Tag: DEVOTIONAL

Christian

How Do I Love God With All My Heart?

Cindy Dawson

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 NIV

Have you ever wondered how we do that? We usually associate love with a feeling. But is loving God a feeling? Is it an emotion? Or is it something else? I searched the Scriptures and this is what I learned:

First, We must love others.

“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.  And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4:19-21 NIV

Second, We must know God. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is God’s revelation of Himself. We must study the Bible to know the true God. If we don’t know Him, how can we love Him?

Some Christians today worship their own image of God, an image that serves their fleshly desires (to be financially rich, to have power, to be important, etc. This is worshiping an idol.

Third, We must understand our need for a Savior and accept His gift of grace. Because He loved us, He saved us. He paid a price we could not pay.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18 NIV

Fourth, We must seek to know and obey His commands. How can we say we love Him if we don’t seek to please Him? For example, are there sins stated in the Bible that we choose to ignore? Are there behaviors described in the Bible that are detestable to God, and yet we dismiss them as not applicable today?

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15 NIV

If a behavior was detestable to God in the Old Testament, it is still detestable to Him,

“I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6 NIV

Fifth, To love God we must love the truth more than our own opinion.

This must be the cry of our heart:

“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me…” Psalm 25:4-5a NIV

Sixth, We must trust Him.

“Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 NIV

Oh for grace to trust Him more!

Please share in the comments other ways we can show our love to God.

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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Christian

Verses for Meditation, 12/12/24

Cindy Dawson

“Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.
 For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing to him a psalm of praise.” Psalm 47:6-7 NIV

Do it now!

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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Christian

Holiday Blues?

Cindy Dawson

Do the holidays trigger thoughts of what should have been instead of what is? Are you feeling lonely? The strange thing about depression is that it seems to take your mind captive. You may think you can’t stop the downward spiral.

The next thing you know, you’re driving to the grocery to buy food for the holidays and tears begin to well up in your eyes. You hate it. You don’t want to be sad!

I know all about it because I experienced this one day.

I prayed. I asked the Lord to help me.

Just a few minutes later, my daughter called. (You should know, she loves to cook. I mean really cook, like they do on TV Cooking Shows. I, on the other hand, look for the easiest and quickest recipe possible.)

Christina: “Mom, would you get me a butternut squash while you’re at the store?”

Me: “Do you mean like a real vegetable butternut squash?” (I’m thinking does that come in a package?)

Christina: (starts laughing hilariously) “Yes! A real vegetable butternut squash!!”

We both cracked up and had a good belly laugh! It felt so good to laugh!

Guess what? My mood completely changed right then. 

I learned a valuable, yet simple lesson about holiday blues.

  1. Always go to the Lord in prayer.
  2. Find a way to laugh!

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Mathew 6:8

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

“A cheerful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22

A book could be written on this subject, and I know that, but this is what happened to me. Sometimes a person needs a word of encouragement, not the whole book.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving . . . Psalm 25:1-2

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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Christian

Are You Flying Blind?

Cindy Dawson

In July of 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr, and two other passengers on board crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Massachusetts. The official NTSB report concluded that Kennedy experienced spatial disorientation while descending at night over water. He lost control of the aircraft and crashed.

Interestingly, Kennedy did not hold an Instrument Rating and was only certified to fly under VFR (visual flight rules). Although Kennedy’s ill-fated flight was legal (barely), it was not safe.

“Spatial disorientation” happens to a pilot when his plane enters dark storm clouds and he can no longer see the horizon or the ground. Points of reference that guide his senses disappear and he can no longer be sure which way is up or down. His perceptions are unreliable.

The only way a pilot can overcome spatial disorientation is to fully trust his cockpit instruments to tell him what is real.

Just as a pilot needs his cockpit instruments, Christians also need an authoritative source of Truth to navigate our perilous times. The Bible is that authoritative source of truth. Are Christians using it, or are they flying blind?

A new joint study by Barna and Summit Ministries looks at the worldviews of practicing Christians. The results may surprise you. It found that only 17 percent of Christians have what the researchers consider a biblical worldview! That includes believing that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches.

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Mark 13:31 NIV

The Bible is God’s Word for mankind, a lamp to our feet, and a light for our path. (Psalm 119:105)

If the Bible is truly God’s Word, then we should cherish it, study it, obey it, and fully trust it. If the Bible is truly the Word of God, then it is the final authority for all matters of faith, practice, and morality. If the Bible is the Word of God, then to dismiss it is to dismiss God Himself.”

GotQuestions.org

That’s something to think about and I hope you will!

We must ask ourselves, “How high on my priorities is reading the Bible?” In these perilous times, nothing is more important. Have you read the whole Bible cover to cover? You should. It’s not that hard to do!

A few years ago, my pastor challenged us to read the Bible using a “One Year Bible Reading Plan.” It requires reading only 2 or 3 chapters each day! It was so easy that I have done it every year since.

I highly recommend it! Although I read my actual Bible, I use the YouVersion Bible App on my phone to keep track. They have several different plans and it’s available in several good translations for free.

We must know God’s Word if we are to safely navigate the present storms of deception. God gave us the gift of His Word so that we could have wisdom and understanding. Perilous times require an authoritative source of truth. Without God’s Word, we are flying blind.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,  traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV (emphasis mine)

“I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:16 NIV

“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Psalm 119:92 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

Sources:

UpperLimitAviation.edu/spacial disorientation

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-God-Word.html

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Christian

Friday’s Verse, 11/29/24

Cindy Dawson

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 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  

Christian

God Is Our Loving Father

Cindy Dawson

Do you ever need a shoulder to cry on? Someone to whom you can honestly express everything you’re feeling? Most of us keep these deepest thoughts inside where they only torment our soul. But there is One with whom you can express your deepest feelings openly and without fear. Talk to the Lord. He loves you and knows what’s in your heart and mind anyway.

A person can be hurt in such a traumatic way that it causes life-long depression or even PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Their soul needs to be restored. Even when all else has failed, there is still hope. Your loving Father’s arms are open wide.

Have you read the book of Lamentations? It is a model for how we should express our laments to God. It was most likely written by the prophet Jeremiah. This was his lament at the time of Israel’s exile and the destruction of Jerusalem. The author pours out his heart to God. He says,

“This is why I weep
    and my eyes overflow with tears.
No one is near to comfort me,
    no one to restore my spirit.” Lamentations 1:16 NIV

The Good Shepherd is the only one who can restore your soul.

“The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;” Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

We can talk to God about our deepest feelings of anger and despair. We can bring these feelings to God because He loves us and wants us to turn to Him for comfort. He wants us to come to Him because we know He is our loving Father.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

Adding lament to your prayer life will cause your relationship with God to grow deeper and more intimate. It will restore your soul.

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness
    is bitter beyond words.
I will never forget this awful time,
    as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
    when I remember this:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:19-23 NLT

For more about this, read He Restoreth My Soul.

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  

Christian

Verses for Meditation, 11/21/24

Cindy Dawson

“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

RealChristianWomen.blog  

 

Christian

Monday’s Verse, 11/18/24

Cindy Dawson

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” Jude 3 Read full chapter

Comment: This verse was written to all believers, not just pastors and teachers. We have a responsibility to stand for Truth as it is revealed in God’s Word, the Holy Bible.

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  

Christian

Verse for Meditation, 11/7/24

Cindy Dawson

“Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 NIV Read full chapter

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   


Christian

Sunday’s Memory Verse, 11/3/24

Cindy Dawson

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV Read full chapter

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