NIK – For THE Dot-to-DOT GREAT REVEAL, we no longer needed to be told to take up the crayon and physically draw short lines–number to number. At some point in development, there was a change.  Now, we were mentally able to connect the dots that created the picture, especially, if there were context clues. Our very bright mind drew around the picture for us, and reality was–we needed no numbers at all to make something magnificent appear upon the page.

If only faith was that linear (where we know for certain two comes after one and so on or in some cases in life, where is that big INKY dot-to-dot STAR that tells us “Start Here”).  That STAR does represent a beginning or a mark identifying “You Are Here.”  But reality is, a journey proceeds the starred starting point–just as it did that famous first “Christmas” with those familiar Kings we sang about who traveled so far.
I look back in my faith journey thinking If only she “got” the picture.

This younger version of myself, didn’t have the capacity or development that comes from “journey-ing.” Faith is not a simple walk in the park because the one we were made in the image of—Almighty God—is infinitely greater than that default trinity I love so much: “me, myself and I.”

Following the proverbial dot-to-dot could be a sign we’re growing in our faith. Growing doesn’t make us juvenile; rather it’s a working out of personal salvation, redemption, and unfathomable grace.  This is our journey.  In contrast, if we want to remain where we can quickly call out the picture on the page (without first putting in the more meticulous work line by line) it may mean it is time to stoke the fire of our faith journey–find a proverbial camel and get after the starting star.

A MENTAL EXERCISE

It’s in the making.  This year, I’m proposing thoughtful time for a dot-to-dot.

[Twelve months act as dots; for example, January is one, February is two and on to December which is twelve.] Compare you, my camel rider, last year to this one (i.e.where was I after Christmas 2014. Recall things like family, health, habits, relationships, money, personal time in God’s word etc.) and most importantly pray. Prayerfully, ask God to reveal the picture in the making that He sees complete. God has a plan for you this year, as He does for me. I think it’s a valid goal to spend less time putting God in the picture and more time understanding His powerful orchestration and plan. He is the publisher of this dot-to-dot we call history and future and life. He’s overseer of these lines drawn, and builder of our very bright mind created to glorify Him. Let’s begin to draw one line at a time! Journey month by month with awareness.  Let’s read God’s word, pray alone, pray together, be accountable, and, my friends, let’s be His disciples!  We, too, will find Him!

Tonight, I’m reminded that “fear” could be translated as “losing ground,” “losing control,” “losing perspective” or even “losing the plumb line” in our goal and purpose of life. This Christmas season, know He is calling all us weary ones unto Himself. (Even now I hear “Come Let us Adore Him.”)
This Christmas, lets do it!  Let’s adore Him in the biggest way; the way of letting go of “fear” so that we may find Him. I believe we’ll not only find Him, we will find Him faithful.
Blessings over your Christmastime.
Praying in this season you pursue everything in your heart, that leads to a fearless “all-in” to Jesus Christ our celebrated Savior.
Nik

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Isaiah 9:6, which says about Jesus, “He will be called….Prince Of Peace.”

Verse 7 goes on to say, “Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.”

Under His righteous leadership, true and lasting peace will be established. While the world yearns for the peace that Jesus offers, it does not yet experience this reality. That is because we need to acknowledge peace on His terms. Welcoming the influence of Jesus as our Savior and Lord invites peace. But peace is elusive as long as we push Jesus away.

On a personal level, we can experience the gift of God’s peace this Christmas, by embracing the presence of Jesus.

Romans 5:1 says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Receiving Jesus as our Prince of Peace is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His purpose for coming to the world.

According to First Timothy 1:15, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

The Christmas season is full of special activities, shopping sprees, decorations, and gifts. It can be a busy season that keeps us doing things that may be good, but may also keep us from slowing down to reflect on the greatest gift of all-the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

God’s love for us prompted Him to send Jesus to the world on a rescue mission. Jesus did not come to us because we were good, but because He is good. His blood shed for us at the cross was an acceptable sacrifice for our sins, and as a result, we are declared acceptable to God through faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot enter heaven on our own merit, but it is possible to enter heaven on the merit of Christ and what He has done for us at the cross. That was the purpose of Jesus that adds meaning to Christmas.

A daily connection with Christ is our lifeline to God’s forgiveness and His gift of eternal life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His letter to the church at Thyatira.

In Revelation 2:22, the main message to this church was to turn away from immorality and idolatry, and turn to God. The whole church was not corrupted, but some were by the influence of a woman named Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess.

The church was making some progress. Jesus identifies their deeds, their love, their faith, their service, and their perseverance, and says, “You are now doing more than you did at first.”

But they were too tolerant of the sinful practices that Jezebel promoted. Tolerance is consistent with the Christian faith when it reflects kindness and respect to a person who disagrees with us. But tolerance goes too far if we are putting our stamp of approval on sin. Validating sin leads to the spread of a spiritual cancer throughout the body.

Romans 2:4 talks about the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience as influences to lead us to repentance.

A daily connection with Christ teaches us to love God, love people and hate sin.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

The Extraordinary Give, Lancaster County’s Largest Day of online giving begins tonight at Midnight and runs all day tomorrow (Friday November  20th) until Midnight!!!

Last year, WJTL listeners showed their generosity and helped WJTL raise $113,085 during Extraordinary Give 2014!

We would love to have your support this year! We know there are many worthy organizations vying for your attention and donations during Extra Give. We want to invite you support this radio ministry – WJTL!

Click here when you are ready to make your donation.

Any donation made online tomorrow – Friday, NOVEMBER 20th will be stretched by $250,000 from the Lancaster County Community Foundation and their sponsors. Plus, there are $50,000 in prizes we can win instantly from your donation!

Tell your friends and show your support for WJTL!

Thank You!

In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His letter to the church at Pergamum.

In Revelation 2:14, The main message to this church is to beware of falling into an immoral lifestyle. There was evidence of compromise in the church at Pergamum. The whole church was not infected, but some within the church were being corrupted. In His love for the church, Jesus calls the compromisers to repentance. To those who did not fall into false teachings or an immoral lifestyle, Jesus commends them for remaining true to His name.

Pergamum was identified as a place where Satan has his throne. Believers were in a tough place. There can be many temptations and different forms of persecution in communities where Satan has a stronghold. There was a hostile climate toward Christians in Pergamum as seen by the reference to the death of Antipas, who was a faithful witness for Jesus.

A daily connection with Christ calls to an uncompromising faith.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His letter to the church at Smyrna.

In Revelation 2:9, His main message to this church is to commend them for their faithful witness. He says, “I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich.” “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.” “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

The witness of this church reveals that followers of Christ will, at times, face persecution for our faith.

Polycarp was the bishop at Smyrna, and when he was 86 years of age, he was pressured to acknowledge Caesar as Lord. But Polycarp would not bow to the pressure. He said, “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” As a result of his stand for Jesus, Polycarp became a martyr for the faith.

A daily connection with Christ inspires faith and courage for times of testing.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His letter to the church at Ephesus.

It appears in Revelation 2. This is the first of seven churches to receive a message from the Lord. Each message is different, but they reflect the character of the same God who is loving and holy.

The main message to the church at Ephesus is this: “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

Here was a church that was still working for the Lord and enduring hardships. They were discerning truth from error among their teachers. However, over time, they lost their first love. They may have been going through the motions of the Christian life, but lost the delight of their service and their radiance.

Jesus loves this church, and because He cares, He calls them to return to the love they once had for Him-to recapture that sense of wonder of God’s amazing grace that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

A daily connection with Christ calls us back to our first love.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Galatians 6:6.

“Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”

There are at least three ways in which students of God’s Word can share all good things with our instructors.

The first way is to support them financially. According to the Bible, the worker is worth their wages, and this is true of those who work hard among us to teach us God’s Word. This will encourage our instructors to continue their good work as God provides their needs through our giving.

Another way to share good things with our instructor is to tell them how we are applying their lessons of faith into our lives. It shows we are attentive and receptive to their words. This reflects spiritual growth through their ministry.

Another way we can share good things with our instructor is to tell them how their teaching is shaping our character into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This reflects the good fruit of their ministry.

Sharing good things with our instructor is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com