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 9:18, when Ananias ministered to a new convert named Saul.
He was in Damascus when the Lord called him to visit Saul who was praying. His assignment was to place hands on him to restore Saul’s sight. Ananias was familiar with the harm Saul had done to God’s people before converting to Christ.
But the Lord reassured Ananias, saying, “Go, this man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”
Ananias took a step of courage. He went to Saul, and placed his hands on him. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. After taking food, Saul regained his strength.
This Light Reflection inspires us to support new believers as they follow Jesus in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Epiphany Homeschool Theatre Academy presents RADIUM GIRLS!
Radium Girls is an illuminating true story of three brave women fighting for their lives when a miracle discovery turns poison. Will justice be found before time runs out?
Summary —
In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumors could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees. As the case goes on, however, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire. Written with warmth and humor, Radium Girls is a fast-moving, highly theatrical ensemble piece with a small cast, who play more than 30 parts—friends, co-workers, lovers, relatives, attorneys, scientists, consumer advocates, and myriad interested bystanders. Called a “powerful” and “engrossing” drama by critics, Radium Girls offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to walk by faith, not in fear.
Being a witness for Jesus involves taking a public stand for the Gospel. The Apostle Paul was an excellent example of a bold believer.
He said in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” He consistently stood for Jesus in crowds that were receptive to his message and crowds that were hostile to his message.
Peter struggled with that kind of boldness at times. After Jesus was arrested, he denied knowing Jesus three times. But later, he would learn from the error of his ways and turn back to Christ.
He encouraged a church under persecution with these words in First Peter 3:14, “Even if you suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats, do not be frightened.”
Walking by faith, not in fear is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – 2023 has been designated the Year to Shine at WJTL. We will explore what it means to be the salt and light in this world that Jesus calls us to be. Listen for daily light reflections and for steps of faith that we can take to be a radiant witness for Jesus.
In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Courage.
Peter demonstrated courage when he walked on water toward Jesus.
In Matthew 14:25, Jesus was walking on the water in the midst of a storm when His disciples saw him and cried out in fear. Jesus said, Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.
Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus invited Peter to come. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus.”
It is important to note that Peter did not venture out on his own. He went at the invitation of Jesus. Faith responds to the invitation of God’s Word to move closer to Jesus. Courage is needed when that next step is difficult.
Courage is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 1:23.
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means, “God with us.)
God’s love is seen in the birth of Jesus. Recognizing that God is for us and with us will make a huge difference in how we approach life.
We can live with courage, just like Joshua, who heard these words from the LORD before entering the Promised Land, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
We can also live with godly contentment. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
And we can live with confidence in God’s love for us. I John 4:16 says that we know and rely on the love God has for us.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to approach life with the awareness that God loves us in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the extraordinary faith of ordinary men.
Peter and John were two of Jesus’ disciples.
In Acts 4:12, Peter made this public declaration about Jesus, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Here is how the religious leaders responded to this statement: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
One of the demonstrations of extraordinary faith is courage, and the pathway to extraordinary courage is time well spent with Jesus.
Focusing on being with Jesus daily gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the contagious effect of courage.
While the Coronavirus is having a contagious effect on the world in an unhealthy way, there are contagious influences that have a positive effect on our lives.
One of those influences is courage.
Sometimes, one person’s willingness to step forward and stand for God motivates others to step forward too. This can happen when someone leads the way by example or offers words of encouragement for someone who is feeling timid or fearful. Billy Graham has said that courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.
Jesus is the ultimate example of courage. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Focusing on the courage of Jesus to go to the cross gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is Mordecai.
He was a cousin to Queen Esther during a time when the Jews were living under the reign of the Persian Empire. There were a number of noble qualities about Mordecai.
He had taken Esther as his own daughter before she became queen. Esther did not have a father or mother. As her cousin, Mordecai became a father-like figure to her. He was a man of compassion.
He also broke up an assassination attempt against the king. He was a man of courage.
It also appears that Mordecai was loyal to God. When the king ordered the royal officials to kneel down and honor a man named Haman, Mordecai refused to comply. He was a man of conviction.
The faithfulness of Mordecai to live with compassion, courage, and conviction inspires us to do what is right in the eyes of God and live a life of Integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His constant presence.
According to Hebrews 13:5, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Reminders of God’s constant presence serve to build our courage and release us from fear.
Joshua was about to face the battle of Jericho on his way to the Promised Land. The LORD said to him, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
We might get nervous at the thought of telling someone else about our faith in Jesus, but the constant presence of Jesus encourages us to be His faithful witnesses. He said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always to the very end of the age.”
The constant presence of Jesus is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His letter to the church at Smyrna.
In Revelation 2:9, His main message to this church is to commend them for their faithful witness. He says, “I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich.” “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.” “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
The witness of this church reveals that followers of Christ will, at times, face persecution for our faith.
Polycarp was the bishop at Smyrna, and when he was 86 years of age, he was pressured to acknowledge Caesar as Lord. But Polycarp would not bow to the pressure. He said, “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” As a result of his stand for Jesus, Polycarp became a martyr for the faith.
A daily connection with Christ inspires faith and courage for times of testing.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His great commission.
It happens in Matthew 28, just before He ascended to heaven. He told the disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always to the very end of the age.”
Jesus was commissioning His followers into a mission of disciple-making that would leave an impact on the world for many generations to follow. These men were not the religious scholars of their day, but they did spend time with Jesus, and that made all the difference in their bold proclamation of the Gospel. Acts 4:13 says that when the religious leaders saw the courage of two of Jesus’ disciples, (Peter and John), and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
We do not have to be scholars to be effective witnesses of the Gospel, but we do need a relationship with Jesus. We need His help and we need His love, because being a disciple-maker is a God-sized mission.
A daily connection with Christ gives us the courage to speak for Him.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
