Christian, Christians and Jews

What Does It Mean to Forsake Your First Love?

Cindy Dawson

Bible Study for Tuesday, 9/29/26

The exact meaning of a Scripture is not always crystal clear. In fact, the Bible says,

“For now we see through a glass, darkly;” 1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

Sometimes Scripture requires more than a quick overview. Sometimes it requires study and prayer. The book of Revelation is no exception. Chapters two and three are letters to the seven churches from Jesus Christ, delivered by the Apostle John. We can and must learn from these letters still today.

The first letter is written to the church at Ephesus. Jesus said, “Repent and do the things you did at first.“

I have studied this letter often, and the question that hounds me is this: What did they do at first that they stopped doing?

Jesus said,

“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Revelation 2:2-6 NIV (emphasis mine)

So what were they doing at first that they were no longer doing? The text doesn’t explain exactly what those actions were. We only know they had forsaken the love they had at first. The word translated as love is agape. Was He referring to their emotional response to Him? Maybe not. And here’s why.

1 Corinthians 13 provides a detailed definition of agape love.

“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. 2 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. 3 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.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 8 Love never fails.”

Agape love is not a feeling. It is action. Perhaps these are the things they no longer did. Is it possible to work hard, persevere, and have no tolerance for false teachers or wicked people, and yet forsake the agape love they once showed one another?

Had they become impatient with one another and easily angered? Perhaps they had become unkind and looked out only for themselves instead of others. Perhaps they had become envious and boastful. Perhaps they had forgotten how to love one another like they once did. The NLT says it like this,

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Revelation 2:4 NLT

The connection between love for Jesus and obedience to His commands is a recurring theme in the Apostle John’s writings. Jesus said,

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15 NASB

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 NIV

Loving God is not merely a feeling; it is an active, ongoing relationship of following and obeying Jesus.

What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “You have forsaken the love you had at first?” I could be wrong, but it’s something to think about.

In His Love, Cindy

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

“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by Esther Vexler on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Christians and Jews

Finding the Narrow Gate

Cindy Dawson

Meditation for Monday, 9/28/26

Jesus said,

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 AMP

These words of Jesus are from the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew, chapters 5-7. Read the entire sermon for insight into these two verses.

In His Love, Cindy

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

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Featured image by Annie Spratt on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Proverbs

How to Stir Up Anger

Cindy Dawson

A Proverb for Sunday, 9/27/26

“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

Not always easy, but always smart!

In His Love, Cindy

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

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by David Knox on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

“Is It Right or ALMOST Right?

Cindy Dawson

 Does it matter? Well, the Apostle Paul thought it did.

In the following verse, Paul is scolding the Corinthian church, saying that the false apostles they are listening to are NOT leading people to our Savior, Jesus Christ. They are leading them to someone entirely different. He says this is NOT the same Jesus they accepted. And it’s not okay.

“For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well!” 2 Corinthians 11:4 NASB

Some believers think that any ministry that preaches about “Jesus” is leading people to Christ. However, there are false religions (cults) that talk about Jesus, but it isn’t the Jesus of the Bible. For example, even Muslims consider Jesus a very wise man and a prophet. BUT they do not believe he is the Son of God, and they do not believe He was crucified on a cross for our sins!

Just because a preacher teaches about someone called “Jesus” doesn’t mean he’s teaching the Jesus of the Bible.

When Jesus is described in an unbiblical way, people are misled into following what Paul calls “a different Jesus.” This kind of false teaching is dangerous.

We know God through His Word (the Bible).

We must know God as He really is, not how we think He is or want him to be.

A famous theologian once said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” 

To be discerning we must know what the Bible says by studying it for ourselves.

In His Love, Cindy

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

“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by Ninthgrid on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Christians and Jews

What’s in an Eagle’s Egg?

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Friday, 9/25/26

“I would like to introduce the eagle’s egg. Is whatever that is inside that egg a clump of cells? It can’t be an eagle can it? You may know that destroying an eagle’s egg is against the law in the U.S. Why is that? As it turns out, eagles are an endangered species. So, as unbelievable as it seems, if one were to destroy an eagle’s egg, he would be destroying an eagle. Stunning reality, isn’t it? Why can’t people understand that “clump of cells” in a woman’s womb is a baby? It is astounding that people use that as a reason to kill innocent children. Dark times.”

