay with Him. It also means 'to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship; last'. Therefore, we continue in our individual and personal relationships with Him.
How do we do it?
We stay in God's word. We continue seeking Him. We keep spending time with Him.
There are benefits for remaining in constant communication with Him. For one, we bear much fruit which means we are productive within the Kingdom of God. (John 15:5) "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:7-8, NKJV)
There are also consequences for not staying in relationship with Jesus. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..." (John 15:2a) We cannot and will not do anything really worthwhile without Him. (John 15:5) "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:6, NKJV)
When we abide in Jesus, we also abide in His love. (John 15:9) The only way we can truly abide in His love is by keeping His commandments. And, the only way we can really keep His commandments is by abiding in Him and staying in His word. (John 15:10)
Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Acceptance by God
Anyone who has lived in this world for any length of time has experienced rejection at one time or another. It is an inevitable part of life. Rejection is even more a part of a Christian's life in this world. [Note: I am not trying to scare away those people who may not have already accepted Jesus into their hearts and lives. The Christian life isn't easy. However, it is still very much worth it!]
Since Jesus Christ experienced rejection, we can also expect to suffer rejection from others. "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held him in low esteem." (Isaiah 53:3, NIV) He suffered much for us. Likewise, we will also suffer persecution and rejection.
The disciple Luke affirms the rejection in the life of a true follower of Jesus Christ. "Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown." (Luke 4:24, NIV) As a matter of fact, we are told that we will have trouble in this world. (John 16:33) However, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. (Romans 8:37)
Little Shepherd boy, David, was initially rejected by both his father, Jesse, and Samuel. But the Lord told Samuel, "...The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b, NIV) David went on to become a king and ruled a country.
Therefore, it does matter what people think or say about us. We are not to allow people's opinions of us to affect us in a negative way. We are also not to allow the rejection by people to adversely affect us. It only matters what our Father thinks and says about us. His opinion is the only one which really makes a difference. He accepts all of His children. (Romans 14:3; Hebrews 12:6)
Our Father sees and knows us like no other person can or will ever know us. "God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us." (Acts 15:8, NIV)
The beloved disciple, John, talks more about our acceptance by God and others. "Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." (John 13:20, NIV) Therefore, we can expect to be accepted by those who accept Him.
In addition, the Apostle Paul tells us to honor God by our acceptance of others. "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 15:7, NIV)
No matter what happens in this world---we who are God's children are accepted by Him. We can rest in that assurance. We can also rest just knowing that when others don't accept us our Father will always accept us. It makes a huge difference.
Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Since Jesus Christ experienced rejection, we can also expect to suffer rejection from others. "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held him in low esteem." (Isaiah 53:3, NIV) He suffered much for us. Likewise, we will also suffer persecution and rejection.
The disciple Luke affirms the rejection in the life of a true follower of Jesus Christ. "Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown." (Luke 4:24, NIV) As a matter of fact, we are told that we will have trouble in this world. (John 16:33) However, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. (Romans 8:37)
Little Shepherd boy, David, was initially rejected by both his father, Jesse, and Samuel. But the Lord told Samuel, "...The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b, NIV) David went on to become a king and ruled a country.
Therefore, it does matter what people think or say about us. We are not to allow people's opinions of us to affect us in a negative way. We are also not to allow the rejection by people to adversely affect us. It only matters what our Father thinks and says about us. His opinion is the only one which really makes a difference. He accepts all of His children. (Romans 14:3; Hebrews 12:6)
Our Father sees and knows us like no other person can or will ever know us. "God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us." (Acts 15:8, NIV)
The beloved disciple, John, talks more about our acceptance by God and others. "Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." (John 13:20, NIV) Therefore, we can expect to be accepted by those who accept Him.
In addition, the Apostle Paul tells us to honor God by our acceptance of others. "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 15:7, NIV)
No matter what happens in this world---we who are God's children are accepted by Him. We can rest in that assurance. We can also rest just knowing that when others don't accept us our Father will always accept us. It makes a huge difference.
Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Friday, September 27, 2013
God's Plans
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
God's plans are always good. They are filled with hope, prosperity, and a future.
I hear and read almost on a daily basis these days people say something like..."Well, God had other plans." "God changed His plans." "God had different plans." Those "other plans" or "different plans" never include anything that is really good, hopeful, or prosperous. They usually include being sick, ill, dying too soon---basically anything you can think of that is destructive or tragic.
God never has "other plans" or "different plans" though. His plans are always to prosper us. His plans are always hopeful. His plans are always good. His plans are always to give us a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." (John 10:10b, NIV) The devil is the only one whose plans are to hurt us or harm us. The father of lies is the only one whose plans are to destroy us or kill us. (John 8:44)
God never never changes His plans. He allows everyone to choose life or death. He allows everyone to choose blessings or curses. (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19) He allows everyone to choose Him or the devil. (James 4:7)
Unfortunately, when people give the devil a foothold into them, then the enemy is able to work his plans into their lives. (Ephesians 4:26-27) A stronghold is formed in people when they continue sinning without repenting of it. True repentance means that a person stops sinning and turns toward God. (2 Corinthians 7:10; Matthew 3:8)
One of the best ways to turn towards God is to read His word on a daily basis. (Romans 12:2) Then, people will be able to better understand and know God's true nature. [*Note: Read my blog post, The True Nature of God] Only when everyone truly gets to know God and His true nature will they be able to know the difference between God's ways and the ways of the enemy. (Hebrews 5:14)
God's ways are always higher, better, positive, encouraging, good, and hopeful. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Therefore, God's plans are always in line with His ways, His true nature, and His word.
Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
God's plans are always good. They are filled with hope, prosperity, and a future.
I hear and read almost on a daily basis these days people say something like..."Well, God had other plans." "God changed His plans." "God had different plans." Those "other plans" or "different plans" never include anything that is really good, hopeful, or prosperous. They usually include being sick, ill, dying too soon---basically anything you can think of that is destructive or tragic.
God never has "other plans" or "different plans" though. His plans are always to prosper us. His plans are always hopeful. His plans are always good. His plans are always to give us a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." (John 10:10b, NIV) The devil is the only one whose plans are to hurt us or harm us. The father of lies is the only one whose plans are to destroy us or kill us. (John 8:44)
God never never changes His plans. He allows everyone to choose life or death. He allows everyone to choose blessings or curses. (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19) He allows everyone to choose Him or the devil. (James 4:7)
Unfortunately, when people give the devil a foothold into them, then the enemy is able to work his plans into their lives. (Ephesians 4:26-27) A stronghold is formed in people when they continue sinning without repenting of it. True repentance means that a person stops sinning and turns toward God. (2 Corinthians 7:10; Matthew 3:8)
One of the best ways to turn towards God is to read His word on a daily basis. (Romans 12:2) Then, people will be able to better understand and know God's true nature. [*Note: Read my blog post, The True Nature of God] Only when everyone truly gets to know God and His true nature will they be able to know the difference between God's ways and the ways of the enemy. (Hebrews 5:14)
God's ways are always higher, better, positive, encouraging, good, and hopeful. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Therefore, God's plans are always in line with His ways, His true nature, and His word.
Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Jesus is More Than Enough
Jesus is more than enough! He is more than enough for your healing! He is more than enough for your provision! He is more than enough for your blessings! He is more than enough!
What are you needing right now? Do you need healing? Do you need provision? Do you need blessings?
Well, then get ready! Get ready to receive all that Jesus died to give you! He died to give you more than what you may be experiencing right now in your life. He died to give you the abundant life here and now! (John 10:10b)
Jesus died for you for more than just forgiveness of sins---more than just existing, surviving, or living in this physical, natural world. He also died to give you many spiritual blessings which includes divine health, healing, and more. (Psalm 103:1-5) I am not just talking about physical healing either. I mean every possible type of healing you may need in every part of your body and in every area of your life.
Do you need emotional healing? Jesus is more than enough! Do you need mental healing? Jesus is more than enough? Do you need relational healing? Jesus is more than enough! Do you need financial healing? Jesus is more than enough! I am sure that you get the "picture" now.
If you aren't experiencing the 'abundant life' at this very moment, then there is a reason. Perhaps, you don't know God's word---His truth. God's children are "destroyed from lack of knowledge". (Hosea 4:6) Maybe, you don't believe the truth. Either way, for whatever reason, know that God's word is spirit and truth. (John 6:63) His word gives life. His spirit gives life.
Get in God's word! Meditate on it! (Joshua 1:8) Keep renewing your mind! (Romans 12:2) Pray continually! (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Believe and receive everything Jesus died to give you! (Mark 11:22:24)
You owe it to yourself! Most of all, you owe it to Jesus! Do not let His death be in vain! He died to give you the abundant life!
Jesus is more than enough!
What are you needing right now? Do you need healing? Do you need provision? Do you need blessings?
Well, then get ready! Get ready to receive all that Jesus died to give you! He died to give you more than what you may be experiencing right now in your life. He died to give you the abundant life here and now! (John 10:10b)
Jesus died for you for more than just forgiveness of sins---more than just existing, surviving, or living in this physical, natural world. He also died to give you many spiritual blessings which includes divine health, healing, and more. (Psalm 103:1-5) I am not just talking about physical healing either. I mean every possible type of healing you may need in every part of your body and in every area of your life.
Do you need emotional healing? Jesus is more than enough! Do you need mental healing? Jesus is more than enough? Do you need relational healing? Jesus is more than enough! Do you need financial healing? Jesus is more than enough! I am sure that you get the "picture" now.
If you aren't experiencing the 'abundant life' at this very moment, then there is a reason. Perhaps, you don't know God's word---His truth. God's children are "destroyed from lack of knowledge". (Hosea 4:6) Maybe, you don't believe the truth. Either way, for whatever reason, know that God's word is spirit and truth. (John 6:63) His word gives life. His spirit gives life.
Get in God's word! Meditate on it! (Joshua 1:8) Keep renewing your mind! (Romans 12:2) Pray continually! (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Believe and receive everything Jesus died to give you! (Mark 11:22:24)
You owe it to yourself! Most of all, you owe it to Jesus! Do not let His death be in vain! He died to give you the abundant life!
Jesus is more than enough!
Copyright
2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Married to Jesus
I received one of the best compliments from a
stranger a few years ago. A man told me as I walked past him that he could tell
who I was married to. I had to stop, turn around, and ask him
what he had previously said to me. I wasn't married to anyone.
Therefore, I didn't know what he was talking about then. However, it
occurred to me that this man who I didn't know at all. A man that I
had never seen before knew who I had been spending time with in those previous days. The
man knew that I was married to Jesus.
To be married to someone doesn't come by accident. It is intentional. It is on purpose. It takes effort. You have to make the time. You have to take the time. You have to spend time with the person. You have to communicate with the person.
When you spend time with someone, you begin to resemble that particular person. In the same way, when you spend time with Jesus, you start looking and acting like Him. I want people to know who I have been spending time with always. I want to look and act more like Jesus. I want people to know that I am married to Jesus.
How about you? Who do you spend time with the most? Who do you resemble now? Who are you "married" to at the moment? Is it Jesus?
(Scripture references: John 15:1-17; Romans 12:1-2; Joshua 1:8)
To be married to someone doesn't come by accident. It is intentional. It is on purpose. It takes effort. You have to make the time. You have to take the time. You have to spend time with the person. You have to communicate with the person.
When you spend time with someone, you begin to resemble that particular person. In the same way, when you spend time with Jesus, you start looking and acting like Him. I want people to know who I have been spending time with always. I want to look and act more like Jesus. I want people to know that I am married to Jesus.
How about you? Who do you spend time with the most? Who do you resemble now? Who are you "married" to at the moment? Is it Jesus?
(Scripture references: John 15:1-17; Romans 12:1-2; Joshua 1:8)
Copyright
2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
God's Way
You just listened to the song, My Way, originally made famous by the old crooner, Frank Sinatra. In the above song, the artist sings about doing things his way and having regrets but still doing it his way.
The world would have you believe that it is best to do it our own way. They would have you to think that you don't need anyone. You don't need anyone's help. You don't need anyone's advice or godly counsel. You will be fine just doing it your way.
However, our Father God says differently in His word known as the Bible. Our Father clearly says that when we do things His way we will have the abundant life. We will have a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10b) We will have blessings which overtake us. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)
God says, "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, NIV)
Our Father loves us. He wants to help us. He wants us to choose His way. He encourages us to go His way.
He tells us what we can expect if we do not go His way. "But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess." (Deuteronomy 30:17-18, NIV)
When we obey Him and go His way though, we can expect so much more from Him. "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NIV)
Whose way are you going today? Are you going your own way? Or...are you going God's way? His way is the best. However, He leaves the decision up to you. If you want / need His help though, He is always willing and available. Just go to Him! Ask Him to help you to go His way! You will be blessed abundantly.
Copyright
2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
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