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Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Praise
john : June 17, 2022 5:25 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is praise.
As the Holy Spirit moved among the believers in the early church, these disciples united in a chorus of praise. Joy was moving them to lift up the name of Jesus publicly.
Acts 2:47 tells us that they were praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Praise has a contagious effect on a community. People will take notice of a church that is rejoicing in the Lord, and some will be drawn to Jesus by the testimony of praise.
As we express praise for the goodness and graciousness of God, there will be opportunities to shine the light of the Gospel among those who need to hear this good news.
Praise is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Matthew 8:26 and. 27.
In the midst of a furious storm, the disciples woke up Jesus while they were in a boat.
They said, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Jesus demonstrated His authority over the weather conditions. Job 28:26 talks about God making a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm. Sometimes, God takes us out of the life’s storms, and sometimes He brings us through it, but just like the disciples, we are never alone. Jesus is there with comfort and encouragement.
These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to trust in Jesus through the storms of life in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6TOzhvraHbbr5nARRA8B9l?si=3db5aa08445a4035
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Consistent Connection
john : June 15, 2022 3:13 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Consistent Connection.
While the disciples of the early church were certainly not perfect, they were committed to Jesus and lived out the Gospel in a powerful way that moved the world.
One of the dynamics of the early church was their constant connection to each other. They met regularly for prayer, worship, and fellowship.
Acts 2:46 says “Every day, they continued to meet together in the temple courts.” Relationships in the church have opportunity to thrive where the Lord is invited into our conversations, and communication lines remain open among ourselves.
Consistent Connection is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Generosity
john : June 14, 2022 5:37 pm : featured, John ShirkJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is a generous spirit.
The disciples of the early church were not perfect, but they were committed to Christ and made a difference in their world as they were led by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:45 points out that these first-generation followers of Christ sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
They were sensitive to the needs of those around them, and participated in the sacrifice of sharing. Acts 4:34 tells us that there were no needy persons among them. From time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
At the heart of these actions is a generous spirit that is willing to share. Hebrews 13:16 instruct us with these words: “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Generosity is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 8:2.
Along the way in Jesus’ ministry, He had encounters with people who demonstrated extraordinary faith in various ways.
One of those people was a man afflicted with leprosy.
He “came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’”
First, the man knelt before Jesus in humility. Second, he addressed Jesus as “Lord.” That is who Jesus is to those who follow Him. Third, the man acknowledged the ability of Jesus to heal him of his leprosy.
Jesus responded by saying, “I am willing. Be clean.” Immediately, he was cured of leprosy.
This faith Building Verse inspires us to seek Jesus with humility for the cleansing that we need in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Common Interests
john : June 13, 2022 5:49 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Celebrating what we have in common.
The early church was made of imperfect people who were committed to the Gospel. As the Holy Spirit moved among them, their witness for Jesus had a great impact on the world.
Acts 2:44 says that they were together and had everything in common.
This is one way that the church can build healthy relationships today. Celebrate what we have in common. We share a common Lord. His name is Jesus. We share a common love, inspired by Jesus. We share a common purpose-to live by faith in Jesus and to live for His glory. We also share a common destiny in Christ. We are moving in the same direction to a glorious place with Jesus.
Celebrating what we have in common is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
This week’s Praise & Worship playlist includes awesome anthems like the 10th Anniversary Edition of “10,000 Reasons” and “Jireh” by Maverick City Music along with some beautiful duets from Steven Curtis Chapman & Matt Maher, Crowder & Riley Clemmons and Elias Dummer & Sandra McCracken. Plus, a mini-theme inspired by Tauren Wells’ new song “Joy In The Morning”!
| Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
| 6AM | 2021 | ||
| I Choose To Worship | Rend Collective | Choose To Worship | 2020 |
| 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) 10th Anniversary Edition | Worship Together & Matt Redman | Single | 2022 |
| Catch Me Singing | Sean Curran | Single | 2020 |
| A Thousand Hallelujahs (Live) | Brooke Ligertwood | Single | 2022 |
| This Is the Kingdom (feat. Pat Barrett) | Elevation Worship | LION | 2022 |
| Simple Kingdom (feat. Cody Carnes) | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Ive Got Good News (Live) | 2022 |
| Great Are You Lord | All Sons & Daughters | All Sons & Daughters | 2014 |
| Behold Him (feat. Kim Walker Smith) | Paul Baloche | Single | 2019 |
| Praises Be Sung (Hosanna) | Victory Worship | Hope Has Come | 2019 |
| King of Kings (Live) | Hillsong Worship | Single | 2019 |
| Living Hope | Phil Wickham | Living Hope (The House Sessions) | 2019 |
| 7AM | 2021 | ||
| Reign Above It All | Paul McClure | Revivals In The Air (Live) | 2020 |
| Christ Be Magnified (feat. Cody Carnes) | The Belonging Co | See The Light (Live) | 2021 |
| His Mercy Is More | Matt Boswell & Matt Papa | His Mercy Is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa | 2019 |
| Im Leaning On You (feat. Riley Clemmons) | Crowder | I Know A Ghost | 2020 |
| Leaning (feat. Lizzie Morgan) | Matt Maher | Single | 2022 |
| Every Hour | David Leonard | Single | 2022 |
| Better | Pat Barrett | Pat Barrett | 2019 |
| Joyful | Dante Bowe | Circles | 2021 |
| Hallelujah For Every Broken Heart | Crowder | Milk & Honey | 2021 |
| Rejoice | Andrew Ripp | Evergreen | 2021 |
| Speak To The Mountains (feat. Chris McClarney) | Church of the City | Defiant Joy (Live) – EP | 2021 |
| See Clearly (feat. Sandra McCracken) | Elias Dummer | Single | 2022 |
| 8AM | 2021 | ||
| You Never Fail Me (All My Life) | Mosaic MSC | HUMAN EP (Live) | 2020 |
| All My Life (Live) | Hillsong Young & Free | All of My Best Friends (Live) | 2020 |
| Hallelujah, You Are Good (feat. Matt Maher) | Steven Curtis Chapman | Worship and Believe (Deluxe Edition) | 2016 |
| What A Good God | Mack Brock | Single | 2021 |
| Ill Give Thanks (feat. Kirby Kaple) | Housefires | Ill Give Thanks | 2020 |
| Goodness of God (Live) | Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson | Victory (Live) | 2019 |
| King of My Heart | John Mark & Sarah McMillan | You Are the Avalanche – EP | 2015 |
| Jireh (feat. Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine) | Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music | Old Church Basement | 2021 |
| Sparrows | Cory Asbury | To Love a Fool | 2020 |
| Sparrows and Lilies | Pat Barrett | Pat Barrett | 2018 |
| Sparrow (feat. Nate Moore) [Live] | Housefires | Housefires VII (Live) | 2021 |
| Plans | Rend Collective | Single | 2022 |
| Promises | Maverick City Music | Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 2 | 2021 |
| 9AM | 2021 | ||
| Yes and Amen (feat. Chris McClarney) | Jesus Culture | Living with a Fire | 2018 |
| Joy In The Morning | Tauren Wells | Joy In The Morning | 2022 |
| Your Love Never Fails | Jesus Culture | Your Love Never Fails | 2008 |
| The Joy of the Lord | Patrick Mayberry | Joy – EP | 2018 |
| Joy | Highlands Worship | Jesus You Alone | 2019 |
| Morning By Morning (Live From Worship Together) | Pat Barrett | Morning By Morning (I Will Trust) – EP | 2022 |
| Give Me Jesus | All Sons & Daughters | Prone To Wander: A Collection of Hymns | |
| Bless His Name (Ive Got That Joy) (feat. Brandon Lake & Andy Cherry) | Seacoast Music | Single | 2021 |
| Joy To Be (feat. Chaunda Jefferson) | Citizens | The Joy of Being | 2020 |
| Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise) | Shane & Shane | Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs | 2021 |
| Happy Song | Chris Tomlin | The Noise We Make | 2001 |
| Glory, Glory (God Is Able) | Crowder | Milk & Honey | 2021 |
| All My Praise | Ryan Ellis | Lean on the Lord – Single | 2022 |
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Prayer
john : June 10, 2022 5:24 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Devotion to Prayer.
The early church was made of imperfect people who were committed to the Gospel. As the Holy Spirit moved among them, their witness for Jesus had a great impact on the world.
One of the dynamics of the first-generation church was their intentional commitment to prayer.
Acts 2:42 records that they devoted themselves to prayer.
God moved in response to their prayers. Acts 4:24 says that they raised their voices together in prayer to God. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
In this way, we see how prayer invites God’s presence into our gatherings and moves God’s people toward unity and courage.
Devotion to Prayer is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ukbLTmDetiEzxhRaybHXK?si=e32037493fe54048
