JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is willingness to forgive others.

The way of following Jesus is the way of forgiveness. We learn this in Colossians 3:13-Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

One story of forgiveness that has had a huge impact on people’s lives is when a mother named Renee chose to forgive Eric, a drunk driver who took the life of her 20 year-old daughter. Renee was then given a platform to speak to groups about the dangers of drunk driving and the power of forgiveness.

Matthew West heard this story, and it caused him to take a look at his own life and ask himself if he could do what was humanly impossible-to choose forgiveness. He wrote a song about it. The lyrics to “Forgiveness” reveal that while forgiveness is not easy, it is possible with God’s help.

Being willing to forgive others is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 119 verse 68.

“You are good and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.”

A decree in the Bible is a teaching from God to be obeyed.

The light of God’s Word will guide us in the good ways of God. His decrees will be consistent with His character. The way to know God’s will for living out faith can be found in the pages of the Bible.

In Micah 6:8, the LORD shows us what is good and what He requires of us: “To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

First Timothy 2:1-3 is a call to prayer for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.

This Light Reflection inspires us to learn and obey God’s good ways in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to grow stronger through our trials.

In the book Trusting God, Jerry Bridges points out that a particular moth needs to struggle to free itself from its cocoon. Without the struggle, the moth would not survive very long beyond the cocoon.

The struggles we face in our Christian journey have a good purpose.

James 1:2 through 4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We don’t have to get excited about the actual trials that we are facing, but we can remain joyful at what God is able to do in us as we experience testing of our faith.

Growing stronger through trials is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 119:45.

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

America recently celebrated birthday number 247. We have enjoyed many freedoms in this nation through the years not experienced by other nations.

Those freedoms did not come easily, but came at a huge price for many.

The spiritual freedoms that we enjoy are even more precious, and came to us at the price of blood shed by Jesus at the cross.

God’s Word shows the way to true and lasting freedom, by following Jesus and obeying His commands. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus is able to set our heart free, so that we are not bound by the control of sin, but liberated to serve others by His love.

This Light Reflection inspires us to enjoy the freedom of living out God’s Word in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to endure hardship.

Hebrews 12:7 encourages us to endure hardship as discipline. When this is occurring, God is treating us as His children.

Sometimes, in our difficult challenges, we might incorrectly feel that God is far away and does not love us as much as He once did. If we conclude that, we become discouraged by our circumstances and feel like giving up on the path we were taking.

However, Hebrews chapter 12 is there to remind us that God still cares in our trials. He is working to refine our faith in Him, not to discourage us. Verse 10 says about our human fathers, “They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Enduring hardship is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to view God’s mercy.

The pattern of the Bible often reveals what God did for us before telling us what to do for Him. Keeping God’s mercy in view motivates us to honor Him with our lives. His kindness leads to repentance.

Here are some examples of this pattern from the Bible. Romans 12:1 says, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.”

Colossians 3:12-“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Before giving the Ten Commandments, the LORD said, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” We love because God loved us first.

Viewing God’s mercy is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 119, verse 105.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

The light of God’s Word gives direction for those who are willing to be taught by God. Lamps are needed in dark times.

The Bible helps us to navigate the journey of faith through a dark world that can be confusing and corrupted by sin.

God’s Word warns us of harmful influences which can distract our focus on Jesus or hinder our spiritual progress. His Word also brightens our outlook with a message of faith, hope, and real genuine love.

The LORD says in Jeremiah 6:16-Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to be guided by God’s word in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 3:12.

Speaking of Jesus, “In him and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

Faith and freedom go together. As we put our confidence in God’s love for us, we pray with the faith that He hears us and cares for our needs.

By faith, we do not fear condemnation for the wrong things we have done, but trust Jesus to defend us as our source of righteousness.

By faith, we do not fear what could go wrong in the future, but live with hope for the good things God has planned for those who love Him.

By faith, we are not paralyzed by the fear of opposition, but believe that God is stronger than our greatest adversaries.

This Light Reflection inspires us to approach God with freedom and confidence in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to turn to Jesus as our Advocate.

Grace is a wonderful gift from God, but it is not cheap. It came at the price of the blood of Jesus at the cross. Therefore, grace is not something to take for granted, but is to be received with gratitude.

When we sin against God, there is a place to turn for the help and hope that we need.

First John 2:1 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Jesus is able to forgive our sins, renew our joy, and restore our relationship with God to a healthy place.

Turning to Jesus as our Advocate is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com