JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Zechariah 10:1.
Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.
Spring is a season for warmer temperatures, planting of crops, and showers of blessing. This verse acknowledges rain as a blessing from God’s hand to provide nourishment for the land and food for the people. This verse also encourages us to turn to God for these blessings in the springtime.
Acts 14:17 says about God, “He has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provided you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
This faith-building verse inspires us to ask God for showers of blessings to provide for our daily needs in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the nourishment of spring rains and the word of God.
In Isaiah 55:10, the LORD compares the rain cycle with the nourishment of His Word to feed our soul.
From the New Living Translation, “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
Just as the soil needs rain for the crops to grow, so we need God’s Word for our faith to grow. That is one dependable place where we can turn to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Focusing on God’s Word daily gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on good and perfect gifts.
James 1:17 tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Here we see that God is the giver of all good gifts. Some of those gifts might be tangible things. First Timothy 6 tells us that God is the One who provides us with everything for our enjoyment. But this blessing comes with a caution for us not to put our hope in wealth, but rather to put our hope in God. Love the Giver more than the gift.
Some of the good gifts provided by God might be resources that we need to survive. Acts 14:17 says, “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” This, too is a blessing from God and a reason to give thanks.
Some of His gifts are perfect. Jesus is the perfect remedy for our sin. God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son. The Holy Spirit is the perfect power source for living the Christian life. Jesus said in Luke 11, “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Every good and perfect gift from God is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Day two brought rain and a river that ran through our tent. Though it sounds dreary, the day as a whole was equally as good as day one. My six frisbees were gone within a hour of people guessing the #1 condiment in the US. Some said ketchup, others said mayo, but the correct answer was mustard. Did you get it right? Before the rain came, the people came in waves to be considered for the two hot air balloon tickets; our tent was packed. But only one person could be the winner and that person was Gabrielle Capper of Altoona, Pa. Congrats!
In this world there are universal things everybody loves: contemporary Christian music, Kristi Leigh, and free Chick-fil-A. Tomorrow I will be giving away free Chick-fil-A for a year. Yes, you read that right. If you win tomorrow, you will be eating one Chick-fil-A sandwich, every week, until Creation 2014! Besides free Chick-fil-A, I have t-shirts, cinch bags, and coffee mugs to give away. But if you’ve learned anything from todays Frisbee giveaway, you’d know I love fun facts. So here we go: The average hot dog is consumed in how many bites? Guess correctly and you’ll be walking away with a t-shirt, coffee mug, or cinch bag. Good luck!
FRED MCNAUGHTON – Five Fun Free Family Things to do POSTPONED today due to rain and flooding. We were concerned about highlighting events that may cancel due to the storms and flooding. We hope to return next Friday. We encourage you to Pray for those affected by the storms. Many have lost homes and businesses, others are cleaning up from the damage. Visit our Prayer Wall and post your prayer requests or pray for those there.
