Blogs
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Action
john : October 13, 2022 4:57 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Action.
It is one thing to speak words of good intentions, but quite another to back up those words with action.
James 2:15 and 16 says, “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed”, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
The Gospel calls us to compassionate action where there is opportunity to help someone. Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
Action is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Truthfulness
john : October 12, 2022 3:42 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Truthfulness.
When we tell the truth consistently with one another, we build trust in our relationships.
One of the reasons that we can trust the Lord is because His words are trustworthy and true. His example inspires us to be truthful with our words and actions.
Ephesians 4:25 tells us to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to our neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Churches and families have opportunity to grow together in healthy ways when we are honest with each other with a spirit of love.
Truthfulness is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 23:5.
With the LORD as my Shepherd, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
David, who wrote Psalm 23, certainly knew what it was like to have enemies. He also knew the experience of God’s provision and protection. There was a calling on his life to be king of Israel. We have a purpose too. It might not be a royal destiny here on earth, but it is a noble plan, because it is orchestrated by God.
In God’s plan, there is spiritual blessing in the form of forgiveness, acceptance into God’s family, joy, peace, hope and love. Jesus talked about this kind of abundant life when He described Himself as the Good Shepherd.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to enjoy the overflowing blessings of following Jesus in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Please join us in praying for everyone impacted by Hurricane Ian and those still recovering from Hurricane Fiona. In addition to the very clear needs that need to be met in relief efforts and clean up, there are many that need the Hope of Jesus to sustain them. Please also lift up all the first responders and those preparing to be deployed.
As we learn of relief efforts in the days to come, we’ll share those with you.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 23:4.
With the LORD as my Shepherd, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.”
Life is not without danger, but we are not without help. As our good shepherd, Jesus looks out for His followers. His grace is a firm grip that protects us from enemies in dark places, such as the devil.
Jesus said about His followers in John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” So, we can find encouragement in the power of God’s love to protect our salvation and be our source of strength through troubled times.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to find comfort in God’s presence in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Patience
john : October 11, 2022 4:31 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Patience.
This loving quality is included in the fruit of the Spirit. We can learn patience by understanding how God’s patience has given us opportunity to soften our heart toward Him.
With patience, we have the ability to wait for long periods of time without getting annoyed or upset. Another way of describing patience is remaining calm when dealing with conflict. Patience keeps us from escalating the tension with angry outbursts or hurtful words. Instead, we look for solutions to work things out in the course of time.
Proverbs 15:18 highlights the value of patience in times of tension:
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
Patience is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Express Gratitude
john : October 10, 2022 4:05 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to Express Gratitude.
Saying “Thank you” to someone expresses gratitude and shows our appreciation for someone’s influence in our lives.
It is interesting to note how Paul the Apostle expresses thanks.
He said in Philippians 1:3, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel.”
He told Philemon in verse 4, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.”
There is a pattern by which Paul expresses thanks to God for particular churches or individuals. And then he specifically identifies the reason for his gratefulness.
Expressing gratitude is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 23:3.
With the LORD as my Shepherd, “He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
Before knowing Jesus, our heart is polluted and corrupted by sin and wrong motives. But God’s grace is a life-changer. He is able to remove the pollution of our hearts to make them pure. He is able to correct wrong motives and make them rightly motivated by His love.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “For nourishment, comfort, exhilaration, and refreshment, no wine can rival the love of Jesus. Drink deeply.”
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to find refreshment and direction by following Jesus in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4mcXRE7D3dJGikhtC96gY8?si=b823317420b14e84
Today’s playlist features new music from Cody Carnes, Josh Baldwin, Sovereign Grace Music, We The Kingdom and more. Plus, a Wonderful mini-theme and a lineup of Call-To-Worship songs from Psalm 103 and Psalm 150.
