Dear Younger Me

                                                                                         Source: YouTube

The above music video entitled Dear Younger Me is performed by the Christian artist group, MercyMe.  In the video, the artist sings about writing a letter to his younger self.  This contemporary Christian song is one of my favorites in the last several months.  I have been thinking about the letter that I would write to my younger self.  I am wondering whether there are others out there who may ponder the same about themselves.

What would I say to my younger self?  What would you say to your younger self?

This particular artist begins his letter in the song lyrics like this... "Dear Younger Me...Where do I start...If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far...Then, you could be...One step ahead...Of all the painful memories still running through my head...I wonder how much different things would be...Dear Younger Me..."

Those lyrics are probably the way many of us would start a similar letter to our younger selves.  We may not know exactly the way to begin the letter, but there would be a lot to include in it.  Perhaps, we could have spared our younger selves a lot of unnecessary heartache, pain, regret, hardships, challenges, trials, and more.  That is, if we could go back in time and share that much gained knowledge, wisdom, discernment, clarity, and more with our younger selves.

Would we do anything differently with all of that gained knowledge, wisdom, insight, experience?  I definitely would do some things in a different way---a better way.  For one, I would tell my younger self to daily read the Bible---God's word.

I have learned since then that an unrenewed mind hinders us in life.  There were many years where I was not renewing my mind on God's word---His truth (See Romans 12:2).  As a result, I really didn't know my specific purpose in God's plan nor that it was a good plan for me.  Only as I disciplined myself to read and study His word did I not only came to personally know my Father in a more intimate way but also the plans He had for me---plans to give me a hope and a future (See Jeremiah 29:11).

How about you?  What have you learned?  What would you do differently?


Copyright 2017 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Listening to Godly Counsel

God prepares and trains many different people along their unique paths for His specific purpose and plan.  Unfortunately, He normally raises them up through various hardships, trials, challenges, obstacles, and more (See James 1:2-4).  David and Joseph are only a couple of examples of the way God promoted and increased them over their lifetime (Read Genesis 37-50; 1 Samuel 16-17).

It does not necessarily have to be that way though.  People do not have to learn everything for themselves the hard way.  

Once Jesus was released into His full-time ministry, He was usually only able to help those people who either personally asked for His assistance and/or personally came to Him for assistance.  Of course, there was the instance of the woman at the well but she was a rare exception (See John 4:1-26, 39-42).  She did not ask Him and/or personally come to Him at first.  Nine times out of ten people normally sought Him out and asked for His help.   

That goes without saying for all of God's children.  We are only able to truly help those who are receptive to us whom God has placed in our paths.  They either need to personally ask for our help and/or personally come to us.

There have been more people than I care to think about or count on my hands that have not been receptive to me for one reason or another.  I have come to realize it more over the last several years that it is their problem and not mine though.  I cannot make people believe and receive the truth when I speak the truth in love to them (See Ephesians 4:15).  I cannot force them to make righteous choices---choices that line up with God's word, His ways, His perfect will, and His spirit within them (See Isaiah 55:8-9; Matthew 4:4; Romans 12:2).

It is really a shame that so many people prefer to learn for themselves the hard way instead of being receptive and learning from people like me who have already gained the wisdom, knowledge, insight, clarity through their own life experiences and faith journeys.

However, I have been reminded that "...fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)."

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."  (Proverbs 15:22, NIV)

Therefore, it behooves people to not only seek out Godly counsel but actually listen and heed the wise counsel.   

Special Note:  Now offering coaching and mentoring services through my worldwide public ministry.  Go to my ministry website (http://www.dawnfreeman.org/coaching_mentoring/) and briefly fill out a form when you are interested in those type of services.


Copyright 2016 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Getting Wisdom

Solomon was considered to be the wisest person in the world.  He was the son of King David who began his ministry as a little shepherd boy out in the fields before being promoted by Almighty and All-powerful God (See 1 Samuel 16 and 17).

David's son, Solomon, later became King of Israel.  Solomon also wrote books in the Bible including the book of Proverbs.  He wrote much about getting wisdom, knowledge, and understanding throughout this particular book in the Bible.  He actually began this specific book by introducing himself.  Then, he goes into a breakdown of the beginning of knowledge.  

Solomon encourages people to know wisdom and instruction as well as perceiving words of understanding.  He says, "A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel...(Proverbs 1:5, NKJV)."  This specific wise man later tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7, NKJV)."

There are some people within the body of Jesus Christ nowadays that do not know and understand the biblical principle of getting knowledge.  Every person must first get knowledge before they get understanding and wisdom.  However, it is not necessarily just any kind of knowledge.  We all must obtain the right kind of knowledge.  More specifically, we all need biblical knowledge.

When we all first get biblical knowledge, then we will all have much more understanding and wisdom in life.  The only kind of true understanding and wisdom that we need is the kind which comes from our heavenly Father.

