Staff
Light Reflection-Psalm 18:27 and 28 Lamp Burning
john : May 8, 2023 5:11 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 18:27 and 28.
You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
David wrote this Psalm. He was full of faith and love for the Lord. He was writing this Psalm in a time of deliverance from his enemies. He was full of joy when he said about God, “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.”
This is what we can learn from David’s experience. If God is for me, who can be against me? Just as God worked in David’s bleak situation, so God brings light into our dark times. He may be the light of comfort in our distress, or the light of assurance in our fear. He may bring the light of wisdom in our confusion. His light is a force to help us face the giants in our lives.
This Light Reflection inspires us to cling to Jesus for the deliverance we need in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
This week’s Praise & Worship playlist has Psalms in songs throughout, from Cody Carnes’ “Be Glad” to “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake and more. Plus, a mini-theme from John 14:6, where Jesus says “I am the way, the truth and the life.” And, new releases from Thrive Worship, Leeland, Jon Reddick, Elevation Worship with Maverick City Music and more!
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
Its Time To Worship | Chris McClarney | Speak To The Mountains – EP | 2021 |
Be Glad | Cody Carnes | Single | 2022 |
Easy To Praise | Patrick Mayberry | Single | 2023 |
With Everything I Am (Live) | 7 Hills Worship | Single | 2023 |
A Thousand Hallelujahs | Brooke Ligertwood | Radio single | 2023 |
Raise a Hallelujah (feat. Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser) | Bethel Music | Victory | 2019 |
Morning By Morning (Live From Worship Together) | Pat Barrett | Morning By Morning (I Will Trust) – EP | 2022 |
Gratitude (Live) | Brandon Lake | House of Miracles (Live) | 2021 |
Rise And Shine (Live) (feat. Mitch Wong) | The Belonging Co | Now (Live) | 2022 |
So Will I (100 Billion X) [Live] | Hillsong UNITED | (in the meantime) – EP | 2020 |
7AM | |||
Christ And Christ Crucified (Live) | Lindy Cofer, Circuit Rider Music & Mitch Wong | I Saw The Lord (Live) | 2022 |
Youve Already Won (Live) | Shane & Shane | Single | 2022 |
Pour Your Spirit Out | Thrive Worship | Lets Have Church (EP) | 2021 |
Resurrection Power | Chris Tomlin | Holy Roar | 2018 |
God Is On The Throne | We The Kingdom | We The Kingdom | 2022 |
The Lords Prayer (Its Yours) | Matt Maher | Single | 2023 |
Forever & Amen (Live) | Cody Carnes & Kari Jobe | God Is Good! (Live) | 2022 |
Ancient Gates (Live) | Brooke Ligertwood | SEVEN (Live) | 2022 |
This Is Our God | Phil Wickham | Single | 2023 |
Firm Foundation (He Wont) | The Belonging Co & Cody Carnes | Here (Live) | 2022 |
Always So Good | Thrive Worship | Always So Good | 2023 |
8AM | |||
Reason To Praise (feat. Cory Asbury & Naomi Raine) | Bethel Music | Homecoming (Live) | 2021 |
Goodness of God | Jenn Johnson | Goodness of God (Studio Version) | 2019 |
Thats The Power (feat. Benjamin Hastings) | Hillsong Worship | These Same Skies (Live) | 2021 |
Greater Still | Brandon Lake & Essential Worship | Song Sessions – EP | 2022 |
You Are My All In All | Shane & Shane | The Worship Initiative, Vol. 2 | 2014 |
Praise God (Doxology) [Live] | Thrive Worship | Pour Your Spirit Out (Live) | 2022 |
I Believe | Jonathan & Melissa Helser | The Land Im Livin In | 2022 |
I Believe It (The Life of Jesus) | Jon Reddick | Single | 2023 |
Ill Follow | Cody Carnes | God Is Good! (Live) | 2022 |
The Way the Truth the Life (feat. Alexander Pappas) [Studio] | Celebration Music | Single | 2022 |
Running To The Light | Brandon Lake | House Of Miracles | 2020 |
The Way (New Horizon) | Pat Barrett | We Say Yes | 2018 |
9AM | |||
More Than Able (feat. Chandler Moore & Tiffany Hudson) | Elevation Worship | Single | 2023 |
Divine Power (Live from The Orchard Conference) | Gas Street Music | Single | 2023 |
Ive Witnessed It (feat. Melodie Malone) | Passion | Live From Passion 2023 – Single | 2023 |
If I Could Have Anything | Housefires | How To Start A Housefire | 2023 |
Youre Not Done (feat. Charity Gayle) | Leeland | Single | 2023 |
Joy In The Morning | Tauren Wells & Elevation Worship | Single | 2023 |
Altogether Good (feat. Sandra McCracken) | Citizens | Single | 2020 |
Reaching For You (feat. We The Kingdom) | Chris Tomlin | Chris Tomlin & Friends | 2020 |
Hymn Of Heaven (feat. Brian Johnson & Zahriya Zachary) | Bethel Music | Homecoming (Live) | 2021 |
Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Delight in the LORD
john : May 5, 2023 3:05 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to delight in the LORD.
Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This is the starting place to a productive faith that is filled with meaning and purpose. As God plants His desires in our heart, we will be motivated to glorify Him with our ambitions, and serve people at their points of need.
Verse 5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
Taking Delight in the LORD is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tSsKG83ie37YlxCNqfwD2?si=4d1f1f5a6d6a4133
Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Speaking the Truth in Love
john : May 3, 2023 4:47 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Speaking the Truth in Love.
Ephesians 4:15 explains what happens when God’s people follow through on this practice.
“We will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
Jesus came to us full of grace and truth. Grace gives second chances. Grace forgives sin, restores relationships, and builds faith. Grace extends life and peace to those who will embrace the Gospel.
Truth upholds God’s standards and reveals God’s will for our lives. Jesus equated the truth to His teachings, which has the power to set us free.
When the truth is spoken in love, God’s people are blessed with spiritual growth and greater unity in Christ.
Speaking the Truth in Love is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First Timothy 2:1 to 4.
“I urge then, first of all that petitions, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
On Thursday, Americans will gather in over 60,000 local community events to pray for this nation.
People will be praying for strong foundations among families.
For our churches to be salt and light for the Gospel.
For the wisdom of government leaders as they make critical decisions.
For businesses to be innovative and thrive with integrity.
And for educators to pass along wisdom and instruction for today’s generation of students. They will become the leaders of tomorrow.
This Light Reflection inspires us to pray for the leaders among us in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Perseverance.
Second Peter chapter 1 encourages us to add certain qualities to our faith, not because it adds to our salvation, but because it makes our faith more effective and productive.
One of those qualities in verse 6 is perseverance. Sometimes, disappointments, conflicts, or health challenges can wear us down and tempt us to give up. But God’s grace is a refreshing influence for our faith. Jesus endured the cross for us. When we persevere in the faith through trials, our witness for God is purified and proven to be genuine. This is one way we can be a light for others-by consistently living for God and relying on His love day-by-day and moment-by-moment.
In First Timothy 4:16, the Apostle Paul gave this counsel to a young pastor, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Perseverance is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Light Reflection-2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Now Is The Time
john : April 19, 2023 5:36 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Second Corinthians 6:1 and 2.
As God’s co-workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
The Apostle Paul was pointing to the present moment as an opportunity for us to get right with God and receive the gift of His grace. This happens when we humble ourselves before God and acknowledge our need for Jesus to save us from our sins. He will be faithful to answer this prayer from an earnest heart. This is a moment that defines our identity as a child of God, builds godly character to become more like Jesus, and changes our destiny toward a heavenly home that lasts forever.
This Light Reflection inspires us to receive God’s grace and enjoy His favor in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Self-Control.
Second Peter chapter 1 encourages us to add certain qualities to our faith, not because it adds to our salvation, but because it makes our faith more effective and productive.
One of those qualities in verse 6 is self-control. Self-control can be defined as the ability to control one’s emotions, behavior, and desires in order to obtain some reward later. An example of that is an athlete training for an event, who avoids overeating to maximize their potential.
Spiritually, self-control is the ability to make choices that prevent other influences from hindering our walk with Jesus. Sometimes, self-control means that we say “no” to harmful influences, and sometimes it means saying “no” to too much of a good thing. But saying “no” in these areas means that we can make better use of our time and energy to say “yes” to God’s plan for our lives.
Self-Control is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Light Reflection-Numbers 6:24-26 Priestly Blessing
john : April 18, 2023 5:16 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Numbers 6:24 to 26.
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
This was the way that Aaron and his sons were to bless the Israelites. It is commonly known as the priestly blessing. This is sometimes used as a benediction in church services today.
When Jesus is brought into view, we can see how He fulfills this verse for those who follow Him. In Christ, we are filled with God’s grace and peace. We are blessed with God’s favor, and kept securely in His love.
This Light Reflection inspires us to proclaim this blessing of God’s peace and grace in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com