Tag: God

Christian

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

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Christian

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

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 excellent 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RealChristianWomen.blog