JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Cooperation.
One of the great building projects in Nehemiah’s day was completed through the cooperation of many workers. Nehemiah 4:6 says, “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” Later, we learn that the wall was completed in 52 days.
Cooperation comes from the heart and works in harmony with others to accomplish something productive. There is cooperation with the leader and cooperation with others who are serving on the project.
This is one of the ways that the name of Jesus can be honored in the church. Jesus is the head of the church. Ephesians 4:16 says, “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Cooperation is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is cooperation with God’s plan.
One of God’s plans for our lives is to be in community-to get out and be with people. This is how we can get to know people and bless them with God’s love. That is where the disciples were when they cooperated in the miracle of feeding 5,000 people from five loaves and two fish.
Matthew 14:19 says that Jesus “directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.”
Elizabeth Elliot has said that God “summons us to cooperation. We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds.”
Cooperation in God’s plan is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Cooperation.
This is the process of working together toward the same end. A common purpose brings people together to serve shoulder to shoulder, side by side.
This is what we see happening in Nehemiah chapter 3. The wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt as the Israelites worked on the section where they were assigned. Nehemiah 4:6 says, “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” That required a spirit of cooperation under the leadership of Nehemiah.
Families, churches, and any other organizations that function well have a spirit of cooperation among its members. Ephesians 4:16 shows how cooperation strengthens the church community. Jesus is the uniting force for the body of Christ. From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Cooperation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Joshua 1:14 and 15.
As the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River to go into the Promised Land, Joshua had a few words with two and a half of the tribes. These were the tribes who were planning to settle east of the Jordan, and were already in possession of their land.
He said, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you. ‘The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land. Your wives, your children, and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them.”
These tribes complied with Joshua’s instructions and the nation went forward together into the Promised Land. Victories are fully shared where struggles are fully shared. This principle can apply not just to nations, but common challenges facing sports teams, family units, businesses, and churches. Unity and celebration is the outcome of victory where there is evidence of full team support in the struggle.
Teamwork and a spirit of cooperation through the challenges of life is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
