Category: Christian

Christian

Should the Church Preach Politics?

Cindy Dawson

One Sunday morning, I attended church virtually. The pastor delivered a powerful message that pointed to Christ. After that, another church service started. That pastor presented a powerful message, too, but powerful in a different way. I listened for a while, but I could hardly believe what I heard coming from the pulpit. It sounded more like a political rally than a church service.

I think we should carefully consider whether the local church should take a political stand. The United States is very divided right now along political lines.

The political preacher I referenced above really got under my skin because his beliefs were the opposite of mine. I know of another case where a Sunday School teacher took a political stance, but not everyone in this adult class agreed. This caused conflict between class members.

The temperature of political talk in the U.S. right now is hot! You can easily get into an argument, even with people in your own party! Emotions are high, and people are opinionated and outspoken.

So the question arises: Is the local church the place for political discussion and persuasion?

The U.S. is pretty much divided 50/50 politically. The way I figure it, a politically opinionated church will turn off all visitors of the opposite side. Do we really want to do that? Is our purpose political persuasion or sharing Christ? Does political persuasion turn people of differing opinions away? You bet it does!

I would suggest that preaching politics only encourages people who agree, and does nothing to change anyone’s mind.

The local church should be open to people of all political persuasions in an effort to lead people to Christ, disciple them, and teach the Word of God.

The point is this: If a church takes a political position, it shuts the door to about half of the people who might potentially attend and be led to Christ. Wouldn’t that slam the door in the face of many lost souls?

Nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus preach politics, nor does He command His disciples to do so. He is our example. His purpose was to save the lost, not to change the government. The Roman government of Jesus’ day was brutal and cruel, yet Jesus did not set out to change it. He was changing hearts.

We are commanded to love: Love our neighbor, love the Body of Christ, and even love our enemies. Our assignment is clear.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

The only hope for our nation is Jesus Christ. And not Jesus Christ dictated from Congress or the White House, but Jesus alive in us and our neighbors. And the only way for that to happen is for you and me to focus on making disciples by loving and reaching to people of all walks of life and background, regardless of their lifestyle, choices or political opinions. And, in order to do that, we have to tone down our politics and turn up our Jesus.”

Daryl Fulp, Missionary

Let us strive to obey the commands that Jesus has given us, and put our trust in Him alone.

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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 Ernie Journeys on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

This Story Could Transform the Way You See Others

Cindy Dawson

Devotional for Friday, 7/31/26

Do you see others the way Jesus sees them? After you read this story, you may change your answer.

As I waited for my daughter in the Walgreens parking lot, I noticed a young man walking up and down the busy street carrying a sign that said, “Homeless”. I tried to dismiss the idea of talking to him, thinking my daughter would walk out of the store any minute.

But she didn’t. I kept waiting, and finally, I grabbed a $5 bill out of my purse and stepped out of my car to talk to him. I asked him if he was from around here. He wasn’t. I asked him about his parents. He said his father was deceased and his mother wouldn’t have anything to do with him because of drugs. I asked him what brought him to town, and he said he was here for the methadone clinic. I gave him the $5 and told him I would be praying for him. He seemed very grateful. His name is Michael.

I rarely do this kind of thing. I give to the poor through other means. The thing is, I can’t get Michael out of my mind. God keeps reminding me to pray for him. I don’t know what makes him special; I just know that I’m supposed to pray for him. I may never see him again, but if I do, I trust God to help me know what to say and do.

The next day, I ran across the following story, and it made me think about Michael in a completely different way.

As a man explored caves by the seashore, he found a canvas bag full of hardened clay balls. Apparently, someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn’t look like much, but intrigued, the man took the bag. 

As he strolled along the beach, he threw the balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it until he dropped one and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Delighted, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each one contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 balls with their hidden treasure out into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

This story made me think. Michael is like one of the clay balls. He doesn’t look like much on the outside, but there is treasure on the inside for the simple reason that he is loved by God. And God has a purpose for his life. We can look at someone and think we see all there is to see. But the truth is, there is always a lot more that we don’t see.

I pray that this story will change the way we see others, making us more approachable so that we can better love like Jesus. Because isn’t judging what makes us unapproachable? It’s something to think about……

May we be transformed!

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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, Encouragement, forgiveness

Lord, Help Me Forgive

Cindy Dawson

Devotion for Thursday, 7/30/26

Are you struggling to forgive someone? Does it seem impossible?  You can do it. God will help you. Remember this: Unforgiveness will destroy you, not them. Even science know that.

There is an enormous physical burden to being hurt and disappointed … Forgiveness, however, calms stress levels, leading to improved health.”

Karen Swartz, M.D., director of the Mood Disorders Adult Consultation Clinic at The Johns Hopkins Hospital

We can forgive others when we understand the depth of God’s forgiveness of our own sins. Crucifixion is the most brutal kind of execution. Yet Jesus pleaded with the Father to forgive them. He suffered heart-breaking rejection at the cross, yet He loved and forgave those responsible.

They crucified him and Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”    Luke 23: 34

Nothing we have to forgive can compare to His example of forgiveness. He suffered and died so that we would be forgiven for all the sins we have ever committed and even the ones we will commit in the future; He asks us to forgive others in return.

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 NIV

Paul knew that the sin of unforgiveness would give the devil a foothold. 

The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians, “I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)

Our obedience to Christ protects us from the devil’s schemes.  You may not find the power to forgive within yourself, but through Christ, you can. Forgive as an act of your will. Your feelings will eventually change. The first step is to tell God that you forgive this person. 

Meditate on God’s promises, instead of meditating on the injustice. The more time you spend in His Word, in prayer and meditation, the less that injustice will have power to hurt you.

Those who won’t forgive show they have not accepted the fact of their own sinfulness and need for God’s forgiveness.

Thank Jesus for what He has done for you. It will destroy the power of the wrong to upset you. Peace and joy are already given to the child of God; God’s Word reveals how to live in it. We must trust and obey. When we choose to forgive, we begin to heal.

I have experienced things that were hard to forgive, but whenever those things cross my mind, I refuse to think about them. I consciously begin to think about something else. Sometimes that can be difficult. Ask God to help you. I’ve had to forgive some big things, but God has forgiven me of some big things as well.

There is only one way to forgive the unforgivable, and that is with God’s help. These Scriptures will strengthen and empower you to do it.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:21-35 NIV

May God’s Word strengthen you today.

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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, CURRENT EVENTS

The Value of Human Life

Cindy Dawson

Quote of the Week for Wednesday, 7/29/26

“To diminish the value of one category of human life is to diminish us all. Slavery, which treated Blacks as something less than human, to be bought and sold if convenient, cheapened human life and mocked our dedication to the freedom and equality of all men and women. Can we say that abortion — which treats the unborn as something less than human, to be destroyed if convenient — will be less corrosive to the values we hold dear?” President Ronald Reagan

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
    ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
    and see that they get justice.” Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT

Not that long ago, we could not have imagined that the world would demand the right to kill their babies. Do not be afraid to speak up for their right to live.

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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, Encouragement

Getting Inspired To Inspire Others: For Teachers

Cindy Dawson

2-Minute Devotion for Tuesday, 7/28/26

(This is a post I wrote before I retired as a special education teacher.)

School is getting ready to start here. Hello Middle School! I know I’m supposed to show the love of Christ, but that isn’t always easy. Sometimes I think my students need a kick in the pants. I have expectations, you know! 🤔

God showed me something profound about expectations. Wolfgang von Goethe* said,

“If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.”

This I know: Some children desperately need someone to believe in them.

Even if you teach in a public school, you can still teach children to be kind, to treat others as they want to be treated, to forgive, and many other Christian values. As Thumper so famously said,
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”

You can set an example for them by being non-judgmental, loving, patient, and kind.

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:7 NIV

Pray for Christian teachers in the public schools. They are missionaries!

*Wolfgang von Goethe is considered the most influential writer in the German language. Did you know his poems were set to music by many famous composers, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, and others?

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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

¹”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe,” Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/quotes/33242

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

I’m At the End of My Rope!

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute devotion for Monday, 7/27/26

Have you ever said that? Have you ever felt overwhelmed, desperate, and alone? When that happens, we must turn to Jesus because He is always watching over us.

In Psalm 142, David is hiding in a cave, overwhelmed by the dangerous situation he is in. Saul and his men are out to kill him! He cries out to the Lord in desperation. He believes that his enemies are too strong for him, but not for God.

“When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.” Psalm 142:3 NIV

The Hebrew word translated “grows faint” also means to be overwhelmed. (Strong’s)

“Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
    no one cares for my life.” (v.4)

“Listen to my cry,
    for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong for me.” (v. 6)

We are comforted and strengthened when we remember that wherever our path may lead us, the Creator of the Universe is watching over us! We are never alone. Nothing is too hard for our God. So we put our trust in the Lord, knowing that He is fully aware of our situation and that He loves us.

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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

Building Harmony

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 7/26/26

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 NLT

Verse 13 is valuable for meditation because fellow Christians and church members didn’t become perfect the minute they were saved. In fact, we are all at different levels of sanctification. May we love one another and build each other up.

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.”

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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 Kelli McClintock on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

A Teacher’s Reflection On Judging Students

Cindy Dawson

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.

But, do I expect others to be perfect? Do I forget to consider that maybe hurts and painful circumstances may be affecting their behavior? 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.

If 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, whom he loves, rarely shows up for visitation and he is disappointed over and over and over again. (All real examples I know of)

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

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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

Choose to Trust the One Who Loves You

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Friday, 7/24/26

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV

“The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”
― George Muller

“George Mueller was a Christian evangelist and director of the Orphanage at Ashley Downs in Bristol, England during the 1800s. He is best remembered for his complete trust in God’s provision, never soliciting the community for financial donations nor accepting any government support. With this unique dependence on unsolicited gifts, his institution is estimated to have received and disbursed over £113 million in today’s money by the time of Mueller’s death.” CompellingTruth.org

Note: That would be over $151,453,900!

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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 wisconsinpictures on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Do I Really Love Jesus?

Cindy Dawson

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 7/23/26

How do we show Jesus that we love Him? He told His disciples,

“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15 NIV

“Such love is not a matter of mere emotions, though emotion is not ruled out. Rather, true love is expressed in obedience. As Jesus loved the Father and obeyed him, so those who loved Jesus would in turn obey him.” Asbury Bible Commentary

Someone said, “Well, we all sin every day,” suggesting it would be impossible to obey Him fully. But isn’t that just an attempt to let ourselves off the hook?

If we truly love Jesus, we will obey His teaching because we trust Him. We will study our Bibles and seek to please Him. I’m not talking about being legalistic; I’m talking about desiring to follow Him, obey Him, and walk with Him each day.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV (emphasis mine)

In His Love, Cindy

“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker

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 Richard Pasquarella on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog