JOHN SHIRK – From Exodus 12:13.

Recalling the first Passover: The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Judgment was coming on all the gods of Egypt. But the word was sent out to the Israelite community that they would be spared this judgment by taking a lamb without defect, slaughtering it, and taking some of the blood and putting it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

As we fast forward time to Jesus, we see that He was the Lamb of God without defect, who became the sufficient sacrifice to spare us from the coming judgment. Through faith in the name of Jesus, our sins are not held against us. The wrath of God passes over us because the grace of God protects us.

First Corinthians 5:7 says, “For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore,  let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.”

Celebrating Jesus with sincerity and truth is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From First Corinthians 1, verses 22 to 24.

Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Here we learn that our racial background is not a hindrance to the Gospel. God’s love extends to all the people of the world. Jews and Gentiles are invited to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. However, unbelief is a barrier that keeps people separated from God.

The Gospel is simple enough for a child to understand, and at the same time, contains mysteries that perplex the scholar. It brings comfort to those who are disturbed, and disturbs those who insist on being comfortable.  The message of the cross is foolishness and weakness to the unbeliever, but to those who believe the Gospel, it is the wisdom and power of God.

Through Jesus, we have a testimony of God’s grace to provide for a forgiven past, a present help, and a future hope.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From John 1:14.

Speaking of Jesus, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The life of Jesus was measured in the fullness of grace and truth, which overflows into the hearts of His followers. There are key questions that we can ask ourselves to discern to what degree Jesus is influencing our lives by His grace and truth.

Do I seek forgiveness or vengeance when someone has wronged me?

Do I hunger for God’s Word as a person’s stomach hungers for food?

Does the love of Jesus for me make a difference in how I treat other people?

Am I committed to live by the principles of the Bible and promote them as truth?

Have I received the free gift of grace that Jesus offered at the cross and empty grave?

Am I willing to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to be guided by His counsel?

Our honest answers to these questions will reveal to what extent we are impacted by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

A life aligned with God’s grace and truth is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Philippians 2:14 and 15.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like the stars of the universe.”

The Hebrews in Moses’ day learned by experience that complaining gets you nowhere fast. They did not show proper gratitude for God’s blessings, and displayed the tendency to grumble against Him. This slowed down their progress, and these tendencies to complain or argue also undermine the witness of the Christian.

Billy Graham once said, “We are the sermons the world is heeding.” Some people, who don’t step inside a church or listen to sermons from pastors, are studying the lives of professing Christians. The displays of actions and attitudes are having an impact on unbelievers, for better or worse, depending on whether or not our lives are lining up with the Bible. In the absence of complaining or arguing, the Christian witness is purified to shine brighter for Jesus with a godly attitude.

Along with the absence of complaining or arguing, the display of gratitude and love are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Matthew 7, verses 1 and 2.

These are the words of Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Sometimes, this verse is misused to suggest that we should not discern behavior and character. Jesus wants us to use discernment in what we see and what we choose to embrace or reject. If we were not to use judgment in these areas, He would not have said, “Watch out for false prophets.” But He did, and He told us we could recognize them by their fruit.

What Jesus is addressing here is self-righteous evaluation, where we inspect the faults of others without choosing to see our own faults.   Another dangerous kind of judgment is to write someone off as hopeless. God has converted many people who would have been considered lost causes. A third dangerous kind of judgment is judging someone’s motives for their actions. We do not know the heart of others as God does.

If we know someone who is living as though there is no God, we can keep praying for them, keep the door open for them to change their mind about God, and keep treating them as though God does exist and cares about their soul and eternal destiny.

Love and humility are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

JOHN SHIRK – From Acts 4:20.

Words from Peter and John, who said, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

These early church leaders were under pressure to not speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. The authorities were attempting to clamp down on their expression of faith. Peter and John knew what Jesus had told them to do. They knew that if they kept silent, they would not be keeping the word of the Lord.

When we are placed in a position where we are urged to violate principles of the Bible, courage is needed. Peter and John had it. So did the other disciples of Christ. Daniel withstood pressure to compromise his prayer life. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo stood tall in the face of pressure to bow down to a false god.

The LORD honors those who honor Him. He brings encouragement through various statements in the Bible, such as Isaiah 41:10, which says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE –  Thanks for voting for WJTL in Lancaster Newspapers 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards.   Because of your votes, we received a 2nd Place Win for Favorite Radio Station.  Thanks for the many ways you let others know about the ministry of WJTL!

JOHN SHIRK – From Deuteronomy 3:22.

Moses commanded Joshua, concerning opposing kingdoms, “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”

Before uttering these words, Moses reminded Joshua of how the LORD had helped the Israelites to defeat two kings. He used past victories to encourage Joshua that more victories were coming.

For Joshua to move forward, he needed to have faith in God. That is what keeps us moving forward in the face of adversity too.

Faith gives us courage to overcome fear.

Faith keeps us moving forward in God’s plan for our lives.

Faith relies on God in the midst of our battles.

Today, our struggle may not be with an opposing army, but we are engaged in spiritual battles day after day. That is why the words of Moses to Joshua are relevant for us as well. “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Ephesians 6:10 urges us to “be strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power.” This will happen as we use the full armor of God in the midst of our spiritual battles.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Saturday is the day for my long runs.  I’m training to run my first half marathon in November and am following a training plan each week to help me accomplish my goal of finishing.  (I have no visions of speed or any sort of ranking… just survival and finishing well).   About 3/4 of a mile into my run, I came across a church group handing out water.    I was pretty excited because I keep forgetting that I should have water along on these longer runs and I knew that I could use it.  So, I smiled and took the water they cheerfully supplied as I continued running by.    Fast forward about an hour.  I had run my first 6 mile run and was slowing down into a cool down walk.   I was tired , thirsty and a little sore.   As I approached the area where the church group had been handing out water,  I saw that they were still there, but I also knew that they had already given me a water earlier, so I planned to just keep plugging away until I got home.  I even heard one lady say, “Hey we saw her run by here earlier!”.     When I went to keep walking by, they said “Are you thirsty?”  I said “Yes, but you already gave me some water earlier, and thank you!”  But they held out a water for me anyway and said “God Bless You”.     I know, such a little thing … but what a blessing it was!

As a body of believers who desire to represent Jesus … are we offering cold water to the thirsty?  Is it conditional?  When someone needs us do we think, “I’ve already helped you recently””

Last night I was visiting a friend and their child at the hospital.  The little girl was feeling very sick and kept asking her dad for more sips of water, sometimes after he had just put the cup down.  He lovingly gave her a drink whenever she asked.

Jesus never tires of lifting the cup to our lips.  He doesn’t mind our constant thirst, in fact, it pleases His heart that we ask Him and that He can provide for us.

How can we be Jesus to the thirsty today?    Are we inviting Him to satisfy our own thirsty hearts?

Some thoughts on thirst for you this week.

JOHN SHIRK – from Isaiah 35, verse 10.

“The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

This happens when the glory of God is revealed, and people’s limitations are lifted. The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The mute will speak. The land also will bloom with thriving vegetation. God will save His people.  Tears of pain will be replaced by songs of joy. The Lord is able to do this, and will act in the future to make this happen for those who have been redeemed by Christ.

Until that day comes, we can offer words of encouragement to those with fearful hearts that God is still on the throne. He has not forgotten His people or His promises. He will be back, and when He returns, He will defeat His foes, and establish a new world for His followers.

Confidence in God’s promises is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com