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
Here I Am To Worship | Tim Hughes | Here I Am To Worship | 2002 |
I See The Light | Josh Baldwin | Where The Glory Is | 2022 |
A Thousand Shores | Citizens | A Thousand Shores – EP | 2022 |
Wonderful, Merciful Savior | Michael W. Smith | Hymns | 2014 |
Wonderful Savior | Tim Reimherr | Unceasing – 10 Years Of Night And Day Worship (Kansas City IHOP) | 2010 |
Wonderful | Desperation Band | Center Of It All | 2012 |
Wonderful Things | Highlands Worship | Vol 1: Wonderful Things – EP | 2018 |
Wonderful Maker | Chris Tomlin | Not To Us | 2002 |
Wonderful | Phil Wickham | The Ascension | 2013 |
Wonderful Name | Christy Nockels | Let It Be Jesus | 2015 |
Wonderful King | David Crowder | Passion: Our Love Is Loud | 2002 |
Wonderful (Live) | Kristene DiMarco | Mighty (Live) | 2015 |
The Wonderful Cross | Chris Tomlin | The Noise We Make | 2001 |
7AM | |||
Psalm 139 (Far Too Wonderful) | Shane & Shane | Psalms, Vol. 2 | 2015 |
Love So Wonderful (feat. William Matthews) | Daniel Bashta | Wave Your Flag | 2021 |
Indescribable | Chris Tomlin | Arriving | 2004 |
Indescribable (Live) | Hillsong Young & Free | All of My Best Friends (Live) | 2020 |
Magnificent, Marvelous, Matchless Love | Matt Boswell & Matt Papa | His Mercy Is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa | 2019 |
How Precious Is The Blood (Live) | Cody Carnes | God Is Good! (Live) | 2022 |
Son of Suffering | Matt Redman | Son of Suffering – Single | 2022 |
All Hail King Jesus (Live) | Bethel Music & Bethany Wohrle | Homecoming (Live) | 2021 |
King Jesus (Live) | Brooke Ligertwood | SEVEN (Live) | 2022 |
Sing His Praise Again (Oh My Soul) (feat. Jenn Johnson) | Bethel Music | Revivals In The Air (Live) | 2020 |
His Mercy Is More (Live) | Shane & Shane | Hymns Live | 2019 |
8AM | |||
Bless the Lord, O My Soul (Psalm 103) [Live] | Sovereign Grace Music | Unchanging God: Songs from the Book of Psalms, Vol. 1 (Live) | 2022 |
Its Time To Worship | Chris McClarney | Speak To The Mountains – EP | 2021 |
Hallelujahs Song (Psalm 103) (feat. Caleb Chapman) | JUDAH. | 3 + 7 | 2021 |
Let Everything (Praise the Lord) | Pat Barrett | Canvas and Clay (Live) | 2019 |
Psalm 150 (Praise The Lord) | Matt Boswell & Matt Papa | Almost Home | 2021 |
Let All Creation Praise the Lord | Lincoln Brewster | Amazed | 2002 |
My Heart Is Steadfast (Psalm 103) | Ellie Holcomb | Magnolia | 2011 |
Alive & Breathing (feat. Elle Limebear) | Matt Maher | Alive & Breathing, Vol. 2 | 2019 |
Breathe | Maverick City Music | Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition | 2021 |
Let Everything (Live) | Vertical Worship | Frontiers (Live) | 2016 |
Holy (Song Of The Ages) (feat. Andrew Holt) | The Belonging Co | Single | 2020 |
Praise To The Lord | Citizens | Citizens | 2014 |
To Not Worship You | MercyMe | Always Only Jesus | 2022 |
9AM | |||
Breath You Gave | Awaken Worship | Wont Stay Silent | 2019 |
Alive in You (feat. Kim Walker-Smith) [Live] | Jesus Culture | Let It Echo (Live) | 2016 |
I Breathe You In, God | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Here On Earth | 2011 |
Live & Breathe | Mia Fieldes | Ashes – EP | 2015 |
Hallelujah, Our God Reigns (feat. Brett Younker) | Passion | Whole Heart (Live) | 2018 |
Everything and Nothing Less (feat. Chris McClarney) [Live] | Jesus Culture | Let It Echo (Live) | 2016 |
Great Are You Lord | All Sons & Daughters | All Sons & Daughters | 2014 |
Heaven Fall | Cody Carnes | Heaven Fall – Single | 2019 |
Good Grace | Hillsong United | People | 2019 |
We Praise You | Brandon Lake | We Praise You (Studio Version) | 2020 |
Tabernacle | We The Kingdom | We The Kingdom | 2022 |
Raise a Hallelujah | Jonathan & Melissa Helser | Victory | 2019 |