JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Titus 1:3.
The Apostle Paul spoke of the hope of eternal life being brought to light through the preaching entrusted to him by the command of God our Savior.
At the time of Paul’s conversion. Jesus explained what his mission would be in Acts 26:18: “I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Preaching is a light to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ where people can receive the gift of God’s grace-forgiveness and a future place in heaven with God.
Not everyone is necessarily gifted in the practice of preaching, but if we follow Jesus, we have a message to share with the world. It can be said in a back-and-forth conversation, or with hands and feet that are willing to serve others.
This Light Reflection inspires us to share the hope of eternal life with those who need Jesus in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity is the Apostle Paul.
According to Acts 20:19, he told the church leaders at Ephesus, “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
Here was a man who persevered through times of testing and tears in his ministry for the church. He stayed true to his calling and consistently preached the message of the Gospel to the crowds. For Jews and Greeks, his message was the same: Repent. Turn to God. Have faith in the Lord Jesus.
The faithfulness of Paul to the Gospel inspires us to stay true to God and live a life of integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the life changing impact of God’s grace.
After Paul was converted to Christ, there was a noticeable change in his life. Instead of wanting to persecute the church, he wanted to build up the church in the qualities of faith, hope, and love. He had an earnest desire to see Jesus glorified in his life. Through his testimony, that is exactly what happened. He became a devoted follower of Jesus, which was a reason for churches to praise God. Not only did they lose an enemy, but they gained a friend, a true ally who would speak up for the Good News of Jesus Christ, and be influential in leading people to the Lord.
In Galatians 1:22, Paul was talking about his spiritual journey after coming to faith in Christ. He said, “I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’” Then Paul says, “And they praised God, because of me.”
This goes to show that if Paul can be converted to Christ, no soul is hopeless. When someone makes a sweeping life change like this, the body of Christ has the opportunity to surround that person with support and encouragement.
The life-changing impact of God’s grace is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
