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Posts Tagged ‘Kingdom’

Light Reflection-Hebrews 12:28 Ultimate Security

June 22nd, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Hebrews 12:28.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

Our ultimate security is not found in the things of this world. That is because a time is coming when the things of this world will be shaken. They will not endure that moment when God shakes the earth and the heavens.

His Kingdom, however, cannot be shaken. That is where we find a refuge for our soul. That is where we experience the peace and joy of knowing Jesus-when we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be thankful to God for the bright future He has prepared for those who love Him in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Isaiah 9:7 Lasting Peace

June 20th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 9:7.

Many of us are familiar with the prophecy concerning Jesus in verse 6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.

When Jesus was born, He was God’s greatest gift to the world. Grace and redemption came through Jesus.

Verse 7 reveals what His Kingdom will look like when He comes again.

“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

Can you imagine a world with no violence, or bloodshed or war? The prophet Isaiah envisioned it under the rule and reign of Jesus. What a day of blessing that will be!

This Light Reflection inspires us to know Jesus as our King and Prince of Peace in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Daniel 4:34 Where Humility Leads

June 15th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Daniel 4:34.

These are the words of an influential leader who was brought to a place of humility after a season of insanity.

King Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven. His sanity was restored, and he said, “Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.”

Before he was driven to insanity, King Nebuchadnezzar was focusing on his own kingdom and taking pride in it. After he was restored, he praised and exalted the king of heaven. Those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Humbling experiences are opportunities to fall down on our knees to acknowledge the worthiness of our King in heaven.

This Light Reflection inspires us to acknowledge the goodness and greatness of God in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Matthew 6:33-Seek First

June 7th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Matthew 6:33.

Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The book of Matthew refers to the kingdom of heaven more than any other book in the Bible.

Jesus was giving us a focus point to replace worry with faith. That focus point is the kingdom of God and His righteousness. These are bright lights that cause the darkness of worry to retreat.

Jesus said, “Do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘what shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

This Light Reflection inspires us to place God’s kingdom and righteousness as top priority in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Colossians 1:13-14 Rescued and Redeemed

May 17th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Colossians 1:13 and 14.

God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Apostle Paul was writing this message to the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in the Colossian church.  The difference between knowing Jesus and not knowing Jesus is like the difference between night and day. We see reality so much more clearly when we fix our eyes on Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith.

One of the blessings that we experience is the light of His redemption. The penalty of our sins was paid in full at the cross. Jesus paid for our redemption with the shedding of His blood. He has made a way for us to be forgiven by God. And now, through Jesus, we can go forward into His Kingdom and experience His love forever.

This Light Reflection inspires us to celebrate our inheritance in God’s Kingdom in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Word of Encouragement-Kingdom

December 1st, 2021 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Kingdom.

A kingdom is defined as a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen. It also refers to the spiritual reign or authority of God.

The angel Gabriel told Mary about the destiny of Jesus in Luke 1:32.

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

The good news about this never-ending kingdom is that Jesus has made a way for us to receive it-through His death and resurrection. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who embrace Jesus as king of their hearts.

Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

Find encouragement in the kingdom that God is preparing for those who love Him in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Red Letter Wisdom-Joining The Mission

August 26th, 2019 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Matthew 24:14.

Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

This was the mission that Jesus left with His followers before ascending to heaven: He told them to preach the good news to all creation and to make disciples of all nations. Jesus says the Gospel will have an impact on every nation. In heaven, there will be representatives from every nation joining in the celebration.

Through the efforts of missionaries to share the Gospel and efforts to translate the Bible into more languages, the good news of Jesus continues to spread around the world. Opportunities for evangelism continue to abound, thanks to the increase of technology, air travel, the internet, and the commitment of Jesus’ followers to share the good news.

The words of Jesus inspire us to go on mission with God and tell others about His saving grace in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Red Letter Wisdom-No More Of This

May 29th, 2019 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Luke 22:51.

Jesus said to Peter, “No more of this.” Then, He touched a man’s ear and healed him.

Peter had just drawn the sword and used it on the servant of the high priest. That was when Jesus stepped into say, “No more of this”-meaning, No more violence. He was telling Peter to put away his sword. 

Earlier, Jesus told the disciples to take two swords, but clearly, it was not for the purpose of preventing His arrest. Jesus told Pilate at His trial, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

The words of Jesus inspire us to use peaceful means in our defense of the Gospel in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Eye on Integrity-God’s Kingdom and Righteousness

October 29th, 2018 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Matthew 6:33.

Jesus said, “Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

God’s Kingdom is firmly established. David wrote in Psalm 145:13, “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endures through all generations.” Earthly kingdoms will rise and fall, but God’s kingdom will never be shaken.

God’s Kingdom also has great value. In one of Jesus’ shorter parables, He said that the kingdom of heaven was like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

God’s Kingdom is also filled with good fruit. Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Making God’s Kingdom and righteousness top priority is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

LIFE APPLICATION TRUTH-AN ENDURING CITY

October 16th, 2012 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – From Hebrews 13:14.

“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”

There are some major differences between being a citizen on the earth and a child of God’s Kingdom. The things of this world are temporary. The treasures of God’s kingdom are eternal. Our achievements on this earth that lead to trophies, medals, and honors will fade away, but our relationship with God and our service for Him will last forever. Our anticipation of heaven inspires us to be more productive, not less productive while we live on the earth.

In light of keeping our focus on the city that is to come, the next verse (Hebrews 13:15) says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with sacrifices God is pleased.”

Seeking first after God’s Kingdom and His righteousness is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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