JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Second Chronicles 16:9.

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

God sees the condition of our heart, whether or not we are loyal to Him and living for His glory. He does not probe our heart to accuse us or condemn us. He will sometimes show us things about ourselves that are not aligned properly to Him. He will convict us of our sin so that we change course and walk in obedience to His Word.

He seeks to strengthen our faith in Him with words of truth and grace. Those words lead us to Jesus for the forgiveness that we need and the hope to endure day after day.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be fully committed to God 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 embrace the teachings of Jesus.

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

One definition of freedom is “the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.”

Jesus said that “everyone who sins is a slave to sin, so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Jesus brings true and lasting freedom by His grace and truth. There is freedom from the guilt of the past, freedom from the control of sin in the present, and freedom from condemnation in the future.  We are set free by Jesus to live, thrive, and love others as He loves us.

Embracing the teachings of Jesus 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 Isaiah 1:18.

The LORD says this to a nation whose sin was great. “Come now, let us settle the matter, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be whiter than snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

God was telling the nation of Israel that even though they had been rebellious, it was not too late for them to change course. They could be made clean. They could experience God’s forgiveness. He said to them in verses 16 and 17-“wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right. Seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

While we have breath, there is hope for forgiveness and reform by the blood of Jesus.  He went to the cross to purify us from sin and bring us into a right relationship with God.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find freedom from our past in the forgiveness of God in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Volunteer spots are available for this year’s Kids Cookie Break Fest happening on Saturday August 26.

We have two identical programs from 10 to 1 and 2 to 5 that include music and entertainment from Kids Cookie Break artists and friends, interactive vendors with fun activities for the kids, barrel train and covered wagon rides, food trucks and more!

We’re looking for friends (age 14+) that would like to help us bless the community with our annual free, family event centered around Christ, Community and Music.  You could be a helper for a few hours or the entire day.  We could especially use help during our 2 to 5 pm session.  Spots include helping with Chick-fil-A meals, parking, carnival games,  ticket taking, trash, and more.

Visit the Sign Up link at https://signup.com/go/qACsgJR

Check out pictures from last years KCB Fest.

Please email  stacey@wjtl.com with any questions.  I’d love to tell you more!

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Godly Training in God’s Word.

One of the resources that God has provided for our spiritual growth is the Bible.

Second Timothy 3:16 says that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Filling up on God’s Word prepares us to do God’s will, not just because of what we learn in the Bible, but also, how the content changes us by the transforming love of Jesus. We learn to love Jesus and grow in His grace. God’s will becomes the desire of our heart.

Godly Training in God’s Word 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 Ephesians 5:14.

“Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

This is an invitation for us to come out of the darkness of sin and shame into the light of God’s favor.

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” Before coming to faith in Christ, we are living in spiritual darkness. We have physical life, but have not yet been born spiritually.

Awakening to God’s grace means that we recognize our need for a Savior. We become responsive to His voice and receptive to His love for us. We are convicted to renounce the fruitless deeds of darkness. In Jesus, we learn to appreciate the value of God’s grace exceeding all the treasures of this world.

This Light Reflection inspires us to wake up to the radiance of God’s favor in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This week’s playlist includes songs led by Cody Carnes, Jenn Johnson, Sean Curran, UPPERROOM, Red Rocks Worship and more. Plus, a Kingdom mini-theme, and songs based on Bible verses.

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Podcast: Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Follow: Instagram & Facebook

