Monday, January 31, 2011

God's Love

“Who will love me for me not for what I have done or what I will become…who will love me for me because nobody has shown me what love…what love really means…”

Those are just a few of the words to JJ Heller’s Christian music song, “What Love Really Means”. I really enjoy hearing and singing that song on occasion. The words just ring true to my heart…to the very depths of my soul and spirit. That is what love really means…God’s love.

I am sure that you have heard or read 1 Corinthians 13, known as the love chapter, in the Bible. Just in case, you have not or not in awhile, let me share a few verses with you now.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Now, how great is that passage in God’s word describing Him and His love. God is love, and His love is pure, perfect, and complete. (1 John 4:16-18)

I have found myself comparing man’s love to God’s love more over the last couple of years. Unfortunately, man’s love or human love falls short much of the time. So much so that I came to a point in my life where I did not want anyone to tell me that they loved me especially certain people. To me, it was just words. There was not any real meaning behind those words, because I knew that their love was imperfect. I knew that they and their love would disappoint me as it had so many times before. That is only one reason that I now say…human love definitely pales in comparison to God’s love.

Oh…to love as God loves! Oh…to receive God’s kind of love from humans more often! How great would that be?

First, in order to give that kind of love, we need to “know and rely on the love God has for us.” (1 John 4:16) As His word tells us, “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

So, when we recognize and receive His love, we are more willing and able to give His love to others. “Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete…” (1 John 4:16b-17a)

John goes on to say that, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

Remember that ‘God is love.’ Where God is, there is no fear…only love…God’s love. His love is pure, perfect, and complete.

Therefore, let us choose and strive to give God’s love to others more often. We have already received His love, when He gave His one and only Son. (John 3:16a) In addition, His spirit and His love lives on the inside of us. We have the ability to reach deep down inside and love, as He loves us.

I know that it may be hard at times. There are people who make it difficult for one reason or another. Perhaps also, we have not received His kind of love from humans as often as we would like or need to up until now. However, with His help, we can do anything.

In God’s word, it says that we cannot love Him without loving other humans. That includes our brothers and sisters. (1 John 4:20-21) As we choose to give His kind of love away, we will receive that kind of love back from others.

We have first received His love, so we need to give His love away as well.



Copyright 2011 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Who is Your Neighbor?

Who is your neighbor?

Have you ever been asked that question before? Have you ever thought about that question? Alternatively, have you ever thought about the answer?

Normally, we think of our neighbors as the people who live next door to us. They are the people who live down the street from us. They are even the people who live in our neighborhood or subdivision of our city or town. Having any other thinking on the subject is considered unusual or out of the norm.

However, when a lawyer asked Jesus this question…“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

What do you think His response was to this question? It was not a normal or quick answer either.

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ (Luke 10:30-35)

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Luke 10:36)

Finally, the lawyer got it! He replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

What can we learn from this parable?

Our neighbor is not necessarily the one who we think it may be. He or she is not the one that we either are physically close to in relationship or distance at any given time. It may not even be convenient for us. We may be in a different location. We may even be in a different city, state, or country.

However, wherever our neighbor is…that is where the Lord wants us. He desires for us to go where He wants us to go, be where He wants us to be, and do what He wants us to do for all of our neighbors.

It should not matter to us the cost, distance, or anything else involved…only the obedience to our Lord. When we are listening to Him and obeying Him, He will provide for our every need. (Matthew 6:25-33) He will make a way when there seems to be no way in this natural world. (Isaiah 43:19)

Afterall, He instructs us to ‘Love the Lord our God with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all our strength and with all our minds; and, Love our neighbors as ourselves.’ (Luke 10:27)

When we do this, then we will really live. (Luke 10:28)


Copyright 2011 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Identity Crisis

Hold on! Wait a minute! I am on the scene of a crime.

It appears that there is an identity crisis in the body of Christ. It seems that members of the body do not know who they are in Him. As a result, the enemy is taking what is rightfully theirs. Their provision! Their blessings! Their inheritance! (Ephesians 1:18)

The enemy's mode of operation is to, first, lie to them about who they are...telling them they are unworthy...helping to lower their self-esteem...and basically beating them up.

Unfortunately, the members begin to believe the enemy's lies. Over the course of time, if they are not strong enough in their walk of faith, they totally give into the lies.

From this reporter's perspective, part of it is due to their lowered self-esteem. However, their lack of knowledge also plays into it.

Their Heavenly Father tells them that, "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." He goes on to say, "because you have rejected knowledge...because you have forgotten the law of your God..." (Hosea 4:6)

Therefore, not only do they not have the knowledge, they also reject the little knowledge that they may have and forget His law.

Then, the enemy is able to take what rightfully belongs to them. Their provision! Their blessings! Their inheritance!

Their Father also says that, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." (John 10:10)

However, when they are strong in His Word and in their faith, they believe what their Father tells them and what His Son, Jesus Christ, has done for them.

Their Father tells them what His Son has already done for them in His Word. "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Reporting from the scene...within the body of Christ...

Prayer:

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:17-23)


Copyright 2011 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Sleeping with the Enemy

Sleeping with the Enemy was a movie back in the early 90's which starred Julia Roberts as the leading lady and Patrick Bergin as the leading man. In the movie, Roberts played the character of Laura who was the wife of Bergin's character Martin. Laura's husband, Martin, was a very controlling and abusive man. He was a very evil, wicked, and deceptive man.

The enemy is very evil, wicked, and deceptive in this world. He uses people and tells them lies about themselves and others. The devil deceives people into thinking they are still old creatures and belong with their old man’s spouse. In addition, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)

By outside appearances, a couple may appear to belong together in this world. However, that is not always the case. In this movie, it certainly was not the case either. Sometimes, the enemy’s work keeps people together even when they do not belong with one another.

It is so very important to renew our mind in God's word! (Romans 12:2) That way, we find out what He says about us and to us. It is the best way to find out who you are in Christ Jesus, which is also very important. Equally important to know...is whose you are in Christ Jesus.

Whose child are you? Whose spouse are you? Whom do you belong with in this world?

Jesus Christ died to give us so very much in this life. Not only did He die for our sins, but He also died for our healing whether emotional, mental, or physical. Additionally, Christ died for us to have an inheritance, provision, and spiritual blessings.

What is your inheritance? What is your blessing? What is your provision? Do you know? Do you care? Our Father God cares! His Son, Jesus, cares! He wants the best for you!

"When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14)

We have a guarantee by our Father God of our inheritance. That is huge! And...it is all for God's glory!

"God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19)

Absolutely not! Our Father God is faithful! He is trustworthy!

There came a point in the movie where Roberts' character, Laura, made a plan of escape. She finally got out of the clutches of the mean, bad, and abusive husband. As a result, she was no longer sleeping with the enemy.

Are you sleeping with the enemy? In other words, are you in a carnal or fleshy relationship...one that is a result of the devil's lies?  It can be a married, courting, or dating relationship.  Or...are you in a relationship with the one that Jesus died to give you?

If not, have you made your plan of escape yet? Are you listening to the Lord? He has great plans for you! He also knows the right strategy…the best strategy!

"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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity." (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

He wants to help you get out of the clutches of the enemy. Please seek Him, listen to Him, and obey Him! (Matt 6:33)

"...your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." (Matt 6:10) Our Father wants His will to be done here in this world…just like in heaven. It can be heaven on earth.

However, He commands that we first "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind", and then, "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27) Are you really loving the Lord, your neighbor, and yourself?

Prayer:

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:17-23)

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21)


Copyright 2011 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.