John Shirk

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

One definition of “Rooted” is “very strong and firmly fixed. Deep loyalty.”

That is how our faith in God can grow and help us to stand firm, by being rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ. The deeper the roots, the stronger the attachment, and the greater the fruit flowing out of our testimony for Jesus.

Colossians 2:6 and 7 shows us how we can live with a well-rooted faith. “So, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

The Christian life is a journey of following Jesus-step-by-step, learning from Him, loving Him, and thanking Him for His kindness to us.

Discover how the word “Rooted” 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 Mark 9:31.

Jesus made this statement to His disciples: “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”

The disciples did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. Sometimes, Jesus might say some things that we don’t completely understand or may be uncomfortable for us to hear. But He has a reason for what He says.

In this case, Jesus was preparing His disciples for future events that would shake their world. They would grieve for a short time, but they would rejoice again when He rose from the dead.

Jesus knew His mission and was willing to go to the cross, because of His great love for us.

Mark 9:31-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 Life.

Acts 17 points out that life comes from God. Verse 25 says that “He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” The Apostle Paul pointed out that he made us to inhabit the whole earth. He has marked out our appointed times and boundaries. We are not here by accident. God made us with purpose.

What is the meaning of life? That is a common question that people earnestly seek. Paul goes on to say in this sermon that “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.”

The Gospel is about life-New Life in Jesus, Abundant Life in His grace, Eternal life in His presence.

Discover how the word “Life” 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 Second Corinthians 12:9.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This was how Jesus responded after Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh to be taken from him. He learned a valuable lesson that day. Paul’s afflictions and limitations were not barriers to his witness for the Gospel. If anything, they served to strengthen his faith. When people see our lives and are reminded of Jesus, that is when we are shining brightly for the Gospel. It may involve personal hardships to shape our character and draw us closer to Jesus.

Paul responded to the words of Jesus in this way, saying, “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Paul was seeing a bigger picture beyond personal comfort.

Second Corinthians 12:9-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 Feast.

This is a delicious meal often tied in with joy, thanksgiving, and celebration.

When the Prodigal Son came home, the father was overjoyed and said, “Let’s have a feast and celebrate! For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So, they began to celebrate.

Holidays and special occasions are opportunities to bring friends and food together to celebrate the goodness of God.

The LORD Almighty is planning a feast for His people in the future. Isaiah 25:6 tells us that “the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-the best of meats and the finest of wines.” He will do this in a time of celebration, when he wipes away the tears from all faces.

Discover how the word “Feast” 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 Isaiah 48:17.

“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

He was telling the nation of Israel that if they had paid attention to His commands, their peace would have been like a river, their well-being like the waves of the sea.

God gives us guidance in His Word. We can trust the words of the Bible to lead us toward faith in Jesus, the path of peace and freedom, and in the way of love. We need wisdom for life. The teachings of Jesus are reliable for taking us in a good and godly direction. Our responsibility is to pay attention with a willing heart.

Isaiah 48:17-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 Boast.

Boasting can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the reason for our boasting and who gets the credit. In the book of Genesis, the tower of Babel was an attempt to make a name great for humanity, but God thwarted those efforts. In reality, God gives us the strength and abilities that we have for any accomplishment.

The kind of boasting that pleases the Lord is the kind that seeks to make Him famous across the land.  His gospel is the good news that lifts us up and gives us a voice to declare His goodness and grace. He is worthy of praise for anything good that flows out of our lives.

First Corinthians 1:30 tells us that Jesus has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Discover how the word “Boast” 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 Luke 7:48.

“Your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus said this to a woman who lived a sinful life. But she was turning to Jesus in humility and with love for Him.

This short statement shows the power of grace. Jesus has the authority to forgive sins, because of His identity as the Son of God and by the shedding of His blood on the cross. Whoever believes in Him will not die in their sin, but will have the gift of eternal life.

That was the experience of this woman who came to Jesus in the brokenness of her sin. She was forgiven and cleansed.  Jesus said to her, “your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:48-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 Time.

The writer of Ecclesiastes notes that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die.

In between our birth and death is the dash that represents our time on the earth. We are not here by accident, but by God’s providence.

Queen Esther learned this lesson of faith when she heard about a serious threat to the existence of the Jews. Her relative **Mordechai pleaded for her help, saying in Esther 4:14, “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther was at the right place in God’s appointed time to save her people from disaster.

God also has a significant purpose for our time on the earth-to walk by faith, follow Jesus, and shine His light to the world.

Discover how the word “Time” 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 Genesis 1:3.

“Let there be light.”

This is the first God Quote in the Bible. After making this proclamation, there was light, and God saw that the light was good.

This quote is significant in a number of ways, showing us that God is able to accomplish what He declares. This means we can trust that God will do what He says. His promises are reliable.

This quote also shows us that God is the creator of light. He makes each day brighter with the light that He provides for our world.

Finally, this quote is a foreshadow to Jesus, who made the claim, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Genesis 1:3-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com