Tag: Jesus

Christian

The Seriousness of Sin and the Magnitude of Grace.”

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 6/17/26

“God desires that His children not only receive His grace but understand why it is precious. Through the Son, believers learn to value mercy because they see what it cost…In Christ’s submission to the Father’s will, the depth of divine mercy is revealed. The Father’s justice and compassion meet perfectly in the cross. In that sacred union, the believer learns both the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of grace.”

Bruce Cooper, from KNOWING THE FATHER THROUGH THE SON: THE DOOR THAT NEVER CLOSES

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 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

Photo: Getty Images for Unsplash+

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Christian

Pray For Our Children

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Tuesday, 6/16/26

“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. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” Matthew 18:6-7 NIV

As we reflect on these words of Jesus, let us consider the spiritual needs of our children and ask the Lord to give us wisdom and discernment so that we can protect them and teach them what is right.

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 from Getty Images on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

A True Story You Won’t Forget

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Monday, 6/15/26

Once there was a very popular preacher. So many people crowded into his church services that the church had to be enlarged. He frequently preached at other churches, as popular preachers often do.

The preacher wrote beautiful Christian songs that were popular with churchgoers.  Soon, he began a series of weekly prayer meetings in addition to regular services.

What made this preacher so special? I believe it was his life journey.

All the experiences in our past have shaped us into the person we are today. This preacher, at one time, was a vile sinner, cruel and having a hardened heart; a man without compassion or mercy.

Is it possible for such a person to have a complete turnaround? Can a hardened sinner become a saint? Can a depraved evildoer become a man (or woman) of God?

Ask the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair,  anointing them with costly perfume. When an indignant Pharisee questioned Jesus about allowing this sinful woman (probably a prostitute) to touch him, Jesus said this:

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”Luke 7:47 NIV

Have you guessed the preacher’s identity yet? You won’t find him on YouTube or TV. He was born in 1725.

Before he gave his life to Christ, he was the captain of slave ships. I can only imagine the horror of such ships. Still, it is well documented that slave ships provided such wretched accommodations that many men, women, and children died before arriving at their intended destination. In the words of a former slave, Olaudah Equiano, “The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying rendered the whole scene of horror almost inconceivable.”

Who was this forgiven reprobate turned preacher-songwriter?

His name is John Newton, and he wrote these famous words:  Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.”

This celebrated hymn touches my soul because I know that what God’s grace and mercy did for John Newton, He did for me.

As you listen to Amazing Grace, thank God for his mercy and forgiveness. The more we have been forgiven, the more we love Him. That’s what Jesus said.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 KJV

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:5 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 Austin Neill on Unsplash

From Amazing Grace: The Story of John Newton by Al Rogers

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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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Christian

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

Christian

God’s Protection, Psalm 91

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Friday, 6/12/26

“Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:3-4 NIV

This word picture of God’s protection is rich with meaning. It warms my heart and encourages my soul every time I read it. The “fowler’s snare” is a metaphor for hidden danger, unexpected spiritual traps, and the deceptive schemes of the enemy. Pestilence brings to mind a deadly disease that spreads over a wide area.

“A mother bird will spread her wings over her babies to protect them from storms and predators. She will allow herself to be wounded to protect them. She keeps them warm and sheltered, and the baby birds feel safe in her embrace. Such is God’s fierce love for humanity.” Jeremiah Study Bible Notes

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 Samantha Kennedy on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

When I Am Afraid

Cindy Dawson

A Personal Story for Thursday, 6/11/26

“In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 NIV 

Many years ago, when my son was a baby, I found a long snake skin in my home on two different occasions. I prayed this verse over and over every night until I fell asleep. We lived in this house for nine years and never saw a live snake. The Lord kept us safe. This is what I learned:

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
     In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4 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

Christian

Why Reading the Bible Matters

Cindy Dawson

Years ago, when I left the Word of Faith movement, I was looking for the real truth, so I read the New Testament three times in a row. Before this, I had based what I believed mostly on books recommended to me by church leaders, books available in our church bookstore.

