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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Delight in the LORD

john : May 5, 2023 3:05 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to delight in the LORD.

Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

This is the starting place to a productive faith that is filled with meaning and purpose. As God plants His desires in our heart, we will be motivated to glorify Him with our ambitions, and serve people at their points of need.

Verse 5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”

Taking Delight in the LORD is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

 

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Friday Time Capsule-May 06 2002

john : May 5, 2023 1:05 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tSsKG83ie37YlxCNqfwD2?si=4d1f1f5a6d6a4133

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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Speaking the Truth in Love

john : May 3, 2023 4:47 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Speaking the Truth in Love.

Ephesians 4:15 explains what happens when God’s people follow through on this practice.

“We will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Jesus came to us full of grace and truth. Grace gives second chances. Grace forgives sin, restores relationships, and builds faith. Grace extends life and peace to those who will embrace the Gospel.

Truth upholds God’s standards and reveals God’s will for our lives. Jesus equated the truth to His teachings, which has the power to set us free.

When the truth is spoken in love, God’s people are blessed with spiritual growth and greater unity in Christ.

Speaking the Truth in Love is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-I Timothy 2:1-4 Prayer

john : May 3, 2023 4:44 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First Timothy 2:1 to 4.

“I urge then, first of all that petitions, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

On Thursday, Americans will gather in over 60,000 local community events to pray for this nation.

People will be praying for strong foundations among families.

For our churches to be salt and light for the Gospel.

For the wisdom of government leaders as they make critical decisions.

For businesses to be innovative and thrive with integrity.

And for educators to pass along wisdom and instruction for today’s generation of students. They will become the leaders of tomorrow.

This Light Reflection inspires us to pray for the leaders among us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Perseverance

john : April 19, 2023 5:38 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

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

Second Peter chapter 1 encourages us to add certain qualities to our faith, not because it adds to our salvation, but because it makes our faith more effective and productive.

One of those qualities in verse 6 is perseverance. Sometimes, disappointments, conflicts, or health challenges can wear us down and tempt us to give up. But God’s grace is a refreshing influence for our faith. Jesus endured the cross for us. When we persevere in the faith through trials, our witness for God is purified and proven to be genuine. This is one way we can be a light for others-by consistently living for God and relying on His love day-by-day and moment-by-moment.

In First Timothy 4:16, the Apostle Paul gave this counsel to a young pastor, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Perseverance is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Now Is The Time

john : April 19, 2023 5:36 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Second Corinthians 6:1 and 2.

As God’s co-workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

The Apostle Paul was pointing to the present moment as an opportunity for us to get right with God and receive the gift of His grace. This happens when we humble ourselves before God and acknowledge our need for Jesus to save us from our sins. He will be faithful to answer this prayer from an earnest heart. This is a moment that defines our identity as a child of God, builds godly character to become more like Jesus, and changes our destiny toward a heavenly home that lasts forever.

This Light Reflection inspires us to receive God’s grace and enjoy His favor in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Self-Control

john : April 18, 2023 5:22 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Self-Control.

Second Peter chapter 1 encourages us to add certain qualities to our faith, not because it adds to our salvation, but because it makes our faith more effective and productive.

One of those qualities in verse 6 is self-control.  Self-control can be defined as the ability to control one’s emotions, behavior, and desires in order to obtain some reward later.  An example of that is an athlete training for an event, who avoids overeating to maximize their potential.

Spiritually, self-control is the ability to make choices that prevent other influences from hindering our walk with Jesus. Sometimes, self-control means that we say “no” to harmful influences, and sometimes it means saying “no” to too much of a good thing. But saying “no” in these areas means that we can make better use of our time and energy to say “yes” to God’s plan for our lives.

Self-Control is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-Numbers 6:24-26 Priestly Blessing

john : April 18, 2023 5:16 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Numbers 6:24 to 26.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

This was the way that Aaron and his sons were to bless the Israelites. It is commonly known as the priestly blessing. This is sometimes used as a benediction in church services today.

When Jesus is brought into view, we can see how He fulfills this verse for those who follow Him. In Christ, we are filled with God’s grace and peace. We are blessed with God’s favor, and kept securely in His love.

This Light Reflection inspires us to proclaim this blessing of God’s peace and grace in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Knowledge

john : April 17, 2023 5:33 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

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

Second Peter chapter 1 encourages us to add certain qualities to our faith, not because it adds to our salvation, but because it makes our faith more effective and productive.

Knowledge is a lot like zeal. If it is not grounded in God’s love, it can be harmful. First Corinthians 8:1 tells us that knowledge puffs up while love builds up.

When guided by love, knowledge equips us to instruct others in the faith. Romans 15:14 says: “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”

Knowing Jesus is the key to staying planted in His love and growing in the knowledge of His truth.

Knowledge of 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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Light Reflection-Ephesians 1:7

john : April 17, 2023 5:31 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 1:7.

Speaking of Jesus, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

This is one of the huge blessings of the Gospel. Guilt gives way to freedom at the cross. That is where Jesus shed His blood to take away our sins.

God’s forgiveness is a light that shines hope into our lives. As we turn from sin to Jesus, we go forward in God’s plan to live in freedom, with all the blessings that flow from grace into an abundant and eternal life. Acts 13:38 says, “my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him, everyone who believes is set free from every sin.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to find freedom in the forgiveness of God’s love in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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