1-minute devotion for Tuesday 9/23/25
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.” Proverbs 31:8 NLT
To end a child’s life is not health care.
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
RealChristianWomen.blog
Maybe there are Christians who have never stumbled. I just know that I’m not one of them! I have made many mistakes in my lifetime. When God judges me, I hope He considers the hurts and circumstances that led me down wrong paths. I don’t want God or anyone else to expect me to be perfect.
But, do I expect others to be perfect? Do I forget to consider all the hurts and circumstances that may be in their lives? Even worse, do I judge a person based on how they look?
Jesus said, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:2-3 NIV
I don’t know about you, but I want to be judged with abundant mercy!
I work in a large and very diverse middle school. I have an opportunity to ‘love and not judge’ every day. God has reminded me that many of these kids have not had the advantages in life that I had.
When I get impatient with a student and inwardly roll my eyes in disgust, Jesus speaks to my heart, “And you’re perfect? Do you even know what’s going on in this kid’s life?” Then, I am reminded of things I do know. He could be falling asleep in class because he slept in a car last night. Or maybe he doesn’t have a bed of his own, or maybe he was left alone with a crying baby all night while his mother was out.
When a student tells me to shut up, do I get angry and take it personally? God, remind me that maybe this child is never spoken to with respect and love at home. Maybe he is being abused and is lashing out at authority.
Maybe this child is apathetic because he hasn’t eaten since lunch at school yesterday.
Maybe he is apathetic because his mom died this weekend.
Maybe he acts out because his mom never shows up for visitation and he is disappointed over, and over, and over again. (All real examples)
Maybe, maybe, maybe…
If only we could see God’s plan for those we tend to judge. If only we could see them with God’s eyes of love and mercy. I am not special or better because of what was given to me. If anything, more is expected from me. More patience, more love, more understanding.
One morning on my way to school, I prayed “Father, I don’t know how to make a difference in the lives of my students, but you do. That very day my principal posted an article, The Judgement Cure. The author said, “You cannot influence anyone as long as you are judging them.”
How’s that for a quick answer? Wow! I’m still trying to learn this lesson. I believe it is the key to influencing others.
Because I have worked in 5 different public schools, I have seen abuse that the average middle-class person may never be exposed to – examples of abuse, neglect, and suffering that breaks my heart. May God soften our hearts and teach us to walk in love.
“… if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am 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. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:2-8 NIV Read full chapter
(This is a repost. I am now retired.)
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
RealChristianWomen.blog
They were caught hiding Jews from the Nazis during WWII. Corrie ten Boom, her sister, and their elderly father were arrested and eventually sent to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Corrie described Ravensbruck as “the deepest hell that man can create”.¹
Corrie survived Ravensbruck, but if anyone ever had an excuse to worry, it would be her. This is what Corrie had to say about worrying.
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. It does not enable us to escape evil. It makes us unfit to face evil when it comes. It is the interest you pay on trouble before it comes.”
Corrie Ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place, profoundly affected me as a young adult. Corrie lived her life, before, during, and after Ravensbruck, serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Her faith and trust in Jesus will encourage you through any trial you may face. If you have never read The Hiding Place, I strongly encourage you to do so. There is also a very good movie. You can watch the trailer HERE.
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” Philippians 4:6-7 AMP
So many times, people say, “I’m a worrier. I worry about everybody.” It’s as if they think it’s a badge of honor. It’s not! To worry means we are not trusting God. To please God, we must have faith. We must trust Him.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
If I have learned anything on my Christian journey of 60+ years, it is this: Seek God with all your heart. Love Him with all your heart. Trust Him with all your heart. Obey His Word with all your heart. If you do that, He will take care of everything else.
Take it from Corrie, “Worry is like a rocking chair; it keeps you busy but does not bring you farther.”
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
Sources:
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
https://larryloftis.com/blog/the-bunker-of-ravensbruck
RealChristianWomen.blog
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Alexandra Fuller on Unsplash
RealChristianWomen.blog
The photo above was taken the day after my daughter’s birth. She was born 5 weeks premature and weighed 5 lbs 12 oz when I took her home 7 days later.