On reflection, I would say that many Christians who follow false teaching do so because of books they read about the Bible, which are often based largely on the author’s experiences and less on Bible study. These teachers often take verses out of context.

In case you’re wondering, the first teaching that I questioned was what is often called the prosperity gospel. It teaches that God wants you to be rich, and if you give enough money, you’ll get back at least ten times as much money. These preachers are living extravagant lives. For more about this, read my post, What Does the Bible Say About the Prosperity Gospel? HERE

As I read and reread the New Testament, I learned that, more than anything else, the Bible emphasized loving others. These are some of the verses that stood out to me:

“The message you heard from the very beginning is this: we must love one another.” (1 John 3:11)

“And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

“Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“Be under obligation to no one—the only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law.” (Romans 13:8)

“My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.” (1 John 3:18)

“No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us. We are sure that we live in union with God and that he lives in union with us, because he has given us his Spirit.” (1 John 4:12-13)

“Do all your work in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

“Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)

“To conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another. Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a

Friends, READ YOUR BIBLE every day.

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

Scriptures are from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Photo by Brooke Cable on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Prayer

How Faith Helps Us Pray for Others’ Salvation

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Friday, 6/5/26


When you are praying for someone’s salvation, you can’t always believe what that person says. Sometimes people say things they don’t mean.

I drifted far from God when I was in college. When my mom confronted me about not going to church, I said I didn’t know if I even believed in God. But that wasn’t true! I knew God was real.

My mom was so mad at me that she disowned me. She said, “You’re not my daughter anymore!” We lost contact for over a year. All this time, God wasn’t worried. He knew I would someday be sold out for Him.

It must have seemed to those who were praying for me like their prayers weren’t going past the ceiling. But that wasn’t true at all.

You might feel like that, too. You say you can’t see what God is doing. OK. You don’t see what He is doing! But guess what? He wants you to trust Him anyway, without seeing the whole picture. That’s what faith is!

Start thanking God for what He is doing and remember what He has done for you in the past. Pray and don’t give up!

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 NIV

Then Jesus said,

“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8 NIV

When Jesus comes back, will He find you trusting Him even though you can’t see what He is doing?

Read the parable.

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 Simon Maage on Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Bible prophecy

Are We Living in the End Times?

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Bible Study for Thursday, 6/4/26

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” Matthew 24:12 NIV

This verse comes from Jesus’ words in the Olivet Discourse, as He explains what it will be like during the end times. I have always been curious about this verse, so I began digging for more insight.

(The Greek word for wickedness, anomia, is translated “lawlessness” in the NASB.

The word was heavily utilized in ancient Greek and New Testament texts to describe a state of living in contempt of established laws or moral standards. 

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: lawlessness; the utter disregard for God’s law (His written and living Word).

That pretty much sums up the culture of our world today.

So what does it mean that “the love of most will grow cold”? Paul describes it further:

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—” 2 Timothy 3:1-4 NIV (emphasis mine)

The Greek word for brutal is anēmeros, which means: not tame, savage, fierce (Strongs). It refers to something—or someone—that is wild, ferocious, or brutal. The word appears only here in the New Testament, where it is used to describe the fierce, brutal, and uncontrollable nature of humanity during the last days. (Bill Mounce) 

The Greek word for treacherous is prodotēs. It means a traitor and betrayer. It is used only two other times in the New Testament: in Luke 6:16, where it describes Judas Iscariot as a “traitor,” and in Acts 7:52, where Stephen uses the plural form (prodotai) to condemn the religious leaders who handed Jesus over to the Romans.

In summary, I think the Lord is warning us that in the end times, because of the utter disregard for God’s law (His written and living Word), people will only have love for themselves and money. Love for others grows so cold that it eventually disappears completely.

I can’t help but think that this explains what happened on October 7, 2023, when innocent people in Israel were raped, murdered, and burned alive for no reason other than hatred. This savage attack launched, not an outcry for justice, but an outcry against the Jews! Jesus warned us that people will become brutal and treacherous because they have no regard for what is good.

“For the secret power of lawlessness (anomia) is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7 NIV

Are we living in the end times? You decide.

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