John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to sing joyfully.

Psalm 33:1 says, “Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”

The gift of music gives us opportunity to use it as an instrument of worship. This time of year, as our thoughts turn to the season of Christmas, we can add to the celebration by singing Christmas carols that reflect on the birth of Jesus and why He came.

There is a place in Luke chapter one, where we find lyrics to Mary’s song after she learned that she would give birth to Jesus. She said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”

Singing joyfully is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4t5aEQLRTLnrcm8KkIPZsn?si=77f8e329c44542f7

Today’s Light Reflections is from Acts 19:17.

One of the bright spots in the book of Acts took place in the city of Ephesus.

Jews and Greeks who lived there came under conviction to change their practices. 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.

The conviction of the Holy Spirit will inspire us to fix our eyes on Jesus and throw off everything that hinders our progress with Him. It may mean burning something that has had a stronghold over us, so that we can break with the past and walk forward with Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to remove anything that hinders our view of Jesus so that we might honor His name in the Year to Shine.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is remembering our source of strength.

One of the keys to a life of thanksgiving is to remember God as our source of strength.

There is a temptation in our moments of success to take the credit for what goes right. In reality, the right thing to do is to give God the credit for His blessings that come from His gracious hand. That includes our abilities to get things done, maintain a job, and to provide for family.

In Deuteronomy 8:17, Moses told the Israelites, “You may say to yourself ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

Remembering our source of strength is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22dplzNEOUmsCKbL5OnZgz?si=35a202af0e2e4cfd

JOHN SHIRK – This week, our 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 is Acts 18:26 when a married couple reached out to an influential teacher named Apollos in Ephesus. He had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, was instructed in the way of the Lord, and spoke with great fervor. He taught about Jesus accurately, although he knew only the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak in the synagogue, they invited him to their home and explained the way of God more adequately.

When Apollos went to another place, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. He proved from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

This Light Reflection inspires us to keep growing in our faith and understanding of the Gospel 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 put on the full armor of God.

The Christian life is a spiritual battlefield, not with the weapons of the world, and not against flesh and blood.  Our battle is against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. The weapons available to us consist of truth, faith, prayer, salvation, righteousness, and God’s Word.

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the full armor of God, so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes.

Satan tries to influence us through temptation, accusation, condemnation, and confusion. But the weapons that God provides for us are strong enough to resist the devil’s influence, so that we can follow Jesus with a fully devoted heart.

Second Peter 1:3 tells us that God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” The armor of God equips us to stand firm in the faith.

Putting on the full armor of 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, our 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 is Acts chapter 16 when Paul and Silas were in prison for their faith.

Verse 25 reveals what happened about midnight. As Paul and Silas were worshipping God, there was a violent earthquake. The foundations of the prison were shaken. The prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. When the jailer woke up and saw what happened, he was about to kill himself, but Paul and Silas intervened by assuring him that none of the prisoners had escaped.

The jailer asked them, “What must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.”

The jailer came to be filled with joy because he had come to believe in God–he and his whole household.

This Light Reflection inspires us to hold out the word of life for those who need hope 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 pure devotion to God.

In Psalm 24, verse 3, David asked the question, “Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.”

With clean hands, we can raise them up to God in worship, or reach out to embrace someone with God’s love. With clean hands we can work productively and bless others by our service.

With a pure heart, we are motivated to seek God and build relationships that honor Him. The desire of our heart is to seek His honor, glory, and fame, not our own or anyone else.

Clean hands, a pure heart, and true worship express our delight in God and invite His blessing on us.

Pure Devotion to 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, our 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 in Acts 9:36 through the witness of a woman named Tabitha.

She was always doing good and helping the poor. When she died, Peter went to the place where she died. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Tabitha had made while she was still with them.

What happened next was a miracle. Peter said, “Tabitha, get up.” He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. This miracle became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

Tabitha’s faith was active and radiant with acts of service that blessed people and glorified God.

This Light Reflection inspires us to serve the Lord faithfully with the breath and strength that He gives us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjt.com