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

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue godly character.

In Second Timothy 2:22, the Apostle Paul gave this instruction to a young church leader.

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Whatever we pursue normally flows out of our priorities. That is why it is important to seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. That priority will direct us to pursue the qualities of God’s Kingdom.

It is not enough just to avoid doing bad things. Saying no to sin is certainly noble, but there is so much more to the Christian life than saying no to sin. There is also the focus of saying yes to God, and His plan for our lives. That plan will include the pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

Take the daily challenge to pursue godly character on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Mighty.

This refers to having impressive power or strength.

The hand of the LORD is described as Mighty. When He acts on our behalf, that is a source of comfort for us.

In Deuteronomy 3:24, Moses said to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do.”

It was the mighty hand of God that brought the Israelites out of Egypt, the land of slavery.

God’s mighty hand has the power to free us from our slavery to sin-to redeem us from the power of death, the traps of the devil, and the deceptions of this world. We cannot prevail on our own strength, but with the Lord on our side, we have a strong ally to give us victory. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Find encouragement in the mighty hand of God to redeem us in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-Today’s Word of Encouragement is Adoption.

Parents who adopt children choose to welcome them into their family with open arms.

Adoption is one of God’s spiritual blessings for the person who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. We are welcomed into the family of God with open arms.

Ephesians 1:5 says, “In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise of his glorious grace.”

What a gift! To be included in God’s family and to enjoy the blessing of His acceptance and forgiveness-that is a compelling reason to praise Him every single day.

Find encouragement in the blessing of being adopted into God’s family in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3CrPfGPclEnv23sw8WxLzQ?si=204c843d5c5345f0

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to praise God for changed lives.

In the early church, Saul was a dangerous man. He actively sought to persecute Christians. But one time, when he was on such a mission to Damascus, he had an encounter with Christ which led to his miraculous conversion.

When Saul’s eyes were opened to the Gospel, he responded by faith and became a leader in the early church. Notice how the believers in Judea responded to his conversion in Galatians 1:23.

“They only heard the report: ‘the man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me.”

If we can think of someone who recently came to faith in Christ, we can praise God for the road that they are travelling. Love them, pray for them, be part of building them up in the faith, and celebrate with them.

Take the daily challenge to praise God for changed lives that puts them on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Belonging.

To belong to something is to have a sense that we fit in somewhere, and that we are connected to a group.

We were not made to be isolated from people.  The LORD said at the time of Creation that it is not good for man to be alone. So, He created a helper for him.

The grace of God opens the way for us to be part of God’s family and His kingdom. First Peter 2:9 says to the faithful church, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Belonging to God is a precious connection that brings joy to our heart, light to our day, and praise to our words.

Find encouragement in the opportunity of belonging to God and His family in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to submit to God’s authority.

Before we are willing to do that, it is quite likely that we need to be convinced that God is good and that His love is real.

The truth is that God’s goodness and love were revealed at the cross where Jesus died for our sin. Then, His resurrection power came to life 3 days later. Today, His redemption plan invites us to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. This step requires humility, an awareness that we need God’s forgiveness.

James 4:6 tells us that ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.’

As we respect God’s authority and rely on His grace, He will be faithful to save us and lift us up at the proper time.

Take the daily challenge to submit to God’s authority and find grace for the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Secure.

The most secure place to be is in the grace of God. That is where the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. Our guilt is removed. Forgiveness is our reality, Jesus is our firm foundation, and His love is our source of confidence. Heaven is our destiny. With our focus on Jesus, faith becomes stronger than fear.

Psalm 112:6 says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.”

No matter what happens today, God is still on the throne, and His grace sustains us through times of trial and triumph. Our true security is ultimately found in Jesus Christ.

Find encouragement in the security of God’s grace in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com