JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Luke 13:20.

“What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Jesus often spoke in parables in His earthly ministry. He would use ordinary things to illustrate the nature of God’s Kingdom.

This Parable highlighted how yeast affected the flour in the baking process to make the dough rise.

The influence of the Gospel is working throughout the world to produce change in people’s hearts from the inside out. It can lead to changes in society when a culture fully embraces God’s good news. It can lead to changes individually for the person who receives Jesus. His grace will produce change in our lives and lift us up to reflect God’s glory.

Luke 13:20-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Serve.

When we serve someone, we are reaching out with a labor of love. This is an investment of time and energy that makes a difference for the better. Serving God can be seen as an act of worship, where our labor of love brings glory to His name. When we serve someone with a cheerful heart, we are reflecting the example of Jesus. There is great joy in seeing how someone’s needs are met and how their day can feel brighter through our humble acts of service.

First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

Discover how the word “Serve” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Luke 13:18.

“What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

This shows the humble beginnings and impressive growth of God’s Kingdom over time until it proves to be a place of shelter and refuge.

Jesus began His ministry with a few disciples. These were the men that He taught about the kingdom of God. They would tell others about Jesus in the book of Acts. The church gradually grew in numbers. Even though believers were persecuted for their faith, their influence would expand as they would spread out to other parts of the world and take the Gospel with them wherever they went.

Today, the kingdom of God continues to grow and expand as more and more people leave behind their old way of life to follow Jesus.

Luke 13:18-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Helpful.

To be helpful is to give aid or assistance that benefits someone else.

We are helpful by lending a hand when someone moves to a new neighborhood. Or we might be helpful by a trip to the hospital to visit a friend.

People need encouraging words, which are useful for building them up.

That is where Ephesians 4:29 is a good verse to apply to memory. It shows us how we can be helpful with our words.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Discover how the word “Helpful” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Haggai 1:5.

“Give careful thought to your ways.”

This was a message to a nation who planted much but harvested little. They ate, but never had enough. They drank but never had their fill.

Something was missing in their lives. They were busy with their own house while the house of the LORD was in ruins. The time was right for them to build the LORD’s house, but they were neglecting their call.

This page in Judah’s history is a reminder to examine our priorities. Give careful thought to our ways. Remember to invest in the Kingdom of God with our time, our energy, our resources, and our money. Supporting the ministry of the church is one of the ways we can build up God’s family and see His Kingdom flourish.

Haggai 1:5-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Anchor.

In stormy situations, anchors provide stability to ships so that they are protected from being tossed around at sea.

In Acts chapter 27, a storm prompted sailors to drop four anchors so that their ship would not be dashed against the rocks.

This word also has a significant spiritual connection as we face the storms of life. Jesus is our stabilizing force in times of turmoil.

Hebrews 6:19 says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Whatever may happen in the circumstances of our lives, we have the assurance that there is security for our soul in the arms of God’s grace.

Discover how the word “Anchor” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Exodus 8:1.

“Let my people go, so that they may worship me.”

The LORD told Moses to go to Pharoah with these words. The Israelites were living in slavery at the time, but God was at work to set them free.

What does freedom look like to you? What does it mean to be truly free? Through Jesus, God offers us real and lasting freedom from the chains of sin. The grace of Jesus delivers us from the penalty and control of sin.  Jesus told a woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you, go now and leave your life of sin.”

The grace of Jesus frees us from the slavery of sin so that we might walk in fellowship with God and glorify Him. That’s real freedom.

Exodus 8:1-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Snow.

In the Bible, snow is sometimes used to express purification from corruption. When a significant amount of snow falls, it covers the fields like a blanket. In a similar way, the blood of Jesus, when applied to our heart, covers our sin and purifies us from our corrupted condition.

All of our sins are washed away and covered by the grace of God. That is why we need Jesus to cleanse our hearts.

After committing a destructive sin, David confessed his sin to the Lord and pleaded for forgiveness. He trusted in God’s mercy, and said in Psalm 51:7, “Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” So, the next time we see snow, we can think of the hope and opportunity to come clean with a changed heart.

Discover how the word “Snow” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in John 14, verses 1 to 3.

“Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

As Jesus was preparing His disciples for the cross, He was also giving them words of eternal hope. Death would not have the last word.

Jesus rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and currently is preparing a place for His followers. Someday, He will come back for His faithful followers. According to First Thessalonians 4:16, “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.”

John 14, verses 1 to 3-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Excellent.

As we focus on the excellence of God’s love, we gain access to the peace of God.

Love was described by the Apostle Paul as the most excellent way.

Being excellent in this quality means that we excel in the way of loving other people. God’s love for us makes us complete, so that we have the capacity to love other people as God loves us. This translates in doing good deeds that glorify God.

Titus 3:8 says, “I want you to stress these things so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”

Discover how the word “Excellent” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com