JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is a Dinner Invitation.

This is often an expression of hospitality. Joseph invited his estranged brothers for dinner when they sought his help in Egypt during a famine.

They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. According to Genesis 43:16, when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon.”

This was one step that Joseph took toward reconciliation with his brothers. A dinner invitation can help with reconciling strained relationships today. Or it can be a place of building healthy relationships, or getting to know someone better. Food can provide an atmosphere for open conversation.

A Dinner Invitation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:30.

“By faith, the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.”

This marked the fulfillment of God’s Word for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. It happened after Joshua’s army marched around the city for seven days. The priests would blow their trumpets, the army would give a loud shout, and the wall of the city would collapse.

The LORD said to Joshua in Joshua 6:2, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands.”

Faith manifests itself in various ways. In this case, we see faith accompanied by the courage to step forward in God’s timing.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be strong and courageous to follow God’s Word in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:31.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

In Joshua, chapter 2, she told the spies, “I know that the LORD has given you this land.” “the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” She appealed for kindness to her family. Her family was spared when the walls of Jericho fell.

Rahab’s faith is identified as the reason why she was spared from death. Her faith in the Lord was also a turning point for her to leave the old way of life behind. She married a man named Salmon. They had a son. Their names are identified in the genealogy of Jesus.

When we trust Jesus to save us, our past does not define us. Our faith in Him does.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to come alive to God for a new life in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Asking Someone How they are.

Then wait, listen, and follow up with more questions if they are open to conversation. This is one simple way to enter into someone else’s world and to show interest.

This is one of the steps that Joseph took toward reconciliation with his estranged brothers in the book of Genesis. They sought his help during a famine in Egypt, but did not recognize him. Joseph on the other hand, did recognize his brothers, so he had them over for lunch.

According to Genesis 43:27, when they arrived, Joseph asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?” They replied, “Your servant, our father, is still alive and well.”

Sometimes, in the course of our questions to someone, we might learn that we share common interests. That certainly was the case when Joseph asked his brothers about the condition of their father.

“Asking Someone how they are” is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:29.

“By faith, the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.”

The Egyptians were pursuing the Israelites to return them to slavery, but God set them free. The Red Sea was their breakthrough moment once and for all.

Exodus 14:29 records that the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians.

Sin is like a harsh slave master that seeks to control us with addictions, false beliefs, and selfish pride.  God’s grace is the way forward to set us free. We can trust Jesus to lead the way.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to walk in the path that leads to freedom in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Delegation.

Sometimes, when an organization or a church experiences growth, there is a need to make adjustments to meet needs in a more effective way. Such was the case in the early church when the number of disciples was increasing.

According to Acts 6:1, the Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture complained that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So, the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.”

Out of this decision came the ministry of deacons in the church. It was a decision that led to more growth. More people were serving. More needs were being met, on a physical and spiritual level.

Delegation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

We are so excited to host our 10th Kids Cookie Break Fest on Saturday August 27th! Guests will enjoy performances on two outdoor stages and tons of fun family activities thanks to our sponsors. We’ll be collecting donations for Align Life Ministries, too. Free tickets become available on Monday August 15th.  

I’m searching for some older KCB fans who would like to join our team that helps make the event happen for all of the kids and their families who will attend. We have lots of friends who make this an annual event and we have a lot of fun together!  There are plenty of areas to serve for anyone age 14+. I’ve heard from a couple of families with teens who loved the Kids Cookie Break as children and are ready to be involved in a new way by helping!  We’ve had some aunts, uncles, grandparents and friend groups join us, too.

We have areas like Carnival Games, Handing out Chick-Fil-A Meals, Monitoring Inflatable Bounce Houses, Parking, Ticket Taking, Trash, and more.  You’ll even get a t-shirt and a free Chick Fil A meal.

Check out our Sign Up link https://signup.com/go/fCXEKgv to sign up,  or email stacey@wjtl.com and I can help find a good spot for you! We’d love to have you join us to celebrate our 10th KCB Fest!

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:28.

Referring to Moses, “By faith, he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.”

In the book of Exodus, it was the blood of the Passover lamb applied to the doorframes that protected the firstborn of Israel from death.  This is a foreshadow to the spiritual reality of Christ. First Corinthians 5:7 says that “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.”

