What's Love Got To Do With It?

The songstress Tina Turner, sang "What's Love Got to Do With It?" in the 80's.  In the song, she sings about love just being a second-hand emotion.  

Therefore, "What's Love Got to Do With It?"

Plenty.

The world's view of love is quite different than God's view of love.  According to God and His word, love is not just a second-hand emotion.  In biblical truth, it is not really an emotion at all.  

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."  (John 3:16-17, NKJV)

God loved the whole world so very much that He thought of all of us first before anything else.  It was not any second-hand emotion.  It was a choice.  He chose to give up His only begotten Son, so everyone else in the world would have the opportunity to live eternally with Him.  He wanted every person to be saved from the eternal punishment of the fiery pit of hell which results in total separation from Him forever.

That's how much He really loves all of us in this world.  He doesn't force anyone to love Him though.  He woos each one of us to Himself.

How does He do that?

Well, for one, by His true nature.  In His word, He tells us that, "...God [He] is love."  (See 1 John 4:8)

Additionally, He draws each one of us to Himself through natural circumstances in life as well as in other ways.  (See James 1:2-4, 4:8a) 

As we come to truly know Him, we come to really love Him.    Then, and only then can we say that, "We love Him because He first loved us."  (1 John 4:19, NKJV)  

And, His love really changes us from the inside out!  We are transformed by His unconditional and unlimited love.  When we are truly changed, we don’t nor won’t want to hurt Him, ourselves, nor others in the ways that a lot of other people think and do others in this world.  We think of Him and His ways instead of the world and its ways.  

We then can truly know the real answer to the question, "What's Love Got To Do With It?"

What will you say the next time another person asks you that particular question?  Will you answer the way the world does in that specific song?  Or, will you answer the way God thinks and says in His word?

Copyright 2018 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Greater Works

Jesus never became friends with the devil. However, within the body of Christ, it seems that some members think and believe that we are to just tolerate sin and passively accept the works of the devil in the world. Too many Christians seem to believe that it's alright for men to think, dress, and act like women; women to think, dress, and act like men; for both men and women to have operations and procedures which change their God-created physical bodies; and so much more. It is not alright. Nowhere in God's word does it say that is alright with Almighty God either. Therefore, it should not be alright with any true believer within the body of Jesus Christ.

One of the reasons I have brought this up is due to a ministry meeting I attended a couple of months ago. This particular ministry hosts support groups for both men and women at different agencies within the community. Now, they are allowing men who identify as women to attend women support groups which not only bothers me but concerns me for the actual women within the groups who may want and need to talk confidentially about their past, their relationships, the men in their lives; and more. With so-called women now identifying themselves as women instead of actually men, it can be even more of crossed boundary lines within the support groups. As a minister, I found the whole topic of self-identified women who are still physically men allowed in women support groups to be very disturbing to me.

For those who are truly blood-bought children of God, we are in the world but not of the world. It is so very important for us to set an example as Jesus Christ was the example for us. He never condoned sin even in unbelievers such as the adulteress woman. He didn't condemn her either. However, He did tell her to go and sin no more. With the demon-possessed man, Jesus rebuked the evil spirit within the man as well as commanded him to come out and go into the swine. He didn't just accept the demonic man as he was at the time. There are also plenty of other instances in God's word where Jesus didn't tolerate the sin nor placate the sinner.

"...as He is, so are we in this world..." (1 John 4:17, NKJV - emphasis added mine)

Jesus not only tells us the works we are to do here, but He also shows us the works we are to do in God's word. Before He left this world, He told all of God's legitimate children that we do greater works than He did while He was here. (See John 14:12-14) Consequently, I not only encourage you but also strongly urge you to do all of His work in this world.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn..." (Isaiah 61:1-2, NIV)

Who will seriously join me?  I am looking for people to partner with me in ministry.

(See Genesis 1 - 2; Isaiah 53; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 5:1-20; John 8:1-11; Romans 12:1-2)

Copyright 2018 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Following God's Call

Not every person is meant to have a JOB as the world thinks and says of other people. That kind worldview is not really biblical anyway. Every person has different spiritual gifts, abilities, talents, skills, experiences, callings, paths, and journeys. Don't attempt to box other people into a very limited box.

Jesus was a carpenter by trade, but He was the Savior of the world. The Apostle Paul had a tent-making business. However, he was basically a traveling evangelist who went from house to house and church to church. In between, he went to prison while doing God's work. Peter was a fisherman. 'The Rock' as he was called was chosen by God to preach on the day of Pentecost to thousands of people.

Mary was a virgin, but she became the mother of Jesus Christ. David was a shepherd who became a king. Matthew was a tax collector by trade. Luke was a physician. Both men were disciples of Jesus Christ though. Rahab was a prostitute who became an ancestor in the lineage of Jesus.

I could go on, but I won't now. I will say this... Some people are meant to have trades. Some people are meant to have---what the world calls---jobs. Some people are meant to own businesses.

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:11-12, NKJV)

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. That's the freedom to be who God has created each of us to be for His purpose and plan. So, release all of the burdens to God. Leave all the cares behind. And, allow God to do the work in and through people. He knows best for every person in this world.

(See Joshua 2; Isaiah 53; Matthew 1, 4:18, 9:9-10; Acts 2:14-39, 16:1-40; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13)


Copyright 2018 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Finding Purpose

What is your purpose? What does God want you to do for Him? What is your specific calling? How has God created you?

Numerous people in the world seem to think that people are just here to work and die afterwards. Basically, that kind of mentality believes people are only to exist in this world without any real purpose.

That is not the truth though. God has uniquely created, designed, called, and chosen every person for unique work. There is some kind of problem in this world which only you can solve for other people.

Take for instance, Martin Luther King. He was a minister, a pastor, a preacher. However, God gave him a heart and passion to bring all races together. Yes, it was specifically the white and black races beginning in the 1950's. However, he helped all races come together more through being a leader in the civil rights movement. Another person, Rosa Parks, stood up for what she believed in on a bus around the same time. They both made history. They played a tremendous part in His [God's] story.

Therefore, stand up for your beliefs. Speak out against injustices. Allow your passion to lead you to take action. Don't allow other people or circumstances to hold you back. Then, you will walk further into your God-given purpose and affect positive change for the entire world.

(See Joshua 1:8; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:12-13)

Copyright 2018 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Mind Your Business

"Idle hands are the devil's workshop."  Perhaps, you have heard that particular saying before.  Though it is not found in scripture, there is truth found in the statement.  The Apostle Paul warned believers specifically in the book of 2 Thessalonians about idleness.

He begins, "Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6, ESV)

There are reasons for his warning.  For one, no person should be lazy when it comes to the Lord's work.  However, the devil is also more able to tempt people when they are not staying productive within the Kingdom of God.  So, idle hands can be the way the devil uses them.  In addition, God does not want any person to be a burden on any one person.  We all need to be responsible for our individual selves.  God does not want any person to be a stumbling block for anyone else, nor does he want any person to be a hindrance to the true Gospel.  (See Isaiah 53; John 19; Romans 14:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10)   

Unfortunately, there are members within the body of Christ today who are too idle.  Consequently, the enemy uses them.  They gossip, meddle, and more because they are not truly being productive.  Therefore, they are busy bodies in other people's lives.  

The Apostle Paul heard about this same issue within the church at Thessalonica.

"For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies."  (2 Thessalonians 3:11, ESV)

He knew and understood the reason there were some people who were being busy bodies.  At the same time, he encouraged the members of the church.

"Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living."  (2 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)

He goes on to say, "As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.  If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.  Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother."  (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15, ESV)

And, in the words of Will Smith...

[Source: YouTube]

Copyright 2018 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Jesus in the Wilderness

[Note: This post is Part 2 of the biblical lesson...Jesus in the Wilderness. Please see the previous post of Part 1 before reading this post.]


Jesus was initially led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God Himself in order to be tested in the wilderness. During Jesus’ wilderness experience though, He fasted the whole time. Though I have never personally fasted for 40 days and 40 nights myself, I know that the spiritual discipline of fasting strengthens every believer in Jesus Christ and every Child of God in their innermost being---their spirit man. Therefore, Jesus though He was physically hungry due to the 40-day fast, He had strengthened Himself in His spirit during that time of fasting. He was built up in His innermost being. His spirit man was heightened as a result. He was also more in tune with His Father’s voice during this time. He was more keenly and acutely aware of His Father’s purpose and plan as well as His Father’s perfect will for Him. As a result of Jesus’ fasting, He was also able to listen more closely to His Father and obey Him very well.

