Tag: DEVOTIONAL

Christian

Are You Equipped to Hear the Holy Spirit?

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Monday, 4/20/26

In His wilderness temptation with the devil, Jesus fired Scripture at the devil—but He only used ammunition from Deuteronomy. The late Dallas Seminary professor Howard Hendricks used to ask his students, “If your spiritual survival depended on how well you knew the Book of Deuteronomy, how long would you last?”

The Holy Spirit will not bring to mind a verse that we have never read. It is up to us to hide the Word in our hearts so the Spirit can use it to help us fight off the attacks of Satan. (From the Jeremiah Study Bible Online Notes)

Dear Friends, If you make it your practice to read the entire Bible, and then read it again and again, you will discover this truth for yourself. You might be surprised to know that it is not difficult to read the entire Bible in one year when you devote 15 to 20 minutes daily. You can find a 1-year plan you like online. This has been the most impactful practice of my life.

“I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:15-16 NIV (emphasis mine)

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 Alexandra Fuller on Unsplash

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Christian

Quote of the Week for 4/15/26

Cindy Dawson

“If God has called you, do not spend time looking over your shoulder to see who is following you.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

“Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;” Psalm 86:11 NIV

Let your focus be on following God’s Word, not on gaining followers. Then He will lead you in the way that you should go.

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

A rustic wooden door in a stone wall opens to a bright, golden landscape.
Christian

A Word of Encouragement!

Cindy Dawson

For Friday, 4/10/26

Jesus said, “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 AMP (emphasis mine)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 7:7 Here the use of Greek present imperatives (asking, seeking, knocking; vv 7, 8) emphasizes persistent, constant prayer.

You may have been praying about something for a long time. Keep praying and don’t give up!

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

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Christian

They Thought They Knew More Than God

Cindy Dawson

A Reflection for Tuesday, 4/7/26

In this summary of the 12 spies’ exploration of Canaan, you will see that they had a higher opinion of their own judgment than they had of God’s plan. Even today, people often think they know more than God, especially when God’s Word tells us to do something that doesn’t fit with the current trends.

The Lord said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.” Numbers 13:1-2

So they went up into the land and explored it for 40 days.

“When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs.” (v.23)

“They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.” (vv 27-28)

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (vv 30-33)

The people grumbled. They didn’t trust God’s plan. In fact, they wanted to go back to Egypt! But Joshua and Caleb pleaded with the people.

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Numbers 14:7-9)

But the people thought they knew better. They relied on their own judgment rather than God’s Word. They even talked about stoning Joshua and Caleb. The Lord was so angry with the people that He said He was going to destroy them.

But fortunately for them, Moses pleaded with the Lord,

“In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” (v. 19)

This story reminds me of Jesus’ words,

“…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

In other words, will He find people trusting His Word? Or will He find us trusting in our own judgment, thinking we know a better way?

In His Love, Cindy

P.S. Read the rest of Numbers, chapter 14, to see what happened next!

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

All Scriptures are from the NIV. Photo from Google Images.

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Christian

Encouragement for Monday, 4/6/26

Cindy Dawson

“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].” 1 Corinthians 15:58 AMP (emphasis mine)

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

Encouragement For Sunday

Cindy Dawson

4/5/26

“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18-19 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

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, CURRENT EVENTS

Why Do People Believe Lies?

Cindy Dawson

One of the biggest problems in the world today is that people believe lies, even outrageous lies. Who would have believed that American universities would be teaching that a man can get pregnant, or that an unborn child at full term isn’t a human being?

Who would have believed that, all over the world, people would be protesting against the Jews in support of the evil terrorist organization Hamas? Who would have believed that an irrational hatred for Israel and the Jews would be unleashed that hasn’t been seen since the Holocaust?

These lies come straight from Satan. He is behind the dangerous lies that much of the world has bought into.

Unfortunately, many people believe these lies (also known as propaganda). It’s shocking how easily a culture’s thinking can be reformed and controlled.

Remember, Satan is the Father of lies. Speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said,

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 NIV (emphasis mine)

I’ve read many historical novels that take place during WW2. You may have read the famous book, The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. (If you haven’t read it, please do!)

How could 6 million Jews have been carried off to concentration camps and no one stopped it? Why didn’t the people do something? Some, like Corrie ten Boom and her family, did take action by hiding Jews in their home. They were arrested and put in the infamous concentration camp Ravensbrücke. And there were others, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who gave their lives to stand against evil. But the vast majority did nothing. Did they believe Hitler’s lies?

As we think about our question, consider these words of Adolf Hitler:

Throughout the world today, there is enormous support for the terrorist organization Hamas and an irrational hatred for Jews. Only demonic influence can explain it.

“The world changed on October 7. It will never be what it used to be.” Jan Markell

“As the world becomes more and more anti-Jesus, it is going to become more and more anti-Jewish.” Trevor Rubenstein

“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Winston Churchill

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-8a  

“So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth…” Ephesians 4:25 NLT

No wonder the Bible has so much to say about love and truth! How important they are!

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

Quote of the Week

Cindy Dawson

For Wednesday, 4/1/26

“When peace comes we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons. Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.”
― Golda Meir, A Land of Our Own: An Oral Autobiography

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

The Apostle Peter’s Last Letter

Cindy Dawson

Peter’s final message before he was martyred tells us that the issue he was most concerned about was false teachers. His words are just as pertinent today as they were when he wrote them.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.” 2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV 

Have you ever read a book by a so-called Bible teacher that describes their highly unusual encounters with the living God? I could give examples, but I will refrain. Peter says false teachers exploit Christians with made-up stories.

Why? They’re greedy. They make a lot of money from their books, videos, and personal appearances. (Don’t get mad at me. I’m just telling you what Peter warned us about in his final letter.)

Peter goes on to say, “They are experts in greed—an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.” (2 Peter 2:14-15 NIV)

In other words, they are experts at making money.

“For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.” 2 Peter 2:18 NIV

Commentary: “They are accomplished orators, holding audiences spellbound by their grandiose rhetoric. Their erudite vocabulary attracts undiscerning people. What their sermons lack in content, they make up for in a dogmatic, forceful presentation. But when they have finished, they have said nothing.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Peter was martyred by crucifixion in Rome around 64–67 AD during Emperor Nero’s reign. According to tradition and early Christian accounts, Peter requested to be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ. 

May we always treasure God’s Holy Word and recognize that it is our Way to Truth. We need not be deceived.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn why Jesus came to the earth, 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

Divine Guidance: What Psalm 139 Teaches Us

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 3/27/26

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:9-10 NIV

My thoughts: This verse assures us that God will guide us when we are surrendered to His will. Trust Him to guide you.

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

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