Christian

Grab Hold of Courage!

Cindy Dawson

1-minute reflection for Tuesday, 2/10/26

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

All open doors offer two choices: to walk by faith or to be controlled by fear (timid). Persecution, infighting, and false teaching threatened the Ephesian church that young Timothy shepherded – and will threaten Christians in the last days. The fearful will drop out. But those who grab hold of the courage (power), compassion (love), and self-control (self-discipline) that God makes available will stand fast until God completes His work in them. (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)

My thoughts: This is courage: having the strength to act despite fear, danger, or difficulty, choosing to face challenges, persevere, and stand up for the truth of God’s Word.

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

Christian

Life Can Change In a Flash!

Cindy Dawson

1-minute reflection for Monday, 2/9/26

Yesterday, it was a beautiful 70 degrees and sunny. Everyone was talking about this glorious Sunday morning. But when I took Henry for his morning walk the next day, the temperature was 26 with a wind chill of 7 degrees! I kept thinking, How quickly things can change!

… which reminded me of this:

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” 1Corinthians 15:50-52 (emphasis mine) Read full chapter

Commentary: When Christ returns at the Rapture, the graves will be opened and believers will ascend to be with the Lord. (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)

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

God Is With You

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Sunday, 2/8/26

When your life is hidden in Christ, no matter how weak you may feel or how discouraged you might be, stop and remember that God is with you. You are not alone.

 “So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Testimony from a Moroccan Christian:

“Every time I feel this pain, I cry. But I also pray. It’s through prayer that I can get through this. In all the sadness, I behold Christ in my life because when I remember that He’s with me, I feel joyous.” (“Batoul” was tormented by her mother and sisters when she became a Christian.)

Source: Open Doors

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

My Struggle With Unbelief

Cindy Dawson

“But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”  But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:22-24 NASB (emphasis mine)

Have you ever prayed those words? I have.

Jesus’ disciples were unable to heal the demon-possessed boy. The demon would throw the boy into fire or water and try to kill him. Then the father cried out to Jesus.

The father recognized his lack of faith. He cried out, “Help my unbelief!” This is the cry of a desperate father! He knows he needs Jesus’ help to overcome his unbelief.

I know what that feels like. I was once this desperate for God’s help to believe. In the 90s, I became so involved in the Word of Faith movement that I became a teacher myself. I taught two women’s Bible studies and even taught on the radio.

When I finally realized that the Word of Faith teaching didn’t line up with the Bible, I left that church. Eventually, I recognized just how false the teachings of Kenneth Copeland and other “Prosperity Gospel” preachers really were. I had been teaching false doctrine! I was devastated.

I had prayed often, telling God that I surrendered to Him. That was the prayer and desire of my heart. I had risen early in the morning to read my Bible before getting my kids off to school. So why had God let me be so deceived?

Unbelief was crouching at my door. I became more and more overcome by doubt. I couldn’t understand how God could let this happen to me. It didn’t line up with the faith message I had been taught. I began to fear that I would stop believing in God. That scared me, so I began to pray every night, “Lord, help me overcome my unbelief. Please don’t let me fall away.”

I prayed this over a long period of time. God answered my prayers. Over the years since that time, I have learned the true meaning of faith, which means to trust God in every circumstance.

After many years, I have come to understand why God allowed this to happen to me. He is using it for good. My heart cries out for those who are deceived by false teaching.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB

Although God warns us about deception and false teaching, many people are deceived. In fact, the Word of Faith movement is spreading globally, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.

This is why the heart of my ministry is to encourage others to LOVE THE TRUTH. Read and study your Bible daily.

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

Christian

How Important Is the Bible to You?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 2/6/26

In many countries with high levels of persecution, owning a Bible carries a great risk, including imprisonment, severe punishment, or even death. 

In North Korea, ownership of a Bible is considered a serious crime, punishable by imprisonment in labor camps or even execution.

In the Middle East & Central Asia, nations like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and parts of Central Asia, importing or distributing Bibles is illegal.

In China, only registered churches are legal, and it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to attend. These registered churches are highly monitored by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For this reason, many Christians meet secretly in homes, but this is very dangerous.


Even in countries where owning a Bible is not technically illegal, social, religious, or tribal pressure can make it extremely dangerous to have one. In some areas, possessing a Bible can lead to being disowned, losing custody of children, or violent attacks from the community. 

According to a 2025 report, over 100 million Christians still lack access to a Bible due to these restrictions. 

Call to Action:

  1. Pray for persecuted Christians.
  2. Reflect on the danger these Christians are willing to risk to own a Bible.
  3. Don’t neglect personal Bible study.

“I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.

 I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 (emphasis mine)

Source: Open Doors

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

How Do I know If I Really Have Discernment?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute reflection for Thursday, 2/5/26

Don’t assume you have discernment because of your age, the number of years you have attended church, or the fact that you had Christian parents. The question you must ask yourself is this: How much have I studied the Bible for myself? (Have I read it cover to cover? How many times have I read it?)

Notice I did not say, How many times do you go to church each week? or How many books about the Bible have you read?

Reflect on the following verse:

 “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14

This verse is saying that by the constant use of God’s Word you will train yourself to be discerning.

The only way to develop discernment is by studying God’s Word for yourself. You can’t depend on just listening to teachers. That may be easier, but you could be misled.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11

The Bereans are praised for checking the teaching against the Scriptures, and the teacher was the Apostle Paul! Go and do likewise!

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

For Your Reflection

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for 2/4/26

“It is scarcely credible to what degree discernment may be dazzled by the mist of pride, and wisdom infatuated by the intoxication of flattery.” Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

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

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

Shine Your Light in a Dark World

Cindy Dawson

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

Jesus taught His disciples saying,
 “You 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

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

Finding Strength in Despair

Cindy Dawson

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

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

How To Cope With Anxiety

Cindy Dawson

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

SUMMARY

  • Pray (Remember God is right there with you.)
  • Petition: an appeal or request, especially a solemn or humble 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, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually 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

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