Tag: inspiration

Christian, parenting

Train Up a Child in the Way They Should Go

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Tuesday, 7/21/26

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

“Understanding Proverbs 22:6 in its original context reveals that it is a warning, not a promise. It is a warning to parents that if they allow their children to have their own way, they will not depart from that foolishness when they are older.” Tim Dinkins

According to Dinkins, the author is saying “Train up a child according to his own will and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

So whether you take it as a promise or a warning, the message is still the same. Teach a child in the way of the Lord. Don’t leave them to their own ideas about life.

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. All that you do must be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB

In His Love, Cindy

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

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: Getty Images on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Bible and Scripture, Christian

A Whisper of His Power

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Monday, 7/20/26

God stretches the northern sky over empty space
    and hangs the earth on nothing.
8 He wraps the rain in his thick clouds,
    and the clouds don’t burst with the weight.
9 He covers the face of the moon,
    shrouding it with his clouds.
10 He created the horizon when he separated the waters;
    he set the boundary between day and night.
11 The foundations of heaven tremble;
    they shudder at his rebuke.
12 By his power the sea grew calm.
    By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.
13 His Spirit made the heavens beautiful,
    and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
14 These are just the beginning of all that he does,
    merely a whisper of his power.
    Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?” Job 26:7-14 NLT (emphasis mine)

In His Love, Cindy

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

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 Donna Elliot on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Encouragement

You Are Being Equipped for Ministry

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 7/19/26

“And He (Jesus) gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ” Ephesians 4:11-12 NASB (emphasis mine)

The leaders are given to the church for the purpose of preparing every member to do the work of ministry––to render service to the Lord, to the church, and to the world.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24 NASB

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11 NASB (emphasis mine)

There are many forms of ministry. Find yours!

In His Love, Cindy

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

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 photos from Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Bible and Scripture, Christian

Jesus’ Letters to the Churches

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Tuesday, 7/14/26

Nothing could be more relevant to the Church today than the message from Jesus to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. These letters reveal which things He approves of and which things they must repent of. (Revelation, chapters 2 and 3)

These letters are important. And they are just as applicable now as they were then. Jesus tells them they must repent or He will remove their lampstand!

“When the Bible repeats something, it should catch our attention. In Revelation 2 and 3, there is a phrase that is repeated seven times: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” In other words, this message is for everyone. God wants every Christian to study prophecy.” David Jeremiah

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches…” Revelation 2:7,11, 17, 29 and Revelation 3:6,13, 22

May we have ears to hear!

Read Revelation chapter 2 HERE, and Revelation chapter 3 HERE.

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 Debby Hudson on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Bible and Scripture, Christian

Transform Your Morning

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 7/12/26

The first thing I do every morning is to read and study my Bible. (Well, after I feed and walk Henry, my Yorkie. As you know, he is very bossy.)

When we get back, he gets in his dog bed and sleeps for a couple of hours. And I open my Bible.

This is my favorite time of the day. Do you know why? It’s because the Bible speaks to me every day, and so it becomes more dear to me every time I read it.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV (emphasis mine)

No other book in the world can do that, only the Bible. The word translated as “alive” is the Greek word zao. It is the same word Jesus used when He said,

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 NIV (emphasis mine)

Scripture is life-giving, not merely instructive, because the Bible is God speaking to you and me.

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

Encouragement

How To Encourage Someone

Cindy Dawson

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us… if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;” Romans 12:6,8 (Emphasis mine)

The Bible commands us to encourage one another. The following is a list of ways we can encourage someone.

HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ENCOURAGER

1. Listen. Listening is better than talking. We need to give the person we want to encourage focused attention. That means we are carefully listening to them, not just waiting for our turn to talk. (Ouch!) Having someone listen is the best medicine for a hurting heart.

2. Provide affirmation before offering help. This validates their feelings and struggles.

3. Be compassionate and caring. The thing your friend needs most may not be answers, but just someone to talk to, someone who cares, so they can share their hurts or worries safely.

4. Do not pretend to know what they are going through or tell them what happened to you.

5. Write them an encouraging note. Believe it or not, two or three sentences can turn a person’s day around. I have received many encouraging notes over the decades, and I have kept many of them to this day.

6. Pray for them and let them know you are praying.

Maybe the Holy Spirit will lead you to pray in a certain way. Or maybe He will guide you in what to say. Or maybe He just wants you to show love and compassion. If your friend wants your advice, she will probably ask for it.

For some, being an encourager is a spiritual gift, but it is something we must all do. Let the Lord guide you to those who need your encouragement.

I can’t tell you how many times a comment someone left on my blog turned my day around. Many times, the Holy Spirit is encouraging me through their message, but they probably had no idea how timely it was. In fact, this happens quite often.

“Encourage the disheartened” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

To be disheartened means to have lost hope, courage, or enthusiasm. It is a state of feeling discouraged, demoralized, or dispirited, often as a result of experiencing setbacks, failure, or unexpected difficulties. (Dictionary.com)

The definition of encouragement is: “The act of inspiring others with renewed courage, a renewed spirit, or renewed hope.”

Look around. People who need encouragement are all around you. Ask God to help you reach out to them.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Note: I have learned a lot about encouragement from David Jeremiah’s book, The Joy of Encouragement. I think you would, too.

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: Getty Images for Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Bible and Scripture, Christian

How Can I Hear God Speak to Me?

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for 7/8/26

“When I pray, I talk to God, but when I read the Bible, God is talking to me; and it is really more important that God should speak to me than that I should speak to Him. I believe we should know better how to pray if we knew our Bibles better. What is an army good for if they don’t know how to use their weapons?”
― D.L. Moody

If you want to hear God speak to you, open your Bible. God has a lot to say!

“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 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 Yuri Efremov on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Israel & the Jews

Are You an Obadiah?

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Monday, 7/6/26

“Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.” 1 Kings 18:3-4 NIV

A MESSAGE FROM AMIR TSARFATI

“As the man in charge of Ahab’s household, Obadiah found himself serving in the highest levels of a corrupt and godless government. Yet when Jezebel began slaughtering the prophets of the Lord, he quietly hid one hundred of them in two caves, fifty in each, and provided them with bread and water.

What a reminder for us today.

God may place you in a position of influence where you are surrounded by ungodliness and compromise. He hasn’t put you there for fame, success, or fortune. He has placed you there to serve Him in places where others have no access and to be a faithful witness in the midst of darkness.

When I was appointed deputy governor of Jericho at the age of twenty-one, I knew it was my faith that led the colonel to choose a lieutenant as his second-in-command. My promotion defied both logic and military convention, yet the governor sensed something in me that made him trust me more than others. I never hid my faith from him, even though he was an Orthodox Jew.

You may not be an Elijah- with all the bold confrontations, dramatic moments, and public displays of power.

But maybe, just maybe, you’re an Obadiah.

And that is no less significant in the kingdom of God.

Courage, faithfulness, and truth are rare commodities these days.

The Bible is filled with ordinary men and women whom God used to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of many.

Be one of them.”

A Message from Amir Tsarfati, on his Telegram Channel

Telegram is the one-stop shop for daily updates from Amir related to current events in the Middle East and what’s taking place around the world. Connect with Amir and Behold Israel HERE.

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, Israel & the Jews

God’s Promise to Israel

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Friday 7/3/26

“He remembers his covenant forever,
    the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
the covenant he made with Abraham,
    the oath he swore to Isaac.
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
    to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
“To you I will give the land of Canaan
    as the portion you will inherit.” Psalm 105:8-11 NIV (emphasis mine)

“It is completely inconsistent to say you love the King of the Jews but despise the Jews of the King. So don’t let the ignorant antisemites of our day bully you into silence. If God has not cast off Israel – and He hasn’t – we shouldn’t either.” From the book UNTIL HE COMES by Amir Tsarfati and Barry Stagner

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

Is God Calling You?

Cindy Dawson

For Your Reflection, 7/2/26

“He (Jesus) called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:2-6 NIV

We must not take these verses lightly. The Lord places great importance on the education of children. And I have to tell you, there is nothing that gives me more joy than when one of my former students (from my 2 to 4-year-olds class) comes up to me at church to give me a big hug. And that’s why I found the following quote by D.L. Moody so interesting.

Although the exact date of this quote is unknown, it is believed that toward the end of his life, after decades of ministry, D.L. Moody said this:

“If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God.”

It was said of D.L. Moody, “Judged by the lasting results of his work, he shares honors with Lincoln as our greatest contribution to humanity in the nineteenth century.” Reverend D.W. Philpott, D.D., Chicago Tribune, February 5, 1928

If you think God is calling you to Children’s Ministry, say, “Yes, Lord. Send me.”

By the way, I was 6 years old when I asked Jesus into my heart. My daughter, who is now in full-time ministry, was only 4 years old when she gave her life to Jesus.

Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16 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