JOHN SHIRK – From Galatians 6:9 and 10.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

There are a number of factors that might cause us to become weary in doing good:

Working long hours.

A feeling that our best efforts are not making a difference.

Discouragement from criticisms of others.

Having a complaining spirit.

The Apostle Paul is saying to us that there is purpose to our activity, and the good that we do for the glory of God is making a difference whether we see it or not. If we keep on doing the things God is calling us to do, we will eventually reap the blessings that come with faithful service. The Bible challenges us to go beyond our own interests to consider the interests and needs of others, and then enter their world with a helping hand.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Jeremiah 7, verse 3.

“This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel says: ‘Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.’”

This was a message to people who gathered to worship at the temple.

They felt that there was some kind of protective hedge around them. Since they were God’s chosen people, nothing bad would happen to them. However, they were more vulnerable than they thought. Their hearts were in need of revival. Reforms were needed in their society. God was not only telling the people that they needed to reform, but He was also getting specific with where the reforms were needed. He said, “If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place.”

Sometimes when we cruise along through our daily schedule, it’s easy to start taking God’s blessings for granted, whether they be  relationships, or the things God has provided for us. Taking God’s blessings for granted paves the way for squandered opportunities. But if we can remember to be thankful to God for His blessings, we will be in a much better place to take care of what God has given us.

Actions that express respect for people and reverence for God are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Second Corinthians 4:16.

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

What is it that motivated Paul to keep going? He was motivated by the love of Christ to bring glory to God through changed lives by the Gospel. That word, “therefore” is a connector to the previous statement made by Paul. In that previous statement, he said, “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to face obstacles, and at the same time, looked for the opportunities that God was giving him to preach the Gospel. He said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” So, the application for us is to keep our focus on Jesus. Let His grace be the spark that energizes our faith. Let His glory be the purpose for our activity. Let the evidence of changed lives be a moment of celebration that offers praise to God for the good things He has done.

Perseverance through hardship is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From First John 1:8 and 9.

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

According to the Bible, sin separates us from God, but the grace of God is able to restore what sin has broken. If we claim to be without sin, then we are disagreeing with the word of God, which says that we all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. To live in denial is to remain in spiritual darkness.

However, confession faces reality, agreeing with God where we have broken His commands. Confession comes out of the darkness and into the light about our need for God’s forgiveness. Confession is an honest place and a humble place before God. The grace of God is a precious gift, made available through the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross. His grace is free, but it is certainly not cheap. It came through the shedding of Christ’s blood. God invites us to come into the light and enjoy fellowship with Him through confession. Verse 7 in that same chapter says that “if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Daniel 6:26 and 27.

King Darius said, “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

If there is one book of the Bible that emphasizes the endurance of God’s Kingdom, it’s the book of Daniel. There are some powerful kings in this book, who are greatly feared by their authoritative leadership. Darius was one of them. He made a decree that if anyone prayed to someone other than to Darius, they would go to the lion’s den.  Since Daniel prayed to God, and was found out, he was led to the lion’s den, but was supernaturally delivered from harm. After witnessing the power of God, Darius made another decree that honored the God of Daniel. The words of Darius’ earlier decree are a reminder to us that while earthly leaders may at times, seem very intimidating, their power and their time is limited. God is Sovereign. The book of Revelation describes Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His Kingdom is coming and will never be shaken. He alone is worthy of our worship.

Fear and Reverence for God is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

KRISTI LEIGH — One of my favorite memories of Creation 2012 was the trek up to the Lookout with Hyland!  We went with Creation Press and all-around-cool-girl Angee, Hyland frontman Jon Lewis and Hyland drummer Steve Weigel.  Since we were crunched on time, a golf cart was the vehicle of choice.  People don’t usually drive golf carts up small mountains, but…we went for it!  WJTL video pro, Ben Sauder, and I took a bunch of our video gear along and ended up walking the steep parts of the hike to make sure everybody–and everyTHING–made it up safely.  It was a dusty and hilarious journey, but we made it!  We ended up filming Jon Lewis playing his guitar at the Lookout and singing “Beauty In The Broken” with a bird’s eye view of the festival as the backdrop.  It was awesome!  And no green screens were used in the making of this video!

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Tooth & Nail Records just released Hyland’s official lyric video for the song.  Check it out to hear the studio version of the song!

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Want to know more behind the music?  Here’s Jon Lewis with the story behind the song.

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Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – From First Corinthians 15:57 and 58.

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves full to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

This is clearly a message for those who belong to Christ. In light of the fact that He gives us victory, there is a purpose to our activity. As we are led by the Lord to do His will, that purpose is not wasted. Discouragement may sometimes settle in to tempt us to stop the work God has for us to do. Maybe people don’t seem to appreciate what we do, or we grow tired and weary. There is a proper time to take a rest, and to simply enjoy time with God.  In light of eternity, no task for God is too small or insignificant. If He can turn a mustard seed into a huge plant, He can take our small, planted seeds of faith and turn them into a fruitful garden that blesses the lives of others.

John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”

Consistent labor in the Lord is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

JOHN SHIRK – From I Corinthians 9:25 through 27.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

As we watch the Olympic games this summer, we see athletes who have prepared most of their lives for this moment. They have worked and trained hard to see their dream come true. They have personal ambitions, and they also want to represent their nation with dignity. They have made personal sacrifices to compete in the games. The Apostle Paul says that we can learn from the dedication and discipline of these athletes and apply those qualities to our service for Christ. The gold medal is a temporary prize, but the rewards for faithful service in Christ are eternal. Heavenly rewards give us purpose and a sense of mission to live for Christ with pure devotion.  The Bible is a dependable training manual to prepare us for effective service that brings honor to Jesus.

Dedication and Discipline are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Romans 8:5.

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Our minds have a way of focusing on the desires of our leader, whether that be our sinful nature or the Spirit. Galatians 5 likens  these two opposing forces to a tug of war. They are constantly working against each other, and if our heart is torn by divided loyalties, we will remain unsettled until we make an intentional commitment to serve the Lord. The Bible teaches that the mind of sinful man is death and is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, and cannot please God. On the other hand, the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind controlled by the Spirit is empowered to put to death the misdeeds of the body. In Galatians 5:16, the Apostle Paul said, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

We can live by the Spirit through faith in Christ and obedience to His Word as an expression of our love to Him.

Having our minds set on Christ is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – from First Peter 3, verses 15 and 16.

“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

Some key ingredients to being an authentic, effective witness for Jesus are found in these few words.

By setting apart Christ as Lord, we have a firm conviction in where our faith is planted. The Apostle Paul said, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”

Being prepared to give an answer for our hope does not suggest that we have all the answers to the problems of the world. But this statement does challenge us to know why we believe in Jesus. Reading and applying God’s Word is an important step to being ready to share the hope of being a Christian.

Doing this with gentleness and respect indicates that our attitude is in the right place. God’s love teaches us to have sincere concern for unbelievers, and to be patient with them in the process of representing Jesus to them.

Being a bold and respectful witness for Jesus is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com