Relationship With God

God desires to have a relationship with all people. We are already made in His image. He wants all of us to personally know Him and love Him though. (Read Genesis 1:26-27)

If you haven't first believed in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, then repent of all your sin. Ask God to forgive you of all sin once and for all. Then, believe and receive the free gift of salvation that Jesus paid for you on the cross over 2000 years ago. (Read Isaiah 53; John 3:16; Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:8-10)

For those who are already His children, He desires us to really come to know Him in a deeper and more intimate relationship. He knows us and our hearts. We can share our innermost thoughts and feelings with Him. He already knows us and them. We can be completely open and honest with Him. It doesn't change Him nor His nature. However, it can change our personal relationship with Him for the better. (See 1 Samuel 16:7; James 4:8a)

By daily spending time with Him, we become more like His only begotten Son, Jesus. That time includes seeking Him, His face, His kingdom, His righteousness. We can learn more about Him not only in His word but through experience with Him in life. Plus, by praying with Him, we not only communicate with Him but agree with Him and His will. (See Matthew 6:33, 18:19; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; James 1:2-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 John 5:14-15)

Ultimately, He is the only one who informs us about our physical and spiritual identity as well as our specific purpose in His overall plan.

(Read Joshua 1:8; Jeremiah 29:11-14; Psalm 139; Matthew 4:4; Romans 12:1-2)

Copyright 2021 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

The Narrow Way

When we originally receive the free gift of salvation, we begin the journey of faith.  It also begins us on the narrow way.  (See John 3:16-17; Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:8-10)

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV)

As a believer and follower of Jesus, I have been learning more about the narrow way in my own walk with Him.  

The longer we are on our faith journeys, the more narrow becomes the path.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  (Romans 12:2, NKJV)

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  (2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV)

We become more holy in our behavior.  We become more obedient to our Father.  (See 1 Peter 1:13-16)

Ultimately, we become more like Him in every way.  As He is, so are we in this world.  (See 1 John 4:17)

Jesus is the way, the truth, the life.  (See John 14:6)

Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Eternal Salvation

Actress Naya Rivera who portrayed a high school character in the television program, Glee, recently drowned in Lake Piru physically located in Southern California.  According to an investigation report, she and her very young son had been swimming in the lake earlier in the afternoon.  They swam back to the pontoon boat rental, when they were done for the day.  Naya helped her son get back onto the deck of the boat.  Then, she disappeared under the water.  Her adult-size life vest was later found on the boat.

The life vest had been available to her all day.  However, she chose to go without it.  Perhaps, she thought it was unnecessary and cumbersome.  Maybe, she was an excellent swimmer.  Therefore, she didn't think of the possibility of getting too physically tired to make it into the boat later.  After all, she had probably been relying on her own self and ability in the lake.  And, she had done just fine earlier.

God has made eternal salvation available to every person in this world.  Yet, numerous people choose to go without it every day of their lives.  Maybe, they too think it is unnecessary like Naya thought of the life vest.  Perhaps, they think they are doing fine in life on their own.  They do not realize they are going to get tired of doing everything for themselves in their own limited strength.  They will come to a point in life where they know they need an eternal Savior.

I am sure that was the case with Naya when she did not have the energy or strength to pull herself up into the boat after helping her young son get into the boat.  There are always days and times when we in our own limited strength do not have the energy and strength to pull ourselves up by the boot straps so to speak whether into a boat, out of a pit, out of a fiery furnace, or out of the wilderness (Read Genesis 37:18-24; Exodus 13:14, 16-18; Daniel 3; Matthew 4:1-11).  We all come to a point in our lives where we know we need Almighty, all-powerful God to eternally save us from the enemy of our souls. 

It is too bad that Naya did not know and understand that specific principle before reaching the point of no return.  Unfortunately, we do not know whether she reached out to Jesus before drowning in the lake.  She may have made that decision at the last minute like the thief on the cross who Jesus accepted into Paradise with Him.  That choice was between her and Him then. 

Will you make the same decision though?  Will you wait too long --- until the very last minute of your life?  Or, will you choose to put your faith and trust in Jesus now? 

(Read Isaiah 53; John 3:16-17; John 19; Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:8-10)

Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All Rights Reserved.

Agreeing With God

Agreeing with God is powerful.

What has God said to you? What has He said about you?

We get God’s results, when we get into agreement with Him and His Word.

When we trust Him and put our faith in Him, He is faithful. Whatever the situation may be at the time...if you need deliverance from a particular situation...if you need provision...if you need blessings...whatever the case may be...God has already done it. (Isaiah 53) All of your needs have been met according to His riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) Everything you need has already been provided for. It was accomplished at the cross when Jesus took everything upon Himself. He paid for all of it.

Salvation...Forgiveness...Health...Healing...Deliverance...Provision...Blessing...Inheritance. (Psalm 103; Isaiah 53:5; Ephesians 1; 1 Peter 2:24)

How do we get into agreement with God and His word?

First, we renew our minds in His word. (Romans 12:2) Then, we meditate on His word so it will sink down into our hearts. (Joshua 1:8) We also speak out God's word in faith.

When we truly believe God's word, we speak it out. Additionally, we walk it out. We aren't just hearers of the word but doers of the word. (James 1:22-25) We live out God's word in this world.

 

Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

It is Finished!

While Jesus was hanging on the cross, He became thirsty and asked for a drink from those who were tormenting and crucifying Him.  (John 19:28-29) 

When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.  (John 19:30, NIV) 

Those three little words---"It is finished"---mean much more than you may be able to comprehend immediately. 

"It is finished."  (Selah)  Think, consider, ponder, and meditate on those three words now.  (Joshua 1:8)  "It is finished."  (John 19:30)  

We rest in Jesus' finished work.

Everything was accomplished for us---believers---on the cross.  By everything, I mean everything.  Salvation is ours.  Forgiveness is ours.  Healing is ours.  (Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24)  Provision is ours.  (Philippians 4:19)  Blessings are ours.  (Ephesians 1:3)  Inheritance is ours.  (Ephesians 1:14, 18)  And, the list goes on. 

We don't have to earn it.  We don't have to manually work for it.  It has already been done for us.  Jesus paid the price for it.  He accomplished it for us.  All of it is a gift from God, our Father.  And, He is the ultimate giver.  (James 1:17)  

We only receive as little or as much as we are willing to receive from our Father though.  Just like any earthly father, our heavenly Father will not force His gifts on His children.  They are free.  He wants to give all of them to us.  However, it is up to us.  We have to do our part in order to receive all of those gifts. 

We are His heirs.  (Romans 8:17)  As most heirs of an inheritance, we need to continue in a relationship with that person---namely, our Father, in this case.  That on-going relationship includes fellowship, communication, sharing with one another, learning and growing together. 

Through the relationship with our Father and renewing our minds in His word, we are able to believe and receive more from Him.  (Romans 12:2; Hebrews 11:1; Mark 11:22-24)  We receive everything from Him by grace through faith.  (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

The Holy Spirit works in and through us to not only believe and receive from Him but also to agree with Him and get in alignment with Him. (John 14:26; Luke 12:12; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; Mark 11:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

I want to receive all that my Father has for me in this life.  How much do you want to receive from Him?  What will you receive from Him?  It's your choice.  You decide.  Just know and remember that "It is finished."  (John 19:30)  


Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.