Tag: Bible

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

Christian

The Greatest Sin in the Church

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 5/6/26

“In my opinion, the greatest sin in the church of Jesus Christ in this generation is ignorance of the Word of God.” J. Vernon McGee (1904-1988)

“Ignorance of the Word of God is the ‘greatest sin’ because it leads to all other spiritual failures.” J. Vernon McGee

These statements are just as true today as they were when Dr. McGee said them. Ignorance of God’s Word results in a lack of discernment. And that is why we see so many false teachers with huge followings, leading people astray.

In 1967, J. Vernon McGee began broadcasting the Thru the Bible radio program (TTB), in a systematic study of each book of the Bible. His teaching often emphasized the importance of personal Bible study.

“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

Nowhere in the Bible are pastors told to avoid controversial subjects. They must teach the whole counsel of God’s Word, not just the feel-good parts.

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 photo: Daiga Ellaby Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Do You Long for Men’s Approval?

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Tuesday, 5/5/26

“We wrestle with our natural inclinations— … our longing for approval…”

Bruce Cooper

I know this is true because I wrestle with it myself. I also know that recognition (public approval) often leads to pride. And we all know what pride leads to.

I saw this firsthand when I was in a Word of Faith church. When I became a women’s conference speaker, those around me began to make me feel special and important. At a conference where I was speaking, one woman offered to carry my Bible, purse, and notes around for me. I must be important!

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NIV

James and John asked Jesus if they could sit on His right and left in Heaven. I think they longed for approval and recognition. Jesus responded by saying,

“… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44 NIV

Jesus also said, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

So I pray, “Create in me a pure heart, O God …” (Psalm 51:10 NIV) “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” (Psalm 119:133 NIV)

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 on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

David’s Song of Praise

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Monday, 5/4/26

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me.” 2 Samuel 22:17-18 NIV (emphasis mine)

Do you ever find yourself in a spiritual battle where you think the enemy is too strong for you? Don’t give up! Don’t lose hope! Don’t stop praying! May this verse encourage you today.

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

What Is Humility?

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Reflection for Friday, 5/1/26

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking about yourself less.”

C.S. Lewis

Jesus said, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NLT Read full chapter

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 Getty Images on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

God Knows Us Completely

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 4/30/26

“O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.” Psalm 139:1-4 NLT

My thoughts: God knows us better than we know ourselves. The Psalmist goes on to say,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (vv 23-24) Read full chapter

May this be our prayer today.

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 Getty Images on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Women

Am I a Light in the Darkness?

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Reflection for Sunday, 4/26/26

 Jesus said, “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.” Matthew 5:14-15 NIV

“Our call is to engage with the world. Our mission as light in the darkness has not ended. In fact, it is greater now than it has ever been as the time of the end draws near.” Amir Tsarfati

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 Duangphorn Wiriya on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Offer Gratitude, Not Hatred

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Friday, 4/25/26

God had a plan to bless the world through the Jews. He sent His son, Jesus, born of a virgin, a young Jewish girl named Mary. (Matthew 1:18)

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8 NIV

No wonder Satan hates the Jewish people!

The Lord had said to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
 I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 NIV (emphasis mine)

This is the blessing:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

The Jewish people continue to bless the world even today. Although Jews are a small percentage of the population (0.2%), they have made an astounding number of contributions in the fields of medicine, science, art, and music, for which everyone should be grateful.

Here are just a few:

  • Jonas Salk (creator of the first polio vaccine)
  • Albert Sabin (oral polio vaccine)
  • Galileo (pioneered the use of the telescope for observing the night sky. His discoveries undermined traditional ideas about a perfect and unchanging cosmos with the Earth at its center.)
  • Elie Wiesel (political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor) authored 57 books)
  • Albert Einstein
  • Jerry Lewis (who raised more than 2 billion dollars for his Muscular Dystrophy Association Charity, Jerry’s Kids)
  •  Isaac Singer (inventor of the sewing machine)

(This list could go on and on, but I’ll stop here for the sake of brevity.)

Anti-Semetism

The savage attack on the Jewish people by the evil terrorist group Hamas, unbelievably, launched an anti-Semitic campaign around the world. The pro-Hamas demonstrators, when interviewed, showed little to no knowledge of the history of Judaism or the establishment of the Jewish state.

Ignorance allows dictators and terrorists to pursue their objectives while a properly informed public preserves and protects what is important to a free and civilized society.

If you believe such things are important, offer some gratitude, not hostility, to the Jews.”

Cal Thomas, Gratitude and Ingratitude: Jews have contributed greatly to our world

And now, let’s look at another part of the passage:

“I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;”

God said that.

See the article, Jewish Achievement Through History, for more about Jewish contributions to the world.

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