Bible and Scripture, Christian

From NAR to Truth: How God Changed My Thinking

Cindy Dawson

A Personal Testimony for Monday, 6/8/26

As a young adult, I felt like my church was dead, and I longed to be around Christians who were excited about knowing Jesus. I was drawn to the emotional, enthusiastic praise and worship I found in a NAR/Word of Faith church.

This is how easily a new Christian, or anyone not grounded in God’s Word, can get caught up in error. That’s why pastors and teachers must teach the flock about false teachers and false prophets.

Many Christians think that when you have God’s Holy Spirit within you, He will keep you from accepting error, but this is not always the case, as when Paul had to correct Peter (Galatians 2:11-21).

The NAR movement often introduces new apostles, prophets, and ongoing new revelation, leading to a disregard for the sufficiency of Scripture. Extra-biblical revelations often take precedence over the written Word. In fact, the sermons of these false teachers are often based more on the words of their “prophets” than on the Word of God.

For example, sermons may focus on “the coming revival”, “the 7 Mountain Mandate”, or “prosperity and wealth”, none of which can be found in the Bible.

“However, a strong Biblical foundation enables believers to discern true spirituality from practices that may lack a solid Scriptural basis.” Bruce Cooper

An overemphasis on emotional experiences can overshadow the need for diligent study and accurate interpretation of Scripture. Verses are frequently taken out of context to support erroneous teaching.

These movements erode faith, trust, and dependency on the authority of God’s Holy Word by emphasizing personal experiences and extrabiblical revelations. Therefore, it is crucial that believers maintain a strong, unwavering commitment to the study of God’s Word, making it the foundation of their faith.

After a while, I started to see contradictions in what was being taught and what the Bible said. For example, my church focused on the “prosperity gospel”, which teaches that God wants to make you rich. I started to question this. I thought, ” Is that something the Bible emphasizes? 1 Timothy 6 often came to mind.

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:3-10 NIV

So, how did God change my thinking? He drew me to His Word, the Holy Bible, and showed me Truth. It’s really that simple. It took time, but I went from being enthusiastically convinced that these false teachings were true, to questioning some things, to being set free!

Jesus said, β€œIf you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV

For more on this topic and to better understand the NAR, read The Framework Series by Bruce Cooper

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.

Psalm 122:6 NASB

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Bible and Scripture, Encouragement

Overcoming Anxiety with Faith and Prayer

Cindy Dawson

A Personal Testimony for Sunday, 6/7/26

One side effect of trauma is severe anxiety. That anxiety may vary in severity, sometimes controllable, sometimes out of your control.

Recently, I had to pick up my daughter, her husband, and her baby at the Nashville International Airport. The airport has changed a lot since the last time I picked someone up at arrivals.

They had moved the Cell Phone Waiting Area, and I couldn’t find it. Lost in heavy city traffic, I became extremely anxious. Not ordinary anxiety, but intense anxiety where your heart starts beating rapidly, and fear threatens to control your thoughts.

Immediately, I remembered Philippians 4:6-7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I started to sing the message of this Scripture to the tune of How Great Thou Art. Start the music!

🎢 Oh Lord, My God, I will not be anxious.

For I will pray, and offer up my praise.

With heartfelt thanks, I turn to You, my Savior.

And the peace of God

Will guard my heart and mind.

This peace You give

Transcends all understanding.

It stills my thoughts and heals my anxious soul.

Oh Lord, My God, I will not be anxious.

For I will pray, and offer up my praise.

With heartfelt thanks, I turn to You, my Savior.

The peace of God will guard my heart and mind.

This peace You give transcends all understanding.

It stills my thoughts and heals my anxious soul.

(repeat until calm)

I don’t know how I came up with this idea. It just popped into my mind, which could only be attributed to the grace of our faithful God, who knows how to rescue His children in times of need. I calmed down, and the next thing I knew, I had my daughter and her precious family in the car, and we were headed to my home!

“I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;” Psalm 34:1, 4-5 NLT Read full chapter

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Why Reading the Bible Matters

Cindy Dawson

Years ago, when I left the Word of Faith movement, I was looking for the real truth, so I read the New Testament three times in a row. Before this, I had based what I believed mostly on books recommended to me by church leaders, books available in our church bookstore.

On reflection, I would say that many Christians who follow false teaching do so because of books they read about the Bible, which are often based largely on the author’s experiences and less on Bible study. These teachers often take verses out of context.

