Tag: Jesus

Christian

Listening Prayer: What It Is And Why You Need to Know

Cindy Dawson

2-minute devotion for Tuesday, 3/24/26

The idea of “listening prayer” is to spend some time talking to the Lord and the rest of the time listening to His response. It is often described as having a conversation with God. Although you won’t find it in the Bible, it is being taught in the church today.

When you listen to a Bible teacher, ask yourself, “Is that in the Bible? Or, is it someone’s personal opinion?”

There is a lot of “Bible teaching” that is not based on Scripture but is based on the individual’s own experiences and learning. Ask yourself, “Where did they learn this? Who do they learn it from?”

Sometimes you can learn a lot about a “Bible teacher” from researching who they follow. You may discover that they are learning from some unbiblical sources. In fact, you would be surprised how many well-known “Bible teachers” subscribe to New Age thought. This is unbiblical and very dangerous.

To assume that the voice a person hears in his mind is the voice of God is to leave the door wide open for self-delusion and even demonic deception.

GotQuestions.org has an excellent article on this topic. I urge you to read it. What is Listening Prayer?

Another great source to learn more about this topic and where it came from is the video Wide Is The Gate 2 (5 of 5) The Emerging New Christianity: The Contemplative Mystical Movement. Watch it here.

Jesus prayed to the Father for us,

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 NIV

He taught us how to pray,

 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13 NASB

The Bible, God’s Word, is our only source of Truth. This is how God speaks to His children. Read it every day.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn why Jesus came to the earth, 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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Why God Pursues Each One of Us

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Monday, 3/23/26

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture that was so personal that it seems to have been written just for you? I have. It is the verse below.

Jesus said, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14 NIV

I am reminded that He did that for me. When I wandered off, God didn’t say, “Oh well,” or “She’s a lost cause.”

No! He went after me and brought me home! Those verses are very personal for me. We serve a God who is merciful, so merciful!

He will go after one lost sheep because He loves each one of us. He loves each individual person. He loves you!

If you don’t know Jesus, please see: Who Is Jesus? A Message for the Skeptic

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

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Sunday Prayer and Meditation: Trust in the Lord

Cindy Dawson

Meditation for Sunday, 3/22/26

Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you. Psalm 84:10-12 NIV (emphasis mine) Read full chapter

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

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Why Do Christian Leaders Tolerate False Teaching?

Cindy Dawson

Did you know that every book in the New Testament (except Philemon) contains warnings against false teaching? This tells me that false teachers pose a severe danger to the church. These false teachers lead people away from the truth. Yet many Christian leaders blatantly tolerate them and refuse to contend for the faith.

“…I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.” Jude 3 NASB

Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well!” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NASB

Because this tolerance is so widespread, I have been searching for the answer to this nagging question: Why do Christian leaders tolerate false teaching? Why? Here are a few possible answers:

  1. Lack of Discernment: While discernment can be a specific spiritual gift, it is also a skill developed through studying God’s Word.
    • “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NASB
  2. Prioritizing Personal Feelings: Allowing emotional, cultural, or worldly perspectives to override biblical truths.
  3. Compromise: to avoid offending people
  4. Prioritizing Popularity:
    • John 12:42-43 says, “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;  for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” NASB: “… they loved the approval of people rather than the approval of God.”
  5. The Love of Money
    • “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
  6. A spirit of ecumenism: This often comes from a flawed understanding of Biblical unity. It is impossible for true Christians to be in unity with false teachers.
  7. Relying on pop-psychology or worldly wisdom instead of Biblical truth
    •  “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” 1 Corinthians 3:19

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Where lies and deception abound, Truth is what the world needs, not a compromised gospel, not a “different Jesus”.

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.

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At Any Moment!

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 3/20/26

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV

 In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

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Christ Is Our Anchor

Cindy Dawson

A reflection for Thursday, 3/19/26

“We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:18-19

Our hope in Christ is a firm expectation and confidence in all He has promised. By this, we are greatly encouraged.

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.

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Will I Speak Up?

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for 3/18/26

“…The meaning of silence is consent. Anyone who wants to fight for the truth cannot be silent.”

Mike Huckabee, United States Ambassador to Israel

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

My thoughts: Truth is important. It matters what people believe. Don’t be afraid to speak up.

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.

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Encouragement For the Lonely

Cindy Dawson

Meditation for Tuesday, 3/17/26

“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
    extol him who rides on the clouds;
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
    is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families,
    he leads out the prisoners with singing.” Psalm 68:4-6 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

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Why We Must Encourage One Another

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Sunday, 3/15/26

Why it’s Good to Encourage Others

In His Love, Cindy

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

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The Holy Spirit Our Helper & Guide

Cindy Dawson

I went to my office, lay my head down on my Bible, and sighed in defeat, “Lord, I don’t know what to do!” As soon as the words slipped out of my mouth, I remembered something that I had read earlier in the day.

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!” 2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV

When King Jehoshaphat was warned that a vast army was coming against him, he was alarmed and resolved to inquire of the Lord. He called a fast for all of Judah, and the people came together to seek God.

King Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly and cried out to God in prayer. He ended the prayer with these words:

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!”

I quickly found the passage in my Bible and read it over and over. God was telling me what to do: Keep my eyes on Him! I can do that! Immediately, my anxiety melted away. My fear disappeared, and I felt the comfort only God can provide.

“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 Greek word translated “helper” is Paraklētos (παράκλητος). It is a Greek term, commonly translated as Advocate, Helper, Counselor, or Comforter. Literally meaning “called alongside.” It refers to someone summoned to aid another.

The Holy Spirit will bring Scripture to your mind. The better you know the Bible, the more often this will happen. The Holy Spirit has reminded me of specific verses that applied to my situation many times.

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 NIV

You might be wondering what happened to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah when they fixed their eyes on the Lord rather than on the problem.

This is what the Lord said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (v15) Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. . . Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.”(v17)

“Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. . . Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord . . . ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.’ As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” (v18 & 21)

Read more about Jehoshaphat’s battle here. (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)

When we realize it isn’t within our own ability to fix the problem and we don’t know what to do, that’s when we can depend completely on the Lord.

When our battle is too hard, let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let us worship His holiness, thank Him, praise Him, and give Him glory.

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.

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