Category: Christian

Christian

Psychics and Witchcraft: Is It Harmless?

Cindy Dawson

Every Christian should know that divination is an abomination to God. But do they?

This subject was brought to my mind when I read 1 Chronicles 10. It is the story of King Saul’s last day on Earth. He is wounded by the enemy and then kills himself to keep from being captured. The next day, the Philistines stripped him and took his head. Verses 13 and 14 say,

“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance,  and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.”

There are many Scriptures that make it clear that all types of divination are a sin and an abomination to God. Here are a few.

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.  Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,  or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.” Deuteronomy 18:9-11 NIV

Witchcraft

“I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.” Leviticus 20:6 NIV

“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:31 NIV

Tarot Cards

God calls these things detestable. Yet people swarm to fortune tellers and psychics by the millions. According to an article by Paul Thagard, PhD in Psychology Today, “4 out of 10 people believe that psychics are effective and billions of dollars are spent yearly by people desperate to have psychics help them with their problems.”

Dr. Thagard explains the deceptive practices psychics use, but I’d like to point out that whether the psychics use trickery or not is immaterial. God says it is an abomination to consult them.

Christians should look to God for guidance, not demons. Consider these verses from Acts 16:16-18 (NIV):

“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.  She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”  She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.”

The devil will entice God’s people to sin any way he can. One of his favorite ways is to make the sin seem innocent. (It’s just for fun!) But it’s not innocent fun, and sin has consequences.

Methods of divination include psychics, tarot cards, ouija boards, reading tea leaves, astrology, horoscopes, zodiac signs, the occult, fortune tellers, drug use and others.

Horoscope

God wants to protect His people from demonic forces. I believe that people can open a door to evil spirits by participating in these things. (Paul associates fortune-telling with demons in Acts 16 above.)

When I was a teenager, I participated in a seance with friends. They said there would be someone there who really knew how to do it. That night I was overcome by an intense fear that I had never experienced before or since. I knew I was doing something I shouldn’t be doing.

I repented of this sin and I would never, never do it again. I learned my lesson well.

If you know someone who is troubled by unusual fear, make sure they are not opening the door to the occult in some way. If they are, they need to study the Scripture, pray, and repent.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

“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

Remember, sorcery of any kind is not innocent fun. God’s Word is our guide.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 NLT

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 NLT

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

Paul Thagard, Psychology Today, Should You Believe in Psychics? April 24, 2019

Photos from Unsplash and Pexels

A Verse For Today, Christian

A Verse For Today, 1/16/20

Cindy Dawson

“Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
    and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
    and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
    and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

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Photo by Thanti Nguyen on Unsplash

A Verse For Today, Christian

A Verse For Today, 1/14/20

Cindy Dawson

“Remember the former things, those of long ago;
    I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.
 I make known the end from the beginning,
    from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
    and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

Photo by Amanda Phung on Unsplash

Christian

Trusting God for Guidance

Cindy Dawson

Do you ever feel like God isn’t there? When we can’t seem to hear His voice or sense His leading, that’s when it’s time for faith to take charge!

God is always speaking to us in the sense that His Word is alive and all we have to do is open our Bible to hear God’s Word. Today, as I sought the Lord regarding what to write about, I realized that He is always leading me, even when I can’t “feel” it.

How do I know? Because He has promised me He would. If I look to His Word, He speaks. Psalm 119 is about God’s Word, but it also promises that those who love His Word will be rewarded with counsel, wisdom, insight, guidance, and peace.

“Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.” Psalm 119:24

“Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser than my enemies.
 I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.” Psalm 119:98-99

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

“Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165

“Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
    and your servant loves them.” Psalm 119:140

I will trust Him to lead me because I have surrendered to His will for my life and I love the Word of God. So during times when all I hear is silence, I will trust that He is still leading me through the darkness. I believe His promises are true.

“For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
    His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27

“In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

“From the east I summon a bird of prey;
    from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
    what I have planned, that I will do.” Isaiah 46:11

“He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3

“He who has compassion on them will guide them
    and lead them beside springs of water.” Isaiah 49:10b

“The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.” Isaiah 58:11a

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Your Watchful Eye Will Lead Me

Your watchful eye will lead me.
You never look away.
I turn to you for guidance
Every single day.

Because I love your Word,
And seek to know it well,
I trust your hand to guide me,
For in my heart Christ dwells.

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

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All Scripture references are from the NIV.

Photo by Allen Taylor on Unsplash

Christian

Worry Is Like a Rocking Chair

Cindy Dawson

Corrie Ten Boom was a prisoner and survivor of Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. If anyone ever had an excuse to worry, it was her. Corrie, her sister, and their elderly father were whisked from their home and sent to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, “the deepest hell that man can create”¹ because they were caught hiding Jews during WWII. Following are some quotes on worry from Corrie.

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. It does not enable us to escape evil. It makes us unfit to face evil when it comes. It is the interest you pay on trouble before it comes.”

“Worry is like a rocking chair; it keeps you busy but does not bring you farther.”

Corrie Ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place, had a profound effect on me as a young adult. Her faith and trust in Jesus Christ will encourage you through any trial you may find yourself in today.

Corrie lived her life, before and after Ravensbruck, serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

So many times, people say, “I’m a worrier. I worry about everybody.” It’s as if they think it’s a badge of honor. It’s not! To worry means we are not trusting God. To please God, we must have faith. We must trust Him.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

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1The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom

Christian

A Verse For Today, 12/31/19

Cindy Dawson

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

Photo by Stanislav Kondratiev on Unsplash

Christian

You Rescued Me

Cindy Dawson

You brought me out of sin and shame. 

