JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Philippians 4:12 and 13.

The Apostle Paul said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

For Paul, contentment was not based on his circumstances. He was focused on the grace of God as his source of help and. hope. Paul lived with godly contentment.

How can we live with this view? Fix our focus on Jesus. Look to Him as the author and perfecter of our faith. Remember His blessings with a grateful heart. Reflect on the ultimate sacrifice He made for our sins. Embrace His unfailing love, and stay connected to Him daily. A mind fixed on Jesus gives us a healthy perspective of hope and faith through challenging times.

“The strength of God as our source of help” 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 Focus on God’s goodness is found in First Chronicles 29:12 and 13.

David was praising the LORD in the public assembly:

“Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

God supplies us with material wealth, not for the purpose of hoarding it for ourselves, but to be generous with others and use it for the glory of His name.

He also supplies us with energy to accomplish certain tasks. He provides us with intelligence and strength to develop skills and do certain jobs that provide valuable services for others. And so, our jobs and resources can become a testimony of God’s blessing in our lives designed to bear fruit for His glory.

The strength of God to provide for 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 Word of Encouragement is Tower.

A tower is a tall structure that symbolizes strength, security, and greatness.

There was a time in history when the world came together to build the Tower of Babel. The people of that time wanted to make a great name for themselves.

But God frustrated their plans by confusing their language. Humans are not able to accomplish what only God can do for the world. We cannot save ourselves, but God can save us through faith in Jesus Christ. He is our source of salvation, strength, and security. And His name is very great-the name above all names.

Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.”

Find encouragement in the security of God’s strong tower in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to put our ultimate hope in the Lord.

Strength comes to our faith when Jesus is the focus of our hope.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Hope is needed in uncertain times, and keeps us moving forward, upward, and outward in the way we express our faith.

Hope moves us forward, because we have incentive to get up each day. We anticipate the opportunities that God has for us for that day.

Hope moves us upward in prayer and worship, because we believe that God is responsive to the prayers of His people and inhabits the praises of His people.

And hope moves us outward to share with others the hope that we have in Christ.

Take the daily challenge to put our ultimate hope in the Lord and find strength for the journey of faith.

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 – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the Lord’s strength.

David said in First Chronicles 16:11, “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”

A thriving faith is only possible through an ongoing relationship with Jesus. In John 15, He told His followers, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

God invites us to spend time with Him every day and to depend on His grace to live the Christian life. Here are some of the specific practices that can bring greater clarity into our relationship with God. Take time to thank Him for His blessings. Name them one by one. Take time to praise Him for His greatness. Remember the reference points of history that prove His love and power such as the cross, the empty grave, and the day of Pentecost. Take delight in studying His Word. That is where He reveals His grace and guides us in wisdom.

Focusing on the Lord’s strength gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 29:11.

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”

God is our source of strength. Whatever good accomplishments flow out of our lives is ultimately because He gave us the strength to be successful. 

God is also our source of peace. His love for us speaks at the cross and tells us that we matter to God. 

Jesus invites us to follow Him with a faithful heart, and offers to replace our guilt with His righteousness. In saying “Yes” to this invitation, we are no longer isolated from God, but restored to a meaningful friendship with God. His love surrounds us, and we find comfort in His love.

Through Jesus, we are set free to celebrate His strength and peace.

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