Christian

For Your Reflection

Quote of the Week for 2/4/26

My Thoughts: May we understand the danger of pride. Written in 1848, and still true today. Do you agree?

“Pride goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Shine Your Light in a Dark World

1-minute reflection for Tuesday, 2/3/26

Jesus taught His disciples saying,
β€œYou are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Reflect on this: Light and darkness cannot exist in the same space because light dispels darkness just as the rising sun does every morning. We must remember that wherever we take the light of Christ, we are dispelling darkness.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Finding Strength in Despair

1-minute devotion for Monday, 2/2/26

"I cry aloud to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
 I pour out before him my complaint;
    before him I tell my trouble.

 When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way." Psalm 142:1-3a
David wrote these words when he was hiding in a cave from Saul and his enemies. Feeling desperate, he realized that his inner strength was melting away. He was discouraged and miserable. He really needed God's help.

If you feel desperate and weak, remember that the Lord is watching over you. Lean on Him. Trust Him. He loves you.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

How To Cope With Anxiety

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

We all experience anxiety at one time or another, sometimes about big things, sometimes about small things. Did you know that the Bible tells us the secret to coping effectively with this condition?

The following verses tell us exactly what to do when we feel anxious. Doing this will cause your anxiety to be replaced with peace, and not just any kind of peace, but peace that will stand guard over your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

“The Lord is near.Β Β Do not be anxious about anything,Β but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.Β Β And the peace of God,Β which transcends all understanding,Β will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Β Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableβ€”if anything is excellent or praiseworthyβ€”think about such things.” Philippians 4:4b-8

SUMMARY

  • Pray (Remember God is right there with you.)
  • Petition: anΒ appealΒ orΒ request,Β especiallyΒ aΒ solemnΒ orΒ humbleΒ one
  • Come to Him with a grateful heart.
  • Make your specific requests known to God
  • Remember to think about and focus on the good things in your life.

Philippians 4:8 AMP:

Finally,Β believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorableΒ andΒ worthy of respect, whatever is rightΒ andΒ confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pureΒ andΒ wholesome, whatever is lovelyΒ andΒ brings peace, whatever is admirableΒ andΒ of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, thinkΒ continuallyΒ on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

Even if we have walked with the Lord for many years, sometimes we need to be reminded of this wonderful promise. (I know I did!)

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

What Does God Say About the Bible?

Should we interpret the Bible in terms of our culture? Do God’s Words mean something different today than when they were written? We must look to the Word of God itself for the answers. What does God’s Word reveal?

Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (emphasis mine)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16 (emphasis mine)

There may be verses that we don’t understand yet. But someday we will. God says,

β€œFor my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
 β€œAs the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

In his excellent article on Postmodernism Christian Movements, Bruce Cooper describes Progressive Christianity as: “a contemporary Christian movement that seeks to reinterpret traditional Christian beliefs and practices in light of modern perspectives and societal changes.”

But God says, β€œI the Lord do not change.” Malachi 3:6

To twist the meaning of Scripture to suit ourselves will only dull our Sword and contribute to our own demise! In effect, we shoot ourselves in the foot!

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8

If we don’t prepare ourselves by reading the Word daily, we will be like a soldier going into battle who doesn’t know the intelligence report or the battle plans! Jesus explained it this way:

β€œTherefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practiceΒ is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.Β The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.Β But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.Β The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-27 (emphasis mine)

Notice that in verse 24, Jesus said, “Therefore”. That means that the “house built on sand” analogy does not stand alone, but is in reference to the preceding verses, which say,

β€œNot everyone who says to me, β€˜Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, β€˜Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, β€˜I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23

Pause and reflect on that for a moment!

We live in a time of great deception. Our culture believes things that shock the senses! It is becoming increasingly difficult to speak the truth because we don’t want to be called a hater or be hated. But Jesus said,

18Β β€œIf the world hates you,Β keep in mind that it hated me first.Β If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen youΒ out of the world. That is why the world hates you.Β Remember what I told you: β€˜A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”Β John 15:18-20

During our current times and in light of current events, those verses take on greater meaning than ever before.

“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

How amazing that the Bible, written 2,000 years ago, is so pertinent to the world today and all its problems!

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

The Greatness of Our Lord

1-minute reflection for Friday, 1/30/25

“You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.” (comprehend) Psalm 139:1-6

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian, women

Is My Life All About Me?

2-minute devotion for Thursday, 1/29/26

Teaching in public schools for 22 years opened my eyes to the reality of some kids’ pain. Father is in prison, or mom is on drugs, this girl possibly sex-trafficked, children come to school hungry, and on and on it goes.

One thing I will never forget is the girl in the Valvoline shirt. I spotted her in the cafeteria one day. What must it be like to be in Junior High and have nothing better to wear than a “Valvoline Oil Change” shirt and a shoddy skirt?

I remember how my mother always made sure I had nice clothes. I never remember being embarrassed by what I wore to school. How must this young teen feel?

Once, I had a 12-year-old student who always had the shabbiest clothes and shoes. We felt so bad for her. One year, before the start of school, someone bought her some cute new clothes and gave them to her anonymously. I don’t know what happened to them, but she never wore any of it. My guess is her mother sold them or took them back to the store for the money.

There are children and adults all around us who need kindness. They may not cross our path, but they aren’t far away. My prayer is that we will not shut out their cries for help, but be the ones who hear Jesus’ command and obey.

“…the whole law is fulfilled in one word: β€œYou shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 ESV

“One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” Albert Schweitzer

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

The Greatest Legacy

Quote of the Week for 1/28/26

“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” β€”Billy Graham

“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.” Proverbs 22:6 NASB

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Set Your Hearts on Things Above

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 1/27/26

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2 (emphasis mine) Read full chapter

My thoughts: It is so easy to become consumed with the problems and concerns of our present life here on earth and neglect our time with our Lord. Let every day begin by setting our hearts and minds on the things of God through prayer and time in His Word.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Understanding Truth: Guarding Against Propaganda

1-minute devotion for Monday, 1/26/26

“The naive believes everything,
But the sensible person considers his steps.” Proverbs 14:15

A lot of false information and propaganda is being disseminated in our world today. That’s why it is so important to know the truth and not be misled by propaganda.

Propaganda:  Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a particular cause, doctrine, or point of view.

The Bible is not quiet on this subject:

“The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.” Proverbs 18:17

“A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness declares lies.” Proverbs 14:5

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2

(This verse suggests that diligence and investigation are honorable pursuits for discovering truth.)

“If a lie is repeated often enough, people will eventually come to believe it.” Adolf Hitler

NOTE: An excellent news source on world events is Amir Tsarfati’s Telegram page. Amir is an Israeli Believer, Bible Teacher, author, and speaker. Go to his website,Β Behold Israel, then click on theΒ NewsΒ tab to sign up for his Telegram page. There, you can get minute-by-minute updates on what is happening in the Middle East and around the world.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NASB.