In case you’re wondering, the first teaching that I questioned was what is often called the prosperity gospel. It teaches that God wants you to be rich, and if you give enough money, you’ll get back at least ten times as much money. These preachers are living extravagant lives. For more about this, read my post, What Does the Bible Say About the Prosperity Gospel? HERE

As I read and reread the New Testament, I learned that, more than anything else, the Bible emphasized loving others. These are some of the verses that stood out to me:

“The message you heard from the very beginning is this: we must love one another.” (1 John 3:11)

“And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

“Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“Be under obligation to no oneβ€”the only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law.” (Romans 13:8)

“My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.” (1 John 3:18)

“No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us. We are sure that we live in union with God and that he lives in union with us, because he has given us his Spirit.” (1 John 4:12-13)

“Do all your work in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

“Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)

“To conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another. Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a

Friends, READ YOUR BIBLE every day.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

Scriptures are from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Photo by Brooke Cable on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Prayer

How Faith Helps Us Pray for Others’ Salvation

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Friday, 6/5/26


When you are praying for someone’s salvation, you can’t always believe what that person says. Sometimes people say things they don’t mean.

I drifted far from God when I was in college. When my mom confronted me about not going to church, I said I didn’t know if I even believed in God. But that wasn’t true! I knew God was real.

My mom was so mad at me that she disowned me. She said, “You’re not my daughter anymore!” We lost contact for over a year. All this time, God wasn’t worried. He knew I would someday be sold out for Him.

It must have seemed to those who were praying for me like their prayers weren’t going past the ceiling. But that wasn’t true at all.

You might feel like that, too. You say you can’t see what God is doing. OK. You don’t see what He is doing! But guess what? He wants you to trust Him anyway, without seeing the whole picture. That’s what faith is!

Start thanking God for what He is doing and remember what He has done for you in the past. Pray and don’t give up!

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 NIV

Then Jesus said,

“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8 NIV

When Jesus comes back, will He find you trusting Him even though you can’t see what He is doing?

Read the parable.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Bible prophecy

Are We Living in the End Times?

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Bible Study for Thursday, 6/4/26

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” Matthew 24:12 NIV

This verse comes from Jesus’ words in the Olivet Discourse, as He explains what it will be like during the end times. I have always been curious about this verse, so I began digging for more insight.

(The Greek word for wickedness, anomia, is translated “lawlessness” in the NASB.

The word was heavily utilized in ancient Greek and New Testament texts to describe a state of living in contempt of established laws or moral standards. 

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: lawlessness; the utter disregard for God’s law (His written and living Word).

That pretty much sums up the culture of our world today.

So what does it mean that “the love of most will grow cold”? Paul describes it further:

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Godβ€”” 2 Timothy 3:1-4 NIV (emphasis mine)

The Greek word for brutal is anΔ“meros, which means: not tame, savage, fierce (Strongs). It refers to somethingβ€”or someoneβ€”that is wild, ferocious, or brutal. The word appears only here in the New Testament, where it is used to describe the fierce, brutal, and uncontrollable nature of humanity during the last days. (Bill Mounce) 

The Greek word for treacherous is prodotΔ“s. It means a traitor and betrayer. It is used only two other times in the New Testament: in Luke 6:16, where it describes Judas Iscariot as a “traitor,” and in Acts 7:52, where Stephen uses the plural form (prodotai) to condemn the religious leaders who handed Jesus over to the Romans.

In summary, I think the Lord is warning us that in the end times, because of the utter disregard for God’s law (His written and living Word), people will only have love for themselves and money. Love for others grows so cold that it eventually disappears completely.

I can’t help but think that this explains what happened on October 7, 2023, when innocent people in Israel were raped, murdered, and burned alive for no reason other than hatred. This savage attack launched, not an outcry for justice, but an outcry against the Jews! Jesus warned us that people will become brutal and treacherous because they have no regard for what is good.

“For the secret power of lawlessness (anomia) is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7 NIV

Are we living in the end times? You decide.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Did the Holocaust Really Happen?

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 6/3/26

β€œThe same day [April 12, 1945] I saw my first horror camp. It was near the town of Gotha. I have never felt able to describe my emotional reactions when I first came face to face with indisputable evidence of Nazi brutality and ruthless disregard of every shred of decency. Up to that time I had known about it only generally or through secondary sources. I am certain, however that I have never at any other time experienced an equal sense of shock.”