If she had not arrived early, this is what she would have looked like while in the womb. The same baby you see in the photo above would exist, just in a different location. She would not have been “just a clump of cells”. But that is what pro-abortion advocates want you to believe.
Pro-abortion activists want you to believe that the child in the womb is not a human being. They say it is a zygote, a fetus, or even just a clump of cells, but certainly not a human being with the right to live. Of course, this is the entire point. That living, growing body in the womb IS a human being, an innocent child, dependent on her mother to grow and thrive until she’s ready to enter the world. Even then, she is dependent on her parents to nurture and care for her until she is an adult (or maybe forever).
Mothers who want their babies KNOW that the life growing inside of them is their baby. They don’t wonder if it’s a baby or a clump of cells. It’s only when having a child is inconvenient that the mother’s attitude and beliefs dramatically change.
The photo below was taken 35 years later in Africa where she volunteered in a children’s hospital for 6 months, her days ordained and written in God’s book before they came to be.
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well…
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-14 and 16 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
RealChristianWomen.blog
That can be harder than you think, especially if you get any pushback. Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me.” He never said it would be easy.
As we walk with God every day, reading our Bible, faithful in prayer, and surrendering to His will we can be confident that He is intimately involved in our lives. He knows our hearts. He knows our motivations. He knows our thoughts before they are spoken.
Now in my 70s, I can look back over my life and see how God has used my past failures for His purposes. I can see how hardships have made me stronger. I can see that God had his hand on my life all along. I may have made mistakes along the way, but He never stopped loving me. He never gave up on me. God truly works everything together for good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
God is disciplining us, renewing our minds, and preparing us for His purpose. Those are His promises and we must believe them. Even when I can’t see what God is doing, He is at work. Consider these verses:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NASB
God never said, “I’ll always let you know ahead of time what I’m going to do.” Nor did He say, “I’ll always tell you exactly what you should do beforehand.” Then it wouldn’t take faith! We wouldn’t have to trust God.
I have discovered that if God says something in His Word, I must trust Him to do it. He has said He would guide me. It doesn’t matter if I can’t see the whole picture. It is enough that God has promised to guide me.
The older I get, the more clearly I understand that faith means always trusting God, even when I don’t understand what He is doing or why. I simply trust Him.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 NIV
“I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash
RealChristianWomen.blog
On September 11, 2001, Pilot Steve Scheibner was packed and ready to fly out of Boston on American Airlines Flight 11 to Los Angeles. But at the last minute, another pilot, First Officer Thomas McGuinness, was assigned the flight instead.
Imagine the emotional impact on Scheibner when he realized that the plane he should have been flying, had just flown into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Had God spared his life?
The Bible says our lives are not our own. Consider these Scriptures.
“Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” Jeremiah 10:23,
“But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God. My times are in your hands…” Psalm 31:14 & 15
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
If you ever survived something that you know you shouldn’t have survived, you may feel the same way as Steve Scheibner. You may understand that you are here because God has more for you to do.
There were other passengers who missed flight 11 that day. Some changed their plans at the last minute. Others just didn’t get to the airport in time. Were they forever changed? Did they find their purpose?
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
When we stand before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, may we hear these coveted words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:23
This is Steve Scheibner’s amazing testimony:
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Matteo Catanese on Unsplash
Maybe there are Christians that have never stumbled. I just know that I’m not one of them! I have made many mistakes in my lifetime. When God judges me, I hope that He considers the hurts and circumstances that led me down wrong paths. I don’t want God or anyone else to expect me to be perfect.
But, do I expect others to be perfect? Do I forget to consider all the hurts and circumstances that may be in their lives? Even worse, do I judge a person based on how they look?
Jesus said, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:2-3 NIV
I don’t know about you, but I want to be judged with abundant mercy!
I work in a large and very diverse middle school. I have an opportunity to ‘love and not judge’ every day. God has reminded me that many of these kids have not had the advantages in life that I had.
When I get impatient with a student and inwardly roll my eyes in disgust, Jesus speaks to my heart, “And you’re perfect? Do you even know what’s going on in this kid’s life?” Then, I am reminded of things I do know. He could be falling asleep in class because he slept in a car last night. Or maybe he doesn’t have a bed of his own, or maybe he was left alone with a crying baby all night while his mother was out.
When a student tells me to shut up, do I get angry and take it personally? God, remind me that maybe this child is never spoken to with respect and love at home. Maybe he is being abused and is lashing out at authority.
Maybe this child is apathetic because he hasn’t eaten since lunch at school yesterday.
Maybe he is apathetic because his mom died this weekend.
Maybe he acts out because his mom never shows up for visitation and he is disappointed over, and over, and over again. (All real examples)
Maybe, maybe, maybe…
If only we could see God’s plan for those we tend to judge. If only we could see them with God’s eyes of love and mercy. I am not special or better because of what was given to me. If anything, more is expected from me. More patience, more love, more understanding.
One morning on my way to school, I prayed “Father, I don’t know how to make a difference in the lives of my students, but you do. That very day my principal posted an article, The Judgement Cure. The author said, “You cannot influence anyone as long as you are judging them.”
How’s that for a quick answer? Wow! I’m still trying to learn this lesson. I believe it is the key to influencing others.
Because I have worked in 5 different public schools, I have seen abuse that the average middle-class person may never be exposed to – examples of abuse, neglect, and suffering that break my heart. May God soften our hearts and teach us to walk in love.
“… if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am 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. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:2-8 NIV Read full chapter
(Reposted from 2017)
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
Over the last few months, I’ve thought a lot about what I look at and listen to. For example, television, music, news, talk shows, Facebook, etc. How does it all affect me? How does it influence my thinking and my attitudes?
The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
What does that mean exactly? I decided to dig in.
A wellspring is the source of a spring or abundant supply. OK. Above all else, I should guard my heart because it is a spring of abundant supply of something called “life”. Hmmm. I still didn’t get it, so I dug in more. I found some clues.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” NLT
So, how well I guard my heart determines the course of my life. Well, that’s certainly been true enough (and sometimes in a bad way).
“. . . out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
My mouth reveals what’s in my heart. Can’t argue with that, either.
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Sometimes we think God only looks at our actions, but what he really examines is our heart. Well, that’s certainly something we should think about! That tells me that no matter how many good works I perform, He is still going to look at my heart.
“. . . the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.” (1 Chronicles 28: 9
He knows me better than I know myself.
If I’m going to guard my heart, I must be careful what I allow to influence me. One thing that concerns me is TV, especially the news. Honestly, it doesn’t do anything positive for my attitude. However, I’ve learned that the more I listen to and sing Christian music, the closer I feel to God.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Psalm 146: 1-2
My heart is the spring that nourishes my life. Is that spring sparkling clean or is it polluted by the things of this world? Well, I guess that depends on how well I guard my heart. Are you guarding your heart?
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“My heart is overflowing with a beautiful thought! I will write a lovely poem to the King, for I am as full of words as the speediest writer pouring out his story.” Psalm 45:1 TLB
God's grace is greater than all my doubts. Only He can drive them out. I pray for what I cannot see And trust the One who set me free. I fall before the throne of grace Boldly asking for a place That quiets all my hurts and fears That this world brings with all its tears. What promise shall we not believe? He gave His life upon a tree That you and I would always know The greatest love He could bestow. So doubt I tell you, "You must go!" I turn to Him, because He knows The secrets bound inside my soul. There's nothing that He does not know. My Savior calls me by my name. He takes my hand and heals my shame. He says to me, "I understand. I know the pain this life demands." "Come to me and make your plea Nothing is too hard for me. Come to me and you will know The peace and love that heals your soul."
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 KJV Read full chapter
With Love,
Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by John Jennings on Unsplash
Real Christian Women 