Category: Christian

Christian

How Can I Effectively Engage in Conversations About God?

Cindy Dawson

Have you ever tried to engage in a conversation about God’s Word with someone who held a different view, only to be shot down before you even got started? I have – on more than one occasion!

I have discovered that taking an authoritative stance usually shuts down any further discussion. And interrupting is a huge mistake. So what should we do?

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone..” Colossians 4:5-6 Read full chapter

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1Peter 3:15 Read full chapter

Greg Koukl, in his book TACTICS says this,

“Using simple leading questions is an almost effortless way to ease spiritual topics into a conversation…without seeming abrupt, rude, or pushy. Questions are engaging and interactive, probing yet amicable.”

Jesus often used questions in His interactions with a hostile crowd. Here are a few examples:

 “I will also ask you a question. Tell me:  John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” Luke 20:3-4

“He saw through their duplicity and said to them,  “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” Luke 20:23-24 Read full chapter

“Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” Mark 2:9 Read full chapter

We can learn a lot about why a person believes what he does by asking questions. Most people are only too glad to have an opportunity to express their beliefs.

When you ask a question, you are showing interest in that person, and it’s an invitation to thoughtful dialog. Koukl suggests nicely asking questions like:

  1. How did you come to that conclusion?
  2. Why do you say that?
  3. I’m curious, What do you mean by that?
  4. What do you mean by (fill in the blank) evolution, evil, etc.

“It is not the Christian life to wound, embarrass, or play one-upmanship with colleagues, friends, or even opponents, but it’s a common vice that anyone can easily fall into.” Hugh Hewitt

I used to think that if the conversation didn’t go anywhere, the other person was just unreasonable. In other words, it was their fault we couldn’t have a friendly discussion. But now, I realize that it was really my fault because I didn’t know how to engage in a conversation with someone who has differing views. But I am learning.

The big takeaway for me was this: Instead of immediately correcting or quoting Scripture, ask questions. That way, you will have a better understanding of why they believe what they believe and where the weaknesses are in their viewpoint. I have barely touched the surface on what Koukl can teach us. I hope you will look at the free sample.

I highly recommend Greg Koukl’s book TACTICS. Read a sample HERE.

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

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

To Be Approved by God

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 10/24/25

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)

The Greek word translated be diligent is spoudazo. It means to be diligent, eager, earnest, or to exert oneself with haste and zeal to accomplish something. It encapsulates the idea of giving one’s best effort, not just working hard but doing so with a focused intention, often driven by a desire or need. 

What is it we are trying to accomplish? It is to accurately handle the word of truth and so be approved by God. And what if we don’t? Someday we will stand before God and be ashamed.

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

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

God Sees Our Heart

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Thursday, 10/23/25

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV (emphasis mine)

I love the story of David being anointed king over Israel. When Jesse brought out his sons before Samuel, the Lord rejected them all, one by one. A little confused perhaps, Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep.” They brought him in from the fields and the Lord said, “He is the one.”

“ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” (v. 13) Read full chapter

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

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

RealChristianWomen.blog  

Christian

A Word of Wisdom

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for 10/22/25

“Wise Christians surround themselves with reminders of God’s goodness as a way to move beyond their pasts.” Pastor David Jeremiah

After Joseph became 2nd in command to Pharaoh in Egypt, he had two sons.

“Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh[a] and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim[b]and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Genesis 41:51-52 Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 41:51 Manasseh sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for forget.
  2. Genesis 41:52 Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for twice fruitful.

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

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Finding Hope: A Personal Testimony

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 10/21/25

“I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:1-2 NIV

I remember the first time I read these verses and the awe I felt knowing this was my testimony. In one of my oldest Bibles, it was dated 1984, 1986, and 1988. God’s Word is alive and active. (Hebrews 4:12)

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

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Storing God’s Word in Our Hearts

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Monday, 10/20/25

“I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.
 I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10-11 NIV Read full chapter

May our hearts be a storehouse of God’s Word so that the Holy Spirit can bring to mind the verses necessary for our guidance.

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

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog  

Christian

Why Do I Need Jesus?

Cindy Dawson

The Bible says:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NKJV)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NKJV)

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV)

This is exactly what Isaiah foretold:

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5–6, NKJV)

And all of this was motivated by love:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV)

The assassin deserves his penalty. But the greater question is personal:

👉 Have you been born again?

👉 Is YOUR name written in the Book of Life?

(Daniel 7:10; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:11–15, NKJV)

That is why Scripture pleads with us:

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2, NKJV)

(Taken from Amir Tsarfati’s Telegram page.) Telegram is the one-stop shop for daily updates from Amir related to current events in the Middle East and what’s taking place around the world.
STAY CONNECTED

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

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Where Hopes Lie (a Lament)

Cindy Dawson

By Craig Sabin 

I never knew, how my hopes grew,
so silently they spread.
Like ivy leaves on chimney wall
they grew inside my head.
Until the bitter breezes blew,
and left them all for dead.
I felt them shrivel up and fall,
and it was then I knew,
that down inside my hopes had died,
and they were mine 
no more. 
Whole fleets of expectations, 
like hungry merchant ships,
had sailed into my harbor heart, 
and docked among the slips.
They'd tied themselves with sailor's art 
to wait their promised store.
And when, with hulls still empty,
they were ordered to depart, 
they rose in bloody mutiny 
and stormed upon the shore. 
Oh how they wailed, 
and loud their cries 
for longings unfulfilled, 
as vacant satisfaction's lies 
slipped through their hands 
like desert sands, 
to lie 
upon the floor. 
Enough. 
Delib'rately 
I turn my eyes 
away from where 
lament was spent, 
and to the place my certain home 
lies high above the skies, 
where moth and rust do not destroy 
and thieves can steal 
no more. 
The kingdom of the Righteous One, 
whose lips can form no lies,
prepares for me a mansion, grand,
and beckons me with outstretched hand
up where ev'ry shattered hope 
becomes a bright kaleidoscope,
there stands, for me, 
an open door. 

"See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Chapter 3, Verse 8

Craig Sabin is my favorite poet. His poetry touches my heart. It will touch your heart, too. Read Craig’s story at the post below.

https://brocraigblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/30/where-hopes-lie-a-lament/

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

RealChristianWomen.blog


Christian

A Letter To Persecuted Christians

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 10/17/25

Today, I am writing specifically to persecuted Christians around the world. My prayer is that these precious Words from God will encourage you and strengthen you through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 Read full chapter

“To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:1-4

I noticed that James’ letter is addressed to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.” They were scattered throughout the Roman world because of persecution. Some of you know that kind of persecution today. There are many Christians around the world who are praying earnestly for you.

” … we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:18-19

May God bless you and keep you. May He strengthen you and give you hope as you trust in Him.

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

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

God Is With Us in Every Trial

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Thursday, 10/16/25

“Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me” Psalm 23:4a (emphasis mine)

Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of Auschwitz Concentration Camp said,

“Now, I know in my experience that Jesus’ light is stronger than the biggest 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

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog