Tag: Yeshua

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

Shine Your Light in a Dark World

Cindy Dawson

1-minute reflection for Tuesday, 2/3/26

Jesus taught His disciples saying,
 “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.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Reflect on this: Light and darkness cannot exist in the same space because light dispels darkness just as the rising sun does every morning. We must remember that wherever we take the light of Christ, we are dispelling darkness.

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

The Greatness of Our Lord

Cindy Dawson

1-minute reflection for Friday, 1/30/25

“You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.” (comprehend) Psalm 139:1-6

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 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

Understanding Truth: Guarding Against Propaganda

Cindy Dawson

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

“The naive believes everything,
But the sensible person considers his steps.” Proverbs 14:15

A lot of false information and propaganda is being disseminated in our world today. That’s why it is so important to know the truth and not be misled by propaganda.

Propaganda:  Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a particular cause, doctrine, or point of view.

The Bible is not quiet on this subject:

“The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.” Proverbs 18:17

“A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness declares lies.” Proverbs 14:5

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2

(This verse suggests that diligence and investigation are honorable pursuits for discovering truth.)

“If a lie is repeated often enough, people will eventually come to believe it.” Adolf Hitler

NOTE: An excellent news source on world events is Amir Tsarfati’s Telegram page. Amir is an Israeli Believer, Bible Teacher, author, and speaker. Go to his website, Behold Israel, then click on the News tab to sign up for his Telegram page. There, you can get minute-by-minute updates on what is happening in the Middle East and around the world.

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 NASB.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Contemporary Church Challenges: Insights from Corinthians

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Sunday, 1/25/26

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

“The current situation within the contemporary church is not vastly different from that of Corinth. The body is under attack from the culture, from false teachers, and from the old sin nature of its members. So Paul’s admonition is for today!” (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)

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

Why Were the Pharisees So Blind?

Cindy Dawson

Honestly, I just don’t understand how the Pharisees could be so blind! Jesus did countless miracles, many never seen before (healing the blind), yet they refused to listen to Him. They refused to consider what He had to say. In fact, they wanted to kill Him.

“Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” Mark 3:6

They refused to listen to Jesus because they were not looking for or desiring the Truth. They certainly didn’t love the Truth. This should be a warning to us today, because the consequences of not loving the Truth are dire.

” … wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

This is the downfall of many people. Just like the Pharisees and teachers of the law, they love what they want to believe more than they love the truth. This is willful ignorance, which is different from innocent ignorance.

Willful ignorance is a deliberate choice to ignore or reject clear knowledge of God, often stemming from a desire to follow personal preferences. Whereas innocent ignorance is unintentional.

Five hundred years before the advent of Jesus, the prophet Zechariah warned God’s people:

This is what the Lord Almighty says: … These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.

“Therefore love truth and peace.” Zechariah 8:14-19 (emphasis mine)

We don’t have to be ignorant of the Truth. God’s Word is truth.

Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Did you know that the Bible is the best-selling book in history? It is estimated that between 5 and 7 billion copies have been printed! It has been translated into over 700 languages! And, the Bible is selling significantly more now than ever, with sales in the U.S. experiencing a multi-year boom since 2021, setting new records in 2024 and on track to exceed them in 2025!

God has given us the source of Truth, and it is readily available. May we embrace this priceless gift!

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

Compassion for the Helpless

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 1/23/26

“Blessed [by God’s grace and compassion] is he who considers the helpless;
The Lord will save him in the day of trouble. 
The Lord will protect him and keep him alive;
And he will be called blessed in the land;” Psalm 41:1-2a AMP

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 73 million abortions are performed every year.

The most helpless and vulnerable persons in the world are the ones yet unborn.

Pray for God to open hearts and minds to Truth.

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