Tag: mentoring

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Riches of His Grace Part 3

“I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you can not bear them which are evil;…Nevertheless I have something against your because you have left your first love” Revelation 2:2 and 2:4.

(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)

This week on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon talk about the material that we use to build a dam and stop the flow of the Riches of God’s grace. Looking into the difference between law, legalism and standards, we find that these things can stop the flow of God’s grace into our lives and even the lives of others around us.

 

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Riches of His Grace Part 2

“According to ht working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places” Ephesians 1:19b-20.

(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)

This week on Woman to Woman Sharon and Janie continue to look at Ephesians Chapter One verse by verse and discuss the “Riches of His Grace.” Some words in these scriptures are difficult to understand, so Janie and Sharon spend a little time talking about the meaning of these words. Starting in verse 11 this week, they complete the chapter with the ultimate riches, “He has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all” Ephesians 1:22-23.

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Riches of His Grace Part 1

“In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7

(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)

This week on Woman to Woman Sharon and Janie take a look at Ephesians 1 as the focus this month in awakening us to the “Riches of His Grace.”  We move from the foundation of salvation which is of Grace to the wonders that we discover when deepening our understanding of the spiritual blessing in heavenly places.  Join us as we look at one of the most uplifting chapters in the whole of Scripture.

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Unnoticed Grace

 “In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7

(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)

This week on Woman to Woman, Janie Ratzlaff and Sharon Hoskins discuss how grace freely given by God goes unnoticed when we get busy in the doing of Christianity. Grace begins to flow more freely in our lives as we allow God to mature us through His word. It is important that we learn to eat spiritually mature instead of staying comfortable with the basic spiritual eating habits. Take a bite of something new and challenging from His word.

 

Podcasts The Fireside Bookshelf

100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know By Heart

100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart By Robert Morgan is pulled from the Fireside Bookshelf to have a look inside.

“Study to show yourself a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Because, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Why? 1 Peter tells us “that we have been given great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the  world.”

Here we have the purpose, the power, and the plan for discovering what the mind of God is for His  children in knowing Him.  There is nothing that can still our hearts and mind, giving a quiet confidence and drawing us into His presence as hiding the promises of God within our soul.

As a child of God we want to grow up and become disciples (learners) that desire to sit at His feet and learn of Him.  In memorizing the promises we can be pleasing to His heart and His Word brings life, comfort and hope to us.  Take some time to focus on the promises of God and in communion with Him, ask that they be made real in your life.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

All of Grace Part 3

Grace fulfills the plans and purpose for our life.

(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)

Today on Woman to Woman Janie and Sharon discuss the importance of understanding God’s grace. The first three chapters of Ephesians give the position of who we are; the last three chapters give instruction on how to walk in who we are. Looking at the first six verses of Ephesians chapter one, Janie gives us much to think about as we hear how God chose us before the foundations of the world. In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

 

 

 

 

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

All of Grace Part 2

This week on Woman to Woman Sharon and Janie continue to discuss the gift of amazing grace. Grace is flowing but there are ways that we stop the flow of it. Not dying to our flesh daily hinders us from resurrected life that God has planned for us. Christ came for us to have life with grace and the cross is the center of that life He has given.

 

(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)

Podcasts The Fireside Bookshelf

Learn the Bible in 24 Hours

The New Translation in Everyday English expresses 11 Timothy 3:16 as follows:  All Scripture is breathed out by God and useful for teaching, for conviction, for  correction and for disciplined training in righteousness, in order to make the man of God adequate, and fully to equip him for every good task.  This is the heavenly solution for our earthly problems. However, to be able to use this precious resource we need to be in the Word and a student of discipline study to glean all that is available to us, NOW.

Proverbs 3:5-7 gives us sound advise to Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not unto our own understanding; but in ALL our ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

What joyful exhortations we are given to make our center of reading and study the Word of God.   Chuck Missler has combined decades of personal living in the good times and not so good times to provide us with a tool that short cuts years of random searching into a detailed outline  giving us a foundation to move forward with knowledge of what is taking place from Genesis to Revelation.

Today’s recap from Ginger Green will draw the hungry heart and seeking soul into an expanding world often gone unnoticed by most.  Learn the Bible in 24 hours has a study guide, workbook and videos to start a home study or study within your church.  If we claim ignorance or indifference to digging into the Bible, we will find that we are the loser and our lack of discipline may impact ours and others destiny.  That should never be the case  when such a great resource as this is  available to us.  Thank you Chuck, for a life that fought the good fight, finished the race, and shares in the Eternal Glory of our Triune God for all Eternity!!!

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

All of Grace pt1

Grace According to our Need:  Salvation

Grace According to God’s Plan and Purpose:  Eternal Family

(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)

Janie and Sharon discuss the joy of understanding the full benefits of living under Grace.  For those that choose to accept salvation without finding out the beauty of Romans 6, they will miss living the life that was freely given at the Cross.  Let’s uncover the promise of Christ taking care of all at the Cross when He  said “It is finished.”

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Training the Conscience

“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing” John 15:5.

 

Today on Woman to Woman Sharon Hoskins and Janie Ratzlaff discuss how the conscience is trained by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches and brings to our remembrance all that Jesus has said. When we spend time with God, we will learn His character, statutes, precepts, and His word will fill our heart. Staying connected to the vine will give us the strength to bear the pressures of trials we face and increase a good conscience.

Podcasts The Fireside Bookshelf

If You Will Ask

“Prayer” changes things” is a phrase we use a lot.  Oswald Chambers would change that phrase to “prayer  changes me,” and then I  change things. Sometimes we pray but God does not answer in the way we want and His silences troubles our senses.  If that is the case, our understanding of grace is very elementary.

One of our main problems is that we focus our prayers on ourselves instead of on God. The purpose of prayer is not to get healed,  get a job, get our house sold or whatever else we want.  It is to get “the life of God in us;” to be transformed into Himself, knowing Him as the Giver, not just receiving good gifts from Him.

We may faithfully pray for others only to hear the silence on Heaven.  He never promised that He would answer in “your time”, but in His time, and in the meantime redeem  the time for the days are evil.

Ephesians 6 gives us a glimpse into the purpose  of prayer; the role of a warrior.  We are  called to stand against the enemy and putting on the armor to wage warfare is where victories are seen.  Persevering supplications and intercessions should be a part of our daily walk.  What stop the flow by our busyness.  Busy people do not have time to pray and we all  suffer loss.  Learning how the Lord asks us to pray, according to His mind should be a privilege and priority. We are called to be overcomers and so there must be some conflict to overcome.  IF YOU WILL ASK lends instruction, hope, and comfort for  a life of change.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Character Bullet Points

Integrity is living your convictions from the Word of God WITH DISCIPLINE.  Character is integrity applied in WISDOM.

We must in the Word to know the Word so we can apply the Word when facing any  challenges that bring us in  conflict with the mind of Christ and living in unity with one another.

As we have talked about friendship and the vital need for such relationships, we find some “bullet points” in Scripture that help us focus on our foundation of having a clean heart and conscience to guide us; keeping us from falling into the trap of the wiles of the enemy.

Today, we gain understanding about  relationships of friendships and see what is necessary for enjoying “friends of character.”

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Character Qualities

Friendships are extremely important to a healthy lifestyle.  If we have a desire to develop mutual enjoyment of our friendships, it is good to be comfortable with your friend knowing your strengths and weakness.  Being able to hear the expression “Celebrate their strengths and shore up their weakness” in your  relationships will assist with character development in a protected environment. Many times a negative response may be the misuse of an unrecognized  positive character.  Such as: Giving up needs to learn Endurance, Anxiety needs to exchange its thinking for Security.

When we see our friends struggling with certain negative thought patterns, searching the scriptures for the counter quality can strengthen relationships.

A true friend will not condemn but help hold you accountable for growing in your character development.  Friends can see our “blind” spots without pointing a blaming finger because we all have blind spots.  Hence, the need for character development according to the mind of Christ.

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Character in Relationships

Character: Within the spelling of this word is a smaller word, the word ACT.  Godly character is what we choose to develop as we build a life in Jesus Christ.  It is not a part of the benefits of salvation.  We are responsible as to what character traits we form and then those traits are made known by how we act, public and private.   A strong warning: the person you treat the worst in your life is the revealing of your true character. This is a matter of the heart.


 

As gold is purified by fire and the dross rises to the surface as the heat is applied and dross removed , so our lives will reflect how the heat of trials, testing, and tribulations reveal our true  character development.  Godly character is developed now, not in Heaven.  Crises reveal character.  One way we can know the quality and purity of the gold when refined is by its softness and pliability. Character is refined and developed over time and  a person’s character is what they habitually are.  Seeing the fruit of the Spirit in a person’s life is a sure sign quality character is being formed.  Our character will remain with us throughout this life and life to come.  Christ has given us His disposition so that we can develop Christ like character.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Foundation Of Building Character

Character is not a gift received at salvation.  It must be attained.  Some type of character is in all of us, good or bad.  However, for character that will influence your life now and future, we need to be sure we are building our character on the right foundation.

After salvation, one of the main issues God is after is character development.  True character is usually shown in time of crises, sometimes revealing the best in us and sometimes exposing the worst through our personality and temperament.

There is a little saying that says it all: “Sow a thought and you reap an act; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” Daily choices and decisions do make a difference.

Remember our Father will never put work or service about character. He is always looking at the heart in us, not just the eternal appearance.  Proverbs 4:23 remains true. “Guard your heart, for out of it proceeds all the issues of life.”

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Wounded or Broken

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear” Proverbs 18:14.

What is the difference between a wounded spirit and a broken spirit? How does each differ in the response that comes through our character? What evidences can we find to help us distinguish between the two?

Janie and Sharon discuss how the fire of trials can cause a wounded spirit or a broken one. Life is not fair at times and the sins of others can have a negative impact on our lives. Being a victim of these things doesn’t have to rule our life. There is nothing that we go through that God cannot heal. Remember Joseph.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Developing Christ-like Character

“The the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:7


Developing Christ-like character comes through the fire of adversities and trials. It seems that it would be a sweeter life if we didn’t have to go through the fire of adversity and trials. However, without the fire, life would be filled with many little impurities. Some of them are so small that we don’t even know they exist until they rise to the top in the heat.

Janie and Sharon discuss how adversity and trials compares to the purifying of gold. How we handle the fire could determine if we end up with a wounded heart or a broken heart.

Podcasts

Casting Crowns unto Christ

For those of us that may wonder at the importance expressed in scripture of laying up your treasurers in heaven and living a life for the crowns that await those who choose to live a resurrected life now, let’s realize that this mortal body will be changed at the rapture and it will be our strongest desire to hear; “Well done good and faithful servant.” There will no longer be time to adjust or change our priorities.  Our love for the Lord now will be revealed as we step up to know what will stand the fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ and go into the eternal kingdom.  How we make our choices here in serving and the crowns received will simply reflect our having Him as our first love in this earthly life. This is really is a heart issue if we can see beyond today as God sees.

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Podcasts Woman to Woman

Character Building for the Bema

Pain in this life can blind and bind us to just keep going on, one day at a time.  Our focus during these struggles to keep an eternal perspective becomes next to impossible to the natural “man.” Whether originating from  neglect or cruelty of another, circumstances that harm which the sufferer has no control, some dark hour from the past re-surfaces with no relief in sight, or just the intense pain in physical consequences of living in this “earth suit”, we have been given the promise of.


 

I Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” That is through his strength, not ours. In our own abilities we can and will sink. The provision is from and through him.

At these times we need to remember that God dare not risk the loss of the person in pain, which has cost Him the blood of His son. There are reserves of grace and strength which are lying unrecognized within us.Testing or temptation will bring these attributes to the surface and sustain us.

There are general rewards as well as specific. To encourage us while living with pain, let’s start looking at the general blessings that await us and  what we can look forward to enjoying, forever.

Podcasts

Not A Fan

Ginger Green joins Proverbs 31:30 Ministry with The Fireside Bookshelf. She scours the literary world, both past and present, bringing some of the best Christian books relevant to today’s believers and the pursuit to biblical truth. Airing every Wednesday at 12-noon on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio and kwxcradio.com

Today’s Broadcast features Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

Ginger Green takes us on a journey through the book Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman. As she leads us through this book, she asks several questions along the way that empowers us to search our heart to discover the true intent of our hearts. “Am I a self-empowered fan or a spirit-filled follower” is one question that we will be able to answer at the end, if we will take each step with purpose and honest examination.

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Podcasts

Running the Race

Every action can have a reaction. As we continue today we  examine some incentives on guarding  our thoughts, deeds, and decisions  as they are shaping our tomorrows.

All Christians will one day stand before our Lord  Jesus where our lives in serving Him will be examined. This event is called the Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema).

The sin issue is not the focus as it was covered by Jesus Christ at the Cross, but how we choose to serve Him as Christians  will be the  focus at the Bema.  There will be rewards, however, there can be loss. The apostle Paul compares The Judgment Seat of Christ to the Greek athletic games where people would participate in competition and those receiving the prize would go before a throne where the judge would sit and give the winner his prize and was  known as the “Bema.”

It will be a time of great joy or loss of the prize, depending on how we run the race here. “ Let’s run the race so we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”  I John 2:28.

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Podcasts Woman to Woman

Purpose of the Bema

Some say if you are too heavenly minded you are no earthly good.  The truth of the matter is that we must be heavenly minded if we want to be any earthly good.  Life needs purpose and if we drift or coast through life without purpose we will surely miss the goal Christ has called us to live.

