Tag: love

Christian

Knowing God

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Monday, 5/11/26

“And those who know Your name [who have experienced Your precious mercy] will put their confident trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 AMP

In the Old Testament, names often represent more than mere identification. A person’s name typically conveyed meaning associated with specific characteristics or attributes. 

To know God’s name means you know His character: He is loving, faithful, kind, forgiving, merciful, gracious, just, righteous, and holy. He is worthy of our complete trust at all times.

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 Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, women

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌷

Cindy Dawson

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:30-31 NIV

“All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.” Abraham Lincoln

“A mother’s arms are more Comforting than Anyone Else’s” Princess Diana

“Men are what their mothers made them.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Being a mother is not about what you gave up to have a child, but what you’ve gained from having one.”

“I never knew how much I could love someone until I became a mother.” Cindy Dawson

Happy Mother’s 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

Photo by Getty Images for Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

The Greatest Sin in the Church

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 5/6/26

“In my opinion, the greatest sin in the church of Jesus Christ in this generation is ignorance of the Word of God.” J. Vernon McGee (1904-1988)

“Ignorance of the Word of God is the ‘greatest sin’ because it leads to all other spiritual failures.” J. Vernon McGee

These statements are just as true today as they were when Dr. McGee said them. Ignorance of God’s Word results in a lack of discernment. And that is why we see so many false teachers with huge followings, leading people astray.

In 1967, J. Vernon McGee began broadcasting the Thru the Bible radio program (TTB), in a systematic study of each book of the Bible. His teaching often emphasized the importance of personal Bible study.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB

Nowhere in the Bible are pastors told to avoid controversial subjects. They must teach the whole counsel of God’s Word, not just the feel-good parts.

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

Featured photo: Daiga Ellaby Unsplash+

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How To Be a Discerning Christian

Cindy Dawson

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

And the Apostle Paul warns,

“Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

In other words, these servants of Satan look like Christians! I don’t think the Church understands this at all. These false teachers are difficult to identify because they appear to be sincere, loving, and very knowledgeable. So, unless you have developed the skill of discernment, you are at great risk.

In my experience, Christians are more afraid of calling someone a false teacher than they are of being deceived! (Who do you think implements that strategy?)

The Bible warns us about false teachers. But how can we know who they are? The answer is: We must be discerning Christians.

In his book, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, Tim Challies compares spiritual discernment with identifying counterfeit currency.

Challies writes, “We can best know what is wrong by first knowing what is right. Experts on counterfeit currency know this as well. They train others first to know the traits of genuine currency because such knowledge will make apparent what is fraudulent.”

Experts in counterfeit money study every aspect of their currency, including how it feels and every detail of its appearance and color. Only after they do this are they shown counterfeit currency. And guess what? They know immediately what is not real!

In the same way, it is only when we know the Bible well that we can recognize false teaching. A mature Christian knows the Bible well. This is an important point because an immature Christian can be blown here and there by every kind of teaching (meaning false teaching). That makes sense, right?

Ephesians 4:11-14 NIV says,

“ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

One thing about children, they’ll believe almost anything. And like children, immature Christians will believe almost anything, especially if it sounds good.

So the question is: How well do you know the Bible? How many times have you read it from cover to cover? How many times have you read the New Testament? Are you reading the Bible for yourself? Or do you rely on books about the Bible?

I challenge you to read the Bible from cover to cover at least twice before you read the Christian Best-Sellers. Otherwise, how can you discern if what you are reading is true? Maybe you are thinking, “Oh, I just know.”

I wouldn’t be so sure about that! But don’t take my word for it. Consider what the Bible says.

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” The Apostle Paul (Acts 20:29-31 NIV)

 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:15, and 21-23 NIV)

 “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. (2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV)

“We can best know what is wrong by first knowing 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

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

What Is Humility?

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Reflection for Friday, 5/1/26

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking about yourself less.”

C.S. Lewis

Jesus said, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NLT Read full chapter

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, Jews

He Watches Over You

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 4/29/26

God has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. You are as much alone with him as if you were the only being he had ever created.

CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31NIV

Get ready for goosebumps!

“Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2 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, women

Am I a Light in the Darkness?

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Reflection for Sunday, 4/26/26

 Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15 NIV

“Our call is to engage with the world. Our mission as light in the darkness has not ended. In fact, it is greater now than it has ever been as the time of the end draws near.” Amir Tsarfati

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 Duangphorn Wiriya on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

Offer Gratitude, Not Hatred

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Friday, 4/25/26

God had a plan to bless the world through the Jews. He sent His son, Jesus, born of a virgin, a young Jewish girl named Mary. (Matthew 1:18)

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8 NIV

No wonder Satan hates the Jewish people!

The Lord had said to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
 I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 NIV (emphasis mine)

This is the blessing:

“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

The Jewish people continue to bless the world even today. Although Jews are a small percentage of the population (0.2%), they have made an astounding number of contributions in the fields of medicine, science, art, and music, for which everyone should be grateful.

Here are just a few:

  • Jonas Salk (creator of the first polio vaccine)
  • Albert Sabin (oral polio vaccine)
  • Galileo (pioneered the use of the telescope for observing the night sky. His discoveries undermined traditional ideas about a perfect and unchanging cosmos with the Earth at its center.)
  • Elie Wiesel (political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor) authored 57 books)
  • Albert Einstein
  • Jerry Lewis (who raised more than 2 billion dollars for his Muscular Dystrophy Association Charity, Jerry’s Kids)
  •  Isaac Singer (inventor of the sewing machine)

(This list could go on and on, but I’ll stop here for the sake of brevity.)

Anti-Semetism

The savage attack on the Jewish people by the evil terrorist group Hamas, unbelievably, launched an anti-Semitic campaign around the world. The pro-Hamas demonstrators, when interviewed, showed little to no knowledge of the history of Judaism or the establishment of the Jewish state.

Ignorance allows dictators and terrorists to pursue their objectives while a properly informed public preserves and protects what is important to a free and civilized society.

If you believe such things are important, offer some gratitude, not hostility, to the Jews.”

Cal Thomas, Gratitude and Ingratitude: Jews have contributed greatly to our world

And now, let’s look at another part of the passage:

“I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;”

God said that.

See the article, Jewish Achievement Through History, for more about Jewish contributions to the world.

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 Should I Read The Book of Revelation?

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Read for Friday, 4/24/26

I just finished reading the Book of Revelation again, and it makes me wonder why so many Christians don’t read it. These are some of the reasons I found. People say:

It’s not that relevant to my life.

It’s so hard to read.

I don’t understand it.

It makes me uncomfortable.

It scares me.

********************************

John introduces the Book of Revelation by saying,

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 NIV


And consider what Jesus says about the Book of Revelation:

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” Revelation 22:7 NIV (The Greek word translated soon can mean quickly or suddenly, also in v. 12.)

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:12-14 NIV

The first time you read Revelation, some parts might be difficult to understand, but there will be many parts that are pretty straightforward.

Chapters 2 and 3, for example, are messages from Jesus to the seven churches. These messages contain warnings and compliments from Jesus and are still relevant today.

The more you read and study Revelation, the more of it you will understand. For one thing, other books of the Bible will help you determine its meaning, especially Daniel and Ezekiel.

So go ahead and get started. You will be blessed!

Note: Here are three books by Amir Tsarfati that I found helpful for making the connections to Old Testament Scriptures:

Revealing Revelation, Exploring Ezekiel, and Discovering Daniel.

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, Jews

What is Yom HaZikaron?

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Tuesday, 4/21/26

Yom HaZikaron is the day of national remembrance in Israel to commemorate all the soldiers and people who lost their lives during the struggle to defend the State of Israel. On this day we mourn and remember our fallen soldiers and all lives lost by terror. Yom HaZikaron, which goes by the Jewish calendar, begins with a siren at 8:00 in the evening. As soon as the siren is heard, Israeli citizens stop whatever they’re doing, wherever they are, and stand firm to honor those they’ve lost. People driving on highways stop their cars in the middle of the road to get out and stand in remembrance. A whole office will stop working and a family having dinner will stop eating in order to spend a minute in respectful silence. MORE


170 soldiers have fallen since Israel’s last Memorial Day. Their names are now added to the 25,648 who have fallen since 1860, when Jews left the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City to establish new neighborhoods in the Holy Land.


“America joins the people of Israel in observing Yom HaZikaron — Israel’s Memorial Day — and in honoring the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism who have given their lives in defense of the Jewish State. May their memories forever be a blessing.” Ambassador Mike Huckabee

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

Psalm 122:6 NASB

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

RealChristianWomen.blog