1-minute read for Sunday, 6/8/25
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
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
1-minute read for Tuesday, 4/29/25
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse.”
“Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-8 and 10 NIV (emphasis mine)
Comments: “False teachers do not look dangerous; they appear enlightened, compassionate, even Christ-like. But their doctrine subtly shifts the focus from Christ to self—your breakthrough, your destiny, your potential. This is a different gospel, and Paul warns that even if an angel preaches it, we are not to receive it.”
Bruce Cooper, from his excellent post, Smoke and Mirrors: Unmasking the Strategy of Deception. You can read it HERE.
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
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. Enthralled with her loveliness, he made her his queen.
According to history, 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. 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 (Esther’s adoptive father) overheard some men plotting to kill the King. Unknown to anyone, including the King, evil was about to encroach the palace.
This evil sprang from an egomaniacal man named Haman, 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.
The Feast of Purim in 2025 will be celebrated from sundown on Thursday, March 13 to nightfall on Friday, March 14.
Perhaps, like Esther, you have also been brought to your position for such a time as this!
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
¹Cartwright, Mark. “Persian Wars.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 06 Apr 2016. Web. 27 Oct 2018.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:11-16 NIV (emphasis mine) Read full chapter
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
RealChristianWomen.blog
They were caught hiding Jews from the Nazis during WWII. Corrie ten Boom, her sister, and their elderly father were arrested and eventually sent to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Corrie described Ravensbruck as “the deepest hell that man can create”.¹
Corrie survived Ravensbruck, but if anyone ever had an excuse to worry, it would be her. This is what Corrie had to say about worrying.
“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.”
Corrie Ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place, profoundly affected me as a young adult. Corrie lived her life, before, during, and after Ravensbruck, serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Her faith and trust in Jesus will encourage you through any trial you may face. If you have never read The Hiding Place, I strongly encourage you to do so. There is also a very good movie. You can watch the trailer HERE.
“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
If I have learned anything on my Christian journey of 60+ years, it is this: Seek God with all your heart. Love Him with all your heart. Trust Him with all your heart. Obey His Word with all your heart. If you do that, He will take care of everything else.
Take it from Corrie, “Worry is like a rocking chair; it keeps you busy but does not bring you farther.”
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
Sources:
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
https://larryloftis.com/blog/the-bunker-of-ravensbruck
RealChristianWomen.blog
Over twenty years ago, I became a special education teacher. I quickly realized that I couldn’t make a difference in every student’s life. But the Lord planted in me the idea that if I could make a difference in just one student’s life, I had accomplished something wonderful.
That’s when I learned the Story of the Starfish. It made such a huge impression on me that I hung a dried starfish on my desk lamp as a reminder (and it’s still there today).
The Starfish Story – Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley
A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.
She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”
The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “Well, I made a difference to that one!”
This is the same idea the Lord spoke to me about my blog: Don’t pay attention to numbers. Write for individual people. If just one person is encouraged, that’s something wonderful.
Look around for your starfish – someone you can encourage, or maybe even introduce to Jesus. Now that’s something wonderful!
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
Photo by Pedro Lastra on Unsplash
RealChristianWomen.blog
Once there was a very popular preacher. So many people crowded into his church services, the church had to be enlarged. He frequently preached at other churches, as is often the case with popular ministers.
The preacher wrote beautiful Christian songs, that were also popular with churchgoers. Soon, he began a series of weekly prayer meetings in addition to regular services.
What made this preacher so special? I believe it was his life journey.
All the experiences in our past have shaped us into the person we are today. This preacher, at one time, was a vile sinner, cruel and having a hardened heart; a man without compassion or mercy.
Is it possible for such a person to have a complete turnaround? Can a hardened sinner become a saint? Can a depraved evildoer become a man (or woman) of God?
Ask the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, anointing them with costly perfume. When an indignant Pharisee questioned Jesus about allowing this sinful woman (probably a prostitute) to touch him, Jesus said this:
“I tell you that her many sins are forgiven, so she showed great love. But the person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little.” Luke 7:47
Read the full story HERE.
Have you guessed the identity of the preacher, yet? You won’t find him on YouTube or TV. He was born in 1725.
Before he gave his life to Christ, he was the captain of slave ships. I can only imagine the horror of such ships, but it is well documented that slave ships provided such wretched accommodations that many men, women, and children died before arriving at their intended destination. In the words of a former slave, Olaudah Equiano, “The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying rendered the whole scene of horror almost inconceivable.”
Who was this forgiven reprobate turned preacher-songwriter?
His name is John Newton and he wrote these famous words: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.”
This celebrated hymn touches my soul because I know that what God’s grace and mercy did for John Newton, He did for me.
As you listen to Amazing Grace, thank God for his mercy and forgiveness. The more we have been forgiven, the more we love Him. That’s what Jesus said.
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 KJV
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:5 NIV
Photo by Tomas Jasovsky on Unsplash
From Amazing Grace: The Story of John Newton by Al Rogers
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 NLT Read full chapter
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
PRAY FOR ISRAEL
Photo by Ben Vaughn on Unsplash
RealChristianWomen.blog
“… the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 AMP
Comments: False religion and secular philosophy have created thinking that has imprisoned the minds of millions. It is a true spiritual battle…Those who know the truth must confront error with the weapon we’ve been given, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. GotQuestions.org
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Tony Rojas on Unsplash
RealChristianWomen.blog
“Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Thanti Riess on Unsplash
RealChristianWomen.blog
Real Christian Women 