JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to be in awe of God.

Many Bible characters were filled with awe in God’s presence.

When Ezekiel saw the glory of the LORD, he fell facedown.

When Moses saw the glory of the LORD at the burning bush, he hid his face.

When Isaiah saw the glory of the LORD, he said, “Woe is me. I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips.” These prophets and more were raised up by God to serve their nation in productive ways.

To be in awe of God is to recognize that we are in the Presence of someone greater than ourselves. We have reverence for His name, regard for His power, and respect for His authority. We may feel unworthy in His holy presence, but we are not unloved in His amazing grace. Being in awe of God is being in a place of worship.

Habakkuk 3:2 says, “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.”

Being in Awe of God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Revelation 1, verses 14 through 16.

John had an encounter with Jesus before he wrote the book of Revelation.  This is part of the description of what he saw.

“The hair on his head was white as wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”

John responded by falling at his feet. The hand of Jesus was on him.  The voice of Jesus spoke to him: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One.”

An encounter with Jesus will lead us to faith, reverence, and worship. We will understand that we are in the Presence of someone greater than ourselves, but we will be truly grateful that we are loved by Him. Our faithful service will lead to the glory of His name and will flow out of a relationship with Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find love and purpose in the Presence of Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to revere God.

To have reverence for God is to have a deep respect for His name and high regard for His Word. With sincere gratitude for His grace, we desire to honor Him in our words and actions.

That is what Joseph did in Genesis 39:9, and it was this character quality that helped him say no to temptation. He said, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” After that, Joseph was falsely accused and went to prison, but he would come out of that jail cell to save many lives during a severe famine. Joseph’s faith and hope in the Lord motivated him to make wise decisions.

Proverbs 14:27 says, “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.”

Reverence for God is a Vital Step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is a Pure Heart.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

This beatitude has to do with living for God with pure devotion and pure motives. If we want to live in the light, then the way forward is to fix our eyes on Jesus and protect our heart from all kinds of corruption.

The starting place for a pure heart is reverence for God. Job was commended as a man who was blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil. In light of all that God has done for us, it is fitting for us to respond with gratitude and offer ourselves to Him with complete devotion.

Second Corinthians 7:1 urges us to “purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

A pure heart is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Acts 2:43.

“Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.”

One of the characteristics of a dynamic church is that the believers worship God with reverence and awe.

We are not meant to just go through the motions of worship, but to offer God a heart of worship.

The miracle of God’s love and the wonders of His grace so captivate us with a sense of gratitude that our joy overflows in praise.

When we consider the depths of pain that Jesus endured for the sake of offering us the riches of His kingdom, how could we not be moved? Hebrews 12:28 says, “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

Living in awe and wonder of God’s grace is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Leviticus 19:32.

“Rise in the presence of the aged; show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.”

Out of reverence to God, we are led to respect the elderly and those who are in authority over us. Those who are advanced in years have a wealth of experience and many have gained wisdom through that experience.  The book of Proverbs is an example of the voice of experience offering wisdom to the next generation, so that they might grow up to honor the LORD.

Proverbs 1:8 says, “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”

One way we can show respect for the elderly is to listen to their wisdom and learn from their wisdom.  Consider their counsel seriously. The Bible also talks about respecting our church leaders and cooperating with them in service to God.

Respect for the elderly and reverence for God are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com