JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on First Timothy 4:16.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

This verse stresses the importance of what we believe and how we live. Both matter in terms of how they have an impact on our lives and on those watching us.

A good starting place for believing in sound doctrine is to study the life of Jesus. Examine how He lived, what He taught, and what He did to make redemption possible for us. He loves us and invites us to follow Him.  He seeks a relationship with us that will change our lives and save us from our sins. As we put our full faith in His gift of grace to save us, Jesus will make us instruments of His grace for others as we live out the Gospel.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of integrity and influence in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Esther 4:14.

A quote from Mordecai to Queen Esther, “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

This is perhaps the most often quoted passage in the book of Esther. Even though this book of the Bible does not mention God by name, His hand is clearly working in the circumstances that are unfolding in this book. An evil plot by Haman to wipe out the Jews is thwarted by Queen Esther. She used her influence to spare the Jews from annihilation. Her relative Mordecai offered her the encouragement she needed to take a personal risk for the sake of saving her people.

Whatever platform God has given us, that is an opportunity to stand for what is right. It may involve personal risk. We might pay the price of persecution for standing against evil. At the same time, we will know the joy of developing a deeper relationship with God as we follow Jesus with a loyal heart.

There are general purposes that God has for His followers: Knowing Him better, Glorifying Jesus, Building the church by the use of our spiritual gifts, and being a witness for Jesus to a world who needs His grace. For such a time as this, God is raising up His people to shine the light of grace and truth on a world darkened by division and deception.

Using our position as a platform to do God’s will is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com