Wisdom for Wednesday

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, Tod...

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 shortcomin...

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...

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 li...

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 &qu...

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, Da...

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 ser...

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;&...

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 pro...

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 w...

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 Mrs. Brianna Simpson about how she stays involved in her local church while traveling as a missionary family.   Quiet Resting Places Ladies Meeting Quiet Resting Places Podcast (al...

This week, Mr. Ratcliff is back and joins Crystal to discuss I Thessalonians 4 with an emphasis on holy living, loving others, and the hope we have in Jesus.  I Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught...

This week, we continue our study of I Thessalonians with special guest, Quortney J from @running_redeemed. Quortney discusses the importance of being established in our faith so we will not be shaken when afflictions, suffering, hardships come--and they will come. This episode is filled with encouragement that will help you weather the storms of life with an unshaken faith! Check out Quortney&apos...

Join Crystal this week as she digs deeper into I Thessalonians 2 and what it means to "walk worthy of God." There is so much for us to learn from Paul as he established and encouraged the new believers in Thessalonica, but also from the new believers themselves. They were known for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope as they waited for Christ's return. The expec...

In today's episode, Crystal kicks off her study of I and II Thessalonians with some background information before digging into the first chapter of I Thessalonians. She shares how the LORD challenged her to be known for her "work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." The church in Thessalonica was a great example to others as they waited for J...

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 Mrs. Janelle Durham about her local church, Calvary Baptist Church in Perry, Oklahoma.  Next week, we will kick off our study of I and II Thessalonians. Here's the link to the...

Join Crystal as she digs into Psalm 63 this week and discusses the topic of Spiritual Dryness.  Have you been there? When your Bible reading, your prayer time, your church attendance…it all just seems mundane? It's as if you are going through the motions of Christianity, but inside you're feeling apathetic or indifferent toward the things of the LORD. The solution is found right here in...

This week, Crystal shares a session from a ladies conference at Calvary Baptist Church in Perry, Oklahoma. The theme was "Be Still and Know that I am God" based on Psalm 46:10.  Crystal digs into Psalm 46 and the link to the attempted Assyrian invasion during the time of Hezekiah (found in II Kings 18-19). She explains the importance of "knowing God" so that you will be able to...

After some reflection, I believe the advice, "Just read your Bible," is part of why I struggled so much as a young Christian attempting to develop a daily habit of spending time in prayer and God's Word. I would try to read my Bible and approach it as I did any other book.  I would always start at the beginning. I can’t tell you how many times I started reading Genesis…one chapter a...

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 Chaz and Leah Ratcliff about their local church and ministering in Seattle, Washington. Chaz and Leah serve alongside Kyle and Tiffany McMillan at Skyline Baptist Church in Seattle...

In this episode, Crystal reveals her word of the year for 2026 - Consistent. She shares how she chose this theme, Be Consistent , and how it applies to any goals you might set.   To be consistent is to be reliable, predictable, and steady in your actions, words, and emotions. It's about making steady progress . Crystal discusses her three main goals which fall into the areas of nutrition and...

Join Crystal in today's episode as she finishes the study of the It's Time Bible Study with thoughts on the chapter "Esther: A Time for Courage." The episode feels a little heavy, but we can take comfort in remembering that it is no accident that we are living in this time.  “We are here for such a time as this. And because we know that, we can trust the LORD will equip us to l...

Join Crystal in today's episode with a reflection on the chapter "Hannah: A Time for Waiting" from the It's Time Bible Study. She will dig further into the word REST. Rest is to have a quiet or tranquil mind, not to be agitated by fear, anxiety, or any other passion. It can be a struggle to find rest in this crazy, chaotic world, but the answer can be found in God's Word....

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 Mrs. Rebekah Simpson about her local church and Mercy and Truth Ministries.   Quiet Resting Places Ladies Meeting Quiet Resting Places Podcast (also available on Apple) Treasures f...

Crystal's word of the year for 2025 was TRUST. As she studied through "Mary: A Time for Surrender" this last week, Crystal realized that TRUSTing the LORD fully requires complete surrender. In this episode of Wisdom for Wednesday, Crystal reflects on the past year and explores the thought of saying to the LORD, "I'm all yours!" There is great peace that comes from liv...