Category: Christian

Christian, Jews

Overlooking Offenses: A Biblical Perspective

Cindy Dawson

Sunday’s Memory Verse for 5/11/25

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to OVERLOOK AN OFFENSE.” Proverbs 19:11 NIV

Have you ever been offended by what someone said or did? Of course! We all have! But did you know that God tells us to overlook an offense?

Over 30 years ago, my Bible study teacher recognized that I was upset about something. The next time I saw her, she gave me an index card with Proverbs 19:11 written on it. She probably had no idea that it was going to change my life. As I opened my heart to God’s Word, something wonderful happened! The Truth set me free! 

Read about it in my post, Love Is Strong Spiritual Warfare, HERE.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog


Christian, Jews

Lessons from Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection

Cindy Dawson

2-minute read for 5/10/25

I have been reading the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion and the days that followed. (Matthew 27 and 28, Mark 15 and 16, Luke 23 and 24, John 19 and 20)

I was struck by a couple of things that I want to share with you.

1. Why didn’t the Jews realize that the O.T. prophecies about the Messiah were being fullfilled by Jesus right before their eyes?

Isn’t that a warning to the Church not to ignore prophecy about the last days?.

In Luke 24, we read about how after He rose from the dead, Jesus talked with two men on the road to Emmaus. He said,

“How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27 NIV

When Jesus appeared to His disciples He said,

 “’This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44-45 NIV Read full chapter

Jesus warned the Pharisees,

“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’  and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:2-3 NIV

2. The Pharisees loved money.

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24 NIV

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:13-15 NIV

Isn’t that a warning to the Church that loving money is dangerous? The love of money is detestable to God. The “Prosperity Gospel” is widely popular in the Church today even though the Bible clearly warns against it.

These are just a couple of things that got me thinking as I read the Easter story today. God bless you! He is alive!

Let me know what you think.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

Understanding Faith: What Hebrews Teaches Us

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read for Friday, 5/9/25

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV

What is faith? Hebrews, chapter eleven clearly explains what faith really is. Faith is believing what God has said even when it doesn’t seem possible. For example,

“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.” (vs. 11). Read full chapter

Simply put, faith is trusting God in all situations.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Exploring the New Jerusalem

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read for 5/8/25

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelation 21:2 NIV Read full chapter

The New Jersusalem is a cube measuring 1,400 miles on each side. The base is nearly three times the size of America’s largest state, Alaska! (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)

Other facts about the New Jerusalem:

  1. The building materials included gold, jewels, pearls, and crystal.

2. It’s gates are never shut as the produce and commodities of the New Earth flow in and out.

This video is an artist’s interpretation of the New Jerusalem based on the book of Revelation. Let me know what you think.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

Quote of the Week, 5/7/25

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read

“Turning a blind eye to false doctrine is not humility; it is negligence.” Bruce Cooper, Reasoned Cases for Christ

“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.”  Jude 1:3, NASB (emphasis mine)

More quotes from Bruce’s excellent post, Defending the Faith: A Biblical Mandate for All Believers

“The Bible says those who depart from sound doctrine cause division—not those who point it out. Speaking the truth in love is an act of obedience, not hostility.”

“In a world—and sadly, a Church—where doctrinal compromise is rampant, the call to defend the faith is more urgent than ever.”

You can read Bruce’s entire post HERE. 

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

Divine Support in Times of Trouble

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read for Tuesday, 5/6/25

“God arms me with strength,
    and he makes my way perfect.
 He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    enabling me to stand on mountain heights.” Psalm 18:32-33 NLT

For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. He sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. Read full chapter

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

Understanding Joel 3: A Divine Promise for Israel

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read for Monday, 5/5/25

“In those days and at that time,
    when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
 I will gather all nations
    and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
There I will put them on trial
    for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel,
because they scattered my people among the nations
    and divided up my land (v. 1-2)

The Lord will roar from Zion
    and thunder from Jerusalem;
    the earth and the heavens will tremble.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
    a stronghold for the people of Israel.” (v.16)

Judah will be inhabited forever
    and Jerusalem through all generations.
 Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged?
    No, I will not.” (v.20-21) Emphasis mine Read full chapter

In Joel, chapter 3, God describes Israel as “my people”, “my inheritance”. God proclaims, through the prophet Joel, that He will avenge the wrongs done to Israel.
Hatred of Jews is so wrong that, according to Joel 3, it will be a criterion by which God judges all nations. (Amir Tsarfati)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know 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 from NIV.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

The Messiah’s Prophecies: Insights from Isaiah 9:6

Cindy Dawson

Sunday’s Memory Verse, 5/4/25

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV Read full chapter

Commentary: Written seven hundred years before Christ, this verse caps a remarkable passage of prophecy about the Messiah to come. (Robert J. Morgan)

One scholar, J. Barton Payne, has found as many as 574 verses in the Old Testament that somehow point to or describe or reference the coming Messiah. Alfred Edersheim found 456 Old Testament verses referring to the Messiah or His times. Conservatively, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry.” (GotQuestions.org)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

What Is the Real Meaning of Binding and Loosing?

Cindy Dawson

 Jesus told His disciples, “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth]shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 NASB

What do you think Jesus is teaching His disciples in this passage? Many people believe He is teaching how to engage in spiritual warfare.

But if you study this verse in context, it will become clear that Jesus is not talking about spiritual warfare or special powers. Jesus is talking about conflict resolution in this passage. Read the verses that precede v. 18 to examine the context:

 Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:15-18 NASB Read full chapter

In the Jewish tradition, a rabbi would “bind” (meaning forbid) a certain thing. Or they might “loose” (meaning permit) an activity which might be questionable.

Verse 18 means that what is permitted or not permitted is determined in heaven, not on earth.

As you study the context, it will become clear that Jesus was not teaching on spiritual warfare. He was not teaching His disciples that they could speak to spiritual forces of darkness and “bind” them, meaning to tie them up, taking away their power.

I believed this at one time, but as I studied His Word, God corrected me. As we listen to Bible teachers, we must always consider the context. If we don’t, false teaching can deceive us. (False teaching is often dependent on taking verses out of context.) Never underestimate the power of deception. It is no small, inconsequential enemy.

Never underestimate Satan’s power, and never underestimate his ability to deceive us … “

Billy Graham

The Apostle Paul admonishes Timothy, his son in the faith:

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 NIV Read full chapter

Jesus said, “Consider carefully what you hear,” Mark 4:24 NIV

This passage emphasizes the importance of discerning truth from falsehood, rather than passively absorbing information. 

The key to spreading deception is to convince the audience that the information being taught comes from Revelation Knowledge, something other churches don’t understand because they have a religious spirit. This is pride.

I know this because I experienced it. But the Lord opened my eyes.

If you want to know more about my experience with false teaching, see my post, Rescued From Word of Faith HERE and What Does the Word of God Say About the “Prosperity Gospel”? HERE.

My prayer is that the Church will be wise and discerning by loving the truth, and examining God’s Word daily. I hope that this study on binding and loosing will be helpful as you study God’s Word, the Bible.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, Jews

What is Agape Love? Exploring Its Meaning in the Bible

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read for Friday, 5/2/25

 “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: 4-8a NIV

Commentary: The Greek word for love used here is agape. Agape love is one of the rarest words in the Greek language and is found almost nowhere in Greek literature apart from the New Testament. But it is one of the most common words within the New Testament. It is totally unselfish love. Christ’s sacrifice and His love model what it means to choose love. (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6

RealChristianWomen.blog