Staff
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3iIIRRCCVxfnqVrCNkCVKC?si=e63d5dc9e4c14d05
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6UHO3Pyle3pkPwhiktmODD?si=7886b1404ae84510
Daily Challenge-Flavor This World With the Gospel
john : September 30, 2021 5:38 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to flavor this world with God’s good news.
Jesus said to His followers in Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth.”
Salt is a preservative. When God’s people live out the Christian life, our influence keeps the world from descending deeper into moral or spiritual decay. The power of God’s love will flow through us to build faith and bring out the best qualities in people.
Salt also adds flavor to food. When God’s people live out the Christian life with acts of service, gracious words, and the attitude of Christ, we give other people the opportunity to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Colossians 4:5 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Take the Daily Challenge to flavor this world with God’s good news on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Harvest.”
This a farming term referring to the gathering of crops after they are fully ripe. It is the time when the farmer reaps what has been planted.
There is a spiritual analogy to this process in Galatians 6:8 and 9.
“A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
We might not always see the fruit of our labor, and in such a situation, the only thing growing in our lives is discouragement. We feel like giving up, but God encourages us to keep pressing on with faithful service. The harvest is coming. Our labor in the Lord is bearing fruit. God’s reward is near when we see Jesus face to face, and hear His words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Find encouragement in the harvest of blessing that is promised for persevering saints in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to be a peacemaker.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Jesus came on a peacemaking mission to restore us to a right relationship with God. He removed the barrier of sin at the cross for all who would call on His name for salvation.
We have a peacemaking mission today to be ambassadors for Christ. We are called to follow Jesus and represent Him while we live in the world. That means, spreading word of His amazing grace to reconcile us to God. The Apostle Paul was one of Christ’s ambassadors. He wrote in Second Corinthians 5:20, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
Take the Daily Challenge to be a peacemaker as an ambassador for Christ on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Sacrifice.
Today, it is possible to celebrate salvation in Christ because of His sacrifice on the cross 2,000 years ago. There was a sacrificial system of animals in place before Jesus came into the world.
But according to Hebrews 7:27, “unlike the other high priests (in the Old Testament), he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”
The price was high, and the pain was extreme, but His love for us was deep and wide. The death and resurrection of Jesus are pivotal moments in human history, and they are foundational events to the faith of Jesus’ followers. According to Hebrews 7:25, “He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
Find encouragement in the sacrifice of Jesus to save us from our sins in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
This week’s playlist has a mini theme celebrating God Who Makes A Way–and a mega theme dedicated to trusting the God of My Story! Check out details below, including brand new songs from Bethel Music’s “Homecoming” project along with fresh releases from Martin Smith, Christ for the Nations Worship, Andy Cherry and more.
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
Take Heart (MMXX) | Hillsong Worship | Take Heart (Again) | 2020 |
Trouble (feat. The Kingdom Choir) | Martin Smith | Trouble (feat. The Kingdom Choir) – Single | 2021 |
Over and Over | Chris McClarney | Breakthrough | 2018 |
Rejoice | Brad+Rebekah | Single | 2019 |
Joyful | Dante Bowe | Circles | 2021 |
Find a Reason (Joyful Joyful) [feat. Brett Stanfill] | North Point Worship | Find a Reason | 2020 |
Mighty (Live) | Andy Cherry | Mighty (Live) – Single | 2021 |
I See You (feat. Brandon Lake) | Chris Tomlin | Single | 2021 |
Sing His Praise Again (Oh My Soul) (feat. Jenn Johnson) | Bethel Music | Revivals In The Air (Live) | 2020 |
Christ Be Magnified (Live) | The Belonging Co & Cody Carnes | See The Light (Live) | 2021 |
Psalm 150 (Praise The Lord) | Matt Boswell & Matt Papa | Almost Home – The Hymns Of Matt Boswell And Matt Papa (Vol. 2) | 2021 |
The Worship Medley: Reckless Love / O Come To The Altar / Great Are You Lord | Tauren Wells & Essential Worship | Essential Worship Songs | 2020 |
7AM | |||
Step Into My Story | Selah | Step Into My Story | 2020 |
Beautiful Story | Jaime Jamgochian | All Things | 2020 |
Author / Perfector | Rivers & Robots | Discovery | 2018 |
Eyes On You | Shane & Shane | Bring Your Nothing | 2013 |
Better Word (Live) | Leeland | Better Word (Live) | 2019 |
So Good (feat. Chris McClarney) | Rita Springer | Light | 2020 |
Remember | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Remember – Single | 2019 |
Immeasurably More | Rend Collective | The Art of Celebration | 2014 |
Youre Not Finished Yet (Live) | The Belonging Co & Maggie Reed | All the Earth (Live) | 2017 |
Just Getting Started (feat. Lauren Lee) | North Point Worship | Single | 2020 |
Rebuilding My Ruins | kalley | Faultlines Vol. I | 2019 |
My Testimony (Live) | Elevation Worship | Graves into Gardens (Live) | 2020 |
My Story | Hillsong Worship | No Other Name | 2014 |
8AM | |||
New Thing (Live) | Hillsong Young & Free | All of My Best Friends (Live) | 2020 |
Hope and A Future (feat. Nate Moore & Chandler Moore) [Live] | Housefires | Housefires + Friends (Live) – Single | 2020 |
Know You Will | Hillsong UNITED | Single | 2021 |
Come Through (Live) | Kim Walker-Smith | Wild Heart (Live) | 2020 |
Your Nature (Live) | Kari Jobe | The Blessing (Live) | 2020 |
Egypt (Live) | Cory Asbury | Single | 2020 |
Abraham | Josh Baldwin | The War Is Over | 2017 |
Promises | Maverick City Music | Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 2 | |
My Story | Big Daddy Weave | Beautiful Offerings | 2015 |
Catch Me Singing | Sean Curran | Single | 2020 |
9AM | |||
10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) | Matt Redman | 10,000 Reasons | 2012 |
Way Maker | Paul McClure | Single | 2019 |
God of New Seasons (feat. Laura Souguellis) | Christ For The Nations Worship | God of New Seasons | 2021 |
Ill Give Thanks (feat. Kirby Kaple) | Housefires | Ill Give Thanks | 2020 |
Jesus Over Everything (Live) | The Belonging Co & Andrew Holt | See The Light (Live) | 2021 |
Only You (Live) | Kim Walker-Smith | Wild Heart (Live) | 2020 |
No One (feat. Setnick Sene) | Cross Point Music | Single | 2021 |
No One But You (Live) | Hillsong Worship | Awake (Deluxe) | 2019 |
Homecoming (Live) | Bethel Music, Cory Asbury & Gable Price | Homecoming (Live) | 2021 |
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Blood.
In the Gospel, blood is the cleansing agent for our heart. Hebrews 9:22 says that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
This is why Jesus went to the cross, so that he might pay the price as a ransom to set us free from the death penalty. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. That includes each one of us.
But here is the good news for us to embrace, and this is why the message of the cross is the power of God for those who are saved in His grace.
First John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” All of our sin is erased. All of our guilt is removed when we come into the light of His grace and truth.
Find encouragement in the blood of Jesus to make us clean before God in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KKnPh0womSNQ1dJHbBsyL?si=91015bb88a7645da
This week’s Praise & Worship Playlist features a mini-theme of the Nearness of God, and a mega-theme Holding onto His Promises! Listen for new songs in the lineup from Jonathan & Melissa Helser, Michael W. Smith, Koryn Hawthorne and local leaders Caleb & Bethany Kuenzli!
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
Glory, Glory (God Is Able) | Crowder | Milk & Honey | 2021 |
Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise) | Shane & Shane | Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs | 2021 |
Run To The Father | Matt Maher | Alive & Breathing, Vol. 1 | 2020 |
Reason I Sing | Phil Wickham | Hymn Of Heaven | 2021 |
Let The Light In | Cody Carnes | Run To The Father | 2020 |
Fresh Wind (Studio) | Hillsong Worship | Fresh Wind/What A Beautiful Name (Live) – EP | 2021 |
Holy Spirit Come | Patrick Mayberry | Holy Spirit Come – EP | 2021 |
Wait On You (feat. Dante Bowe & Chandler Moore) | Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music | Old Church Basement | 2021 |
Thy Kingdom Come (feat. Francesca Battistelli) | Rita Springer | Single | 2020 |
Bless His Name (Ive Got That Joy) (feat. Brandon Lake & Andy Cherry) | Seacoast Music | Single | 2021 |
Never Lost | Elevation Worship | Single | 2019 |
7AM | |||
Better Word (Live) | Leeland | Better Word (Live) | 2019 |
Graves Into Gardens | Koryn Hawthorne & Essential Worship | Essential Worship Songs | 2020 |
Egypt (Live) | Cory Asbury | Single | 2020 |
Hallelujah For Every Broken Heart | Crowder | Milk & Honey | 2021 |
Forever (Live) | Michael W. Smith | Worship Forever (Live) | 2021 |
Hope Of The Ages (feat. Reuben Morgan & Cody Carnes) | Hillsong Worship | Single | 2021 |
Let There Be Light | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Champion | 2016 |
Speak To The Mountains | Chris McClarney | Single | 2021 |
See A Victory | Dante Bowe & Essential Worship | Single | 2021 |
By The Spirit (feat. Franni Cain) [Live] | Pat Barrett & Jon Reddick | Nothing/Something (Live) | 2021 |
Holy Holy Here With Me (feat. Kirby Kaple) [Live] | Housefires | Housefires VII (Live) | 2021 |
Thin (feat. Kirby Kaple) | Housefires | Single | 2020 |
8AM | |||
Proximity | Caleb & Bethany Kuenzli | Single | 2021 |
Draw Me Close | Shane & Shane | Vintage | 2020 |
Draw Near (feat. Kristian Stanfill) | Passion | Passion: Even So Come | 2015 |
By My Side (Live) | David Leonard | The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live) | 2019 |
Hes Always Been Faithful (feat. John Marc Kohl) | The Worship Initiative | The Worship Initiative, Vol. 25 (Live) | 2021 |
Great Is Your Faithfulness | Martin Smith | Back to the Start (Deluxe Version) | 2013 |
This I Believe (The Creed) | Hillsong Worship | No Other Name | 2014 |
Believe For It | CeCe Winans | Believe For It | 2021 |
Man of Your Word (feat. Chandler Moore & KJ Scriven) | Maverick City Music | Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 1 | 2020 |
Promises | Maverick City Music | Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 2 | |
He Will | Ellie Holcomb | Red Sea Road | 2017 |
9AM | |||
Faithful to the End (feat. Paul & Hannah McClure) | Bethel Music | Have It All | |
Believe in You | The McClures | The Way Home (Deluxe) | 2019 |
Your Promises | Elevation Worship | Wake Up the Wonder (Live) | 2014 |
Famous For (I Believe) [feat. Jenn Johnson] | Tauren Wells | Citizen of Heaven | 2020 |
Yes and Amen | Housefires | Housefires III | 2016 |
All The People Said Amen | Matt Maher | All The People Said Amen | 2014 |
Promises (feat. Trenton Bell & Davy Flowers) | The Worship Initiative & Shane & Shane | The Worship Initiative, Vol. 22 | 2020 |
I Still Believe (Faithful Always) | Thrive Worship | A Thousand More | 2019 |
Way Maker (feat. Kristian Stanfill, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes) | Passion | Roar (Live From Passion 2020) | 2020 |
God of the Promise | Elevation Worship | Hallelujah Here Below | 2018 |
I Believe (Live) | Jonathan & Melissa Helser | Homecoming (Live) | 2021 |