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.

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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

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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

Christian, Jews

Servant Leadership: Lessons from Jesus

Cindy Dawson

Verses for Meditation, Thursday, 5/1/25

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28 NIV Read full chapter

“The more useful people want to be to Him, the greater responsibility they have to serve others.” David 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

Christian, Jews

Quote of the Week, 4/30/25

Cindy Dawson

The difference between faith and fear is focus.” Pastor David Jeremiah

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:25, 28-31 NIV Read full chapter

Commentary: Peter had enough faith to get out of the boat and walk toward Jesus… What people focus on becomes magnified, especially in fearful circumstances. Peter decided to leave the apparent safety of the boat and rely totally on Jesus – until the wind caught Peter’s attention. Whenever believers divert their eyes from Jesus in the midst of a storm their circumstances assume prominence, and they, like Peter, lose heart and begin to sink. The difference between faith and fear is focus. Pastor David Jeremiah

For more on faith vs. fear see my post Choose Faith Over Fear.

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

The Danger of Perverting the Gospel

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read for Tuesday, 4/29/25

“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.”

 “Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-8 and 10 NIV (emphasis mine)

Comments: “False teachers do not look dangerous; they appear enlightened, compassionate, even Christ-like. But their doctrine subtly shifts the focus from Christ to self—your breakthrough, your destiny, your potential. This is a different gospel, and Paul warns that even if an angel preaches it, we are not to receive it.”

Bruce Cooper, from his excellent post, Smoke and Mirrors: Unmasking the Strategy of Deception. You can read it 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

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Christian, Jews

How Creation Reveals God’s Glory

Cindy Dawson

1-minute read for Monday, April 28, 2025

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 NIV

Photo by Gary Fultz on Unsplash
Photo by Gary Fultz on Unsplash
Photo by Gary Fultz on Unsplash

Commentary: Creation declares the existence of God in such a magnificent way that people are without excuse. Even though I am 73, I still stand amazed each night as I observe the night sky when I take Henry (my Yokie) out before bedtime.

During World War II, a saying developed which said, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” Men may deny the existence of God in peacetime, but in a crisis, they call out to Him.

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

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Christian, Jews

Psalm 23: A Source of Comfort

Cindy Dawson

Sunday’s Memory Verses, 4/27/25

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

“Spare no effort to learn this Psalm.” Robert J. Morgan

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

All Kids Need Love

Cindy Dawson

The following quote was not made to get a chuckle based on obvious things we all know about children but based on the psychiatric examination of convicted murderers who experienced abuse in childhood.

Children need love, especially when they don’t deserve it.”

Harold S. Hubert

Hulbert, a leading psychiatric expert witness of his time and a child psychiatrist, knew the potential magnitude of the effects of being a child unloved. He testified in the murder trials of men affected by such abuse.

So, what does this mean to us? One doesn’t have to go far to find children who need love. The foster care system in America is overflowing with abandoned children who need love.

Over 390,000 children are in foster care. 25% of these children will attempt suicide.

For the 23,000 young adults who age out of foster care each year,

  1. 80% of males will become incarcerated.
  2. 40% will be homeless within 18 months.
  3. 97% will immediately enter into chronic poverty.

Poverty creates hungry children that need love. Drug abuse produces neglected children who need love.

According to the National Institute of Children’s Health Quality, Over 20,000 babies are born each year dependent on illegal or prescription drugs and suffer neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a type of opiate withdrawal. That’s the equivalent of one baby born every 25 minutes with drug addiction.

Read more about opportunities to cuddle drug-addicted babies HERE.

Children who need love are in our towns and in our schools. These children may not be in your neighborhood, but they aren’t far away.

Jesus said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10 NIV

Is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart? What is God asking you to do? More than likely, it is something small. Help in your Vacation Bible School? Teach in your Mission Church? Volunteer in a local school as a mentor, or in a hospital for drug babies? Volunteer for CASA? Give a small amount of money to a worthy cause?

Whatever you do, don’t close your eyes to the desperate need all around us.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress …” James 1:27a

There are many ways you can give God’s love to children. All you have to do is ask Him to show you. And remember this:

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

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