Our Father has one purpose in all His is ways and that is to conform us to the image (character) of His Son,. This may explain our perplexities as to the past, it should control our behavior in the present, and be our guide for the future.

Many times we want Him to just explain the  reason for the trials we pass through and  give us all the details so we can understand what is happening and if He doesn’t we search for meaning and purpose.

Knowing the Father’s heart,  teaches us to be accountable to Him with eternity  values in view. “Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall  confess to God. So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God”

Today we look at the absolutes in Scripture that let us understand the purpose of the BEMA (The Judgment Seat of Christ) so we will live with heavenly vision and purpose.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Sowing and Reaping

As we continue to review the need to live a resurrected life with eternity values in view, the incentive to make wise choices each day can be seen in the truth of Galatians 6:7-11.  The laws of farming applied to  sowing and reaping.

Many will use this passage in a negative application, meaning earthy and fleshly living will result in a loss of good works. However, there is another aspect that sowing unto the eternal and righteous living will reap a bountiful crop with great rewards, both here and when we go home to meet our  Lord.

Today, we look at the principles of sowing and reaping through the eyes of a farmer sowing his seed.

Many of our problems that we may be reaping today are the results of bad farming practices in our lives.  Learning these different “laws” can protect and correct from reaping any future “bad crops.”

Our goal is to make sure that we understand, so that our labor will not be in vain and we can look forward to seeing our Lord and Savior when He calls.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

The Resurrected Life

We are celebrating resurrection day this Sunday.  Arising from the grave and being seen by hundreds confirmed the validity of the spoken word regarding CHRIST IS ALIVE.  We are the only people who can claim our founder is alive and well, preparing us a place to be with Him forever-Heaven. With so much to look forward to we need to remember that a life lived for self may compromise one of our greatest promises of ruling and reigning with Him.

Janie and Sharon dig a little deeper and see what our purpose is in spending time here in preparation for eternity there.  They begin the unraveling of what is the purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ, to many simply known as the Bema. What it is and what is the purpose.  What causes a Christian to look forward to this time and what may cause a Christian to be fearful of this event. How  can we insulate our lives so that we will be ready to meet Jesus and not be fearful of loss as mentioned in the Bible.

The resurrection has provided us the path to maturity and how to daily walk that path with love and confidence. Come explore the connection of the resurrection, sowing and reaping, and life with the Son, Jesus Christ.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Emotions in Dark Times

There are times in our lives when the Lord appears to pull back the comfort and grace that we all want and need each day.  We start to question His goodness and protective care.  When we do, we open ourselves up to another set of messy emotions.   If we do not bring our thoughts captive we can fall under the control of the enemy, unknowingly. The Lord’s silence may simply be His stretching us to grow in deeper faith and trust in Him.

However, if we fail to put on the full armor or God, be ignorant of Satan’s devices, fail to resist the enemy by steadfast faith, or have an unteachable spirit; we can easily open the door to enemy influence.   Pride can come out of our thinking, personality, and emotions in 100 different ways.  We are not to spend our time focusing on the enemy, taking our eyes off of the Lord, who is our strength, shield, and foundation for overcoming.  Nevertheless, we are to look into the Word of God and find out how the devil’s tactics are shown as examples from the scripture.

Thirty-One Kings by A. B. Simpson

The enemy  cannot read our minds, but he can plant thoughts from external sources and internal stored memories.  If we resort to listening, then our behavior will show that influence in our actions and the enemy will know how to further his cause in us.  Remember, he can hear what we say and do. He is an expert in deception and blindness.

Satan’s  downfall of defeat for eternity was in his prideful desire to be worshipped as god and he wants to take us down that same road of worship of self. We all must battle the spirit of pride in our lives; but can learn the mind of Christ to counter false thinking.

We  examine scripture today  that builds truth deep within our inner being to keep us from taking this destructive detour.

 

Thirty-One Kings by A. B. Simpson

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Emotions In Loss

“There hath no temptation (testing) overtaken you but such is common to man; but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but with the temptation also make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Emotions are Messy and sometimes it’s because we are suffering loss; grieving or mourning. Loss comes in many different ways; death, job, career, marriage, retirement, home, dreams, etc. Janie and Sharon discuss the 5 aspects of grief that we usually pass through in coming to terms with loss. They also discuss how stress can be a factor that makes for messy emotions.

Five Aspects of Grief

His Truth Transforms Ministries, a ministry we trust, has some books for “preventing emotional meltdowns” Anger, Anxieties, Depression, Fear, and Guilt.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Emotions are Manageable

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” Ephesians 6:12.

We can never figure out flesh and we should never fight people in the flesh, but give all those cares to the Lord. Managing our emotions is a process of building the character of Christ in us. When we learn to take our thoughts captive and manage our emotions that come from those thoughts, God can build His character in us. His character can be described as calm, tranquil, tender and these are things we can ask Him to build in us.

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Podcasts Woman to Woman

Emotions are Messengers Pt. 2

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you” John 14:26.

Janie and Sharon continue to discuss the importance of knowing how to hear the messages that emotions are bringing to us. Where do emotions come from and how can we distinguish what they are saying.

“At a very early age, we begin to receive messages and impressions about ourselves from those around us; parents, brothers, sisters, kids on the playgrounds, teachers, etc. These messages results in approval/acceptance that makes us feel OK about ourselves, or bring disapproval/rejection that makes us feel bad.”

 

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Podcasts Woman to Woman

Emotions are Messengers Pt. 1

There are different frequencies between AM and FM Radio.  If listening to AM stations you cannot hear the FM stations  and listening to the FM stations you cannot hear the AM stations.  You do not choose what is put on the AM or FM frequencies but you can choose which frequency you listen to.

The same is true of your mind.  Spiritual conflicts begin in the mind. You have one mind with two sources of programming from which to choose-either self pleasing or God pleasing.

We are programmed through our five senses, sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. As we use these senses they  produces thoughts and/or arouses memories. Depending on what you “ listen” to through your senses  your mind will express corresponding emotions; influencing your actions of behavior. Behavior becomes  a habit and a habit becomes a lifestyle.  Now we can understand the importance of listening to the right “frequency.”

Learn how to set the frequency that will tune-in to living in quiet confidence in the midst of your circumstances. One brings health and healing, the other brings confusion and defeat.

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Podcasts Woman to Woman

Rx PreScriptures

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Joy is a state of being and a gift from God-given to those who wait and trust on Him in the difficult time of life; those ready for a total commitment to the plan and purpose God has for us.  Sometimes we fail to move forward because we lack vision even after the desire to serve is within our hearts.

Proverbs 29:18 tells us “where there is no vision, the people perish” (or run wild).  We are in an age and culture where our vision has become very short-sighted and rather than having a single focus we are occupied with over stimulation of choices from the world around us, robbing us of the precious promises that are waiting for those that will “walk the talk”.

Many mistake joy with happiness.  Feelings, also a gift, when positive can also feel like joy.  We need to learn how God has made us.  The brain has a major role in how the body passes on information we gather from our senses and thinking.  Understanding how the brain works in behalf of the body and how it can work against us is determined by us.  “As a man thinks, so is he.”  Study along with us as we start an adventure inside the body, as it has been purchased by  the Lord Jesus on the Cross as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit to work through us.

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Joy in Adversity

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” Philippians 4:4


 

Joy is very often associated with adversity in scripture as the result  of accepting the hard times of life.  We don’t wait for the hard times to come before we learn the art of living in joy and developing the mind-set our Lord shows us throughout the Word.  Adversity can promote the progress of the Gospel in many different ways.  We must not make it our goal to get out of difficult situations as these may be a part of the calling of God in working out His eternal plan and purpose for getting the Good News to all.  Resting in His wisdom for each of our lives will keep us from discouragement and wanting to throw in the towel when we think we have heard His voice and then plans don’t go according to our best in intent, agenda, and desire.

Adversity  will have unknowns and complexities, but the foundation that will hold us fast is: looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher our of faith, renewing our mind in the word, bringing every thought into captivity in a commitment of total surrender, acknowledging our fears and dread of the unknown.  Claiming JOY is all circumstances and learning how to apply, and finally waiting on the renewed mercies to live one day and maybe each hour in trust, obedience; made possible through love and led by the Holy Spirit as Grace Covers All.

Podcasts

The Attitude of Joy

Attitudes are the foundation on which our actions are built.

This sentences gives us a picture of the important role attitudes play in our lives. Our attitude must start from scripture – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these” Mark 12:30-31. Putting Jesus first, Others second, and You last will produce real JOY, but living out JOY cannot be done in our own strength. The scriptures are what gives life to joy in our lives. Joy is experienced through a leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul gives us an example of joy in his letter the Philippians; which was written while he was chained in prison, yet joy flowed from his heart.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg TheAttitudeOfJoy width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Podcasts

Joy of the Lord

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in Your presences is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Psalm 16:11

The new year is here and we are wishing people Happy New Year.  We want people to enjoy the new year putting old memories behind and looking to a bright future.  Some people are very sincere when they give this salutation ,and some say it as a matter of tradition. But is happy as good as it gets?

The Lord offered a better word in place of happy.  It is joy.  Happy is connected with happenings and some are good and some not  so good.  When we depend on our circumstances to determine how our emotions and thinking relate to our happiness, happy falls short of what is being offered by the Lord. His joy comes from delighting to do the will of His Father and prays that His disciples may have this joy fulfilled in themselves.  John 17.22

Discover with us the surprises that await when we choose to see His example, understand the joy He offers, and follow the path that leads to true joy regardless of our outward condition.

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Podcasts

The Cross: The Real Deal

“I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known to you” John 15:15.

The Father and the Son were an example of friendship that we can have with our Lord. We are brought into that friendship as partakers in the “inner circle” of friends. Sharon Hoskins and Janie Ratzlaff discuss the opportunity of friendship that we have been given and what true friendship looks like. True friends are hard to find, but a friendship with Jesus is the Real Deal. As Christians, how can we be true friends to all those around us? We should be a peculiar people but it seems that we look more like the world than we do God’s own. How can we be a friend back to God in His faithfulness to us as a friend? These are questions of discussion for our challenging conversation today.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK [archiveorg TheCrossTheRealDeal width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Podcasts

The Cross: The Price of Love

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16.

Our modern culture, flowing over into the church says there is a new way to crucify self without having to go through discomfort. The  principle of holding to the Word without dual controls is to know: Your personal faith is to be  centered upon what God has said to you, and about you, in His eternal Word.   Your faith is not to be governed by your experience, or situation and condition, what you think He is doing, or not doing.

If we choose to take the easy road we will never know the joy set before us as the Holy Spirit will be hindered in fulfilling His role in guiding us to “take up OUR cross and follow after Me” (the Lord Jesus speaking.) We are encouraged to look to “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.

Janie and Sharon delve into the “new” vs. the “old” Cross and pursue, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if, by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Crucified with Christ Verses & Mind of the Spirit vs Flesh

Pre-recorded on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK

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Podcasts

The Cross: Life and Liberty

“You have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  Galatians 5:13

This is one of the main objects in understanding the nature of the Cross, centered in Christ. “You ran well.  Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:7. Our joy when coming into the family of God is a beautiful thing to see.  As burdens fall from our backs and joy fills our hearts; we plan on this being the path to fulfillment of life.  We must learn that the under lying joy with contentment is ours; however, there are some valleys we can tumble into along the way and if not grounded in growth, we will fall back into our patterns that can hinder our growth.

Janie and Sharon review the “lusts and deeds of the flesh” to find the many traits that may still be clinging to us, unbeknown to our conscious level of thinking.  They discuss the struggle found in Romans 7 and the many reasons we find for not moving forward which brings suffering upon ourselves, as well as the body of Christ as a whole.  We seldom realize WE are a part of the problem with the “salt of the earth” losing its savor. John 8:31-32: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” As the center of our lives, the truth of these words free the believer that is willing to be a student of the completed word of God. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” Philippians 3:12.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK [archiveorg TheCrossLifeAndLiberty width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Podcasts

The Cross: Eternal Value Today

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” 1 Corinthians 2:14.

When looking for something that will satisfy, clam, stabilize, and bring direction to our lives, we never realize that a Person; not a method or system, is the answer. These qualities are offered with a guarantee and the only requirement is to accept the offer as a free gift from the Giver; and then follow the instructions for success.

Janie and Sharon hope to offer a simple and practical explanation to what holds and hinders us; resulting in a frustrating painful lifestyle. To live a sub-standard Christian life raises questions about the Bible-does it NOT have all the answers. Yes it does, if one will learn and apply what has been written, guided by the Holy Spirit.  Learning to take advantage of the eternal value that the Cross has provided for us today. After salvation, we need to have some boot camp training; and boot camp training comes from discipleship and mentoring. Those that can teach us are the very ones we are rejecting. You can find teaching handouts In Christ and Romans to help you retrain your brain in the things of the Lord.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK [archiveorg TheCrossEternalValueToday width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Podcasts

The Cross: Bundle of Blessing

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God” Hebrews 6:1.

Christians today are thankful for their salvation and the abundant blessings given as free gifts to each person that accepts the offer of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. However, there still remains blindness and lack of applying the other blessings that were given at the same time on the Cross. You will never learn these Truths by faith in comfortable surroundings.  God gives us promises in a quiet hour; He seals His promises with great and gracious words. Then He steps back and waits while we choose to believe, then He lets the tempter  come, and the test seems to  contradict all that He has spoken.  It is then that faith can win the victory.  This is the time to look into His face and say. “I believe, Lord and that is shall be done as it was told me.”

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg TheCrossBundleOfBlessing width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

His Word tells us of His completed work on the Cross when He  cried out; “It is Finished” and committed His Spirit to His Father for safe keeping even amidst the most horrible death that will ever be known. Let’s explore the beauty in the bundle of His finished accomplishments and how, with simplicity, we can know, count on, and yield to the heart of The Godhead to find our true purpose in walking through the high and lows of life.

 

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Being Renewed

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” Isaiah 40:31.

It takes strength and courage to live a Christian life and those attributes can be found only in the Lord. The battles of life can be overwhelming at times, but the Lord will give us the deeper strength that is needed to go through those battles victoriously. We live in an antagonistic world, we face an avalanche of opposition, we meet violent attacks from the enemy, and we fight our carnal appetites of the flesh. We cannot rely on our loved ones to sustain, renew, strengthen, or encourage us; this all comes from the Lord. We are being renewed in strength, courage, wisdom, insight, confidence, and so much more as we wait upon Him each day. Find out more about being renewed in Waiting upon the Lord  and  www.rarechristianbooks.com Find the 7 protocols of forgiveness at www.forgivingforward.com

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove Ok

Podcasts

Unplug Your Busyness Part 3

Jesus said to His disciples, “Come you yourselves apart into a deserted place and rest a while” Mark 6:31.

Sharon Hoskins and Janie Ratzlaff discuss the unplugging of our busyness to spend time with God. They bring out some of the characteristics of the ones Jesus called during His time here in the flesh. They also discuss the struggles of some of the greatest men in history and how we can be encouraged in the fact that we don’t have to be perfect in our service to the Lord. When we plug into His power source, it is by His power that we are able to work in busyness and rest in the same. Janie shared the resource “31 Kings” for the struggles with self. You can find many other great resources at www.rarechristianbooks.com

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK [archiveorg UnplugYourBusynessPart3 width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Unplug Your Busyness Part 2

“The thief comes not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come (Jesus said) that they (meaning us) might have life and that they might have it more abundantly” John 10:10.

Sharon and Janie continue their discussion on busyness and how to unplug. There are times in our life when unplugging is absolutely not possible. Janie shares some great tips on what we can do in those situations. The discussion covers how we can evaluate the busyness in our life to determine the source. What power source do we have our busyness plugged into and how can we reconnect to peace and rest.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK. 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Unplug Your Busyness

“But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise” Matthew 22:5.

Sharon and Janie tackle the topic of busyness. None of us are excluded from busyness, most everyone is affected by “too much to do and not enough time to get it done.” Busyness is often the result of taking responsibility for what is meant for God. The culture in which we live screams GET BUSY! Our children are encouraged to be involved in every activity at school, we are encouraged to be involved in every activity at church, and with career moms today, it seems that everyone is pulling at us from all directions. There are many times when we desire to slow down and get unplugged, but it ends up being more complicated than simply pulling a plug because everything is entangled and shutting down seems impossible. There are some warnings in scripture that we need to be aware of and evaluate where we are in the busyness of our own lives.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK

Podcasts Woman to Woman

I Beseech You

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” Romans 12:1.

In a loving plea, we are urged to present our physical bodies to the Lord. In their conversations, Sharon and Janie challenge us to get our bodies under control in order to get our minds renewed. Janie discusses how the five senses were meant to be used for God’s glory and how we have mistakenly used them for self. Reminding us that pride is usually at the root of it all, “Ego is the anesthesia that deadens us to our own stupidity.” How true this is for so many of us. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit; where God resides with us, and it is important for us to present it holy and acceptable. Sharon shares how Romans 12:1-2 were life-changing for her and how those verses continue to hold a special place in her heart. “My Heart, Christ’s Home” pdf can be downloaded.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove Ok.

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

The Opposing Six P’s of Pride

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6

 

In their conversations that challenge Christians growth, Sharon and Janie have opened the door to all kinds of reasons why we don’t know or believe who we are in Christ; one of them being the lies that we have believed as truth. Last week they gave six traits that spiritual pride produces in our lives. This week they discuss the opposing six P’s of pride with the traits of humility. Believing religious lies can cause layers of spiritual pride that will plummet our Christian walk, but if we can really know humility it will keep pride from getting the upper hand. Defining Lies handout with scriptures is available to download for further study.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK

Janie mentions Andrew Murry’s book “Humility: The Beauty of Holiness”

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Podcasts Woman to Woman

Defining Lies Part 2

“But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.

Sharon and Janie define the religious lies that we have believed about God and our relationship with Him. Lies that cause spiritual pride, which will poison our relationships, pollute our life, produce anxiety and fears, plunder our prayers, provoke God’s enmity, and prevent spiritual growth.  A lie believed as truth will affect your life as if it were true – even though it is a lie. This is the key principle that is defined with the lies many have believed, such as; “we must earn God’s love”, “we are protected from sufferings”, “I must be a spiritual giant for God to use me.” Some lies are derived from scripture that is taken out of context.  Follow along on the teaching handout – Defining Lies – and have scripture references for extra study.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK 

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK [archiveorg DefiningLiesPart2 width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

 

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Defining Lies

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK 

The challenge that comes from conversation with Janie and Sharon is to define the lies that you have believed about yourself, your relationships, and the world in which you live. A lie believed as truth will affect your life as if it were true – even though it is a lie. This is the key principle that is defined with the lies many have believed, such as; “money provides security and happiness”, “I must be married to be happy”, “my worth is based on what others think of me”, “the more I do for God, the more He will love and bless me”, and the list goes on. There are many lies that cross over into other lies; we believe one and all its buddies climb on board. It’s time to break the cycle of living in lies and start living in the truth of who you really are in Christ. Follow along on the teaching handout – Defining Lies – and have scripture references for extra study.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg DefiningLies width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Podcasts

Slippery Slope of Strife

“These six things does the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren” Proverbs 6:16-19.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg SlipperySlopeOfStrife width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Sharon and Janie challenge Christians through the conversation of strife, which shows up in the midst of fear, frustration, hurt, and even stress. When we are facing situations in our lives that cause these feelings; strife is usually what comes out of us. As the body of Christ, our bickering, arguing, and splitting apart to start another church damages the name of Jesus and destroys our witness. In our homes, our fighting and contentions have the same results; damage and destruction. It is important to recognize when we are causing strife, to restrain from it, and find freedom. Reading the scriptures about strife will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us directly about our own heart. Many verses can be found in Proverbs; Slippery Slope to Strife is available to download.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg SlipperySlopeOfStrife width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Podcasts Woman to Woman

Attaining What Matters Most

“And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” Philippians 3:12.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK  

Janie Ratzlaff and Sharon Hoskins continue to challenge Christians to know and believe who they are in Christ. Too often we wrap our identity up in temporal things rather than in Christ. Life is centered in a person; Jesus Christ, unto holiness. We are commanded in Matt. 10:38-39, 16:24 and Luke 14:26-27, 33 to be willing to lose your own soul. Flesh has been crucified with Christ yet we “dig up” our stinky selves to go do service for the Lord. Could this be why people are calling Christians hypocrites? We need the absolutes of scripture and move forward in resurrected life.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, Ok  [archiveorg AttainingWhatMattersMost width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Podcasts Woman to Woman

The Character That Counts

“But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” Romans 13:14

This scripture verse lays out two character robes and tells us which one to wear; however, the choice is still ours to make. We are warned, encouraged, instructed, guided, and in this case, flat out told what to do, but ultimately, we are always given a choice. Janie Ratzlaff and Sharon Hoskins challenge Christian growth through discussing how to carefully select the character that counts; Christ. In order to know who we are in Christ, we must recognize the character of Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in putting on His character over our own. It seems easier to just allow the flesh to have it’s way, but we really just cause more problems for ourselves; a tiny mole hill becomes the summit of a mountaintop when the character of our flesh is allowed to rule our lives. Choosing to put on the Lord Jesus Christ takes effort, but in the end, it is the only character that counts. Teaching handouts Roles of the Holy Spirit, and Being Led by the Holy Spirit_page 1, page 2, page 3 are available to download.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK.

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Podcasts

Choosing Your Wardrobe

“For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” Galatians 3:26-27.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg ChoosingYourWardrobe width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Sharon and Janie challenge you to know and believe who you really are in Christ. They discuss the “put on” and “put off” of characteristics that reflect our true identity. Many of us have our identity wrapped up in what others think of us, say about us, or how others treat us. We can also have our identity wrapped up in our performances, deeds, and status (or lack of). Lots of people have their identity wrapped up in their job title, what they own, and how much money they have (or lack of). Our physical clothing shares with others about our career, hobbies, activities, and lifestyles; such as, business woman, athlete, hunter, cowgirl, etc. In this same way, our characteristics share with others who we believe that we are. If we do not know who we are in Christ, then when we are choosing our wardrobe, we are less likely to “put on” some of the characteristics that reflect that true identity. “Putting on” and “putting off” are activities that take place in the inner-man through the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Identifying the characteristics that need to be “put off” and replacing them with the characteristics that need to be “put on” can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit. Choosing our wardrobe to reflect who we really are in Christ will fulfill our lives and our Christian walk. Get the list of Put off…Put on in the teaching handouts.

 

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg ChoosingYourWardrobe width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]