JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to stand in the gap for someone who needs Jesus.

In the days of Ezekiel, his nation was on the verge of Divine judgment. They were in a moral crisis. Ezekiel 22:29 records the land practicing extortion and committing robbery. They oppressed the poor and needy and mistreated foreigners, denying them justice.

The LORD says, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”

Thankfully, in the Gospel, Jesus has come to our defense. We are protected by grace. His followers today have the opportunity to stand in the gap for those who are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy.

We can do that through prayer. We can also do that by being a light for the person in spiritual darkness, by being a godly example and sharing God’s love with them.

Standing in the Gap for someone 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 John 9:4.

Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”

This statement from Jesus motivates us to use our time and energy wisely. Stay focused on doing the will of God. He has a plan for our lives, and that plan is good.

Jesus found fulfillment in God’s will. When Jesus launched His ministry, He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”

The calling of God on our lives will be consistent with the mission of Jesus, to serve in ways that lead to healing, freedom, and bringing good news to a world that needs God’s grace.

This Light Reflection inspires us to serve God faithfully with the days that He gives us 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 overcome evil with good.

This step is often seen in acts of love and forgiveness.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery to Egypt when he was in his youth. After many years, Joseph rose to a place of prominence and was second-in-command in Egypt. God was working in Joseph to provide food for many people, including his brothers who were facing famine in their homeland. They traveled to Egypt for help. That is when they encountered Joseph. They were concerned that he would seek revenge.

Instead, Joseph offered forgiveness. He said in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Evil was overcome by good.

This reflected the attitude of Jesus, who responded to the hatred of humanity against Him by pouring out His love for us at the cross. That too has led to the saving of many lives.

Overcoming evil with good 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 Psalm 89:15 and 16.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.

There is a joy in the celebration of God’s grace, righteousness, and majesty.

Each day is an opportunity to praise Him for the blessings that He has poured into our lives.

Each day is an opportunity to praise Him for His salvation that He has provided for us through Jesus.

Each day is an opportunity to praise Him for the beauty of His creation.

And each day is an opportunity to praise Him for His holiness. There is no one like our God, majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders.

This Light Reflection inspires us to celebrate Jesus with the days He gives us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Second Corinthians 1:20 says, “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

Jesus said He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophets. They spoke about the Messiah and identified future events that He would fulfill, It is believed that Jesus accomplished at least 300 of them in His earthly ministry. He stands ready to fulfill more prophecies at His return, when He appears as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Seeing Jesus in this light gives our faith more confidence. We can depend on God to fulfill His promises in Christ. He will do what He declared. His grace will prevail and lead His followers to ultimate victory.

Believing God’s promises 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 Philippians 1:12 to 14.

The Apostle Paul said, “I want you to know that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”

The persecution of the early believers is a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ, moving in their lives. They were witnesses to His resurrection from the dead, and continued to proclaim Jesus as Lord whether their audience was receptive or hostile to their message.

Billy Graham has said, that “courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to stand for Jesus with a courageous faith 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 boast in the Lord.

When we understand that life is a gift and all our blessings come from God in heaven, we realize that He deserves all the credit.

Second Corinthians 10:17 says, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

It is better to boast about what God has done for us than to boast about what we can do for the Lord.  If there is good fruit flowing out of our lives, He deserves the credit, because He is the One who has given us the strength we need to accomplish anything meaningful for Him. Psalm 115 says, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

The gift of this day is an opportunity to draw attention to the greatness and glory of God.

Boasting in the Lord 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 Second Corinthians 12:7 to 9.

The Apostle Paul had a revelation about the value of suffering. He shared his personal experience, which many people identify with today.

“In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Paul recognized that his physical weaknesses and hardships were making his faith strong. Satan may have given him the thorn in the flesh, but God was using it in Paul’s life to make him humble and to strengthen his faith.

This Light Reflection inspires us to rely on the power of God’s grace to be our source of strength in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com