Tag: Encouragement

Christian

The Lord Opened Her Heart

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 5/24/26

The Apostle Paul and his companions traveled to Philippi and stayed there several days. On the Sabbath, they went looking for a place of prayer by the river. They began to speak to the women there about Jesus.

“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.” Acts 16:14-15 NIV

It wasn’t Paul’s preaching alone that convinced her to believe. The Lord Himself opened her heart!

Pray that God will open the hearts of those you know who have not believed the Gospel. Then share the Good News!

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 Dillon Groves on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Understanding Self-Control: A Reflection

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Friday, 5/22/26

“He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].” Proverbs 14:29 AMP

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

Redemption: Lessons from Ruth

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 5/21/26

The Book of Ruth is a deeply moving account of love and redemption. You will see God’s tender care for women as He eases the burdens of two homeless widows. In his generous redemptive actions, Boaz becomes a forerunner of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

“The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” Isaiah 54:5 NIV

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7 NIV

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV

Although only 4 chapters long, the Book of Ruth has long been recognized as a literary masterpiece. Read it now, and you will see why.

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 Kingdom Bloggers on Google

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Why Study End Time Prophecy?

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Tuesday, 5//19/26

“The Bible reveals details about the last days to alleviate the stress of wondering what is coming and to prepare us so that we will be ready. Because we should be familiar with our Bibles, God expects us to know what His Word says about future events.”

Jack Hibbs, from his book, Living in the Daze of Deception

Jesus said, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” Matthew 24:42-44 NASB (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 Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Does God Remember My Sins?

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 5/17/26

I spoke to a Christian friend who expressed concern about the punishment she might receive for her past sins.

But does God punish those whom Christ has redeemed? Let’s examine the Scriptures that answer that question.

“Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:7 NIV

Jesus said, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37b NIV

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV

Do these Scriptures apply even though I have committed terrible sins? What if I had an abortion? What if I killed someone? What if I committed adultery? What if I engaged in homosexual acts? Will God forgive these sins?

“Come now, let’s settle this,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
    I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NLT

“So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased]” Acts 3:19 AMP (emphasis mine)

“… as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 NIV

“And their sins and their lawless acts I will remember no more [no longer holding their sins against them].” Hebrews 10:17 AMP

Let God’s Word answer your questions. He wants you to know how great is His mercy and love!

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

What God Sees

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for 5/13/26

“Even in your weakness, He sees what you can do by His strength in and through you. Gideon was obedient and surrendered to God’s will for his life, as unlikely as it seemed in human eyes…and he became the valiant warrior that God saw.”

from “Valiant Warrior” by Alan Kearns

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 (emphasis mine)

Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15
Read full chapter

What does God see when He looks at you? Hint: It’s not what you see.

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 Baran Lotfollahi on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

When I Am Afraid, I Will Trust in You

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Tuesday, 5/12/26

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7 KJV

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 Ben White on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Knowing God

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Monday, 5/11/26

“And those who know Your name [who have experienced Your precious mercy] will put their confident trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 AMP

In the Old Testament, names often represent more than mere identification. A person’s name typically conveyed meaning associated with specific characteristics or attributes. 

To know God’s name means you know His character: He is loving, faithful, kind, forgiving, merciful, gracious, just, righteous, and holy. He is worthy of our complete trust at all times.

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 from 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