Our redemption depends on what Jesus did for us at the cross. Without the shedding of His blood, there would be no forgiveness. By faith, we are protected by the application of Christ’s blood to cover our sins. Forgiveness is found in God’s grace demonstrated through the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to trust Jesus to save us from our sins in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This week’s lineup features super singable anthems like “Jireh” from Maverick City Music, “Mention Of Your Name” by Jenn Johnson, Jonathan Helser’s song “No Longer Slaves” and the 10th anniversary edition of Matt Redman’s “10,000 Reasons”! Plus, new releases from Cody Carnes, Bryan & Katie Torwalt, Chris Tomlin and more.

Song Title	Artist	Album	Year
6AM
I Will Sing	Martin Smith	Exalt – EP	2020
What a Good God	Paul Baloche	Behold Him	2020
Ill Give Thanks (feat. Kirby Kaple)	Housefires	Ill Give Thanks	2020
Hundred Miles	Crowder	I Know a Ghost	2018
Every Hour	David Leonard	Single	2022
Leaning (feat. Lizzie Morgan)	Matt Maher	Single	2022
Be Glad	Cody Carnes	Single	2022
Magnificent, Marvelous, Matchless Love	Matt Boswell & Matt Papa	His Mercy Is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa	2019
Thy Kingdom Come (feat. Francesca Battistelli)	Rita Springer	Single	2020
Heaven Invade (Live)	Kari Jobe	The Blessing (Live)	2020
Holy Spirit Come	Patrick Mayberry	Holy Spirit Come – EP	2021
Make Room (feat. Chris McClarney & Sarah Reeves)	Meredith Andrews	Single	2022
7AM
Awe + Wonder (Live) (feat. Daniella Mason & Andrew Holt)	The Belonging Co	Awe + Wonder (Live)	2019
Same God (feat. Jonsal Barrientes)	Elevation Worship	LION	2022
No Longer Slaves (feat. Jonathan David & Melissa Helser)	Bethel Music	We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) [Deluxe Edition]	2015
God Really Loves Us (feat. Dante Bowe & Maverick City Music)	Crowder	Milk & Honey	2021
Mercies (New Every Morning)	Matt Redman	Let There Be Wonder (Digital Deluxe)	2020
10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)	Worship Together & Matt Redman	[10th Anniversary] Single	2022
Bless The One (feat. Matt Maher)	Mack Brock	SPACE	2020
From Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)	Hillsong Worship	Awake	2019
Morning By Morning (Live From Worship Together)	Pat Barrett	Morning By Morning (I Will Trust) – EP	2022
Every Breath	Gateway Worship	Living for You	2006
Let Everything (Live)	Vertical Worship	Frontiers (Live)	2016
8AM
Joyful Noise	Matt Maher	Single	2021
Firm Foundation (He Wont)	The Belonging Co & Cody Carnes	Here (Live)	2022
Build My Life	Housefires	Housefires III	2016
Champion (feat. Dante Bowe)	Bethel Music	Revivals In The Air (Live)	2020
Good News	Bryan & Katie Torwalt	Ive Got Good News (Live)	2022
All Praise	Matt Redman	Single	2020
A Thousand Hallelujahs (Live)	Brooke Ligertwood	Single	2022
Holy Forever	Chris Tomlin	Always	2022
Immeasurably More	Rend Collective	The Art Of Celebration	2014
How You Love Me	Patrick Mayberry	Holy Spirit Come (Bonus Video Version) – EP	2021
There Is a Power (feat. Dante Bowe)	Rita Springer	Light	2020
9AM
Jireh (feat. Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine)	Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music	Old Church Basement	2021
Worthy of Your Name (feat. Sean Curran of Bellarive)	Passion	Worthy Of Your Name	2017
Mention of Your Name	Jenn Johnson	After All These Years	2017
Fresh Wind/What A Beautiful Name (feat. Taya & David Ware)	Hillsong Worship	Fresh Wind/What A Beautiful Name (Live) – EP	2021
Awakening	Chris Tomlin	Passion: Awakening	2010
Let The Light In	Cody Carnes	Run To The Father	2020
Shine Like Stars (feat. Brett Younker)	Passion	Burn Bright – EP	2022
God of Revival	Brian Johnson & Jenn Johnson	Single	2020
Cover The Earth (feat. Cody Carnes)	Kari Jobe	Cover The Earth – Single	2018

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is seeking the redemption of others, not their condemnation.

In John chapter 8, when the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, they told Him that Moses commanded them to stone such women. What did Jesus say? Jesus told the crowd, “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” After disarming the Pharisees, He then turned to the woman and said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Jesus was the only perfect person in the crowd that day, but chose not to thrown any stones. He sought this woman’s redemption, not her condemnation, and that is how we can be an instrument of God’s grace today.

Seeking redemption of others rather than condemnation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com