Believing God

What do you believe God for which will come to pass in your life?  I believe Him for His purpose and plan to be accomplished in my life personally and professionally (See Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Unfortunately, I am still waiting on the physical manifestations in this natural world.  I am doing what I know to do for now.  Over the course of this time, I have been taking little steps here and there in different areas of my life.  As joint heirs with God and co-heirs with Jesus, I am reminded that we have to do our part (See Romans 8:17).  His good, perfect, pleasing will does not happen automatically (See Romans 12:2).  It certainly does not happen overnight.  I can definitely testify to it now.

It has been more than three years, since I ventured out of my home state on this part of my faith journey.  It was definitely a huge leap of faith on my part.  I had never lived in another state by myself away from my immediate family before.  Way back in the latter part of 2009, I believed God for the physical manifestations of His perfect will.  I had been seeking Him for some time (See Matthew 6:33).  He had put it on my mind and heart to relocate to North Carolina from Tennessee.  I knew that part of His purpose and plan was located in the state of North Carolina.  In order to fulfill it, I went in search of my Promise Land.

My Father had spoken to me about it beforehand.  He told me that “everything would be provided” for me.  I did not expect to have so many obstacles or problems along the way to my Promise Land.  Looking back now, I should have expected it though.  Anytime that we really want to do our Father’s will, the devil will try to hinder or prevent us from doing it.  However, my Father has been faithful.  He has showed up and showed out many times for me.  I have experienced much more of His provision and blessing during these times.  My eyes have been more opened to Him and His work in my life.  I have learned to depend on Him even more during this part of my journey.

It has not turned out exactly the way I had expected or hoped at that time.  Nevertheless, I am still here in North Carolina.  I still believe my Father is taking me closer every day to my Promise Land.  It is just taking longer than I thought it would take initially.  I know even more now that His timing is not always our timing.  What is it?  God’s one day is like a thousand days?  Whatever the rule of time, I am still standing on His word and believing for His promises to come to pass in my life.  In the meantime, He is molding me and making me more into the person that He created me to be for Him, His purpose, and His plan for me (See Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Before this part of my faith journey, I believed that I was a strong person.  Now, I am even stronger.  Knowing what I know now, I cannot say that I would do it all again the same way.  However, I know that I am a better person for having gone through the testing period with all of its trials (See James 1:2-4).


Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Controlling Our Feelings

(please only listen to the first 25 secs of the above song for the purpose of this lesson) 

"Feelings...whoa, whoa, whoa feelings...whoa, whoa, whoa feelings..."

How are you feeling?  What are you feeling?  Be honest with yourself.  Most of all, be truthful with God.  Yes!  We all have feelings.  We need to acknowledge our feelings.  We need to "own" our feelings.  We need to share our feelings.  However, we do not need to be ruled by our feelings.  We do not to be controlled by our feelings. 

We need to know that our feelings are not always accurate when it comes to our natural circumstances, other people, or even ourselves.  Most importantly, we need to know that our feelings do not always agree or line up with the word of God.  Therefore, we do not need to let our feelings get in the way of our obedience to our Father God or His word to us.  We do not need to allow our feelings to rule us, guide us, lead us, or direct us into disobedience to God.  We only need to be led by the Holy Spirit and allow God's word to be our "Instruction Book" or "Life Manual". 

King David poured out his heart and feelings in a lot of the Book of Psalms.  He wrote most of that particular book in the Bible.  In Psalm 22, for instance, David shared his feelings with God very openly and honestly about his situation.  We can see David as a good example for us when it comes to feelings.  The Book of Psalms is also a good primary part of Scripture to use and read when it comes to our feelings. 

In Psalm 22, David felt that God had left him.  He felt God had abandoned him.  He felt God had forsaken him.  Have you ever felt that way before?  You may feel that way now.  However, it is not true.  It is not accurate.  How do I know?  My Father God tells me otherwise in His word.  He says that He will not leave me nor forsake me.  (Deut 31:6, 8)  Therefore, do not allow your feelings to rule you.  That example is only one instance where someone's feelings did not line up with the word of God.

Our feelings can deceive us.  They can be used against us.  The devil can use our feelings against us to keep us from doing what God wants us to do, knowing what God wants us to know, having what God wants us to have, and being who God created us to be for Him, His purpose, and His plan for us.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

David is a prime example.  What if he had been ruled by his feelings?  What if he had said, "Oh, Lord...I feel like you have abandoned me.  Therefore, I am just going to stay here in the field and keep herding these sheep."  What if he had wallowed in self-pity...feeling like he was not worthy of doing what God had called him to do?  Then, David never would have come out of that field in order to kill the Philistine giant, Goliath.  (1 Samuel 17)  He made the choice not to allow his feelings to control him.  He decided that he would obey God.  He chose to surrender to God, His ways, and His will for him.  David chose to be the person God had created him to be...the person God had called him to be...the person God had chosen him to be for His purpose and plan.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Now, I am not saying that David always made good and wise choices.  Nor am I saying that he always obeyed God or always surrendered to God and His will.  He did give in to his flesh and his feelings on occasion.  However, David eventually became known as a man after God's own heart.

