Tag: Bible

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

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

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

Christian

What God Sees

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for 5/13/26

“Even in your weakness, He sees what you can do by His strength in and through you. Gideon was obedient and surrendered to God’s will for his life, as unlikely as it seemed in human eyes…and he became the valiant warrior that God saw.”

from “Valiant Warrior” by Alan Kearns

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 (emphasis mine)

Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15
Read full chapter

What does God see when He looks at you? Hint: It’s not what you see.

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 Baran Lotfollahi on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

When I Am Afraid, I Will Trust in You

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Tuesday, 5/12/26

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7 KJV

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 Ben White on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Knowing God

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Monday, 5/11/26

“And those who know Your name [who have experienced Your precious mercy] will put their confident trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 AMP

In the Old Testament, names often represent more than mere identification. A person’s name typically conveyed meaning associated with specific characteristics or attributes. 

To know God’s name means you know His character: He is loving, faithful, kind, forgiving, merciful, gracious, just, righteous, and holy. He is worthy of our complete trust at all times.

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 from Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, women

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌷

Cindy Dawson

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:30-31 NIV

“All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.” Abraham Lincoln

“A mother’s arms are more Comforting than Anyone Else’s” Princess Diana

“Men are what their mothers made them.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Being a mother is not about what you gave up to have a child, but what you’ve gained from having one.”

“I never knew how much I could love someone until I became a mother.” Cindy Dawson

Happy Mother’s Day!

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 Getty Images for Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

The Wonder of a New Baby

Cindy Dawson

As I lovingly gaze upon my newborn grandson, my heart is filled with love. As I look at his little hands and feet, his tiny fingernails and eyelashes, I realize what a miracle he is! Not long ago, this baby didn’t exist, and now here he is, and I’m holding him in my arms!

This beautiful baby began development as a single cell known as a zygote. The moment this baby was conceived, every detail of his life was set in place by his DNA, which contains the genetic instructions, the master blueprint for development and function. From conception, his sex, the color of his eyes, hair, and skin were already determined.

And from the moment of conception, his parents didn’t know it yet, but little Ben was on the way! His development had begun! Yes, that’s right! Ben’s development had begun and will continue for several years until he becomes a grown man.

“The predominance of human biological research confirms that human life begins at conception—fertilization.  At fertilization, the human being emerges as a whole, genetically distinct, individuated zygotic living human organism, a member of the species Homo sapiens, needing only the proper environment in order to grow and develop.” American College of Pediatricians

But we learn from God’s Word that there is even more to know about this tiny new life.

“For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16 NIV

God said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you …” Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

“Children are a heritage (gift) from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 NIV

🎶 You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy, when skies are gray.
You’ll never know, Ben, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away! 🎶

May all mankind understand that conception is the beginning of a new life, a unique person known to God! Pregnancy doesn’t mean you’re going to have a baby. If you are pregnant, you already have a baby! He (or she) just isn’t very big yet!

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

Open My Eyes, Lord!

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Friday, 5/8/26

“Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word.  I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map—and your commands are my chart and guide.  I long for your instructions more than I can tell.” Psalm 119:18-20 TLB

When we are faced with big decisions, we can trust the Lord to give us guidance if we ask Him.

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

Don’t Doubt Your Calling

Cindy Dawson

Encouragement for Thursday, 5/7/26

Do you ever get writer’s block? Do you even doubt your calling because you feel inadequate? That is your enemy, Satan, oppressing you. He’s a liar! Remember this:

“ I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].” Philippians 1:6 AMP

Praise the Lord!

And this is my favorite go-to verse:

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 AMPC

If you need more encouragement, read this: Don’t Let Satan Stop the Work

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 Steve A Johnson on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog