JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to rest in the Lord.

When evangelist Billy Graham was asked if he had any regrets in reflection of his life and ministry, he responded by saying he wished he would have spent more time with family, spoken less, and studied more. He would have spent more time in prayer, telling the Lord how much he loved Him. Billy Graham lived a productive life, but looking back, he saw great value in resting in the Lord.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

Resting in the Lord is a refreshing experience. It is a time of reliance on His great love for us. It is a fulfilling time of telling God how much we love Him and desire to honor Him with the moments of our lives. Our strength is renewed when we pause and take time to reflect on God’s grace and wisdom.

Resting in the Lord 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 John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The light of the Gospel reveals the eternal life that we can have in Christ.

God’s love for us put His redemptive mission into motion. He sent Jesus into the world to be the sacrifice for our sins. Because He paid the price for our sin on the cross, we are set free from the death penalty through faith in His name.  Jesus is the most precious gift from God’s gracious hand. He is worthy of our praise every single day.

Forever is a long time. Heaven awaits the gathering of the saints around the throne for a joyful time of worship and celebration. God has made a way for us to be there, and His name is Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the eternal life that Jesus offers 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 to follow Jesus.

Jesus invited some fishermen to follow Him in Matthew 4:19. He said to Simon Peter and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed Jesus.

There is a Chinese proverb that says “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” We don’t know how many miles Peter and Andrew traveled with Jesus, but that first step out of the boat was the beginning of a journey that led them to Jesus, and they would never be the same after that. Their influence for Christ would bring many more people into the family of God.

Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Following Jesus is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Romans 6:4.

Speaking of Jesus, “we were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The light of the Gospel reveals the new life that we can have in Christ. We become new creations. The old has gone. A new way of life has begun, built on faith in Christ, and expressing itself in love.  We become united with Christ in His death and resurrection.

We die to sin and come alive to Jesus. Instead of living for selfish desires, we live to glorify God. This new life gives us a new focus, new priorities, and new identity as a child of God. We are refreshed in the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness and His unfailing love.

Romans 6:8 tells us that if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the new life of being united with Jesus 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 to Remove Idols.

An idol is anything that takes priority over God in our lives. An idol that stands in the way of our worship is a hindrance to our view of the living God, who made us. Removing that idol opens the way for us to replace false worship with true worship.

In Ezekiel’s day, the LORD said to the people of Israel, “Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices.”

In Acts 19:18, we see how revival can sweep across a city when people confess their sins and remove their idols. In Ephesus, the name of Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly….In this way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Removing idols from our lives 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 Second Timothy 1:9 and 10.

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

The Gospel is good news to point out the life that is found in Jesus Christ. His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead three days later were the defining moments in history that shine the message of hope for us today.

Jesus came to give us a new life. He came to give us abundant life. He came to give us eternal life. And He came to give us a holy life.

This Light Reflection inspires us to celebrate God’s amazing grace 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 serving the Lord.

Following Jesus leads us to a fulfilling relationship with God and productive service in God’s Kingdom.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”

God sees the acts of service that we perform with pure motives. He does not forget our work and the love that we show Him as we help people in their times of need.

First Corinthians 15:58 encourages us to always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Serving the Lord is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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