Staff
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to clothe ourselves with humility.
In First Peter 5 we see that this call of humility is specific toward how we respect church leaders and how church leaders serve those under their care.
Verse 3 is a message to church leaders: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care-watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Verse 5 has a message for those under church authority: “You who are younger, submit to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble.”
These are the expressions of humility that build a healthy church.
Take the daily challenge to be clothed with humility on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Hope.
Thomas Fuller was quoted as saying “If it were not for hope, the heart would break.” Hope gives us the courage to press on in the faith through difficult trials, like broken relationships or broken dreams.
Jesus is the source of hope we need to live with real optimism and expectation of better things to come.
In Jeremiah 29:11, the LORD says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Romans 5:2 through 5 reveals the journey to hope. “We boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Find encouragement in the hope of God’s promises and the assurance of His love in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
Waiting Here for You (feat. Robbie Seay) | The Worship Initiative | The Worship Initiative, Vol. 25 (Live) | 2021 |
Jesus Firm Foundation (feat. Robbie Seay) | The Worship Initiative & Shane & Shane | The Worship Initiative, Vol. 22 | 2020 |
He Is | Crowder | Milk & Honey | 2021 |
Good God Almighty | Crowder | Radio Single | 2021 |
Joyful | Dante Bowe | Single | 2021 |
Wait On You (feat. Dante Bowe & Chandler Moore) | Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music | Old Church Basement | 2021 |
King of Kings | Chandler Moore & Essential Worship | Single | 2021 |
Beauty in the Death (Live) | LCBC Worship | Rise – EP | 2021 |
Good News (Live) | LCBC Worship | Rise – EP | 2021 |
Still God, Still Good (Live) | Here Be Lions | Still God, Still Good (Live) | 2021 |
Praise Leads the Way (Live) | Here Be Lions | Still God, Still Good (Live) | 2021 |
This Is The Day | Tim Timmons | HERE | 2021 |
Roar | Tim Timmons | Here | 2021 |
Find a Reason (Joyful Joyful) [feat. Brett Stanfill] | North Point Worship | Find a Reason | 2020 |
7AM | |||
O What a Miracle (feat. Seth Condrey) | North Point Worship | Hallelujah (Why We Sing) / O What a Miracle – EP | 2020 |
Oh The Cross (feat. Lindy Cofer) [Live] | Circuit Rider Music | Jesus People (Live) | 2021 |
I Will Praise (feat. Lindy Cofer) [Live] | Circuit Rider Music | Jesus People (Live) | 2021 |
Lord Send Revival (Live) | Hillsong Young & Free | All of My Best Friends (Live) | 2020 |
All My Life (Live) | Hillsong Young & Free | All of My Best Friends (Live) | 2020 |
Run to the Father | Cody Carnes | Single | 2019 |
Nothing Else | Cody Carnes | Nothing Else – Single | 2019 |
Your Nature (Live) | Kari Jobe | The Blessing (Live) | 2020 |
First Love (Live) | Kari Jobe | The Blessing (Live) | 2020 |
8AM | |||
Returning (Live) | Kim Walker-Smith | Wild Heart (Live) | 2020 |
Wild Heart (Live) | Kim Walker-Smith | Wild Heart (Live) | 2020 |
Oh The Wonder (feat. Mike Grayson) | Cross Point Music | Single | 2021 |
Everything Changes (feat. Cheryl Stark) | Cross Point Music | Single | 2021 |
Give Me Jesus | All Sons & Daughters | Prone To Wander: A Collection of Hymns | |
Great Are You Lord | All Sons & Daughters | All Sons & Daughters | 2014 |
Bless The Lord At All Times (feat. Nate Moore) [Live] | Housefires | Housefires VII (Live) | 2021 |
Ill Give Thanks (feat. Kirby Kaple) | Housefires | Ill Give Thanks | 2020 |
House Of The Lord | Phil Wickham | Single | 2021 |
Battle Belongs | Phil Wickham | Single | 2020 |
Come Out of that Grave (Resurrection Power) | Brandon Lake | Revivals In The Air (Live) | 2020 |
9AM | |||
Gratitude (Live) | Brandon Lake | House of Miracles (Live) | 2021 |
Praise Upon Praise | Pat Barrett | Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly | 2021 |
Morning By Morning | Pat Barrett | Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly | 2021 |
Still | Rend Collective | Choose to Worship | 2020 |
Counting Every Blessing | Rend Collective | Good News | 2018 |
Satisfied | Chris Tomlin | Nobody Loves Me Like You – EP | 2018 |
Who You Are To Me | Chris Tomlin | Chris Tomlin & Friends | 2020 |
No One But You | Hillsong Worship | Awake | 2019 |
Take Heart (MMXX) | Hillsong Worship | Take Heart (Again) | 2020 |
Reign Above It All | Paul McClure | Revivals In The Air (Live) | 2020 |
Way Maker | Paul McClure | Single | 2019 |
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue peace.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing peace was one of those instructions. Jesus offers us peace with God that is not dependent on favorable circumstances. Just before Jesus died on a cross, He told His disciples in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Peace is a gift from Jesus that equips us to live at peace with God and with others. First Peter 3:11 shows us how we can be intentional about pursuing peace. “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
Take the daily challenge to pursue peace in relationship to God and in our relationships with others on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue love.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy how to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing love was one of those instructions. God’s love is the compelling influence to guide us in the way of love. Through Jesus, God demonstrated the kind of love that He has for us, and wants us to extend to others. It’s the kind of love that is patient and kind, serves others with humility and is willing to make personal sacrifices for others. Let’s look for ways to let God’s love flow through us.
First John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” And First John 4:11 says, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
Take the daily challenge to pursue love in our way of life on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue faith.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy how to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing faith is one of those instructions. This is how we can shine for Jesus today-with a testimony of faith that reflects His goodness and grace.
At the foundation of faith, we are trusting Jesus alone to save us from our sins and lead us in the way of righteousness until we reach our heavenly home. Our faith depends on what Jesus has done for us.
First Corinthians 15:3 says, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” This is the Gospel by which we take our stand and are saved.
Take the daily challenge to follow Jesus and trust Him completely on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Happy Independence Day!
This week’s Praise & Worship playlist has a Freedom & Fireworks theme.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7LCLCqhCtC1AdiQYvAh622?si=a6b057cc90d3412f
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
Christ Has Set Me Free | Rend Collective | Homemade Worship By Handmade People | 2012 |
Wild and Free | Jason Upton | A Table Full of Strangers, Vol. 2 | 2018 |
Freedom in the Spirit (feat. Adam Agin) | Sarah Kroger | Bloom | 2019 |
Nothing Holding Me Back | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Here On Earth | 2011 |
It Was For Freedom (feat. Jon Egan, Mia Fields) | New Life Worship | You Hold It All | 2011 |
Refiners Fire | Brian Doerksen | Songs 4 Worship Ultimate | 2011 |
Refiner (feat. Chandler Moore & Steffany Gretzinger) | Maverick City Music | Maverick City, Vol. 2 | 2019 |
God Ablaze | Charlie Hall | The Rising | 2010 |
Burn for You (feat. David Brymer) | Rivers & Robots | Discovery | 2018 |
Like a Fire (feat. Steffany Gretzinger) | Sean Feucht | The Things We Did at First | 2016 |
Freedom | William Matthews | For The Sake Of The World | 2012 |
Love Like Fire | Hillsong Worship | A Beautiful Exchange | 2010 |
7AM | |||
Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is (feat. Christy Nockels) | Chris Tomlin | Passion: Awakening | 2010 |
Fires Gonna Fall | Martin Smith | Iron Lung | 2019 |
Burning In My Soul | Brett Younker | Passion: Let The Future Begin | 2013 |
Flame of Fire, Rushing Wind | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Champion | 2016 |
Freedom Song | Christy Nockels | Let It Be Jesus | 2015 |
Living with a Fire (feat. Chris Quilala) [Live] | Jesus Culture | Living with a Fire (Live) | 2018 |
Another In The Fire | Hillsong United | People (Live) | 2020 |
I Am Set Free | All Sons & Daughters | Season One | 2012 |
Freedom (Live) | Urban Rescue | City Sessions (Live In Los Angeles) | 2017 |
SING IT FROM THE SHACKLES | Rend Collective | Single | 2020 |
Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains) | Crowder | Neon Steeple | 2014 |
Chains | Bellarive | Before There Was | 2014 |
Im Going Free (Jailbreak) | Vertical Worship | The Rock Wont Move | 2013 |
8AM | |||
Break Every Chain | Jesus Culture & Kristene Di Marco | Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago | 2011 |
Liberated | Zealand Worship | Liberated | 2018 |
Free As a Bird | Rend Collective | Campfire II: Simplicity | 2016 |
Set Free (feat. Matt Redman) | Chris Tomlin | Passion: Here For You | 2011 |
Im Free (Hymn) / Washed By The Water (Acoustic Live) | Needtobreathe | Acoustic Single | 2019 |
Consuming Fire | Tim Hughes | When Silence Falls | 2004 |
All Consuming Fire (Live) | Chris McClarney | Everything and Nothing Less (Live) | 2015 |
Hearts Ablaze (feat. Bethany Kuenzli) | Philip Herndon | Send Revival EP | 2020 |
Freedom Reigns (feat. Kim Walker-Smith) | Jesus Culture | Come Away | 2010 |
Freedom (feat. Kim Walker-Smith) [Live] | Jesus Culture | Living with a Fire (Live) | 2018 |
I Am Free | Jared Anderson | 51 Must Have Modern Worship Hits | 2007 |
I Am Found, I Am Free | GATEWAY | Monuments | 2017 |
9AM | |||
We Are The Free | Matt Redman | 10,000 Reasons | 2011 |
No Longer Slaves (feat. Jonathan David & Melissa Helser) | Bethel Music | We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) [Deluxe Edition] | 2015 |
Finally Free | Rend Collective | The Art of Celebration | 2014 |
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) [Live] | Shane & Shane | Hymns Live | 2019 |
No Chains On Me | Chris Tomlin | And If Our God Is For Us | 2010 |
Set Me Ablaze (feat. Katie Torwalt) [Live] | Jesus Culture | Let It Echo (Live) | 2016 |
Burn Like A Star | Rend Collective | The Art of Celebration | 2014 |
Calling On Fire | Bellarive | Before There Was | 2014 |
Set a Fire (Live) | Jesus Culture | Live from New York (with Martin Smith) [Live] | 2012 |
Fires | Matt Redman | 10,000 Reasons | 2011 |
Where The Spirit of the Lord Is | Life Church | Death of Death | 2019 |
Free, Amen (Live) | We The Kingdom | Live At the Wheelhouse – EP | 2019 |
Praise Like Fireworks | Rend Collective Experiment | Campfire | 2013 |
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Freedom.
Galatians 5:1 tells us that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
To be free in Christ is to be forgiven by His grace and to walk in His truth.
There are two main obstacles to freedom. One obstacle is trespassing God’s laws, where we disobey God and become slaves to sin. The other obstacle is legalism, where we depend on observing God’s laws to save us. The truth is that we cannot save ourselves by doing good deeds, but Jesus can save us from our sins. That is why He came to the world. Trusting Jesus to save us will set us free from the control of those obstacles.
Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Because of Jesus, we are set free to walk in an authentic relationship with God.
Find encouragement in the true and lasting freedom that Jesus provides for His followers in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qzzIJrYJQ3lGNaVms28WH?si=f30c8ca0709a4526
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue righteousness.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a. young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy how to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing righteousness was one of those instructions. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us to seek first His kingdom and his righteousness. The pursuit of God’s righteousness is to be top priority for our lives. Jesus also said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.
In our pursuit for righteousness, Jesus is the answer.
Romans 3:22 tells us “this righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” We can trust Jesus to set us free from the guilt of our sin. He will make us right with God, and give us the desire to do what is right in the eyes of God.
Take the daily challenge to pursue righteousness on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com