Christian

Encouragement For Sunday

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

Christian, CURRENT EVENTS

Why Do People Believe Lies?

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.

“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

 

Christian

Quote of the Week

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

Christian

The Apostle Peter’s Last Letter

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

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

Christian

Divine Guidance: What Psalm 139 Teaches Us

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?

RealChristianWomen.blog  

 

Christian

Why We Must Expose Error

Quote of the Week for 3/25/26

“Exposing error is most unpopular work. But from every true standpoint, it is worthwhile work. To our Saviour, it means that He receives from us, His blood-bought ones, the loyalty that is His due. To ourselves, if we consider “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt,” it ensures future reward, a thousandfold. And to souls “caught in the snare of the fowler”- how many of them God only knows- it may mean light and life, abundant and everlasting.”
― H.A. Ironside, Holiness The False and The True

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:17 NASB

“Contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.” Jude 3 NASB

In His Love, Cindy

To learn why Jesus came to the earth, read, Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

Christian

Why God Pursues Each One of Us

1-minute devotion for Monday, 3/23/26

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture that was so personal that it seems to have been written just for you? I have. It is the verse below.

Jesus said, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14 NIV

I am reminded that He did that for me. When I wandered off, God didn’t say, “Oh well,” or “She’s a lost cause.”

No! He went after me and brought me home! Those verses are very personal for me. We serve a God who is merciful, so merciful!

He will go after one lost sheep because He loves each one of us. He loves each individual person. He loves you!

If you don’t know Jesus, please see: Who Is Jesus? A Message for the Skeptic

In His Love, Cindy

Christian

At Any Moment!

1-minute devotion for Friday, 3/20/26

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV

 In His Love, Cindy

Christian

Why We Must Encourage One Another

1-minute devotion for Sunday, 3/15/26

In His Love, Cindy

Christian

The Holy Spirit Our Helper & Guide

I went to my office, lay my head down on my Bible, and sighed in defeat, “Lord, I don’t know what to do!” As soon as the words slipped out of my mouth, I remembered something that I had read earlier in the day.

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!” 2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV

When King Jehoshaphat was warned that a vast army was coming against him, he was alarmed and resolved to inquire of the Lord. He called a fast for all of Judah, and the people came together to seek God.

King Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly and cried out to God in prayer. He ended the prayer with these words:

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!”

I quickly found the passage in my Bible and read it over and over. God was telling me what to do: Keep my eyes on Him! I can do that! Immediately, my anxiety melted away. My fear disappeared, and I felt the comfort only God can provide.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” John 14:26 NASB

The Greek word translated “helper” is Paraklētos (παράκλητος). It is a Greek term, commonly translated as Advocate, Helper, Counselor, or Comforter. Literally meaning “called alongside.” It refers to someone summoned to aid another.

The Holy Spirit will bring Scripture to your mind. The better you know the Bible, the more often this will happen. The Holy Spirit has reminded me of specific verses that applied to my situation many times.

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 NIV

You might be wondering what happened to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah when they fixed their eyes on the Lord rather than on the problem.

This is what the Lord said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (v15) Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. . . Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.”(v17)

“Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. . . Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord . . . ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.’ As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” (v18 & 21)

Read more about Jehoshaphat’s battle here. (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)

When we realize it isn’t within our own ability to fix the problem and we don’t know what to do, that’s when we can depend completely on the Lord.

When our battle is too hard, let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let us worship His holiness, thank Him, praise Him, and give Him glory.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.