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JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places was Acts chapter 4 after Peter and John were released from the interrogation of the religious leaders.

Verse 23 says that they went back to their own people and reported all the chief priests and the elders said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.

In verses 29 and 30, we learn what they prayed for: “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

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.

This Light Reflection inspires us to seek God for a bold faith 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 Intimacy with God.

James 4:8 invites us to a closer relationship with God.  “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” How would our lives look different if we accepted this invitation?

An intimate relationship with God means that we know Him personally. We are familiar with His ways and seek His will. The more we walk with Him, the better we understand His heart. We are moved by His unfailing love for us to live by faith in Him.

In the Old Testament, David yearned for an intimate relationship with God. He wrote in Psalm 63:1. “You, God, are my God. Earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you…”

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul expressed a similar yearning in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings…..”

Intimacy with God is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places was Acts chapter 4, as Peter and John, two followers of Jesus, were speaking to the people. Verse 2 tells us that the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. Some of the religious leaders seized Peter and John and put them in jail the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

Through changing times and the current issues that the church is compelled to address, we are wise to stay focused on the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. That is where our ultimate hope is found. That is where the battle was won for those who would believe in Christ. Those moments in history draw us to Jesus as forgiver of our sins and the source of our salvation. The message of the cross and the empty grave remind us of the victory that we have in Jesus over our greatest adversaries.

This Light Reflection inspires us to remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, and share that message with 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 Remembering those in poverty.

The Gospel reveals a loving God who sent Jesus to us in our spiritual poverty. We needed a Savior, and God provided what we needed.

This kind of love compels us to reach out to those who are struggling to put food on the table for their families. There are practical ways we can help such as giving care packages or providing meals for friends and neighbors in need. We can also sponsor a child in another country.

In the early church, leaders were called to different missions, but they all had a heart for those in poverty. In Galatians 2:10, the Apostle Paul said, “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.”

Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

Remembering those in poverty is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places was Acts chapter 2, as the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early church. Peter preached a sermon to explain what was happening.

Acts 2:37 says, “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words, he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

This Light Reflection inspires us to turn from sinful ways and follow Jesus faithfully in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Joshua 10:13.

In a time of battle, there is an unusual story when Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still.

The Bible says that “the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely, the LORD was fighting for Israel!”

Through the spiritual battles and challenges of our lives, God provides the light that we need for hope and courage to press on in the faith. He provides the armor of light, which enables us to put aside the deeds of darkness. His truth overcomes deception. His love overcomes hatred. His presence overcomes our fears. We can lean in on the grace and mercy of God to light the fire of our faith when the challenges of life wear us down.

This Light Reflection inspires us to pray for God’s help in the struggles of our lives 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 remember those with sickness.

In Matthew 25, Jesus said that a day will come when the King will sit on his glorious throne and separate the sheep and the goats.

Verse 36 says, To the sheep, He will say, “I was sick and you looked after me.” The righteous will be surprised by that statement and respond, “When did we see you sick and go to visit you?”

The King will reply, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

This highlights the significance of looking out for those who are sick and belong to the family of God. There are practical ways to look after someone facing an illness. Provide a meal. Run errands for them at the local store, or do some chores around the house. Sending a get-well card or a note of encouragement also sends the message that we value their friendship and are thinking of them.

Remembering those with sickness 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 Isaiah 6:8.

Isaiah responded to an invitation from the LORD, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Making ourselves available to God is the key first step to being a light for His kingdom.

Isaiah became a prophet who pointed people to Jesus. His prophecies contained significant details about Jesus. Those prophecies included His birth, death and resurrection.

One vivid example was Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

In this prophecy, Isaiah drew attention to Jesus, shining the hope of peace and healing for us through His sacrifice on the cross.

This Light Reflection inspires us to make ourselves available to God as an instrument of His grace in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com