JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is the exercise of spiritual gifts.

When God’s people serve with love and with their spiritual gifts, the church has a significant light to shine in the local community.

The Bible teaches us that different members of the church have different gifts. Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

This is a picture of the body of Christ serving freely by the grace of God for the glory of God.

Exercising our Spiritual Gifts 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 Ephesians 6:18.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Prayer is part of the armor of light that enables us to fight the good fight of faith.

There is power in prayer. As we seek God, we draw closer to Him. Prayer opens our eyes to the needs around us. Prayer gives us opportunity to intercede for others, which means that we go to God on their behalf.  When someone comes to our mind, that is a good time to pray for them and lift their needs to God’s throne of grace.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be committed to praying for others 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 Discernment.

To discern is to be able to perceive the difference between what is right and wrong, true and false.

The Bible often links discernment with the exercise of wisdom. Proverbs 1:5 says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”  Proverbs 10:13 says that “wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning.”

The Bible reveals the wisdom of God and helps us to develop a discerning heart as we seek out God’s will on a daily basis. This will keep us on track to grow in our understanding of God.

In the early church, the Berean Jews were described as having noble character. They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scripture every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Discernment 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 Ephesians 6:17.

Take….the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

The sword of the Spirit is armor of light that helps us to go on offense in our spiritual battles. This sword is God’s Word.

Many of the weapons of righteousness are defensive in nature, designed to protect us from the attacks of the enemy in the heavenly realms. But the sword of the Spirit helps us to advance the Gospel by applying the word of God in our conversation and daily activity.

In order to apply God’s word, we need to know it. That is where we are blessed by opening our mind and heart to what God is saying to us in the Bible.

The word of God is effective for helping us to know God, overcoming temptation, preparing us for effective service, and for sharing good news with others.

This Light Reflection inspires us to stand firm in the faith with the sword of the Spirit 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 wholesome thinking that is focused on Jesus.

The Apostle Paul had the practice of taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ. Our thoughts are important in shaping our decisions, desires, and destiny. Words that come out of our mouth generally start with thoughts.

This was what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Jesus fits the description of these words. When we focus on Him, we are fixed on what is true, right, and pure in our lives. This focus invites the peace of God to shine through our lives.

Wholesome thinking 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 – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Devotion to Church Fellowship.

The church is God’s plan for advancing the Gospel around the world. By participating in fellowship, we can build healthy relationships that become a support structure for each other in the faith.

The church is not perfect. There are plenty of flaws in church history to document that fact. But God still works through imperfect people to spread the word of His perfect love. And we get to be part of what God is doing in the church.

Acts 2:42 reveals what happened among believers in the early church. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved. The devotion of those disciples to fellowship was one of the factors that contributed to the vibrant influence of the early church.

Devotion to church fellowship 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 Ephesians 6:15.

Stand firm then…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace.

The armor of light consists of ready feet to share the Gospel wherever we go.

The gospel is a refreshing message of good news, peace, and hope.

We cannot separate Jesus from this message. He is our source of good news. He is our source of peace with God and hope for a blessed future. Jesus is the One who died for the forgiveness of our sins and rose again to offer us eternal life. This is the message that the world needs to hear. God has placed us on the earth for such a time as this to share it.

Romans 10:15 says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

This Light Reflection inspires us to be ready to share the Gospel wherever we go in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 6:14.

Stand firm then…with the breastplate of righteousness in place.

The breastplate of righteousness is part of the armor of light that is given to us to fight the good fight of faith.

The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart. That source of righteousness is Jesus Christ, and is given to us through faith in His name. In First Thessalonians 5:8, we are instructed to put on faith and love as a breastplate. These are the qualities that protect our heart from corruption and compromise, and give us the ambition to do what is right in the eyes of God. Faith, expressing itself in love, is how we can live out a fruitful life devoted to God.

This Light Reflection inspires us to stand firm in the faith with the breastplate of righteousness 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 Sharing with Others.

If we have been blessed with material possessions and notice that someone else in need, that is an opportunity to be a modern-day Good Samaritan.

Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

In the early church, Acts 2:44 records that all the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

This is one of the ways that the witness of the early church served as a shining light for the Gospel. The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

Sharing with others is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john @wjtl.com