You can read Jim Thomson’s excellent article here: Killing Babies, Sexual Identity, And The Truth by Jim Thomson

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

FACT: An estimated 1,126,000 babies were murdered by US clinicians in 2025.

What can we do? I support Pregnancy Help Centers, such as Preborn!, that show expectant mothers an ultrasound of their baby. PreBorn! exists to meet abortion-vulnerable women before it’s too late with life-saving ultrasounds, compassionate care, practical support, and the hope of the gospel.

In His Love, Cindy

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

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo from Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Christians and Jews

How to Trust God in Challenging Times

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 9/24/26

We don’t really know how strong our faith is until it’s tested. And it’s hard to be joyful about our testing, but the Bible says,

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2 NIV

My faith has been tested. It was so hard not to give in to fear and worry. Once, my daughter went to Kenya to help in a children’s hospital. Another time was when my son had to undergo back surgery. (You can read these stories at the links below.)

As mothers, it’s really hard not to worry about our children, even when they’re adults! So I had to ask myself, Will I choose faith or fear? It can’t be both.

I didn’t want my faith tested again. I didn’t care if it would make me mature and complete. I didn’t say it to God, but He knows what we’re thinking.

I knew I had to choose to trust God in both of these situations. It wasn’t easy because if I was worried and afraid, I wasn’t trusting God. But I was determined to not be afraid. I wrote out every Scripture that encouraged me to trust the Lord and to be unafraid. God’s Word strengthened me as I read these verses every day.

You have to CHOOSE faith! Refuse to be fearful. Pray and ask the Lord to help you.

This post was inspired by Alan Kearns’ post, Unshakable Faith on Devotional Treasures.

Choose Faith Over Fear
The Father’s Love: A Deeper Look at Sacrifice

In His Love, Cindy

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

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by Max Omen on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

When Life Is Hard

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 9/23/26

“Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing. Whatever that is, just do the next thing. God will meet you there.” – Elisabeth Elliot

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4-5 NIV (emphasis mine)

No one ever said that answering God’s call would be easy. To endure means to go on, hold on, abide, continue, persist. We can do that!

In His Love, Cindy

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

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Christians and Jews

Why Do We Blog?

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Tuesday, 9/22/26

 “If God has called you, do not spend time looking over your shoulder to see who is following you.” Corrie ten Boom*

Why do we blog? Why do we write? As Christian writers, we say it’s to tell people about Jesus and His love. But we must be careful that our ultimate desire is to follow Him, not to be followed. He has promised to guide us by His Word.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

This is especially true for those of us who want people to follow our blog, Facebook, or Instagram. Although we are encouraged when readers decide to follow us, that cannot be our guiding force.

What good is it if millions of people follow your blog, but God isn’t in it? When we follow Him, God can use us to encourage and bring hope to others.

The Apostle Paul taught “from house to house”. (Acts 20:20)

Did you notice that he did not consider himself too important to reach out to a small number of people?

When we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow Him, He will accomplish His purpose in our lives and in our writing.

Should we develop our skills and study our craft to be the best writers we can be? Absolutely!  The Bible says,

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart…” Colossians 3:23

I am convinced that the closer we follow Him, the more He will use us for His purposes. We must not despise the day of small beginnings. (Zechariah 4:10) If only one person is encouraged by what you wrote, God has used you! God cares about individual people.

Nothing thrills me more than when a reader tells me, “I needed this!” or “This spoke to me.” Then I know that God has used me.

May we always follow Him with our whole heart and pray as Jesus taught us:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us today our daily bread.
 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.”

Are you blogging to follow Him or to be followed?

In His Love, Cindy

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

*Corrie ten Boom is a Holocaust survivor and author of The Hiding Place.

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

RealChristianWomen.blog 

Christian, Christians and Jews

Oh, Praise the Lord, He Lifted Me!

Cindy Dawson

Monday’s Meditation for 9/21/26

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 NLT

My Thoughts: This is King David’s testimony, but it is also my testimony. Is it yours?

In His Love, Cindy

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

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christians and Jews

Wisdom’s Call

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 9/20/26

“Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 8:10-11 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

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

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)

RealChristianWomen.blog