Tag: Encouragement

Christian

“A Time to Be Silent, Or a Time to Speak?”

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Tuesday, 4/21/26

Have you ever been in a discussion (perhaps in a Sunday School class or Bible Study) and you really wanted to add your two cents, but you didn’t know if you should? I often have something to say, but that doesn’t mean I should!

I have searched the Scriptures concerning how to know when I should speak up and when I should stay silent. My conclusion:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: … a time to be silent and a time to speak” Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 7b NIV

When the Jews faced national annihilation, the brave Queen Esther recognized her God-appointed purpose and time to speak. Her cousin Mordecai urged,

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:12-14 NIV

Esther obeyed, risking her life to save her people. She knew it was “a time to speak,” and she received God’s abundant blessing.

Proverbs says, “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Proverbs 17:27-28 NIV

There are times when we should be silent, and times when we should speak up. We may not know what to do in some situations. There are no easy answers. But God has promised to give us wisdom when we ask Him. So that is what we must do. We rely on God’s wisdom and the Holy Spirit to lead us as we seek guidance from God’s Word.

 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 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

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

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

This Sunday, Reflect on This:

Cindy Dawson

4/19/26

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.”

Harvey Stalker

““For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 AMP

Harvey Stalker quote from Alan Kearns’ Devotional Treasure

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes!

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

The Work of His Hands

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Friday, 4/17/26

The Work of His Hands

I read Brother Alan’s Devotional every day, and it is always a blessing!

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

Am I Salty?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute Reflection for Thursday, 4/16/26

“Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13 NIV

“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

“Salt has a number of characteristics that illustrate the Christian’s role in the world. It hinders the spread of corruption; it creates thirst; and it enhances flavor. Christians who live out the virtues described in the Beatitudes achieve all three of these purposes.” Jeremiah Study Bible Notes

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 Image by Karolina Grabowska

RealChristianWomen.blog

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

Impressionist painting of a stone path winding through a lush garden at sunset.
Christian

The Path to Understanding

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Monday, 4/13/26

“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
 Make your ear attentive to wisdom;
Incline your heart to understanding.
 For if you cry out for insight,
And raise your voice for understanding;
 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.
 For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6 NASB

“The basic meaning of the word wisdom (Heb.hokmah) in the OT is skill. Those who wove the tabernacle tapestries had hokmah (Ex. 35:35). Those who prepared the high priest’s garments had hokmah (Ex. 28:3). Those who piloted ships at sea had hokmah (Ezek. 27:8). In other words, wisdom is a skill given by God to accomplish a task.” Jeremiah Study Bible Notes

What task has God given you to accomplish?

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

God’s True Dwelling: A Humble Heart

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 4/12/26

“Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
    Where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things,
    and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.

“These are the ones I look on with favor:
     those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
    and who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:1-2 NIV

Commentary: “The opening words of the last chapter of Isaiah were written to the unrepentant people of Israel. They need not think that, in that condition, they can please God by building a temple for Him. After all, He is the universal Creator and Owner, enthroned in heaven, with the earth as His footstool. The dwelling place He desires is the heart of a person who is humble and contrite, and who trembles at His word.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

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

RealChristianWomen.blog

An open book and steaming mug on a table by a window at sunrise.
Christian

Finding Refuge in God’s Word

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 4/9/26

“Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words
Or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6

Commentary: “Every word of God is pure; there is not the least mixture of falsehood and corruption in it. … It is sufficient, and therefore we must not add to it. … We must be content with what God has thought fit to make known to us of his mind, and not covet to be wise above what is written.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary   

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