You saw me there and called my name.

You rescued me from hurt and pain.

You found me and you broke my chains.  

Replacing them with peace and joy, 

My Savior’s love I’d now enjoy.

I had wasted many years, 

but you were there to calm my fears. 

Now, all my life I’ll praise your Name 

For you, O Lord, My life reclaimed.

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” Galatians 1:3-4 NIV

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,” Colossians 1:13 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

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		Christian
A Verse For Today, 12/26/19
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 AMPC





With Love, 





Cindy





This Is My Journey Unscripted.










Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?





realchristianwomen.blog  





Photo by Jeffrey Workman on Unsplash

		


			
		
	






			

			
							
		

	
	

		Christian
A Verse For Today, 12/24/19
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:33b-34 NIV





CONTEXT: Jeremiah prophesied concerning the New Covenant instituted through the blood of Christ. For all who are in Christ, God will forgive their sins and remember them no more!





With Love, 





Cindy





This Is My Journey Unscripted.










Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?





realchristianwomen.blog  





Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

		


			
		
	






			

			
							
		

	
	

		Christian
You Were Born for Such a Time as This: The Story of Esther
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

The story of Esther teaches us that God purposely guides His people’s steps even when we are not aware of it, even when things don’t make sense. But God has a purpose in what He does in the lives of those He loves. Every thread woven into the fabric of the Christian life is part of the ultimate tapestry that someday they will view in glory.”
Dr. david jeremiah





The book of Esther tells an amazing story of political intrigue along with the faith and courage of a young, Jewish woman named Esther. We can learn many things from reading it, but I want to focus on this: While deliverance from the enemy looked impossible, God already had a plan in action.





King Xerxes was searching for a new queen. He appointed commissioners to search his vast empire for the most beautiful women and bring them to his harem. Esther was one of those chosen.





The beautiful Esther dazzled King Xerxes more than any of the others, and he made her his queen. He was enthralled with her loveliness.





This story gets even more interesting when you know a little about King Xerxes and the Persian Empire. Although not in the Bible, history reveals the kind of man he was.





Xerxes was a king of war. He assembled the largest and most well equipped fighting force ever put into the field up to that time in history. He amassed an army of over two million men and four thousand ships. Known to be merciless, Xerxes was not a man to be trifled with.





One day, Mordecai overheard some men plotting to kill the King. He informed Esther and she warned the King, giving credit to Mordecai. Unknown to anyone, including the King, evil was about to encroach the palace and all 127 provinces of the Persian Empire.





This evil sprang from an egomaniacal man named Haman who was a high ranking official in the King’s court. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai would not bow down to him.  The anti-Semitic Haman devised a sinister plan to annihilate all of the Jews in the Persian Empire. 





Haman tricked the king into issuing a decree to all 127 provinces with the order to destroy and kill all the Jews – young and old, women and children.





When Mordecai uncovered Haman’s conspiracy, he urged Esther to approach the king and beg for mercy. He said, 





“Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)





Esther knew the law commanded that if anyone approached the king without being summoned, they would be put to death. The only exception was if the king extended his scepter.





Esther understood this and knew she would be putting her life in imminent danger. She sent word to Mordecai and requested that all the Jews of the city fast and pray for three days and nights. She said, 





“When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4: 16)





On the third day, Esther adorned herself in her royal robes and approached the king in his inner court. When he saw her, he was pleased and held out his golden scepter. He asked her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”





Esther replied, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come to the banquet I have prepared.”





While they were at the banquet, the king asked her again, “What is your request?” Esther asked the king and Haman to come back for another banquet the next day.





On his way home Haman passed Mordecai, and again Mordecai would not bow down to him. Enraged, Haman went home and boasted to his friends about his vast wealth and all that he had. “And that’s not all,” bragged Haman. “I am the only one Queen Esther invited to attend the banquet tomorrow for the king. But this brings me no pleasure as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”





At his friends’ urging, Haman built a gallows and conspired to hang Mordecai there. Haman didn’t know it, but his evil pride would soon bring him down.





That night, the King was reminded that nothing had ever been done to honor Mordecai for saving him from a murderous plot. Haman had entered the King’s palace to speak to the King about hanging Mordecai, but before Haman could speak, the king asked Haman, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”





Haman thought to himself, “Who would the king possibly want to honor more than me?” So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Let the princes robe the man and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’ “





“Go at once,”the king commanded Haman. “Do just as you suggested for Mordecai the Jew!”





I wish I could have seen his face! Talk about shock! Things are looking bad for Haman, but they are going to get even worse!





At the second banquet for the king and Haman, the king asked Esther again what she desired.





She said, “Grant me my life and spare my people. For I and my people have been sold for destruction, slaughter, and annihilation.”





King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”





Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.”





The king stormed out in a rage. Haman was terrified. He threw himself upon the Queen’s couch and begged for his life. Then, the king walked back in and found Haman falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.





“The king cried, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” Haman was immediately taken away and hanged on the Gallows he had built for Mordecai.





King Xerxes gave Esther Haman’s estate. He also gave Mordecai his signet ring and told him to write a decree on behalf of all the Jews and seal it with his ring. The Jews got relief from their enemies and celebrated with joy and feasting. They called it the Feast of Purim and it is still celebrated today.





Perhaps, like Esther, you have also been brought to your position 





for such a time as this!







With Love, 





Cindy





This Is My Journey Unscripted.





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Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?





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 Photo by Alice Alinari on Unsplash





¹Cartwright, Mark. “Persian Wars.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 06 Apr 2016. Web. 27 Oct 2018.