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]

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 1page 2page 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.

[archiveorg TheCharacterThatCounts width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Who Am I?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17

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

Sharon and Janie dissect the general consensus that most people suffer from low self-esteem and what that means for the Christian. This is seen in the lives of people through the decisions being made that are destructive to their bodies, lifestyle, and families. The Christian who suffers from low self-esteem has either not understood, been taught, or grasped who they are in Christ. The question, “Who Am I” plagues many people today. Genealogy and ancestry companies are popping up everywhere because we have this question. People are going to great lengths to find out who they are; even getting blood work and DNA testing; however, knowing genealogies can never fill the void, only Christ can do that. The list “In Christ I Am” is available to download.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg WhoAmI_201708 width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

 

The Age of Grace

“Father, the hour is come; glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You: As You have given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” John 17:1-3.

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

Sharon Hoskins and Janie Ratzlaff challenge Christian growth through the conversation of Grace.  Many Christians have heard that we live in The Age of Grace, but what does that mean? Tackling this question is one aspect of Grace that is discussed. This topic has been sparked from the idea that many people suffer from low self-esteem and how Christians can overcome low self-esteem by knowing who they are in Christ. Focusing on Grace is laying the foundation on which our identity is built. With a firm grasp of Grace our true identity in Christ may be lived.

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

Waiting On the Lord

“Trust in the Lord, and do good” Psalm 37:3 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him” Psalm 37:5 “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” Psalm 37:7 “Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4.

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

Psalm 37 also says, “Fret not yourself.” Sharon and Janie discuss how fretting can cause us to use our tongue unwisely. We have an instant platform with an instant audience and instant responses on Social Media. Fretting can cause us to use that outlet to express things that should be left unsaid. In the world of “instants” that we live in today, it’s important to understand how waiting on the Lord in every situation will help Christians mature in their relationship with God. With this quality, young Christians will be encouraged to wait on the Lord as well.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove, OK [archiveorg WaitingOnTheLord_201707 width=640 height=30 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

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.

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

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. Discussions next week will focus on Waiting Upon the Lord in Prayer and Expectations, Anger, and Bitterness

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

Building the Conscience

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” 1 Timothy 1:5.

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

The word “good” is relative in today’s society; however in scripture “good” always refers to God: godliness, holiness, righteousness. God’s definition is absolute and does not vary from person to person but is the same for all. Janie and Sharon discuss how to build the conscience to have good characteristics. Apart from God a good conscience cannot be built; He is the source to the tools. A teaching handout is available that shows the characteristics of the conscience and some helpful hints to guide in renewing the mind to a good conscience.

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

 

Discovering the Conscience

“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.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK

Sharon Hoskins and Janie Ratzlaff talk about the conscience. Discovering what it is and how to train it. The conscience sounds an alarm to warn against wrong decisions; however if it is not trained to sound that alarm, the conscience becomes dull. Janie describes how the Holy Spirit works with the conscience to help Christians walk in the Spirit. Training the conscience is vital to protect from temptations and sin. Sharpening the conscience in God’s word will renew the mind of Christians so their attitude, conduct, and behavior will look more like that of Christ.

A teaching handout is available to download that will be benefical for training the conscience. Janie and Sharon will be discussing this handout next week and you can follow along.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK
 

Ways to Foster Spiritual Growth Part 1

“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. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing” 1 Corinthians 13 (KJER).

[archiveorg WaysToFosterSpiritualGrowthPart1 width=640 height=140 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Janie and Sharon talk about the many ways that we can encourage each other to grow. How can we bring the generations together and create a culture of mentoring in the church. Why have we become so stagnant and what we can do to change it. A desire to grow spiritual is up to each individual person, in their relationship with God. However, growth can be encouraged in ways that comes from a heart of love.

Recorded live on KWXC 88.9 Christian Talk Radio – Grove OK [archiveorg WaysToFosterSpiritualGrowthPart1 width=640 height=140 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

The Shepherd’s Field – Part 2

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord fore ever” Psalm 23:6.  As part of the topic “Encourage without Wounding” we draw close to the Lord in “The Shepherd’s Field.” There we are filled so that we can overflow into the lives of others.

Part 2 – Janie and Sharon continue to expand on their discussion of the Shepherd’s field by peeling apart Psalm 23 verse by verse to see the beauty of being in the Shepherd’s care.  Women are noted for their ability to multi-task and it is easy for us to add prayers to the “list” of things to do.  However, getting alone with God in a secret place is so important in our Christian walk. In order for us to encourage one another we must first be encouraged ourselves.  When we are filled in the Shepherd’s field, we can then pour out to others.

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

The Shepherd’s Field Part 1

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” Psalm 23:1.  As part of the topic “Encourage without Wounding” we draw close to the Lord in “The Shepherd’s Field.” There we are filled so that we can overflow into the lives of others.

[archiveorg id=InTheShepherdsFieldPsalm23Part1 width=500 height=140]

Janie and Sharon expand on their discussion of the Shepherd’s field by peeling apart Psalm 23 verse by verse to see the beauty of being in the Shepherd’s care.  Women are noted for their ability to multi-task and it is easy for us to add prayers to the “list” of things to do.  However, getting alone with God in a secret place is so important in our Christian walk. In order for us to encourage one another we must first be encouraged ourselves.  When we are filled in the Shepherd’s field, we can then pour out to others.

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

[archiveorg id=InTheShepherdsFieldPsalm23Part1 width=500 height=140]

Encourage without Wounding – Episode 3

“The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” 1 Samuel 17:37.

Sharon and Janie share the story of St. Patrick on this St. Patrick’s Day.  As St. Patrick spent time in the shepherd’s field he drew close to the Lord.  Comparing the story of David, they discuss the importance of a shepherd’s field in everyone’s life.  We will find encouragement from God there which will help us to encourage others without wounding them.  The shepherd’s field is where we are prepared to fight the Goliaths in our life, but without preparation, we look much like the armies of Israel did, hiding and uncertain how to defeat the giant.  “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

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

Encourage without Wounding – Episode 2

“He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.  Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:20-21.

Sharon and Janie discuss how the wounded can get well.  Wounds can be deep and painful or surface scratches that sting, but either way wounds hurt.  Using the hospital as an analogy, they share the importance of taking medicine that the Doctor (God) orders.  Knowing that medicine is available or having medicine within reach will not work, only when it is taken will it make a difference in our life.  Sometimes we look in the medicine cabinet (Scripture) and we just don’t know what to take that will make us better.  Healing is a process that requires covering the wound in His word.  Showing others our wounds only causes infection and disease.

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

 

Encourage without Wounding – Episode 1

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” Hebrews 3:13.  Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.  It is easy to take these scriptures with the best of intentions and hurt others with our words.

radio-mic-adJanie and Sharon discuss the importance of learning to encourage others without wounding them.  Christians have somehow gotten the reputation of being hypocrites who judge others.  Christians are not intentionally hurting others, so why has this become what people see.  Maybe it’s because in our effort to encourage we are being condemning.  It’s time we change how we encourage others and get a new perspective on encouragement.

 

 

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

woman-to-woman-info-cards-lg