Tag: inspiration

Christian

God Will Comfort You

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 6/28/26

As I walked Henry, my Yorkie, early this morning, I noticed that the behavior of the robins had changed. The baby birds are hatching, and their parents are on the watch!

In the quiet of predawn, I remembered that I am under the watchful eye of the Savior. Just like these robins guard their hatchlings, God is guarding me. Just like He has done many times before, the Holy Spirit brought to my mind these words of Jesus:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 NIV

Baby robins are hatching!

Jesus said, “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 Holy Spirit will bring you comfort and peace by reminding you of what God’s Word has said. This is God’s promise for all who trust and obey Jesus, our Savior. What He’s done for me, He will do for you.

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

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That’s Not What I Expected!

Cindy Dawson

Sometimes God has a plan that is nothing like our expectations.  If only we would trust Him, but instead we think we know what He should do. Learn how God just might do things in a completely different way than you expect!

Meet Naaman, the Commander of the Army of the King of Syria, a valiant soldier and highly regarded by the King. Naaman was wealthy and respected by everyone; he had prestige and servants, and he lived in grand style. I’m sure he had the best clothes, a beautiful home, and (you get the picture). Oh, he did have one little problem. He had leprosy.

His wife had her own personal servant girl, of course. Fortunately for Naaman, she was an Israelite. Even though she had been captured by a band of Syrian raiders, this little girl had compassion for her master. 

She said to her mistress,

“If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:3

Naaman reported this to the king. The king, anxious to see his best general cured of this egregious disease, sent Naaman to the King of Israel.

“So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing.” 2 Kings 5:5 NLT

Naaman expected the King to cure him of his leprosy, but that is not what God had in mind. In fact, when the King of Israel discovered what Naaman wanted, he panicked, thinking the King of Syria was trying to pick a fight. (See how this is not going as expected?)

When Elisha, the prophet, heard about this, he sent for Naaman. So Naaman gathered his entourage, his horses and chariots, and paraded to Elisha’s door.

Naaman must have thought pretty highly of himself, making a grand arrival with all those horses and chariots, and lots of money. But Elisha doesn’t even bother to come out and greet him! Instead, Elisha sends out a messenger who says,

“Go wash yourself in the Jordan River seven times.” 2 Kings 5:10

Naaman expected the Prophet of God to dramatically wave his hands in the air and call on his God to cure him in some spectacular display. But once again, he did not get what he expected. 

Naaman expected to be treated with honor and respect, and when he was insulted, he refused to do what Elisha said and stomped off in a rage.

I know what you’re thinking: What!? How can Naaman be so stubborn? Doesn’t he want to be cured? 

But don’t we do the same thing? We pray for something, but it isn’t answered the way we expect. So we think our prayer isn’t being answered at all. Or, maybe we don’t like the way it is being answered.

It isn’t surprising that Naaman got angry. The Jordan River is a dirty, muddy river. You wouldn’t want to bathe in it either, especially if you tend to think rather highly of yourself. (Ouch!)

Only after his servants convince him, does Naaman agree to go and dip himself in the dirty river. When he followed God’s plan, he was completely cured, and his skin became like that of a young boy. Things turned out even better than he expected!

Naaman exclaimed,

“Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” (v 15)

And he vowed to never worship any other god but the Lord.

Read the whole story of Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5. (There’s a lot more to the story!)

And remember: God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we expect!

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

All Scripture from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

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DOES THE LIGHT HURT YOUR EYES?

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Friday, 6/26/26

I have read so many great posts by the bloggers I follow! From time to time, I want to share some of the most provocative and inspiring ones.

DOES THE LIGHT HURT YOUR EYES? BY Steve Brewer, The Brew Is Amazing

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion [apostasy] occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”  (2 Thessalonians 2:1–4, NIV 1984). 

My Musings – What was true then is still true today.  The great apostasy or falling away from the truth of God’s Word must occur first.  The world has nothing to fall away from, so this must refer to a great part of the Church. 

A time when the truth does not move or convict as it once did.  An outright rejection of some or all of the truths contained in the Holy Scriptures that were once accepted by faith.  Claiming that what may have been true in the past is no longer so.  Or perhaps, asserting that it really doesn’t mean what was believed for all these centuries.  Are we really so much more enlightened than those who came before with our doubting, distorting, disputing, and denying? 

“I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17–18, NIV).

 “Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me.’” (Matthew 26:31, NIV).  

My Advice –These are the words Jesus spoke to the eleven on the night He was betrayed.  And they all did, for a time.  Today, are we on the edge of “this very night” that Paul spoke about? As we see many denominations and congregations crumbling before our eyes, bowing to the pressure to conform to the culture rather than calling for the culture to be transformed, we must ask ourselves, “Where do we stand?” As the day gives way to night, we must

“choose for [ourselves] this day whom [we] will serve…but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14–15, NIV 1984).  

Stand firm, or fall away.  The time is fast approaching when the world will demand that you choose.  But more than they, so will the Master.

