John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Luke 19:42.

Jesus was looking over the city of Jerusalem and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

He could look into the future and see great calamity coming on this city because they did not recognize the time of God’s coming to them. He saw the day when their enemies would encircle them and hem them in on every side. This was fulfilled about 40 years later when the Romans destroyed the temple. What can we learn from this sobering statement and from history? The key to a secure peace with God is a receptive heart to the Gospel, which is good news for the soul.

According to John 1:11 and 12-He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Luke 19:42-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Goal.

A goal is the target of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

Having goals in life provides a purpose for our activities.

When we come to faith in Christ, it is common for our goals to change, because His influence inspires new priorities. Love becomes priority. Relationships become priority. The glory of God becomes priority. God’s will for our lives becomes priority.

The Apostle Paul was transformed by the grace of God and his priorities changed after he became a follower of Jesus. He said in Second Corinthians 5:9, “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”

Discover how the word “Goal” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Matthew 20:27 and 28.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Every loving parent wants the best for their sons and daughters. It was no different for the mother of James and John. She approached Jesus and asked Him to grant James and John special places of honor next to Him in His Kingdom. But this request caused the other disciples to be annoyed with James and John. A misunderstanding of greatness can lead to division. Jesus set the record straight to define greatness, not by using forceful means to impose our will on others, but rather leading with service and sacrifice. Those are the marks of a great leader, and those were the marks of Jesus’ leadership, which can be seen in His hands and feet.

Matthew 20:27 and 28-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Transformed.

To be transformed is to be changed from the inside out.

This transformation of the heart is an ongoing process that molds our thoughts and ambitions into alignment with Jesus. As we look to Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith, He builds godly character in our lives to reflect His likeness. The virtuous qualities that He inspires in us will enable our faith to be effective and productive.

Second Corinthians 3:18 says, “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

As God moves in our hearts to live out the Christian life, we reflect His glory.

Discover how the word “Transformed” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Matthew 6:11.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread.”

This is a prayer for God to provide what we really need. Our greatest need is Jesus, who identified Himself as the Bread of Life. His grace is sufficient and endures forever.

This prayer is also expressed in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 30, verse 8. “Give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

The writer recognized the temptations he would have to disown God in his abundant wealth or to dishonor God in his extreme poverty. So, he prayed for God to provide what he needed each day.

Matthew 6:11-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Pray.

Author Ray Stedman has said that when you take the whole range of Bible teaching on this subject, you will find that prayer is simply conversing with God. I Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to make this an ongoing conversation with the Lord every day with two simple words, “Pray continually.”

Jesus taught us to how to pray in Matthew chapter 6, verse 9.

“Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread,

And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Discover how the word “Pray” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Matthew 6:10.

Jesus taught us how to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

This is a prayer that welcomes God’s rule and reign over the earth. It can refer to the longing of the heart for Jesus to return. It can also refer to the spreading influence of God’s kingdom throughout the world today. Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. These are the qualities that we are praying for in our lives when we ask for God’s kingdom to come.

When we ask for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we are asking for that which pleases God’s heart to be fulfilled on the earth, and specifically to be lived out in our lives.

Matthew 6:10-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Endurance.

The meaning of endurance is steadfastness and constancy. This word is used in the Bible to convey the idea that the Christian life is a step-by-step journey in relationship with Jesus.

There are times when our faith will be tested and tried. These are moments to press closer to God and lean on Him with all our heart.

God’s Word is available to help us press forward in our faith, so that we endure in the faith and grow in God’s grace. Romans 15:4 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.”

Hope and Encouragement are friendly qualities to keep our faith strong for the long run.

Discover how the word “Endurance” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Matthew 6:9.

Jesus taught us how to pray, starting with these words. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

What a privilege to be able to address God as our Father. This is because of the great love that He has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. Acknowledging God’s loving authority over us is a good place for our mind to be when we approach the throne of grace.

“Hallowed” means “Set apart as Holy and worthy of reverence.” We are lifting our prayers to One who is greater than ourselves. This prayer starts with an expression of worship, reminding us that God is worthy of our respect and devotion.

Matthew 6:9-that’s Today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Follow.

To follow Jesus is to go where He leads us. Whenever Jesus extended an invitation for someone to become His disciple, He would say, “Follow me.”

That is the priority of the person who puts their faith in Jesus. We learn to follow Him. He comes to us with the offer of salvation, freedom, and hope. His teachings offer us wisdom that puts our lives on a sure foundation that will stand the test of time. He comes to us with His loving arms of grace to forgive our sins and lead us in the path of His righteousness.

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

Discover how the word “Follow” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com