JOHN SHIRK – Philippians 4:8 gives us a list of things to think about. This devotional examines how our focus on Jesus helps us stay focused on the quality of whatever is true.

In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines Jesus as the true testimony from God.

John was one of Jesus’ disciples who wrote about Him in John 21:24, “We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If everyone of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

Elsewhere, he wrote in First John 5:11, “This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Knowing Jesus as the true testimony from God is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on John 16:33.

Among His final words to the disciples before His death, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Three days later, He would rise from the dead.

If you experience trouble in this world, you are not alone. Jesus told us it would be this way. He is honest with us about the challenges we will face while we live on the earth. Financial stress, loneliness, physical sickness, grief, and persecution for our faith are a number of troubling realities that people face in this world.

But to the person who trusts in Jesus and follows Him daily, there is another reality-a greater reality that gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life. Jesus has overcome the world. Because He has overcome the world, we can have faith that He will help us to overcome the world too. We live with this hope in First John 5:5, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Victory in Christ is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His ability to do what is humanly impossible.

Looking at the history of the Bible, we would have to acknowledge that our faith depends on a mighty God who works miracles.

By His command, He was able to create something out of nothing. This was the birth of the world.

God kept His promise to Abraham to provide a son when Sarah was past her childbearing years. This was the birth of the nation of Israel.

The hope of redemption came to the world through a virgin birth. This was the birth of Jesus.

Jesus died on a cross, then rose from the dead three days later. He is uniquely qualified to save us from our sins, restore us to God, and give us eternal life with Him. This is spiritual birth: to accept this gracious gift. Luke 1:37 says, “Nothing is impossible with God.”

God’s ability to do what is humanly impossible is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Second Corinthians 5:17.

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”

Through faith in Jesus, we are made new. This is evident in various ways.

In relationship with Christ, we have a new mind with a new attitude. Ephesians 4:23 says that we were taught to put off our old self and be made new in the attitude of our minds.

In relationship with Christ, we have a new heart. Ezekiel 11:19 says, “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them.”

In relationship with Christ, we have a new home. Philippians 3:20 reminds believers that our citizenship is in heaven.

And in relationship with Christ, we have a new start. According to First Peter 1:3, “In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Becoming a new creation is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines the tears of Jesus.

There were several times in the Bible when Jesus wept. One of those times was by the gravesite of his good friend Lazarus. John 11:35 records that “Jesus wept.”

Also, in Luke 19:41, as Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it. He saw the devastation that was coming to that city because the people failed to recognize the time of God’s visitation.

Jesus was a man of sorrows. In these two examples, we see Jesus shedding tears in the death of a friend and the coming tragedy of those who would reject Him. He sympathizes with us in our grief, and He cares for the lost. His tears reveal the genuine expression of His love for people.

The tears of Jesus are reasons to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – For today’s Life at the Crossroads Moment, loving God with our eyes.

The dominant news story this week has been the historic storm in Texas and Louisiana. Houston has been particularly hard hit. The widespread flooding and devastation is unimaginable.

People will typically respond to storms of this magnitude in different ways. There are the looters-People who steal and vandalize vacant buildings. There are the spectators-those who watch what is going on from a distance. And there are the heroes-the rescue workers, the aid workers, those who contribute financial resources to relieve human suffering. We see those different kinds of people in the story of the Good Samaritan.

A man was on the road to Jericho. He was robbed and beaten up by thieves. There were religious leaders who saw him lying on the side of the road, and walked right by him. They were the spectators. And then there was the Good Samaritan. And he shows us how we can love God with our eyes. “He came to where the man was, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.” Then he took him to a motel and took care of him. And he took care of this man’s expenses too. This Good Samaritan noticed the need and did something about it.

So, when we see human suffering, whether we are watching this situation unfold on our TV screens in Texas, or a neighbor who is grieving the loss of a loved one, we have a decision to make, as to how we respond. Compassion will prompt us to do something helpful. The Good Samaritan was the example of someone who loved their neighbor as himself. Luke 10 gives us wisdom for turning to God at the crossroads of life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Please join us in prayer and partnership with flood relief efforts in Texas.  

Christ In Action, God’s Pit Crew, Samaritan’s Purse, and Mennonite Disaster Service are a few ministries already at work in Texas where you could invest your resources.    

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Isaiah 40, verse 31.

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Verse 29 in that chapter tells us that the LORD gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Worry has a way of depleting our energy. Stress leads us to places of anxiety. And a hurried pace of life can lead to burnout. But hope in the Lord brings renewal of strength, by refreshing our perspective that God is in control. He is greater than the weight of our adversity. He is stronger than the spiritual forces of darkness. In His grace, we experience His peace, know His joy, and are energized by His love. Hope strengthens us to rise above life’s challenges to move forward in God’s grace.

Renewed Strength is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His good gifts.

According to Matthew 7:9, God knows how to give good gifts to His children.

Jesus said, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

So then, if it is human nature for moms and dads to want to give good gifts to their children, how much more valuable will God’s good gifts be for His children? God the Father sent Jesus to the world 2,000 years ago, and today, He gives the Holy Spirit to His children. Those are two precious gifts that the world cannot offer us.

He also blesses us with tangible gifts like rain from the sky, crops from the earth, and good friends with whom we can share the journey.

God’s good gifts are reasons to thank God and to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com