JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on First John 4:20 and 21,

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

God is the source of love. He enables and motivates us to love our family members and our church family. If we sense that there is room for growth in these areas, we can turn to God for help. His love for us makes a difference in how we see God, how we see ourselves, and how we treat other people. There is great encouragement in knowing God’s love. There is great virtue in passing it along.

Walking in God’s love is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Ephesians 5, verses 18b to 20.

“Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Lord is honored in various styles of songs. If not, He would not have invited us to use three different types of songs for worship. He works just as powerfully in the hymns as He does in worship choruses, as long as the content of the songs reflects Him accurately.

We can use music for worshipping God and for teaching others about Him. In these ways, music builds our faith in Jesus.

Celebrating Jesus in music is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Persons of Integrity from the Bible are Cleopas and his traveling friend.

Three days after Jesus died on a cross, these two men were traveling toward Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were rather discouraged as they talked about the events that unfolded.

Then Jesus, who had risen from the dead, joined them on their journey. He asked what they were talking about? They talked about Jesus even as they walked along the road with Him. They mentioned that they hoped he was going to be the one to redeem Israel, and they had heard reports of his empty tomb.

Then, Jesus went through the writings of Moses and the Prophets to explain what was said in the Scriptures concerning Himself. Their hearts were burning within them while Jesus talked with them on the road. Then when they sat at the table with Jesus, they recognized Him. Disappointment turned to passion for the Gospel as they talked with Jesus and heard the evidence that He was the Promised Messiah.

The faithfulness of Cleopas and his traveling friend to walk with Jesus inspires us to take our journey of faith with Jesus and to live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Persons of Integrity from the Bible are the children who shouted “Hosanna.”

Children were drawn to Jesus. He showed them respect and dignity. He pointed to children as role models of faith and humility for adults to emulate.

In Matthew 21:15, the chief priests and teachers of the law took notice that children were shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” Jesus replied, “Have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise?”

Elsewhere, with a child in the presence of Jesus, He said in Matthew 18:3, “Truly, I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

The faithfulness of little children to praise God with humble hearts inspires us to follow their example and to live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Psalm 40, verse 8.

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

David, the writer of this Psalm, was NOT motivated to follow God’s law out of obligation. He WAS motivated by love.

Some of his comments earlier show the celebration of his heart when thinking about God’s goodness.

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.”

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

“ Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you.”

Remembering with gratitude God’s goodness, greatness, and love for us will inspire us to follow after God’s own heart.

Walking with the desire to do God’s will is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Matthew 10:8.

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Jesus said these words as he sent out His twelve disciples with authority to do these things. With the authority that Jesus gives us, He gives us opportunity to serve in capacities that lead to healing, deliverance from evil, purification, and life in Christ.

How has God equipped you for service? We are designed to be more like a stream than a pond. Ponds collect water and remain stagnant. Streams let the water flow through them. We can make a difference in this world for the Gospel by passing along what God has equipped for us to do in His name.

Walking as an instrument of God’s grace is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is the Apostle John.

Not all of Jesus’ disciples were martyrs for their faith. John was an exception, but he still suffered for the sake of Christ. He recalls what happened in the book of Revelation, chapter 1, verse 9.

In the New Living Translation:-“I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.”

He might have been isolated, but he was not alone. Jesus appeared to him and told him to write in a book everything he saw and send it to seven churches. Today we have access to the book of Revelation, which states a promise of blessing to those who take the message to heart.

The faithfulness of the Apostle John to write the book of Revelation inspires us to put our eternal hope in Jesus and to live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Isaiah 64:8.

“Yet, you, Lord are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

The Bible tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Not only has God made us, but He also has formed us for a specific purpose. What is that purpose?

Rick Warren has said, “The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering your life’s purpose: Ask God.”

Because He knows us better than we know ourselves, He also knows how to guide us in His will and shape our character into His likeness. God can do extraordinary things through a life yielded to His purposes.

Walking with a God-directed purpose is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Matthew 4:19.

Jesus said to Peter and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”

The Bible notes how Peter and Andrew responded to this invitation. “At once, they left their nets and followed him.”

As they followed Jesus, His words came true. Peter and Andrew were effective witnesses of the Gospel that led to the salvation of many souls. When Peter preached at Pentecost, 3,000 people came to faith in Christ in just one day!

We can follow Jesus as our Savior with a trusting heart, knowing that He loves us, and knows how to lead us to productive places of service. Then, beyond this life, He will have a heavenly home ready for us.

Walking as a follower of Jesus step-by-step is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com