Tag: Trust

Christian

Grab Hold of Courage!

Cindy Dawson

1-minute reflection for Tuesday, 2/10/26

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

All open doors offer two choices: to walk by faith or to be controlled by fear (timid). Persecution, infighting, and false teaching threatened the Ephesian church that young Timothy shepherded – and will threaten Christians in the last days. The fearful will drop out. But those who grab hold of the courage (power), compassion (love), and self-control (self-discipline) that God makes available will stand fast until God completes His work in them. (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)

My thoughts: This is courage: having the strength to act despite fear, danger, or difficulty, choosing to face challenges, persevere, and stand up for the truth of God’s Word.

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 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

My Struggle With Unbelief

Cindy Dawson

“But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”  But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:22-24 NASB (emphasis mine)

Have you ever prayed those words? I have.

Jesus’ disciples were unable to heal the demon-possessed boy. The demon would throw the boy into fire or water and try to kill him. Then the father cried out to Jesus.

The father recognized his lack of faith. He cried out, “Help my unbelief!” This is the cry of a desperate father! He knows he needs Jesus’ help to overcome his unbelief.

I know what that feels like. I was once this desperate for God’s help to believe. In the 90s, I became so involved in the Word of Faith movement that I became a teacher myself. I taught two women’s Bible studies and even taught on the radio.

When I finally realized that the Word of Faith teaching didn’t line up with the Bible, I left that church. Eventually, I recognized just how false the teachings of Kenneth Copeland and other “Prosperity Gospel” preachers really were. I had been teaching false doctrine! I was devastated.

I had prayed often, telling God that I surrendered to Him. That was the prayer and desire of my heart. I had risen early in the morning to read my Bible before getting my kids off to school. So why had God let me be so deceived?

Unbelief was crouching at my door. I became more and more overcome by doubt. I couldn’t understand how God could let this happen to me. It didn’t line up with the faith message I had been taught. I began to fear that I would stop believing in God. That scared me, so I began to pray every night, “Lord, help me overcome my unbelief. Please don’t let me fall away.”

I prayed this over a long period of time. God answered my prayers. Over the years since that time, I have learned the true meaning of faith, which means to trust God in every circumstance.

After many years, I have come to understand why God allowed this to happen to me. He is using it for good. My heart cries out for those who are deceived by false teaching.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB

Although God warns us about deception and false teaching, many people are deceived. In fact, the Word of Faith movement is spreading globally, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.

This is why the heart of my ministry is to encourage others to LOVE THE TRUTH. Read and study your Bible daily.

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 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How Important Is the Bible to You?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 2/6/26

In many countries with high levels of persecution, owning a Bible carries a great risk, including imprisonment, severe punishment, or even death. 

In North Korea, ownership of a Bible is considered a serious crime, punishable by imprisonment in labor camps or even execution.

In the Middle East & Central Asia, nations like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and parts of Central Asia, importing or distributing Bibles is illegal.

In China, only registered churches are legal, and it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to attend. These registered churches are highly monitored by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For this reason, many Christians meet secretly in homes, but this is very dangerous.


Even in countries where owning a Bible is not technically illegal, social, religious, or tribal pressure can make it extremely dangerous to have one. In some areas, possessing a Bible can lead to being disowned, losing custody of children, or violent attacks from the community. 

According to a 2025 report, over 100 million Christians still lack access to a Bible due to these restrictions. 

Call to Action:

  1. Pray for persecuted Christians.
  2. Reflect on the danger these Christians are willing to risk to own a Bible.
  3. Don’t neglect personal Bible study.

“I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.

 I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 (emphasis mine)

Source: Open Doors

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

How Do I know If I Really Have Discernment?

Cindy Dawson

1-minute reflection for Thursday, 2/5/26

Don’t assume you have discernment because of your age, the number of years you have attended church, or the fact that you had Christian parents. The question you must ask yourself is this: How much have I studied the Bible for myself? (Have I read it cover to cover? How many times have I read it?)

Notice I did not say, How many times do you go to church each week? or How many books about the Bible have you read?

