JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to feed the fire of faith.

The beginning of our relationship with God brings refreshment to our souls.  Over time, there are some disciplines that can help us keep that passion for the Lord so that we overflow with enthusiasm.

One of those disciplines is to read God’s Word daily. This is an opportunity to meet God and listen to His voice speaking into our day.

Another discipline is prayer. This is an opportunity to tell God what is on our heart. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.

A third discipline is connections with believers. The church can serve as a support system to encourage our faith to grow.

A fourth discipline is to find a meaningful place of service that meets the needs of others. Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Feeding the fire of our faith is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

On Friday, July 28 at 7:00 PM, Enola First Church of God is hosting a FREE COFFEE HOUSE featuring entertainment by Codie Reed (Gospel, Hymns, Oldies Vocal). The Coffee House will be held in our lower level Fellowship Hall. Come join us for free snacks, beverages, and Christian entertainment in an informal atmosphere! A freewill offering will be received. For a schedule of upcoming Coffee Houses throughout 2023, visit our website at www.enolacog.com/coffee-house.

Sunday, June 11, 2023
10am-3pm at Safe Harbor Park in Conestoga
Outdoor Worship Service is from 10-11am
This event is rain or shine.

Thanks to a local group of families and businesses, the 7th Annual Conestoga Fun Day is completely free to the public and a perfect opportunity to meet new people, and have fun in the process. Come and slow your pace, enjoy a sense of community, and unwind with family and friends!

Live with Purpose Church info at livewithpurposechurch.org

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First John 1:5 to 7.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

The light of the Gospel reveals the life of fellowship and forgiveness that we have in Christ.

Walking in the light is the way of following Jesus with humility. As we walk with Him, we step into the light of His grace, freedom and forgiveness. Our sins are no longer counted against us. We enjoy a fulfilling friendship with God and with His followers. James 2:23 says that Abraham believed God and it was a credit to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the life of forgiveness and fellowship that Jesus offers us 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 Devotion to Church Fellowship.

The church is God’s plan for advancing the Gospel around the world. By participating in fellowship, we can build healthy relationships that become a support structure for each other in the faith.

The church is not perfect. There are plenty of flaws in church history to document that fact. But God still works through imperfect people to spread the word of His perfect love. And we get to be part of what God is doing in the church.

Acts 2:42 reveals what happened among believers in the early church. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved. The devotion of those disciples to fellowship was one of the factors that contributed to the vibrant influence of the early church.

Devotion to church fellowship 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 Intentional Communication.

Relationships have opportunity to flourish when communication between two parties is open, honest, and frequent.

Good communication is vital to healthy relationships as nutritious food is vital to a healthy body.

This is true in our relationship with God. First Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to “pray continually.” This is an important part of staying connected with God.

This is also true of our relationships with others. Acts 2 reveals the early church as a thriving church. Verse 46 says that one of the dynamics of this growing church was that they continued to meet together in the temple courts every day. The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

Intentional Communication 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 Devotion to the fellowship of the saints.

The early church was made of imperfect people who were committed to the Gospel. As the Holy Spirit moved among them, their witness for Jesus had a great impact on the world.

One of the dynamics that contributed to this impact was their commitment to each other. Acts 2:42 tells us that these early disciples devoted themselves to fellowship.

That word “fellowship” refers to spiritual relationships, where believers in Jesus share in the goodness of God. It was the practice of the early church to meet together in the temple courts every day.

God’s plan for believers is to be in relationship with others believers so that we might spur one another on toward love and good deeds and encourage each other to be true to the Lord.

Devotion to the fellowship of the saints is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 10:24 and 25.

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Worship is a way of life that includes fellowship with other believers.

Church is one place where we can find edifying relationships for our faith. As we seek out friendships with other people who sincerely love God and care about us, there will be opportunities to learn, grow, and find support for our faith. And the same thing can happen for others through our encouragement. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise.” The local church is a place where we can help each other grow in our walk with Christ.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to form friendships that will move us closer to God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Fellowship.

In the Bible, fellowship refers to meaningful connections that lead to spiritual growth among followers of Jesus.

In this type of relationship, we have opportunity to walk with other brothers and sisters in Christ to share how the Lord is working in our lives. We can encourage each other to grow more mature in the grace of God. Jesus is at the center of true and meaningful fellowship that unites God’s people in love and purpose.

A relationship with God opens the door for these kinds of relationships to develop. First John 1:3 says, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”  First John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Fellowship is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to devote ourselves to the fellowship of the church.

The early church was a thriving church in Acts chapter 2. The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

One of the dynamics of the early church was that the people devoted themselves to the fellowship of the church.

Acts 2:46 says, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. This was a community that met together consistently, as they embraced the “one another” statements of the Bible.

They loved one another, They honored one another. They sought to live in harmony with one another. They accepted one another. They served one another. They encouraged one another. They were kind and compassionate to one another.

What might happen in our church congregation if we consistently live out the “One Another” commands in the Bible?

Take the daily challenge to be devoted to the fellowship of the church on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Challenge motivates us to take a step toward meaningful connections with other believers.

One of the ways that God helps us to grow in our walk with Christ is to bring other believers into our lives for encouragement. And we can support others in the faith with our friendship.

Hebrew 10:24 and 25 says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

The Pandemic has limited larger gatherings over the past year.  However, the principle of connecting with other believers is still relevant, whether that means online connections or meeting in a socially distant setting. We bring out the best in each other through encouragement. That happens through meaningful connections in the body of Christ.

Take the daily challenge to walk in relationship with other believers on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com