STACEY GAGNE –  God has a great and creative way of helping us refocus our hearts and minds.    When we open up The Bible we’ll come to a scripture that brings us the encouragement, conviction or hope that we need.   For me, sometimes I get into a “woe is me” mode about something and then I see it in light of the circumstances of others and I’m humbled and realize how much I have to be thankful for.  Some days just seeing something beautiful like a rainbow or a smiling child will be enough to change my outlook.

Today we received a note from a listener along with their donation that said “I look forward to driving places just so I can listen to our station – it is an instant change in attitude for me”.

That is awesome.  May we be changed daily to be more like Jesus in our attitude.  We are thankful that God is using WJTL as a tool to do this in the lives of many.  May our hearts, eyes and ears be open and focused on Him so that we don’t miss those moments.

JOHN SHIRK – From Matthew 7, verses 13 and 14.

Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

It’s not always wise to follow the crowd, especially if the crowd is headed in the wrong direction. Jesus urges us to find life through the road less traveled. Some people in the world believe that there are many paths that lead to God. But this view contradicts what Jesus said when He told His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He also said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”

According to Jesus, He is the only way to a relationship with God the Father and eternal life.  By faith, we can walk with God and enjoy His fellowship forever.

Following Jesus is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

FRED MCAUGHTON – Lisa is in Kenya with Rafiki Africa . Rafiki Africa has a school on their campus in Alendu, Kenya. Most of our students at LightHouse Academy are orphans and come from families where there is no access to education. The families make less than $1.00 per day. At LightHouse the students receive Christian education, 2 meals a day, after school and holiday programs and all school supplies. You have the opportunity to support some of the students on a monthly basis. We’ve included photos of Merab and Samantha. Check out more of Lisa’s photos at the WJTL facebook page and listen to her past reports at our WJTLCasts page.  And of course, stay tuned as Lisa continues to bring us live reports.

JOHN SHIRK – From John 8:24-

Jesus had some tough words for the Pharisees. He said, “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”

Jesus is giving both a warning to the Pharisees and an opportunity to change their mind about Him. In John 5:18, we learn that in calling God His own Father, He was making Himself equal with God. Denying the claims of Jesus as the Son of God to the very end leads us to a bitter end. But it does not have to end that way. The coming of Jesus to the world means that through faith in His name, we don’t have to die in our sins, but rather in His grace.

There is a Savior. His name is Jesus. And His death on the cross means forgiveness to all who call on Him to save us from our sins.

His resurrection means victory and eternal life. Our hope remains firm because Jesus is alive and well.

Faith in the name of Jesus is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Matthew 7:24 and 25.

Jesus wrapped up the Sermon On the Mount by saying, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

The words of Jesus are so dependable that we can build our life on them. He gives us a firm foundation that provides stability for our lives when the storms of life test our strength.

Jesus said we would have times of trouble in this world. He did not hide that fact from us. At the same time, He also assured us of His presence to be with us, and His grace to help us in our times of need.

There is another side of the story that Jesus also brings to our attention. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who build his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  In both cases, it was the storm that revealed the strength of the foundation.

Hearing Jesus’ words and putting them into practice is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Revelation 7:17.

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

This is the picture of the relief that awaits those who were cleansed by the blood of Jesus and have come out of the great tribulation on the earth.

Jesus was described by John the Baptist as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. In heaven, the Lamb is also the Shepherd. Those who look to Him with a trusting heart are cleansed of their sin. As we follow Jesus, we can depend on Him to lead us to a place of righteousness, joy in His holy Presence, relief from pain and suffering, and eternal life.

In Heaven, Jesus is the central focus. We can prepare for heaven now by putting Jesus as the center of our attention and devotion today.

A life centered on Christ is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE – This morning we received an email from a listener who heard a message at just the right time… at the wrong time.    God is so good.  We asked permission to share it because I am quite sure this will bless and encourage more people than just our staff here.

