JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First Corinthians 1:18.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

The Apostle Paul, who wrote these words, lived with the awareness that the death of Jesus was his pathway to salvation. At the cross, Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He willingly laid down His life so that we could be reconciled to God and live with Him forever. Embracing this message changes our values and priorities.

The message of the cross becomes the power source of our lives. That’s where God’s grace shines brightly as our source of salvation, and source of strength to live out the Christian life.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the message of the cross 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 offer our hands to God.

This involves reaching up to God in worship, and reaching out to others with generous giving. Both expressions can be used to honor God. Psalm 134, verse 2 calls us to lift up our hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. This is a visible demonstration that reflects a heart surrendered to God.

As we reach out to others, we can be a useful instrument of God’s grace to meet needs and share the joy of God’s love with our service.

The grace of God is effective for changing the way we use our hands. Ephesians 4:28 says, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Offering our hands to God 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 offering our songs to God.

The songs that we can offer to God are the ones that He has planted in our hearts.

In Psalm 40, verse 3, David wrote about God, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD put their trust in him.”

We are not all singers or musicians, but through the generations, God has worked through music to tell His story and lead people to a place of worship. So, today, we can take a song to heart with lyrics that celebrate God’s glory and grace.

Offering our songs to God 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 John 9:35 to 38.

“Jesus said to a man whom he healed of blindness, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’

The man asked, ‘Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him.’

Jesus said, ‘You have now seen Him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.’

Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and he worshiped him.”

This man was given sight on two levels. He could see Jesus physically, and then he saw Jesus for who He is spiritually. This led him to faith and worship. That is where we are led when we see Jesus for who He is and follow Him with a willing heart.

This Light Reflection inspires us to reflect the joy of the Lord by faith and in our worship in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ijy51s5TS7QrkU54ZSNGe?si=ec60f914e5064b12

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

Part of the greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God with all of our mind. This means fixing our thoughts on Jesus, who is worthy of our praise. Our focus is on what God desires for our lives, and the result of that focus point is life and peace.

There is eternal value in focusing on the good news of what Jesus has done for our salvation.

In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul offered this focus point for our minds-“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Jesus fits all these descriptions. Verse 9 tells us that the God of peace will be with us.

Offering our mind to God 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 John 15:8.

Jesus said to His followers, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

This can be our story when we remain in Jesus and gain our strength from His saving grace.

Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

This is one of the ways that Jesus moves powerfully in the life of His followers. He draws us to a daily connection with Him. Out of the overflow of that vital relationship comes a fruitful witness for the Lord that draws more people to Jesus and builds God’s Kingdom.

This Light Reflection inspires us to abide in Jesus and bear much fruit for His glory in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Colossians 1:13 and 14.

God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Apostle Paul was writing this message to the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in the Colossian church.  The difference between knowing Jesus and not knowing Jesus is like the difference between night and day. We see reality so much more clearly when we fix our eyes on Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith.

One of the blessings that we experience is the light of His redemption. The penalty of our sins was paid in full at the cross. Jesus paid for our redemption with the shedding of His blood. He has made a way for us to be forgiven by God. And now, through Jesus, we can go forward into His Kingdom and experience His love forever.

This Light Reflection inspires us to celebrate our inheritance in God’s Kingdom 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 offer our knees to God.

When we bend our knees before God, we are acknowledging that we are in the presence of Someone greater than ourselves. We are acknowledging Him as worthy of our worship.

When Daniel prayed to God, it was his practice to get down on his knees.

The Magi bowed down and worshipped Jesus when they came to the house and saw Him.

That invitation is open for us to approach God in humility with prayer and worship.  Psalm 95:6 gives the invitation. “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

Offering our knees to God 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 Ephesians 2:3b through 5.

“Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.”

The gospel of grace has the power to make the dead live again. It happens for those who have physically died in Christ. The resurrection power of Jesus is able to raise them to eternal life.

There is also another dimension to this new life in Christ. We were spiritually dead in our sins and not responsive to the words of God while sitting on death row. But the mercy of God enables us to wake up to His love and come alive to His voice. His grace refreshes us with forgiveness. His truth guides us in the way of life.

This Light Reflection inspires us to wake up to the mercy of God and experience new life with Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com