Doing Good

When Jesus found out about His cousin, John the Baptist, being beheaded from His disciples; He left from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. However, the multitudes heard and followed Him on foot from their cities. When Jesus saw a great multitude, He was moved with compassion for them. He healed their sick! 

The disciples told Jesus they needed to send them away to get some food since it was late at their deserted place. Jesus said otherwise though. He told them the multitudes didn't need to go away and told the disciples to give them some food. 

The disciples told Him they only had five loaves and two fish there. Jesus told them to bring the existing food to Him though. He also told the multitudes to sit down in the grass. He took the loaves and fish while looking up to heaven, blessed, broke the loaves. Then, Jesus gave them to the disciples who distributed the loaves to the multitudes. 

They all ate and filled up. Afterward, they took up 12 baskets full of fragments left. They fed more than 5,000 including women and children that day.

When Jesus received bad news about His cousin, He went off by Himself. It didn't last long though. He discovered people who needed Him. Consequently, He was able to meet their needs including feeding the multitudes and healing their sick. He did good!

When something bad happens in our lives and/or in this world, we can also find people in our path who need us to do good for them.

I have had the opportunity to speak the truth in love to people and pray for people on a couple of occasions while at a local hospital in recent months.  We can all take the opportunity to help, support, encourage, minister to other people during this difficult time in the world.  (See Matthew 18:19; Ephesians 4:15)

Additionally, read Matthew 14:1-21.

Copyright 2021 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Following God's Call

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.

(See Joshua 2; Isaiah 53; Matthew 1, 4:18, 9:9-10; Acts 2:14-39, 16:1-40; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13)


Copyright 2018 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

True Gifts of God's Grace

"Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!  Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:9-12, NKJV)."

In this particular passage of scripture, the author of Matthew primarily spoke about prayer and the answers to prayer.  When you really think about it though, it also applies to other aspects of our Christian lives.

For example...

If someone comes up to you and asks for you to specifically help them in a certain way, then you decide to do it your own way.  How does that really help the person?  

A person must really make themselves available to others.  In order to truly be disciples of Jesus Christ, we must live like He lived and give like He gave---fully, completely, wholeheartedly---without holding anything back and certainly not giving in a way that is not helpful to the other person.  

In the book of Romans, the author talks about all believers being living sacrifices.  What is a living sacrifice?  Jesus was the prime example of a living sacrifice (See Romans 12:1).  He gave of Himself, His time, His talents, and His other resources.

If we are also to be living sacrifices, doesn't that mean we also give of ourselves?  We also give of our time, our talents, and any other resources.

To be a living sacrifice is to be "holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1, NIV)."  That particular verse also says that it is our "true and proper worship (Romans 12:1, NIV)."  God desires true worshipers--true worshipers who worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth (See John 4:23-24).

Therefore, true worshipers are living sacrifices.  Living sacrifices are true worshipers.  They worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth.  They generously give of themselves, their gifts, their time, their talents, their money, and any other resources.

Consequently, when people generously give, they also make sure that the receivers are truly ready to receive the gifts.  They also make sure they are sending the gifts to the correct physical location.  Because in order for it to be a true gift, they are sent not only in the right spirit but with the right mindset and heart for the receiver.     

Memorable Quotes:

"True gifts of God's Grace are not sent into outer space while the receiver is here waiting on earth."  

"People must be able to physically and/or spiritually receive gifts in order for them to truly be gifts of God's grace."  

"It is not a true gift of God's grace when you send the gift into outer space while the person who is to receive the gift is actually here on earth."

Copyright 2015 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved. 

"Lord, What About Him?"

Jesus finished having an important conversation with His disciple, Simon Peter.  During this particular conversation with Peter, He asked him if he loved Him.  Not once, but three times.  Peter told Jesus that he loved Him.  Then, Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep.  At the very end of their conversation, Jesus said, "Follow Me!"  (See John 21:15-19 - paraphrased and emphasis added mine)

Let's pick up now with verse 20.

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.  [This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”]

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” (v 21)

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”  Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.  (See John 21:20-25)

Let's go back up to verse 21.

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Peter asked Jesus an important question that day.  One that requires a little more attention on our part at this time.  "Lord, what about him?" 

How often do we ask Jesus that same question?  "Lord, what about him?"  Or..."Lord, what about her?"  "Do you seeing what he is doing?"  Do you see what she is doing?"  "Do you seeing what he is not doing?"  Do you see what she is not doing?" 

Did you notice Jesus' first response to Peter though?  “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 

In this particular instance, Peter is very much like many of us within the body of Christ.  He seemed to care more about the other disciple's response or lack of response to Jesus.  He was too concerned about the other man's response and not his own response to the Son of God.  In part, he was comparing himself to the other disciple.  He was too busy thinking about the other person's business and not taking care of his Father's business.

It is much more important to concentrate and focus on what Jesus is telling us than being concerned about what others are doing or not doing for Jesus.  We need to pay more attention to Jesus and His instructions to us.  We also need to pay less attention to whether others are listening to Him and obeying Him.

