JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Philippians 1:6.
The Apostle Paul expressed his gratitude to God for his partnership with this church.
He said, “Being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
What an amazing privilege to participate in the mission of the Gospel! God has a plan and purpose for us to glorify His name and to spread His good news of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. The work that He starts in us, He is also able to complete.
Our legacy of faith extends beyond life on this earth. It speaks in the lives of anyone who is persuaded to follow Jesus by the word of our testimony. They will go on to be an influence for the Gospel to future generations. In that way, God’s good work in us will continue until the day of Christ’s return.
“God at work in 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 Light Reflection is from Philippians 1:21.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Life on this earth is temporary. Our bodies are not made to last, but while we live in them, we can live for a purpose that leaves a legacy of faith.
The Apostle Paul loved Jesus and lived for the glory of His name. As a result, Paul lived with purpose and hope.
There is much fulfillment when we live according to God’s design for our lives. If we live, that means fruitful labor for us. If we die, that means that we are in the comfort of God’s presence forever. To live is Christ and to die is gain.
This Light Reflection inspires us to find our purpose and hope in Christ in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
August 2nd, The Lancaster Christian Women’s Club Cordially invites all ladies to our “Broken Pieces” luncheon at 12 noon (doors open 11:30), at Bent Creek Country Club, 620 Bent Creek Dr, Lititz, PA
A very special feature music with popular blues & jazz recording artist Tempe Brown! Our Speaker will also be Tempe Brown, and she will share her life story “Putting the Puzzle of Life Together, without the Box Lid”. Tempe is a recording artist, author, artist & a former Las Vegas entertainer.
Invite a friend and “do lunch” with us. Advance reservation required; Mail check for $32 to: Pat Boatner 206 Cool Creek Way, Lancaster, Pa. 17602, made payable to “Stonecroft”. Payment must be received the Friday before the event. Please include guest names & seating preference. All dietary restrictions must be noted at the time of reservations or cannot be honored. Call 717-799-0088 for info.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Second Corinthians 5:15.
Speaking of Jesus, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
The light of the Gospel gives us purpose to live for God’s glory.
The death and resurrection of Jesus motivates us to love and serve God with every ounce of strength that we have. Jesus gave His all for us. Now, in gratitude, we have the opportunity to live for Him. We live with the confidence that we do not serve a dead Savior, but a Living Savior. Therefore, our purpose is a victorious cause.
In light of the resurrection, First Corinthians 15:58 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
This Light Reflection inspires us to delight in God’s purpose for our lives to glorify Him in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Philippians 1:21.
The Apostle Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
As long as we are alive in our bodies, we have the opportunity to know Jesus personally, to live for Him, and find our purpose in Him. Paul reasoned that as he went on living in his body, that would mean fruitful labor for him. Yet, to be with Christ was better by far. So, he viewed death as a promotion into the presence of God.
So, as we live for Jesus today, we have the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God. This happens as we work for the progress and joy of believers, and persuade unbelievers to become followers of Jesus.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to use our time on this earth to live for Jesus in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Corinthians 5:15.
Speaking of Jesus, “He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
We were made for a purpose that is greater than ourselves. We were made for worship-to lift up the name of Jesus and to live for His glory. That is when life has meaning and when our faith has vibrant expression.
The death and resurrection of Jesus has brought our purpose to life. In response to God’s precious gift provided for us, we want to honor Him with a life of grateful love and devotion.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to live for Jesus in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 138:8.
David wrote, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.”
The good News of Jesus fills our lives with purpose.
God has uniquely created us to be in relationship with Him and to grow in His grace so that we might reflect His glory. God can take our ambitions and abilities and then open doors for us to serve Him in productive ways. He took David’s background as a shepherd boy and prepared him to become the king of Israel. God also has an important purpose for us.
Ephesians 2:10 says to followers of Jesus, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to go on mission with God and and live out His purpose for us in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Acts 17: 26 to 28.
The Apostle Paul said, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they should seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
This insight reveals that we are not here by accident, but rather by providence. God made us for the purpose of knowing Him. He is not distant from hearing the cries of our heart. He is near enough to hear our humble prayers and to save us from our sins. He has the power to restore us to a right relationship with Him through faith in Jesus.
These faith-building verses inspire us to call on the name of the Lord in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to run the race of faith with purpose.
Have you ever heard of an Olympic athlete who shows up at the games without training for their event? In reality, each athlete has invested an enormous amount of time, energy, and training to fulfill their dream of representing their country, and to win a gold medal.
The Apostle Paul looked to the dedicated athlete and said to the church in so many words, “we can learn from their example as we apply it to the Christian life.”
He wrote in First Corinthians 9:24, “Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
If we keep our focus on Jesus, He will give us incentive to run a good race with every step we take.
Take the daily challenge to run the race with purpose on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember why Jesus died for us.
Here are three Bible verses that give us compelling reasons.
From Second Corinthians 5:15, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” That’s godly purpose.
From First Thessalonians 5:10, “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” That’s a forever relationship between God and His people.
And First John 4:9, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” That’s power to live out the good news.
The common thread is that Jesus died so that we might live. His grace moves us to live with godly purpose, in meaningful relationship, and with the strength to press on in the faith.
Take the daily challenge to remember why Jesus died to give us life on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Acts 17, verses 26 and 27.
These were words spoken by the Apostle Paul when he preached a sermon in Athens.
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
We are not here by accident or random chance. We were placed in this part of the world at this moment of human history for a reason. God has a purpose for our lives, and one of those purposes is to know Him personally.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of a personal relationship where we fully trust in His love in the Year of Vision.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
