JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to rest in the Lord.

When evangelist Billy Graham was asked if he had any regrets in reflection of his life and ministry, he responded by saying he wished he would have spent more time with family, spoken less, and studied more. He would have spent more time in prayer, telling the Lord how much he loved Him. Billy Graham lived a productive life, but looking back, he saw great value in resting in the Lord.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

Resting in the Lord is a refreshing experience. It is a time of reliance on His great love for us. It is a fulfilling time of telling God how much we love Him and desire to honor Him with the moments of our lives. Our strength is renewed when we pause and take time to reflect on God’s grace and wisdom.

Resting in the Lord is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is taking time to rest and worship.

In our fast-paced culture, we can easily get caught up in a busy lifestyle that leads to burnout. That leaves us with less energy to invest in relationships that really matter to us.

Exodus 20:8 says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God.”

The Pharisees in the time of Jesus turned this into a legalistic practice of do’s and don’ts. But this law was given for our benefit and refreshment. Jesus taught, “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

So, one day out of the week is a good pattern to take time for rest and use that opportunity to worship God in the assembly of the saints.

Taking time for rest and worship is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 23:2.

With the LORD as my shepherd, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”

In a relationship with God, we can rest in His grace. His love will be our source of peace and confidence. In a works-oriented religion, a person tries to earn the favor of God with good deeds, but with that mindset, there is never any true security that we have done enough to please our Maker. When we see God’s love through the cross, we see His grace as a gift to be received by faith, not a paycheck to earn by our good deeds.  

Our yearning for peace with God is satisfied in Christ, and our thirst for righteousness is satisfied by the gentle flow of His grace.   

Through Jesus, we are set free to enjoy God’s rest and refreshment.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Exodus 33:14.

Being a leader of a group of people can be a lonely place, especially when facing a difficult decision. Moses led Israel through a desert experience, and sometimes, his own people rebelled against his leadership. Where would Moses turn for guidance?

One day he had a conversation with God. He prayed, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways, so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

The LORD replied to Moses’ prayer, saying, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

That is exactly what Moses needed to hear, and Jesus said something similar to us in Matthew 11:28. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Rest for the soul is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the power of God to save us and be our source of strength.

In Isaiah 30:15, this is what the Sovereign LORD says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength.”

Repentance is a turning point that acknowledges we have been going the wrong way and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and direction to follow His way.

Rest is a reliance on God’s grace to save us. We acknowledge that no amount of good deeds could ever outweigh our bad deeds to make us right with God. We do not have the ability to climb ourselves out of our debt of sin. But because of what Jesus did for us at the cross, we believe that He paid the price of our debt. And so, we depend on Jesus.

Quietness is a place of solitude at God’s throne of grace, convincing us that God is in control.

Trust is a place of confidence in the LORD even in times of trouble.

The power of God to save us and be our source of strength is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today, WJTL remembers what Jesus said about rest.

Just as our bodies need a bed for sleep, so our souls need Jesus for peace and rest.

His grace is comforting to the weary soul.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Sometimes, burnout comes when we focus so much on the work of the Lord that we forget to slow down and be refreshed in God’s love with days of rest and worship. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. He designed moments of rest so that we might cultivate life’s most important relationship and NOT become weary in doing good.

What Jesus said about rest is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com