JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:13b.
Jesus taught us to pray, “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
This is an acknowledgement of God’s Sovereignty over the world, human history, and the future.
He reigns on the throne with supreme power and authority. When we say this prayer to the LORD from the heart, we exalt His name in praise and worship.
In the context of a world torn by sin and strife, we need reminders that God is still in control, and is working through the situations of this world to bring about His glory. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to stand in awe of God’s glory in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Sovereign.
One definition of Sovereign is “possessing supreme or ultimate power.” When someone says, “God is in control”, they are referring to the Sovereignty of God. For the follower of Jesus, that truth is a source of comfort.
The word “Sovereign” appears almost 300 times in the Bible.
One of those references is Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
And in Isaiah 25:8, in the picture of eternity, we read that He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.
Find encouragement in the Sovereignty of God to be our source of strength and hope in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Mighty.
This refers to having impressive power or strength.
The hand of the LORD is described as Mighty. When He acts on our behalf, that is a source of comfort for us.
In Deuteronomy 3:24, Moses said to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do.”
It was the mighty hand of God that brought the Israelites out of Egypt, the land of slavery.
God’s mighty hand has the power to free us from our slavery to sin-to redeem us from the power of death, the traps of the devil, and the deceptions of this world. We cannot prevail on our own strength, but with the Lord on our side, we have a strong ally to give us victory. If God is for us, who can be against us?
Find encouragement in the mighty hand of God to redeem us in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A explores the question, “What does the Sovereignty of God mean?”
One definition of the word “Sovereign” is “possessing supreme or ultimate power.”
The LORD identified Himself to Abraham as “God Almighty”. One of the implications of His supreme power is that nothing is too difficult for Him. He can do anything that is consistent with His character.
God’s Sovereignty can be a very comforting truth when our world seems to be falling apart. God’s Sovereignty assures us that He is on the throne and He is in control. He is working through history and the circumstances of our lives to reveal His glory. He is able to take what is meant for evil and overcome it with good. He is able to take our tears of sorrow and enable us to be a source of comfort for others. God’s Sovereignty teaches us that when we do not perceive His hand at work, we can still trust Him with our soul.
Psalm 46:10 is a picture of God’s Sovereignty: Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
In 2016, God is still on the throne in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Psalm 46:10.
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46 is about looking to God in faith through circumstances that would normally melt hearts with fear.
There are references to earthquakes and tsunamis found here. Nations are in uproar. Kingdoms fall. Desolations are found on the earth.
The world suffers the consequences from humanity’s sin problem, and those consequences include disasters and armed conflict between nations. In the midst of such upheaval, God invites us to find hope and strength in the everlasting arms of God’s grace. That is where we find security for our soul. That is where we find peace in the eye of the storm. The world is not spinning out of His control. God is on the throne, and this will be clearly evident to everyone in the course of time.
Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Depending on God in times of trouble is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Our prize for Winning Wednesday, July 2nd, is Michael W. Smith‘s new worship album, “Sovereign”. Listen to WJTL all day long for chances to call in and win it! It’s probably a good idea to keep us on speed dial: 717-392-3690 (392-FM90).
