JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the vision of Samuel.

When the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel, He came through a vision. First Samuel 3:10 says, “The LORD came and stood there, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”. Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

When God calls our name, that is the moment to respond with a receptive heart. When God wants to speak to us, that is the right time to pay attention. Samuel responded to the call of God on his life, and became Israel’s trustworthy prophet. Verse 21 says, “the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.”

God is still speaking to His people today. He reveals Himself and His redemptive plan for our lives in the Bible.

Focusing on the Word of God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

John Shirk-Today’s Good News Focus is on Ephesians 6:17.

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

God’s salvation is reliable to protect us from the threats of our enemies in the spiritual realm. Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. There is another place in the New Testament that refers to the helmet of salvation. First Thessalonians 5:8 urges us to put on the hope of salvation as a helmet. When we live with the awareness that God protects our soul, we live with a sense of security that our lives are in God’s hands, and that our future is with Him forever.

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, serving as a reliable offensive weapon against the forces of darkness in the heavenly realms. Darkness retreats in the presence of light. Satan retreats when we break out God’s Word and live by it.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of light, hope, and salvation in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This week’s lineup starts with sweet still songs and moves from knowing God to knowing He’s fighting for us.

Plus, clips from my interview with local leader Kristian Walker, Pastor of Worship Arts & Media at Christian Life Assembly in Camp Hill. During our conversation, he shared what songs have been meaningful to his congregation in this season, which makes for a wonderful mini-theme in the playlist. Check out the video interview below and CLA Worship’s socially distanced video collage for the song “Way Maker!”

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ 
Kristi@WJTL.com
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JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Solomon’s dream.

It happened in First Kings chapter 3. At Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  If God gave you this opportunity, how would you respond?

Solomon had just ascended to the throne as king of Israel. He said to the LORD, “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The Bible says that the LORD was pleased that Solomon had asked for discernment. Proverbs 8:11 tells us that wisdom is more precious than rubies. If we lack wisdom, God invites us to ask Him, and He is generous to provide what we lack.

Focusing on God as our source of wisdom gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Here are some of the musical highlights over the Lunch Break on the Friday Time Capsule from July 23, 2001.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Paul’s vision of a man in Macedonia.

It happened in Acts, Chapter 16. Paul and his traveling companions were trying to preach the word in Asia, but the Holy Spirit kept them from entering.  During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  After Paul had seen the vision, they got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them.

This marked the advance of the Gospel into Europe. God had used this vision to redirect Paul’s missionary journey. God may close doors to our plans in order to open other doors of opportunity later. That is what he did through Paul’s vision in Acts 16.  

Focusing on God’s agenda for our lives gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Acts 17, verses 26 and 27.

These were words spoken by the Apostle Paul when he preached a sermon in Athens.

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

We are not here by accident or random chance. We were placed in this part of the world at this moment of human history for a reason. God has a purpose for our lives, and one of those purposes is to know Him personally.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of a personal relationship where we fully trust in His love in the Year of Vision.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on John 16:13.

Jesus told His disciples, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

Jesus was assuring His followers that after He left them, He would not leave them alone. He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to be with them and to guide them in the truth.

The Holy Spirit gives us counsel that will move us in the direction of pleasing God. His influence moves us toward the fruitful qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of truth and godly character in the Year of Vision. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on John 15:13.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Less than 24 hours later, Jesus went to the cross to lay down His life for us. How do we comprehend this kind of supreme love? What is our response to His sacrifice on our behalf?

The nails did not hold Jesus to the cross. His love did. Jesus said He could have called for 12 legions of angels to come to His rescue, but how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way? Jesus went to His death willingly, because He loved us, and wanted us to become part of His forgiven family.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to profound gratitude for His supreme love in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Today’s playlist is loaded with twin spins from Ross King, Chris McClarney, Kim Walker Smith, North Point Worship, Shane & Shane, Housefires, Rend Collective, Hillsong Worship and more. Plus, local worship from Mission Worship, Caleb & Bethany Kuenzli, Life Center Worship!

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com 
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