Tag: inspiration

Christian

When God Feels Far Away

Cindy Dawson

I want to tell you about a time, not long ago, when I felt like God was far away.

I felt like my faith was losing steam and my zeal and enthusiasm for God were draining away.

Satan was putting doubts in my mind. I kept hearing this: “Who do you think you are?”

I couldn’t feel God. I didn’t feel like praying. I didn’t even feel like going to church. I didn’t feel like reading my Bible. I just wanted to watch TV, play games on my ipad, and eat junk food.

But instead, I did pray (although without emotion). I did go to church. I did read my Bible. And I continued to write my blog. I went through the motions; all the while Satan whispered lies in my ear. (Who do you think you are? You can’t write a Christian blog!) At the time, I was ashamed because I thought they were my thoughts!

But Jesus said, “When (Satan) lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44. Satan is also called the accuser of the brethren. (See Revelation 12:10)

But then God . . .

Then, in church, we sang, Jesus Draw Me Nearer by Keith Getty. As I sang the words, I knew God was explaining things to me.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart’s testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

God was testing my heart! I realized that God was making me stronger. If I lost all emotion, all feeling and joy, would I still pray? Would I still read His Word? Would I still serve Him?

Yes, Lord. I will. Let me pass the test. Make my heart pure. Make me strong.

Did God let Satan test me? I think He did. Once I realized that I was in a test, I became strong because I knew those thoughts of doubt were lies from Satan. I knew God wanted to make me stronger.

So the next time God seems far away or something happens that you don’t understand – maybe you’re taking the same test. Maybe God is making you stronger!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” Proverbs 17:3 NIV

I am thankful for my church and my pastors, especially my Minister of Music, Ricky Clark, who always seems to be leading us in a song that is straight from the heart of God.

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

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Christian, women

Friday’s Verse, 8/6/21

Cindy Dawson

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 NLT Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Nina Hill on Unsplash

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Christian, women

Verses for Meditation, 8/5/21

Cindy Dawson

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Sean Oulashin on Unsplash

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Christian, women

Quote of the Week, 8/4/21

Cindy Dawson

 When Christ died, he died for you individually just as much as if you had been the only person in the world.”

C.S. Lewis

With Love, Cindy

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Samuel McGarrigle on Unsplash

realchristianwomen.blog  

Christian, women

Tuesday’s Verse 8/3/21

Cindy Dawson

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

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Christian, women

Monday’s Verse, 8/2/21

Cindy Dawson

“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool…” Isaiah 1:18 NIV Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Alberto Restifo on Unsplash

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Christian, women

Sunday’s Memory Verse, 8/1/21

Cindy Dawson

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NIV

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With Love, Cindy

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Tamas Pap on Unsplash

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Christian, women

One Way Satan Lies to Us: Misapplication

Cindy Dawson

Satan tries to get us to believe erroneous things. The Scripture tells us he is a liar. In fact, he is the father of lies. (John 8:44)

You are probably familiar with the passage where Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Read Luke 4:1-13 here. There is so much we can learn about how Satan operates from this passage, but I want to focus on one particular scheme he likes to use.

If you look at verses 9-12, we see the devil attempting to make Jesus misapply Scripture. The devil says,

“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.  For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Satan actually quoted Scripture to Jesus! I find that amazing! But Jesus knows Satan is trying to get Him to misapply God’s Word. Jesus knows the full counsel of the Word of God. He knows that in Deuteronomy 6:16, the Scripture also says,

“‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

This passage shows me that one way the devil will try to deceive us is by getting us to misapply the Scripture. This is easy for him to do if we take verses out of context.

This is exactly how false doctrines are taught and spread. To correctly understand the Scripture, we must study the Bible in context, not by picking a verse here and a verse there. We must study the Bible in its entirety, not relying on books about the Bible.

If in your heart you love the truth, you can trust God to teach you His Truth.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” John 16:13 NIV Read full chapter

It always boils down to the condition of my heart. I must ask myself, do I really love and desire truth, or do I want to prove my personal beliefs? Am I studying the Bible for myself or do I read books about God from a Best-sellers list?

“Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23-24 NIV Read full chapter

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV Read full chapter

God is faithful. He will do it!

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Kristin on Unsplash

realchristianwomen.blog  

Christian, women

Friday’s Verse, 7/30/21

Cindy Dawson

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25: 37-40 NIV Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by bill wegener on Unsplash

realchristianwomen.blog  

Christian, women

A Verse for Meditation, 7/29/21

Cindy Dawson

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
    and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 NIV

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NOTE: “The Hebrew word for mercy (hesed) describes loyalty or devotion. The focus was on the inwardness or their lives, not the outwardness of what they brought to Him. He wanted to see passion in their hearts for Him and compassion in their lives for one another.” Jeremiah Study Bible

With Love, Cindy

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Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

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