Playlists: Spotify

Song Title	Artist	Album	Year
6AM
Every Season	Canyon Hills Worship	Single	2023
With Everything I Am (Live)	7 Hills Worship	Single	2023
Leaning (feat. Lizzie Morgan)	Matt Maher	Single	2022
As Long As It Takes (feat. Leslie Jordan)	Corey Voss	Single	2022
On The Altar (feat. Elyssa Smith)	UPPERROOM	Single	2021
Ancient Gates (Live)	Brooke Ligertwood	SEVEN (Live)	2022
Sanctuary	River Valley Worship	Sanctuary – Single	2021
Gratefulness	Rend Collective	Whosoever	2022
Million Little Miracles (feat. Joe L Barnes)	Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music	Old Church Basement	2021
Reason To Praise (feat. Cory Asbury & Naomi Raine)	Bethel Music	Homecoming (Live)	2021
7AM
Im So Glad I Met Jesus (Live)	Thrive Worship	Pour Your Spirit Out (Live)	2021
Ive Witnessed It (feat. Melodie Malone)	Passion	Live From Passion 2023 – Single	2023
Goodness Goes On And On	Daniel Doss	Single	2023
Altogether Good (feat. Sandra McCracken)	Citizens	Single	2020
Greater Still	Brandon Lake & Essential Worship	Song Sessions – EP	2022
Simple Kingdom (feat. Cody Carnes)	Bryan & Katie Torwalt	Ive Got Good News (Live)	2022
Thy Kingdom Come (feat. Francesca Battistelli)	Rita Springer	Single	2020
This Is the Kingdom (feat. Pat Barrett)	Elevation Worship	LION	2022
I Believe In Jesus	Chris Tomlin	Always	2022
Be Glorified (Live)	Lindy Cofer & Circuit Rider Music	Single	2023
This Is How I Thank The Lord	Mosaic MSC	Thanks – EP	2022
8AM
Light a Fire	David Leonard	Single	2022
Same God (feat. Chris Quilala)	Jesus Culture & Worship Together	Same God (Live) – Single	2023
Now Here	Red Rocks Worship	Things of Heaven (Where We Come From)	2021
Land of the Living (Live)	UPPERROOM	Land of the Living (Live)	2020
If I Could Have Anything	Housefires	How To Start A Housefire	2023
The Blood (feat. Mitch Wong)	Jenn Johnson	Simple	2022
Feels Like A Blessing	Benjamin Hastings & JUDAH.	Single	2022
On Repeat	Hillsong UNITED	On Repeat – Single	2022
Firm Foundation (He Wont)	The Belonging Co & Cody Carnes	Here (Live)	2022
More Than Able (feat. Chandler Moore & Tiffany Hudson)	Elevation Worship	Single	2023
9AM
Good Plans	Red Rocks Worship	Ascend	2023
Be Glad	Cody Carnes	Single	2022
Our Father	Josh Baldwin	Where The Glory Is	2022
I Thank God (feat. Blake Wiggins & Ryan Ellis)	Housefires & JWLKRS Worship	How To Start A Housefire, Pt. II	2023
Rise And Shine (Live) (feat. Mitch Wong)	The Belonging Co	Now (Live)	2022
Fear Is Not My Future (feat. Chandler Moore)	Brandon Lake &	HELP!	2022
The Praise Is Yours (Live)	Matt Redman	Single	2022
Worthy Of My Song	Phil Wickham	Single	2022
1,000 Names	Sean Curran	1,000 Names	2021

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6MEh20iwwzGyeUpaYVidCD?si=071309fc4ed44533

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 19:14.

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

This is a prayer for our spoken words and focused thoughts to be pleasing in God’s sight. David, who wrote this Psalm, understood that words and thoughts matter in our faith.

We can build up someone with our words or tear them down.

We can worship God or cling to idols.

We can plan to do what is right in God’s eyes, or plot a sinful course.

Those solitary moments with God are crucial for living out faith with godly integrity. He will show us the right way and give us the courage to follow after His own heart.

This Light Reflection inspires us to please the Lord with our words and thoughts 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 Seek Good and Not Evil.

Amos 5:14 says, “Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.”

If we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, He will give us the vision for making decisions that are consistent with God’s goodness.

We are in a spiritual battle. There is evil in the world. There is a real devil who seeks to separate us from God and to destroy our lives. But if we run to Jesus, He will be a strong tower to provide refuge for our souls. He will give us pure desires that reflect His righteousness. Jesus will lead us in the way of life, love, and liberty.

James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Seeking Good and Not Evil is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com