He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Jesus specifically said that we would not know the specific day or hour of His return.  The implication of His promise to return is to be ready. Hebrews 9:28 tells us that Jesus will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Remembering His promise to return will challenge us to get our hearts right with God.  The way for sin to be removed as an obstacle to salvation is to call on the name of Jesus for salvation, to confess our sins, and plead for His forgiveness. He will not despise a contrite heart.

There are other ways that the promise of Christ’s return will benefit our lives once we are made right with God. Our faith will be purified. We will be greatly encouraged by the reality that God’s grace will overcome the troubles of this world. We will also be motivated to share the Gospel with others, so that they might be ready to meet the Lord with a faithful heart.

Anticipation of Christ’s return is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

IT’S OFFICIAL!  We have narrowed it down to these 10 contestants who will perform their talent on the Weaver’s Garage Stage at the 59th annual Sertoma Chicken BBQ at Long’s Park on Saturday, May 19th (2PM).  The audience gets to vote on their favorite performer–and that person or group will win a fabulous prize package!  So come out and be part of the audience, enjoy some talented WJTL listeners and make your vote count!

THIS YEAR’S FABULOUS PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

*A Samson Expedition 308 portable sound system courtesy of Lifesong Christian Books & Music in Quarryville

*4 balloon ride tickets from the US Hot Air Balloon Team

*A Portrait Session with Jeremy Hess Photographers

*A $125 gift card to Pure Essence Organic Salon in Leola

*4 Tickets and food vouchers to a Lancaster Barnstormers baseball game!

Bart Millard (lead singer of Mercy Me) loves watches.  One of his favorite brands is Hello Somebody, which exists to provide sustainable projects and restorative care to improve the lives of children in need.  This week’s Feedback Giveback prize is a Mercy Me “The Hurt And The Healer” Hello Somebody watch!  Just leave comments on our blogs at www.WJTL.com this week and you’ll automatically be entered to win!

May 20, 2012

6:00 a.m. — Legal I.D.

“Take Heart” by Hillsong United from “Aftermath”

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Chris Rice from “Peace Like A River”

“Be Of Good Faith” by SisterBrother from “SisterBrother”

“I Love Your Name” by Brian Johnson from “Love Came Down”

“Bless Your Name” by Eddie Kirkland from “North Point Live: Awake”

“Lift The Name” by New Life Worship, Jared Anderson from “You Hold It All”

6:30 a.m.

“Yahweh” by Passion, Chris Tomlin from “Passion: White Flag”

“Praise To The Lord, The Almighty” by Christy Nockels from “Passion: Hymns Ancient & Modern”

“Forever Reign” by Kristian Stanfill from “Passion: Here For You”

“Fires” by Matt Redman from “10,000 Reasons”

“Furious” by Bethel Live, Jeremy Riddle from “Be LIfted High”

“This Is Why I Am Alive” by Rick Pino from “The Narrow Road”

7:00 a.m. — Legal I.D.

“Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is” by Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels from “Passion: Awakening”

“Faithful” by Rend Collective Experiment, David Crowder from “Organic Family Hymnal”

“Tis So Sweet” by Jadon Lavik from “Roots Run Deep”

“With Everything” by Hillsong United from “Passion: Awakening”

“10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” by Matt Redman from “10,000 Reasons”

“Savior Called” by LCBC Worship from “Alive EP”

7:30 a.m.

“I Need Thee Every Hour” by Jars Of Clay from “Redemption Songs”

“Brokenness Aside” by All Sons & Daughters from “Season One”

“Joyful, Joyful” by Casting Crowns from “Until The Whole World Hears”

“Christ In Me” by SisterBrother from “SisterBrother”

“Better Is One Day” by Kutless from “Empty Me Vol. 1″

“Desert Song” by Hillsong United from “Across The Earth, Tear Down The Walls”

8:00 a.m. — Legal I.D.

“Dry Bones” by New Life Worship from “You Hold It All”

“God Ablaze” by Charlie Hall from “The Rising”

“All My Fountains” by Chris Tomlin from “Passion: Here For You”

“Everything” by Tim Hughes from “Happy Day”

“Create In Me A Clean Heart” by Martin Smith from “Your Love Broke Through”

“Center/Turn Your Eyes” by Charlie Hall from “Passion: Everything Glorious”

8:30 a.m.

“Hallelujah, Jesus” by Evan Wickham from “Mysterious Things”

“O Praise Him” by David Crowder Band from “Illuminate”

“How He Loves” by John Mark McMillan from “The Medicine”

“Forever And A Day” by Anthony Skinner from “Forever And A Day”

“I Am Free” by Jared Anderson from “51 Must Have Modern Worship Hits”

“Mighty Fortress” by Sovereign Grace Music from “From Age To Age”

9:00 a.m. — Legal I.D.

