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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Snow.

Whenever snow is in the forecast, different people have different reactions. Some people immediately start to adjust their travel plans. Others look forward to sledding while others dread the thought of shoveling snow. Regardless of what we may think about snow, there is a lesson of faith that we can learn from it.

In the Bible, snow sometimes symbolizes purity. As David was confessing his sin in Psalm 51, he prayed, “wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”

David recognized that God had the power to make his heart clean again.  If our heart is polluted by sin, God can give us a pure heart again that is refreshed in the glow of His grace. We can turn to Jesus for His forgiveness, and He will be faithful to make our heart clean.

Find encouragement in the grace of God to make us whiter than snow in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Blessing.”

One definition of this word is “God’s favor.”

If we look at the life of Abraham, we see that one of the reasons that God blesses us is to make us a blessing. If we are blessed with material wealth, He wants us to be generous. If we are blessed with a job, He wants us to bless others with faithful service.

In Genesis 12:2, the LORD said to Abraham, “I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

The ultimate blessing that comes from God is His forgiveness. Without forgiveness of sins, there would be no hope for us to be restored to God. Forgiveness is a gift of God’s grace that becomes our reality when we put our faith in Jesus Christ to forgive us.

Romans 4:7 says, “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Find encouragement in the blessings that come from God in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is light.

Light has a way of breaking the darkness, just as the power of God is dependable for breaking the power of sin. John 1:5 says that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

We can trust in Jesus to overcome the forces of darkness because He is the light of the world. He made this claim in John 8:12.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

If we feel surrounded by darkness, whether it be the pressures of this world or the temptations by our own sinful desires, there is a light to lead us out of darkness. His name is Jesus. He is the source of light to shine on our hearts and give us the hope of an abundant and eternal life with Him.

Find encouragement in the light that Jesus provides to lead us out of darkness in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to step toward consideration in the way we treat other people.

First Corinthians 13:5 tells us that love does not dishonor others.

Real love considers how our actions and attitudes may affect someone else. It is not rude.

For example, it would not be considerate to make a lot of noise in our neighborhoods at 2 in the morning when most residents are trying to sleep.

But on the positive side, it would be considerate to shovel snow for a neighbor who has physical challenges.

To be considerate of others is to think about the needs of others and respect their time and space.  Titus 3:2 encourages us to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. Jesus taught us to do to others what we would have them do to us.

Take the daily challenge to walk with consideration in how we treat one another on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Forgiveness.

The Bible tells us that we all fall short of the glory of God. We miss the mark of God’s perfect standard whenever we disobey Him.

But through Jesus Christ, God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. Acts 10:43 says about Jesus, “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Jesus came to take the punishment of our sins upon Himself. That was the purpose of the cross. When we cling to the message of the cross as our only hope, God no longer holds our sins against us.

The Gospel is calling us to agree with God that we need a Savior, and Jesus is His name. First John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Find encouragement in God’s forgiveness in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Ministry.

To have a ministry is to have some form of service that meets people’s needs for the glory of God.

Many times, we might think of pastors and evangelists as having ministries. But there are others in the body of Christ with a vibrant ministry too, such as greeters, worship leaders, small group leaders, and the set-up crew.

In the early church, Tabitha helped the poor by making clothing.  Barnabas had a ministry of encouragement. Epaphras was faithful in prayer. Aquila and Priscilla had the ministry of hospitality as they opened their home to believers for times of worship.

Effective ministry reflects the attitude of Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote in Second Corinthians 5:18 that God “reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Find encouragement in the ministry that God entrusts to you in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com