JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Matthew 13:43.

Jesus said, “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let him hear.”

Jesus was explaining what would happen at the end of the age. There will be weeds that are pulled up and burned in the fire. The Son of Man will send out his angels and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

Having the righteousness of Christ is key to a bright future in God’s Kingdom. This is how we can be clothed with His righteousness. Romans 1:17 says, “the righteous will live by faith.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to trust in Jesus and live for His glory 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 put God’s Word into practice.

According to Jesus, this is the way of wisdom. God’s Word provides a firm foundation for our lives. After preaching the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Those who shine brightly for the Gospel live out the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus is the One who said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”

Putting God’s Word into practice is a vital step to a Radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to build our lives on God’s grace and truth.

Jesus came to the earth from the Father full of grace and truth. So, if grace and truth are going to be foundational in our lives, Jesus is going to be the central focus.

In Matthew 7:24, Jesus taught that everyone who hears His words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The truth of Jesus’ teachings gives us a strong foundation for our faith and clear, moral direction for our decisions.

His grace has the power to set us free from the guilt of our sin. Romans 3:23 acknowledges that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. The shedding of Christ’s blood at the cross paved the way for us to find forgiveness in His grace.

Building our lives on God’s grace and truth 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 Matthew 6:33.

Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The book of Matthew refers to the kingdom of heaven more than any other book in the Bible.

Jesus was giving us a focus point to replace worry with faith. That focus point is the kingdom of God and His righteousness. These are bright lights that cause the darkness of worry to retreat.

Jesus said, “Do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘what shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

This Light Reflection inspires us to place God’s kingdom and righteousness as top priority in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 145:13.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

Earthly kings rise and fall. But the light of God’s kingdom shines forever by the glory of God.

The Kingdom of God is a place where faithfulness is honored and promises are kept. Hope is fulfilled. Love is complete. Joy overflows from the hearts of those who dwell there. It will never be overthrown by another kingdom. God’s kingdom will never be shaken. That has huge implications for those who follow Jesus. Nothing in all creation is able to separate us from God’s love. We can live with the confidence that His grace stands strong forever.

This Light Reflection inspires us to reflect the qualities of God’s Kingdom with the witness of our lives 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 give our best to God.

Whether it’s an offering or an act of service, God is honored when we offer Him our very best from a heart of love.

This is what Abel was commended for in Genesis 4:4. Abel brought an offering to God-the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift.

Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith, Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith, he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.”

There are several ways that God blesses us when we give Him our very best. He looks on our offering with His favor. He lifts us up as an example of faith to inspire others. He gives us rewards in heaven. And He entrusts us with more responsibilities for doing His will.

Giving our Best to God is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 113:3.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Each day is an opportunity for us to glorify God. In the morning, we can prepare for a productive day by clothing ourselves with the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We can have a conversation with God with Bible reading and prayer.

In the midst of our day, we can serve God faithfully and shine His light by sharing His love with others.

At the end of our day, we can reflect on what God did through us, remember His goodness, and praise Him for His guiding hand.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be a daily instrument of praise from morning to night 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 be teachable.

David was a man after God’s own heart. One of the characteristics that made him this way was his tendency to be teachable.

He humbly recognized his need for God’s wisdom to guide his life.

And so, he wrote in Psalm 25:4 and 5-Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

What we believe about God makes a difference in our willingness to be taught by the Lord. We can go His way by seeking out His will earnestly, reading His Word consistently, and acting on what we learn faithfully.

Being teachable to God’s ways 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 84:11.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

God is the source of light for anyone whose walk is blameless. As a sun, God provides for us, He gives us the light of understanding and direction to follow His will. As a shield, God protects us. He keeps our soul secure in His grace. Nothing in all creation can separate us from His love. He delights in pouring out His good and perfect gifts on those who walk with Him in fellowship. The joy of being in God’s presence is emphasized in this Psalm.  This leads us to worship time and time again.

Psalm 84:12 says, “LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to look to the LORD as our sun and shield in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com