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.
Naomi lost her husband and both of her two sons in just over a decade. She blamed God and became bitter as a result of her natural circumstances. Consequently, she chose to change her name to Mara which means "bitter." (Read Ruth 1)
There are people even today who are much like Naomi. They blame God and become bitter as a result of their unfortunate circumstances.
However, it is never the right way to think nor look at such natural circumstances. God is never the cause of terrible tragedies nor awful situations.
God allows those times to mold us, make us, conform us, and transform us more into the image of His only Son, Jesus, for our good and His greater purpose though. Therefore, choose to draw closer to God. Rely on Him to strengthen, encourage, and help you become who He has truly created you to be for His purpose and overall plan. (Read Jeremiah 29:11-13; Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 3:18; James 4:8)
We can choose to become bitter or better through natural circumstances. Never both though. (See Ruth 1:20-22)
When you are a believer in Jesus Christ, it is never about our physical circumstances. What is His purpose in those circumstances? It is about what is He doing in and through you. (Read Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:16-18)
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NKJV)
Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
What if I told you that God is not in control? Too many members within the body of Christ think and say that God is in control. Being 'in control' means that a person actually makes people act against their will whether by domination, restraint, or force. That line of thinking and speaking contradicts His character and His word though. He gave all people dominion over the whole earth including the creatures and land (See Genesis 1:26). Therefore, He put all people in charge so to speak. He also gave every person a choice or "free will" dating way back to the Garden of Eden, when both Adam and Eve chose to sin against Almighty God --- the Creator of the universe (Read Genesis 1-3). Of course, He uses every person's "free will" or choices altogether for His purpose in the earth. It's known as His sovereignty which is totally different than Him being in control of everyone and everything. His children are led by His spirit within them (See Romans 8:14). As they surrender, submit, obey Him; He uses them and their choices according to His will for them. And, we know that all things work for the good of those who love Him which are called according to His purpose (See Romans 8:28).
Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All Rights Reserved.
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.
I recently spoke with a man about him having to pay
out-of-pocket his parole officer in order to remain out of prison for the next
5 months. I personally thought that idea was ridiculous. I asked the Christian
man whether he realized that Jesus paid it all on the cross for him. He seemed
to think that his parole officer wouldn't care about it though. However, I sang
a few words of the song, "Jesus paid it all...All to Him, I owe..."
before leaving and telling him "Good night!"
That man does not owe a parole officer money. Unfortunately,
he wasn't receptive to the truth of God's word at that moment though. He owes
everything to Jesus! Now, I am praying for him and others who find themselves
in similar situations to get a true revelation of what Jesus actually did on
the cross for them. We don't owe people anything but the love of Jesus.
However, we owe Jesus everything---our minds, our hearts, our whole beings, our
very lives.
You know...Everyone has the opportunity to tell people about
Jesus. Every situation that people temporarily experience in life is to not
only share our stories with others but to share His story with others.
Don't miss the opportunity to tell and share with others. It
may also be exactly the way God delivers you from some or possibly all of the
situations in your life. I cannot help but think that is what God wants to
accomplish in this particular man, his specific situation, and his life.
Those type of natural circumstances are not only to draw
closer to God but to also learn and grow more spiritually. He uses those
temporary circumstances to develop more of His character in us, more of our
faith, more patience, more endurance, etc. It is all for our good, His purpose,
and His glory.
"...Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be..."
Source: YouTube
There are many people in this world even within the body of Christ today that actually believe those particular lyrics from the old song, Que Sera Sera, which was originally sang by Doris Day in 1956.
What if I told you that those specific song lyrics and those kinds of attitudes and outlooks are not biblical nor scriptural?
Those type of perspectives are partly to blame for the passivity and defeated mindsets of people including some unknowledgeable and unpowerful Christians. As a result, they do not live the abundant life that Jesus Christ died to give them here and now in this world.
Not only can we know God's will for us as His children, but we can also actively participate in His purpose, plan, and will for us. We can take captive those thoughts which are disobedient to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We can intentionally fight the good fight of faith. And, we can proactively win battles along the way in our individual races.
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.
"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.
