JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is freedom.

Second Corinthians 3:17 says “Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The Spirit of God is about life and freedom. Where there are elements of coercion, intimidation, or manipulation in relationships, the Spirit of the Lord is not the influence behind them.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, people are free to express their love for God with the personalities that God has given them.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, people are free to worship God openly, using a variety of songs that glorify His holy name.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, people are free to share with each other what they are learning and how God is moving in their lives.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, people are free to serve others with their God-given abilities.

Freedom is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Revelation 17:14.

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.

The end of the age in the book of Revelation reveals a world that has rebelled against the authority of God and declared war against Him.

But their effort to fight against God will fail. Jesus is the victor. His kingdom is coming and will prevail over every force that opposes Him.

The Gospel reveals how we can enjoy peace with God and be among His faithful followers.

Romans 5:1 says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is how we are reconciled with God to enjoy His favor.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be on the Lord’s side in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to follow Jesus rather than the crowd.

Exodus 23:2 instructs us with these words, “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.”

Peer pressure can lead us into trouble if the crowd is bent on doing what is wrong. William Penn once said, “Right is right even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone is for it.” While it can be so easy to follow the crowd, Jesus has another message for us, “Follow me.”

As we do this consistently, day-by-day, step-by-step, His grace and truth will be the influence that guides our pathway forward to a fruitful faith. The disciples are an example of this: They spent time with Jesus. Then, after they were taught and trained, they preached the Gospel and persuaded many in the crowd to put their faith in Jesus.

Following Jesus rather than the crowd is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Ephesians 2:8 and 9.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.

Grace reflects the outpouring of a generous God toward us.

God’s grace is the gift that is a life-saver for us. We cannot earn this grace on human merit. We cannot buy this grace with all of our money. But we can receive this grace through faith in the name of Jesus. He came to save us from our sins. That mission was accomplished at the cross and empty grave.

John 1:11 says about Jesus, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to receive God’s grace as the most valuable gift we could ever have in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to build healthy friendships.

One of the strong friendships that can be found in the Bible is between Jonathan and David.

First Samuel 18:3 says that Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

This language is similar to the second greatest commandment in the Bible taught by Jesus-to love our neighbor as ourselves. This kind of attitude enables us to be a loyal friend. We can put ourselves in someone else’s situation and discern how to offer helpful support for them.

Proverbs 17:17 says that a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Building Healthy Friendships is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Loving our Enemies.

This is what Jesus taught. This is also how He lived.

As the crowd was shouting “Crucify Him!”, Jesus was loving the world, and praying, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

Loving our enemies is a supernatural love that reflects the way of Jesus to an unbelieving world. It’s the kind of love that has the power to turn enemies into friends.

Loving our Enemies is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 13:5 and 6.

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.”

This Psalm was written in a time of deep struggle and questions of faith. The first few verses begin with questions that we might have already asked God in some of our circumstances.

“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?”

Through our honest questions and struggles, we can find hope in the unfailing love of God for us who has provided His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. He has been good to us. That is our hopeful reality in a world broken by sin, sickness, and sorrow.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to trust in God’s unfailing love through the hard questions of life in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Kings 6, verse 16.

Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an opposing army who came to take them captive. The servant went out early in the morning to see the horses and chariots around them. He asked Elisha, “What shall we do?”

The prophet answered, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Elisha’s servant saw their adversaries, but Elisha could see the bigger picture. He saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha and his servant defending them.

With eyes of faith, we see the spiritual reality of God’s grace helping us in our daily battles. Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to see the power of God’s grace to help us in our time of need in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to make things right with someone we have wronged.

Jesus taught in Matthew 5:23, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

God cares about our relationships. He wants them to be full of love, peace, and joy. That is why Jesus is calling us to remove any barriers that keep us from experiencing fulfilling relationships. He calls us to seek reconciliation. This is possible when we go to the person we have wronged, confess what we have done, and seek forgiveness. These steps open the door for strained relationships to be restored.

Making things right with someone we have wronged is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com