JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Luke 5:31 and 32.

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

When Jesus said this, He was responding to this question from the Pharisees, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

The response of Jesus reveals His love for sinners in need of God’s grace. He came on a rescue mission to be the ultimate cure for our sick condition called sin. His love calls us out of selfish ambition and misplaced trust. He invites us to follow Him. As we say “Yes” to Jesus, He is faithful to restore us to spiritual health with a heart that beats consistently for the living God.

Luke 5:31 and 32-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is “Ambassador.”

An ambassador is a diplomat in a foreign land, representing their leader on a mission of peace.

This is a good description of the person who follows Jesus. This world is not our home. We are serving the King of Kings in a foreign land, representing Jesus on a peacemaking mission. That is a high calling, and a privilege to serve in such a way.

The Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

Representing Jesus is a mission of peace to share why Jesus came to the earth. We have good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.

Discover how the word “Ambassador” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

I have Christmassy trios for you this week! Our Praise & Worship Playlist has a mix of Christmassy songs and year-round anthems that are themed to help focus are our hearts and our songs. Mini-themes center on words we hear a lot this time of year: Emmanuel, Joy, Peace, Hope, Adore, Gloria and more!

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in John 6:38.

Jesus said, “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”

Jesus was aware of His mission on earth. His focus was on doing and completing the Father’s will. His example gives our lives a meaningful focus point-Align our will with God’s will.

Later, Jesus explains the Father’s will with more detail.

“This is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

John 6:38-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is “Redemption.”

This is a significant word to the Christian faith, meaning to “buy out.”  It refers to the purchase for a slave’s freedom.

This is relevant to our spiritual condition, because sin leads us to a place of slavery. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. That is why we need a Savior. That is where Jesus enters the picture to be our Redeemer. He came to the world, then went to the cross to pay the price for our redemption. This is the hope of the Gospel. We are set free from the penalty and control of sin by the blood of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Discover how the word “Redemption” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in John 3:17.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

This statement highlights the mission of Jesus to save us, not to condemn us. He threw a lifeline to a world that was drowning in sin.

Eugene Peterson says in the Message about this verse, “God did not go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.”

These words of Jesus inspire us to put our trust in Him to save us from our sin. He will respond to the prayers of a pleading heart for salvation and give us a place in His kingdom forever.

John 3:17-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Freedom.

To be free in Christ is to live in the refreshment of God’s forgiveness and to walk in the teachings of Christ.

Galatians 5:1 tells us that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

And Jesus said in John 8:31 and 32, “if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Freedom flows out of a relationship with Jesus as we follow Him as Lord and Savior. He leads His people with wisdom and gentleness. His heart is filled with compassion. His commands are not a burden for us to follow. They are liberating for our faith to flourish in the center of God’s will.

Discover how the word “Freedom” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Matthew 5:17.

Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.”

This verse gives us a new understanding of the Old Testament. For example, the observance of Passover in the book of Exodus is more than a story of God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. That was significant. But it becomes even more meaningful when we read in First Corinthians 5:7 that “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.” This is one way in which Jesus fulfilled the Law.

Jesus also fulfilled many Prophecies, such as Isaiah 53:5 and 6. “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Matthew 5:17-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Workmanship.

Ephesians 2:10 uses this word to convey the idea that we are masterpieces by the design of our Creator.

The New King James Version puts it this way: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” What are some skills that God has provided for you? Where do you have opportunities to serve with those skills? Look for those opportunities.

Our workmanship is a form of worship to God. As we do good deeds for others in the name of Jesus, we become instruments of grace to meet their needs and build them up in the faith.

This is how God designed us-to live out His purpose for our lives, expressing our faith with love. This is how God works through His people to be a light in this world.

Discover how the word “Workmanship” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Amos 5:4.

“Seek me and live.”

To seek God is the pursuit to know the living God, and to experience the joy of being in His presence. It is a desire to be in relationship with Him and to acknowledge Him for who He is.

The writer of Ecclesiastes sought meaning in various pursuits such as wealth, pleasure, and work. However, he ended up saying that these things were meaningless. They do not satisfy our soul in the long run.

There is a place of satisfaction for our soul in the grace of God. Jesus said to a woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” This invitation remains open. “Seek the LORD while He may be found: call on Him while He is near.”

Amos 5:4-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com