Looking back in Psalm 22....After David talked to God about his feelings openly and honestly, notice what he did...look at what he said...throughout much of this particular one.  In the beginning of this Psalm, David talks about his feelings but then he talks about God.  If you notice, much of this Psalm is like that with David going back and forth between his feelings and God.  It is good that he shared his feelings. It is also good that he acknowledged his feelings. However, he always went back to God. In the same way, we can and should do that ourselves.  

We should not always give in to our feelings.  We definitely should not be led or ruled by our feelings.  When our feelings do not line up to the word of God, we need to submit ourselves to God.  As I mentioned earlier, the devil can deceive us and use our feelings to get us outside of God's will for us.  Therefore, resist those feelings which do not accurately line up with the word of God.  (James 4:7)  We must do our part by submitting to Him, surrendering to Him, listening to Him, and obeying Him.     


Copyright 2012 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Overcoming Fear

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." (Prov 29:25, NIV)

Lately, I have been thinking more about this particular scripture verse. At this specific time in my life, my Father has been speaking to me more about the topic of ‘fear’. I know that it is not good to live in fear for any reason or for any amount of time. I certainly do not want any part of fear in me or in my life. I know that fear is not of God. How do I know? Well, my Father says so! Not only that, He says it numerous times throughout His Word. Here are just a few of those times.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13, NIV)

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” (1 Peter 3:14, NIV)

Therefore, I know that fear normally comes from the enemy who tries to hinder us or prevent us from doing what God wants us to do for Him, His purpose, and His plan. (Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11) More than once, I have been reminded that the word ‘FEAR’ stands for ‘False Evidence Appearing Real’. In addition, fear is the opposite of faith. If we are in fear, then we are not in faith. Fear negates faith!

As a person of faith, I am an overcomer! (Romans 8:37) Therefore, I am determined to overcome any fear. How do I do it? First, I have to continue renewing my mind in my Father’s word. (Romans 12:2) As I am reminded, faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17). It helps to not only read and study His word in order to build up my faith but also to speak out His word and hear His word out loud. That seems simple enough, but now I have to put it into action.

What about you? Will you join me?



Copyright 2012 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

"Father Knows Best"

Have you ever watched the old television program, "Father Knows Best"? The black and white TV syndicated show from the 50's centers on the father in a family of five. The ensemble cast starred Robert Young as the father, Jane Wyatt as the mother, Elinor Donahue as the oldest daughter, Billy Gray as the son, and Lauren Chapin as the youngest daughter. Anyway, in the show, there were always lessons to be learned from the father.  He normally taught all of his children life lessons at one point or another and not necessarily at the same times either.

The same is true today! Our Father teaches us, His children, lessons in life. There are always lessons to be learned from Him. During our journey, He teaches us things we need to know for our individual lives. Some lessons are easier to learn than others. Then, there are those lessons that we may need to learn repeatedly until it sinks in.  Sometimes, we may be too strong-willed or independent... trying to do things on our own in our own way and in our own timing.  Other times, we may be just too hard-headed or hard-hearted to get it the first time around.  Therefore, we have to repeat the lesson for us to get it.  However, many times it takes us to get it; it will be re-taught to us.

One instance is when the children wandered around the wilderness for 40 years.  (Numbers 14:33-35)  Another example is when Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days.  The devil tempted Him during that time. Jesus went through a time of tests then. He also learned some lessons. However, He listened and learned what He needed to know and got out of there as soon as possible.  (Matthew 4:1-11)

A few of those lessons…

Jesus was obedient to His Father during this time of testing.  He was loyal and faithful to His Father's word.  Jesus used His authority and spoke to the devil at every turn.  

Through the times of trials and testing, we learn and grow more in Christ.  (James 1:2-4) We become more like Jesus in every way.  That is what our Father desires for us in order for us to fulfill our purpose in His plan.  (Jeremiah  29:11-13)  Our Father is strengthening and equipping us in these times.  Jesus is increasing, so we must decrease.  (John 3:30)

Therefore, let us listen to our Father.  Learn the lessons we need for our lives.  Allow Him to teach us our lessons.  Then, we can move on too.  That way, we can accomplish what our Father has for us in our lives.  In addition, it will be so much easier and better for us afterwards.  Afterall, our Father knows everything!  So, He definitely knows best!  

Prayer:

Father, help us to be more like Jesus in every way. Teach us our individual lessons and help us to be receptive to all of them. We do not want to be like the children who wandered around the wilderness for 40 years. Please help us to learn all of the lessons necessary for us to get out of our wildernesses, so we can be more like Jesus and also do our Father’s will for our lives. Thank you, Father, for teaching us and helping us all for your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name! Amen!


Copyright 2010 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.