Christian

Do I Have Compassion?

Cindy Dawson

A Reflection for Thursday, 2/19/26

I realize that some of the sinful ways in my past were a reaction to the pain of rejection and hurt in my life. For that reason, I will not judge others. Instead, I wonder, what pain did she experience that led her down this dark path?

“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

 “[a]Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. Matthew 7:1 AMP

[a]This is not a prohibition of judgment, nor is it a command to stop using godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (cf John 7:24; 1 Cor 5:5, 12; Gal 1:8, 9; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 10)

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.

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The Importance of Discernment

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 2/18/26

“Beware of supposing that a teacher is to be trusted because, although he holds some unsound views, he yet ‘teaches a great deal of truth.’ Such a teacher is precisely the man to do you harm: poison is always most dangerous when it is mixed with wholesome food.” J.C. Ryle

Think about this: People would never follow a false teacher unless he mixed truth with his unbiblical ideas.

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:6-9

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.

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Christian

Challenging Celebrity Preachers

Cindy Dawson

REFLECT ON THIS:

“There is a sacred cow in evangelicalism today. That sacred cow is that men who are producing good works while compromising Christ and His Gospel are being lionized to celebrity status.”  Zephanja Mel

“For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NASB

Myth: a misrepresentation of the truth (New Oxford American Dictionary)

My Thoughts: Does the Church ignore the false teaching of celebrity “Bible Teachers”?

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

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Christian

Protect Yourself From Spin

Cindy Dawson

2-minute devotion for Monday, 2/16/26

Why do people believe they can change their gender? Why do they murder their unborn babies? People insist on many things today that are in conflict with science. Yet they believe them!

There is a case before the U.S. Supreme Court right now to determine if a young man should be allowed to swim on the women’s swim team. Propaganda is more powerful than we imagine. People didn’t believe these lies out of the blue. Propaganda has convinced them that they are true.

We may think we would never fall for propaganda and lies. But there is only one way to protect yourself: Study the Bible. God has given us this treasure so that we will have the source of truth. We don’t have to wonder. We can know what is true.

” … wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth … ” 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Reflect on This:

Watching college basketball is my hobby. When a ref’s call is questioned, the coach can request a review. From your television screen, it looks like a bad call. But when the broadcast crew shows you the play from a different angle, it becomes clear that the call was correct!

In a news report, a person looks guilty of murder. But on another channel, when seen from a different angle, it looks like the shooter fired in self-defense.

This is called spin. In other words, the report you see could be biased, intended to present a favorable (or unfavorable) impression.

“There is a way that appears to be right,
    but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12

“A prudent person sees evil and hides himself;
But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 27:12 NASB

Conclusion: Things are not always what they seem.

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

“But for the Grace of God …”

Cindy Dawson

A Reflection for Sunday, 2/15/26

A man whom I met in the unemployment office had the exact same name as me and was in rags, dirty and smelly. We were worlds apart, but God taught me about His grace.

This was the experience of my friend and brother in Christ, Alan Kearns (Devotional Treasure).

Stop and think about that for a moment. Put yourself in his place. I immediately thought of the saying, “But for the grace of God, there go I.”

Some have attributed this saying to John Bradford, who reportedly said it as he watched people being led to execution for their crimes. In other words, if it were not for God’s grace, that could be me.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

You didn’t get to pick your parents or where you were born. So the next time you see a homeless person, a prostitute, a drug addict, or a rebellious teen, remember to thank God for His glorious grace. “But for the grace of God…

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 the Rich Young Ruler’s Choice

Cindy Dawson

The rich young ruler’s encounter with Jesus is not just about the love of money. There is a deeper meaning, too. 

A man ran up to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He proceeds to tell Jesus how he has kept all the commandments. He thinks that eternal life comes to those who follow the rules, but he’s wrong.

Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor. Then Jesus, standing right there, in the flesh, says, “Come, follow Me.” But the man walks away sad. He wants to hold on to his wealth and all that it gives him more than he wants Jesus.

My thoughts: Many people want eternal life, but not everyone is willing to count the cost. Like the rich young ruler, they want a salvation that requires nothing from them except to follow the rules. But that’s religion, not a relationship with God. God desires a relationship with us. That’s why Jesus told His disciples,

” It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”  Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:25

To earn salvation by following rules would be easier than surrendering your life to Jesus. It’s a matter of who is in control, God or me?

Jesus is explaining to them that earning salvation is impossible. Salvation is the gift of God for those who trust and follow Him with their whole heart.

We must ask ourselves, Do I want to be a Christian on my own terms? Or, am I willing to follow Him with my whole heart?

Read the whole story of the Rich Young Ruler here: (Mark 10:17-31).

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

After God’s Own Heart

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Friday, 2/13/26

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22

“To be a person “after God’s own heart” carries a double meaning. First, it means modeling our heart after God’s heart—growing to love what He loves and hate what He hates.” dailyarmor.blog

My thoughts: The key to being a man or woman “after God’s own heart” is to be surrendered to His will and to put your trust in Him alone. I want God to say, “I have found her to be a woman after my own heart. She will do everything I want her to do.”

Don’t 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

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Thursday, 2/12/26

"And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, 
we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. 
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure; 
one little word shall fell him." Martin Luther (1483-1546)

In any time of need, when we do battle with the forces of evil, God is our fortress to hide us and protect us, and the Word that endures forever will fight for us.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 Read full chapter

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

Warriors of God: Embrace the Call to Courage

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 2/11/16

“Warriors war; they aren’t content to let lies and falsehoods go unopposed. They are by nature those who have a deep abiding desire and passion to make a difference for good and righteousness and holiness in this dark, fallen, deceptive world. Are you a warrior of God?”

Pastor Claude Stouffer, from his post, God’s Got Your Six – Encouraging Words for God’s Warriors

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

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

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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