Jesus was already close to His Father beforehand. However, this wilderness experience drew Him even closer to His Father. As a result, Jesus learned to depend on His Father more during this experience but also afterwards.

Anytime, we go through so-called wilderness experiences, we also draw closer to our Father.

As we draw closer to God, He draws closer to us. We learn to depend on God even more but afterwards as well.

What are some of the take-aways from Jesus’ wilderness experience that can also help us in our own so-called wilderness experiences?

For one, Jesus was rooted and grounded in His true identity. He received His true identity from His Father and His relationship with Him. We also receive our true identity in Christ from our Father, His word, and our relationships with our Father. We also need to be truly rooted and grounded in our true identity in Christ.

Next, Jesus not only knew who He was---His true identity, but He also knew whose He was… Jesus knew that He was His Father’s Son. He was rooted and grounded in His relationship with His Father. We also need to be truly rooted and grounded in our relationships with our Father. We need to know that we are our Father’s sons and daughters.

Also, Jesus’ obedience came out of the love relationship with His Father. Jesus knew that He was truly loved by His Father. He knew that God wanted the best for Him. We also need to know that we are truly loved by our Father, and He only wants the best for us. Our obedience will also come out of the true love relationships with our Father.

We must know and remember that we are in Christ and He is in us.

As He is, so are we in this world.

Therefore, we can also be strong and firm in our true identity in Christ. We can be firmly and deeply rooted and grounded in our relationships with our Father. Our obedience and submission comes out of our love relationships with our Father who truly loves us just like He does His Son, Jesus. Our Father only wants the very best for us.

Knowing and remembering all of that together will help us to come out of our so-called wildernesses in a matter of days instead of not coming out at all or taking years to come out of our so-called wildernesses.

Let’s choose to come out of the wilderness and into our promised land---“a land flowing with milk and honey.”


Copyright 2017 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Jesus in the Wilderness

We do not want to be like the children of Israel who wandered around the wilderness for 40 years. What should have taken them only days took them way too many years! They also ended up dying in the wilderness, so they still did not come out of the wilderness after all of those years. (See Exodus 13:17-22; Joshua 5:6)

Whereas it took the children of Israel wandering around the wilderness for 40 years and they still did not come out of the wilderness…It only took Jesus 40 days and 40 nights to come out of the wilderness.

In this world we are like Jesus. (1 John 4:17, NIV)

Therefore, let’s now take a look at Jesus’ wilderness experience in God’s word.

Looking back in verse 3…when the devil spoke with Jesus…he said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Then in verse 6, the devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.”

Notice the way the devil said, “If…” in both of those previous verses. “If…” is not a concrete word. When someone uses the word ‘If…’ that person does not believe part or all of their own statement. That particular person doubts and does not believe that their statement is true. So is the case with the devil, he doubted and did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. The devil also tried to make Jesus doubt His own true identity. Satan questioned Jesus’ identity by saying…”If you are the Son of God…” before each of the previous statements.

Jesus knew who He was though. He was the Son of God. Jesus also knew whose He was. He was His Father’s Son. Jesus was strong and firm in His true identity. Therefore, He did not waver in His faith during any of the devil’s temptations.

Jesus answered Satan the first time with “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (v 4)

The next time, Jesus said, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ “ (v 7)

With each of these two answers from Jesus, He told the devil what His Father had told Him to tell the devil. He listened to His Father and obeyed His Father. Jesus’ obedience came from His close relationship with His Father.

With the very last temptation, the devil offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and the splendor. He told Jesus that He could have it all if He bowed down and worshiped him. (v 8-9)

However, Jesus resisted the devil and told him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” (v 10)

Then, the devil left Jesus and the angels came and took care of Jesus. (v 11)

Did you notice with each temptation from the devil that Jesus resisted the devil and the temptation?

At every single temptation, Jesus resisted the devil. Jesus submitted to His Father and resisted the devil each and every time.

Jesus submitted to God and resisted the devil. Submitted to God and resisted the devil. Submitted to God. Resisted the devil.

[Note: This post is only Part 1.  Please see Part 2 for the continuation of this biblical lesson...Jesus in the Wilderness]


Copyright 2017 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.