Tag: DEVOTIONAL

Christian

Stay Vigilant: The Devil’s Prowl and Our Faith

Cindy Dawson

Sunday’s Memory Verse for 8/24/25

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-11 ESV

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Understanding the Narrow Road

Cindy Dawson

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 AMP

If we study Matthew 7:13-14 in context, we will gain a much better understanding of what Jesus means by the “narrow road.”

These words of Jesus are part of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5-7. Jesus is speaking to His disciples and also to the crowds.

Often, we break Jesus’ sermon into parts because, well, there’s a lot to take in. My Bible divides it by headings such as The Beatitudes, Salt and Light, Judging Others, and The Narrow and Wide Gates, among others. And often we study them in isolation.

However, all these sections are part of one sermon known as The Sermon on the Mount. I realized we might miss something important if we study it this way. And so I started looking at the surrounding verses.

I found it interesting that immediately following verses 13 and 14, Jesus warned the crowds about false prophets and taught how to identify them.

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
(verses 15-20)

Next, Jesus gives another warning,

21 “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. 22 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?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The next verses in the passage begin with the word therefore. This is important because it ties the next 4 verses to all the previous verses (and the whole sermon, for that matter). Jesus explains the consequences of those who obey His words and those who don’t. This is how Jesus ends His sermon.

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

The End

Are we putting Jesus’ words into practice? Do we watch out for false prophets and teachers? That was the last thing Jesus told us to do before He ended the sermon. Are we building our house on the rock?

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How to Season Your Conversations with Salt

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 8/22/25

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 NIV Read full chapter

My thoughts: Salt makes food taste better, and when seasoned properly, you might even ask for more. But if you went to a restaurant that didn’t season its food with salt, would you ask for more? You probably wouldn’t go back!

To be seasoned with salt means to use wisdom, to be gracious (pleasant and kind), and to be prepared to answer questions about Jesus and the Gospel.

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Quote of the Week, 8/20/25

Cindy Dawson

“The Scripture does not call you to be looking for esoteric experiences. The Scripture calls you to discipline and study in the Word of God.” Dr. Tony Wood, Pastor, Mission Bible Church

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

The Greek word translated study is spoudazo. It means: to give diligence, labor, study (Strong’s).

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Forgiveness: Overcoming Satan’s Tricks

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Monday, 8/18/25

“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NIV (emphasis mine)

My Thoughts: One of Satan’s dirty tricks is to encourage us to hold unforgiveness in our hearts. Don’t do it! He’s a liar!

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Are You Worried or Anxious?

Cindy Dawson

Sunday’s Memory Verse, 8/17/25

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Bear not a single care thyself.
One is too much for thee.
The work is Mine and Mine alone.
Thy work is rest in me.

Hudson Taylor

God spoke to my heart loud and clear when I read Cindi’s post, Casting, on God Still Speaks. You can read it HERE. It might be the very word you need today like it was for me!

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Watch Out for the Wolves!

Cindy Dawson

People aren’t inclined to put any specific Bible teacher in the category of “false teacher”. In fact, people are more afraid to say someone is a false teacher than they are to heed what the Bible says about them!

Most false teachers say a lot of true things, too. They appear to be doing God’s work. But the Bible warns us,

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

That’s a little harsh! Who said that?

Uh, that would be Jesus, the Son of God. Yes, they look like sheep, but they are wolves! People don’t believe it. They believe wolves will look like wolves.

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

Many false teachers have huge followings because they’re entertaining. People “love” them. If they teach anything that doesn’t agree with God’s Word, people will often excuse it because, after all, “we really like most of what they say.”

People will say, “I don’t agree with what they say about (fill in the blank), but I really like him or her.” But what does the Bible say?

Nowhere in the Bible does it say it’s ok to teach false things as long as most of what one says is Biblical. No, that would be the description of a false teacher.

“If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:9

Isn’t that a little extreme, Paul? That isn’t very loving!

But the Bible clearly says that people who think that godliness is a means of financial gain are corrupt!

Is the teacher you love so much teaching what the Bible says about being a disciple or something else?

“. ..If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:3-10

At the heart of following Jesus is Jesus’ call to imitate Him and replicate Him. As disciples, we are called to imitate Jesus’s love (John 13:34), his mission (Matt. 4:19), his humility (Phil. 2:5), his service (John 13:14), his suffering (1 Pet. 2:21), and his obedience to the Father (1 John 2:3–6). Since he is our teacher, we are to learn from him and strive in the power of the Holy Spirit to become like him (Luke 6:40). This growth in Christ-likeness is a lifelong endeavor that is fueled by the hopeful expectation that one day we will see him face to face (1 John 3:2–3). (Kell)

Paul exhorts Timothy,

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

A big part of becoming a disciple is reading and studying the Bible, cover to cover, and then doing it again. It only takes 10 minutes a day to read the entire Bible in a year. And that’s the only way to be sure about what it really says! I encourage you to do this, not once, but every year!

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

Sources: Discipleship According to the Scriptures, Pastor David Kell

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Encouragement for Writers

Cindy Dawson

2-minute devotion for Friday, 8/15/25

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. Matthew 25:14-15 Read full chapter

Words of Encouragement from Hannah Ruth from her blog: In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus emphasizes the importance of using the resources given to us wisely. While the parable uses the example of money and investments, it also applies to skills and actual talents… like singing, or painting, or computing, or accounting, or… you know, writing.

If God has given you the ability to write, write!

It’s a blessing to have these abilities, and when we ignore them, we:

a) miss out on the joy and fulfillment in using the talents we’ve been given and

b) neglect the gifts that God has given us. I don’t think He likes it much when we shy back from using the talents He’s blessed us with!

I was greatly encouraged by Hannah Ruth’s post, Is It Worth It? 4 Reasons Why the World Needs You to Keep Writing. I think it will encourage you, too!

Has God given you the desire to write? I have learned a lot since I began writing. Good writing begins with a desire. Your skills will develop over time.

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Show Me Your Ways That I May Walk With You

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Thursday, 8/14/25

“By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:5-6 NASB

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

This post was inspired by Alan Kearns’ excellent and timely post, Consider Your Ways.

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

The Importance of Loving Truth

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 8/12/25

” … wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (emphasis mine) Read full chapter

This has been Satan’s ploy since the beginning.” See Genesis 3:1-6

Jeremiah Study Bible Notes

God’s Word is Truth.

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog