Tag: love

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.

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

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

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

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

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