“Hi, all. Just wanted to tell you an interesting experience I had yesterday morning (around 6:25 AM) while listening to WJTL on my way to work.  Maybe I should mention that in late July, while spending some days at the shore, the Lord had brought a sweet devotional based on Romans 15:13 to my attention, re: hope. I tucked that verse away in my heart, not realizing that within a few days I would so need it. On the way home I had a minor accident that resulted in a severe ankle sprain and bone break. Not the end of the world, for sure, but it’s been a difficult time of mending, and feeling physically so short of normal. Added to that, my husband lost a good job, and it took us by surprise. Again, trying to cling to Romans 15:13. But I admit, I’ve struggled, and wondered at times where He is in all of it. Though I KNOW He is with us, it hasn’t always felt that way when my fears creep in, drowning out the hope He wants to keep on giving and growing in me. I was driving to work on Rt. 72 yesterday, and right around the spot when I usually hear The Bible Experience, I was hearing the voice of Joni Tada, and I listened not thinking that this was not the usual daily segment. But sure enough, her message on HOPE struck right into my frail heart, and when she mentioned Rom. 15:13, tears ran down my cheeks because it was one of those sweet, personal touches from Him that are so timely, so personal, it’s hard to fathom. And I was still marveling when the announcer mentioned that the Tada message was a mistake and “how did that happen???!!!” I had to laugh out loud, and then wonder how many others out there really needed to hear the wrong message, the one not supposed to be airing! Truly, if I hadn’t been on my way to work I think I would have tried to call, it was just that funny/amazing to me. Just wanted to let you know that God so often uses your station to reach and encourage His wondering, wandering people.

JOHN SHIRK – From Isaiah 6:8.

The prophet said, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!”

God’s people have responded to God’s call differently. Jonah heard God’s call and tried to hide from God. The reason for this was that he lacked concern for the people God wanted him to confront. Moses heard God’s call and made excuses as to why he was not the right man for the job. He was focused on his personal limitations. Isaiah responded to God’s call by making himself available to the Lord for His service. He was focused on the worthiness and holiness of the LORD. This is the focus that will give us a willing heart to carry out what God wants us to do.

Worship leads us to an awareness of God’s wisdom to guide us in His will, and His strength to carry us through.

Saying “yes” to God’s opportunities is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Lisa Landis – This Thursday I travel to Kenya to report on the community of Alendu with Rafiki Africa.  Rafiki Africa works together with African communities to provide practical resources, training, real and lasting hope, dignity, encouragement, spiritual growth and guidance.  It’s been two years since I visited Africa.  My last trip was with Eastern Mennonite Missions in April of 2010.  Before I travel on Thursday, I wanted to update you on the Guinea-Bissau school project in Western Africa.  Here is a quick video of the progress:

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The walls are up and the roof is on the school building in Catel, Guinea-Bissau, that WJTL listeners so generously contributed to in 2010-2011. EMM worker Beryl Forester said all the funds that were raised have been used – about $11,000.

Beryl estimates that another $5,000 would cover the cost of plastering both the inside and the outside of the school, pouring the concrete floors, putting in windows and doors, and painting the building. Of course, furnishings like desks and benches would also be helpful; making or purchasing them would likely cost an additional $3,000. This building will have four classrooms, each accommodating 30 students, 120 per session. There are two sessions per day.

There’s still a lot to be done! Catel has one of the worst educational situations in the region. Most of the teachers do not receive a salary so classes are quite irregular and the instructional level is insufficient. Sadly, many of the students who go through the program still can’t read or write when they finish.

But there’s also reason to hope! A man who is a native of Catel will soon complete his teacher’s certificate and Beryl reports that he has a dream to return to Catel to help create an effective school environment here.

Another new project in Guinea-Bissau

Another exciting possibility for the village is the prospect of getting a cashew processing project up and running. EMM is raising funds through a special Faithfunder campaign to run a pilot project. This would mean villagers could process their cashews in the country rather than shipping them to India for processing, which is what they do now. Processing the nuts locally, and establishing trade relationships directly with buyers, means the communities that grow the cashews also get the jobs and retain more of the profits. The community could see long-term economic development.

You can be part of this project, too. You can even get tasty cashew nuts in exchange for supporting it! But it’s only running until October 12. Go to www.emm.org/cashew and find out:

• Why is EMM processing cashews in Guinea-Bissau?
• What is Faithfunder?
• How can people help?

JOHN SHIRK – From John 8, verses 10 and 11.

Jesus asked a woman caught in adultery, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir”, she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you. Go, now and leave your life of sin.”

This woman must have thought her life was coming to an end as her hidden sin of adultery was exposed in public. The religious leaders used this opportunity to try to trap Jesus. Their main goal was not to find fault with the woman, but Jesus. They said to Jesus, “The Law of Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”

Jesus responds by writing on the ground, and then saying, “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

No one threw a stone at her. The woman was spared the death penalty. Jesus was offering her a pardon from her past, and freedom for her future. In a world of sin, Jesus teaches us to abstain from finger-pointing blame and to confront sin with grace. The evidence of our sin gives us no platform to condemn another person. Just like with the woman caught in adultery, the forgiveness Jesus offers is an opportunity to turn from our sin and follow Him with a pure heart.  Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation.”

Repentance is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com