“Search My Heart” by Hillsong United from “Aftermath”

“Faithful” by SisterBrother from “SisterBrother”

“Symphony” by Chris Tomlin from “Passion: Here For You”

“Come And Let Your Presence” by The Merchant Band from “The World Can Wait”

“You Are My Passion” by Jesus Culture from “Come Away”

9:30 a.m.

“More Of You, Less Of Me” by Brian & Jenn Johnson from “We Believe”

“The Potter’s Hand” by Darlene Zschech from “WOW Worship Red”

“Your Faithfulness” by Jon Thurlow from “Strong Love”

“Mystery” by Charlie Hall, Passion from “Passion: White Flag”

“Wonderful God” by Hillsong from “God He Reigns”

“Great I Am” by Jared Anderson, New Life Worship from “You Hold It All”

5) Elizabethtown’s Reading on the Square: tomorrow (Saturday May 19)from 10AM-1PM. Free books, reading time, programs, and the chance to win prizes from local businesses.
More info: www.etownpubliclibrary.org

4) Freedom Fun Fair – tomorrow (Sat. May 19th) from 10AM-2PM at Lebanon Valley Bible Church.  Games, Pony Rides, Balloon Animals, A Petting Zoo, Cotton Candy, A Bounce House, Face Painting, Train Rides, Food, Fun for all ages and Much, Much More!  Rain or Shine!  (717) 867-4403. More info: lvbiblechurch.org   

3) A night of music with Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist – Terry Bone tomorrow (Sat. May 19th) at 7PM at Hosanna A Fellowship of Christians in Lititz.  A Choir, full band and special guests. A love offering will be taken. This is a goodbye concert, Terry is leaving to minister in Norway. More info: hosannalititz.org

2) 29th Annual Rhubarb Festival today (Fri, May 18) and tomorrow (Sat. May 19th) 9am – 6pm at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse  “Best Rhubarb Dessert In Lancaster County” baking contest • World’s Only Rhubarb Race Car Derby • Rhubarb Stroll (min parade) • Whoopie Pie Filling Contest • Musical entertainment, food demonstrations & samplings. More info: kitchenkettle.com

1) Sertoma Chicken BBQ at Long’s Park tomorrow (Saturday, May 19) Long’s Park LAncaster.  KCB Broadcasting live 9am to noon, then a full day on the Weaver’s Garage Stage from noon til 5pm featuring Bruce Fite, Kimberliana, Chuck Gibson Band, DKers, WJTL Talent Challenge, and The Beggar Folk.  More info at WJTL.com

phil@wjtl.com

“He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”

The effective grace of God on our lives teaches us to view other people as having value to God, just as we recognize that we are valuable to God. This translates into living out the second greatest command in all of Scripture according to Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” To despise our neighbor is to go against that command.

Another way in which God’s grace teaches us to live is to be generous toward the needy. Such expressions of generosity include helping to feed the poor, or looking after orphans and widows in their distress, which may include foster care, adoption, or checking in on an elderly neighbor who lives alone.  If someone is grieving the loss of a loved one, it may be fitting for us to spend time with them and mourn with them.  There are needs all around us-tangible needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs. With a sensitive heart toward God, He will teach us to be sensitive to those in a time of need.

Love for our neighbor and Kindness to the needy are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Mercy Me will release “The Hurt And The Healer” on Tuesday, May 22nd!  We’re counting down the minutes, encouraging you to pre-order the new CD and just giving you the heads up on a special “Win It Before You Can Buy It Day” coming up on Monday, May 21st.  This “Win It Before You Can Buy It Day” will be extra special because we’re going to give the CDs away in prize packs.  You see, Mercy Me’s lead singer, Bart Millard, is an avid watch collector.  His favorite watch is made by a company called “Hello-Somebody“.  They’re a Christian organization based in Dallas that exists to provide relief efforts to third world countries!  (Very cool.)  So, we’ll give away the new Mercy Me CD AND  a special Mercy Me “The Hurt And The Healer” edition Hello-Somebody watch in each prize pack!  We’ll give you chances to call in and win all day long!  So, keep our phone number handy:  717-392-FM90 (3690).

Has God transformed your life by changing your attitudes, desires, choices or thoughts? Encourage others by sharing your story of God’s faithfulness by writing a devotional for God Stories 8, a devotional book by The Regional Church of Lancaster County.  Click here for information on how to submit your entry!

By the way, tune in all day long on Winning Wednesday, May 16th, for chances to call in and win “God Stories 7″!  Keep our number handy: 717-392-FM90 (3690)!