JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in John 8, verses 31 and 32.
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus linked His teachings to truth, and He linked truth to freedom. This is the pathway, then, to true and lasting liberty-by following Jesus and living according to His teachings.
As we take the words of Jesus to heart, they will transform our heart and lead us in a life-giving direction. They will move us to express faith with love.
Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
The truth of God’s Word reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Second Timothy 3:14 and 15.
“As for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy, you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
The word of God has the power to lead us to faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible gives us the opportunity to open our heart to the Gospel.
This happened to an Ethiopian man in Acts chapter 8. He was reading from the book of Isaiah. At first, he did not understand the meaning, but when Philip used that passage to explain the good news about Jesus, that man put his faith in Jesus and got baptized into the Christian faith.
The power of God’s Word reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in First John 2:1 and 2.
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
In the spiritual realm, Satan is the accuser of God’s followers and Jesus is our defender. This comes to light especially when we disobey the Lord. After Satan tempts us, he accuses us before God. He tries to shame us and condemn us. On the other hand, Jesus is the influence who motivates to trust and obey God. When we fall short, His grace is sufficient to protect us from condemnation. His love for us is very great, and His kindness moves us to turn back from the error of sinful ways to follow Him faithfully.
Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
The righteousness of Jesus to defend us reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in John 16:33.
Jesus told His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”
These were some of the last words that Jesus shared with His disciples before His arrest. Jesus was preparing His followers for His death, resurrection, and eventual departure from this world. He was leaving final words of instruction and comfort for them.
The reason He told them these things is the reason that these things are recorded for us-so that in Christ we may have peace. Life in this world can be filled with peer pressure, stress, and conflict. But there is also a greater reality than our problems. We can be encouraged by the proclamation of Jesus to overcome the world. Because He wins, so will His followers. First Corinthians 15:57 says, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The victory of Jesus over sin and death reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – 2024 is the Year of Gratitude at WJTL. In our 40th year of ministry, we are thankful to God for His faithfulness and thankful for our family of listeners.
Each weekday, we will share a Scripture with you that focuses on God’s goodness, which gives us a reason to be grateful.
Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in First Timothy 1:15.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.
The Apostle Paul lived with profound gratitude to God for His grace and mercy that reached him when he was at the lowest depths of depravity. He had been filled with hatred toward followers of Jesus, but was stopped in his tracks on the way to Damascus, where he had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life. The journey of Paul to faith reminds us that no one is a hopeless cause beyond God’s ability to reach them.
The mission of Jesus to save sinners reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 36:9.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
To get to our desired destination, we need to follow the right directions. To find correct answers, we need to have reliable information. Every strong building starts with a firm foundation.
Jesus is the light source we need for a vibrant relationship with God. He is the pathway to an eternal destiny. He is the answer to solve the problem of our sinful nature. He is the foundation for a thriving faith. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
This Light Reflection inspires us to look to Jesus for the clarity we need everyday in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 5:46 and 47
Jesus told His critics, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
The words of Moses shed light on the identify of Jesus as the coming Messiah. He wrote about Jesus in Deuteronomy 18:15, when he said, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”
In Acts chapter 3, Peter applied this statement to Jesus.
This Light Reflection inspires us by the words of Moses to listen to the voice of Jesus in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 5, verses 39 to 40.
Jesus said to His critics, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
Is it possible to read the Bible and miss the message? Evidently, the religious leaders in the days of Jesus were very familiar with the Scriptures of the Old Testament, but rejected Jesus as their Messiah. When we see the influence of Jesus in the Bible from the books of Genesis to Revelation, His good news of redemption comes into view.
The Bible is a lamp for spiritual transformation if we believe and obey the message that leads us to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord.
This Light Reflection inspires us to see the influence of Jesus as we study the Scriptures in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Revelation 5, verse 9.
The Apostle John saw a vision of heaven. One of the scenes he saw was a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
They fell before the Lamb and sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Heaven resounds with worship for Jesus, who is glorified at the throne. These words are spoken in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power, and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
This Light Reflection inspires us worship Jesus reverently on earth as He is honored in heaven 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 to think about Jesus.
Our thoughts often focus on what and who we love the most. When we fall in love with someone, it is common for us to be thinking about that person when we are not with them, and to give our devoted attention to them when we are with them.
Thinking about Jesus keeps our priorities focused on God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Our affections and love for Him will grow as we know Him more deeply. Thinking about Jesus will also shove out impure thoughts and motives that corrupt the mind and heart.
Hebrews 3:1 urges us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus. The more we reflect on His glory, His teachings, and His love, the more we will be transformed into His likeness and reflect His character to a watching world.
Thinking about Jesus is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 8:58.
Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” Statements. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is, and what He can accomplish on our behalf.
In John 8:58, Jesus made an astonishing statement that stirred anger among the religious leaders who opposed Him. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!”
Their reaction was to pick up stones to throw at Him. They recognized that Jesus was claiming to be God. But they resisted His claim, which led to the fulfillment of God’s redemption plan.
First Peter 1:20 talks about Jesus being chosen before the creation of the world to shed His precious blood on the cross.
God would use the hatred of the religious leaders to express His love for the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This Light Reflection inspires us to acknowledge Jesus as God in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
