Tag: spiritual growth

 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit is in us to continue the work that Jesus began when He came. God the Father supplies our need, Jesus intercedes for us, and the Holy Spirit applies it in our life to be real. We are responsible for allowing the Holy Spirit to share with us the mind of Christ, cause us to bear witness of Christ, and prompt us to glorify God; just a few of the roles He plays in our Christian life. “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life and few there be that find it” Matthew 7:13-14.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” 1 Corinthians 13:1

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon finish up with 1 Corinthians 13 discussing agape love. Giving descriptive words to share what each characteristic would look like in practice so that we can recognize agape love or lack of it in our lives. A person’s attitude (love or lack of) will come out in actions. There are scriptures that help call us into accountability ~ Hebrews 12:14, Colossians 3:5, Proverbs 6:16-17. Psalm 106 is a must read to see the illustration of what it cost Moses due to a provoked spirit. Unforgiveness will become a root of bitterness but there are scriptures that will help us understand the importance of forgiveness ~ Colossians 3:13, Luke 17:3-4, Matthew 6:6-15. And many more characteristics are shared with verses to help us get grounded and you can find a list in the teaching handouts.

“Love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up” 1 Corinthians 13:4.

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon continue to share what Agape Love looks like by breaking down the “love chapter” 1 Corinthians 13. This discussion has come from their topic of unconditional love being used in place of Agape love to describe how God loves us and how we should love each other. Unconditional is defined as unrestricted but no one wants a relationship without restrictions so the word “unconditional” may not be the best word choice to describe love.

Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up” 1 Cor. 13:4.

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss what agape love looks like in the verb form of agapao. Agape love is a choice from our will and not from our feelings. Our feelings can be deceptive to make us think that we are not choosing agape love simply because we may not be feeling love. Love in action (agapao) is a choice of attitude. Every attitude will have a corresponding action.

“Why behold you the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3.

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon continue to explore the phrase unconditional love with the description of agape love. They find that agape is given as a gift to those that believe; apart from Jesus this kind of love is not available. This love is a choice,through our own will, to share or withhold. Knowing what the scriptures say in regards to agape love will help us make the better choice to share it rather than withhold it. It is not based on feelings or emotions but on truth.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” Psalm 19:14.

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon talk about the way words have changed over the years and how we may be using some words wrong without malicious intent. Being misunderstood can be one of the most difficult communication problems that may never be rectified. It is painful and stings deeply. Words matter; how we use words matter; to bring life or death. “Death an dlife are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” Proverbs 18:21.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” Luke 6:45.

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss the struggle to stand in the truth of God’s word. How have we gotten in such a mess? What have we used our tongue to promote? We are living in a day where sin is celebrated. Moral decay is taking over our hearts, spilling over into our families, and we take it to church. It is easier to fall in a roll with the flow because sometimes the current is so strong it is a fight to stand. There is a time to speak and a time to get quiet. It is a caution to weigh the thoughts through a filter of God’s word.

“A lie believed as truth will affect your life as if it were true even though it is a lie”

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

“According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 3:10-11.

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

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss how to build upon the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. The daily struggles of life can take its toll on our Christian walk in applying the scriptures that will help us stand in our faith in the heat of the battle. Finding truth; which is the person Jesus Christ, will give us the right perspective in thinking to overcome many adversities. Jesus is preparing a home for us in heaven and the home He is preparing has to do with how we are living here and now. What are you sending up; gold, silver, and precious stones or wood, hay, and stubble?

“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” Romans 1:20.

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

Janie and Sharon discuss the evidence of God seen in creation. God is the creator of all things. Education and Government are setting the bar for all society to accept evolution over creation. The US Government took over all public school curriculums in the 1990’s before that each school was local. Believing a lie as truth will never make the lie true, it will only cause us to live our life on the unstable foundation of lies. God intricate design of all creation has consistency and continuity that explains why an oak tree produces an oak tree and why the seasons rotate in order.

“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” Romans 1:20.

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

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss God in Creation. It is of the greatest importance for the Lord’s children to recognize fully that, above all other things, His object is that we KNOW HIM. Through the Word, trials and testing, we learn of Him. We also need to be aware that He speaks to us through His creation. The stars, clouds, trees, moon, sky, plants, weather, mountains, the sea, the animals that He give us  all tell of His care, concern of us; His sovereignty over all of life. If you are going through a time of difficulty, then stop, look, and listen to the sights and sounds of His  creation all around us. He can comfort, teach, give and guide as we still our minds and hearts in seeing Him through His creation. Our five senses can help OR hinder knowing Him. Learn the difference in today’s discussion.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father , but is of the world” 1 John 2:15-16.

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

Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss the benefits that a storm brings. Avoiding a storm may seem comfortable and safe, but we are missing out on the benefits that come in the end. Friendships formed, relationships healed, and character built. Even the forgotten dark clouds that hang over our heads with sudden lightning strikes can cause a jolt of nutrients right to the heart.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was notin vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” 1 Corinthians 15:10.

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

This week on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon dive into the three areas of hinderences that can keep us from allowing the Riches of God’s Grace to flow in our lives; law, legalism, and standards. We find out how to use Jesus as the “plum line” rather than the law as the “plum line” even though the law reveals our sin.

“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.

“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.

“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.

 “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.

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.

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)

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.”

“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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

“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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.