JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is gracious conversation.
Jesus has a plan for His followers to be an influence in this world for the Gospel. The Gospel means “good news.” So, followers of Jesus should be recognized as people who belong to God and overflow with good news.
Colossians 4:5 encourages us to look for opportunities to share the good news of God’s love with others, both in conduct and in conversation. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Gracious Conversation is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the opportunity of today.
It has been said that today is a gift, so maybe that is why it is called the present. We have been given this moment to seize the opportunities that God has for us.
Second Corinthians 6:2 says that “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” God is giving us this moment to embrace the grace that is offered to us through Jesus Christ. The experience of salvation involves a relationship with God where we know Him personally, forgiveness from God, and eternal life with God in heaven.
Another opportunity that we have today is to follow God’s will. Ephesians 5:15 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Yet another opportunity of today is to celebrate the life that God has given us. This is what Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
The opportunities of today are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Jonah had run away from God’s mission to go to Nineveh and ended up in isolation after being swallowed by a great fish.
That is where he came to his senses and made a commitment to get on board with God’s mission.
With his heart more aligned with God’s purpose, Jonah 3:1 says, “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh.
Because of unwise decisions in the past, we might be tempted to think that God has given up on us and will not call us to service again. However, the Bible talks about several godly people who had second opportunities after making serious blunders. Just 50 days or so after Peter denied knowing Christ, he gave a bold sermon on Pentecost that led to the salvation of 3,000 souls. Jonah’s second opportunity also yielded productive results. The Ninevites were receptive to what he had to say, and humbled themselves in the eyes of the LORD. If you are on the sidelines of regret, remember: it’s not too late to get back to the place of service that honors God and touches lives with His grace.
Jonah’s second opportunity is a lesson of faith worth remembering.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
