Taking the Limits Off God

God is infinite.  He is all-powerful.  He is all-knowing.  He is always present.  He is limitless.  However, people tend to limit God.  They try to limit Him anyway.  His character never changes, and He doesn't change His mind.  (Numbers 23:19)  Therefore, it is only people's perception that changes Him or their personal experience with Him. 

I came to realize awhile back that I had previously been limiting my Father God and my experience with Him for a few years in my own life.  I didn't intentionally set out or plan to do it either.  It just happened because I had already made up my mind.  I  had pre-conceived thoughts and ideas of exactly how and when I would enter my "Promised Land", the land flowing with milk and honey.  (Deuteronomy 27:3)  I expected to enter it over three years ago.  When it didn't happen then, I thought that it had just been delayed for the time being.  Then, early last year, I expected to enter my "Promised Land" going a different way and another route.  However, it didn't happen then either.  I came to realize even more that I had been limiting my Father God and my personal experience of Him. 

Therefore, I decided to take the limits off my Father God.  I don't know exactly how and when I will enter my "Promised Land", but I know that I will enter it at just the right time and in just the right way with the help of my Father God.  I may still have some thoughts or ideas of how I would like it to happen.  However, I decided that I am not going to limit my Father God with those kind of thoughts or ideas. 

I have moved on with my life as well as my relationship with my Father God.  I am sure that He knows exactly how and when it will happen.  He also knows when I am ready to enter my "Promised Land".  Until then, I am taking the limits off Him and myself.  I am trusting Him with His plans for me.  I know that He is good, and His plans for me are good.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Counting Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings is an old hymn that is sung in many churches around the world.  I grew up singing the song in church.  I am sure that many others who grew up in church also are familiar with the song.  Have you ever really listened to the words of the song?  Just listen here and now...

 

"Count your blessings...Name them one by one...Count your blessings...See what God has done..."

Those are just a few of the words to the old hymn, Count Your Blessings.  Sometimes, it is easier said than done though.  There may be times when you get down or discouraged about a situation in life.  It is just easier to see the negative and natural circumstances sometimes.  However, our Father God wants us to praise Him in all circumstances.  David who went through a lot of difficulty in his life knew that he needed to praise His Lord at all times.   

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips."  (Psalm 34:1, NIV)

The Psalmist in 119 also knew that he needed to praise God.

"Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws."  (Psalm 119:164, NIV)

God our Father wants us to truly know Him.  He wants us to see and know His goodness, His love, and His faithfulness in every circumstance in our lives.  He definitely wants us to praise Him.

How do we do it?  We get our eyes off of our natural circumstances and put our eyes on Him.  (Hebrews 12:1-3)  Then, we praise Him for what He has already done for us in our lives.  We praise Him for what He is doing 'behind the scenes' in our lives.  We praise Him for what He will do for us in our future. 

Start praising Him right now where you are...I am sure that you can think of something to praise Him and thank Him for in your life.  Begin with some of the basics like your home, your family, your food, your clothing, and whatever else.  If you need to go back to the above song, there are some hints and reminders in it.  All of your blessings come from God the Father!  (James 1:17)  Therefore, count your blessings!  Then, see what God has done!

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Exalting God's Word

I have often wondered the reason believers exalt natural circumstances over God and His word.  God is so much bigger and more powerful than any natural circumstance.  After all, God is a supernatural being which means He is over the natural.  He created the world and everything in it into existence.  (Genesis 1) God's word is also very important and powerful.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)

What if Jesus while on this earth exalted natural circumstances over His Father and His word to Him?  What if He told His Father, "I know what you say but..."?  Then, Jesus would not have healed the sick.  He would not have made the lame walk, set the captives fee, taught the parables, discipled His followers, and so on.  He would not have done the work and the will of His Father.  There would not have been signs, wonders, and miracles.

We, as believers in Jesus Christ and children of God, have Jesus' spirit.  We are created in the image of God.  (Genesis 1:27)  We also have God's word.  In His word, He tells us that we are to be just like Jesus in this world.  (1 John 4:17b, KJV)  According to His word, we are able to do even greater works than Jesus did while He was here in this world.  Jesus had to leave this world to be with His Father in Heaven.  (John 14:12-14)  All of us who have Jesus' spirit living within us now are more than the one man named Jesus.  His spirit has been deposited inside of every believer in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we should be doing even more of our Father's work and will in this world.  There should be many more signs, wonders, and miracles now than back in Jesus' day and time.  

First, we have to realize that we cannot do anything without Him.  He is the true vine, and we are the branches.  (John 15:5)  We can only be fruitful when we abide in Him and Him in us.  (John 15:4)  We also have to stop exalting natural circumstances over God and His word.  We have to believe God and take Him at His word.  Then, we will be seeing and performing many more signs, wonders, and miracles in this world.  Many more people will be healed, set free, and preached the Gospel all in the name of Jesus.  All glory, honor, and praise will go to our Father.  


Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Outward Appearances

Scripture Reference:

"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b, NIV)

Almost two years ago, I attended a holiday dinner at a couple's house where there was only one other invited guest. Throughout the evening, I was questioned about my living situation among other related personal questions. The stranger who also had been invited came across as very abrasive, intrusive, and offensive. Right off the bat, she seemed to think that it was her prerogative to ask me very personal questions about myself and my life. I felt very put on the spot and put upon especially by this woman. It felt like I had been invited to an inquisition and not informed of the real purpose up front. I did not realize it was going to be that kind of an evening for me. Otherwise, I probably would not have attended this dinner but I digress a little.

After the special event was over, I was thinking back over the unforgettable evening and the very rude woman. It made me more upset with her and myself. For one, I felt that she had violated me and my privacy. Looking back, I should have set boundaries with her up front. However, on the other hand, she should have known the unwritten rules. She did not seem to have the social etiquette that you would expect from most people though.

Unfortunately, that awful evening was just a reminder of the way people judge other people. I do not know whether her friend who invited me had told her a little about me. Based on the line of questioning, both of them had misjudged me. They based their judgments by outward appearances...things in the natural or physical world.

It was just another reminder how very important it is to renew our minds in God's word. (Romans 12:2) When we seek God and renew our mind in His word, He tells us and shows us what we need to know about a person or a situation. (Matthew 6:33) He gives us wisdom, knowledge, and discernment among other spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) Additionally, when we ask God for wisdom, He gives it to us. (James 1:5)

If those people had been seeking the Lord and studying His word, perhaps they would not have misjudged me. Then, I would not have had to endure an unnecessary inquisition at the couple's house.

Remember:

"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b, NIV)

Life Application:

People should not judge others by the outward appearance of people and their lives. People do not know how God is working in and through people and the temporary situations in their lives.


Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

The Ultimate Rewards Program

There are so many rewards programs in this world.  You join, register, or sign up in order to be a part of different rewards programs.  There are rewards programs for groceries, restaurants, pet shops, bookstores, movie theaters, and the list goes on.

Sometimes, you can get disappointed in the rewards programs of this world.  You have to go so many times somewhere before you begin collecting the rewards points.  You have to buy so much before you can actually get a reward from the program.

However, there is a rewards program in God's kingdom which is like no other in this world.  It is God's ultimate rewards program.  It will not disappoint you, because God will not ever let you down.  Let's take a look at His ultimate rewards program.

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed."  (Psalm 103:2-6, NIV)

Now, please tell me...Isn't that the ultimate rewards program?!?!  What can do any better?  Who can do any better than Him?  Nobody!


Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Sharing God's Love

"I know that I am supposed to, but I don't like to share."

That is what one of my younger cousins said many years ago when she was told to share with others.  At the time, she was a very young child when she was told to share something with somebody else. 

However, I believe that the same is true of adults, at times, when it comes to sharing with others.  Why is it so hard for us to share?  For one, it is a part of human nature which finds it hard to share with others. 

It is the flesh or the old sinful nature that does not like to share with others.  Perhaps, we think that if we share with others we will not get a fair share.  Maybe, we just want to have it all to ourselves.  Other times, we only want to keep it all for ourselves.

In God's word though, we are told to share with others whether it be material possessions, the Gospel, or God's love.  

"Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality (Romans 12:13, NIV)."  

When you love someone, you want to share with them.  You want to help people when you love them. 

"Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV)."   

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same (Luke 3:11, NIV).”  

Most importantly, when you love God as the very first commandment (Matthew 22:36-38) says to do, you will want to share His love with others.  You share God's love with people by showing them in tangible and practical ways.  Feeding the hungry.  Clothing the naked.  Sheltering the homeless.  Visiting the sick and those in prison (See Matthew 25:35-40).

Your flesh or old sinful nature may try to rise up every once in awhile.  You may think or say something similar to my much younger cousin did years ago.  However, see it and know it for what it is right then and there.  

 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)."  

Once you know God, His thoughts, and His ways; you will know what to do and what not to do (See Isaiah 55:8-9).  

You will know not to give into the flesh, the old sinful nature, but will live by the Spirit.  When you live by the Spirit, you give by the Spirit (See Romans 8:12-14; Galatians 5:24-25).   You give to others.  You love others.  You share with others.  Most of all, you share God's love.

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Safe in His Arms

Recently, I held a 15-month-old boy in my arms as I was rocking him to sleep for his nap time. As I was holding him and rocking him, I thought to myself that this very young little boy was safe in my arms. In the same way, as God's children, we are safe in His arms. 

We may not feel very safe in this world at times.  There may be times when this world with all of the chaos, confusion, drama, and turbulence kind of rocks our very beings or our lives.  

For instance, many people in this world did not feel safe after the recent bombings in Boston especially those who lived or worked in that local area.  They were shaken up.  They felt unsafe.  They were in fear for lives.  They were told to stay inside their homes for an entire day, because one of the bombers was still on the loose.

However, none of us has to stay in that uncertain or unsafe place in our minds or in our lives.  We do not have to allow natural circumstances to dictate our thoughts, feelings, our very beings, or our lives.

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

We can go to the One who sees and knows the end at the beginning.  (Revelation 22:13)  He is the Great I Am!  He meets us where we are emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and even physically.  He meets all of our needs.  He fills in the gaps in us, in our hearts, in our minds, or in our lives.

With Him, we can know that no matter what...we will be alright.  It may not happen overnight.  It will happen though.  When we keep our eyes on Him, everything else fades away.  (Hebrews 12:2)

We can truly know the One to go to in the midst of this world's chaos, confusion, drama, or turbulence.  We can find His peace, comfort, and rest by going to Him...depending on Him...and trusting Him.  

Then, we can really know that we are safe in His arms.

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.