 β€œI visited every nook and cranny of the [concentration] camp because I felt it my duty to be in a position from then on to testify firsthand about these things in case there ever grew up at home the belief or assumption that the stories of Nazi brutality were just propaganda. I sent communications to both Washington and London, urging the two governments to send instantly to Germany a random group of newspaper editors and representative groups from the national legislatures. I felt that the evidence should be immediately placed before the American and British publics in a fashion that would leave no room for cynical doubt.”

Of all these [Displaced Persons] the Jews were in the most deplorable condition. For years they had been beaten, starved, and tortured.”

General Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, WWII

General Eisenhower foresaw a day when the horrors of the Holocaust might be denied. He invited the media to document the scene. He compelled Germans living in the surrounding towns and any soldier not fighting at the front to witness the atrocities for themselves. They did.

The proof is readily available.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Finding Faith in Life’s Journey

Cindy Dawson
Henry and I walk by this 200-year-old tree every day. It inspires me to ponder life’s mysteries. If you look closely, you can see my granddaughter standing in front of the tree.
Oh Mighty Tree

Oh mighty tree!
The stories you could tell.
You've seen many mighty stotms.
And yet you never fell.

I strive to be like you,
Strong in every way
With roots that grow deep down,
I will firmly stand.

I keep my hurts within.
But they can never win.
For God is on my side.
From Him I cannot hide.

He knows my every thought,
And yet He loves me still.
He holds my shaking hand.
He knows what He has planned.

I put my trust in Jesus.
He has never let me down.
His Word forever leads me.
And someday I’ll wear a crown!

I pray that you will trust Him.
He is worthy of our praise.
He will lead and guide you,
forever and always!

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualitiesβ€”his eternal power and divine natureβ€”have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 NIV

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Oh God, I Need You

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Monday, 6/1/26

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areβ€”yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV (emphasis mine)

When I feel too weak to do what God has called me to do, there is only one thing to do. I approach the throne of grace to find help in my time of need.

May God bless you abundantly as you seek Him.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Fear No Evil

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 5/31/26

“Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me” Psalm 23:4a NIV

Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, said,

β€œNow, I know in my experience that Jesus’ light is stronger than the biggest darkness.”

She would know. She survived RavensbrΓΌck Concentration Camp, where her father and sister were killed. May Corrie’s testimony give you courage.

“God has said,

β€œNever will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Are You Considering Homeschool?

Cindy Dawson

A lot of people assume that homeschooled children receive an inferior education compared to public school children, but that is not true.

Research indicates that homeschooled children frequently outperform their peers academically, often scoring 15 to 30 percentile points higher on standardized tests, regardless of their parents’ income or education level. They typically demonstrate strong social, emotional, and psychological development, and often achieve higher GPAs in college.Β 

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:6-7 NIV

“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 AMP

“Hear, O Israel: TheΒ LordΒ our God, theΒ LordΒ is one.Β LoveΒ theΒ LordΒ your God with all your heartΒ and with all your soul and with all your strength.Β These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.Β Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NIV (emphasis mine)

If you are considering homeschooling, these messages from some of my readers might help you decide.

Comments from Readers:

“Our children have all graduated from homeschool, and we now have grandchildren being home-schooled. But the lessons we all learned during that time have stuck with us. It was a wonderful time of exploring God’s wisdom. God had opened up so many doors for our children to explore so many venues in the industry, arts, crafts, etc. But the greatest blessing was the growth in relationships with the Lord. Watching our children’s faith bloom and now our grandchildren discovering God’s world and wonders was and is such a blessing.”

“We started homeschooling in 1984 because our son was put on suspension for questioning evolution in the 1st grade. We knew then that we did not want our children under the influence of the public school system. We tried to get the creation curriculum in, but we were not able to get any of the other parents at that time to see the handwriting on the wall for public schools.”

“DCHS gave us so much trouble for pulling our son out of school, but praise God, we knew our rights and were able to stand up against them. Our vindication was that by the time both of our children were in 8th grade, they were doing college-level work because they were learning with God’s ways, not the world’s.”

For more information and statistics, see this post:

Is It Time To Dump Public School Education? A Look at Homeschool Data

******************

Resources and Information:

Advocates for Homeschooling, https://hslda.org/

National Home Education Research Institute:

Fast Facts on Homeschooling

In His Love,Β Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog