Christian

Don’t Let Satan Stop the Work!

Cindy Dawson

I was feeling discouraged, tired, and weak. But my daily Bible reading fell in the book of Nehemiah. It was just what I needed! Nehemiah is packed with encouragement and reveals the sneaky tactics of the enemy. Once I realized that my negative feelings were really an attack of Satan, they lost their power over me!

If this is happening to you, congratulations! The devil is afraid of you, and he wants to stop your work for the Lord.

Satanic attacks are often disguised as your own feelings and thoughts. The enemy loves to attack our mind (our thinking). Those doubts, fears, frustrations, distractions, and even fatigue are an attack of the enemy.

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray … ” 2 Corinthians 11:3

“…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers,” 2 Corinthians 4:4

My Bible reading today was Nehemiah, chapters 4 through 6. Nehemiah had led the exiles back to Jerusalem, where they were obeying God and rebuilding the demolished walls of the city. You can read it here. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=nehemiah+4-6&version=NIV

These chapters are an example for us of how the enemy tries to stop the work God has given us to do. Whether it is writing a blog, teaching a Bible Study, going to the mission field, pastoring a church, or building a wall, the enemy’s plan is first and foremost to STOP THE WORK.

How does he do this?

(Parenthesis and underlining mine.)

1. Intimidation

“When Sanballat (the enemy) heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Nehemiah 6:19

“Tobiah the Ammonite (also an enemy), who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” Nehemiah 4:1-3

When you are feeling intimidated (which includes feelings of failure or lack of expertise, and you start second-guessing your calling), know this: Satan is attacking your mind because he’s angry! He wants to stop the work!

2. Stirring Up Trouble

“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.” Nehemiah 4:8

Has trouble come against your ministry in any way? Have problems cropped up that you didn’t expect? It could come in many forms: extra bills, lack of resources, lack of workers, etc. Satan wants to stop the work!

3. Trouble From Within

“Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews.  Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain. Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” Nehemiah 5:1-3

Jews who were more prosperous were taking advantage of their fellow Jews by charging them interest on loans, taking their children as slaves, and taking their property. Is there trouble within? Satan wants to stop the work!

4. Lies

Sanballat sent a message to Nehemiah:

“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king  and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”

 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” Nehemiah 6:5-8

Sometimes lies may be circulated about you. Satan wants to stop the work!

5. Fear

“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”

Fear brings on fatigue. Enthusiasm brings on high energy. Satan wants to stop the work!

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Even though the enemy strategized many different ways to stop the work, he failed. Why? Nehemiah says,

“But we prayed to our God.” Nehemiah 4:9

“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.” Nehemiah 6:15

Remember this:

“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Satan Is the Father of Lies

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 2/25/26

“Satan does not usually attack truth head-on. He questions it, reshapes it, and mixes it with just enough error to make it attractive.”

Read Eric’s excellent post, The Devil Hates Truth here: DailyArmor.blog

Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”  The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;  but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”  The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! Genesis 3:1-4 NASB Read full chapter

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How Do I Show My Love for Jesus?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 2/24/26

I was reading the 14th chapter of John, and something jumped out at me because Jesus said it three times in this one chapter.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth…” John 14:15-17 NASB

“The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” (verse 21)

“Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. The one who does not love Me does not follow My words…” (verses 23-24

That Jesus repeated this three times in this short passage tells me it is very important. That brings the question to mind: what commands?

I would say that includes everything Jesus taught us and told us to do. The red letters might be a good place to start!

In His Love, Cindy

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

You Can Make a Difference in Someone’s Life

Cindy Dawson

Over twenty years ago, I became a special education teacher. I quickly realized that I couldn’t make a difference in every student’s life. But the Lord planted in me the idea that if I could make a difference in just one student’s life, I had accomplished something wonderful.

That’s when I learned the Story of the Starfish. It made such a huge impression on me that I hung a dried starfish on my desk lamp as a reminder.

The Starfish Story – Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley

A young girl was walking along a beach where thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “Well, I made a difference to that one!”

This is the same idea the Lord spoke to my heart about my blog: Don’t pay attention to numbers. Write for individual people.  If just one person is encouraged, that’s something wonderful.

Look around for your starfish – someone you can encourage, or maybe even introduce to Jesus. Now that’s something wonderful!

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

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How Do I Grow In Christ?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Sunday, 2/22/26

“As I look back, I see more clearly that every step, the missteps as much as the faithful strides, has been held within the hands of a gracious God. The longer I walk with Him, the more I realize that growth in Christ is not about achievement but surrender; not about strength but dependence.” Bruce Cooper, The Clarity That Comes With Age

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Read full chapter

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Jews, religion

Who Is Jesus? A Message For the Skeptic

Cindy Dawson

Was Jesus a real person?

Yes! The vast majority of historians and biblical scholars, both religious and secular, agree that Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical person. His physical existence in first-century Palestine is considered a well-established historical fact. 

Did He claim to be the only way to God?

Yes! Jesus said,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV

Is the New Testament Historically Reliable Literature?

Yes! The authenticity of the New Testament is overwhelming: there are about 25,000 early manuscripts. In comparison, the Gallic Wars written by Caesar in the first century BC has only 10 early manuscripts.

What will you do?

Still unsure? Please watch the video below before you decide. (Under 5 minutes)

If you have never put your faith and trust in Jesus, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever. Pray now:

Lord Jesus, I come before you and confess that I am a sinner. Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross and that Almighty God raised you from the dead. I pray that you will forgive me of all my sins. I choose today to trust and follow you with my whole heart. Amen.

“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.”   ROMANS 10:9-11

If you prayed that prayer, please message me in the comments section with any questions you may have. I would love to hear from you!

Read the Bible every day so that you can learn how to follow Jesus. The Gospel of John is a good place to start.

The Gospel of John, Chapter 1

For further study: https://www.gotquestions.org/is-Jesus-real.html

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Teaching Our Children Faith

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 2/20/26

There is nothing more loving you can do for your children than to instill in them a love for God’s Word and teach them to pray by your example.

“We will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.
 He decreed statutes for Jacob
    and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
    to teach their children,
 so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,
    and they in turn would tell their children.
 Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget his deeds
    but would keep his commands.” Psalm 78:4-7

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Do I Have Compassion?

Cindy Dawson

A Reflection for Thursday, 2/19/26

I realize that some of the sinful ways in my past were a reaction to the pain of rejection and hurt in my life. For that reason, I will not judge others. Instead, I wonder, what pain did she experience that led her down this dark path?

“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

 “[a]Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. Matthew 7:1 AMP

[a]This is not a prohibition of judgment, nor is it a command to stop using godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (cf John 7:24; 1 Cor 5:5, 12; Gal 1:8, 9; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 10)

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

The Importance of Discernment

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 2/18/26

“Beware of supposing that a teacher is to be trusted because, although he holds some unsound views, he yet ‘teaches a great deal of truth.’ Such a teacher is precisely the man to do you harm: poison is always most dangerous when it is mixed with wholesome food.” J.C. Ryle

Think about this: People would never follow a false teacher unless he mixed truth with his unbiblical ideas.

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:6-9

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Challenging Celebrity Preachers

Cindy Dawson

REFLECT ON THIS:

“There is a sacred cow in evangelicalism today. That sacred cow is that men who are producing good works while compromising Christ and His Gospel are being lionized to celebrity status.”  Zephanja Mel

“For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NASB

Myth: a misrepresentation of the truth (New Oxford American Dictionary)

My Thoughts: Does the Church ignore the false teaching of celebrity “Bible Teachers”?

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog