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Posts Tagged ‘Jerusalem’

Faith Building Verses-Matthew 20:17-19

April 7th, 2022 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Matthew 20:17-19.

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life.”

When Jesus talked like this, the disciples were clearly taken out of their comfort zones. His words caused them to be confused, to grieve, or even to rebuke Jesus for talking like that. But Jesus knew what He was talking about, and His predictions happened exactly according to plan.

Although the cross is a painful part of Jesus’ journey, it was necessary for God’s plan to save us from our sins. His resurrection was also necessary for our ultimate victory over death.

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust in God’s salvation plan in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Good News Focus-Vision of Future Peace

September 29th, 2020 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Micah 4:5.

“All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”

This chapter reveals the blessing of belonging to God and His Kingdom. The prophet lays out a vision of the future where God teaches us His ways so that we may walk in his paths.

The word of the LORD will go out from Jerusalem. Nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. No one will make them afraid.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of grace, truth, and peace in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Person of Integrity-Zechariah

October 16th, 2018 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is Zechariah.

He was a prophet who wrote a book in the Old Testament. There are significant themes found in his writings.

He called people to return to the LORD.

He spoke about the strategic and prophetic significance of Jerusalem.

He spoke of a day to come when the LORD would be king over the whole earth.

And he spoke of the events surrounding Palm Sunday with these words, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey.”

The faithfulness of Zechariah to draw attention to Jesus inspires us to do the same with our words and to live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Focus On God-Jesus As A Gentle King

April 10th, 2017 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines Jesus as a gentle king.

According to Matthew 21, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. As Jesus entered, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

The fact that Jesus rode on a donkey meant that He was riding in peace, not in war. If He came to wage war, He would have been riding a horse. But Jesus was coming to Jerusalem with an offer of peace, which would be ultimately fulfilled the following week when He laid down His life for us at the cross.

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, which says, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey.”

The appearance of Jesus as a gentle king is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Reason To Believe-Jerusalem

April 7th, 2016 1 comment

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason To Believe is the city of Jerusalem.

In the headlines, it is the subject of controversy today. In the Bible, it is described as the holy city. Jerusalem means “City of Peace.”

According to Ezekiel 5:5, the LORD says, “This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.”

Jerusalem is the city where the temple stood as a place of worship.

Jerusalem is the city where Jesus entered to present Himself as a gentle king, riding on a donkey.

Jerusalem is the city where Jesus was tried and condemned to death. He would die just outside the holy city as a sacrifice for our sins.

Jerusalem is the place where the Holy Spirit came in power on the early church.

Jerusalem was the launching point for the Gospel to spread around the world.

And according to Jeremiah 3:17, Jerusalem will be called “The Throne of the LORD.”

The significant events surrounding the city of Jerusalem reveals that God’s redemptive plan is central to our hope for lasting peace and is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Lesson Of Faith-Hosanna

March 20th, 2013 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – As Jesus entered the holy city on a donkey, a very large crowd was there to spread cloaks on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds were shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Hosanna is a word that means “save.” This word was a cry of the Old Testament. Psalm 118:25 says, “O LORD, save us.” In Jesus, the prayer for salvation becomes a declaration of praise. “Salvation belongs to our God.” Jesus rode into Jerusalem with shouts of joy from a welcoming crowd.

In a matter of days, the cry on the streets would not be for Jesus to save them, but for Pontius Pilate to crucify Jesus. What Jesus’ opponents did not know was that by going to the cross, Jesus was fulfilling God’s purpose of saving His people from their sins. Our plea for salvation becomes an answer to prayer through Jesus Christ.

The shout of Hosanna is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com