Tag: faith

Christian

Don’t Let Satan Stop the Work!

Cindy Dawson

I was feeling discouraged, tired, and weak. But my daily Bible reading fell in the book of Nehemiah. It was just what I needed! Nehemiah is packed with encouragement and reveals the sneaky tactics of the enemy. Once I realized that my negative feelings were really an attack of Satan, they lost their power over me!

If this is happening to you, congratulations! The devil is afraid of you, and he wants to stop your work for the Lord.

Satanic attacks are often disguised as your own feelings and thoughts. The enemy loves to attack our mind (our thinking). Those doubts, fears, frustrations, distractions, and even fatigue are an attack of the enemy.

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray … ” 2 Corinthians 11:3

“…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers,” 2 Corinthians 4:4

My Bible reading today was Nehemiah, chapters 4 through 6. Nehemiah had led the exiles back to Jerusalem, where they were obeying God and rebuilding the demolished walls of the city. You can read it here. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=nehemiah+4-6&version=NIV

These chapters are an example for us of how the enemy tries to stop the work God has given us to do. Whether it is writing a blog, teaching a Bible Study, going to the mission field, pastoring a church, or building a wall, the enemy’s plan is first and foremost to STOP THE WORK.

How does he do this?

(Parenthesis and underlining mine.)

1. Intimidation

“When Sanballat (the enemy) heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Nehemiah 6:19

“Tobiah the Ammonite (also an enemy), who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” Nehemiah 4:1-3

When you are feeling intimidated (which includes feelings of failure or lack of expertise, and you start second-guessing your calling), know this: Satan is attacking your mind because he’s angry! He wants to stop the work!

2. Stirring Up Trouble

“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.” Nehemiah 4:8

Has trouble come against your ministry in any way? Have problems cropped up that you didn’t expect? It could come in many forms: extra bills, lack of resources, lack of workers, etc. Satan wants to stop the work!

3. Trouble From Within

“Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews.  Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain. Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” Nehemiah 5:1-3

Jews who were more prosperous were taking advantage of their fellow Jews by charging them interest on loans, taking their children as slaves, and taking their property. Is there trouble within? Satan wants to stop the work!

4. Lies

Sanballat sent a message to Nehemiah:

“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king  and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”

 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” Nehemiah 6:5-8

Sometimes lies may be circulated about you. Satan wants to stop the work!

5. Fear

“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”

Fear brings on fatigue. Enthusiasm brings on high energy. Satan wants to stop the work!

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Even though the enemy strategized many different ways to stop the work, he failed. Why? Nehemiah says,

“But we prayed to our God.” Nehemiah 4:9

“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.” Nehemiah 6:15

Remember this:

“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How Do I Show My Love for Jesus?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 2/24/26

I was reading the 14th chapter of John, and something jumped out at me because Jesus said it three times in this one chapter.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth…” John 14:15-17 NASB

“The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” (verse 21)

“Jesus answered and said to him, â€œIf anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. The one who does not love Me does not follow My words…” (verses 23-24

That Jesus repeated this three times in this short passage tells me it is very important. That brings the question to mind: what commands?

I would say that includes everything Jesus taught us and told us to do. The red letters might be a good place to start!

In His Love, Cindy

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

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How Do I Grow In Christ?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Sunday, 2/22/26

“As I look back, I see more clearly that every step, the missteps as much as the faithful strides, has been held within the hands of a gracious God. The longer I walk with Him, the more I realize that growth in Christ is not about achievement but surrender; not about strength but dependence.” Bruce Cooper, The Clarity That Comes With Age

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Read full chapter

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Teaching Our Children Faith

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 2/20/26

There is nothing more loving you can do for your children than to instill in them a love for God’s Word and teach them to pray by your example.

“We will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.
 He decreed statutes for Jacob
    and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
    to teach their children,
 so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,
    and they in turn would tell their children.
 Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget his deeds
    but would keep his commands.” Psalm 78:4-7

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Do I Have Compassion?

Cindy Dawson

A Reflection for Thursday, 2/19/26

I realize that some of the sinful ways in my past were a reaction to the pain of rejection and hurt in my life. For that reason, I will not judge others. Instead, I wonder, what pain did she experience that led her down this dark path?

“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

 â€œ[a]Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. Matthew 7:1 AMP

[a]This is not a prohibition of judgment, nor is it a command to stop using godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (cf John 7:24; 1 Cor 5:5, 12; Gal 1:8, 9; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 10)

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

“But for the Grace of God …”

Cindy Dawson

A Reflection for Sunday, 2/15/26

A man whom I met in the unemployment office had the exact same name as me and was in rags, dirty and smelly. We were worlds apart, but God taught me about His grace.

This was the experience of my friend and brother in Christ, Alan Kearns (Devotional Treasure).

Stop and think about that for a moment. Put yourself in his place. I immediately thought of the saying, “But for the grace of God, there go I.”

Some have attributed this saying to John Bradford, who reportedly said it as he watched people being led to execution for their crimes. In other words, if it were not for God’s grace, that could be me.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

You didn’t get to pick your parents or where you were born. So the next time you see a homeless person, a prostitute, a drug addict, or a rebellious teen, remember to thank God for His glorious grace. “But for the grace of God…

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Understanding the Rich Young Ruler’s Choice

Cindy Dawson

The rich young ruler’s encounter with Jesus is not just about the love of money. There is a deeper meaning, too. 

A man ran up to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He proceeds to tell Jesus how he has kept all the commandments. He thinks that eternal life comes to those who follow the rules, but he’s wrong.

Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor. Then Jesus, standing right there, in the flesh, says, “Come, follow Me.” But the man walks away sad. He wants to hold on to his wealth and all that it gives him more than he wants Jesus.

My thoughts: Many people want eternal life, but not everyone is willing to count the cost. Like the rich young ruler, they want a salvation that requires nothing from them except to follow the rules. But that’s religion, not a relationship with God. God desires a relationship with us. That’s why Jesus told His disciples,

” It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”  Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:25

To earn salvation by following rules would be easier than surrendering your life to Jesus. It’s a matter of who is in control, God or me?

Jesus is explaining to them that earning salvation is impossible. Salvation is the gift of God for those who trust and follow Him with their whole heart.

We must ask ourselves, Do I want to be a Christian on my own terms? Or, am I willing to follow Him with my whole heart?

Read the whole story of the Rich Young Ruler here: (Mark 10:17-31).

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

After God’s Own Heart

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 2/13/26

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22

“To be a person â€œafter God’s own heart” carries a double meaning. First, it means modeling our heart after God’s heart—growing to love what He loves and hate what He hates.” dailyarmor.blog

My thoughts: The key to being a man or woman “after God’s own heart” is to be surrendered to His will and to put your trust in Him alone. I want God to say, “I have found her to be a woman after my own heart. She will do everything I want her to do.”

Don’t you?

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Thursday, 2/12/26

"And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, 
we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. 
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure; 
one little word shall fell him." Martin Luther (1483-1546)

In any time of need, when we do battle with the forces of evil, God is our fortress to hide us and protect us, and the Word that endures forever will fight for us.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 Read full chapter

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Warriors of God: Embrace the Call to Courage

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 2/11/16

“Warriors war; they aren’t content to let lies and falsehoods go unopposed. They are by nature those who have a deep abiding desire and passion to make a difference for good and righteousness and holiness in this dark, fallen, deceptive world. Are you a warrior of God?”

Pastor Claude Stouffer, from his post, God’s Got Your Six – Encouraging Words for God’s Warriors

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog