JOHN SHIRK – In Philippians 1:21, Paul made this statement, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Paul preferred to depart from this world and be with Jesus, but he also understood that while he was alive, there was a purpose for him. Each day of life on this earth is an opportunity for fruitful labor. Recognizing that opportunity, Paul would use his time on the earth to build up the church with his ministry until Jesus called him home.

The faithfulness of Paul to stay true to his calling inspires us to find our purpose in Christ and to live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

He was a prophet of God who was more interested in saying what was true than what was popular.

In Second Chronicles 18, King Ahab had considered going to war, and consulted four hundred men about the decision. They all said the same thing, “Attack and be victorious.” But when Micaiah was summoned for counsel, he was pressured to let his word agree with theirs and to speak favorably. He replied by saying to the messenger, “As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what my God says.”

This was the mindset that led him to say to King Ahab, “The LORD has decreed disaster for you.” He was slapped in his face for saying that, but his words proved to be true, because he heard from God, understood what God was doing, and spoke for God.

The faithfulness of Micaiah to be strong and courageous for God inspires us to be a bold witness for Jesus and to live a life of Integrity.

John  Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Proverbs 20, verse 7.

The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

Noah and Job were men in the Bible described as blameless. Noah walked faithfully with God. Job feared God and shunned evil.

A blameless person is not a perfect person. We have all disobeyed God at some point in our lives. But there are Scriptures that can help us better understand what it means to lead a blameless life.

Psalm 15:2 describes the way of blamelessness as doing what is righteous, and speaking the truth from our heart.

In Psalm 19, David prayed that God would keep him from willful sins, so that they don’t rule over him. Then, he would be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

Walking the way of a blameless life 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 Matthias.

In Acts 2:26, he was chosen to replace Judas as one of the Apostles of the early church. We don’t really see references in the Bible as to how he served, but we do know that he fit the criteria to replace Judas.

The believers in the early church were looking for someone who had been with them the whole time, from the time of Jesus’ ministry until His ascension. Matthias fit this description. He was also a witness of the resurrection of Jesus. Matthias knew Jesus, and walked with Him throughout His earthly ministry. Through prayer and a process called the “the casting of lots”, Matthias was chosen as the replacement for Judas.

The faithfulness of Matthias to replace the leadership of Judas inspires us to serve God in the church with a willing heart and to live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on First John 4:16.

And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

We would not lean on an object if we questioned its strength to support us. There are various things in this world that may offer us temporary happiness, but they cannot sustain us or support us like the love of God. Here are some of the words used in the Bible to describe God’s love.

Psalm 36:7 says, “How precious is your unfailing love, O God!”

In Psalm 136, God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Ephesians 2:4 describes God’s love as great.

God’s love stands the test of time, carries the weight of all our sin, and never fails us. God’s love is life’s precious gift.

Walking in reliance on 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 First John 4:15.

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.”

There was an occasion when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Then, after some discussion, He asked them directly, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” That is when Simon declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus pronounced a blessing on Simon after making that claim.

Jesus is interested in hearing our response to the question, “Who do you say I am?” There is a great blessing in acknowledging Jesus for who He really is.

Acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God 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 Nahum.

There is a book in the Bible with his name. Nahum was called to prophesy against Nineveh, after Jonah had brought that city to revival through his preaching. By the time of Nahum, the city reverted back to their violent ways and idolatry. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Nahum wrote this word from the LORD, “I will destroy the carved images and cast idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.” Nineveh was destroyed and was never rebuilt.

Nahum’s message to Nineveh is a relevant message for us. Trust in God. Don’t turn back to the ways of our sinful past.

Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overflowing flood he will make an end of Nineveh.”

The faithfulness of Nahum to speak for God inspires us to find refuge in the grace of Jesus and to live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Romans 12, verses 1 through 3.

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

What does it look like to offer our bodies as living sacrifices? It starts with a clear view of God’s mercy and responding with a heart of gratitude. We can start this process with a simple prayer that says to God, “Thank You for your mercy. In light of what You have done for me, I offer myself to you. Have your way in my life.”

Clarity of God’s will comes into view in the process of offering ourselves to God for His purposes.

Walking as a living sacrifice to God 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 Psalm 138, verse 2.

“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”

As we see this passage in light of the Gospel, Jesus is the name above all names. His name is worthy of our praise. His faithfulness can be seen in the nail scars of His hands where He was pierced for our transgressions. If we search the entire universe, we will not find a more faithful friend or worthy Savior than Jesus. His name and word have the power to break the chains of sin in our lives and lift us to a place of fellowship with Him. As we bow to Jesus, we agree with Him that His name and His word are exalted above all else.

Walking in humble worship 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 four men with leprosy.

In Second Kings 7, four men who had leprosy decided to surrender to the Arameans, who were laying siege to their city. They reasoned that it was better to surrender than to stay in the city and die.

But when they reached the camp of the Arameans, no one was there. The four men entered their tents, eating and drinking, and taking silver, gold, and clothing. Then they said to each other, “What we are doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace.” That is what they did.

If these four men were compelled to go back to the city to report the good news that they were free from tyranny, how much more significant for us to tell the good news of what Jesus did to free us from the tyranny of sin?

The faithfulness of four men with leprosy to share the good news of freedom with their city inspires us to share the Gospel with the world and live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com