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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Isaiah 6:8.

Isaiah heard the voice of the LORD say, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah’s faith spoke with a willing spirit to serve God. This has been the response of many people who responded to God’s call on their lives.

Isaiah saw the LORD high and lifted up in a place of holiness. Seeing God’s holiness reminded Isaiah of his sinfulness and guilt. But one of the angels told him, “Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Forgiveness frees us to serve God with a grateful heart. It is our honor to serve Him because He is merciful to His people and worthy of our praise.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to make ourselves available to God to go where He sends us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Daniel 6:10.

A decree was issued by King Darius forbidding prayer to anyone besides him. Anyone who disobeyed this decree would be thrown to the lions’ den.

When Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.”

Daniel’s faith spoke through his consistent prayer life. He was grateful to God for His many blessings from above. Not even the threat of death would prevent Daniel from spending time with God in prayer.

Daniel did go to the lions’ den, but did not die there. God rescued him, by shutting the mouths of the lions. Afterward, God was honored throughout the world because of Daniel’s faithful prayer.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to make time with God a daily priority in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is returning evil with good.

That is what Joseph did for his brothers in the Old Testament. They treated him very badly in his youth. The Bible says that they could not speak a kind word to Joseph. That is how envy, jealousy, and hatred can express themselves in harmful ways.

Toward the end of Joseph’s life, he had opportunity to get revenge, but instead, he repaid evil with good. Joseph’s brothers sought his help in Egypt. As the family was coming together, again, Joseph said to them in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”

This is how love and forgiveness can speak in redeeming ways. That is the way of Jesus toward a world that treated Him very badly.

Returning evil with good is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Letting go of past hurts.

Painful memories can be hard to overcome. But the mercy of God toward us enables us to pass along mercy to others.

In Genesis 45:5, Joseph took this step to reconcile with his estranged brothers, who did great harm to him years earlier.

His brothers unknowingly came to him for food relief during a famine. When Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, they were terrified. But Joseph said to them, “Come close to me. I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”

Joseph’s relationship with God kept his heart tender to his brothers, enabling him to overcome evil with good.

Letting go of past hurts is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith Building Verse is Acts 13:22.

“After removing Saul, God made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”

This was David’s pattern. His name is listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews chapter 11. He was a man who trusted God, exalted God, and wanted to be near God in relationship.

There were times when David disobeyed God, but when this was brought to his attention, he always confessed and repented. This is what a man or woman after God’s own heart will do. It will be our heart’s desire to follow Jesus and to honor His worthy name through our conversation and conduct. But when we miss the mark, we will be prompted to turn to Jesus and appeal for His forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive the confessing and contrite heart.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to seek after God’s own heart in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is a Dinner Invitation.

This is often an expression of hospitality. Joseph invited his estranged brothers for dinner when they sought his help in Egypt during a famine.

They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. According to Genesis 43:16, when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon.”

This was one step that Joseph took toward reconciliation with his brothers. A dinner invitation can help with reconciling strained relationships today. Or it can be a place of building healthy relationships, or getting to know someone better. Food can provide an atmosphere for open conversation.

A Dinner Invitation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com