Reflect on the following verse:

 “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14

This verse is saying that by the constant use of God’s Word you will train yourself to be discerning.

The only way to develop discernment is by studying God’s Word for yourself. You can’t depend on just listening to teachers. That may be easier, but you could be misled.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11

The Bereans are praised for checking the teaching against the Scriptures, and the teacher was the Apostle Paul! Go and do likewise!

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Finding Strength in Despair

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Monday, 2/2/26

"I cry aloud to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
 I pour out before him my complaint;
    before him I tell my trouble.

 When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way." Psalm 142:1-3a

David wrote these words when he was hiding in a cave from Saul and his enemies. Feeling desperate, he realized that his inner strength was melting away. He was discouraged and miserable. He really needed God's help.

If you feel desperate and weak, remember that the Lord is watching over you. Lean on Him. Trust Him. He loves you.

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, women

Is My Life All About Me?

Cindy Dawson

2-minute devotion for Thursday, 1/29/26

Teaching in public schools for 22 years opened my eyes to the reality of some kids’ pain. Father is in prison, or mom is on drugs, this girl possibly sex-trafficked, children come to school hungry, and on and on it goes.

One thing I will never forget is the girl in the Valvoline shirt. I spotted her in the cafeteria one day. What must it be like to be in Junior High and have nothing better to wear than a “Valvoline Oil Change” shirt and a shoddy skirt?

I remember how my mother always made sure I had nice clothes. I never remember being embarrassed by what I wore to school. How must this young teen feel?

Once, I had a 12-year-old student who always had the shabbiest clothes and shoes. We felt so bad for her. One year, before the start of school, someone bought her some cute new clothes and gave them to her anonymously. I don’t know what happened to them, but she never wore any of it. My guess is her mother sold them or took them back to the store for the money.

There are children and adults all around us who need kindness. They may not cross our path, but they aren’t far away. My prayer is that we will not shut out their cries for help, but be the ones who hear Jesus’ command and obey.

“…the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 ESV

“One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” Albert Schweitzer

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Set Your Hearts on Things Above

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 1/27/26

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2 (emphasis mine) Read full chapter

My thoughts: It is so easy to become consumed with the problems and concerns of our present life here on earth and neglect our time with our Lord. Let every day begin by setting our hearts and minds on the things of God through prayer and time in His Word.

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Finding Strength in God’s Word

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Thursday, 1/22/26

“As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.” Psalm 18:30-33

A psalm of David when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

Treasures From Job #5: God’s Greatness

Cindy Dawson

2-minute devotion for Thursday, 1/15/26

God reveals His greatness, power, omnipotence, and omnipresence.

In chapters 38 through 41, God speaks to Job, asking questions Job can’t answer.

“The Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said … where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” Job 38:1, 4

“Can you raise your voice to the clouds
    and cover yourself with a flood of water?
Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?
    Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?” v.34-35

My thoughts: The description of God in these four chapters can be difficult for some to accept. It’s easier for people (if they even believe in God at all) to think of Him as a fatherly figure who will listen to their prayers, someone to go to when they are desperate. They put God in a box to be opened only on Sundays (or when needed). The rest of the week, they go on their merry way, enjoying the things of the world. It makes them uncomfortable to make God more important than that. It makes them uncomfortable to contemplate God’s sovereignty or His hand in current events.

Others see Him as a genie in the sky who gives them the power to speak what they want into existence. Their faith becomes a tool to obtain their earthly desires. This is New Age thought and totally unbiblical. Almighty God is not at the beck and call of His creatures. The book of Job is a refutation of the new age teaching from WOF and NAR.

We learn to know God through His Word.

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 NASB

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

Treasures From Job #4: Trust

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Wednesday, 1/14/26

“Believers talk about trusting the Lord with their whole heart and refusing to lean on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), but no one really knows what that means until circumstances cast them headfirst into a dark and painful place. If we give ourselves fully to God in those moments, we will obtain keepsakes of Him to treasure now and forever.” Pastor David Jeremiah

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

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

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog