JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is trusting God’s unfailing love.
In Psalm 52:8 and 9, David wrote, “I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in your unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”
In this Psalm, David highlights the difference between a boastful man and a worshipper of God. The boastful man trusts in his great wealth, and grows strong by destroying others. But this is not the way of the person who flourishes in the house of God. The worshipper trusts in God’s unfailing love and lifts up His name in the assembly of the saints.
Trusting in God’s unfailing love is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
JOHN SHIRK – 2023 has been designated the Year to Shine at WJTL. We will explore what it means to be the salt and light in this world that Jesus calls us to be. Listen for daily light reflections and for steps of faith that we can take to be a radiant witness for Jesus.
Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 50, verse 10.
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.
Light gives us a perspective that enables us to see more clearly. Daily, we need wisdom for the decisions we make and the direction we go. That is where God’s counsel is a vital voice to help us walk in the light.
This Light Reflection inspires us to trust God for wise counsel in the Year to Shine.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to trust in the LORD completely.
There is a comfort in knowing that our lives are in the hands of a loving and powerful God. That does not mean we have immunity from trials and tragedies, but it does mean that the LORD is with us through those times of turbulence. He is a firm foundation for our faith when the storms of life rage at our doorstep. His grace is a calming presence, and His truth is a guiding presence to help us.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”
Take the daily challenge to trust the LORD completely and experience His perfect peace on the journey of faith.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue faith.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy how to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing faith is one of those instructions. This is how we can shine for Jesus today-with a testimony of faith that reflects His goodness and grace.
At the foundation of faith, we are trusting Jesus alone to save us from our sins and lead us in the way of righteousness until we reach our heavenly home. Our faith depends on what Jesus has done for us.
First Corinthians 15:3 says, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” This is the Gospel by which we take our stand and are saved.
Take the daily challenge to follow Jesus and trust Him completely on the journey of faith.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to trust in God’s unfailing love.
That is what David did. He was one of the writers of the Psalms, and he wrote in Psalm 52:8, “I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done, I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.”
Olive trees sometimes live for more than a thousand years, and they can be productive for many, many years. This is the comparison made with someone who trusts in God’s unfailing love. Our faith has opportunity to thrive and to stand tall for the glory of God as we praise the name of Jesus and put our hope in His name. He will not fail us. He proved His love for us at the cross. Then, He rose from the grave victorious over death. That is the same hope we have when we put our faith in Him-life beyond the grave.
Take the daily challenge to trust in God’s unfailing love on the journey of faith.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, we are examining some of God’s purposes for our lives with our 20/20 Insights this week.
Today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on God’s purpose for our lives to trust Him.
Proverbs 3:5 and 6 says, “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
To trust in God fully means to lean all of our weight on Him, believing that He will save us from our sins and guide us in His righteousness. Our own understanding can lead us astray, but God’s wisdom will lead us in the path of God’s will.
Psalm 119, verse 105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” His wisdom gives us direction for our lives. His truth gives us freedom. His grace gives us peace.
Focusing on trusting God day by day gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
Hello! I hope you and your family are doing well. There’s a lot going on, and it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed. So, I have a special theme for this morning: songs of wholehearted trust and unshakeable peace. The lineup includes songs based on popular Bible verses like Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6 and Lamentations 3:22-23. We’ll focus on His goodness in keeping His promises—and we’ll remember: He is still in control.
JOHN SHIRK- Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is Nahum.
There is a book in the Bible with his name. Nahum was called to prophesy against Nineveh, after Jonah had brought that city to revival through his preaching. By the time of Nahum, the city reverted back to their violent ways and idolatry. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Nahum wrote this word from the LORD, “I will destroy the carved images and cast idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.” Nineveh was destroyed and was never rebuilt.
Nahum’s message to Nineveh is a relevant message for us. Trust in God. Don’t turn back to the ways of our sinful past.
Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overflowing flood he will make an end of Nineveh.”
The faithfulness of Nahum to speak for God inspires us to find refuge in the grace of Jesus and to live a life of Integrity.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”
This is a good verse to memorize and recite whenever we are embarking on a new chapter in life.
When we graduate from school and pursue a career, that is a good time to seek God’s will and trust Him to direct our steps.
When we get married, that is a good time to commit our relationship with our spouse to God’s influence.
When a son or daughter steps into our lives for the first time, that is a good time to commit their future to God, and to commit ourselves to training them in the ways of God.
Walking in acknowledgement of God with wholehearted trust is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How can I have peace in a world of turmoil?”
There is a way to have peace in the mist of an unsettled today and an uncertain tomorrow. Hold on to Jesus with all your weight. Lean on Him with all your trust.
In John 14:27, Jesus said to His followers, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Jesus is the source of peace-peace with God, peace with others, and peace within.
Knowing the peace of God is linked with trusting God in Isaiah 26, verses 3 and 4: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”
Long after the troubles of this world are gone, the grace of God will remain for His people forever. That is why we have a secure foundation for our faith, and that is why we can trust in Jesus in the Year of Exploration.