"For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints (Proverbs 2:6-8, NKJV)."

How do we all go about obtaining wisdom?  What's the best way to get all of that kind of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding?

In the book of James, the writer who is the half brother of Jesus Himself shares his thoughts on getting wisdom.  "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5, NKJV)."

James later continues, " But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8, NKJV)."

Therefore, we all need to ask in faith for wisdom from God.  We also cannot doubt that He has heard and answered our request.  Otherwise, we will not receive what we have asked for from Him.

Solomon speaks about the beginning of wisdom.  He says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you (Proverbs 9:10-11, NKJV)."

Unfortunately, there is not much reverential fear of the Lord God these days in this world.  Part of that lack of fear is rooted in the lack of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding though.  When a person does not really know someone, they cannot truly revere that particular person.

As King Solomon states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...(Proverbs 9:10, NKJV)."  However, before people actually revere Almighty God, they must first seek Him.  How do people seek Him?  For one, they seek Him by spending time with Him.  One way to do that is by reading and studying His word---namely the Bible.  Only then will people obtain that specific wisdom which comes from Him.  Then, they will develop the reverential fear of the Lord.


Copyright 2016 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Head vs. Heart

There are many people in the world who have head knowledge.  They know a lot.  Some people call them 'know-it-alls'.  They may also be known as 'book smart'.  They are life-long students---sometimes going for one degree after another.  [It's normally the way of the intellectual world.]

However, there will be no actual transformation in them or their lives.  They will keep obtaining head knowledge which is knowledge people know intellectually---in the mind.

There comes a point in time when people have so much head knowledge that it is either overwhelming or useless though. 

God tells us in His word..."Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."  (Romans 12:2a, NIV) 

He does want us to get knowledge in our minds, but it's the kind of knowledge which is different from the rest of the world.  He used people in His word to communicate it to us. 

For one, the Psalmist spoke some about biblical knowledge.  "Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands."  (Psalm 119:66, NIV)

King Solomon who was considered the wisest man speaks much about getting and having knowledge in the book of Proverbs.  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."  (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)

Notice he said that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  When we revere and honor the Lord, it starts the real process of obtaining good knowledge.

We must first obtain what some people call 'head knowledge'.  If the knowledge continues to stay just in our minds though, it doesn't do us or anyone else any good. 

Alternatively, there is heart knowledge---known as revelation.  The head knowledge must eventually become heart knowledge.

"...Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."  (Romans 12:2b, NIV)  We won't be able to truly know and understand God's will for us until the head knowledge becomes heart knowledge or revelation. 

So, there is a difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge.  Additionally, we definitely must have head knowledge before it can even become heart knowledge. 

How do we get knowledge to move from the head to the heart? 

....By meditating on God's word.  "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."  (Joshua 1:8, NIV)

God will help make us successful and prosperous in doing His perfect will when we meditate [think, ponder, consider] His word.  There will not be any real or lasting change in a person, his situation, or his life until he truly receives heart knowledge---revelation---and then walks it out in this world.


Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Jesus is More Than Enough

Jesus is more than enough!  He is more than enough for your healing!  He is more than enough for your provision!  He is more than enough for your blessings!  He is more than enough!

What are you needing right now?  Do you need healing?  Do you need provision?  Do you need blessings?

Well, then get ready!  Get ready to receive all that Jesus died to give you!  He died to give you more than what you may be experiencing right now in your life.  He died to give you the abundant life here and now!  (John 10:10b)

Jesus died for you for more than just forgiveness of sins---more than just existing, surviving, or living in this physical, natural world.  He also died to give you many spiritual blessings which includes divine health, healing, and more.  (Psalm 103:1-5)  I am not just talking about physical healing either.  I mean every possible type of healing you may need in every part of your body and in every area of your life. 

Do you need emotional healing?  Jesus is more than enough!  Do you need mental healing?  Jesus is more than enough?  Do you need relational healing?  Jesus is more than enough!  Do you need financial healing?  Jesus is more than enough!  I am sure that you get the "picture" now.

If you aren't experiencing the 'abundant life' at this very moment, then there is a reason.  Perhaps, you don't know God's word---His truth.  God's children are "destroyed from lack of knowledge".  (Hosea 4:6)  Maybe, you don't believe the truth.  Either way, for whatever reason, know that God's word is spirit and truth.  (John 6:63)  His word gives life.  His spirit gives life.

Get in God's word!  Meditate on it!  (Joshua 1:8)  Keep renewing your mind!  (Romans 12:2)  Pray continually!  (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  Believe and receive everything Jesus died to give you!  (Mark 11:22:24)

You owe it to yourself!  Most of all, you owe it to Jesus!  Do not let His death be in vain!  He died to give you the abundant life!

 Jesus is more than enough!

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.