JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is the pursuit of Peace.

Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

God’s Word acknowledges that there are times when it might not be possible to be at peace with someone, but we can take steps toward peace as far as it depends on us. What steps can we take?

One thing we can do is consider whether we have contributed to the relationship strain by our own attitude or actions. If so, we can take steps to make things right. This might mean making a sincere apology or offering restitution for those we have wronged.

Another thing we can do is pray for that person and do good things for them. Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. He also instructed us to do good to those who hate us.

The pursuit of Peace 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, verses 4 and 5.

“Because of his great love, 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 mercy of God is rich, abundant, and life-changing. For that, we can be thankful. Where would we be without mercy? Ephesians 2:3 says we were by nature deserving of wrath as a result of our disobedience to God. But in His great love for us, God awakens us from our spiritual slumber to see our need for His forgiveness.

We can be glad that God’s mercy spares us from getting what we deserve. According to the Bible, the wages of sin is death. But Romans 6:23 also says, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That’s the difference between God’s wrath and mercy in the picture of eternity, and that is a reason to praise Him for His plan of salvation.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to receive God’s mercy and come alive to Christ in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Restraint from Gossip.

The practice of gossip often involves revealing secrets about others that makes them look bad. The intent of a gossiper is generally to build up themselves while tearing others down. This is destructive.

The book of Proverbs shows us how that is the case:

Proverbs 20:19 tells us that “a gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much.” This suggests that if we hear gossip, the wise decision is to move away as fast as we can and avoid participation.

Proverbs 16:28 tells us that “a gossip separates close friends.”

Proverbs 26:20 gives us incentive to avoid gossip. “Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” These verses of wisdom from Proverbs challenge us to think seriously of the words we say about other people.

Restraint from Gossip is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 18:1 and 2.

“I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

This is a window into the heart of David who loved God in a real and personal way. We might often think of prayer as a time to ask God for help. That is certainly a noble prayer. But there is more to prayer than making petitions. Prayer is also an opportunity to tell God that we love Him and to tell Him what He means to us.

David was a man after God’s own heart, who sought Him in times of need, trusted God in times of uncertainty, and praised Him in times of victory.

These faith-building verses inspire us to tell God how much we love Him and what He means to us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Isaiah 44:6.

“This is what the LORD says-Israel’s king and redeemer, the LORD Almighty; I am the first and the last; apart from me there is no God.”

One of the foundational truths of the Bible is that “God is God”. He is on the throne, and no one else deserves to share His place of glory.

The implication of this reality is that God is worthy of our worship.

In Psalm 46:10, The LORD invites us to be still and know that He is God; He will be exalted among the nations, He will be exalted in the earth.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to acknowledge God as Lord over our lives in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Acts 17: 26 to 28.

The Apostle Paul said, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they should seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

This insight reveals that we are not here by accident, but rather by providence. God made us for the purpose of knowing Him. He is not distant from hearing the cries of our heart. He is near enough to hear our humble prayers and to save us from our sins. He has the power to restore us to a right relationship with Him through faith in Jesus.

These faith-building verses inspire us to call on the name of the Lord in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Second Corinthians 1:18 to 20.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “As surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “yes” and “no”. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us-by me and Silas and Timothy-was not “yes” and “no”, but in him, it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.”

Over and over in the Bible, we get the clear message that God is faithful. One of the implications of His faithfulness is that we can count on God’s promises to be trustworthy and true. He is faithful to do what He says He will do. So, whenever you see God’s promises in the Bible, you can count on Him to fulfill that promise in His own way and in His own timing.

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust God’s promises in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 34:8.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

This is possible when we live in relationship with God, as we walk with Him, talk with Him, love Him, and trust Him.

As we grow in God’s Word, we will learn the value of His wisdom and the treasure of His love. We will live in the freedom of His forgiveness and in the hope of His salvation. The eyes of our heart will be opened to the goodness of His grace. Jesus will be the focus of our faith. His cross is a reminder of His suffering for our sins. His empty grave is a reminder of His victory over death. His gentleness and humility invite us to approach Him with the cares of our heart.

This faith-building verse inspires us to taste and see that the Lord is good in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

First Peter 1:22 says, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”

Flattery may appear to be friendly, but it comes with personal agendas. Sincere love does not flatter someone with hidden motives. Instead, sincere love is purely motivated to build up others. The pure love of Jesus is the motivating force to reach out to others with words of hope and encouragement.

First Peter 4:8 shows us what can happen when we love with sincerity instead of using flattery. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Sincerity 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 devotion.

Romans 12:10 encourages us to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

We were made for relationships. Devoted love here is an affection love based on friendship. Our relationships have opportunity to thrive when we think beyond our own self-interests and look to the interests of others. In relationships, we can learn together, grow together, and build godly character in each other.

There is joy in friendships where affectionate love exists, where mutual respect is shared, and where each person thoroughly enjoys the companionship of the other.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com