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 Richmond Fajardo on Unsplash

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For Writers and Other Servants of God

Cindy Dawson

Wisdom for Thursday, 6/25/26

As Christian writers, sometimes we don’t feel like writing. It happens to all of us sometimes. But I have found that God honors our determination to obey Him. The same is true for teachers and pastors. Even when we don’t feel like doing our job, God is still faithful to help us. In fact, it’s often during those times when we feel the least capable that God helps us the most.

“Obedience means marching right on whether we feel like it or not. Many times, we go against our feelings. Faith is one thing, feeling is another.”

D.L. Moody

The Apostle Paul said, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 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

Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How To Start Your Day

Cindy Dawson

For Your Reflection, Tuesday 6/23/26

As I was driving home, the driver in front of me slammed on his brakes, which meant I had to slam on my brakes! My right arm flew over to protect the child in the passenger seat. Only there wasn’t a child in the passenger seat, and there hasn’t been for the last 30 years!

I had to laugh at myself, and I wondered if that habit was going to stay with me for the rest of my life. It made me think of all the good things that could become a habit. Spending time with God and reading the Bible each morning before you start your day is the most important habit you could ever develop.

“I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:147 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

Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Useful to God

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Monday, 6/22/26

“I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.” D.L. Moody

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 

A Little-Known Story About D.L. Moody

The first meeting I ever saw him at was in a little old shanty that had been abandoned by a saloon-keeper. Mr. Moody had got the place to hold the meetings at night. I went there a little late; and the first thing I saw was a man standing up with a few tallow candles around him, holding a negro boy, and trying to read to him the story of the Prodigal Son and a great many words he could not read out, and had to skip. I thought, ‘If the Lord can ever use such an instrument as that for His honor and glory, it will astonish me.’ As a result of his tireless labor, within a year the average attendance at his school was 650, while 60 volunteers from various churches served as teachers. It became so well known that the just-elected President Lincoln visited and spoke at a Sunday School meeting on November 25, 1860. (Wikipedia)

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

Understanding the Bible: Why You Should Read All 66 Books

Cindy Dawson

If you want to know the Bible, you have to read the Bible, all of it, not just your favorite parts. If you don’t know the Bible well, you are vulnerable to deception. And that is exactly why so many Christians are deceived by false teaching.

The Bible consists of 66 books: The Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books). If we are to understand the whole counsel of God’s Word, we must read and study all of it.

Every book of the Bible contributes to our knowledge of God. The Old Testament contains well over 400 verses and allusions that point to the coming Messiah. 

You can read the whole Bible in one year by reading for about 15 minutes per day. This is not difficult to do! I highly recommend it! I have been doing this since 2019, when my pastor shared a one-year Bible reading plan. It changed my life!

It seems like most Christians would rather read a book by a well-known minister rather than read their Bible, but remember this: Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. You will be surprised by how much you will learn!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV (emphasis mine)

In Psalm 119, King David wrote:

“I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.” vv15-16 (emphasis mine)

“Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.” v 24

“Your word, Lord, is eternal;
    it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations” vv89-90

“If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.” v92

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.” v105

“You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.” v114

“Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.” v165

Read the full chapter HERE.

No wonder God called David “a man after my own heart”! (Acts 13:22)

Ask God to give you a love for His Word.

God bless you, friends, as you seek to know Him more!

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 Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

God Guides the Humble

Cindy Dawson

Encouragement for Friday, 6/19/26

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9 NIV

“As we journey every day, requiring His grace afresh every morning, may we remember that He guides us every step of the way in what is right. It is not our intellect that directs and sustains us on the right path, but it is God who does that. Christ is the one who is our wisdom (1 Cor 1:30) and gives us discernment (Phil 1:9).

And as he guides, our posture has to be one of humility, acknowledging that we completely rely on Him in every way, for His word says that he guides the humble.” Manu, from her post, Rest Your Gaze on God

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 Jasper Gronewold on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Protect Your Children From Transgender Politics

Cindy Dawson

Call to Action for Sunday, 6/14/26

Children who call themselves trans are victims of lies and a political agenda.

This recently promoted ideology is ludicrous and dangerous. It has no scientific basis, yet many states have a strict policy on the promotion and affirmation of so-called transgender care. You can check on the transgender laws in your state HERE.

Do you know what your child’s teacher believes? Is that teacher a trans activist? You’d better find out. Trans activists believe that sex and gender are two completely different things. And gender trumps “sex assigned at birth”. In other words, gender is “how you identify”. So it doesn’t matter if you were born male (or female). The only thing that matters is how you identify now.

Some states require schools to provide restroom and locker room access in accordance with a student’s gender identity. Some states require schools to use the name and pronouns the student chooses while keeping the child’s legal name in a segregated, confidential file. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

These facts will shock you:

Historically, gender dysphoria only affected a small percentage of children, less than 0.01 percent, and almost all the cases were boys. Today, the U.S. has seen an estimated 1,000 percent rise in gender dysphoria over the past decade, and the UK has reported a more than 4,000 percent rise in girls demanding gender “treatments.” And 70 percent of “sex reassignment” surgeries were done on girls.

