JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the wisdom of God’s ways.
Proverbs 4:25 says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
We can learn a lesson from the train, which operates most freely and effectively when it stays on track under the supervision of a conductor. Similarly, we are freest and most effective in our faith when we remain on track with God and stay aligned with His will. The way of wisdom is to guard our heart and watch our ways, so that we can openly walk in the goodness of God.
Focusing on the wisdom of God’s ways gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
Today’s P&W Playlist highlights include new versions of classic worship songs: “Sometimes By Step” from Shane & Shane and “Clear The Stage 2020” from Ross King. Both just came out on Friday! I’m so excited to have new versions of these songs that have meant to much to us over the years.
Plus, fresh releases from local worship teams! Life Center Worship in Harrisburg just released their new album “Hope For All” on Friday!
There’s also new music now from MBSSY (the travel worship team from Lancaster Bible College)! Their new song “More Than An Experience” was written (words and music!) by student Silas Angelino. The music video was recorded at the beautiful The Trust Performing Arts Center in Lancaster, and opened the Creation Fest virtual concert this weekend!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsYOR7-nWk
Worship Center Music put out the acoustic version of their new song “Path To Peace” this week. There’s also a video (and behind the scenes pics on their social media!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVXhQuFV7xU
And check out this socially distant “Way Maker” collage video CLA Worship posted this week. It’s fantastic!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR-xw6ozJUE
There’s also new music coming out lately from Caleb and Bethany Kuenzli of Providence Worship in Spring Grove, PA. I talked with them this week and you can watch the interview here! They share about songwriting and recording, adopting (and naming!) twins, moving to PA and their Rekindle Retreats.
And one more thing! WJTL Music Director, Nik, and I were on some radio Zoom calls recently with Matt Redman and Joel Houston of Hillsong United. It was so encouraging to hear their hearts for this season! I talked a little bit about it on the program this morning and thought you might like to see some screenshots!
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Jesus as the Savior of the world.
First John 4:14 says, “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us.”
God’s love is very big-big enough to reach the whole world. God’s love is also very strong-strong enough for us to lean on with all of our weight. We can bring our burdens to Him in prayer. We can bring the weight of our guilt before Him in confession. He is faithful and able to cleanse us from all of our sin, so that we are declared “not guilty” in His eyes. The invitation is open for anyone to come. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Experiencing this reality will turn us into witnesses of this good news for our generation.
Focusing on Jesus as the Savior of the world gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
JOHN SHIRK – If you missed the Friday Time Capsule this week, or wanted to hear the songs again, now you can hear the top 12 songs from late June 2004 on Spotify. Here is the list:
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Matthew 5:9.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Conflict and division threaten to tear apart meaningful relationships. The influence of Jesus invites peace into our relationships. His Gospel is the way of love, which moves us to bless those people in our sphere of influence.
Jesus calls His followers to be peacemakers in the world while we have opportunity. Peacemaking leads to reconciliation where there was once division and conflict. There is no greater peacemaking mission than to be an influence for the Gospel. The Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 5:20, “We are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of reconciliation and peacemaking in the Year of Vision.
Happy Father’s Day! We’re celebrating our good good Father in song this morning, with a themed playlist including songs like “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “Run To The Father”, “You Made Us Your Own”, “Lean Back”, “No Longer Slaves”, “Children of Light” and more.
Today’s playlist also has brand new music from Matt Stinton. It’s been over 6 years since he’s released new worship music, but his first single, “There Is No Striving” released a couple days ago. And there are more on the way! This one was produced by Nathan Horst of Attic Studios and Life Center Worship in Harrisburg.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Acts 3:19.
“Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
In the New International Version of the Bible, the word “Repent” appears 78 times. It is an important word in the Gospel, which means to change one’s mind. We were going in the wrong direction, but we changed our mind about God and changed course.
God’s grace allows U-turns. And what a refreshing relief to walk in peace with God-to know that our sins are not leading us to captivity, but that His grace is leading us to freedom in Christ. Our sin is not leading us to isolation from God, but His grace is leading us to a meaningful relationship with Christ. Our sin is not leading us to condemnation, but His grace is leading us to salvation.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of pure refreshment in His saving grace in the Year of Vision.
JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Good News Focus is on Romans 5, verses 6 to 8.
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
It is hard to fathom a love that is willing to go the extra mile like this. Jesus did not die for those who were righteous, because there were none righteous except for Him. Jesus died for us in our sinful condition. His motive for going to the cross was love, which moves us to receive His gift of forgiveness.
Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jesus is our source of Good News, leading us to a place of redemption in the Year of Vision.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on God’s accomplishments through us.
If there is one thing about the Christian life that is both humbling and exciting, it is found in being chosen as instruments of God to accomplish great things while we live on the earth.
Whether we are building up the church or speaking out against injustice; whether we are singing a new song to the LORD or volunteering for a local ministry, God’s grace enables us. That means that He deserves the credit for whatever good we accomplish.
Isaiah 26:12 says, “Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” And Psalm 115, verse 1 says, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”
Focusing on God’s accomplishments through us gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Daniel 6, verses 26 and 27.
After Daniel was delivered from the den of lions, King Darius wrote this message to all the nations of the earth, regarding Daniel’s God.
“He is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
One of the metaphors for Satan is a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to devour, but we don’t have to live in fear of his power if we are close to God. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
The deliverance of Daniel from the lions’ den is an inspiring story, and it is also our spiritual reality when we are faithful to God.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of deliverance from the spiritual forces of evil in the Year of Vision.
