Christian

Love Is Strong Spiritual Warfare

Cindy Dawson

One morning, I walked into the Women’s Bible Study, and they were having a potluck that no one had told me about! Maybe I was being overly sensitive, but I was very offended.

The Bible study teacher recognized that I was upset, and the next time I saw her, she gave me an index card with some Scripture references. She probably had no idea that it would change my life. As I opened my heart to God’s Word, something wonderful happened! The Truth set me free! These are the Scriptures:

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to OVERLOOK AN OFFENSE.” Proverbs 19:11 (emphasis mine)

“He who covers over an offense promotes love…” Proverbs 17:9a

“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16 (emphasis mine)

This happened to me over 30 years ago. The devil has used the same tactics since the beginning of time. He has used it on me. He will use it on you. 

Read about David in 1 Samuel 17:28-33 below. Notice that David had to overlook the offenses thrown at him before he could kill the giant. Satan tried to stop God’s plan for David, but he couldn’t do it because David overlooked the offense.

“When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?”  He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.  What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

David didn’t get angry and sulk. Instead, he refused to be offended.

Over the years, God has continued to reveal to me how powerful it is to walk in love, and that means overlooking offenses.

  “(Love) is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP

The devil will send offenses our way, but when we choose God’s way and walk in love, Satan’s attack will not prevail.

Has anyone ever offended you? Insulted you? Put you down? If so, consider this: Love is strong spiritual warfare!

Consider this:

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

“He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:21-23

Following Jesus and walking in love is spiritual warfare. When we love others, we are defeating Satan and his dirty schemes. This is how we wield the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!

Addendum: Recently, I ran into my former Bible Study teacher at Panera Bread. I went over to her and told her how what she did that day had changed my life. I hope it encouraged her. (She may not even remember it.) Sometimes, God doesn’t reveal the result of our obedience. For JoAnn, it came over three decades later.

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

All Scriptures from NIV unless otherwise noted

Photo by Raychan on Unsplash

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Christian

Understanding Self-Control: A Reflection

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Friday, 5/22/26

“He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].” Proverbs 14:29 AMP

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

Redemption: Lessons from Ruth

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 5/21/26

The Book of Ruth is a deeply moving account of love and redemption. You will see God’s tender care for women as He eases the burdens of two homeless widows. In his generous redemptive actions, Boaz becomes a forerunner of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

“The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” Isaiah 54:5 NIV

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7 NIV

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV

Although only 4 chapters long, the Book of Ruth has long been recognized as a literary masterpiece. Read it now, and you will see why.

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 Kingdom Bloggers on Google

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Christian

Millennials Want More Truth

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 5/20/26

“Here in California, we see interest on the part of millennials and younger for the Bible and for truth,” the pastor said. “Most of the time, we see statistics about how people are leaving the Church, but in many respects, young people are demanding more truth, more teaching, and less entertainment. They’re not interested in shallow expressions of religion.” 

Pastor David Jeremiah

“Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Truth delivers people from the bondage of sin and deception.

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

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Christian

Why Study End Time Prophecy?

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Tuesday, 5//19/26

“The Bible reveals details about the last days to alleviate the stress of wondering what is coming and to prepare us so that we will be ready. Because we should be familiar with our Bibles, God expects us to know what His Word says about future events.”

Jack Hibbs, from his book, Living in the Daze of Deception

Jesus said, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” Matthew 24:42-44 NASB (emphasis mine)

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 Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

If I Were the Devil

Cindy Dawson

On April 3, 1965, the following radio broadcast by Paul Harvey was aired. It is actually pretty shocking. Take a minute to listen.

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

Does God Remember My Sins?

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 5/17/26

I spoke to a Christian friend who expressed concern about the punishment she might receive for her past sins.

But does God punish those whom Christ has redeemed? Let’s examine the Scriptures that answer that question.

“Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:7 NIV

Jesus said, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37b NIV

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV

Do these Scriptures apply even though I have committed terrible sins? What if I had an abortion? What if I killed someone? What if I committed adultery? What if I engaged in homosexual acts? Will God forgive these sins?

“Come now, let’s settle this,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
    I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NLT

“So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased]” Acts 3:19 AMP (emphasis mine)

“… as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 NIV

“And their sins and their lawless acts I will remember no more [no longer holding their sins against them].” Hebrews 10:17 AMP

Let God’s Word answer your questions. He wants you to know how great is His mercy and love!

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

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Christian

Do Christians Today Have Idols?

Cindy Dawson

 “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.  He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.” 1 Kings 11: 3-6

Notice that Solomon started doing what “everyone else” was doing. He may have thought, “All the other kings have lots of wives and concubines. All the other kings have idols. I’m just doing what all the other kings do. Things are different now from when my father was king.”

We can do the same thing today by accepting what the world puts forth as truth rather than holding on to God’s Word, which is the only reliable source of real Truth.

Ashtoreth was the pagan goddess of war and sexual love. How is that any different from the practice of sexual sin found in today’s world?

Molek was an Ammonite god who required propitiatory child sacrifice. A couple sacrificed their firstborn by burning the child on a metal idol of Molech. How is that any different from abortion, which is really all about freedom to engage in sexual sin without consequence?

In today’s society, sexual sin and abortion are not only acceptable behaviors but also normalized through social media, television, and movies.

According to Guttmacher, 1,125,930 babies were murdered by clinicians in the United States in 2025 alone.

And there are more than 20 million estimated new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States each year — and rates are increasing. (Satterwhite, C.L. et al. 2013)

Idol worship doesn’t just refer to a pagan statue. The Apostle Paul tells us more.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” Colossians 3:5-6

“Idolatry starts in the heart: craving, wanting, enjoying, being satisfied by anything that you treasure more than God. That is an idol. If we find God to be so boring or so negligible that we must put other things in his place that really satisfy us more than He does, then we not only offend him, but we also destroy ourselves.”

John Piper

“…yet I am glad now, not because you were hurt and made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance [and you turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel … For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret…” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 AMP

Any number of things could become an idol. Ask the Lord with a sincere heart to show you if you have any idols. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction, but not condemnation. Conviction makes you want to change, but condemnation makes you want to give up.

“Since the fall, the hearts of humans have been inclined toward idolatry.”

Dr. Jeff Reynolds, Pastor

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

Featured image from Nick Fancher on Unsplash

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Divine Wisdom or Human Logic? – Part 2

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Friday, 5/15/26

In 1 Samuel, chapter 15, we see that Saul still hasn’t learned his lesson. He continues to disobey God and do things his own way. But he believes he has good reasons for what he does. (This is already starting to sound familiar.)

Samuel, the prophet, tells Saul,

For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
    and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.” (v 23a)

In other words, Saul’s actions are rebellious. And rebellion against God is as reprehensible as divination (witchcraft). Not only that, but Saul is arrogant, and that’s as reprehensible as the evil of idolatry.

Samuel’s words for Saul are just as applicable today as they were when Samuel spoke them to Saul. When we think we have a better way than God’s Word teaches us, we are being rebellious and arrogant.

The point is not what Saul did. The point is, he disobeyed God. Oh, he thought he had a good reason to twist God’s instructions a little, but the last verse says it all:

“And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.” (vs 35b)

Please go back and read the whole story in 1 Samuel 15 in your own Bible, or HERE.

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


Christian

Divine Wisdom or Human Logic?

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Thursday, 5/14/26

1 Samuel 13:7-14 is a short passage with a big lesson. And that lesson is this: Obey God, even when you think you should do something else.

“There is a way that appears to be right,
    but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 16:25 NIV

“Proverbs 16:25 warns that human judgment is often flawed and self-deceived, leading to disastrous consequences. This biblical proverb highlights the danger of relying on personal logic rather than divine wisdom, emphasizing that what feels right in the moment can lead to ruin.”

Richard E. Simmons III

King Saul disobeyed Samuel’s command to wait for him, and he offered the sacrifices himself. I’m sure Saul felt justified. After all, the Philistines were assembled against them, and Saul’s troops were trembling in fear. But read what happened when Saul took things into his own hands instead of obeying God.

“Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering.  Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash,  I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 1 Samuel 13:7-14 NIV

Even though the Bible warns us not to disobey God and exalt man’s wisdom, people do it all the time. Consider all the things Christian leaders do instead of what the Bible teaches us about leading the flock.

Do we overemphasize entertainment and comfort? Is our focus on attracting new members instead of making disciples? Are we diluting the gospel message or avoiding important doctrines like sin and repentance? Do we avoid controversial topics (like false teaching) because someone might be offended?

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