We have all been given a specific calling, assignment, and task in God's purpose and plan.  We are all accountable to Him and only Him.  Therefore, we need to do our own part and not concern ourselves with everyone else.  We need to be about our Father's business.  Allow God to take care of all the other disciples of Jesus Christ.  He is very capable.

When we stand before God on judgment day, He will not ask us what others did for Him.  He will only ask us about our part.  He will only ask us whether we were obedient and faithful to what He had called us and equipped us to do for Him.  Let's decide today to only be about our Father's business, and let Him take care of everyone else's business.


Copyright 2015 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Be Brave Challenge Day 1: "Selfie" Video

I have never done a "Selfie" video before.  It's not my cup of tea so to speak.  However, this is not really about me.  It's about Jesus and what He has done for me.  It's about Him and what He wants to do for you.  It's about God, my faith journey, and my God-given ministry.


Copyright 2015 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

"Feed My Sheep"

Read John 21:1-14 for more of the background story beforehand.

Jesus' disciples had just caught some fish---153 large ones.  Upon Jesus' request, they brought it to Him.  He told them to come and eat with Him.  This was the third time He appeared before His disciples after He was raised from the dead.  (See John 21:10-14)   

After they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.” (See John 21:15 - emphasis mine)

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.” (John 21:16, NIV - emphasis mine)

The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”  (John 21:17, NIV - emphasis mine) 

In this specific passage, Jesus wanted to know if one of His disciples named Simon Peter really loved Him.  Before Jesus was crucified on the cross for the sins of the whole world, this particular disciple had denied even knowing Jesus---not just once but three times.  (See John 3:16; John 18:15-18, 25-27)

Years ago, Jesus spoke to my heart about feeding His sheep.  I did not completely understand it at the time.  However, it has become more clear since then. 

If we really love Jesus, we will do what He wants us to do and go where He wants us to go. 

What is He speaking to you about now?  Whatever it is, know that He loves you.  Ask Him to help you to go and do whatever He is asking of you.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV) 


Copyright 2015 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Abiding in Jesus

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15:4, NKJV)

Jesus tells us that He is the true vine, and His Father is the vinedresser.  (John 15:1)  He also says that we are the branches.  (John 15:5)

Are you abiding in Jesus?

According to Dictionary.com, the word 'abide' is defined as 'to remain, continue, stay'.  If we are abiding in Jesus, we are remaining with Him. We continue with Him. We stay with Him.   It also means 'to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship; last'.  Therefore, we continue in our individual and personal relationships with Him.  

How do we do it?

We stay in God's word.  We continue seeking Him.  We keep spending time with Him. 

There are benefits for remaining in constant communication with Him.  For one, we bear much fruit which means we are productive within the Kingdom of God.  (John 15:5)  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."  (John 15:7-8, NKJV)

There are also consequences for not staying in relationship with Jesus.  "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..."  (John 15:2a)  We cannot and will not do anything really worthwhile without Him.  (John 15:5)  "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."  (John 15:6, NKJV)

When we abide in Jesus, we also abide in His love.  (John 15:9)  The only way we can truly abide in His love is by keeping His commandments.  And, the only way we can really keep His commandments is by abiding in Him and staying in His word.  (John 15:10)

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

“Who do you say I am?"

"Who do the crowds say I am?"  (See Luke 9:18)

‎"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"  (See Luke 9:20)

Jesus posed a few questions that day to his disciples. One particular question stands out though. He asked his disciple, Peter…

"Who do you say I am?"

It is a very important question too! Have you ever thought about it?

"Who do you say I am?"

Just think, consider, and ponder that question for a minute.

Who do others say you are? Who do you say you are? Who does Jesus Christ say you are? Most importantly, who does your Heavenly Father say you are?

You may say…Who cares what other people say? Correct? Well, that is the way it should be in this world. However, that is not always the case.

Many people care what other people think or say. It is human nature. However, God wants us to care less about what people in this world think or say and care more about what He thinks and says about us.

Admittedly, it is hard though, when you are bombarded with all kinds of audio and video in this world that sends out messages to the contrary. All of the media with its advertisements of what you should look like physically, what you should wear, what you should think, what you should say…

Unfortunately, society plays a huge part in us and in our lives. However, God wants us as believers to be in this world but not of this world (See John 15:19, 17:16; 1 John 2:15). That in itself is difficult at times unless you totally isolate yourself from the world. That, of course, is not very possible.

Even if it was possible, it is not good to be isolated from one another for very long. After all, God tells us not to forsake the assembling as some do.  We, as His children, need each other. We are not made to be separate from each other. We are all part of the body of Christ. In order to properly work together, we are dependent on one another (See 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

That is only one reason that it is so important to renew your mind is God’s word (See Romans 12:2).

Who do you say you are? Who does your Heavenly Father say you are? Who does Jesus Christ say you are?

‎"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Peter answered, "The Christ of God." (See Luke 9:20)

Most importantly, who does Jesus Christ say you are?  After all, He is the Son of God!


Copyright 2010 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.