Tuesday, February 26, 2013

News Report

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

Sound familiar? It should. It is a quote from a nursery rhyme entitled Henny Penny. [See http://www.childrenstory.info/childrenstories/hennypenny.html for more info on the nursery rhyme.]

How many times do we hear or read quotes like that one? Except usually it is in the news whether televised, heard over the radio airwaves, or printed in newspapers, magazines, or even on billboards.

In the last year, a television reporter spoke about an expert who predicted the world coming to an end. Yet, it did not happen. We are still here. According to God's word, no one can predict the day or the hour that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back. (Matthew 25:13; Luke 12:40)

If you listen to or read the news often enough, you will hear plenty.

World topics around the globe...

Crime. Violence. Drugs. Suicide. Disease. Death. Addiction. Destruction. Shooting. Accident. Flood. Killing. Explosion. Sickness. Earthquake. Illness. Volcano. Tremor. Prostitution. Trafficking.

Many people wonder the reason that they are so anxious, worried, afraid, or fearful. Nobody can consume that much negativity, crime, death, destruction, and the list goes on...and not have those types of thoughts or feelings.

However, Christians are supposed to live in the world but not be of the world. (John 9:5) Therefore, stop watching and believing the news of this world.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17, NKJV) Please begin reading and believing God's word instead of the world's news report.

 

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Health Report

There are so many people in the body of Christ who experience sickness, disease, illness, and other ailments. Why is that? After all, if we as believers in Jesus Christ, truly believe God's word...then what is the reason that there is more disease, illness, sickness, and other ailments within the body of Christ? Shouldn't we have less of all of those things from this world?

David writes that the 'Great Physician', namely God our Father, "...heals all [of our] diseases..." (Psalm 103:3b, NIV) Therefore, shouldn't we experience more divine health and healing within the body of Christ?

The Doctor says, "She only has about 6 months to live."

God says, "[She] will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done." (Psalm 118:17, NIV)

The Doctor says, "She will not recuperate from this illness."

God says, "...by [Jesus'] wounds [she has] been healed." (1 Peter 2:24b, NIV)

Much of what the body of Christ experiences is a direct result of our beliefs. Do we believe the so-called Doctor's health report? Or...do we believe the ultimate Doctor, the 'Great Physician', when He tells us that we are already healed?

When we get caught up in the world's belief system, we negate our faith. Then, we get the world's results. It is only by continually 'renewing our minds' in God's word will we truly believe that 'by Jesus' stripes, we are healed'. (Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:24b)

So...the next time, you may be sick...whose health report will you choose to believe? Will you believe the Doctor who prescribes lots of medicine that treats only the symptoms of the illness, disease, or sickness? Or...will you stand on God's word? Will you believe the 'Great Physician'? Will you receive your divine health and healing from the ultimate Doctor?


Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Seeking God's Kingdom

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  (Matthew 6:33, NIV)

Over the last few months, I have come to realize even more so the importance of this scripture verse from God's word.  At the same time, I also realize how many people in this world do just the opposite.  As a matter of fact, I was one of those people at one time.

Many people seek after the 'things' instead of God's kingdom and His righteousness.  They seek after material things, superficial things, temporary things...things in this world.  They also seek after people.  Whether it is 'things' or other people, many people are trying to fill a need or a void in themselves or in their lives.

However, God specifically tells us in His word to 'seek first His kingdom and His righteousness'.  Then, 'all these things will be given to you as well'.  Our Father God does not tell us to first seek 'things'.  He does not tell us to first seek people.  No, He is very specific.  He says to first seek 'His kingdom and His righteousness'.

It is only after or while seeking God that it will become more clear to us what is really important.  Everything will come into better alignment with us and God.  It puts the 'things' in their proper perspective as well as their proper place.  God promises that He will give us everything we need in this life as long as we put Him first.  He is a man of His word.  He keeps His promises.  (Numbers 23:19)  All of our needs will be met according to His riches in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:19, NIV)  God provides for all of our needs whether materially, physically, financially, or otherwise.  We must stand on His word.  We must also believe Him and His word.  Additionally, we must put Him first.  God will bless us abundantly more than we can ever ask or think according to His power within us.  (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)  Therefore, 'seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'


Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Heart Check

How is your heart? What is the condition of your heart?

"For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45b, NKJV)

What is your mouth saying these days?

Whatever it is, it is coming from the heart...specifically your heart.

Do you have good things coming from your heart? Or...are bad things coming from your heart?

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil." (Luke 6:45a, NKJV)

What is coming out of your heart?

Think about it. Then, pray about it. Ask the Lord to help you with your heart condition. If you have a broken heart, God will heal your heart. He is the 'Great Physician'!

 

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.  

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Giving Thanks

 
 
"...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)

No matter where we are or what we may be going through at the time, it is very important to have an attitude of thankfulness.  If you do not have it now, you can develop it with the help of the Holy Spirit and God's word.

David was one man known for thanking and praising God in the midst of his circumstances.  He wrote much of the book of Psalms.  Despite his circumstances, he still knew to look in the right direction.  That direction was toward the Lord God. 

We can also know to look to the Lord.  In the midst of our circumstances, we can develop a heart of thanksgiving.  Even if we just begin thanking God for the simple things in our lives, it is a great start.  Eventually, our eyes will become more open to the larger things in our lives that are due to God's goodness.

In Psalm 100, the author praises God for His goodness and love.  We should do the same in the midst of our circumstances.  The truth always remains the same despite our circumstances.  God is always good and loving! 

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name."  (Psalm 100:4, NIV)

Let's challenge ourselves to live above our cirumstances.  In spite of our circumstances, let's thank God!  Thank Him for His provision!  Thank Him for His blessings!  Thank Him for His favor!  Thank Him for His goodness!  Thank Him for His love!  Thank Him for His mercy!  Thank Him for His grace!

Whether we feel like it, let's say what David said in Psalm 69.  "I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving."  (Psalm 69:30, NIV)  Then, wait for our feelings to catch up.  When we continue to be obedient to God's word over time, it will be easier to praise Him and thank Him in the midst of our circumstances.  Before too long, we will be able to rise above our cirumstances. 

Finally, we will be able to always do as the Apostle Paul instructed the people in Thessalonica.  "...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)


Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.