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

In the Bible, a declaration is a statement of faith. God wants us to be witnesses of His good news and to declare the Lordship of Jesus. In this way, God uses our public testimony to reach people with the Gospel.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Declaring the grace of God invites people to accept His good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Wherever we go today, we have the opportunity to shine the light of the Gospel in our world with our words, actions, and attitudes.

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

John Shirk

john@wtjl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Jeremiah 29:13.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

God had told the captives of Israel that He had plans to give them a hope and a future. The key to this hope and future comes through seeking the LORD earnestly.

God invites us to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. He honors those who seek after His own heart. Such a search is not in vain. At the time of Christ’s birth Magi were on an earnest search for Jesus. They wanted to honor Him with gifts and their hearts. They were guided by a star until they found the location of the child. And the end result was a moment of worship. An earnest search for Jesus will lead us to a fulfilling relationship in a place of worship and adoration.

Jeremiah 29:13-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 Peace.

Peace is a state of tranquility and calmness of spirit.

Many of us seek peace, especially when we feel anxious. There is a way to replace anxiety with the peace of God. That way is seeking God in prayer with a thankful heart.

Philippians 4:6 and 7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus offers a kind of peace that is not based on circumstances, but based on a relationship with Him. Jesus is the anchor for our soul. In Him, we find hope that endures through troubled times. In Him, we find love and grace that is firm and secure.

Discover how the word “Peace” 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 Mark 10:27.

Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

A wealthy man declined an invitation of Jesus to follow Him. Jesus pointed out how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.

The disciples asked each other, “Who then can be saved?”

That is when Jesus made reference to the difference between human impossibility and God’s possibilities.

Salvation is a miracle that requires God’s intervention. Jesus was God’s intervention. We cannot save ourselves, but where God’s grace is evident, all things are possible, including the salvation of the rich to put their hope in Jesus instead of wealth.

Mark 10:27-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 “Completion.”

This word conveys the idea of fulfillment and accomplishment. Philippians 2:13 says that it is God’s who works in us to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

That is encouraging to know, because we learn here that we do not have to do God’s will on our own strength, nor are we capable of doing God’s will on our own strength. We need His gracious hand to help us and guide us. With God leading the way, we can live with confidence that He will accomplish what He started in us.

Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Our influence for Christ goes beyond our last breath on earth. God’s good work in us continues until the day of Christ Jesus. That’s a legacy of faith, passed along from generation to generation.

Discover how the word “completion” 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 3:3.

“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Jesus said this to a prestigious member of the Pharisees named Nicodemus. He was perplexed, wondering what Jesus meant by this.

Nicodemus was thinking in the realm of physical birth, but Jesus was talking about spiritual birth, which happens when God’s grace is received by faith. This conversation was leading to John 3:16, which says that “God so loved the world that He gave his One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

That is how we can be born again and be part of the kingdom of God.

John 3:3-That’s today’s God Quote for us embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

One definition of rise is to “stand up.” Another definition is to “get up after a fall”. When it comes to the troubles and temptations that we face, Jesus is able to help us to stand by faith. But if we are weak and stumble on our journey of faith, God’s helping hand is available to help us rise again.

Peter was walking on water for a while. Then, he took his eyes off Jesus, and started to sink. But Jesus reached out His hand to save Peter and pull him out of the water. When we lose our focus point, Jesus is there to pick us up and help us to refocus.

Proverbs 24:16 says, “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”  The righteous hand of Jesus is our source of strength to raise us up after a fall.

Discover how the word “Rise” 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 Second Chronicles 7:14.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This word from God shows His generous mercy for people who have lost their way and fell into sinful habits or places. There is no shame in confessing our sins before God. There are occasions when it is also fitting to confess our sins to another person, such as when we offend someone with our actions.

Bringing our sins into the light is the pathway toward healing. God is faithful to forgive and restore the contrite heart who turns back to Him.

Second Chronicles 7:14-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 Obey.

To obey God is to hear His commands and follow them. We do not obey 100% of the time, which is why we need grace.

When God’s love is the motivating factor of our lives, we will develop patterns of obedience. It becomes our delight to serve God in this way. Out of gratitude for what He has done for us, we want to live for Him. Jesus said to His followers, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

The more we know Jesus in relationship, the more we understand how good He is. We learn to respect His authority because His leadership is righteous and filled with grace. His laws are built on love and wisdom. His commands give us direction for doing God’s will.

Deuteronomy 13:4 says, “Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.”

Discover how the word “Obey” 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 Jeremiah 15:19.

“If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.”

Repentance is a turning point for us. It means to change our mind. We were going in the wrong direction, but God convicted us of our waywardness and steered us in the right direction. This is how God was working in the life of Jeremiah, and how He works in the lives of His followers today. As we are aligned with God’s purposes, He gives us a platform to speak wisdom and grace into the lives of others.

As we heed God’s voice and turn to Him, don’t be surprised if He opens doors for us to serve Him faithfully. He invites us to go on mission with Him, to stay true to the Gospel, and be an influence for God’s Kingdom.

Jeremiah 15:19-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com