Tag: DEVOTIONAL

Christian

Finding Faith in Life’s Journey

Cindy Dawson
Henry and I walk by this 200-year-old tree every day. It inspires me to ponder life’s mysteries. If you look closely, you can see my granddaughter standing in front of the tree.
Oh Mighty Tree

Oh mighty tree!
The stories you could tell.
You've seen many mighty stotms.
And yet you never fell.

I strive to be like you,
Strong in every way
With roots that grow deep down,
I will firmly stand.

I keep my hurts within.
But they can never win.
For God is on my side.
From Him I cannot hide.

He knows my every thought,
And yet He loves me still.
He holds my shaking hand.
He knows what He has planned.

I put my trust in Jesus.
He has never let me down.
His Word forever leads me.
And someday I’ll wear a crown!

I pray that you will trust Him.
He is worthy of our praise.
He will lead and guide you,
forever and always!

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 NIV

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13 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

Fear No Evil

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 5/31/26

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

Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, said,

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

She would know. She survived Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, where her father and sister were killed. May Corrie’s testimony give you courage.

“God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 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

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, 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

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

How To Be a Discerning Christian

Cindy Dawson

Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15 NIV

And the Apostle Paul warns,

“Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

In other words, these servants of Satan look like Christians! I don’t think the Church understands this at all. These false teachers are difficult to identify because they appear to be sincere, loving, and very knowledgeable. So, unless you have developed the skill of discernment, you are at great risk.

In my experience, Christians are more afraid of calling someone a false teacher than they are of being deceived! (Who do you think implements that strategy?)

The Bible warns us about false teachers. But how can we know who they are? The answer is: We must be discerning Christians.

In his book, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, Tim Challies compares spiritual discernment with identifying counterfeit currency.

Challies writes, “We can best know what is wrong by first knowing what is right. Experts on counterfeit currency know this as well. They train others first to know the traits of genuine currency because such knowledge will make apparent what is fraudulent.”

Experts in counterfeit money study every aspect of their currency, including how it feels and every detail of its appearance and color. Only after they do this are they shown counterfeit currency. And guess what? They know immediately what is not real!

In the same way, it is only when we know the Bible well that we can recognize false teaching. A mature Christian knows the Bible well. This is an important point because an immature Christian can be blown here and there by every kind of teaching (meaning false teaching). That makes sense, right?

Ephesians 4:11-14 NIV says,

“ 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.”

One thing about children, they’ll believe almost anything. And like children, immature Christians will believe almost anything, especially if it sounds good.

So the question is: How well do you know the Bible? How many times have you read it from cover to cover? How many times have you read the New Testament? Are you reading the Bible for yourself? Or do you rely on books about the Bible?

I challenge you to read the Bible from cover to cover at least twice before you read the Christian Best-Sellers. Otherwise, how can you discern if what you are reading is true? Maybe you are thinking, “Oh, I just know.”

I wouldn’t be so sure about that! But don’t take my word for it. Consider what the Bible says.

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” The Apostle Paul (Acts 20:29-31 NIV)

 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:15, and 21-23 NIV)

 “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)

“We can best know what is wrong by first knowing what is right.”

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

He Watches Over You

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 4/29/26

God has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. You are as much alone with him as if you were the only being he had ever created.

CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31NIV

Get ready for goosebumps!

“Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2 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

Why Should I Read The Book of Revelation?

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Read for Friday, 4/24/26

I just finished reading the Book of Revelation again, and it makes me wonder why so many Christians don’t read it. These are some of the reasons I found. People say:

It’s not that relevant to my life.

It’s so hard to read.

I don’t understand it.

It makes me uncomfortable.

It scares me.

********************************

John introduces the Book of Revelation by saying,

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 NIV


And consider what Jesus says about the Book of Revelation:

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” Revelation 22:7 NIV (The Greek word translated soon can mean quickly or suddenly, also in v. 12.)

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:12-14 NIV

The first time you read Revelation, some parts might be difficult to understand, but there will be many parts that are pretty straightforward.

Chapters 2 and 3, for example, are messages from Jesus to the seven churches. These messages contain warnings and compliments from Jesus and are still relevant today.

The more you read and study Revelation, the more of it you will understand. For one thing, other books of the Bible will help you determine its meaning, especially Daniel and Ezekiel.

So go ahead and get started. You will be blessed!

Note: Here are three books by Amir Tsarfati that I found helpful for making the connections to Old Testament Scriptures:

Revealing Revelation, Exploring Ezekiel, and Discovering Daniel.

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

Why We Neglect the Bible: A Reflection

Cindy Dawson

For Thursday, 4/23/26

When I was a little girl, I had an imaginary friend. His name was Mickit. If I got caught doing something I wasn’t supposed to do, I would say, “Mickit did it!” For example, one day I threw my bracelet out of the car window. Someone said, “Why did you do that?!”

I said, “I didn’t do it! Mickit did it!”

I don’t know how I came up with this. But it seemed like a good idea at the time. So why am I sharing this? Because we all have countless excuses for neglecting our daily Bible reading.

Everything we need to know is right there in God’s Word! It is the most amazing book ever written. The author is God Himself! So, why do people neglect it?

I have to work, get the kids ready for school, study for a test, take the car in for service, etc. There is no end to the possible excuses! But when all is said and done, it was our choice.

Now, there is one caveat to this. This is not an excuse for not reading your Bible, but it will help you understand why you do it.

You have an adversary. His name is Satan. He is a liar and a deceiver. There is nothing he wants more than to render the Church powerless by stealing their only weapon…

“The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17)

The Psalmist writes,

“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

So the next time you think you don’t have time to read your Bible, remember who is telling you this, and why.

May the Lord give us a love for His Word.

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: Getty Images for Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog