JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Micah 7:7.

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

Micah made this statement in the background of a morally corrupted culture around him. Sons were dishonoring their fathers. Daughters were rising up against their mothers. A man’s enemies were members of his household. Neighbors were not trustworthy.

Micah turned his hope toward heaven where God would be his source of comfort and strength. Micah’s faith spoke in how he waited on God. That is a good example for us. People will let us down. Things will break down. But there is salvation from above, and a certain hope in the Lord. He is our source of help in troubled times.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to put our hope in God’s unfailing love in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Habakkuk 3:17 and 18.

The prophet said, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

This statement of faith stops us in our tracks to consider what our relationship with God might look like if the crops failed or if food was scarce. After this prophet of God struggled with hard questions, he arrived at a place where his joy was in the Lord, not in his circumstances.

For people like Habakkuk, David, and Jacob in the Bible, their struggles led to worship. That is what can happen with us when we seek God through our difficult questions.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to rejoice in the Lord through the circumstances of our lives in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Servant Leadership.

After Solomon died, Rehoboam had a choice to make in First Kings 12. The people said to him, “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor he put on us, and we will serve you.”

He consulted the elders who advised him to be a servant to the people and give them a favorable answer. Then he went to his peers, who advised him to make the yoke even heavier.

Rehoboam listened to his peers, and the result was a divided kingdom. Servant leadership considers the needs of those they serve and does not lead by intimidation or selfish ambition. That is the kind of leadership that Jesus demonstrates. He said in Matthew 11:28 and 29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.”

Servant Leadership is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 3:30.

John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah with his preaching of repentance and Baptizing ministry.

The day came when Jesus was drawing followers. John heard what people were saying, “that man you testified about-look, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him.”

This was welcome news. John’s faith spoke in his humility. This was his reply: “He must become greater; I must become less.”

That’s a great statement of faith for anyone who is wanting to see Jesus magnified. Draw attention to His worthiness rather than our own. That is what John did when he said about Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to magnify Jesus with a humble heart in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Acceptance of Little Children.

In Matthew 19:13, the people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

This was a great lesson of faith for the disciples to understand that Jesus loves the children of the world, and calls us to accept them.

We can be a voice of hope, truth, and encouragement for children by loving them with a tender heart. Look for opportunities to invest in their lives with the love of Jesus.

Jesus said in Mark 9:37, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.”

Acceptance of Little Children is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships draws a lesson of love from the heart of the Father toward a Prodigal Son.

In Luke 15, the Prodigal Son returned home after squandering his wealth in a distant country.

His father embraced him with open arms and kisses. Then, he did something extraordinary. He called for a celebration.

He said in Luke 15:22, ‘“Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Luke 15 is all about celebrating the lost being found. This is what happens in heaven whenever someone turns to the Lord.

Celebrating changed lives by the Gospel is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Joshua 24:15.

Joshua motivated the Israelites to follow the LORD by his example.

He told them, “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua’s faith spoke through his commitment and strong example. He was consistent in taking courageous steps forward as he was led by God.  His integrity made him a credible voice to guide a nation toward devotion to God.

The people responded with these words, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods.”

Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him. This is the kind of impact that is possible when our life speaks with devotion to God.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to lead with a godly example in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Job 23:10.

In the midst of grief, pain, and affliction, Job said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Job’s faith spoke through his perseverance. He endured suffering and saw the value of what suffering would produce in building his character. Not everyone responds to suffering in the same way. Suffering has the potential to make us bitter, but suffering also has the potential to refine our faith and build maturity into our character.

First Peter 1:6 and 7 says,, “For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  This genuine faith is more valuable than gold.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us endure times of testing with God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com