The other night, my husband Sam was praying and thanked God for the good plans He has in store for us, for a hope and future. He also thanked God for keeping His promises. It was such a needed and encouraging reminder to me, and I wanted to pass it on to you in song! So, this week’s playlist includes a “Plans & Promises” theme with songs like “Hope & A Future”, “Yes and Amen”, “Promises Never Fail” and more. Click here for the highlight version on Spotify!

I also have songs and stories from the artists in clips from the latest episodes of the Praise & Worship Podcast.

Listen for Josh Baldwin’s new songs from “Evidence”, which just released Friday! And, Aodhan King of Hillsong Young & Free shares his heart behind themes on their latest record, “All of My Best Friends”. 

This week’s Roundup of new worship releases also includes songs from Kari Jobe, Citizens, and Jaime Jamgochian!

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Follow on Instagram & Facebook Podcast on Spotify/Apple Podcasts

JOHN SHIRK- Here are some highlights from the Retro-Countdown from early October 2002 on the Friday Time Capsule.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Titus 2, verses 11 and 12.

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

Here we see the power of God’s grace to save us and transform us through Jesus Christ. He gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of freedom and pure devotion in the Year of Vision. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Luke 24:44 and 45.

Jesus said to His disciples, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

There were times during Jesus’ ministry when He would tell the disciples that He was going to the cross and then would rise from the dead.  They had no idea what He was talking about.  But after the fact, and after Jesus explained the meaning of it all, then they understood. 

Sometimes, when we read the Bible, we might not understand everything we read. But the more we search the Scriptures, the more we will learn, and the more we learn, the better we will understand. Jesus invites us to approach Him and learn from Him. He guides the humble and teaches them His way.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of understanding the Scriptures in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Micah 4:5.

“All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”

This chapter reveals the blessing of belonging to God and His Kingdom. The prophet lays out a vision of the future where God teaches us His ways so that we may walk in his paths.

The word of the LORD will go out from Jerusalem. Nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. No one will make them afraid.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of grace, truth, and peace in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the identity of believers as children of God.

This is what Ephesians 1:4 and 5 says about the identity of those who are faithful in Christ.

“He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

When we respond to the Good News of Jesus with a trusting heart, God includes us in His family of believers. He gives us a new identity as a new creation in Christ. We are born of God and loved by God as His child. We become a citizen of heaven, temple of the Holy Spirit, and light in the world to reflect God’s glory and goodness. God’s love forms our identity to see ourselves as God sees us. 

Focusing on our identity as a dearly loved child of God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This week’s playlist includes Water Street Mission president Jack Crowley’s set list from Reverberate Lancaster! Plus, a Light mini-theme, with songs from Rita Springer’s new album. I talked with her this week on the Praise & Worship Podcast.

I’m also rounding up new worship releases from Friday and sharing them with you: Hillsong United, The Worship Initiative (featuring Robbie Seay!), Pat Barrett, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and a brand new single from Josh Baldwin! I caught up with him this week on the podcast, too!

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Follow on Instagram & Facebook Podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 

In case you missed the Friday Time Capsule, or if you would like to hear the songs again, here is the Playlist from the Lunchbreak on Friday.

Today’s playlist includes a brand new song from Kari Jobe! Plus, songs rooted in Psalm 8 and Psalm 22. And: mini-themes giving God our breath as praise, seeing His glory in Creation and light breaking through.

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Follow on: Instagram & Facebook  Podcast on: : Spotify/Apple Podcast

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the significance of the Mount of Olives.

This was the place where Jesus told His disciples of future events that would happen prior to His coming.

Some of those events were the appearances of deceivers, wars and rumors of wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. He also said that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end would come.

The place where He spoke of the future is significant. Zechariah 14:4 tells us that when He comes again, His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. On that day, there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. He will be king over the whole earth.

The Mount of Olives reminds us that while we live in a broken world, the future is in God’s hands. The future is a vision of victory for God’s coming Kingdom and for those who follow Jesus by faith.

Focusing on our future hope in Christ gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com