Kali Fontanilla, Capital Research Center, April 17, 2023

If that doesn’t scare you, it should! What is going on? You have to wonder how this ideology could have captured our children’s psyche so quickly. Some have suggested that the influence of teachers and TicTok is responsible. Other experts attribute this phenomenon to peer contagion, a form of social contagion—the thesis that attitudes, beliefs, and behavior can spread through populations as if they were somehow infectious. (Joe Carter)

 This is the social contagion thesis; that sociocultural phenomena can spread through, and leap between, populations more like outbreaks of measles or chicken pox than through a process of rational choice.”

Paul Marsden, Research Psychologist

Consider your own youthful behavior. Did you dress like your friends? Style your hair like your friends? Did you adopt the moral standards of your friends? Did you copy their behaviors? Listen to the same music? Did you smoke because your friends did? Well, that list goes on and on.

I know that when I reflected on my own youthful behavior, I realized how much I was influenced by my friends. Weren’t you? Don’t expect your kids to be any different. Unless you are proactive, they will be highly influenced by society, their teachers, and friends.

One thing I know, there is a powerful force pushing this agenda. It didn’t just happen by chance.

See: “AAP faces pressure over trans youth care, guiding docs to keep parents in the dark about child’s sexual health” 2026 ***

https://apple.news/AW5axl9AOQwm0tk3rKHkZ9w

As parents, what can we do to protect our children? What does God’s Word teach us?

#1 Be knowledgeable and informed. Don’t think it could never happen in your child’s school. Don’t be naive.

 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Romans 16:17-18 ESV (emphasis mine)

#2 God calls us to be holy. That means to be separate, set apart from the world. We should love our neighbor, but don’t expect to fit in with those who love the world.

“Be holy, because I am holy. … live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” 1 Peter 1:17

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

#3 Find ways for teens and younger children to be influenced by Christian adults, such as grandparents and Sunday School teachers.

 “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds … Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:18-19

 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9 (emphasis mine)

#4 Know your child’s friends.

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

#5 Prayerfully consider removing your child from public school.

“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.” James 1:5

Last Thoughts

Researching this topic has been shocking and disturbing. The genital mutilation of children is demonic and evil.

The purpose of this post is not to debate the legitimacy of transgender care. Instead, it is to warn parents of a growing danger and help equip them to protect their children against this movement, which is being actively promoted by Teacher’s Unions, Universities, the corporate world, and the government.

“The Lord’s promises are pure,
    like silver refined in a furnace,
    purified seven times over.
Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,
    preserving them forever from this lying generation,
 even though the wicked strut about,
    and evil is praised throughout the land.” Psalm 12:6-8 NLT

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

All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

Sources:

Click to access ED-DCL-Fact-Sheet.pdf

https://capitalresearch.org/article/trans-inc

Joe Carter, The Gospel Coalition, May 15, 2023

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

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What I Don’t Know Can’t Hurt Me, Or Can It?

Cindy Dawson

Despite what people might say, Ignorance is not bliss!

When the truth makes us uncomfortable, do we ignore it? Selah* (Pause and calmly think of that.)

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.  For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” Romans 16:17-18

Many devout Christians are being led astray because they are naive. That means they are unsuspecting (easily deceived, exploitable, ripe for the picking). By definition, they don’t know they’re deceived.

I was taken in by the Word of Faith teaching myself once. In fact, I had to “unlearn” a lot of teaching, and that is not easy to do.

We must learn to identify false teaching for ourselves through studying the Word of God. If I tell someone that a Bible teacher they like teaches false doctrine, I know what they would think because it’s what I used to think: “They don’t understand because they’re in a dead church.” OR “They don’t have revelation.” OR, my favorite: “They’re just religious.”

I assure you, I am not dead or religious! (Isn’t that judging someone’s heart?)

All this stems from pride – the false assumption that I have revelation of the Scripture others don’t have. Selah

I would venture to say that all those “old, religious people at the church down the street” have more experience walking through trials with the Lord at their side than some of us ever will.

How I wish I could talk to my grandmother about God, again. She would be about 130 years old now. If only I had known to seek her wisdom when I was a youth and she was still around.

But, alas, when we’re young, we think we know it all. I know this because I used to teach in a middle school! Students will argue about anything, even how to do a math problem! (Are you kidding me?)

You can think you’re right “till the cows come home”, but that doesn’t make you right.

My point is, if you are learning about God from a Bible teacher, rather than from the Bible, be careful. Check the Scriptures given to see if they have been taken out of context. (That happens a lot and is the basis of much of the false teaching accepted today!)

Respect those “old Christians” you may think are “dead” or “religious”. It’s wise to listen to the elderly with respect.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I wish I knew then what I know now.”? Selah

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” Job 12:12

Did my journey with false teachers and false prophets affect my life?

Yes! It almost shipwrecked my faith and took many years for me to recover.  So, no, ignorance is not bliss.

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.  They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT

Dear Lord, Guide us and teach us to walk with you in Truth and humility. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 *The Amplified Bible translates selah as “pause, and calmly think of that.”

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