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 God—” 2 Timothy 3:1-4 NIV (emphasis mine)

The Greek word for brutal is anēmeros, which means: not tame, savage, fierce (Strongs). It refers to something—or someone—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 prodotēs. 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

“The 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.”

 “I 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 qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—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 are—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,

“Now, I know in my experience that Jesus’ light is stronger than the biggest darkness.”

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

“God has said,

“Never 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. 

“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: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 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, 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

Joseph’s Preparation for Service

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Friday, 5/29/26

“Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Genesis 41:51-52 NIV Read full chapter

  1. Genesis 41:51 Manasseh sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for forget.
  2. Genesis 41:52 Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for twice fruitful.

Joseph experienced many terrible times in his life. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, and he was put in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. But everything he endured prepared him to walk in God’s plan for his life.

“Wise Christians surround themselves with reminders of God’s goodness as a way to move beyond their past.” Pastor David Jeremiah

And that is exactly what Joseph did. Manasseh and Ephraim were reminders of God’s goodness to him in a foreign land.

The items above are keepsakes that once belonged to my sweet grandmothers. They are in my kitchen now, reminding me every day that these women of God faithfully prayed for me throughout my life. For them, I am most thankful.

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 Getty Images on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

“Never Give Up: A Lesson From Elijah

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 5/28/26

Have you ever felt like giving up? Did you ever feel like you had all you could take? I felt like that once when the Bible Study I attended started using a popular new book written by a false teacher.

I started searching the websites of other local churches. When I checked the Women’s Ministries tab, guess what? I couldn’t find a Women’s Bible Study that was actually studying the Bible itself. That’s when I felt like giving up.

Then, God reminded me of Elijah’s troubles with Ahab and Jezebel, who were killing all of God’s prophets. You can read about it in 1 Kings 19. Elijah told the Lord,

“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4

Elijah thought he was the only prophet left who had not bowed his knee to pagan idols.

Feeling all alone in your misery is very hard. There is no one to talk to and no one to encourage you. But the situation wasn’t as bad as Elijah thought. God said,

“Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” (vs. 18)

Not only that, but Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in caves and provided them with food. (1 Kings 18:4) Elijah was not alone in his faithfulness to God!

Maybe my situation isn’t that bad after all. No one is trying to kill me! Maybe your situation isn’t that bad after all, either!

When you’re discouraged, remember: You don’t know everything God is doing. You have a limited perspective. God is working all the time, and He will always accomplish His will.

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

Is Satan Really Around?

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 5/27

“Because we too often walk by sight and not by faith — thinking we can live our Christian lives by some sort of spiritual inertia — we fall into Satan’s trap of thinking he’s not really there, or at least as if he’s not very active. It does seem, after all, to be a much more pleasant thought to believe that he’s not around or, at least, that we’re really not a significant enough target for him to spend his time on.”

Burk Parsons, Pastor, Sanford, Florida

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 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

Photo by Ahmed Galal on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog