Crystal continues her study of Gideon this week from Judges chapter six. Gideon was called. He was chosen for the specific purpose to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites, but first he had to take care of some things at home. 

In order to accomplish what God called him to do, Gideon had to believe God could use him–not because of who he was but because of Who God was! 

The NEW Book, Today's Thoughts... is available now! If you'd like to read the introduction, click here. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• Today's Thoughts...
• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

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On this week's episode, Crystal digs deeper into the lesson she presented at the Quiet Resting Places ladies meeting last week. In this first part of the study on Gideon from Judges 6, you will be encouraged to know that God knows you in a very personal way! When God looks at us, He sees our potential when we surrender our lives to Him. He doesn’t see our brokenness. Our flaws. Our shortcomings. He sees who He created us to be. 

The NEW Book, Today's Thoughts... is available now! If you'd like to read the introduction, click here. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• Today's Thoughts...
• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

Connect with me:

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• Facebook
• Website

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Ministry is the spiritual work or service of any Christian. To minister to someone is to attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.

We are all in the ministry! 

Join Crystal as she chats with her friend Mrs. Lauren Willett. Lauren not only shares about her local church, but also her most recent auto-immune condition and how the LORD has helped her find joy and peace in the midst of it.

The NEW Book, Today's Thoughts... is available now! If you'd like to read the introduction, click here. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• Today's Thoughts...
• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

Connect with me:

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• Facebook
• Website

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In this week's episode, Crystal sits down with her son, Chaz, to discuss some common causes for doubting your salvation and the encouragement we can find in how Jesus dealt with those who doubted. Chaz, now an associate pastor serving in Seattle, Washington, spent many years struggling with doubt and has much encouragement to share on what finally helped him get victory in this area of his life. 

Even if you've never doubted your salvation, you probably know someone who has--or is currently--so give this a listen and share it with others. 

The NEW Book, Today's Thoughts... is available now! If you'd like to read the introduction, click here. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• Today's Thoughts...
• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

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In today's episode, Crystal finishes her study of I and II Thessalonians by digging deep into the third chapter of II Thessalonians. She reminds us that we should desire to be known for our "work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ," while adding "encouraging peace within our churches." She will also share a challenge with you to "put your feet" to sounding out and spreading forth the Gospel as we wait for Jesus Christ's return!

If you're new to the podcast, here's the link to the study guide if you'd like one to accompany your study for I and II Thessalonians. 

Mark Trotter's 52 Weeks of Pursuit, quoted in today's episode, can be found here. 

The NEW Book, Today's Thoughts... is available now! If you'd like to read the introduction, click here. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• Today's Thoughts...
• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

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Join Crystal in this week's Wisdom for Wednesday episode as she shares thoughts about the importance of standing fast in our faith and holding to the Truth of God's Word, while also encouraging us to look Biblically at our man made traditions and why some of them are worth keeping!

Quotes taken from Today's Thoughts... A 90-Day Devotional with thoughts from Genesis - Deuteronomy, Day 35 "Details Matter," pg. 75-76. 

II Thessalonians 2:15-17 KJV

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Old Testament and New Testament Bible History Books by Richard Hester.

The NEW Book, Today's Thoughts... available now! If you'd like to read the introduction, click here. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• Today's Thoughts...
• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Send me a message.

Support the show

Ministry is the spiritual work or service of any Christian. To minister to someone is to attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.

We are all in the ministry! 

Join Crystal as she chats with her daughter, Harley Ratcliff! Harley will share a bit of encouragement for young, single ladies in this episode, along with a challenge to "empty your basket" as you serve the LORD. 

REMINDER - We'll pick up our study of II Thessalonians next week!

The NEW Book, Today's Thoughts... available now! If you'd like to read the introduction, click here. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• Today's Thoughts...
• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

Connect with me:

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In this episode, Crystal moves into studying II Thessalonians. They were facing such persecutions and tribulations, they were misled to believe they were living in the midst of The Great Tribulation. Paul wrote to reassure them and to encourage them. Once again, he commends them because their, "...faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;" (II Thessalonians 1:3) and admired their "...patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations" (vs. 4).

Old Testament and New Testament Bible History Books by Richard Hester.

Next week, we will pause for a Ministry Mindset interview and then pick up our study of II Thessalonians chapter two in June! Here's the link to the study guide if you'd like one to accompany your study. 

The NEW Book, Today's Thoughts... available now! If you'd like to read the introduction, click here. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• Today's Thoughts...
• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

Connect with me:

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• Facebook
• Website

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In today's episode, Crystal continues through I Thessalonians chapter five. Remember we are getting instruction on how to live while we wait for Christ’s return, growing in HOLINESS. 

This section (vs. 16-28) gives us some short and direct commands to help us live pleasing to the LORD.

• Rejoice evermore.
• Pray without ceasing.
• In every thing give thanks...
• Quench not the Spirit.
• Despise not prophesyings.
• Prove all things;
• Hold fast that which is good.
• Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Rest assured. We can't do it by ourselves. It is only by God's grace and He is faithful to do it (vs. 23-24). We just need to surrender to the process. We need to stay sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and be obedient when He reveals things in our lives. That is how we will be able to stand blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We will continue our study with II Thessalonians chapter one next week! Here's the link to the study guide if you'd like one to accompany your study. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

Connect with me:

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This chapter is FULL of wisdom and instruction for us. Join Crystal as she shares how the LORD spoke to her about loving others--along with some caution concerning how we should treat our spiritual leaders and respond when they fall.

We'll continue I Thessalonians 5 next week. Join in on the study! We'll finish up I Thessalonians and continue into II Thessalonians over the next several weeks. Here's the link to the study guide if you'd like one to accompany your study. 

Available Bible Studies and Bible Study Guides (affiliate links):

• It's Time.
• Arise, Go.
• Pullin' Weeds, Plantin' Seeds
• There's a Fly in my Tea!
• Study Your Bible With Me Series

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Send me a message.

Support the show